Thankful

I know I've written about this before, but last night before, during and after our visit, I was just reminded of it again.

For all the things that we've had to go through with Alicia, we've had it easy compared to some of the other parents. While our journey hasn't been a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination, it could definitely have been a lot worse.

Last night before our visit with Alicia, Linda and I were eating dinner in the lobby of the hotel when we ran into our old friend Kai-Ge's mom. This is one strong woman, I tell you. She's a few years younger than Linda, and she's already got a 5-year-old daughter at home as well as Kai-Ge. Kai-Ge is still in the NICU due to some complications with excess water in his brain.

I remember what it was like to arrive weeks before other children, and to see them graduate one by one. Kai-Ge arrived several months before us in the NICU, and he's still there. It has to get discouraging in some ways, but Kai-Ge's mom is still hanging in there. I can tell that it's hard for her, but she's pressing on.

After our conversation with our friend, Linda and I chatted and we both agreed that we had a lot to be thankful for. There are a whole slew of medical issues that God in his grace preserved us from.

This fact was further emphasized when we entered the SBR for visiting hours. As I was walking to Alicia's bed, one of the babies caught my eye. This child's head was about the size of an adult's, maybe even larger, but still had the body of an infant. When we got to Alicia's bed, I asked Linda if she had noticed the baby next door. "The one with the big head?" she asked me. I nodded. She said she saw him a few days ago. He's got the same problem as Kai-Ge, except his condition has progressed further.

My initial thoughts were wonder at just how far our heads can stretch. But then again thankfulness for God's grace over our precious daughter. Followed by a need to pray for God's peace and grace to rest with this family. I can only imagine what his family must be going through.

Alicia is now officially one day old, adjusted age. Her due date was yesterday, September 10. She is now really very much like any other newborn, just a bit smaller. =) She's improving daily, and we're so thankful.

Now the goal is to just get her nice and plump so that she can be strong enough and healthy enough to come home. Kind of reminds me of all those fairy tales where the witch feeds the children to plump them up. The difference is we're not planning on eating her later. (Gross.) =)

So, we're getting there friends.

Pray for her lungs. She's doing much better in terms of the phlegm. She's not as congested as before, but she's still got some lingering lung disease. Pray for complete healing of that area.

Also, pray that she can gain strength to eat on her own. For some reason, since she's moved up to the SBR she hasn't been able to eat as much on her own. Also, she hasn't pooped in the past 3 days. I think a lot of this has to do with her adjusting to her new environment. The nurses don't seem too concerned, so that's good. Pray that Alicia's bodily functions and eating will regulate soon.

She's still got a good appetite and is eating and digesting well. She's just not eating a lot on her own. But that's OK. She'll grow into it.

Onwards and upwards we go friends.