7 days, but no more counting! Happy birthday Annelise!

Things happened so quickly, at the non-stress test on Monday, the doctor came in and said that it looked like the umbilical cord really wasn’t doing much to provide Annelise with nutrients, so if we waited until June 17th to deliver, we’d be risking her getting weaker in the womb, and could possibly lose her.  So the decision was made to deliver that day!
Kevin was back at the Rainbow House starting his first day of working remotely.  He had just IM’d his coworker about the day, and then had to turn around and say just kidding, not going to work today, going to have a baby!
Since it wasn’t a complete emergency, I was allowed to go home and get Kevin (since we just have the one car here), pack my hospital bag, and then return to the hospital.
It was faster to get info out to people via Facebook, and I’ve really enjoyed reading the comments and being encouraged by knowing so many people are praying for us and already love our little girl!
I’ll copy and paste the fb posts here, so I can look back someday

June 10th

Surprise!  Annelise isn’t quite getting the nutrients she needs through her umbilical cord, so while she’s bopping around in there, they are going to take her out NOW... like I’m about to put a hospital gown on and get ready! Here we go!!!

She’s here!  And she’s amazing! 💖😍🥰 Annelise had to be intubated.  She was trying to breathe but was having trouble. She’s on her way to Children’s Hospital now, and Kevin will follow her there.  I don’t have stats for her yet, but I know shes a tiny fighter!  Thank you for praying, the c-section went super well, and I’m just focusing on healing fast so I can get over to the hospital and see my baby girl too!  They will put a live stream video on her later so I can watch her from my phone.  So thankful for her life!!  Thank you Jesus for this gift!


Facebook update for the win when there’s no time to blog!
Annelise: is stable and at Children’s Hospital of Omaha.  The plan for tomorrow is surgery to close up the Spina bifida opening on her back, and also, they decided that she has a hernia at the base of her umbilical cord (they were originally calling it an omphalocele, where part of her guts come through the umbilical cord... but then looked into it and changed the diagnosis) so they’re going to fix that tomorrow as well.  She’s on medication for her heart now, and on a ventilator, with good looking oxygen levels.  Her proud papa is with her now, but she’s doing so well, and has such a long day tomorrow, that the nurses advised him to go get some consecutive hours of sleep and come back super early for her 8am (6am California time) operation start.

Kevin: He had to reschedule his GI doctor appointments that were supposed to happen today and tomorrow, but was feeling better with the medicine that the doc had him try out.  I’m so grateful for the encouraging stable rock of a husband I have, and super thankful that the hospital communicated how long Annelise would be being undergoing tests and transfer stuff that he wouldn’t be allowed to be a part of anyway... he was able to stay with me all through the recovery room time, until I got to move in to my regular room.  That was awesome!

Me: I can feel my legs again!👍. I had a quesadilla and yogurt for dinner.  I haven’t felt nauseous at all!🥳🎉. I also haven’t cried at all, which is so unlike me... I feel like I’ve been in a “let’s do this” mode all day.  The Lord’s presence and peace has been very evident throughout the day, and I couldn’t be more impressed with this hospital and the care we’ve received.  ❤️
I’ve started to pump for Annelise, and will be continuing to give that a go.  There’s a real possibility that I might be able to be discharged tomorrow!  Hoping and praying that is so!  I just got up and walked for the first time since the c-section!  So that’s a good sign!

Bummer that the cameras at Children’s aren’t working right... they’ve ordered new ones, but they are down to 3 working ones and they are all being used 😢

Kevin and I Skyped tonight though, and it was so amazing to see this sweet girl of ours resting and calm.  It has been a weird psychological thing to know she’s not in my belly anymore... but to still not be able to see her.  Show me the baby!😍🤪. I’ll get there though!

Continued prayers for us would be for my speedy healing, Annelise’s surgeries and the surgeons tomorrow, wisdom for all involved in her care, and the next steps of heart surgeries and breathing/ eating hurdles.
We are so grateful for the village that is lifting us up.  The foundation of faith in God’s plan for Annelise’s life is made even more solid by the love of His people!  Thank you!