One Flesh Sunday School Shower

Before Anthony and I got married, we joined the One Flesh Sunday School class at Sunrise Baptist. It's listed as the "newly married class" but if you ever visit, you will see why everyone ends up staying even after they have been married several years! We have an awesome teacher and group of members!! It is a common joke to tell people not to drink the water if they come to our class, because you will eventually end up having a baby. Sometimes I wonder if we should rename our class to the "baby making class". We literally have babies every few months, but what a blessing! We like to throw showers for couples that are having their first baby and then a breakfast fellowship/gift basket for the next baby. I must say it was a little crazy being on the receiving end of the shower, but nonetheless Anthony and I were both super excited.

Our Sunday School shower was the very next day (Sunday, Nov. 11) after the Barfield shower. It worked out perfect because we were able to put all of Josiah "goodies" away at once. The shower was held right after the 11 o'clock service in what we call the lighthouse (where our college and career class meets).

**To anyone from our sunday school class that is reading this and you helped decorate/bring food/help clean up, a HUGE thank you from Anthony and I. You guys did a wonderful job and we are both so thankful to be a part of such an awesome class!! I don't think we can express our gratitude and appreciation enough!**

After eating it was time to open gifts. And I'll just end by saying this: could this child be anymore loved/spoiled already?? Thank you again to everyone! Here are a few picture to enjoy:

28 weeks and 5 days



Getting ready to leave for church

Can't wait to use everything 

These were used as table decoraton, super cute!



Anthony's favorite blanket! Thanks Heather =)

 

Barfield Baby Shower

I had my first baby shower on Saturday (Nov. 10)! One of the not-so-good things about having a baby in January is having to plan baby showers around the holidays. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas and trying not to plan a shower too late in case Josiah decides to make an early appearance, you arn't left with too many dates. But, no worries they have all been planned and I feel so blessed to have such awesome family and friends! We decided to throw a shower for Anthony's side of the family (both his mom and dad's side together). We also did this for our wedding shower and it worked out wonderful.

I met mom early on Saturday at Kohls because she had a coupon for 30% off, but of course we didn't find anything. We both needed to get some things at Cosmo Prof (hair supply store where mom gets supplies) so we stopped there next. I loaded up on some shampoo and conditioner. And, yes, I have been spoiled by having a mom for a hairdresser. I really can tell a difference between a good shampoo and a not so good shampoo. Anthony on the other hand has no opinion, haha! Anyhow, I figured I didn't want to have to worry about running out once Josiah gets here so we are set for a while! After Kohls and Cosmo Prof, mom and I decided to grab a quick/lite lunch. We ended up at a little cuban cafe place right down the road from our house. I didn't even know it was there! We ordered a side salad and a chicken cuban sandwich and split them both. I must say, it was really yummy! I've never had Cuban food before, but I will definitely be going back and taking Anthony with me. The owner was super nice too!

After lunch, we headed home to hurry and change clothes and get ready to leave for the shower. Anthony had to ref some championship football games that afternoon/evening so he was getting ready to leave once we got home. I didn't realize how time had flown that morning, so I had to rush and curl my hair and change my outfit. After doing those 2 things, it was time to hit the road again. The shower was at New Canaan Baptist Church, which is right down the road, so it took less than five minutes to get there. As much as I try to be on time if not early to things, it never seems to happen. I'd say we were pretty close, we got there about 3 minutes after 2!

The shower was a drop in from 2-4, but basically everyone was there by 2:30. Shout out to: Liz, Ashley, Deborah, Linda, Brenda, and Melanie (hope I didn't leave anyone out!) who did a beautiful job with the shower! I am so thankful for all you did to put it together...especially the cakes, they were delicious!!

I could kick myself for forgetting my camera..at least I can blame it on pregnancy, right?? Jessica, my sister-in-law, did take some pictures for me of the decorations, food, etc (thanks J!) So when I get those, I will post a few. But, everything looked awesome! Let me say how beyond grateful I am for everyone's generosity that was at the shower (or sent a gift). We received some wonderful gifts and can't wait to be able to use them! Here are some pictures below:

All of Josiah's gifts

Super excited about our stroller!! Thanks to the in-laws!

 

Super cute frog on a motorcycle made by Ashley!

Can't wait to put this by his little bed at Egleston

Mom stayed for a little while after the shower at our house until dad came and picked her up. Since Anthony was refereeing that afternoon it was nice to have some company for a while. Of course He didn't end up getting home until 11pm!! We still managed to have a little fun before bed, by having Anthony try on the baby carrier. That was one of the things he wanted to register for...haha just look at this picture! It looks so small on him!

Please excuse the fan cleaner...and random box of yarn!
Still trying to find space in this house for everything!!

The Lord is Still in the Miracle Business

**Please note: this is a fairly long post with some crazy medical stuff, but please be sure to read to the end =) Also, I am by no means an expert on all of the medical things we are learning about Josiah, this is just my understanding of everything.

This past Thursday I had an appointment with Dr. V (our pediatric cardiologist). These appointments are spaced 4 weeks apart, but for whatever reason, I always feel like I was just there. Dr. V's staff is so sweet and I absolutely love my ultrasound tech, Michelle!

These appointments are simply to make sure that Josiah's heart is still strong and functioning. At my last appointment I was in and out in an hour. This time it took about and hour and a half...Josiah was being a little stubborn =) Once Michelle finally got the pictures she wanted, Dr. V came in a did a little scanning of his own. After he was finished, he mentioned he noticed something that was a little concerning. Dr. V asked if I had the drawing he had given Anthony and I at our first appointment. I told him yes, but not with me (guess it would be a good idea to keep it in my purse). No worries though, he drew another one and went on to explain what the ultrasound was showing. He started by saying that Josiah's heart still has a very strong squeeze. He even drescribed it as a little above average!! After the good news he went on to explain what the ultrasound was showing.

Ok, are you ready for a little science lesson??

When a baby is in the womb, its blood circulates differently then when they are born. When a baby is born, there are two parts of their heart that will close shortly after birth: the PFO and the PDA (I won't confuse you with what those letters stand for, lol). The PDA (which connects the pulmonary artery and the aorta) closes between 72 hour and 2 weeks, and the PFO (which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the right atrium) closes between 6 months and 1 year.

When Josiah is born, he will be given prostoglandin to keep the PDA open until his surgery. This needs to be open so that at least a portion of his oxygenated blood from the left side of his heart can flow back to his lungs by flowing from the aorta to the pulmonary artery.

Here are some pictures that might help you get the idea:

Picture showing the PDA

 

Picture showing the PFO

 

 

 

What Dr. V believed he noticed had to do with the PFO. The ultrasound can measure the pressure of the blood flow from the left atrium (LA) to the right atrium (RA). A normal pressure measures around 1. Dr. V mentioned that the ultrasound was showing Josiah's measuring at 2. So, what does that mean? Simply put, the flap was being partialy closed from the pressure of the blood flowing from the LA to the RA...not a good thing. Because Josiah's left ventrical (the chamber right below the left atrium) and aortic valve are small, it does not allow a lot of blood to flow through. Therefore the PFO being open is critical for Josiah so that the blood has somewhere to flow and does not get backed up.

 

If the PFO does become partially closed in HLHS babies, then blood flow becomes backed up. The blood has no where else to go but into his lungs. I asked Dr. V what that would mean when Josiah is born, and he said it would mean that he would be a little more sick, and we would need to get him to Egleston sooner. This condition is called restrictive patent foramen ovale or Pulmonary Hypertention. Before Josiah could have his first surgery, he would have to undergo another procedure that would open up the PFO. This procedure is similar to when a person has to have stents put in. They go through a vein in your leg, in through the inferior vena cava and insert a little balloon to open up the PFO.

 

**Interesting fact: during Josiah's first surgery Dr. Kanter will actually permenantly open up Josiah's PFO flap. This will allow the blood to flow freely from Josiah's left atrium to his right atrium**

 

I don't know if this is a good thing or not, but I felt like I was numb to the fact that more bad news had been added to Josiah's condition. I wasn't taken aback, I didn't panic, I wasn't mad, I simply just began asking Dr. V questions and listened as he drew a picture and explained. Maybe it just hadn't had time to sink in. I thanked Dr. V and I remember telling him we're just going to add that to our prayer list and scheduled another appointment in 4 weeks.

 

After handing my stamped parking pass to the attendant I decided to call Anthony and let him know what I had just found out. After he answered I asked how his day was going and he said it was fine, but before I could go into detail about what I had just learned a number beeped in. I noticed it was the number Dr. V's office usually calls from. Normally, I would have just let them leave a message and I would have called them back, but for whatever reason I told Anthony to hold on for a second. I answered and it was Michelle (my ultrasound tech) and she sounded very happy. She went on to tell me that after I left, she and Dr. V went to his office and he did some calculations of his own. And, come to find out the pressure of Josiah's bloodflow was NOT measuring at 2, but instead it was measuring within the normal range!!! PRAISE THE LORD! It was measuring a little on the higher end of normal, but none the less, MUCH better than what we had thought! Michelle said Dr. V would be more then happy to talk with me if I would like, but I told her it was ok, that I was just happy to hear everything was actually fine! She added that after Dr. V recalculated, his reaction was "This is factastic!!" Haha..I can totally hear him saying that. I clicked back over to Anthony and began to explain everything that went on at the appointment. He was glad to hear everything turned out to actually be OK!

 

Now that I have had time to actually think back on what could have possibly been another thing wrong with Josiah I am so so thankful the Lord decided to step in and perform this little miracle. It was a reminder that HE is in control of everything, and all I have to do is lean on Him to give me the strength I need. I told Anthony the other day, I feel like I am OK right now, but that the real test of my faith will come when Josiah is actually here, especially the day of his surgery. I will be completely helpless...the only thing I will be able to do is to place Josiah in the hands of my Lord and Dr. Kanter and pray. I can't even fathom that now, but the good thing is I don't have to. The Lord gives us what we need, when we need it.

 

Thank you again to all who have mentioned that we are in your prayers. I just ask that you continue to pray for Josiah and his little heart. I didn't even think to ask Dr. V if pulmonary hypertenstion is still something we need to be concerned about popping up before he is born, but I am asssuming it can. We are still praying for a miracle, but that most importantly that the Lord's will be done and that we are accepting of it.

All fears and anxiety aside, I can't wait for the day that we get to meet this little boy that enjoys kicking my blatter and right rib!

 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

 

~Isaiah 41:10