Day Five

Hello dear friends! Thank-you so much for praying for us - we are doing well! Two days ago we were giving Rachel glucose water with a syringe - drops at a time to keep her hydrated. We wondered if her swallowing reflex wasn't working. But in the last few days we have seen a wonderful thing - she is now using a special bottle to drink only breast milk. Her intake has really increased and even though it is still much less than a healthy baby would drink, we absolutely love to see her chug this down. It is a strange feeling - this enjoyment of seeing her improve - and also trying to making sense of the knowledge that harder days are ahead. It is hard to believe sometimes that there is so much wrong with her body...We are so amazed by her.

Haberman Nipple

Because things were going well, we took Rachel home for a short visit today!! (and to pick up some things) We gave her a tour of our house. Ethan and Abigail showed her their bedroom. They are getting to know and love their baby sister. (and they are so proud of her) While at the Hospital one of my favorite memories will be of Ethan and Abigail helping to push Rachel to the nursery for her first bath. Ethan told everyone on the way that he had a new baby sister. oh my heart...it swells and breaks at once. These are such bittersweet days. The Flames Rotary Hospice is an incredible place and the kids love it here! So much thought has gone into it - and I really do want to tell you more about it someday! Lots of beautiful spaces, a Library, sun room, play room, Kids movies on a Big screen TV, Chefs that prepare marvelous food for us...This afternoon the kids did finger painting with a play therapist. We are so grateful for a place where good memories will be created for them (and us) even as we suffer loss. This place is only two months old - if Rachel had been born earlier we would not have been here.

First Visit Home with Rachel

Our family has gradually left to go home. We have one more day with our moms and Dave's sisters. Our moms are ready to return when things become more difficult here. I feel torn (as they do too) - we will miss their support but it will be good for us to be just the 5 of us too. Five of us....it has just begun to hit me that we are now the parents of three children. And we always will be even though one of us will go ahead to be with Jesus. These will be Rachel's better days and we are focusing on enjoying her now. We are taking lots of pictures and videos..I can't seem to be able to copy them into this post for some reason. But I will try again soon to add a few here.