A Thorn Among Roses

Dr. Watts called and said to get the car seat ready...and I (Danyele) almost fell off the bed!  Being born a preemie and so growth restricted, the doctors orginally said Sofie would be in the NICU 2-3 weeks and maybe longer based on any set backs.  Well, we are on day 8 and Sofie is scheduled, if all goes well, to come home on Friday afternoon.  Ryan and I will be doing our overnight with her at the hospital on Thursday evening.  it gives us a chance to be alone in a room with her for the first time, but have hospital staff close by if we need them or have questions.  Parenting and caring for a preemie is so much different...and not just because she's 3lbs 9 oz.  Sleeping, eating, burping, talking,  and all that stuff is different.  So, the hope is we soak up all the info and we bring her home safely.  I have to admit, it's a bit scary.  We are ready for her to be home!!  We can't wait to be together as a family.  That has yet to happen since only one guest is allowed in NI...

I just love how the Good Lord always reminds me He's the one.  I set on Psalm 46:10 so many times because I get so busy with fear or what if's or anxiety, that I can't just be still and remember that He is God.   Today, as if only to send me a loving reminder in all the hoopla of the past 2 months, I got this inspiration from the Walk in the Word ministries, which I love.  Pastor James Mac Donald just sent along a reminder of setting my eyes God, nothing else.  I pray that you too in your moments of 4:10's, whatever they may be (jobs, family, money, school, life, etc) that you too remember that you re so very precious and perfect to Him. " "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. ...

Sofie is gaining weight slowly but steadily, up to 3lbs 8oz. She moved from her 'tent' home tonight, which means we are closer yet to coming home. Still a number of days away, but making progress. Here are some newer pics from the last couple of days... Either saluting or blessing the people (or both)... A wrinkly little hand.... Holding hands with daddy.... Peaceful inside the tent..... Enjoying each other.... This little piggy went to market... just plain beautiful, like all my sisters...

Well, it's been about a day and a half since Sofie was born, and she is doing very well!  She lost the nose tube and mouth tube so far, and she ate her first meal: One Teaspoon of formula.  But she used a bottle and drank it herself, so that is very good.  Mom's doing well (except for the pain from the c-section); she got to get up and see Sofie for the first time since the operating room, and was the first to hold her!   Here are some more pics... (by the way...the softball is an 11 inch softball, not even a full size women's softball!)

Proving that an Easterhaus can do something early, Sofie has arrived at 34 weeks, 1 day!  I won't write much, because nobody is going to read it anyway... Here she is...and she's crying!!!  And pretty too! Here she is just hanging out in the crib...about 1 minute after birth! Here's mom and dad and Sofie...  Here's D...she's ok, but a little pissed off at Eve. (And she's #1 as you can see) Sofie all hooked up...but it's not that bad!