Both girls passed their NST this morning. The nurse also mentioned that their heart rates are demonstrating signs of maturity; that is, the rates are getting slightly lower. When we first started the daily monitoring, the rates were in the mid-150’s, and now they’re in the 140’s. Our little girls are growing up! 🙂
This morning, one of the perinatologists (high-risk obstetricians) commented on how impressed she was with our progress. She said it felt like it was not too long ago that they were admitting me with the hope that they could stave off delivery for a mere 48 hours to give the lung-developing steroids time to work. Those steroids were vital to the girls’ long-term health if they were to have been born at 24 weeks. Now, as we approach the 30 week mark on Thursday, it almost feels greedy to keep asking the Lord for one more day. He has blessed us abundantly, and I am so thankful – not only because, if our girls were born now, their prognosis is vastly improved over if they had been born over a month ago. I’m also simply thankful to have had the joy of being pregnant this much longer. I love being able to feel them move inside of me, as I try to imagine what gymnastic maneuver they are performing. I love feeling them hiccup, the rhythmic pulsation of their tiny bodies against my skin. I love listening to their heartbeats, that audible manifestation of strength and life, that reminder of the Lord’s creative and sustaining power.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.†(Psalm 139:13-14).
His works are indeed wonderful – I know that full well!
Dearest Emily & Jim,
Pregnancy is a miraculous journey from conception to birth. In a serendipidous way you have had more time to truly focus on the hour by hour progress and growth of these two sweet miracles from God. If you had not had pre-term labor, you would most likely not have given nearly as much thought and prayers to your daughters heart rates and non stress tests or what new position they were swimming to…you would have been doing normal day to day ‘stuff.’
You have been able to truly marvel at the miracle of life and the precious gift that God has given you both….as well as the blessed reassurance that every 8 hours or more often, that ‘all is well.’
Only God knows how many more days of your pregnancy you have left. Hopefully you will have a few days of true discomfort to be emotionally ready to have them outside of you. (Seriously!) I think that God has discomfort as part of the separation plan…otherwise you’d want to stay pregnant for 2 years like the elephants 🙂
( Why do you think that God has designed teenagers to be so obnoxious? If kids always acted like when they are 8, you’d Never want them to leave.) As God has it perfectly planned out, most parents are ready to help their adolescents pack their suitcases to leave the nest.
I am so thrilled that you have had days and weeks of calm after the scare of an early birth. This will help you be ready for the next step, the delivery.
With love and pride for all 4 of you,
Mom, Linda, Grammie
Emily and Jim,
Good Morning, it is great to start my day with the progress of your daughters. Before we know it we will be getting slide shows of them. It has truly be exciting counting the weeks with you. Before long they will be water skiing on the wake board….Love and prayers, Beck