What we never thought we'd do 4 weeks ago

It was 4 weeks ago today we heard a prognosis that contained words like - wheelchair, feeding tube, not normal, unresponsive, DNR, and comfort care. Tonight I watched that same gift from God suckle at her mother's breast. How about that? It was really more along the lines of oral stimulation than feeding. Jennifer had even just pumped so Sara wouldn't drown in milk. But she did latch on. She did suck in spurts of 2-3 times. She did this for about 15-20 minutes. She did cause Jennifer's milk to let down again, just enough to wet her mouth. She did far better than any other oral stimulation she has received. She did maintain all her numbers at great levels. She did cause her mother to float out of NICU tonight. What a night!

We came expecting to watch Sara receive her first bottle. The nurse felt it would be more beneficial to try this since it is still too early to try and eat from a bottle. So, while Sara was getting fed through the tube, she was at her mother's breast. To say this was beyond our expectations would be quite an understatement. Keep praying that this oral stimulation turns into feedings in the next 2-3 weeks. Pray that Jennifer would be allowed to do this daily. You talk about medicine for a mother's heart!

She did have her CAT scan today, but we have not heard anything about it yet. She was not tapped today, which is good, the pressure is not increasing too fast. Everything else is looking good also. But nothing compares to that time with her mom.

You know the funny thing, we were driving to the hospital tonight and both of us were sensing a temptation to have our own little pity party. Usually just one of us starts down that road and then the other one helps them back. But tonight, maybe for the first time, it was both of us. You know what that is like. Woe is me, woe is me. This has been going on forever and is never going to end. And it's like God sent us this incredible experience on just the right night to remind us - I got this guys. I haven't brought you this far to let you go now. Just keep walking by faith, keep trusting your Father. Know that I'm good and my love for you is unfailing. And here is a little gift of my sufficient grace tonight to remind you. His grace is sufficient indeed!