Week 23

 "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." --Phil. 4:6-7 (The Message)


Today went better than we expected! We are seeing God at work! :) It's amazing! (We still have a LONG way to go...but...we are thankful for little positives!)


We had two doctor's appointments..one with the specialist and one with our OB. The ultrasound at the specialist showed that Junebug has switched positions (yet again). Last week, Junebug was breach...but today, the baby was head down and had flipped left to right. The doctor is amazed (and puzzled) how the baby is able to do that without there being fluid. It shouldn't be possible, but this bug is a mover...and fighter! God is allowing it to move and "stretch" as much as it can! From what they can tell, the kidneys have developed more. They showed up on the ultrasound today as a gray color instead of the big, black blob they were before. There is still some black (a.k.a fluid) in the kidneys...but it's much smaller than it has ever been! They still can't determine the function of the kidneys, but at least the look better! Again, God's work! And they believe there is fluid in the bladder since it shows up black. We are assuming there is a breakdown somewhere from the kidneys to the bladder to the excretion of the urine. The heartbeat was still strong and perfect at 144 bpm!


Our OB was very encouraged today when we visited her! She is encouraged by the changes Junebug is showing, the strong heartbeat, and the fact we have made it to this point...23 weeks. :) We discussed what possibilities lie ahead as far as monitoring, delivery, and post-delivery...but we will know more "definitive" (as much as we can...) next Thursday. We are meeting with the specialist, the OB, and a neonatologist to come up with a plan for our Junebug. (I will keep you updated after that...) They will give me steroids to help in the development of the baby's lungs starting at 24 weeks. 


Please continue to pray! Pray for Junebug's body...that God will continue to heal and develop the kidneys, that JB will stay away from the umbilical cord (that's still a concern), and that we can make it to at minimum 24 weeks! (Of course, we would love to make it to 26-28 weeks...the longer, the better!) Pray for Rob and I...we need the continued peace and knowledge of what is best for our baby. Pray for our families...they need the peace, knowledge, and support too! And pray for our friends...they have been a huge support to us and will continue to be, but we don't want them to get worn or stressed out!


To our Junebug:
Wow, bugger! You are one strong baby! I love that I can feel you moving/poking...even if it keeps me up at night! It gives me reassurance that you are ok in there, so don't stop for too long! Bug, God is touching you...healing you...using you! There are people who "know" you...and are amazed by God's work in you. I can't even imagine what He has planned for you after your arrival! Big things, baby, big things for Him! Hang out in there for a couple more weeks...and stay away from that fun-looking cord! We love you!! 
Momma and Daddy