Where to begin...the biggest blessing

OK....I am super behind on blogging and really don't even know where to begin. As many of you know Brad and I unexpectedly welcomed our miracle baby into this world on August 9th at 1:11.  What an incredible gift from God! I am overwhelmed with gratefulness, joy, and pure love every time I look at sweet Grant and think back about the journey we went through to get him here.  I am completely sure God had his hand protecting Grant and molding him....I am excited about the great things in store for Grant and his walk with his Father!

Let the story begin....
During a regular doctors appointment on a Friday afternoon, Grant measured small.  My doctor was a bit concerned about this because he had been measuring normal until this visit.  We decided that an ultrasound would be a good idea just to make sure everything was still healthy and Grant looked good.  We scheduled the doctor's appointment for the 9th.  I later found out that Brad couldn't go to the doctor visit with me on the 9th due to work conflicts; therefore, I called the doctor on Monday the 8th and begged them to try and squeeze us in that afternoon so Brad could see our ultrasound. Luckily the doctor could see us that afternoon; Brad and I were so excited to see little Grant on the ultrasound because we hadn't had an ultrasound since 21 weeks.  Happy birthday Brad (the 8th was Brad's 33 birthday)! After we had the ultrasound, we met with the doctor.  He was very concerned about Grant's size and my urine sample had come back positive for protein.  Both of these factors made the doctor concerned that I was developing Preeclampsia; therefore, he admitted us into the hospital for 24 hour monitoring.  They were going to take blood, get more urine samples, etc.  At this time we were nervous, but thought we would go home the next day and maybe have Grant early the next week. Boy were we wrong!

To make a long story a bit shorter, the doctors decided the next morning that is was in the best interest for Grant and myself to deliver Grant that afternoon via c-section.  Here is a picture of Brad and I pre c-section:

I was very nervous about having Grant early. I prayed that he was healthy and his little lungs were ready for the world.  I prayed that God would protect him during the c-section and that he wouldn't have to go to the NICU.  God answered my prayers yet again! He has shown me time and time again that he is faithful and that Grant is His son.  Grant Holden was born on August 9th happy and healthy! He weighed 5.6 and was 18 inches long.  He is perfect!

1 Samuel 1:27-28
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord."
Thank you God for Baby Grant! He is such a blessing to Brad and I and a testimony of your great love for us. Please guide us and help us be great examples to him through our walk with you.  Lay your hands on Grant and mold him into a great warrior for you.  Please use our family to glorify your name! Amen.

Ok...back to the story....During the C-section, the doctors realized I had a severe case of preeclampsia.  The fluids had built up around my organs.  We were so thankful that Grant was healthy and unaffected by all that was going on in my body.  After the c-section, we spent time with little Grant and introduced him to our families.  I don't remember a lot from this day because during the c-section they had to give me more medicine which made me "loopy".  The next morning is when everything started going downhill for me.  We awoke the next day with the doctor very concerned for my health.  I had developed HELLP syndrome; which is a condition that can occur to patients that had preeclampsia.  Basically, I was really sick and was not allowed to get out of bed, eat, drink (the nurses gave me small sips and ice) and was only allowed to sit up in bed while I was nursing Grant.   We spent the rest of the week in the hospital.

Finally, after a long week of recovery and being blessed with a healthy baby boy, we were released on Sunday to go home! I am 100% sure that the power of prayer helped me recover and kept Grant healthy.  God showed me time after time that He would protect the thing nearest to my heart even in the midst of everything going on around Grant.  I just had to trust Him and be faithful even during the hard times.We all go through trial and tribulations throughout life, but me must keep our eyes on the Lord, stay faithful through prayer, and praise His name through all things good and bad!

Going Home....praise the Lord....

I am finally home with my boys and feeling so blessed each day. I have so many more stories and pictures to update the blog with; I will try to add another entry in the upcoming days!

excitement building and countdown on!

Ok...one more quick post and update! Exactly one month from today (August 2nd)  is Grant Holden's expected due date (September 2nd)! Wow! Where has the time gone? I really can't believe it is almost time for Brad and I to meet our sweet baby boy! We are truly getting so excited and overjoyed by our expanding family.  Here are a few things that have warmed my heart lately about our family and how overwhelmed I am with love and gratitude:
*Brad talking to Grant, whistling songs to him, and tapping on my stomach....Grant kicking in response to his daddy.  This makes me feel so proud and blessed!
*Finding sweet Murray in Grant's room sleeping by his crib!
*Fancy buying a crib for Grant for his weekend visits...he is a lucky boy!
*Granna sending me sweet texts and encouragement and truly being so excited about meeting her 6th grandchild! He will love her so much.
*PB getting excited about taking Grant hunting when he is bigger!
*All his cousins that already love him...even though he is "stealing" a pacifier from Nora and is not another girl for Sammye Kate to play with...ha ha!
*My constant and overwhelming love for Grant!
Thank you Lord for an amazing family! I feel so blessed!

sweetest surprise!

I thought I would quickly update the blog...time is becoming more precious now that it is officially back to work...ugh! My first day back to work was filled with anxiety about all I needed to accomplish in my classroom before Grant's arrival, the worrying about leaving my "Bestie" Maryann (oh how I will miss seeing her daily!), and the typical nerves and stresses that go along with the beginning of each school year; however, my day was quickly turned upside down when I got the sweetest surprise from one of my favorite co-workers (don't tell him that...I like to pick on him and give him a hard time)!

My good friend John Daugherty carried in the most beautiful rocking horse I have ever seen for baby Grant. He had been working on it all summer and made it from scratch.  The horse is flawless and gorgeous; everything is so perfect on it and every detail is thought out with such care and concern.  I almost cried when he brought it into my classroom and was so surprised! It is truly one of the most unexpected, sweetest gestures anyone has done and it made me feel so special! I have no idea how I will ever thank him enough or show him how much I truly appreciate it!  Here are some pictures of the horse in Grant's nursery...it matches perfectly!

Thank you Mr. Daughtery for the sweet gift! I will cherish it always and can't wait for Grant to ride it; I am sure he will enjoy countless hours of fun on it!  I just want you to know over the past few years that I have gotten the privilege to know you how much I admire you as a teacher and a father. I know our students look up to you and our school is lucky to have you as a role model. Thank you for being a friend....and letting our pre-k class play practical jokes on you!