4 weeks ago today.....

I cannot believe it has been 4 weeks since little man made his grand entrance into the world! I was holding him this morning at his 3 AM feeding and I was thinking back to what I was doing the day we had him.  I woke up that morning at 5:00 AM, way before Jeff, I got a shower and then started sanitizing bottles, my pump, washing sheets for the nursery, etc...... now that I think back on it I wonder if I had one day of "nesting." Jeff came home for lunch and as he was headed back to the office I called and told him to come back we were going to the doctor and hopefully having our baby!The last four weeks have been some of the hardest but best days of my life. When I married Jeff I knew I loved him, but when I saw him holding our sweet son I fell in love with him all over again. He has been an amazing support for me. Since I had complications with the c- section I had a little longer to recover and Jeff stepped up and did most of the nightly feedings and changes so that my body could rest. I am still so amazed at the man Father gifted to me, I am so undeserving of such a loving, servant minded man. 

When I was feeding Tripp this morning he had his little hand wrapped around my fingers and I could not help but think of Mary. God sent his only son and she was chosen to be his earthly mother. I wonder what it was like for her holding a child that was actually perfect. I wonder if he wrapped his little fingers around hers as she feed him and I wonder what songs she sang to him. I could not imagine the heart ache she went through as his earthly mother when she saw him on the cross and to know that it was also for her sins that he was there. I weep when I think about how much Christ has done for me and I do not deserve any of it. 

Every morning after Jeff goes to work Tripp and I pray, well I do the praying while he sleeps :) I pray constantly that God would make Tripp one of his children. I know there is nothing I can do to make him become a believer and that is so scary to me. I pray that he grows to be a man strong in his faith and that he shares the gospel with boldness. I have prayed that wherever God has him in the future, if it's down the road from us raising godly children or in a country that hates and kills Christians, that I would remember he was a gift and belongs to God. Being a mother in these few short weeks has rocked my world. I am so in love with our baby! To God be the glory!

June 24, 2014

June 24th our crazy pregnancy journey came to an end! We went to the doctor around 1:00 and she said I had progressed a lot more from the day before and was still having contractions. She told us to wait about an hour and head over to the hospital to prep for our c- section. At that time I was not freaking out at all.... Jeff on the other hand was starting to. When we got to check in we saw my favorite nurse, Christi and found out she was working. I cried a little knowing that she was there the night we went into labor at 22 weeks and she had been such a big prayer warrior for us throughout this process. She was getting to see this long journey end and be apart of it! My parents, brother, sister-in-law, and Jeff's parents came up to see us before the birth. Joseph and Kristen prayed with us and then sent our parents in. Before Tripp birth we all prayed (including my amazing nurse) for Tripp to be healthy, for me to be healthy, for the doctors and nurses, but most importantly we prayed for Tripp's salvation. I know I have no choice in my sons salvation and that all Jeff and I can do is live out a life for Christ before him. However, we all prayed and continue to pray God chooses to adopt him.  

The time came to take me into the operating room and I got really scared. I remember telling Jeff I was not sure I was ready, but he reminded me God is sovereign and he has been so good to us throughout this process. Christi stayed past her shift to take care of little man after he was born and she also supported me through my epidural, which I might add after the 4th stick I was not loving the doctor so much. Dr. Pitcher came in and held my hand while the nurses got me ready and then it was show time! I kept asking Dr. Pitcher if I was numb over and over. I guess by this point she knew me well enough to not tell me she had started. She laughed and said "I'm breaking your bag of water so you tell me if your numb!" At that point my nerves calmed and I just laid there waiting to see little man. When he came Dr. Pitcher yelled out "oh my goodness he's beautiful!" and then she showed him to me real fast before they took our sweet son away! I could not wait to get my hands on him. I thought I would be holding him within 30 minutes, but God was about to teach me another lesson in trusting him.

After they got him cleaned up Jeff came and sat beside me and held him. I remember thinking it had to have been longer than 30 minutes, which is how long they said it would take to get me sown up. I asked Jeff how long it had been and he said he was not sure. I finally managed to find the clock to realize I had been laying there for 2 hours. A few minutes later I heard one of the doctors say 74/48 which now I know was my blood pressure, and hanging a glass bottle of weird looking fluid. Dr. Pitcher calmly told me she had been trying to stop bleeding for 2 hours but she couldn't keep playing around with it she would have to cut my left Fallopian tube. I had fear come over me like never before and I thought I am never going to hold my baby... I am going to bleed out and never hold my child. Then Father softly reminded me of the phrase I had been repeating to myself for 14 weeks..... "Fear Not." They finally finished up and took me to recovery.

When they handed me Tripp for the first time I had a flood of emotions come over me like never before. This was MY son! I had read scripture to him, prayed over him, cried for fear of losing him, but now he was in my arms. I begin to realize how much I loved this little baby, but Fathers love is so much more and that overwhelmed my heart! Once everyone left Jeff and I had a few minutes alone and we got the pray over little man and thank Father for the gift he has placed in our arms. We are so in love with this gift from Father. The journey has not been easy, but Father has been so faithful! I cannot wait to see what's in store for little mans life. To God be the glory, great things he has done!

36 weeks!! Not to much longer now!

Today we are 36 weeks!!! We went to the doctor this past Friday and she began to tear up when she walked in the room. We are only her second patient who has ever made it this long after going into pre-term labor. She said the fact are we had less than a 15% chance of seeng our sweet sons face!! Can I just tell you I had to fight back the worship that wanted to break out of me at that moment. I have so many friends who have been where we were, or earlier in their pregnancy that do not have a child to hold and it breaks my heart. It also makes me even that much more grateful that in God's sovereignty he chose to allow us to keep our baby. However, in all those heart breaking situations God's goodness is no any less, it is the same. He gives and he takes away, but he is still soooooooo GOOD to his children. I am really praying that over the next few weeks our doctor will see how awesome Father is and I am praying for opportunity's to share the gospel with her! 

This past weekend was a little busy for us, while I am still on "rest" I do have the freedom to ride in my car, which has allowed me to see my family! On Saturday my mom and dads side of the family threw us a baby shower! It was so good to see so many of the people I have missed! We got loaded down this weekend too! I don't think Tripp will need clothes or diapers for quit some time! We have one more shower this Saturday and I am hoping he will hold off coming long enough to enjoy time with my mother-in-laws family! Jeff and I have been so blessed with so many people who love us and our little boy!

Before I go I will share some of Tripp's developments for this week:

• This week he should be around 6 pounds (He's already 6.5 so he's got that number beat!)
• He is shedding most of the downy covering of hair that has covered his body, as well as the vernix caseosa
• By the end of this week he will be considered "early term."
• He will cause Braxton Hicks contractions to become stronger and more frequent as he beings to move further down in my pelvis.

35 weeks down!

We made it to 35 weeks!! I am so excited because now there is nothing the doctor would do to try to postpone labor at this point! We went to the doctor this past Friday for our weekly check up. Tripp is weighing in at 5 pounds 9 oz and is still measuring about a week and half larger than he should. When we talked to our doctor about the delivery she told us there must have been a mix up at the hospital with due date and the scheduled c-section. Our due date is actually July 20th, not the 23rd like we were being told. Since she likes to do c-sections a week early we are now scheduled for July 16th..... just waiting on a time from our doctor! It's crazy to believe that 4 weeks from today I will be holding my sweet baby boy! I am nervous but also very excited! 

Since we have been home and I have a little more "rest freedoms" we have been working to get the nursery ready! My parents bought us our nursery furniture and it came in last Thursday. Jeff and his dad worked several hours to get it put together and we love it! We have curtains hung and Jeff got me some craft supplies so I can work on some projects for the walls. I think seeing all of the stuff in the nursery is starting to make all of this seem real! Jeff has also been putting all of our gifts together. It's so sweet to see how excited he gets over every item he puts together. Last night he tackled the pack-n-play! Who knew a pack-n-play could be so complicated but he did it.

I was so excited that since I have a little more freedom I got to see my dad and my family yesterday on Father's Day! It has been over 3 months since I have seen some of them....I think that's the longest I have ever gone without seeing my extended family! We also got to have homemade ice cream with Jeff's family which Tripp enjoyed very much! It's funny when I eat something I guess he likes he flips and kicks around a lot more than normal! I think I am going to have a sweet tooth monster on my hands.

Before I go here's a list of this weeks development: 

• Tripp should be weighing in at roughly 5 pounds.... he's got that one beat!
• His kidneys are fully developed!
• His liver has now begun to process some waste, even though they are not fully developed just yet.
• Most of his physical development is complete a this point, now he will start packing on the pounds until his birth (although I hope he doesn't pack on to many more :) 
• His reflexes are now coordinated.

It still just amazes me at how much detail God puts into every life! To Him be the glory!

34 weeks down..... 6 more to go!!

We have made it to the "big week," 34 weeks!! When we went into the hospital at 22 weeks in labor the doctor said if we could just hold on until this point we should have a healthy baby. Well, not only has God allowed us to "hold on," but he is still allowing us to hold. After spending 13 weeks on very strict bed rest I am so happy to be home. Even though I have to take it easy until our sweet baby comes just being in my own space the last few days has been nice. Now my "directing" is in full swing on trying to get the nursery and house ready! 

As I was thinking back over the last 34 weeks, I fondly remembered the first time we heard Tripp's little heart beat and how sweet that moment was for Jeff and I. We had so much excitement and joy of the hope of a child coming into the world! We have waited with so much anticipation feeling like it was going to take forever to see our boy! As I was reading in Revelations I came to a verse that made me think of the sweet sound of our Savior "I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!" Revelations 19:6-7 As a Christian we have to future hope of worship and singing to our Creator.... I hope we can always rejoice in that future hope! I pray that as I am about to enter into what will probably be one of the hardest and best things in life, I will remember to anticipate my future hope!! 

Before I go I will share some 34 week development facts:

• Tripp is approximately 18 inches long and weighs about 5.25 pounds, we are hoping they will tell us Friday how much he actually does weigh since it's been almost 6 weeks since he has been weighed.
• Tripp now has an excellent chance of survival outside the womb, somewhere around 97%.
• Fat accumulations begins to plump up the arms and legs this week.
• His eyes open when awake and are closed when sleeping.

33 weeks!!

I'm a little late on my weekly update, but we have made it to 33 weeks!! One of my nurses this morning told me they are all amazed we made it to this point. She said she goes home a lot at night and thinks about how we came in at 22 weeks with very little hope, but now we could have a healthy delivery. She is not a believer so she does not understand what my God is capable of, however he reminds Jeff and I everyday! While I was doing my bible study this morning I really spent some time in reflection over every event that happens to a baby while it's developing in the womb. I cannot wrap my little human mind around all of the details God puts into his creation. I never imaged at 2 1/2 months married I would find out I was pregnant, but I am learning to trust that God is in control over the womb. I read a fact that said you only have a 5-10% chance of conceiving each time you try so for us to have a baby when I had very little to no chance is a miracle and shows the power of the God we serve!! Now I just want to get my little man here so I can love on him and tell him about all that God has done.

We are on a countdown to going home! The original plan was June 11th, but my doctor feels safe sending me home on Saturday.... I cannot tell you how excited Jeff and I both are. I still have to rest, but I have a few freedoms that I have not had for 12 weeks! It is crazy to think that the next time we come to the hospital we will be leaving with our son! One of the biggest words to describe what I am feeling about bringing our son home is fear. I really want to be a good wife and mother, but I have no clue about taking care of a new born. So, today I looked up the word fear and the command of "fear not" is in the bible 365 times. God knew we were going to need a daily reminder to fear not, this mama may need it more! I know God's grace will be sufficient for this process and I am trusting he will meet our needs through this process of parenthood!

Before I go here are a few developmental fact about Tripp this week:

• Tripp will start gaining an average of 1/2 pound per week.
• Tripp should grow a full inch in length in this week alone.
• Because of the babies size this week my amniotic fluid levels are maxed out, which mean his kicks and punches will become extremely uncomfortable.
• This week important antibodies are being passed from me to Tripp which is helping to develop his immune system.

Be Still My Soul

"I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever!" Psalm 131:2-3 As I was reading these verses, I also read Catherine Larson's view of what these verses meant to her when she was facing losing her second son. It has brought me so much encouragement! 

"The picture in this psalm of a weaned child resting on his mother is the picture

of one who knows that his needs will be met, who knows the heart of the one

caring for him, and who can wait in faith. Our souls are calmed and quieted   

when we remember God's promise-- that He works all things together for the 

good of those who love him (Romans 8:28); that He will never leave us nor   

forsake us (Hebrews 13:5); and that though others can be faithless; He cannot

  (2Timothy 2:13.) When we look back and see His faithfulness, we are reminded

that we can look forward and trust His coming grace."

Thinking back over the last 10 weeks, these have been some of the hardest and scariest days of my life! Jeff and I talked (many times through tears) about trusting Father even when it was hard. When I had moments to myself I would sing a part of the song "Blessed be Your Name." I can recall some of words that really spoke to my soul "When I walk through the wilderness blessed be Your Name, you give and take away, but my heart will chose to say blessed be the name of the Lord." As Jeff and I have quieted our souls, we have said if God allows us a lifetime with our son or if he chooses to take him home, He is good, He is in control, and He is trustworthy. While thankfully we are still carrying our sweet baby boy I will be forever grateful for the lessons Father is teaching me during a tough time in life. I am learning to fully trust that in every situation He does good for his children. Now that we are almost out of the "danger zone" I am so excited to meet our son and to tell him throughout his life of the goodness and faithfulness of Father! To him be the glory!

32 weeks down!!!

I cannot believe we made it to 32 weeks!!! God has been so good to us! To think just 10 weeks ago they told us Tripp was coming and he would not live, to now being told if he came this week he would just need a little oxygen and maybe a feeding tube for five to seven days. I am just so blown away by all of the miracles God has and keeps doing in my sweet little mans life. We have not really received any updates from the doctor so I am just counting down the days until June 11th so that I can go back to my bed at home. I know Jeff will be happy when we will be in our home together again. He has been such an amazing support through out all of this. The things he has had to do for me and the endless encouragement has just reminded me of how blessed I am that God gave me him as my husband! I know when Tripp gets here he will be an amazing father and a great leader for our family!

As far as development goes I have been STARVING the last few days and Tripp is still developing into a strong little man. The nurses are telling us he will probably have hair and a great set of lungs because of all the steroid shots he has been given. Jeff and I were joking he is going to come out talking and asking for milk since they have "beefed" him up so much. I just cannot believe in eight weeks (or less) I am going to be holding my son! I have always loved babies and children even at a young age I would "help" my mom in the nursery at church because I wanted to hold the sweet babies, but this one is mine!! While I get more and more afraid as the day approached I believe God has been preparing me for this for a long time! I know he knows each of his children's heart inside and out and he knows I have looked forward to the day I was a mommy for a long time. I am so thankful he has allowed this to happen in my life!

Before I go I will share Tripp's development achievements this week:

• Tripp should be weighing in at 4 pounds this week! I am eager for another ultrasound, I think he might be closer to 5!
• His skin is no longer see through and he will being accumulating fat from this point on.
• His toenail and finger nails are fully formed and growing.
• He should be "sleeping" most of the day, they don't know my son though he never stops moving!
• Although his lungs are not yet fully formed he is practicing how to breath for him life outside the womb.
• He is beginning to absorb vital nutrients he need for his intestinal tract.

May 21, 2014

I feel like sometime we are on a non- stop roller coaster with this pregnancy! On Monday my mom came down and spent the day with me. While she was here my OB came by and told us she felt we would be leaving the hospital by 36 weeks with our baby! My mom and I both got excited! For me I cannot wait to meet my son and my mom cannot wait to hold a grand-baby! It really lifted my "spirits" to see the end near. Then on Tuesday we were told we would go home once he measured 5 pounds on the ultrasound..... which translated to we may not be leaving with a baby! I was really starting to get down, but like Father always does he snapped me back into perspective. Jeff and I talk a lot about how good Father has been in our life and throughout this pregnancy. To think just 9 1/2 weeks ago we could have been facing a funeral to now having the nurses giving me a packing list of what we need to take home our son! I know I should never complain about these circumstances, but just be thankful for God's goodness. Our newest update as of today is I will be released on June 11 to go home and just take it easy until baby comes!

One of the things I have come to love during my down time is reading. I have never been much of a reader until now. I have about three different books I am jumping between that are about being a godly wife and mother. There has been a lot of good knowledge I have been able to gain from these books. One of the books has really challenged me to just stop and look at the amazing thing God has done in allowing me to become pregnant. A few of the questions I have been thinking over have been the following:

• Have I seen this gift of life as part of the unfolding story of the mercy and faithfulness of God?
• Have I seen this new life as perhaps part of the new story of what God is doing in the world?
• Have I rejoiced in this news as representing something bigger than just me and my personal happiness?

As I think and work through all of these questions please pray that I will be a wife and mother who displays the gospel to my son and to the lost around me! I can never be perfect, but I am earnestly praying that my life and actions in taking care of my family would point other to Christ! To God be the glory!

31 weeks tomorrow and back to our second home.... Kennestone!

Well Jeff and I got to spend nine wonderful nights at home before coming back to our second home, Kennestone Hospital. On Thursday I started having some really bad back and leg pain. I called the doctor on call and she told me to go to the ER. They were thinking maybe I had a blood clot from laying so long in the bed. As a side bar, if you ever need some free entertainment go to the Kennestone ER I wouldn't recommend for small children though! Okay back to life! I got my legs checked out and they were clot free so they sent me home. Jeff left for work Friday morning and I had not slept much the night before because I was so uncomfortable. I got up to take a shower and felt labor pains like I did at 22 weeks. So, I called Jeff and the doctor and back to the hospital we went. When I got there the nurse said she thought I might be in pre-term labor again so they gave me two shots plus a pill like they did at 22 weeks to try to stop my contractions, they were coming about 3 minutes apart. My OB came by about 3 hours later and I was still having pretty good contractions 5 minutes and apart and I am 70% effaced. She could also tell my stomach had dropped and she could feel his head was really low. They made the decision to put me in L&D and to start magnesium and run some test. It was later discovered I have a pretty bad bladder infection and this is probably the reason for my pre-term labor. My OB is telling us I have 30% more to thin before Tripp breaks my water and he makes his grand appearance into the world. We are praying for just 8 more days (or longer) which would put him at 32 weeks. At this point he should be able to eat and breath with only oxygen in his nose according to doctors. However, I am always skeptical of what they say because I know Father has proven his plans over theirs time and time again! I am at perfect peace with Father's plans and I know he is working for his good and glory! While you are praying please keep my sweet husband in your prayers! He is getting up about every two hours to help me. Since I am on magnesium I am pretty much numb from the abs down so he is having to do a lot for me and he does it all with no complaining... who knew the "for worse" part of our vows would be learned in our first year of marriage! I am so thankful that he is such an amazing man who loves me as God commanded and already loves his son so much!! I cannot wait to see these two together soon! 

Tripp is starting to get a little sleep pattern going. He usually wakes me up around 6:00 AM with some kicking... I guess he wants his Special K cereal, because not to long after I eat he clams down until around 11:00 then he kicks around until after lunch. I have never been a big napper during the day, but for the last few weeks I have a 2:00- 3:30 nap which I have gotten very use to. Then I get woken up with another kick and he stays pretty active until around 9:30 at night. Hopefully he will stay close to his "in womb" schedule when he comes :)

Before I go I will share some development facts for 31 weeks:

• Tripp should be at 3.5 pounds tomorrow... we know he has had that weight beat for almost two weeks!
• His lungs and digestive tracts are close to being fully mature.
• Almost all of Tripp's major organs are fully functioning, now the organs will focus on maturing for life outside the womb.
• Tripps muscles and body fat are continuing to form.
• His eyes now open and shut and the irises are responsive to light, they now dilate and constrict like they are suppose to. 
• Studies have shown that babies at this stage in the womb love music and can move to a rhythm. I find this to be very true! Every time I turn music on Tripp start moving to the music! 

I think this has been my favorite part of our pregnancy so far. I love that I can poke at him or sing to him and he responds! It's also the sweetest thing in the world when Jeff talks to him and he will kick to let him know he hears his Father's voice. I cannot help but imagine how Father feels when he sees his children! When we respond to his love and his calling in our life. When we have those sweet moments with our heavenly Father where he "pokes" our heart or speaks and we respond knowing our Father's voice! To God be the glory!

30 weeks and my first Mother's Day

Yesterday was my first Mother's Day..... I cried some yesterday morning thinking about the fact that in 10 weeks (or less) I will be holding a tiny (or not so tiny) life in my arms. I am scared to death! While thinking about Mother's Day I couldn't help but have a sadness in my heart as well. I mourn for my family and friends who are mothers, but because of the loss of the pregnancy have no child to hold. I also mourn for those that are longing to experience pregnancy or adoption, but because of God's sovereignty it has not happened yet. I do not understand why God gives and takes away, but one thing I do have full assurance of is that God is good in ALL things and he gives good to his children. His glory will shine in ALL things and his sovereign will is done in ALL things. I cannot stop praising Father for allowing me to have this child when doctors told me I never would experience pregnancy and for sparing my sons life at 22 weeks when the doctor were trying to prepare us for losing him. Every time he kicks me I am reminded of God's goodness and that he is the ultimate giver of life! I am reminded that he is allowing me to have the big responsibility of raising a child, while I know I will be far from perfect at it, I hope my weak human attempts will bring glory to Father! I am still so amazed we are at 30 weeks!!! When I had my cervical check on Wednesday it was the thickest it has been! The doctors are amazed, but they have learned to stop saying they do not understand why this is happening. I'm not sure if they disagree with my response or if they are starting to believe me when I say "God is big and he is doing this!" 

While in the hospital this past month I was able to talk with two nurses who are from a country who hates Christianity. One of them asked one morning if I enjoyed reading my Bible, she must have seen it sitting out. This lead to a conversation about my faith. I asked her how long she had been in our country and if she knew who God was. She joyfully responded back with a bold YES and she let me know the other nurse that was from her country was a believer as well. She told me about a group of people from her country who meet in a home to have "church" each week. There are 30 so far who are now believers and she is praying more are converted to Christianity! She began to look sad and explained to me that her heart broke for America. She said we do not understand a lot of the times what it truly means to be a Christian. She said if she were in her country she would die, but here we can freely worship our Father and we do not. She defiantly challenged me to become more bold with sharing my faith with others. These two ladies will always hold a special place in my heart for the time and care they gave to me and my son! I thank Father for their encouragement on days when being in bed got me down and for reminding me I was carrying a miracle!

Before I go I will share some of Tripp's big milestones this week:

• Tripp should be roughly 15.7 inches long and weigh almost 3 pounds. (He had that beat last week he was 3 pounds 7 oz.!) At this point they have not been able to tell us how long he s because he is never still enough for them to get it!
• He has a pint and a half of amniotic fluid around him, but that begins to decrease this week.
• He can respond to light however from now until a few weeks after birth his vision will be 20/400 and he will only be able to make out objects a few inches from his face.
• Tripp's brain is still growing larger and larger everyday in order to prepare for life outside the womb. His brain from this point on will begin looking more and more like a brain.
• His body is learning how to adjust to different temperatures.
• Tripp is starting to shed his lanugo hair, which is the soft body hair that has been keeping him warm.

Thank you Father for all the little details you put into each creation! To God be the glory!

29 weeks down 11 more to go!!

Yesterday marked 29 weeks for baby Tripp, that is 7 weeks further than doctors thought we would ever be! God has shown Jeff and I his sovereignty over and over again through this process. Jeff and I talked Sunday about how at this point if Tripp came we would probably be carrying a baby home within a few weeks and how blessed we were for that! There are ladies around me that come and go and it breaks my heart! Some of them have babies in the NICU and some come in with a child and leave without one! I just cannot thank Father enough that he has spared little Tripp's life to this point! I cannot imagine the pain a woman feels at losing a baby at any point and I am so thankful God has spared me of this so far! This week we are having another protein test and they will be checking my cervical length again to see if it is still where it was or if it shrinking. If everything is stable the original plan was to let me go home Thursday. However, I have been having around 6-8 contractions an hour so I may be here until 34 weeks. I was all about natural child birth until these contractions started coming more often and more intense now I am thankful for scheduled c-sections :) 

Jeff and my father-in-law have been working hard on the nursery. Jeff officially has everything moved out of the room and the accent wall painted. All that is left now is touching up the other three walls. My father-in-law is building a train track that is going around the ceiling and Jeff's train from when he was little will run on the tracks! I have not gotten to see this in person, but the pictures look awesome! My mom and dad are sanding and repainting the baby bed I used when I was a baby and my mom is getting my glider ready! I cannot believe in 11 weeks we will be bringing a little one home! I tear up every time I see a baby or think about ours.... I think the pregnancy hormones have kicked in overtime! 

Before I go I will share this weeks major developments in little peanuts life!

• Tripp should now be weighing in at 2.5 pounds (he had that beat almost 2 weeks ago!)
• His brain is very busy this week forming billions of neurons.
• He can taste everything I eat and he can also respond to pain.
• He has milk teeth forming under his gums! 
• His eyes can now move within his eye socket.
• Tripp can hear things a lot better now and can distinguish between voices and noises! That mean my little sweet one knows his mommies voice!!

Not much longer now until I hold this sweet gift from Father in my arms! To God be the glory!

28 Weeks Down!

Today Jeff was off work so we got to celebrate "28 weeks down" with each other! Not only have we made it to another important milestone, but we have entered into the last trimester of pregnancy! Today Dana brought us some DVDs of when Jeff was born to around age 2! Jeff was such a cute baby and I am hoping little Tripp looks like his daddy when he gets here. We are starting to get really excited about his arrival and I cannot wait to hold this little man! He is going to have so much love in his life, I hope he can handle it when he makes his grand appearance.   

Our favorite nurse was working last night and she told us she was still amazed at what God has allowed to happen in our little boys life! She was our nurse when we came in at 22 weeks and she said at the time she was not sure we would make it to the first important milestone, 24 weeks! His little life has already become an example of the sovereignty of God to so many people and I could not be more thankful for that! I have been having a pretty good amount of contractions, but at this point they are not to worried because of my cervical length is where it should be. Tripp's heartbeat is great and they said it doesn't look like the contractions are bothering him to much. Our perinatologist has signed off on us so now the only doctor who has to see us daily is our OB. We are waiting for our OB to get back in town to see when she believes I will be able to go home, but I have been told by several of my nurses I should plan to be here until at least 33 weeks! One of the nurses told us she is nationally known and probably the best OB they have here so we should rest in the fact she knows what she is doing! Even though being here is hard, I know none of this has surprised Father.

Tripp has some really cool developments happening this week:

• He should be weighing 2.2 pounds by today (he currently weighs 2.10) and be the length of a large eggplant.
• He is blinking his eyes now and has fully formed his eye lashes.
• He should continue to gain 6 oz a week until 37 weeks!
• He can form dreams because his sleep goes into the REM stage now!
• He now has a 98% chance of survival and a 90% chance of no neurological issues if he came this week.

We continue to thank Father for everyday that he gives us! I cannot wait to meet my sweet little peanut but I know he will not come until the day that has been ordained for him to arrive! To God be the glory!

April 24th!

I have been having contractions off and on since Monday night. It had me very worried since it has been about two weeks since I had any. So, last night the doctor decided they would do a cervical length ultrasound today. Before I went over the nurse tried to "prepare" me by saying there was a good chance I would be back on magnesium if my length had gone down more! I began to worry, because that's what I do! However, Father showed his power again today! When the doctor measured my cervical length he was shocked. My cervical length not only grew, it is not the thickness of a healthy pregnancy cervix. He told me he did not understand how it keeps getting thicker and thicker, but I told him God is good! You would think by now they would not be shocked at what my God has done. 

They also measured baby Tripp today, which I have been looking forward to! They tried to measure his length but he had his arms and legs folded up around his head. It it always a interesting to see what position he is going to be in! They were able to get his weight and he is a whopping 2 pounds and 10 ounces. The doctor was also shocked about his size. They said typically at this point the baby weights 1.9-2.0 pounds. I have a feeling he is going to be a BIG baby! He continues to move non-stop, I LOVE feeling him move. I started feeling a new kind of movement this week and they told me it was him hiccuping! I am still amazed every day at the details God puts into a tiny life in development! Father is an awesome creator! To God be the glory!

27 weeks down!!

Monday marked 27 weeks down!! When we first came to the hospital our doctor was hoping she could get us to 26 weeks before our son delivered. God has been SO good to us through this process. He has given us 5 weeks more with our son growing inside that doctors were not sure would happen! Tripp continues to be active. I have to be on a monitor for an hour every morning and every night. In the mornings he is pretty easy but at night they have to come in and constantly chase him to keep him on. I told Jeff I really hope this does not mean he is going to be a night owl! 

This past weekend was probably the hardest weekend I have had throughout our pregnancy. I really began to have a "Sarah pity party!" I told Jeff I was ready to come home and have all of this over with. When Jeff left Sunday night I read my Bible and began to pray. Father spoke to my heart and reminded me of all he has done. I began to feel convicted about complaining. There are ladies on either side of me who were both put on magnesium to stop their labor. The nurse said they were both really early babies. One is still here holding on, one was moved because her child was born. I am not sure of her outcome but I'm sure it's not great. I remember those moments when Jeff and I were told we were probably going to lose our baby and how heartbroken I was. We have come to a much safer place in his development, but I have to stay to keep him growing strong. I believe this is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. I know the reward will be great!

 It's neat to me how Father uses stranger I meet around the hospital to encourage me! I meet a lady yesterday who has a story similar to ours and her daughter came at 33 weeks. She weighed almost 5 pounds so she was never separated from her mom. They had to spend one week in the hospital and then they went home. She began to tell me of how God worked their situation to allow their daughter the time she needed to be healthy! I think we were having a "little church" while waiting on our coffee :) Please pray with me that I will continue to have a positive attitude and I will not forget this is for God's glory! Yes, it's hard, but Father knows that and he is allowing me to go through this. In his word he tells us that "he will not put more on us than we can bare." I am trusting that even in these moments when I want to give up Father is saying because of me and my great mercy you can handle this!

Before I go I will share some major developments for Baby Tripp this week!

• This week they will stop measuring Tripp from crown to rump. Now he is measured from crown to toe, which is the "final" growth chart he graduates to before birth!
• Tripp should be at least 15 inches long this week.
• Tripp should be weighing between 2-3 pounds this week and gaining 6 oz a week for the rest of the pregnancy!
• Tripp's taste buds have formed now, and he can tell the difference in the food I am eating, now he can tell me what he wants to eat through cravings :)

Every week when I see his developments I am blown away at how much God puts into creating our life. Not one detail is left out and they are timed for just the right moment! God is good! To Him be the glory!

April 17th..... Happy Birthday to my Hubby!

Today is my sweet husbands birthday! Last year we had a fun filled day exploring Atlanta, this year he gets to come cuddle in my twin size hospital bed.....how things can change in a year :) When I was thinking about his birthday this morning I realized how much more thankful I am for Jeff's parents. My mother-in-law posted a sweet newborn picture of him that brought me to tears! For 25 years Jeff's parents have poured unconditional love into his life. I love hearing their stories of his childhood and his personality as a child. Most importantly I love hearing Jeff tell me how his parents displayed Christ in his life and how he wants to do the same for Tripp. I know Father had his hand on Jeff's life, but he also blessed him with parents who knew the importance of raising a child to know and love God! Jeff and I both have been so blessed to be born into families who love God. While thinking about all of this I could not help but look back over some verses I have been praying over our son's life, Jeremiah 1:5-8  "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Then I said, Ah, Lord God! I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth. But the Lord said to me, Do not say I am only a youth; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord." Every day I think over how much responsibility Jeff and I have in Tripp's life. Before he was ever formed in my womb God knew he would be. He knows what every second of our son's life will become! I am just pleading with God that he will be a strong man who does not fear speaking truth! Jeff and I joke that I do not hold back when I say things.... this gets me in trouble a lot (I'm working on this.) I am praying my son has that same boldness, but channels it for speaking the gospel! I do not know what God will do with his life, but the plan has been put out. He may be called to live in a small town and raise lots of babies to know Christ, or he may be called to go somewhere I may not get to see him ever again this side of eternity. I just pray his life brings glory to Christ!! To God be the glory!

26 weeks down!!

I get really excited every Monday because it means we have made it another week on this crazy journey! Our little peanut is still growing strong and nothing is changing really for me except my blood pressure. The pill they are giving me to keep me from having contractions was actually created as a blood pressure pill. My blood pressure tends to be on the low side, but now it is staying in the 80's/50's. I need prayer that it will come up a little more. If my BP does not stabilize then I will have to go back on Magnesium and will not be allowed to get up at all! I really do not want to lose my one hour of wheel chair freedom every day :) I know Father is in control of my body and that he will only allow what is best for baby and me, but this journey continues to test my faith and trust in our sovereign Father!

 People keep asking me what I do all day... well, I spend a lot of my time reading.  While reading I came across these verses that I think sums up this entire pregnancy experience and I am trying to figure out a way to incorporate it into the nursery. The verses are "Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of he Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:9-10. Jeff and I were shocked but excited when we found out about this baby! We began praying over his life and have begged God to create him to be a man who lives a life worthy of the Lord and to please him in all that he does. I know Jeff and I have a huge responsibility that will be coming in a few weeks and we praying that we will be parents who "preach" the gospel to our son through our life! I am so excited about being a mommy, but the responsibly also scares me to death! 

Before I go I thought I would share this weeks development! I love reading about his new accomplishments every week and just makes me worship Father for all the care in detail he put into all of our lives. 

• Tripp weighs a least 2 pounds now and is at least 9 inches long! I am sure he is much bigger... he is a Morton baby!
• Tripp's eyes now open and shut!
• Now that Tripp can see he will be able to respond to a bright light hitting my stomach by kicking! 
• Tripp is now inhaling and exhaling small amount of amniotic fluid.
• The network of nerves in his ears are far more developed then they have been and he is able to hear and potentially recognizes common sounds. I do believe this one to be true, when Jeff comes to see me at night and starts talking Tripp starts kicking up a storm!! I think he knows his daddy is here :)

We are so thankful for everything the Lord has done and continues to do in a our sons life! To God be the glory!

4/13/14

It has been a week, but God has continued to show his power through all of the crazy ups and downs that we have been going through. Jeff suggested we change the nursery theme to an amusement park because we feel like we are on a wild ride that is never going to end. In the famous words of Jeff's friend Jeff Davidson, "this can only last 9 months!" This statement has actually brought us a good laugh when we start to grow anxious of this whole process. 

On Wednesday the doctors did another protein test. This test will tell them how likely it is that I will go into labor in the next two weeks. The test came back negative! So, according to "medical science" we should not be going into labor for the next few week. I also had to have another ultrasound to check my cervical length. When we were admitted on Tuesday my length had gone back down to a 2.8 and my cervix had dropped. The new ultrasound showed that my cervical length had gone back to a 3.2 (that is something that keeps baffling the doctors, it's not suppose to get thicker after it starts thinning!) I love every time they look at me with total shock, because I get to remind them that God is in control! I think some of the doctors are starting to catch on because one of them told me Wednesday "prayer must work!" I am not really sure why we are going through all of this, but I do not doubt it is being used to share the gospel with people around us. 

This weekend has been good for me. Jeff comes down during the week when he gets off work for a few hours, but it is still so hard when he leaves. However, on the weekends he stays the whole time. He seriously is the best husband in the world! I pray that all my single lady friends are blessed with a husband like mine...... he was worth the long wait :) He is so patient and is always asking what I need without any complaint. I have also gotten to see lots of family this week/weekend, Jeff and I have been blessed with so many people who love us! 

One of the most exciting things for me this week is that my doctor approved a one hour wheel chair ride every day!! I technically am suppose to have a nurse with me, but I begged for Jeff and I to have some time to just be outside by our self. I have a really cool nurse that sent us out the back door and gave us her number to call when we needed back in. It was so nice to see some of the gift shops and spend time in the gardens they have here! 

I know I say this a lot, but we are so thankful for all of your prayers and encouragement! We love each one of you! To God be the glory!

Checking in to Hotel Kennestone....

This past Tuesday was my "big adventure" out of the house for our weekly OB appointment. I look forward to Tuesdays just for the simple fact I get to sit up for a couple of hours and breath fresh air! God has been teaching me how much I take the simple things like fresh air for granted! When we were getting ready to leave for the OB I told Jeff  I didn't feel like I would be coming home, and I was right. When my OB checked me, my cervical length had began to thin again and my stomach is painful to the touch. She told me what I had been dreading..... "you will be in the hospital until the baby comes!" I will say Kennestone is the BEST hospital I could be at though! I have never had a medical staff that has so much knowledge and compassion for their patients! It's neat just to see how Father brought us through the frustrating process that brought us to a new practice and an amazing hospital. It reminds me constantly of his sovereignty!




When I was checked into the hospital they did a lot of blood work and hooked me up to the monitors. On Wednesday when my OB made morning rounds she told me my white count was elevated and that I have an infection somewhere, they just don't know where yet. However, I am not running a fever so for now they will just monitor me. The specialist for the baby came by as well to talk everything over with us. Today I will be having another protein test and another cervical length ultrasound. At this point I have not had to be hooked back up to magnesium which is amazing!! So, as long as the protein test comes back negative I will get to stay on my pills for a little while longer. When my OB came by for nightly rounds Wednesday she was very positive. She told me now that we are over 25 weeks we are at a much better place with viability and Tripp's viability goes up 2-3% more each day he stays in. She also expressed she was shocked we still had a baby inside, she said when I went into labor at 22 weeks she didn't think we had much of a chance. She said it is usually considered medically impossible to stop labor at that point  because my body had not developed the receptors the allow all of the medicines to work. She told us we truly had a miracle inside, but we knew that :). I told her we had thousands of people praying for us (many we have never met) and that God has allowed us to get to this point! I cannot figure out what her beliefs are, but she is seeing the power of God's sovereignty and the power of saints going before the Throne for a sister-in-Christ! She is a VERY smart doctor, but has a really closed off personality. However, through this process she has become a lot more personal with Jeff and I and I can see a completely different attitude coming from her. I am praying that Father will open up conversations where I can share the gospel with her.




We had a visit from nurse Christy yesterday, she was my nurse the very first night I was in the hospital. She let me know she had thought about me every day and that she and her mother had been praying for us everyday. I have been blessed with so many nurses who profess to be Christians. I am so thankful Father has surrounded me with so many encouragers!


Again, I wish I could thank each of you personally who have prayed, called, emailed, and sent text messages. We have been overwhelmed with how much our little boy is loved by so many already! We love you guys! To God be the glory!

25 weeks!!!

We have made it to 25 weeks!! I thank Father everyday that our son stays in my womb, because it is another day of vital development. He is such an active little boy, he has started kicking so hard it moves my whole belly! Jeff and I talk to him everyday and it so sweet when he kicks back. I'm sure he is just wanting the loud noise to stop, but I like to think he knows how much we love him. I cannot wait to see his little face! Tomorrow is my outing to the OB's office. I look forward to Tuesdays now because I get to leave my bedroom and get fresh air! Jeff usually picks up something for dinner and we have a little date in the car on the way home.

We have been busy at the Morton house the past few days. When I say "we" I really mean my husband has been busy and I have been in the bed watching him work. This weekend Jeff and my father-in-law worked on our attic. This is exciting for me because now we have most of our stuff moved out of the nursery and Jeff can start decorating! Yes, I did say Jeff would be decorating, but I will be directing from another room :) I have shown him enough Pintrest pictures that he could probably decorate nursery's for a living now. I am so blessed with such an amazing husband! We have decided to go with trains for the nursery! I bought some really cute bedding from the Pottery Barn that has little trains hand sown in. Also, when Jeff was little he had a train track around the top of his room and his parents ran the train for him at night when he was going to sleep. Jeff is going to build a track around the top of the nursery and we are going to use the same train he had as a little boy. I am excited to see how it will all come together! 

Before I go I will share some development fact for 25 weeks!

• Tripp should be around 9 inches long by today!
• His capillaries are forming under the skin and filling with blood.
• He is forming air sacs in his lungs.
• His nostrils that have been closed, but will begin to open this week which allows him to take practice breaths.
• His vocal cords are functioning now and he should begin to have hiccups soon. 

I love to see how something God has created is developing with so much detail! It just amazes me that God can take cells and turn them into a human. He is such a mighty God! To Him be the glory!

April 3, 2014

Jeff has been able to work from home the past 3 days and I LOVE that he has been here. I feel more comfortable when I know he is close to me, even if he is downstairs working.This schedule has certainly made my first full week at home a much smoother transition. For the past few weeks I have been studying Timothy during my personal study time. Today I began II Timothy chapter one, and it was MUCH needed. Two of the verses that really stuck out to me were " For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying of my hands. For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Tim. 1:6-7. I had a really bad dream about our baby last night and woke up early not able to go back to sleep. I began to fear and doubt the outcome of all of this. As I was laying in bed all I knew to do was pray and it was so cool to see how Father gave me instant peace. This journey is defiantly becoming a faith building journey in my life. God has moved in such a mighty way, we praise him, and then here comes my fear. Then it goes on repeat.... God continues to move in a mighty way. we praise him, I begin to have fear. However, scripture is telling me that God did not give me a spirit of fear. I know it is human nature to fear the unknown, but I need to remember Father gives me a spirit of power, love, and self-control. Anything apart from those are not from him. So as you guys are praying for baby Tripp please lift my fear up to the Father. I do believe that Tripp will not come into this world until the day Father has appointed, and whenever that day is it will be for God's glory...... I am REALLY having to learned to rest in that. To God be the glory! 

April 1, 2014

Today we went back to the OB to get everything checked out. She told me my cervix has not changed at all and that we are in a good place. She did tell me I was still to stay in the bed except to use the restroom and take a shower every other day. We will be a weekly patient for a while, if not the rest of the pregnancy. The good news in that is Jeff does not have to give me a shot!! I think he might have been a little disappointed with that :) So, I guess my weekly excitement will come from going to the OB (never thought that was something to get excited about until now :) I read a great quote by Charles Spurgeon today, he is one of my favorite theologians "A man at peace with God dreads neither the ills of life nor the terrors of death; poverty, persecution, and pain have lost their sting when sin is pardoned. What is there that a man needs to fear when he knows that everything comes from the Father's hand and works his everlasting good?" I needed this reminder today. Fear is something that gets me from time to time. I am a planner and I like to be in control of things. With this bed rest there are a lot of things I worry about. A reduction in income, added doctors bills, if our son will continue to grow and stay in. Then, I feel guilty because I know that God has done so much and he has continued to bless Jeff and I beyond what our minds could ever understand. I was stressing last week about what would happen with my job, well today started a promotion and raise for Jeff that we did not see coming. The extra income on his paycheck will be enough to cover insurance without making an impact on our  monthly budget. Oh, and his extra monthly amount comes out to $333! Why I even worry is beyond me, God is teaching me more and more to trust him in ALL things. There is nothing that we have been given that did not come from his hands and he works these thing for his everlasting good! I am learning to rest in that hope everyday! To Him be the glory!

We made it to 24 weeks!

Today marks 24 weeks!!! We are so excited to get to this first milestone of many! I came up with the brilliant idea of milestone gifts!! The whole Morton family is going to Disney in October (yes I might be crazy taking a 3 month old to Disney) but my first prize is a Mickey ice cream in front of the princess castle. I have been to most of the Disney parks, but I have never been to Magic Kingdom so I'm very excited!!! This first milestone is so big because we were told we had to make it to 24 weeks for any life saving measures to take place for our son! If he came now it would still not be good but he would have parents putting up a fight for him. I am just trusting  the Father day by day to give us whatever time he knows we need! Tripp has gotten so much more active! I told Jeff it feels like I have snakes moving in my stomach. Jeff is finally getting to were he can feel the baby moving a good amount! It is so sweet to see the excitement on his face when he gets to feel our son, he is going to be an amazing daddy! Tripp has gotten stronger in his movements, there are times now that you can watch my belly move. It is so neat to see how God created the womb to hold a baby and for there to be signs of life through development. Here are a few cool facts about our sons development as of today!

• His weight should be 1 1/2 pounds (our little guy is already bigger than that)
• His size is equal to a standard envelope
• He will now start gaining 6 oz per week (yep, he probably going to follow the 10 pound Morton tradition :)
• His face is almost fully formed
• He has a full set of eyelashes and eyebrows
• He has hair forming on the top of his head

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your books were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." Psalms 139: 13-16

To God be the glory!

We are going home!!!

It's official we are home!! It took most of the day to get all the discharge reports done so I could leave, but I have never been so happy to be home. I think our son knows we are home to because he has not stopped kicking since I got in our bed! Before we left the hospital today God showed us his power again. The perinatologist came in and wanted to check for my birth defect, which you can see it through an ultrasound. He looked for 15 minutes and then said I cannot find it anywhere! I just cried tears of joy because there is no way to explain this except God!!! This means if Father gives us anymore children I will not have the high risk of miscarriage! Now that I am home I am still on very strict bed rest. I have to stay upstairs where our bedroom is and only get up to go to the rest room and take a short shower. My husband has been so wonderful in taking care of me. I'm sure he never dreamed that at just 7 1/2 months of marriage he would be buying an old lady shower chair, but he has not complained one time. Our families have been amazing too. My parents got our groceries and set some things up in our room. Jeff's parents have done laundry, cleaned, and brought us food. We are truly blessed that we have the families that we have. To God be the glory!

March 26, 2014

I have been off the magnesium since 6:00 this morning and so far no contractions! I am feeling so much better now that this stuff is working its way out of my system! Jeff and I cannot thank Father enough for all the news we have gotten today! We went to the perinatologists today and have gotten so many good reports. First, they checked my cervical length again. When we came into the hospital it was at a 2.5 cm which meant it was thinning. The doctors said they could try to stop it from thinning, but they couldn't make it thicker. Well they must not understand God is the true healer because today when they measured it it had thickened back to a 3.1 cm. This means we have a pretty good "cushion" before labor could start back. Also, they ran a protein test, which would tell them the possibility of me having our son before 34 weeks. The protein test came back negative, which means we have less than a 5% chance of going into labor before the baby can be considered "fully developed." The news doesn't stop there!! When I first found out I was pregnant they told me I was Strep B positive. This can be very harmful to the baby during delivery if I am not treated for it properly. Well today they told us that the new culture came back negative and I do not have Strep B! When my OB came by  said she felt confident about sending me home tomorrow! She said Friday when we came in she did not think we would be going home for months unless of course I had delivered. She told us "God must have been shining down on you!" We both said he did more than "shine down" on us he healed me from whatever was going on! God is so faithful and he hears the cries of his saints. He chose to allow us to get to this point and I am SO grateful for this. He has worked in our lives and in the lives of other believers around us. People are sharing so many stories with us about how God has used this to restore faith and trust in him. Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement! To God be the glory, great things he has done!

March 25, 2014

Well tomorrow I get to go on a field trip!! They are wheeling me over to the perinatologist office to have an ultrasound and some test run. One of the test is to check for a certain protein, this protein will tell them more about my pre-term labor. If it comes back negative we are good, they haven't really told us what happens if it's positive. The doctor feels I am stable enough at this point to try to come off the magnesium!!!! They are going to cut it off at 6:00 in the morning. Which means I get to shower and have my catheter taken out!!! They have talked about starting me on some medication called procardia tomorrow, which I can take every 6 hours the rest of my pregnancy. The only concern is it was created as a blood pressure pill, but it helps with pre-term labor. I already run on the low side with my BP so they are hoping I can handle the medicine. I know God has all of this under control and I am not worried at all! We had several visitors today! Our parents came again today, which is always an encouragement to have them spend time with us. My father-in-law is one of the funniest people I know so his jokes and comments are always good to hear! I also had my best friend Hannah and her mom (mom #2) Darlene come by to visit. Some really cool things have happened today!My parents ate at a place called "Come and Get It", if you are ever around Kennestone you should try it! My dad, who can make conversation with anyone, was talking to the owner. He asked my parents why they were there and they told him about me being in the hospital and what was going on with the baby. The owner stopped taking orders and prayed for me and my family for about 5 minutes. Then, when he finished up orders he sat with my parents for a while and talked to them about his business. His father had died 4 years ago and his dad told him to invest in gold & silver. He did, but when he felt The Lord was calling him into this business he sold them for exactly the amount of money he needed, $333,000 (there's that number again!) The owner went on to tell my parents how God had used his business as a ministry opportunity and how he has been able to share the gospel with a lot of people. Later my parents were searching for a Smoothie King for me and my dad stopped by the rest room. He had a man approach him and say "you were in Nick's restaurant earlier today!" My dad said yes and the man asked my dad if he was a Christian. He went on to tell my dad his wife had killed herself 4 years ago and left him with an 11, 17, and 26 year old. His 17 year old daughter was in Labor and Delivery and did not want the baby girl. He said several people had volunteered to take the baby, but he wanted the baby to go to a Christian home. He asked my parents in they wanted the baby and my dad said he knew someone who was a Christian who would. They exchanged numbers, we are unsure of what the outcome of this will be but God knows! I would love for that baby to go to this home, but if that is not in the plan, as excited as I would be, I have to trust Father knows best! Another cool story came from my best friends. Friday someone had asked her how I was doing and she said she had not talked to me in a few days so she sent me a message, it came as we were getting all this scary news! It meant so much to me that I got a random "Hey thinking about you, hope everything is okay.. love you" the moment the doctors were giving us little hope about our son. She told me today that when I texted back she was away on a church wide women conference in Tennessee, they had 30 women praying for us several times a day throughout the whole weekend. Another group of ladies they knew were in TN as well, and their group was praying for us throughout the weekend. I feel so grateful that so many people are going before The Throne on our behalf. This little baby is so special and I hope he gets to grow up and use all of the many stories we are having sent to us to glorify The Father. Thank you each again for the prayers and love that you are showing our little family! You will never know how much they mean to us! To God be the glory!

March 24, 2014

Today has been a good day! My brother and sister-in-law came and visited with us for several hours! I love spending time with them. Since I got married I only get to see them about once a month, so anytime we get to visit I get excited. My sister-in-law made us a goodies bag with all sorts of fun entertainment items and snacks. God blessed our family when she was added. She is the type of person who would give you the shirt off her back she had if you needed it! I always enjoy talking with my brother as well, whether we are discussing something about theology or something we have heard or read on the news, he always brings lots of fun. He wouldn't discuss politics with me to much today because my blood pressure reading went up every time we started talking.... I'm guess I will always be a Colston :) Needless to say it was a much needed visit!!! After they left the doctor came around for her rounds. She told me I was still contracting so they are going to increase the Magnesium again if it was okay with me. I told her whatever it takes to keep the baby in was what I wanted. She expresses I would feel a lot worse, but I just laughed and told her I didn't think feeling worse was possible. They are talking about taking me off one of my pill form of medications tomorrow night at 6:00. The medication has been working with the Magnesium to keep contractions down. I can only have the pill for 72 hours after that it can cause harm to me as well. Please continue to pray that we will have peace and that God will continue to allow me to carry our little boy if that is his will. One thing Jeff and I talked about today was spiritual warfare. Not many people know this but a year and three months ago I went through some of the deepest spiritual warfare of my life. At first I was unsure of what was going on but as I clung to scripture and read a lot of theology on this topic I believed in spiritual warfare for probably the first time in my  life. To just put myself completely out there December 2012 were some of the darkest days of this warfare. I had gotten so depressed one evening I took my dad the gun I owned and told him I had been thinking about using it to end my life and I wanted him to have the gun. I spent a lot of time talking with my brother and my former pastor, Mitch Jolly about this. They encouraged me by sharing some of their experiences with warfare and telling me to  continue to recall scripture and pray. After several months God delivered me out of this. I believe this was a huge growth time in my faith. There were days that I felt I could not function without God reminding me of scripture. So, as I was laying in the hospital bed today just thinking of where my life has been over the last year and three months, I remember reading in a Charles Spurgeon book this quote "When God's servants are active, satan is not without vigilant soldiers who seek to counteract their efforts." I am by no means perfect, but my true hearts desire is to live a life that will only bring glory to Christ and to trust that he has a sovereign will for my life. When this earthly battle is over I want to enter heaven worn out from fighting these spiritual battle as hard as possible. As I was recalling all of these events I could hear The Spirit whispering peace over me. You see had I gone through with what the enemy was throwing at me in 2012, I would not be here today. I am married to an incredible godly man, I have been able to experience the joy of pregnancy, and praying God sees fit to allow me to experience the joy of being a mom! To Him be the glory! Great things he has done!

March 23, 2014

Today has been a day full of prayer!! We still have no news, which I am learning that no news is usually good! I really appreciate all of the prayers we are receiving. We have heard there are saints in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas lifting us up to The Father. I wish I could thank every single one of you personally for your prayers and for the encouragement they have brought to me and my sweet husband. We also had quit a few guest come by with prayers and encouragement which has been very uplifting. One thing that I have thanked Father for a lot today is for the gift of my sweet husband. I waited 26 1/2 years for this amazing man and every day of waiting was worth it. He has not left my side..... like for real won't even go down to eat dinner. He has held my hand, prayed with me, read scripture to me, and made sure I have had everything that would make me feel comfortable. I am also so thankful for my mom and dad, as well as my mother-in-law and father-in-law. They have brought us food, clothes, snacks, anything we have asked for they have done it. We are so blessed!! One thing they did tell us tonight was that my initial Magnesium level was very low. It is suppose to be between a 5.5-6.5. After being on a constant drip since Friday it is just now hitting a 3.2.  They are going to increase my Magnesium to a higher dose which they have told me is going to make me feel worse. For that reason they are limiting my visitors. We really want to thank every person who has asked to come, but at this point we just need prayers more than anything. We love each and every one of you! To God be the glory!

March 22, 2014

Today has been a pretty uneventful day. I am not any worse, but I am also not any better. I am trying to make mental notes of everything that is happening so that I can pass it along to family and friends. The doctor has talked to us several times about having an amniocentesis done, but we are trying to hold off as long as they will let us. There is a big chance they could break my water during the test and that would cause the labor to progress for sure. The doctors are saying they cannot understand why I am having contractions and this test would let them know if I had an infection in the amniotic fluid. However, I have yet to run a fever and my white blood count is perfect, so we are hoping this hold them off a little longer. It did get pretty real today when the doctor told us that Jeff may end up having to choose between his wife and delivering a baby. I'm not going to lie, for a few minutes I was shaken, but every time I have gotten to a point of fear God sends a reminder. I know we have a lot of friends and family praying for us and I have a great sense of peace about the whole situation. God has already done more than my little mind ever thought was possible. Not for one moment does he forsake me and I know that is were my mind needs to rest. To God be the glory!

March 21, 2014

Today is one of those days I will remember for the rest of my life! On 3/20/14 Jeff took me to the hospital because I thought I might have been having contractions. After a few hours they sent us home and told me I would be on bed rest until I could see the OB on Monday. If you know me you know I HATE being still. I would rather scrub toilets than be forced to stay in one spot, so I told Jeff on the way home that day I hoped it would not be permanent (little did I know what was ahead!) On 3/21 Jeff left for work with strict orders not to get out of the bed until we got ready to go see my mom for her birthday. At about 12:00 I started feeling this really strong pressure. So, I called the doctor who said to be in her office at 2:00. I thought at first I was maybe being over sensitive but as I started getting ready I knew something was wrong. It is so neat to me how God gives you intuition.  When the OB checked me my worse fear came true.... I was in pre-term labor. We were sent over to the hospital until her night rounds and by the time she had gotten there my cervix had thinned 40% more than in her office. She bluntly told us she was not certain she could stop it and until our son was 24 weeks (which was 1 week and 2 days away) they did not consider him viable to live. Jeff and I had a few tears and then we began to pray that we would remember that in ALL things Father is good and that he gives and he takes away. We prayed we would have faith to endure everything that was ahead. Jeff stepped out to get my mom and go talk to his family and the nurse (who was crying) just held my hand while she finished paperwork. When my mom came in she shared a piece of information that my mamaw had given her at lunch that day. My cousin had been doing research on numbers in the Bible. The number she had researched was the number 333. I cannot remember most of the things my mom had read but I will not forget the verse Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." My mom and I just smiled and thanked God for the verse to remind us that as children of God he hears our cries. The nurse came back in and my mom asked what room I would be headed to....She said room 333 again we laughed and thanked God. My mom shared the information with our nurse, who is a prayer warrior and she began to cry again. God knew I needed medical staff around me at that moment who had faith. As she was rolling me to my room she explained there would be a lot of people doing a lot of different things when we got there. One of the staff was a doctor for the baby. He measured my cervical length and determined is was at a 2.5cm on a 4.0 cm scale. The smaller it was the worse it was. We were told they could try to stop that from getting thinner but there was no way to make it thicker once it had started. One positive was when they measured Tripp the doctor was floored that even though he is only 22 weeks he is measuring 1 week and 2 days bigger (that's how long we need to get him to "viability".... God is good!) I was started on several different medicines through my IV, one is called Magnesium.... they told me it would make me feel like I had the flu. I have only had the flu once in my life and I do not remember feeling this bad. The medicine works to relax all the muscles in your body..... it strange to see your legs but have no feeling in them at all! As is stands at this point we are just holding on to the faith and hope that God is sovereign and that not a single one of today's events took him by surprise! He is still good and we will praise him no matter what he decides to do!

The Morton Blog

Welcome to our blog!!! It is our hope to use this blog to keep our friends and family updated on the progress of little peanut while on our journey to 4o weeks of pregnancy! It is just  by God sovereign plan that we are even getting to experience the joys of such a blessing! In May of 2012 (way before I met my sweet husband) I had to have a surgery. The outcome of the surgery was because of a birth defect plus endometriosis I had less than a 2% chance of ever having a baby, and if I did get pregnant my birth defect would cause the baby to miscarry by 12 weeks. So, to find out a little less than 3 months into our marriage we were pregnant was a HUGE shock to say the least. We were very excited and even though I was certain I would miscarry I still told everyone! Jeff and I began to pray over our baby in our nightly devotion. We have always thanked God for allowing me to experience pregnancy, but we also told The Lord we knew he was a gift..... he was from God and not our own. Jeff and I have prayed our baby would have a heart that loved and served God, served others, and that he would bring glory to Christ! We also knew there was a huge chance we would lose this baby before 12 weeks, but our prayer has and still is that God is good in all things and that he would give us the faith we need to endure whatever the outcome of this sweet little life is. To God be the glory!