Houston, we have lift off!

She did it!! Cora slept all night in her big-girl bed! Way to go,Cora!!

 

Last night, I checked on her when I went to bed.  She had turned herself sideways, feet pointing toward the floor if she were to fall out.  I turned her back to the right position and put a pillow beside her.  She made it all night long!! Not only was the bed a success, she also had a dry diaper all night and did potty first thing this morning.  (m&m’s for breakfast, oh boy!)

 

Our baby is not a baby anymore, a bittersweet feeling. 

Cora, we’re so proud of you!  Keep up the good work, Big Girl!

Big-girl bed

I don’t know if I’m ready for this or not, but little miss is sleeping in her big-girl bed tonight. We started the transition about two weeks ago—just having her sleep in it for naps. She’s done well and has yet to fall out—PRAISE GOD! We attempted to get her to sleep in it for the night awhile back, but she showed us she wasn’t ready for that by crying and running over to her crib, trying to climb in. So, we let that go. This past week we have stayed with Geron’s mom every night, so Cora has been sleeping in a pack-n-play. During the day, we’ve come home for naps, which Cora has taken in the big bed. And last night, we stayed at home so we could be on time for church in the morning—Cora slept in her crib.

Tonight, when it was time for bed, we told Cora to go to her room. I was all set for one of us to pick her up, say her prayers with her and lay her in her crib. Instead, she beat us to her room and climbed up into her big-girl bed. Geron sat down and said her prayer with her, then we did “Shushar”(sugars), told her goodnight and that we love her, left the room and shut the door. Crying—about 1 or 2 minutes worth—ensued. I stood outside her door and waited for the pitter patter of little feet to come running to the door and little hands to try to yank the doorknob off the door and a little mouth to start screaming…Instead, I heard talking… “Zoe…Pillar…” (Zoe, from Sesame Street, and Pillar, a stuffed caterpillar, are Cora’s “best pals” at night time. Those and her “Blantie”(Blankie). After a bit of talking, there was silence except for her lullabies playing in the background.

When we go to bed in a while, I will open her door and see if she’s actually stayed in her bed or made a cot for herself on the floor. Keep your fingers crossed, and if she’s in bed, pray that she doesn’t fall out.

I'll let you know how things went in the morning. I'm not ready for this, people!!!

Sleep Talking

For eight years now, Geron has shared numerous stories with me of things I’ve told him in my sleep.  He learned early on how to tell if I was asleep by asking me specific questions.  One of his favorite stories to tell is of asking me when my birthday was—while sleeping. 
“Lydia, are you awake?”
“Huh?”
“Lydia, are you awake?”
(groggily) “Yeah?”

“When’s your birthday?”
“March”

(so far so good)
“What day?”
“Wednesday!”

“Go back to sleep”

 

Another time, he was leaving for work in the morning and I was still in bed. 

“Bye, honey, I’m leaving for work, “ said Geron.

“Bye” I respond, half asleep.
(to make sure I know he’s leaving)  “Lydia, I’m going to work now.  Are you going to be alright?”
“Yeah.  Bye, I love you….Donut”

“Lydia, do you know what you just said?”
“…yeah, I just said ‘Donut’ but I don’t know why.”

 

So all of this to just say that the past two days, I’ve talked in my sleep again.  Two nights ago it was (In a mommy tone)  “Cora, this is baby brother!”  “Look, it’s baby brother.”  “Don’t kick baby brother.”

 

And today I found out that I’m not the only one who talks in her sleep.  Last night, we spent the night with Geron’s mom.  She has two dogs I’ve mentioned in previous posts…Sugarbear and Tucker.  Cora loved getting playtime in with them last night and this morning.  This afternoon, I was on my way to the store with Cora buckled safely into her carseat in the back of the van.  I thought she was awake and turned around and asked her what song she wanted to sing.  She kicked her head back, eyes closed and said “Tutter!”  (Tucker) and then her head flopped back down and she mumbled “Shuhbeahhh”.  Too precious.  What are some fun questions to ask a toddler the answer to while they’re sleeping?

Thank You Jesus

I saw dad this morning and he is doing well. He still is on the respirator, but they expect him to come off of it any time now. Surgery went excellent and he is being cared for very well in the surgical cardiac intensive care at Erlanger hopspital. We get to see Him again at 4:00.

We just got back the results of our preliminary amnio screening for the baby boy on the way. This test looks for the most popular chromosomal problems like downs syndrome and hydrocephalus.
This test is over 90% accurate and is telling us He is a "Normal Boy"

It will take 7-10 days to know definitively when more tests come back in, but we are praising God.

We have really felt your prayers over the couple of days and I'm so thankful to be a part of such a community of believers that loves and knows us and have lifted us in prayer to the throne of God this week. I rarely listen to christian radio, but early this morning when I got in the car to leave my mother's house, the first thing i heard on the radio was this:

Psalm 73:26-28

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

Putting a name with a face

Just in case you're wondering, this is Cora's precious PawPaw for who
you've all been praying. PawPaw sure does love his girl!! And his
boy...when we saw him yesterday after his heart cath, the first thing he
said to Patsy and then to me was "How's the baby?" Thank you, Jesus, for
touching PawPaw and keeping him here longer.

Good News

The doctors just reported they got Preston off the heart and lung machine and got him closed up.  They’re taking him to recovery and then back to ICU.  For lack of a better word, the surgery went pretty much according to routine.  WE know, however, that The Lord worked a miracle here.  God is good all the time. 

Surgery Update

Geron just called and said the doctors were about to take Preston off the heart and lung machine.  This is the machine that keeps the heart working during the surgery.  Once they get him off the machine, they will begin to close him up.  It’s fascinating how quickly the surgery actually took place.  They didn’t begin until about 7:30 and it was 10:15 when Geron called.  He and Patsy are staying at the hospital tonight until they can see Preston. 

It’s difficult for anyone to stand by and watch their loved one go through a surgery like this, but today was especially difficult for Patsy because this is their anniversary.  Please remember her in a special way in prayer tonight. 

 

We love you and thank you all again.

 

Lydia

Preston's Surgery

Preston’s surgery was delayed today.  They started at 6:30 instead of 1.  His surgeon had an emergency with another patient at a different hospital.  Currently, it is 8 o’clock here and I haven’t heard word from Geron yet of any doctor’s reports. 

 

Geron has been at the hospital all day with his mom and several friends and family.  My mom came down today to help with Cora over the next couple of days, and we took Cora to the hospital to visit with her YaYa (Patsy).  Cora’s visit really seemed to do everyone, especially Patsy and Geron, a lot of good.  They had their own private waiting room, so Cora showed off quite a bit for everyone.  Singing songs, making animal sounds, counting, and just cutting up like her daddy.  Not only did it do those at the hospital good, I think Cora really needed that time with her daddy and YaYa, too.  It’s been kind of hard on her staying home with me all day—advice on entertaining your toddler would be very welcome here. 

 

My phone battery died awhile ago, so it will be a bit before I know more.  Again, thank you all for your prayers, encouragement, calls, emails, everything that you’re doing for us.  Our cup runneth over.

Update on Preston

Once again, we are so thankful for each of you and your prayer support on behalf of Geron’s dad. It is 2p.m. our time and Preston has been taken in for prep for surgery. His surgery will begin at 3. If I haven’t informed you already, he is having quadruple bypass surgery. Dr.McCoy, his cardiologist, said Preston is a blessed man to even be alive at this point. We agree.

Geron has been staying at the hospital with his mom the past two days—at night he’s been home. We’ve been so thankful for all the visits, calls, flowers, and most importantly prayers that have been lifted up for Preston. Please keep praying. We feel it!! The Lord has given us His peace that transcends all understanding.

Preston’s surgery is scheduled to last at least 4 hours. Doctors will be updating the family regularly as they wait and I will do my best to keep you all informed of what is going on and how you can pray.

As for Cora and I , we are hanging in there while Daddy is at the hospital. Having the amnio yesterday, I wasn’t allowed to lift Cora or participate in anything very active for 24 hours. We have been blessed to have such wonderful help from our church family here in Chattanooga. Last night, we had a visit from our Pastor, Matt, to pray with us and offer encouragement. He and his family have been such an amazing gift to our church! Following, but with, him came our good friend, Carol, to sit with Cora and I until Geron could make it home. Carol read books and sang songs with Cora, gave her a bath, and put her to bed for me. And while the physical help was much appreciated, I was most thankful for her talking to me about her husband’s heart surgery and putting my mind at ease about what was going on. Thank you, Carol! Anna has such a wonderful Nanna!! Geron arrived home about 10:30 last night and, I think, he was able to get a full night’s sleep. If he wasn’t, he certainly didn’t let me know it. God has given him tremendous strength right now. Please continue to pray for him to rest in the Lord through this. This morning, our good friend and church secretary, “Aunt Becky”, came over and played with and cared for Cora and me. And again, while I was thankful for the lifting and picking up after Cora, I was more appreciative of her encouragement and listening ear. Becky, you and Tom have been a constant blessing to our family. Thank you. Please forgive me for what seems like an awards speech, but I must also mention our friend Samantha who was able to be there at the last minute for us yesterday to care for Cora during our doctor’s appointment and visit to the hospital. Cora was a very sick little girl with a middle ear infection, and Samantha, just took her and loved on her all day for us. She even endured some vomiting from Cora—that is love, people!!

We are so thankful that God has lead us to such a loving and giving church. We are thankful for the friends we’ve made throughout our lives who have continued to stand by us and be prayer partners with us from near and far. We are thankful for families who have raised us to trust the Lord in all circumstances and be there for us when we need them. We are thankful for a Heavenly Father who sees us, hears us, and intervenes, working out His good plan in our lives. We are blessed.

Another prayer request for the baby and Preston

Family and Friends,

Many of you are aware that Geron’s dad has had a heart attack.  I wanted to update you on his situation first.  He was admitted to the hospital yesterday and had several tests run.  Today, after a heart-cath, his doctor determined that he would need to have quadruple bypass surgery.  His doctor, Dr.McCoy, is a very kind Christian man and we are so thankful that God chose to use him in our situation.  Dr.McCoy told us it is a miracle that Preston is even alive, that he is blessed.  He will be having the surgery either tonight or in the morning.  Please continue to keep him, Patsy, Sean and Geron in your prayers through this time. 

 

While this has been going on, we have also encountered a potential health problem with our baby boy.  I had a routine ultrasound yesterday and the technician noticed that one of the ventricals in the baby’s brain was dilated a bit.  My doctor referred me to a high-risk doctor to have it checked out.  We had the appointment today and the doctor noticed the same swelling.  He recommended an amniocentesis and we had it right away.  We should be getting test results on Friday of this week and will meet with the doctor again next Wednesday to discuss what the next steps are to be taken, if needed. 

What does this mean?  The high-risk doctor said the swelling could just be a boy-thing, apparently it appears more often in boys and can often pan out to nothing.  However, he also said it could be a sign of a chromosomal disorder such as down syndrome.  Another possibility could be an infection—for example, if I’d been sick at some point during the pregnancy, the baby could have contracted what I had and had a more severe reaction than I did.  We just don’t know, so the amniocentesis is going to help reveal a better idea of what is going on.  If the first test results we receive back, hopefully this Friday, indicate that things are normal, then there is a 90% chance that all other results will be normal.  We are praying for this to be the case. 

 

Please keep our family in your prayers during this time.  Amidst it all, Cora has an ear infection and needs special prayer, as well.  While each need healing, pray also for peace and comfort for Geron, his mom(patsy), his brother(sean) and Preston’s mother.  Pray especially for Geron as it seems he is being bombarded with so much right now.  I know we serve a good and loving Heavenly Father who is able to meet all our needs and bring miraculous healing.  We are hopeful and are trusting Him in all circumstances.  Thank you for your prayers… we appreciate all the calls and emails we’ve received so far.  We are very encouraged and thankful for all of you.  We love you.

Good Morning Wake Up Call

We were awakened this morning by our lovely daughter who was yelling and talking to herself in her crib. We’ve grown accustomed to babble and jibber jabber with our names thrown in here and there, but this morning, Cora had a specific call. She was yelling “Shuh-bear! Shuh-bear!” For those of you who aren’t familiar, this is “Sugarbear”, Geron’s parents’ sharpei dog. Between calls for Sugarbear, we also heard “Tut Tut!”, which is Tucker, their Shih tzu. And of course, “YaYa”—which is what she calls Geron’s mother. I guess she was just dreaming about being at YaYa’s house. With all the yelling in the a.m., I was wishing she WAS at YaYa’s house.

The pic above is Cora and Tucker last August. I don't think we have one of her and Sugarbear.

Whoop! Whoop!

Today we had our first big splash in the potty!!   Cora woke up dry after her nap, so I rushed her to the potty and sat her down on it.  We read her cow book 2 times and then Geron and I switched out.  (me back to the kitchen to finish dinner and him to finish potty).  As soon as I got to the kitchen Geron yelled “Mommy, Cora did potty!”  I ran to the bathroom, neglecting the green beans burning on the stove top, and saw Cora’s first potty peepee.  I was so proud!! 

 

We are keeping M&Ms in the bathroom for her reward, so we said “Cora, you get candy!”  She looked at us as if to say “What’s the big deal, people?  I did it on the dining room floor yesterday, in front of company, mind you, and you didn’t give me any candy then.”  Geron gave her 5 M&Ms and then he and I continued to brag on her and tell her how proud we were of her all through dinner. (a little potty talk at the table isn’t always considered bad manners.)  Hopefully, she’ll get the point and do it more often.

 

Way to go potty, Cora!!