I have been re-reading through my prayer journal and came across a few scripture verses that I wanted to share.  I wrote these down the morning after Selah was born, before they took her for her first surgery to close her spine. 

We Praise God!  For you, Selah Grace, are fearfully and wonderfully made!  God, Your workmanship is marvelous, how well I know that! (Psalm 139:14)

You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head (Psalm 139:5)

But as for me, I will sing about Your power.  Each morning I will sing with joy about Your unfailing love.  For You have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.  O my strength, to You I sing praises; for You, O God are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. (Psalm 59:16-17)

"My first time seeing Selah"

I came across this photo a few days ago and hadn't seen it before.  Carey took this picture in the OR, when they were taking Selah out of the room to go to the NICU.  It captures the first time I got to see Selah.  When Selah was born, I did not get to see her because she was immediately taken by the neonatologist and his staff to cover her spine and evaluate her.  She cried as soon as she came out, and my doctor, who delivered Selah, looked down at me and said, "She's going to be OK."  I began crying tears of joy.  It seemed like quite a while before the neonatologist rolled Selah's isolet by me so that I could get a quick glimpse of her before they took her to the NICU.  It was not until 7PM that night, that I was able to go up to the NICU and see her again.    To me, this picture best exemplifies the statement by Max Lucado in his book, Fearless, where he said, "Keep giving your child to God, and in the right time and the right way, God will give your child back to you."

Audiology update

We took Selah for her follow-up appointment with the audiologist today, after she failed the hearing test in the hospital.  We were there from 8AM-10:30AM, and she slept through the testing just fine.  The audiologist did several tests on both ears, and PRAISE THE LORD, she passed her hearing test in both ears!!!  The best part, though, was when we came home, Sage greated us at the door.  She, of course, was so excited to see her baby sister as always, and went over to her carseat.  Sage was talking to Selah and giving her hugs and kisses, and in response, Selah smiled at Sage!  This was the first smile I have seen from Selah, and it brought tears to my eyes.  Selah then smiled about 3 more times after that.  It's amazing the milestones that most parents may take for granted, are such great miracles from the Lord and such a constant reminder that God is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think and that He is the Great Physician.  It seems like when I am becoming worried or fearful of the future with Selah or wondering why God allowed Selah to be born with spina bifida, He shows me another miracle in Selah's life, as to say to me, "Amy, for I know the plans I have for Selah.  Plans to prosper her and not to harm her.  Plans to give her a hope and a future."
(Jeremiah 29:11)

Urology Update

Today we took Selah to see the Urologist for a follow-up appointment.  He did an ultrasound of her kidneys and bladder and said that "They couldn't get any better than this!"  The kidneys showed no signs of reflux and the bladder looked good too.  He said that at this time, there is no need to be cathing Selah because she is voiding well on her own.  We are so thankful to God for this great news.  It is amazing to think that 6 weeks ago the doctors thought that she couldn't void at all on her own and that we had to cath her 4 times/day, and now today the doctor said that things couldn't be any better and that we don't have to cath her anymore.  We praise God for the healing of her bladder and kidneys. We continue to pray that her kidneys and bladder would continue to work as they should without any reflux or infections, and that she would be able to have bladder control as she gets older.  Thank you all for your prayers for her bladder and kidneys!  God answers prayers, and He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think!  He is the Great Physician!  All praise to Him!

Family picture at the park.

Sage and her cousin Ella at the park.

6 weeks old!

Selah is 6 weeks old today!  We are continuing our routine of about 2 doctor visits/week.  I am so thankful that All Children's Hospital is only 30 minutes away and not farther!  Selah is still wearing her harness for her hip and was recasted to correct her club foot on the left leg.  The ultrasound of the hip showed that the harness seems to be working!  The orthopedic doctor was also impressed at how her foot looked when he recasted it and said that possibly  this new cast may be the last one she will need!  We also saw the pediatrician for her 1 month well-visit.  She weighed 11lbs 7oz (with her cast on) and was 22" long.  She will go back at 2 months to start getting her vaccines.  We will also see the urologist tomorrow for a follow-up appointment, and monday she will have her hearing retested with the audiologist.  Otherwise, all is going well and nothing really to report, which is a good thing!  GLORY TO GOD!

Over the weekend, we took advantage of the nice weather and went out for a short boat ride, which was the first time as a family of four.  Sage is taking after her daddy and enjoys fishing, and she caught her first fish, while we were out.  She really liked playing with the shrimp, though, before they were used for bait.  I have also started running again in an attempt to get back in shape, so we also went on our first family run to the park over the weekend.    We also took Selah to the beach for the first time to watch daddy kite-board during all the windy weather from the hurricanes.  Selah is quite a trooper and just sleeps through all of our little adventures.
Pictures soon to follow!