Everybody has a Plan until they get Punched in the Face

Life has a way of punching you in the face at times and this previous trip to Texas Children's proved to be one of those times.

We had three appointments and a tour setup for August 26th: First we saw Dr. Ivey, the OB who will be delivering Aly. Second we had a genetics consultation, where we learned about genetics testing. Third we had a growth ultrasound.  Lastly we had a tour of Texas Children's to get a feel for where the NICU was located and where Christi would be after the c-section.

During the genetics consultation, Samantha, the genetics counselor, asked if we had any relatives that are Jewish.....without missing a beat, Christi said, "Jesus!".  Some good stuff right there.

The growth ultrasound was where we received our less than great news.  Aly has either some mild hemorrhaging or some "twisting" on one of her ovaries.  The radiologist seemed like this was not a big deal and that they would be able to evaluate this after birth.

Then the radiologist checked the meningocele on the back of Aly's head and noticed some tissue inside of the sac.  We were concerned because from our previous appointments the MRI concluded that there was no brain tissue in the sac.  We were not really prepared for news like this.  Needless to say, it made for a gloomy rest of the day and drive home.

 The staff is so awesome down there.  We told the nurse who was giving us our tour about the news we received and that we were unsure of the plans we made with the neurosurgeon.  She was able to get our concerns and the details from the ultrasound over to the neurosurgeon so he could review and give us some feedback.  He looked at the ultrasound results and said the tissue seen on the ultrasound was a small amount that was not significant and that we would stick to the original plan.

It was very encouraging news to receive the next day.  The title of this post is from the ever famous boxer Mike Tyson.  It is true in boxing and true in life, we all have a plan until something hits us square in the face.  What we do after we take that hit, determines if we come out of the fight for the better or for the worse. 

When I take the hits, I remember God's faithfulness, His unfailing love, His plan for me and Christi and Aly and our boys.
I hope you know this fact of life: God is sovereign over ALL and He loves you and me and us........and more than knowing just the facts, I hope you know him.  With God on our side.....who's ready to fight?

Aly Mae @ 32weeks
Weighs roughly 4 lbs 1 oz, which puts her in the 35th percentile, unlike her brothers, Samuel and Daniel who at this time were in the 80th-88th percentile. Looks like she is gonna be a petite one, with lots of hair and cheeks.

another 32wk pic

and another 32wk pic

First Post...

Aly @ 26 weeks

I will start this blog about midway through the process.  At some point we may give some more details leading up to our first appointment and more details related to the appointment itself but I wanted to get the first post up. On 07.18.2014, Christi was 26 weeks, and we took our first trip to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, TX to have an ultrasound, MRI and to see a neurologists and a neurosurgeon.  We received some great news and some possible bad news at the end of all our appointments.  The great news is that Aly has a occipital meningocele instead of an occipital encephalocele like they originally thought. Definitions below. 

• Encephalocele - sometimes known by the Latin name cranium bifidum, is a neural tube defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of the brain and membranes that cover it through openings in the skull. These defects are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during development.
• Meningocele - is essentially the same thing as the encephalocele except it only has the CSF - cerebral spinal fluid and meninges.  

Aly's being a meningocele and not having any portion of the brain protruding from the skull is a HUGE answer to much prayer.  We were originally informed in earlier appointments at the 18 & 22 week ultrasounds that the cele or protrusion did contain brain matter.  

The possible bad is something that is not worth mentioning.  So much of this process is a waiting game at this point until Aly comes.  They will then be able to examine her more closely and run tests.  Christi and I (and this applies to you as well) have a choice to make, do we worry about things yet to come?  Do we allow the bad things that may come, to consume our thoughts and feelings?  I'm not saying run from reality or deny facts as they are but I will say that worrying about those future possible bad things will not add to our lives. Philippians 4:4-9. Instead of worrying, we are thankful.  Thankful to God for our three boys, thankful for Aly's life in the here and now, thankful for family and friends.......find those things that really matter and be thankful. It is not easy for me but HE is faithful and HIS peace......there ain't nothin' like it.

I will update again in the next few days and let you know more information about the "Strong Like Aly" shirts for sale, pictures from our Houston trip, and specific prayer requests.