A Day of Loving Visitors

Last night I slept pretty good from being exhausted. I did have 3 contractions an hr and some irritability, but that was nothing like the other nights this week. In fact I didn't even feel them much in my sleep as they were pretty mild. Asher's heart dipped a few times, but with God's beautiful grace, it went right back up. So I thank God that despite the slight occurrences, He kept Asher strong and protected him as He always does and always will.

After eating breakfast, my favorite nicu doc came in.... Dr. Pyle. As always his smile and humor brought sunshine into the cloudy morning. He was so happy to know that Asher made it to the 28 week milestone. I told him about my nights of contractions and he said that Asher will enter when ready and he has faith he will do amazing now that he hit this large milestone. It made us smile as we just can't be more grateful for this miracle God has given us! I then asked him if I needed to buy preemie clothes right away and if they should be short sleeve or long sleeve. It made Dr. Pyle laugh as he said he loved hearing that question. He reminded me that 6 weeks ago we were anxious and scared and asking all questions concerning what we didn't know, and now God has blessed us with this amazing milestone where our minds can focus a little on what Asher will need once he enters the world. He said it was so great to hear that, and we agreed. With God's amazing grace, Asher is a true warrior who never gives up and gives his all in this fight... going from 2% survival to 95%. All praise to God!

A little after he left, my high risk nurse came in as I was in my late morning monitoring session. She told me that she saw the contractions and dips last night, but was glad to see them mild. She then asked how I was, as she knew I was very exhausted over the past few days. I told her I was still tired, but glad my contractions weren't as consistent and painful currently. She then told me that Dr. Fitzpatrick will be back in the morning. A sign of relief appeared on my face, as I felt the most comfortable with him and was ready for him to be back.

My monitoring session went well, so I then ate lunch while I waited for my parents, sister, and Hunter to arrive. I am always excited to spend time with my family, but was especially excited because my sister and Hunter were coming too. They will be married in less than a week, so hard to believe! When they arrived, Papaw gave Easton a brown Cracker Barrel bag to open. A huge smile appeared on his face as he screamed "alligators!" (Really dinosaurs ..but to Easton they are alligators lol)
 My parents got him 2 dinosaurs that move when you wind them back. It truly made his day!

I then gave my sister and dad their birthday presents. Again thanks to Pinterest, I came up with some fun unique ideas. My sister's card said "We just want to "teal" you happy birthday! So inside the teal gift bag were all kinds of teal snacks and treats. Lacy looked at me and laughed saying she couldn't eat it all now as she was still on her wedding diet. I told her it can be her honeymoon treat lol. I then gave dad his gift. The card said, " Dad and Papaw, we love you to the moon and back!". We got him 2 boxes of moon pies to go with it. Although the gifts weren't anything big, that didn't mean anything. It actually was more meaningful to come up with these ideas and keep them small. They both enjoyed their presents!

We enjoyed each other's company throughout the afternoon. Then my sister gave me my maid of honor gift, since I most likely won't be at her wedding. Inside was a variety of neat goodies. I would love to share a picture of them and explain all that was in there, but I promised my sister I wouldn't share what all it was as the other bridesmaids won't receive theirs until rehearsal Friday. The gift made me feel very special, and even though I will most likely be here instead of at her wedding, this gift makes me still feel like I am a very important part of my sister's big day. Thank you Lacy for the beautiful and thoughtful Maid of Honor gift. I can't believe your big day is only a few days away, and I am so excited for you!! You are the greatest sister and friend, and I love you so much!

As we all sat and talked, a knock came to the door. In walked in Fr. Ed. We were all so glad to see him, as we are each Sunday since he has came here each Sunday to bring us Communion and pray with us. I introduced Fr. Ed to my sister and Hunter, and then we all sat and chatted a while. Easton ran to him to show him his dinosaurs that Papaw and Mamaw Beckman got him. Then the neatest and cutest thing happened! Fr. Ed asked Easton if he wanted to race the two dinosaurs. It made Easton's face light up, and he sat right down with Fr. Ed on the wooden hospital room floor. Together they raced the dinosaurs for a good 10 minutes as Easton didn't want to stop. He loved how Fr. Ed was playing dinosaurs with him, and it made him smile and laugh. We all joked that Easton would want to bring the dinosaurs to Church and the next thing we know he will probably try to race them down the Church aisle. Easton finally relaxed a little, so Fr. Ed asked him if he wanted to pray for mommy and Asher. He smiled and shook his head yes. So together we all prayed and then Fr. Ed gave James and me Communion. Fr. Ed's visits always  he goes out of his way so much to us. First and most importantly he goes out of his way to bring us Communion as we long for Jesus each week. Receiving Jesus keeps us strong and reminds us that God is always with us. Secondly, he always takes time to talk, smile, and laugh with us, and of course brighten Easton's day. You know he means so much to Easton as at the end of each visit, Easton runs up to him and gives him a big hug. Thank you Fr. Ed for bringing joy and comfort to us through giving us Communion and your powerful prayers. You truly mean so much to us!😊

After Fr. Ed left, the guys took Easton outside while the sky's began to darken. The storms were coming, so my parents, sister, and Hunter decided to head back home. Time definitely flew by during their visit, but I was so happy that I got to spend time with my family and see my sister before her big day. More than likely I won't see them until we Skype on her wedding day, which was a little hard to remind myself of. However, as I have said before, no matter what, technology was our blessing to let me be part of her day, while God blessed me with the most important gift... our little miracle Asher. I would not trade anything for this fight! I may be getting tired of this bed and room, but I am so grateful to be at this position, because it was a gift from God that Asher is here in me with a strong heart beat and now at 28 weeks!

After they left, Jane walked in. Jane is my good friend who I taught with while at Holy Family. You know God truly has a plan and reason with each person you meet. Little did I know that Jane would greatly influence my faith and teach me the amazing gifts of prayer. But what a small world it is that she had a grandson born at 28 weeks and who is doing amazing today. Little did I know that her daughter in-law would be having twins and end up a few rooms down from me in the high risk hall due to her pregnancy as well. Jane has kept my family strong and never ceased to pray for us and Asher. It is almost met to be that she is here with her daughter in-law at the same time I am here. It is like God knew her daughter in-law and I needed her strength and prayer and presence during this fighting time. Thank you Jane for all of your prayers and thoughtfulness during this beautiful fight. Thank you for visiting with us a little today. You always remind me God is right here, and He will guide us to His beautiful plan at His special time.

As Jane left, James' parents and brother stopped in. Easton was excited to see them and show them his "alligators". As they visited, my stomach was a little sore and crampy. It was also time for my monitoring session, so I did have a few slight contractions and irritability here and there. Asher's heart stayed strong though, which was a beautiful blessing from God. I again enjoyed their company as it made the day go fast and helped to get my mind off of contractions etc.

After I got my monitors off and ate supper, I ended up falling asleep, just as did Easton and James. I just have been exhausted, so it felt good. I then woke up to my night nurse doing my checkup. It then hit me that I still haven't done a post yet today, so here I am now lol. I look forward to a night of rest and seeing Dr. Fitzpatrick in the morning.

Dear Loving God, Thank You for the amazing gift of family and friends. What a gift they are in life as they care for you, pray for you, love you, and always cheer you on. Thank You for being my rock and never leaving our side throughout this miraculous fight. You are always here to listen to me and speak to me in the most meaningful ways. You continue to embrace Asher in Your loving arms. You make him the little strong fighter he is. My trust lies fully in You, and I could not be more blessed to have You in my life. I love You above all things! Amen.

All of you are in my thoughts each day. What would we do without your endless prayers? It amazes me that some of you are fighting hard for us and we never met face to face. May God bless all of you for never ceasing to pray. Instead you stand here firmly with us in prayer and faith in God's miraculous works. What angels you truly are to us! May we continue to unite with God, Josh, and all the Angels and Saints in this amazing blessed fight for our little warrior and miracle, Asher James!