Here they are.....pictures!! We have had a hard time uploading pictures the last few days, and I was finally able to get them uploaded tonight.

Rebekah had a very good cardiologist appointment today. While she didn't much care for the chest x-rays, she slept right through the echocardiogram! :) Dr. Lucas is very pleased with Rebekah's heart and lung function right now. Rebekah is progressing just as her doctors and surgeon had hoped.

Zachary loves to hold Rebekah!

Our first attempt at a picture of all five - wow!

Caleb watches over Rebekah.

We love this little outfit...Rebekah looks good in blue! :)

Dr. Lucas made some small adjustments to one of Rebekah's medications, but otherwise we are good for two weeks. Tomorrow Rebekah will have a weight check at her pediatrician's office to make sure she is still growing and gaining weight.

Rebekah has surprised us all and is really doing well with nursing. She has been nursing about half of her feedings in a day now. I am so thankful that she is doing this well. Hopefully she will work up to fully breastfeeding by the time school gets started next week. As long as Rebekah continues to maintain her weight gain, Dr. Lucas is okay with letting her breastfeed and not fortifying her milk.

One of us will try to update tomorrow after Rebekah's weight check. She was 6 pounds and 13 ounces last week. I'm hoping to see her close to seven and a half pounds tomorrow! :)

Nancy

Crazy week.....

Whew, where to start! Therapy for Rebekah, the boys had dental work, a cardiologist appointment, weight check, mommy has a doctor appointment, Caleb has therapy, getting ready for school next week, and Uncle David coming for a visit for a few days. Just a little busy around here this week! We will update you later on how the cardiologist appointment goes today and hopefully some new pictures too.

Overall Rebekah had a good week last week. We will see where she weighs in, but I think she has put weight on again. This is good. She has periods of being more awake and likes to hang out with Daddy.

Got to get back to the races before I get left behind.

Talk to you all soon,

D

Daddy's thoughts today

Just some thoughts today. While the big excitement is over for now and we seem to be settling in at home, thankfully altogether again, it has been dawning on me that we have just begun this great adventure. One phone call already to the cardiologist about Bekah's incision to make sure all is ok. Now watching her every move to make sure things are normal and debating when things are not normal. Wondering what warrants a call to the cardiologist and what doesn't. This is very different for us, and we are learning along the way that is for sure.

We so appreciate the prayers and support for our family. I thought I would mention a few more prayer requests that are on my mind as we settle into our new lives with this Little Lady. We certainly hope you will come along with us on this adventure and continue to pray and give your support to our family as we walk this road with Rebekah Grace.

1)Pray that Rebekah will continue to grow at the rate the doctors are targeting (about an ounce each day).

2)Pray that we can control her reflux so that it won't be a stumbling block to her growth

3)Pray that her heart will continue to be strong as it works double time right now.

4)Pray for preparations for her next surgery (funds to stay at MUSC, doctors, child care for the boys at home)

5)Pray that we can get both of the older boys in the same school to make the schedule easier.

6)Pray that the Lord will provide employment for me soon. I am still unemployed and the needs here are many.

7)Pray for strength for Nancy as she will be taking on more of the house and Rebekah's care when I return to work. (We are both short on sleep....)

8)Pray for the boys as Mom and Dad's time is stretched at the moment with taking care of Rebekah.

9)Again, as we have prayed from the beginning, pray that the Lord would be seen through our family, that we may be able to help someone else. I think most of all we want to be used by the Lord for His glory.

While we are so thankful for the prayers and support, and our wonderful doctors and nurses, we must give all praise to the Lord for He has brought us this far. No amount of skill or knowledge replaces the gracious hand of our Lord and Savior.

I guess that sums up what was on my mind today.

D

Check Up

This will be brief since we are experiencing some internet troubles. Rebekah's apointment went well today. She gained 5 ounces in the last five days!! Her pediatrician would have liked to see a little more weight gain just so she can make up for lost time, but in his words, we'll take what we can get. We are very thankful for the progress Rebekah has made with her eating. Continue to pray that her eating goes well and that we get some of her reflux issues more under control as that seems to be a big hinderance to her eating right now.

More detailed updates and pictures hopefully coming tomorrow!

Nancy

Quick Update

I know, I know....I won't win blogging mommy of the year award!! I'm sorry we haven't gotten a post up in the last few days. Things around here have been a little busier now that Rebekah is here! :)

At the end of last week, Rebekah's eating was definitely questionable. She would have couple of good feedings, then have one or two where she didn't eat much more than half of her goal. Between Rebekah's last two check-ups, her weight gain had only been 3 ounces (after six days). The doctors would like to see Rebekah gaining an ounce a day or very close to it. We are going tomorrow for another weight check and are hoping that things will look better. Rebekah has definitely been eating better (although spitting up more) since Saturday, and it seems to us that she has gained a little weight.

We will update with news tomorrow after Rebekah's appointment!

Nancy