Living by Faith: A New Thankful

It was different kind of Thanksgiving for us this year. Usually, we wake up and head to a dinner for each family, stuffing ourselves at both. This year, we woke up early, packed our car, and headed to Jackson to spend our first holiday as a family with David. Did I miss a lot of the typical things about our usual Thanksgiving?? Of course. I missed my dad's bloody mary and my mom's dressing....I even missed those weird pickled peaches that sit out at Charles' grandmothers. Was the turkey and dressing from the hospital cafeteria my idea of a perfect Thanksgiving dinner? Absolutely not. But I wouldn't have changed this Thanksgiving for anything.

After all we've been through I can't imagine being more grateful than I am today. I am so incredibly thankful for all the things God has blessed me with the last few months. It was a difficult way to get to the blessings, but it makes the blessings all the more bountiful.... I got to meet my daughter and my son. Even though Lucy Tucker, Charles, and I only had a short time together, it was OUR time and it was special. I have gotten to watch David grow from the 1 pound, 13 ounce teeny tiny baby that fit in the palm of my hands, to a 6 pound 1 ounce "chunk" who is as stubborn as his father and insists on pulling his feeding tube out multiple times a day. I am able to see legitimate miracles happen with my son right before my eyes. I have been able to form a relationship with the Lord that is closer than I ever thought possible. I have been able to see what wonderful friends and family we have and all they have done for us the last few months and, most importantly, for all of the their prayers for our sweet boy. The thankfulness I have for all of these things is immeasurable. Does it continue to be difficult every day? Of course. But I am forever grateful for each day.

So, it was a different Thanksgiving, but it was still full of much thanks. We spent the day holding baby David and giving him bottles. His eyes are getting bluer and, I swear, sometimes I see him smile. They moved him up to two bottles each day which is awesome, and we have moved down to low flow oxygen, which is so so wonderful. He is on about 250cc right now, but he "satted" well most of the day so hopefully they can wean him more soon. We will take it one day at a time, of course, but I am hopeful we can keep moving forward so wonderfully. Our turkey and dressing dinner from the hospital cafeteria wasn't great, but it was pretty tasty after a great evening with David.

I spoke with one of his doctors today and she said that David really surprised them this week and has really progressed leaps and bounds! I am so proud of my little man and I know that God is answering all of our prayers! I pray that he continues to progress along. His update eye exam came back that his eye issues had not gotten worse, which is good. The surgery's intention was to prevent the ROP from worsening, so it can eventually heal itself. He also has his next head ultrasound on Tuesday, so I continue to pray for that as well.