Let the Countdown Begin...

As we near Christmas, we thank our Lord and Savior for his gracious blessings on our family. Friday will be the magical 32 week mark for Autumn's pregnancy, and as many of you know, that is a TOTAL answer to prayer. To be 100% honest...while we pray the boys continue to grow and develop as long as they need...each of us is starting to grown anxious to meet the newest members of our family (of course our reasons are a bit different!! LOL!).

8 weeks ago, Autumn was admitted to the hospital at 23 weeks and several days. She was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, and the doctor was confident enough about her situation to declare we would be lucky if the babies lasted another 4 weeks. At that time, I sent out a long note asking for prayer for Autumn and prayer for the babies. And God came through.

Within days her blood pressure dropped (not supposed to happen with Pre-e) and her protein levels were back to normal. Things were so good they let her go home. Providentially enough, all of this happened right at the beginning of a week and a half research break for school. By the time I had to go back, Autumn's mom was able to fly out to help out for the next few weeks.

Three weeks later, during a regularly scheduled appointment, Autumn was readmitted to the hospital. At 27 weeks we were happy to be much further along, but we desperately wanted the boys to make it another week or so. Again...the prayers continued and friends reached out in so many ways. Even though Autumn's mom had to go home, this all happened right at the beginning of Thanksgiving break and by the time I had to go back to school, my parents were able to come out and help.

Well, it goes without saying that the Lord continued to intervene and allow those babies to "cook" a bit longer. Today, we had a growth scan indicating the babies were all around 4 lbs each. We are so excited and so grateful to get to this point. To be sure, there are definitely challenges ahead. But we rejoice in a God who answers prayer and is happy to answer our prayers.

Please continue to pray for Autumn. She is terribly uncomfortable and is starting to experience regular contractions. Not full ones...but enough to be uncomfortable. Of course, pray for the boys. We feel good about their development, but we also know that even in normal pregnancies things happen. So pray for their continued growth...for their healthy delivery...and a quick stay in the NICU.

We wish all of you the very best this Christmas season...and ask you to remember the reason we celebrate each year. It is sad to see commercialism run amock...or to hear celebrities talk about the "real" reason for the season is to be with families and loved ones. The fact of the matter is that if Jesus Christ didn't humble himself to live a blameless human life...and then offer himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins we've committed...and yet rise victoriously on the third day according to the Gospels...this would all be for naught. But He did. And for that reason...every Christmas is a Merry Christmas!!

God Bless!!
J & A