Back from the Doctors

Thank you all so much for praying for Eliseo. He looked and felt so bad on Monday, but then by yesterday afternoon, he was up playing after his nap. While his ear still hurts, the drainage seems better and his rash is drying up as well. He's not completely better, but much more chipper than he was Monday.
A few of the other children ended up getting sick as well this week. We have thanked the Lord many times for thus far, giving us such a good winter health wise. Seeing as how we came north during the cold/flu season, we haven't had much more than a sniffle all winter. Even now, the ones who are sick (runny/stuffy noses, low grade fevers, headaches) aren't completely "down for the count." They are still eating and drinking and while they've been excused from their chores, have been up to working on their school work from bed or even venturing out to read/play games in the living room. Overall, everyone seems to be on the mend today.
I saw the doctor again this morning. It seems amazing that I am able to type "I'm 30 1/2 weeks along today"! I wasn't given a whole lot of hope of making it this far along at the beginning. And we just praise the Lord for keeping our little boy and me safe so far and yet, knowing how many are praying on our behalf, we are not surprised.
Since I am entering the "very risky" weeks ahead, I have been instructed to head immediately up to labor and deliver the next time I have a significant bleed. They have been coming more frequently, so time in the hospital is very likely in my near future.
The doctor will do everything he can to keep the baby inside me as long as possible. He told me today that, albeit not likely, they will allow me to go up to 39 weeks! Wouldn't that just be wonderful if our boy could stay inside until he's full term? :)
The doctor again went over with me the seriousness of the surgery...how complicated it will be on my end. He's worried I'm not more worried and afraid I don't understand the seriousness of the situation. It's not to say that I've never had moments of fear or been anxious. But I know who holds my baby and I in His hands. I do marvel at the peace He gives as I continually give each doubt and worry to Him. And even if I knew that these would be my last days here on this earth, I would not live them any differently. I would still wake up each morning thanking and praising the Lord for a new day, kiss my husband good morning and bring him something hot to drink, wake up my precious children, chatter with them as we do chores and make/eat breakfast, homeschool them, care for their every need, love them, train them, play with them, and be together with Daniel every free moment we can.
Dr. Van Kirk told me he isn't trying to sca re me but is very concerned and wants to make sure I understand. I told him that I appreciate that and again let him know how many people have been praying for him and the upcoming deliver/surgery as well.
We ended the appt. by me getting another RhoGam shot (I'm Rh neg. and Daniel's positive) and then they scheduled me for another appt. and non stress test in 2 weeks.
Well, I need to wake up the ones who are still napping so they'll go to bed on time tonight. Oh, I want to end with a funny story. Each Tuesday, if they are able, Daniel takes Timothy and Elijah to an early morning Men's Prayer Breakfast at his Uncle's church. Monday night, I told Daniel that Timothy was getting sick and I didn't think he'd be up to going in the morning. So Daniel asked Isaiah (age 6) if he would like to go by himself with Daddy in the morning. He was VERY excited, laid out his clothes, had the older boys help him set the alarm for 5:30 am, and went to sleep right on time (actually a bit earlier than normal as I tried to get all the children in bed early that night as several were under the weather). Daniel and I stayed up talking and working together enjoying the quiet evening. We finally went to bed around 11 pm. I was awoken 4 or 5 times after that by little ones needing a drink or a tissue or some mommy comfort, but was surprised at 3:30 am to see a group of boys walk into our room. Isaiah was up, dressed (as were 2 of his younger brothers hoping to get to go too) and ready to go.
Apparently, when they set the alarm, they messed up the time on the clock, so they thought it was about 5:45 am when it was really 3:30 am. I told them to go back to bed, but to no avail...they just "couldn't" sleep. I finally got up around 5 am and settled the younger 2 brothers back to bed. Isaiah and Daddy left a little while later together for their meeting and by then the other children were waking up and needing me.
All day, I felt like it should have been MUCH later than it really was and couldn't wait until bedtime! Isaiah, bless his heart, was so tired by supper that he couldn't eat and went right to bed. :) But he had very special time with Daddy and made a memory for us all.


Timothy had requested a "throw up bowl" as his headache was making him sick to his stomach. I came in to check on him a short time later and I found him working on his math with his "new hat". :)

Nehemiah "studying" while I prepared lunch yesterday :) Notice the many stickers he used to decorate his head




Boys feeling better and playing "Uno".