Wednesday, December 31, 2008
OB Report
Mom took me to my OB appt yesterday. (She is my guardian angel...Mom's are so special.) Per Dr. Boyd and the wondeful ultrasonographer Allison my cervical length looks great. The one bleed is missing in action (awesome praise news) and the second bleed has not grown any larger (amen!). The placenta on Baby A has decided it likes my cervix again, thus the placenta previa and uterine irritability. The babies look great with heart rates of 137 and 150. Baby A was shy as usual (Ellie) and Baby B (Cate) was showing off and waiving her hands, as she was chowing on amniotic fluid. We could see her opening and closing her cute little mouth. All in all I feel this is great praise news. I am still on strict bed rest, but what a blessing to even be on bed rest with these sweet girls! Thank you all for your continued prayers. We go to R.O.C. (the high risk group) next Friday for our level two scan. Please continue to pray with all of your hearts. I love you all so much and am so thankful for your love, prayers, and support.
Ellen Cavert is a hero
FIRST COAST CHRONICLES: Sister turns loss into hope for children
In a few days, God willing, Ellen Cavert will cry at the wedding of her 29-year-old granddaughter, Annie.
But when the child was born, Cavert's tears were for her twin sister, Abbie.
Like Annie, Abbie was born prematurely. Unlike Annie, Abbie didn't make it. And the thing that led to her death wasn't just being born too early but being born in a city where hospitals weren't equipped to care for babies who weren't quite ready for life outside of the womb.
"At the time, there was one breathing machine," Cavert recalled, with a sigh. "One breathing machine, two little girls. The doctors were switching them back and forth."
"One little girl, Abbie, was having a lot of problems. She lived to be 6 days old."
Cavert, however, soon wiped away her tears and focused on fixing the problem.
The wife of attorney Tillman Cavert Jr. decided to use her influence to ensure that fewer babies would face the same fate as Abbie. So she joined forces with pediatrician J.W. Hayes, who commissioned her to raise money and awareness for what became Wolfson Children's Hospital.
"At that time, if a baby needed an X-ray, they put sandbags all around the baby to keep him still, so that they could X-ray him," Cavert said. "Dr. Hayes said, 'If you will get some of your friends together, and start to educate the public about the need for a pediatric hospital, I will do everything I can to help you.' "
So Cavert did that.
In 1973, she and 40 of her friends formed the Women's Board. Each year the board, which now numbers 325 women, gives about $1 million to pay for improvements and programs at Wolfson. They raise the money through their annual winter Art and Antiques Show and the Florida Forum, a speakers series.
Still Cavert, at 81, is modest when it comes to talking about the role she played in improving care for sick babies, as well as the local holiday social season. Instead, she credits her upbringing, others around her, and God.
"When we were very young children, we were raised with the idea that you had to serve whenever you could," said Cavert, who grew up in Jacksonville and attended Landon High School.
Yet her life is an example of how people can piece the tears of their own tragedy into a blueprint of triumph for others.
"The tragedy in my life enabled me to do something for the Lord, " Cavert said. "That's what life is all about -- to be used where you have gifts."
"I'm real thankful for my life."
And undoubtedly, so are lots of babies.
In a few days, God willing, Ellen Cavert will cry at the wedding of her 29-year-old granddaughter, Annie.
But when the child was born, Cavert's tears were for her twin sister, Abbie.
Like Annie, Abbie was born prematurely. Unlike Annie, Abbie didn't make it. And the thing that led to her death wasn't just being born too early but being born in a city where hospitals weren't equipped to care for babies who weren't quite ready for life outside of the womb.
"At the time, there was one breathing machine," Cavert recalled, with a sigh. "One breathing machine, two little girls. The doctors were switching them back and forth."
"One little girl, Abbie, was having a lot of problems. She lived to be 6 days old."
Cavert, however, soon wiped away her tears and focused on fixing the problem.
The wife of attorney Tillman Cavert Jr. decided to use her influence to ensure that fewer babies would face the same fate as Abbie. So she joined forces with pediatrician J.W. Hayes, who commissioned her to raise money and awareness for what became Wolfson Children's Hospital.
"At that time, if a baby needed an X-ray, they put sandbags all around the baby to keep him still, so that they could X-ray him," Cavert said. "Dr. Hayes said, 'If you will get some of your friends together, and start to educate the public about the need for a pediatric hospital, I will do everything I can to help you.' "
So Cavert did that.
In 1973, she and 40 of her friends formed the Women's Board. Each year the board, which now numbers 325 women, gives about $1 million to pay for improvements and programs at Wolfson. They raise the money through their annual winter Art and Antiques Show and the Florida Forum, a speakers series.
Still Cavert, at 81, is modest when it comes to talking about the role she played in improving care for sick babies, as well as the local holiday social season. Instead, she credits her upbringing, others around her, and God.
"When we were very young children, we were raised with the idea that you had to serve whenever you could," said Cavert, who grew up in Jacksonville and attended Landon High School.
Yet her life is an example of how people can piece the tears of their own tragedy into a blueprint of triumph for others.
"The tragedy in my life enabled me to do something for the Lord, " Cavert said. "That's what life is all about -- to be used where you have gifts."
"I'm real thankful for my life."
And undoubtedly, so are lots of babies.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Labor and Delivery
Last night we ended up in Labor and Delivery for about an hour. I was having abdominal pains and cramps, so they wanted to make sure I was not going into premature labor. I also was concerned my cervix might be shortening. It was so nice not havinbg to go to the ER. Kammie, my cousin, was my Nurse and Dr. McIntyre was on call. It seems that the bleed may just be irritating my uterus. My cervix was fine. I did not sleep much last night, but today we will go for an ultrasound. God is on His throne protecting us and keeping us safe. I may be losing my mind, but these babies are worth it! Please keep praying. Love to you all and many thanks!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Dr. Appt tomorrow
Tomorrow Mom is taking me to my OB appt at 1:55. Please pray that God continues to keep these sweet girls safe and healthy and that the blood clots have gone away for good! I love you all and am so blessed to have your friendship, love, support, and prayers! xo
Sleep
Last night, I did not sleep much. As much as I try to act tough some times...I am scared at night. I can only think it is because our last ER trip was in the middle of the night. I know worrying will not change anything...so why do I do it? I have to remind myslef of the scripture Matthew 6:33:
" But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own".
Love you all-
Joni
" But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own".
Love you all-
Joni
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Christmas
Christmas was awesome! I can remember last year just praying and asking God to bless us with a baby and this Christmas we give God all of the glory in knowing we are blessed with not one baby, but two babies! Since I have been staying at Mom and Dad's house (Jeff's call schedule is insane and I am a chicken), I have been kind of lonely when the family is at work. Christmas break has been awesome because my family has been home with me. Tristen was also in California, so Jeff was able to stay here with me.
Even though I did not get out of the house for the hustle and bustle of Christmas this year, Christmas had a new meaning to me. I am reminded of God's eternal love for us! If I love these girls so much and they are not even here yet, it is amazing to think of how much God loves us. He must have loved His Son so much ...the fact that He gave His only Son for us...who died on the cross to forgive our sins and to give us eternal life is more than amazing. This year at Christmas, I am reminded of the gift God has given to us!
Even though I did not get out of the house for the hustle and bustle of Christmas this year, Christmas had a new meaning to me. I am reminded of God's eternal love for us! If I love these girls so much and they are not even here yet, it is amazing to think of how much God loves us. He must have loved His Son so much ...the fact that He gave His only Son for us...who died on the cross to forgive our sins and to give us eternal life is more than amazing. This year at Christmas, I am reminded of the gift God has given to us!
God's grace
After a trying year that included tears, prayers, and two rounds of in vitro fertilization, we are finally pregnant!!! With the power of prayer and God's grace, we have been blessed with twin girls. At eight weeks of pregnancy I was placed on bed rest for two subchorionic hemorrhages under the babies. We are still on strict bed rest at eighteen weeks of pregnancy, but what a miracle to be pregnant with these girls!!! God has used this time to make us stronger in our faith. With each day we look forward to becoming a better witness of God's mircales,grace, and glory!
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