1 Week Old

Introducing Cora Elise Christ!

Cora: "Maiden" "daughter" "dove" . This is one we had in the bag previously for its simplicity, femininity, and likeness to Colin. It seems extra fitting for a delicate little preemie in its sound, and yet when we consider the usage of a dove in Scripture- from the promises to Noah, to the Trinity picture in the pronunciation over Jesus by Father God at Christ's baptism, we see an equally strong and spiritual form too.

Elise: "God is my oath/promise; consecrated to God", "God is my abundance". After the way in which God has ushered her in, we had to do a name that gives tribute to the lavishing love of God we get to experience when he brings us through an unexpected trial. We so often mistake ease for comfort, and yet in the midst of one of the hardest things, fraught with fears come true, we've experienced more comfort than in the stillest and most seemingly "blessed" seasons of life. 

      Only with Jesus can we welcome any pain, for in it we taste more richness and realness of God than anywhere else this side of heaven. And when that last struggle comes upon us to snuff out our very life, those who know and are known by Jesus will pass immediately from the the darkest struggle to the sweetest joy they've ever imagined. 

     With that, our dear Cora is doing well. She had a rollercoaster of a first few days (common to an ICU admission I can attest), but praise- her blood infection seems to have cleared, she's off phototherapy (no jaundice) presently, and her needed respiratory support is conservative (CPAP at very low settings for my medical friends :) Now at 7 days old/would've been 32 wks - she's taking fortified breastmilk via feeding tube well and will soon no longer need any IV nutrition. (Thankfully, my journey has been plenty and smooth there). She was born at 3#5oz and after initial loss her weight is back up to 3#. 

Last weekend her sisters got to visit as well as her grandparents (Colin's parents) and we got to hold her for the first time Tuesday night. After having 8-10# babies, man, she feels tiny! But that makes it all the easier to leave her in peace, continuing to gestate-albeit away from me- where she's in great hands at Children's Hospital Colorado Springs. Aria and I had what will be a weekly mommy/daughter date to the NICU yesterday, a good chance for quality time and sister bonding. All 3 big sisters are doing great. 

We've been surrounded and astounded by the incredible support that rallied around us from day one with our church family, & friends and family alike. From grandparents taking all 3 kiddos for a week, to our small group setting up childcare help and church friend's starting a meal train and showering us with gifts, visits, and words of encouragement, we have felt Jesus' hands & feet everywhere in the last 2 weeks that has felt like a month. Further testament to Him, I met so many people providentially in that first week of my hospitalization- the Christian nurse who just came in to place an IV and "happened" to be a prior member of our church and involved in the births of 2 of our lifegroup members, an acquaintance from my mom's discipleship group also admitted in the room next door, the nurse friend and preemie mom texting me the day before admission to check in, a fellow church member who's a child life specialist at children's also...if I ever believed in coincidence (not in some time), I couldn't any longer!

On the Horizon:

Colin and I are both on work leave, praise the Lord, and don't anticipate any hiccups there. Our PCS to Greensboro, NC in July remains, and is in the background planning phase at present. 

My mom will visit from AZ next week (a trip she already had planned-so cool!), which will be neat and so helpful, and then we will take it from there as far as help we need etc as we settle into visiting rhythms.

Prayer For: 

- Continued progress for Cora- specifically weight gain/feeding progress, and maturing of her lungs. Continued surgical recovery & healing for me (I feel great but that I won't "push it" too soon" IYKYK). 

- Abiding with Christ and peace for Colin as he cares for all his girls and is the rock of our family. Marriage unity & charitable gentleness toward one another while we're home together all day which is very different than our norm. 

-Mental & emotional stamina for me. Recovery, family strain, and disrupted routines, all take their toll and so often I find myself wanting not to talk about the NICU, the baby, myself...give another update, talk to another healthcare stranger etc. Pray that I would take no attitude on its face but take everything to the lord with prayer and thanksgiving that the peace of God would rule my heart" (Philippians 4)- and my mouth- in all I do. 

- Our witness in the NICU. That we would get to be the Light of Jesus to all that we receive such wonderful care from.  

Daddy's 1st Hold

Momma's 1st Hold

Space Cowgirl on phototherapy

Amazing Big Sis on M/D Date

Momma Bliss

Meet the Sisies

Indy blowing Kisses

hearing momma's voice. Day 1

Brief Backstory: 

After a very smooth and uncomplicated albeit surprise pregnancy my water broke at home at 30w. A trip to UC Memorial North that morning to confirm and I was admitted for observation and some assistive/preventative treatment. The plan was to stay pregnant in hospital as late as 32 eeks when the risks outweigh the benefits of staying pregnant, but a week later I went into labor overnight and several hours into, could see baby was not tolerating. I opted for a smooth C-section early that morning, which with the help of a friend (Thanks Casey!!!!)- Colin made it in time to attend and little miss was born at  623. I got to meet her several hours later before being discharged Monday (March10) night. 

Previously:

  Update: 3/12: Baby girl is 4 days old! She was born with a blood infection but is responding to treatment. She also unsurprisingly has a bit of jaundice treated with phototherapy. She had her breathing tube removed and is now on an oxygen pressure mask to help expand and support her tiny lungs as she grows.  I was discharged home Monday night and we have begin the daily trips to/from the NICU to support her, & decided to take only Sundays off from that for now. * Highlight!* I got to hold her skin to skin for the first time Tuesday and Dad will soon too. Pray for our continued forbearance as days here are filled with ups & downs and we try to stay steady, fixed on the Lord for His sovereignty in her story and to supply our every need. Also for her to beat this infection, tolerate her tube feeding of momma's milk well, and resolution of jaundice. Pray also that we might be a light in the NICU to our nurses and other staff, especially on the days we feel tired and just want to be left alone with our baby that still barely feels like our own. We're so grateful for everyone's support!-Allison

3/10: Baby girl (Name TBD) arrived 2 days ago and has already had a whirlwind life, at least for mom & dad! She's a fighter though. It's a bit scary to be ruling out the possibility of an infection in her central nervous system but we trust God with every turn of her story and He has never been so near to us. So far she has: been admitted to the NICU with daddy by her side, met momma at 5 hours of life, been introduced to her siblings (whoo!) & Colin's parents on Sunday night! 

Pray for my surgical recovery, our unity as we partner for our children, Colin's abiding in Christ as the rock of our family/praise he's on his paternity leave, and for the girls to adjust smoothly to being home again and having family changes.

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(Organized by Lindsey St Gelais, Cross & Crown Family)

The Christ family has some challenging weeks ahead as Allison was  admitted to the hospital with premature ROM, then delivered early on 3/8. Their daughter will now spend time in the NICU with an unknown end point. 

Providing a few quality meals each week would be a huge load off for Colin & Allison as they care for their other children, recover, & commute daily to/from the NICU. 

Let's surround the Christs with prayers and tangible support so they can focus on their family.

--Pray for baby girl's health in the womb and for a safe and prolonged pregnancy. 

--Pray for Colin as he leads his family through this trial. 

--Pray for the girls as they adapt to a new rhythm and the absence of Allison at home. 

--Pray for strength and divine peace for Allison as she spends her days in the hospital in an unexpected season of unknowns.