Finding Our Rhythm



 Cora Elise: 12 Days Old 


          Well, we've lost all sense of time, or at least I have. All routines and norms uprooted, we're navigating a unique chapter even in comparison to our other newborn phases. That said, we remain with our hope in Christ for Cora's continued progression, my recovery and coping during this detached phase of newborn bonding, and the steadfastness to parent our other children well. 

         We were blessed to get to return to church together as a family last week, worship together the incredible Father who has called us and will equip us for this new challenge, and to see so many faces we knew had been praying for us. Even though so not much feels normal, it feels good for us all to be together as a family. The smallest of things can mean such a great difference in our emotional and spiritual rest- morning sunlight (for me with some scripture audio), movement, nutritious food (& coffee!), quality family time with all and each member daily...never more true than now. 
                                                     
       
As far as Cora, she is making great strides! She is now off of intravenous nutrition and getting all fortified milk via a tube through her nose into her stomach. She is tolerating fairly well, but with a stomach the size of a marble that normally doesn't have to digest anything- we're asking a lot! She will not be strong enough to attempt nursing still for a few weeks but with the help of the awesome lactation team here and Childrens CS, we will begin that process hopefully in 2-3 weeks and hopefully she'll be able to do a combo of bottle & breastfeeding by a month from now or at least by the time she's otherwise ready to go home. Her breathing has progressed as her little lungs grow and expand and her diaphragm gets stronger to help pull in breaths. She's off of pressure-supported system into a high flow of oxygen into her nose as seen in the photos below. She's also through with all of her antibiotics with no signs of infection and doesn't even have any lines except her oxygen & feed support and monitoring cables. She's also no longer on a closed humidified isolette as she progresses her own temperature regulation and her skin strengthens, and is back up to her birth weight!
    She's shown increased moments of wakefulness, opening her little eyes to peer out of her tiny box and doesn't have to be kept in total darkness most of the day. She shows strength to in more stretching and movement of her arms & legs. It's really is like having a window into what would normally be happening in the womb!
      Everyone comments on her precious little nose! I'd say she looks the most like Aria at present. 
 Snuggles =Life 👣
 Off phototherapy now! 




Prayers

-      (PRAISE) We are supported by meals and family so thank you to all of you who've contributed and loved us in these ways. My mom (a former NICU/PICU RN) is here to back up Colin & I, and we know we've plenty of friends to call on as well so thank you for your offers!

-     (PRAISE) Our team and CHCS is amazing and we do not take for granted that without this technology and availability, our babe would not be with us now. Pray we can continue to speak and share Christ with them that care for these little lives and point them to THE Life Giver in our words and actions. We want to see Jesus work in our submission to this struggle. 

-   Pray for my continued recovery, my healing is better than I hoped and my fatigue worse; likely because of the emotional toll. Pray I (& Colin too) can feel bonded to my baby and set my eyes on sweet days ahead of being her momma. 

- Pray for our home search as we begin hunting for a rental home in Greensboro, NC and start the process of listing our home in Falcon for rent. Also, for Colin's work transition and a smooth turnover.

- Pray for wisdom to parent our 3 girls well in this time of inconsistency for them.  

- Pray for Cora's feeding journey & weight gain without set-backs.

....But most of all, that no matter what, our eyes would be fixed on Jesus, the Lifter of our head (Psalm 3:3), our hope (Psalm 46:1-2, @ Thessalonians 2:16) & abundant reward (Isaiah 61:7-8; Colossians 3:23-24).


[Feel free to leave comments with questions or drop us a line via text or IG. Love ya'll. -Allie & The Christs]


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