Happy New Year!

Well this was not how we anticipated spending New Year's Day... but Joel and I both agree it has been pretty sweet. We are both extremely tired... as you can see in our first family photo since the operating room.  Lydia is exercising her lungs, which we were happy to hear. Amazing how two days with this little bundle has completely changed our definition of what a good day is!

Lydia had surgery on her spine yesterday afternoon.  She came through surgery beautifully.  It was horrible to watch her fight and pull at her breathing tube as she began waking up.  So we were extremely grateful when she was stable enough to have it pulled at 1:00 this morning.  I couldn't sleep until I knew it was out! Later that morning we got more good news as they decided I could hold Lydia and feed her.  I hadn't been able to do either since she was born and it was killing me.  I started crying as soon as the RN started to put her in my lap. Lydia ate like a champ. She kind of seemed to give me a look after that said, "What took you so long? These cheeks aren't going to stay plump all by themselves!"  Sorry, Baby Girl... It wasn't fun for me to make you wait either!  We are both glad those restrictions are over!

There have been lots of questions from Lydia's fans (I told her she has lots of them) as to how long we will be here.  We don't know the exact answer to that yet.  Her operative site on her back still needs to heal some more and and she'll need intravenous antibiotics until then to reduce the risk of infection to that site. For the next few days she can't be on her back at all as nothing can put even the slightest amount of pressure on her incision. They are continuing to measure her head every day to make sure she isn't accumulating fluid around her brain. This can sometime happen after the surgery she's had on her spine.  Some of the nerves impacted by her spinal defect can affect her ability to urinate on her own. She's had some trouble with that so we aren't sure if its related to recovering from surgery or if this is because of the nerves affected. Then there is the matter of her eating.  While she was a champ this morning, we've had only limited success since then.  They said this could be due to her still recovering from surgery and being extra sleepy today. However, if she doesn't pick up the pace she may end up with a feeding tube down her nose.  

Our specific prayer requests would be:

1. That the incision on Lydia's back heals well and does not become infected.

2. That Lydia's head measurements remain normal and she doesn't develop hydrocephalus 

    (fluid accumulating in her brain).

3. That Lydia would be able to urinate on her own consistently.

4. That Lydia would get the hang of breastfeeding so we don't have to resort to other interventions.

5. That Joel and I would be able to rest well despite a hectic hospital schedule full of interruptions, so we can      be our best for Lydia and get her home!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your prayers and support.  I am absolutely overwhelmed - in the best possible way - by all the people following Lydia's progress and showing their love and concern for her.  I am blessed beyond words.  Please know that I read and appreciate every fb message, blog comment, email and text. They help me through the day.  I wish I could respond to every single one and let you know how thankful I am.  I am unable to do that now with all that I have going on. Just want you all to know I don't take any of you for granted.  

Much love and gratitude,

Amy, Joel, and Lydia