Dana has arrived!!!!!!

Dana’s Birth Story – 30th May 2007

We found out we were expecting Dana, after a very long difficult journey of healing the loss of our first daughter, it had taken me a year after that to ovulate and the doctor then diagnosed me with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), and told me he cannot guarantee when I will conceive again, but that I needed to keep my stress levels down and he prescribed glucophage and clomid, which will help me to ovulate every month and regulate my insulin levels. Dana was conceived after 2 months on the prescribed medication, so she is definitely our miracle baby, Praise God!!! Her expected due date was the 16th June 2007.My pregnancy was pretty easy with no complications. The only stressing part of the journey was that my Obstetrician ended up going on sick leave, and so from week 32 I had to see a new doc, it was a bit stressful, but I took it in my stride and went with it, putting my faith in God and not on the doctor. It helped also that he was an excellent obstetrician with good credentials, so it made the transition much easier. On my week 34 appointment at the doc, he checked Dana out and said she may have to come out earlier than the expected Caesar date of the 6th of June, because the blood flow to the placenta was a bit low and he was scared she may not receive enough nutrients in the last stages of growing and she might go into distress. So he told me to come in for an amniocentesis on the 23rd May, and if the lungs were mature, he would do the Caesar the following day.The 23rd May arrived with much excitement and anxiety as she would only be 36wk3days and I was a bit hesitant with her being born early. At 12h00 I had the amnio done and a checkup. Doc then told me he will give me a call after 4pm to let me know what decision he has come to. After 4pm, he called and told me that he would like Dana to bake another week, as her lungs are not mature enough for him, and she will be better out the following week as well as the blood flow was fine, so there was nothing to be concerned about for now. So the Caesar date was then rescheduled for the 30th May 2007 at 07h30 and I would have to have cortisone injections the Monday and Tuesday of the following week before the Caesar. The Tuesday evening arrived with much joy and anxiety. DH and I could not believe that we were going to meet our precious girl tomorrow. I was booked into hospital 20h30 pm and prepped for surgery for the next morning. I could not sleep the entire evening as I had continuous heartburn and winds, so I tossed and turned the entire evening...Lol At 05h00 I was awoken to take a bath/shower as they would be taking me up to Labour Ward at 06h00. I managed to have a quiet moment before then and thanked the Lord for a pleasant and safe delivery of a healthy baby girl. At 07h00 the nurse attempted to put my drip into my hand twice but failed and my hand swelled up immensely and was really sore, so she told me she would get the anesthetists to put the drip in. At exactly 07h30 I walked into theater and got up onto the operating table where the anesthetist administered the epidural. It happened in no time and I started feeling the tingling sensation in my legs. They stared cutting me and then the Ob started having slight problems, Dana turned and was lying transverse and he was having difficulty getting her out, she eventually came out bum first, then an arm, her legs and her head last!! Even the pediatrician was helping to press down on my tummy to assist. All I remember my doc saying she is giving me grey hairs here!! She eventually came out at 07h54, crying. Her feet were blue from them trying to get her out. She weighed 2.760 kg, and 48cm. Her apgar scores were 6/10 and then 8/10 because of her delivery. They took her to the incubabator immediately after mommy had a chance to meet her to warm her up. I was totally in love and couldn’t believe she finally arrived. Her sugar levels were also low because of the glucophage that had to be taken throughout my pg, but other than that we had a very healthy baby girl.I thank God for this amazing experience once again, the miracle of life. The opportunity once again to become parents and having that awesome privilege once again. It was an amazing birth experience, despite the minor complication in theater, but was handled smoothly by the hands of the doctors, that I believe God handpicked for her safe journey into the world. There were so many ways I have seen God’s hand in this, I had a wonderful healthy pregnancy, a smooth birth, I even managed to carry to 37 and a half weeks, I ended up with a completely different Obstetrician, Pediatrician and anesthetist, hospital and nursing staff . It was confirmation to us that we were meant to have a totally different experience second time around with joy, peace and love.

Thank you Jesus for our miracle. We promise to look well after her.

Some pics of her from birth till now:

Hope for the Day!

It has been a bit hectic at work and while on maternity leave, so could not update as I have wanted to, but hopefully will be back on track now, giving updates and hope and encouragement.

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"HOPE FOR THE DAY" from SilentGrief.com
http://www.silentgrief.com
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June 4, 2007
What's the hardest part about losing someone? That's the question that most people in grief answer every day of their lives. They know the answer because they live with it day in and day out. Separation. It's knowing that there is separation from the one that was loved so much.
Some people might say that the separation should be easy when you believe in heaven, but the person in grief will tell you that, although knowing you will meet again some day, the pain of separation is still the most difficult pain of all.
It's foolish to expect to "get over" a loss. The pain is always there. In time, the pain isn't always at the forefront, but it's still there. There's always the fantasy of what might have been. There are always those times when you will wonder what if things had been different.
On the hard days it helps to remember that the pain will not always be this acute. Hope has a way of seeping into the heart and lighting a small flame that eventually burns brighter and brighter until we can be happy on most days in spite of the grief. Hope assures us that we are never alone.
Hope anchors us to the thought of a better tomorrow. Hope shows us the miracles found in each new day. Hope allows us to lay our heads down on our pillow at night and sleep.
Hope keeps us sane on those days when we feel like we're losing it. And, hope surprises us by appearing at times when we least expect it. Life takes a sudden turn and we are given new strength and new doors are opened. A new friend walks into our life. A new job leads you to a strong support system. A new season gives you the boost your soul needs. Hope is amazing. It is never late, and it always arrives in just the right way! --Clara Hinton
"Hope is the link that anchors us to God." --Clara Hinton
"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast..." --Hebrews 6:19

Happy Easter

Hello family!!!
Well we had an awesome Easter Weekend with lots of fun. Just thought I would share some pictures of the Easter Egg Hunt we had with the family, we had loads of fun and everyone took part including the adults. Nicole did a Survivor Treasure hunt for the older kids, and Deo put together a fun itenarary for the little ones, activities included egg&spoon race, duck walk, tug of war and races. The kids had an awesome time and was rewarded with lovely rich chocolate eggs of different sizes and shapes. They also all took one of their easter eggs that they received and blessed an underpriveleged child after the race. Most importantly it was great fun had by all and the most important lesson learnt on Good Friday was what Jesus did for us on the cross, I hope you all enjoy the photos!!! Until next time, thanks for coming along with me on my journey!!!

The guys


Getting ready for the race


Family group photo


Boys getting ready for race




Tug of War




Some more races..




The latest edition to the family: Emma (From Alfie's side)

Easter

The First Easter Basket
Rebekah Montgomery
Editor, Right to the Heart of Women
Timidly, the child laid his small woven lunch basket into Jesus’ hands.
Like most children, the little boy liked to help. But could he? Would Jesus be annoyed with him, too?
Earlier, he had overheard the disciples discussing a problem. It seemed that among the entire crowd of people, only the little boy thought to bring his lunch. When Jesus told the disciples to feed the crowd, the boy eagerly offered it. And the disciples scoffed. Would Jesus?
Now Jesus unlatched the basket and looked inside. Nestled together were five barley buns and two fingerling fishes. Jesus grinned, almost laughed aloud. He shook His head. “The faith of a child!”
The boy twisted his stubbed great toe into the sand. Red-hot shame rose to the roots of his hair.
“Come here, lad,” Jesus called to the boy. He stooped low, extending His callused carpenter’s hand. The boy placed his own small one into it. Jesus’ big hand closed over the tiny one, holding it gently, firmly. Jesus looked into the child’s eyes. The little boy knew: his gift was accepted.
Jesus and the disciples gazed up the side of the mountain. Among the rocks, the crowd of about 5,000 men plus women and children were dispersed into little clusters. Children, once with twisted limbs, now danced and played on sound legs. The skin of the lepers was smooth, whole, and restored. The formerly blind were marveling over a world previously seen only through their fingertips.
“Have the people sit on the ground,” Jesus told His disciples.
Quickly, the word spread up the hillside and the crowd eagerly sat, facing Jesus. An expectant hush fell. Perhaps Jesus was going to teach again. Perhaps heal.
Still holding the child’s hand, He looked up into heaven as if He could see the very face of God. “Thank You,” He said simply.
The boy didn’t know if Jesus was thanking God for his lunch or him. Perhaps both.
Then Jesus handed the boy his lunch back. As the boy held his little basket, Jesus reached in and took a barley loaf. He tore a piece and dropped the bit into a nearby basket. Then He tore the loaf again. And again. And again. And again.
Inexplicably, the basket filled. As the torn pieces of bread reached the top of the basket, the silence was so heavy that when Jesus quietly asked for another basket, His voice could be heard to the back edges of the crowd.
His request spurred the stunned disciples to life.

“Another basket!” one of the disciples called out and it was produced.
Jesus repeated the process with a fish. Then a loaf. Then a fish
There seemed to be no end. Every stomach was filled. Twelve baskets were leftover.
No chocolate bunnies. No marshmallow peeps. Only loaves and fish. How, then, is the little boy’s lunch the first Easter basket?
Several ways:
Transformation. The lunch changed. It fed a multitude. Like the Carpenter who became the Foundation. Like the Crucified who became the Savior. Like the Dead Man who became the Resurrection and the Life.
Transformed like a sinner I know personally who was headed for destruction but who now — miraculously — has eternal life.
A miracle is repeated. Some time later, Jesus did this miracle again. And He does it today The bread, the meal of a former Galilean Boy who gave up His life for us, continues to feed the multitudes.
On the night He was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it.
As you take a wafer from the communion basket, a bit of matzo from a silvered tray, you join across time with the 5000 on a sun-drenched hillside by the Sea, the 12 in the Upper Room, and the untold multitudes who — over the last 2000 years — have eaten at the Lord’s table; you join across space with your brothers and sisters the world over who share your faith.
I’ll meet you at the Easter basket.

May you have a blessed Easter, and remember Jesus loves you, He died for you, your transgressions. Make Him the Lord and Saviour of your life and celebrate eternal life today!!
Until next time, may we meet along the journey
Love and hugs
Megan

Update on Dana

Please forgive me for not updating in a while, I have been so busy!! My pregnancy is going very well and Dana is growing beautifully. We went for our 3d Scan yesterday and we got some cute pics. She is now 1.2kg and continuing to grow. Can you believe I only have 9 and a half weeks left before I meet her? Time really does fly by.

I will be going for my 30 wk appointment next week so will give another update then.

Till next time, keep the faith, keep on smiling, and live life to the fullest!!

ITS A GIRL!!!

Sorry I have not been around to update for a while, we found out it was a girl!!!! We are so excited, so from now on, we will be calling our baby by name Dana!!! My appointment went very well, all is good on her side and she is growing nicely. She weighed 443grams, which I am sure is much more by now...lol!! Her heartbeat was 163 bpm and growing well according to measurements. Mommy is also doing well, her blood pressure is normal and only put on 1 kg.
My next appointment is on the 7th March, time is going by so fast now, cant believe I have 3 more months left, I really would like it to go by very fast!!! Unfortunately I dont have a pic of the ultrasound, because the radiologist blessed the 2 grannies with the pics.
Here's some food for thought:

GOD'S HELP

God's help never fails and how much we receive depends on how much our hearts can believe.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You annoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5

Today your heart and cup can overflow.

Thanks so much for sharing this happiness with me, and coming along with me on my journey!!

Happy New Year!!!!

Well, it has been a long time since I have posted, come to think of it, it was last year!!!! Happy New Year to everyone. 2007 I know is going to be a year of blessings, prosperity for everyone. Everyone is proclaiming this year the LORD's year and I cant wait to see the miracles and God's awesome hand working this year.
Here is some food for thought:

QUIETNESS OF MIND

Give us through the coming year quietness of mind. Teach us to be patient. And always to be kind.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40: 1

Today develop more patience and value the calm that can be yours.

Update on me:
I am now 20 weeks and 4 days pregnant. I cant believe that I am more than halfway and only have 3 more months to work until I go on Maternity Leave. I am so looking forward to it, and to hold my baby in my arms!! Oh, just 1 week and a half to go for my detailed scan, we are hoping to find out the gender, please pray that baby will play along!!!! We have already decided on names, so if it is a girl she will be called Dana, which means bright day and if its a boy he will be called Ethan, which means strong. It feels like an eternity to be waiting for next Friday, but hopefully it will be here soon, not many sleeps to go...lol!!!

I pray that all who read this blog will be blessed this year and that your purpose in God will be found. He loves you and wants the best for you no matter in what season you are in, hang on to that. Jesus loves you so much, that He laid down His life for you. No greater love has one ever found!!!!

Next week I hope to update with pictures of my growing bump and how baby is doing!!! Thank you for coming along on this journey.

Until next time
God bless!!