Today I will tell you all about who fills my cup with love, my soul with laughter and my heart with song. She graced my life more than 4 years ago and for her I am thankful...
When I found out I was pregnant with Emily Grace I was more than a little ecstatic! We had miscarried before her (just like before Ava Faith) and I was completely scared with anything and everything that happened during my pregnancy with her. I was so fearful that she wasn't meant to be as I wanted her so badly. My pregnancy was a whirlwind of difficulties. I had severe edema and slight pre-eclampsia. I went from a size 0 to a size 16 (after she was born) causing me to have postpartum depression for a few months following her birth (never towards her more depressed about myself). I was on bed rest for 2 months because the water weight was so intense it was painful. If my feet were down longer than 5 minutes they ballooned to the size of Texas!
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." - Mathew 5:14-16
When we went in for the u/s to find out what we were having I was over the moon to find out I was having a girl! I had dreamt since I was little about having a curly haired blond little girl with blue eyes! Crazy to think...that's what I got! My dreams came to a halt...when on the screen we saw our precious child with something completely wrong with her leg. Its surreal to think back on...our daughters foot was pointed up at a 90 degree angle. Her lower half of her left leg was about 1/2 the size of her other leg and we were in shock. That started our every two weeks u/s appointments up until we gave birth!
Our sweet girl had every test run on her that was possible...minus the amnio as I said "no thank you" not gonna take the risk! Her heart was great as were the results of all of her other tests. They came to the conclusion that it was an isolated abnormality and we prayed that the foot would drop at least. Our prayers were soon answered as we went in and there on the screen was the most perfect little foot! Her leg in utero was 60% shorter. The Peri-natologist referred us out to an amazing Dr. at Legacy Emmanuel Hospital. He to this day is her specialist/surgeon. We went in between u/s appointments to Dr. Achterman and he told us the possibilities. 1. she will either be born with degenerative bone defect which would mean she would have her leg amputated at the knee and have a prosthetic (with this type of diagnosis there is a 99.9% chance a bone graft would not take because it will just get broken down) 2. She will be born with a bowed fibula & tibia and will need surgery to correct also will need surgery for the drastic shortness. He was positive it was one of the two but it was a waiting game. We asked everyone we knew to pray for our child. I didn't care if she had a prosthetic I just needed guidance, strength & knowledge. I wanted to be courageous for her.
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Mathew 6:34
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Mathew 6:34
1 week after her original due date, my doc said lets get this party started! We were also told that if something were wrong with Emily Grace that she would be airlifted to Emmanuel so that she would be close to her surgeon and to the NICU. 36 hours of labor, 2 epidurals, 5 boosters, 3 hours of non-stop pushing (where I was passing out in between contractions because the epidurals didn't take!) and one emergency c-section later we welcomed into the world our sweet baby girl. We knew that since God had graced our lives with a little girl that THAT is what her middle name should be...Grace. I had never felt this kind of love before this moment. I knew in that instant...I had seen His face. He embraced me and lifted me through the choppy waters to a place of utter bliss.
Her face was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen. Nothing else in this world mattered to me more. And honestly in that first moment of holding her and looking into her eyes I knew that everything was going to be alright.
I am overwhelmed with joy to say that she has defied odds. Her leg ended up being a bowed tibia (think of a bone in the shape of an s) Her leg was 18% shorter at birth. We laid out a plan for surgeries...and you know what at her latest appointment we were told that as of now she will not need any. In a matter of 4 years her leg has almost 100% completely healed itself! Something that baffles our surgeon as in his 30 years he has never seen this done! The little girl that I thought would never be able to walk on her own, let alone dance is a breathtaking child of God. She has a heart for Jesus and loves to pray for people. I can tell that she will grow to do great things in this world. She has a purpose in life. I pray every night that her heart will be led by God to better His kingdom. There is no doubt in my mind this is being done.
Emily Grace is the most genuine, honest and sincere child you will meet. She has a heart of Gold and has my personality! She is ornery and kind. Always tries to make everyone around her happy. You will probably never meet a child with more spunk and energy as she does! I thank God for her. She is my blessing and my joy. The first to hear my heart beat from the inside. For her I am thankful.
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