Raechel again. I'm going to be posting things/details as I hear them on this post. I want to leave the "April is HERE!" post with just that news.
9:37 - I'm signing off for a bit. (It's my wedding anniversary, after all!) We're all exhausted, but Kelli has said she will update directly to the blog now so I can go. Blessings, friends. -Raechel
8:38 - April Rose has been living and breathing for SIX hours now! The glory is the Lord's for each and every breath. (By the way, some of you have asked who Kelli is. Sorry if that somehow slipped through the cracks! Kelli is B's friend there in town. They've been friends for years and B has been planning to have Kelli there for April's birth since the beginning. She has been so sweet to provide us with updates - I'm several states away myself! - all the while being there to support B & D and love on April Rose. Thanks, Kelli for being a fantastic friend to B!)
8:14 - Kel is there with them now and is experiencing firsthand the emotions of these moments. She is asking for specific prayer for B & D right now. I thought about posting a completely separate post about this, but I'll just ask you all here. For the next 10 minutes - from 8:14-8:24 - can we all close our computers, (I'll disable comments) and all drop to our knees in prayer for this Mother and Father who are losing their baby girl. Ask for the Lord to be near to them, pray for a miracle, pray for His will. We are thanking God for his promises to NEVER leave us or forsake us, and that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.
8:06 - Kelli is helping with the foot molds now.
7:52 - B & D are working on casting molds of April's feet. (The kit was another gift from one of y'all!) Also, I am told that April has green eyes. :) It's a nice detail to know!
7:48 - April is 5 hours old! This is a gift!
7:22 - April's heart rate is now in the low 70s. Kelli hasn't heard anything from the doctor that came. You may notice someone very little and very beautiful (and, MIRACULOUS, I might add) in the lower right sidebar. See her? That's our baby April. :)
6:48 - April is 4 hours old! No new news, but the doctor is here. (I'm sure you all understand that the "special surprise" will have to wait for now.)
6:37 - April's heart rate is "rapidly decreasing". This is a time to be in prayer for our sweet sister in Christ.
6:29 - There is a doctor on the way to the house for April. Her heart rate continues to decrease and her breathing is slowing.
6:13 - April's heart rate is decreasing. It's just below 100 bpm. Pray, friends.
5:48 - April is 3 hours old!!! And, sleeping like a baby!
5:39 - Stay tuned for a special surprise...
5:22 - April and B are sleeping! The midwife will continue to check on April's heart while they sleep but will not wake them if possible. Will let you know when they wake up or if anything changes.
4:55 - A bath from her Daddy, a fresh set of clothes and a big first meal, April Rose is fast asleep in her Mama's arms. And, I don't think Mama is far behind. She worked HARD!
4:48 - April Rose is 2 hours old! Can we all sing a song and dance around?! April's life is fragile, yes. But no more than yours or mine. LIfe is precious! Let's dance to the Lord for the life he gives each of us! We have life right now!!
4:39 - Kelli is back. Heart rate is in the 120s! April is crying a bit so B's giving her a pacifier.
4:36 - Getting questions about vitals and medical interventions from y'all. Will ask for a heart rate update when Kelli gets back. Don't know what the midwives are thinking though I know they are weighing things for sure. Lots of discussion right now. Pray for wisdom. B wants time with her girl, not to have her whisked away during this precious time. The people in the house right now (B, D & the midwives) have all the information right now to make decisions - we just have pieces. They know things that we don't, and all we can do is pray for wisdom.
4:24 - Kelli has just gone into the bedroom to visit with B and April Rose while D speaks with the midwife. Since Kelli's our girl with the inside scoop, we'll be waiting until she comes back out for more updates. Did I mention that April ate like a champ? Three cheers for her and her Mama!
4:20 - There is a photographer at the house to photograph the new baby!
4:18 - An hour and a half! Praise Jesus!
4:12 - April is wearing a crocheted hat with a rose on it (I believe made by one of y'all?), and a onesie that someone sent that says "Already a Miracle". Fitting, eh? Oh, and the Gracious May shoes pictured in B's hands here fit "perfectly".
4:08 - April has eaten. Kelli got to hold her and say hello for a bit. Now B & D are alone with their little girl for the first time. D dressed her, by the way. :)
3:48 - Happy 1-hour birthday to April! Praise be to the Creator and Giver of life for this time he is giving April Rose and her parents. Oh, that we would all count each hour of our own lives and the lives of others as so precious. Life is a gift!
3:38 - Moving into the bedroom to get more comfortable.
3:37 - EVERYTHING is too big for April. A million things to wear and nothing fits! (don't we all have this problem!) :)
3:36 - Big happy news! After some discussion, the midwifes have decided that this girl needs to eat! They are teaching B how to do it right now. She gets to feed her baby girl!
3:31 - April's heart rate is 118. We are praying for time. And, for wisdom in these moments, both for the midwives (yes, there are two there now) and for B & D.
3:23 - D is looking around for things for April.
3:22 - B is holding her daughter. This is a moment we have all been praying for. It's a miracle!
3:18 - Happy 30-minute birthday, sweet baby A! We love having you here right now!
3:13pm - April is in her Daddy's arms.
3:04pm - 4 pounds, 8 ounces; 18 inches long! Praise Jesus!
3:01pm - weighing her...
2:57pm - News from Kelli - "She looks perfect!"
