And the winner is, GABBY!

So, my child that is always the last to awake every morning, Gabby, was the first up this morning. Her way of getting us up was to start unwrapping presents! And not just hers, but EVERYONES! When Christian found her, she had opened 5 of his, 4 of Alina's, and 5 of her own! Oh the joys of an almost 3 year old!

Our Christmas was truly amazing! The kids were spoiled, and I had nothing to do with it! But don't tell them that, haha!

I am humbled!

Well, as those of you who read this on a somewhat regular basis know, Chris and I got some pretty hard news to take about the baby that is currently growing inside of me. We go back again in January for more testing (ie: another fetal echo, and maybe an amnio). The past few days have been truly amazing to me. When the people at the store Chris works at heard about the problems with the baby, they jumped in right away, and got going on getting some help for us. Christmas for our kids has been cover 100%, Christmas dinner was given to us, we have received an abundance of gift cards to use for meals on our numerous trips to and from Halifax, and they say they are not done. We have also been given a computer for Christian! It is not knew, but is a very nice refurbished computer (that a lady I talked to while in the hospital with my kidney infection set up for us). I was also very blessed to talk to Dena in a conversation that I expected to only cover a confirmation of our plans for Christmas dinner. In that phone call, Dena asked me if I would mind if she worked on getting people to help out with the girls during the day and meals for the family while I am a resident of the IWK. While Chris is not so good at accepting help, I know that he is in for a lot more than he can handle when I am away. I have actually been looking into asking someone to take the girls in day and night while I am gone, because he really does work a lot. It is a big task to take on, as I will be gone at least a month, maybe two, maybe even longer. It all depends on how the baby takes to the surgery, and if more surgery is needed. So again, I am humbled by the generosity of both friends and strangers alike. I can't begin to thank people enough for all that they have done for us in this holiday season. My kids are getting an amazing Christmas, one that Chris and I could not have given them this year! Merry Christmas everyone, may your hearts be filled with Joy in this time of celebrating our Saviors birth!

So this is Christmas

Well, Christmas is almost here, and I was talking to Gabby about Christmas. I asked her why we Celebrate Christmas, and her response was "Jesus needs birthday cake too!"

Just thought I would share!

My baby's heart...

Okay, so I have been a little secretive about this information since the first discovery of the problem. Mainly, I kept is quiet because I did not know enough about it to continually answer questions with "I don't know." My ultrasound, and appointments yesterday really helped Chris and I to understand a little better about what we are in for. Our baby has been diagnosed with SVAS which stands for "Supra Valvar Aortic Stenosis." Basically, where the Aorta meets the left ventricle there is a narrowing of the aorta. Above the narrowing, there is a balloon affect. What is the problem? Well, the blood can not flow properly with this narrowing. Think of it at a water hose. If you pinch a water hose while the water is on, it stops the flow and then when you let it go, the water bursts out really fast. That is what is happening in baby's Aorta. So, what's next? Well, the pediatric cardiologist told us that the chances of it fixing itself are 0%, but it could stay the way it is, or get worse. We are hoping for tit to stay the way it is. If it stays the way it is, we are looking at one surgery where they will put a patch into the narrowing that will force it to push out to the normal shape. If it gets worse, it could put pressure on the baby's brain, causing developmental problems, and learning disabilities; and more surgeries. It's a lot to take in, and I don't know that I was ready to hear it all, but I did. So, I go back to Halifax in 6 weeks for another ultrasound and review from the 12 million doctors we have met with. At that time, they will be able to tell us if it is getting worse, or if it is staying the same. So, pray that it does not get any worse! Also, I will be delivering in Halifax... this means that I have to move into the hospital when I am 36 weeks along. At this point, they do not want to schedule a C-section or induction, they want us to let things happen naturally. Depending on the outcome of the next ultrasound, that may change. This is really hard on Chris, because I will be in Halifax, sitting in a hospital, twiddling my thumbs; while he is back on PEI working, taking care of the kids, cooking, keeping the house clean, the laundry done, etc..... and he might not make it there for the birth. It is about 3 hours from our house to the IWK, with tolls totaling $51 per trip! So each time we wants to come visit, we are looking at the $51 in tolls, the $50 in gas, plus the millage on the car or van..... I am sure everything will be okay... and we continue to pray that it will be. If you could all team up with us in prayer, I would really appreciate it. As soon as we have chosen a name, we will let you all know!

Tomorrow might be the day....

That we find out the gender! Chris and I decided that we should find out this time. Since there are possible complications, we chose to find out the gender so that we could name the baby. I (along with many others) find prayer more powerful with a name. So, hopefully my next update to you will be a name (and gender) for baby #4! Chris and I will be going to Halifax either tonight or tomorrow morning. My first appointment of the day is at 1:20pm (Atlantic time). I hope to have more info for you soon!

It's that time again!

Okay people, it's time once again to guess my baby's gender. We have not had any luck in previous ultrasounds, so we are kind of hoping for some cooperation from baby at the next one. It will either be this coming Wednesday or on Christmas eve. If the doctor can do it this coming Wednesday it would be much better, as we have to travel to Halifax for it. But we will do what we have to do. There is only one baby. Is it a boy, or another girl? Please use the Poll to the right to give your answer. Also, feel free to comment to this message as well.

*For those viewing this on Facebook, you can comment to the message or visit my blog to use the poll!*