This is for everyone who we haven't called yet. Things have happened so incredably fast that we have hardly had time to breathe let alone contact everyone that we know. We will try to slowly get in-touch with people as time will allow.
Jen, Isabella and I came up here to Waukesha, Wisconsin, late on Wednesday the 23rd. (Well, we actually got in on Thanksgiving morning.) We enjoyed a day of friends and food and went to bed getting ready for Friday when we were going to be meeting our Mid-wife for the first time...
Friday, Jen woke up with harder contractions then she had been used to and we joked that, "Today was the day..."
Our baby is due on Christmas Eve.
We met with the Mid-wife (Deb) at 11 A.M. and around Noon she checks Jen and tells us that Jen is at 8cm and we aren't going to drive anywhere...we will have the baby in her house in just a few hours.
Emotions just went from normal to complete and total shock...
So, we called our two lady friends in the area and told them that they need to get here...about 5 minutes ago...if they want to be at the birth. We called our parents and told them that the next Grand-baby is on the way...to let everyone know and start praying.
Then we settled down for the wait...
The shock wears off as we start getting excited about what is happening and we start thinking a *bit* more seriously about names. We thought that we had 30 more days before this particular desision had to be made.
The labor went great. It was snowing outside and Jen absolutely loves snow. We turn on some Christmas music and just start having a good time. Jen would be in the middle of a contraction and someone whould crack a joke and she would laugh and lose concentration and have to wait 'till the next one to get back in the groove.
Emotions are now calm and relaxed.
Around 6 Deb asked if she could break the "water sack" and then things started to happen fast.
When the water broke, Deb realized that something was wrong...and told her assistant, Christi, to get the oxygen ready and really started getting Jen to push. She checked the babies heartbeat and it was great so we calmed Jen down and got her to consentrate.
Emotions are now bordering on terrified.
The baby's head came out fine and when the shoulders came out the mid-wife grabbed her and pulled her out...yelling out to call 911 and said that the baby was cold and not moving.
Jen and I "knew" that she was dead.
Emotions are off the chart...somewhere between terrified and heart-broke.
I am wispering in Jen's ear and praying like mad. One of our friends, Julie, was on Jen's other side doing the same thing. Christi was crying and forcing oxygen into our babies lungs. Deb was wrapping warm blankets around our tiny daughter and rubbing her. Our other friend, Kathy, was calling 911 and trying to figure out our address. I don't know why, but I was wispering my prayers. I was in shock...I don't know, but the next thing I know I hear Kathy over all the noise crying out to our God to save the life of this little baby. I will never forget her voice interceeding for my daughter, and I probably never be able to think about it without crying...
I then see a foot move, and we are told the the heart beat is up from 60 to 100 bpm...good enough for now.
The rest of the night is a blur. I get to carry my daughter, (whom we have since named Anarazell) to the hospital in the back of an ambulance. Jen is in a different one going to an ajoining hospital. Isabella is at Julie's house where she has been all day.
Emotions are now on overload...and pretty much shut down.
We are now in a waiting game.
Jen is out of the hospital and we are living in Waukesha, WI. with the parents of good friends.
Isabella goes to childcare with Julie in the morning, and goes home with her for lunch and her nap.
Anarazell is in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit at Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin. So far all we know so far is that her brain didn't develope correctly in the womb and it is small for her size. What does this mean...we don't know. To what extent will she be affected...we don't know. Do we love our daughter with every breath in our body...yes...that is all we know for sure right now.
Jen and I spend the morning with Anarazell who we need to be with, and then the afternoon with Isabella who needs us to be with her.
I am planing to update this every other day...
I will post pics of us and the girls. I will tell you how we are doing on any given day, and how you can pray for us. When we get settled I will give you our "permanent" phone number and address.
I will also start telling the story of how we've seen God's fingerprints all over. I will post those on the days that I am not talking about our family.
Emotions now vary...God is in control...we miss our daughter...life is hard, but it goes on.
Monday, November 28, 2005
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16 comments:
I love you and am still praying.God can do anything, and He is what is important. Please tell Issabelly Maga loves her, and so does grandpa.
Love, Dad
Hi Jen and Justin!
You're in our prayers. I'll be waiting for you to post your phone number and then maybe I can get ahold of you. If you need anything, I would love to help. We're just a couple of minutes away.
Josh and Christy.
Friends, you're in my prayers. Peace to you, Celia
Justin and Jennifer,
Sarina,Uncle Brian and I are very heart broken for this sad and terrible ordeal you three have been going through.I want you to know we love you and will keep youin our hearts and prayers.
always yours,Aunt Veronica
hey guys... miss you... praying for you... peco
david and I just got back form Portland last night. Denise called at our daughter's to let us know about your family. We have joined a very large web of people who love you and are holding you up before the throne fo God. I see your little girl sittingin her Daddy's lap, while he strokes her soft cheek and tells her how special the parents are that he has given her here on this earth. May the living God hold you and bless you with the peace that passes all understanding. David and Martha
Konichiwa Justin! I miss you and Jennifer alot!I also miss Isabella. I think that Anarazell is a cool name. We R praying for U guys!And happy thanksgiving,and Merry Chistmas!!!! :)
LOVE,
SARINA
Hello from California - we cry out to the Lord with you and for Anarazell. I just spoke with Patty and Angela and we will all be praying. They said to tell you hi and send their love. May God give you peace and comfort and tenderly hold Anarazell in His Holy hands.
Hugs, Maggie & the Sutton family
we are constantly praying for you and beautiful little Anarazelle. You are surely loved, Denise
We continue to join Jesus as He intercedes on all of your behalf. I thank God that He knows all. We love you,
Craig and Bobbie
Justin and Jennifer,
Congratulations on the birth of your precious baby girl. We are praying for you during this trying time. May God be Glorified in your lives. Your Brother and Sister in Christ, Wyatt and Julie Smith
Justin and Jennifer,
During this time remember the names of God, El Shaddai, God Almighty. Because God is almighty, He is more than able to care for His children. He is all sufficient for our needs.
You are in my prayers.
Patti Hartnett
Hi Justin and Jennifer,
We will be praying for you folks and Anarazell esp. Sounds like a tough time for you, but God is faithful, and He won't let you down! We miss you bunches! Thanks for keeping us in the loop.
Jon, Leanne, and Sammo
Hi Justin & Jennifer
You have been much in my thoughts and prayers since I heard about your new little daughter. The Lord gave me a verse this morning that I don't know if you need, but I needed it, so thought I would share it with you.
"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him. For the help of His countenance. Psalm 42:5
Much Love, Karen Ross
Just wanted to let you guys know that you are in our prayers during this time. Keep looking to Him and know that He is good. May you be finding His grace to be more than sufficient.
IHL, Jay, Lisa & Anthony
Hey Dude, sorry it took me so long. Didn't think you'd be posting. Love you guys
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