Awaiting Ultrasound 3

I just watched Brian and Cece walk out the door for church. I stayed home. I am not sure what contractions feel like. But I was having some mild pain today, and the doctor told me that while I have no real limitations, if I feel any pain, I should rest. I'm feeling better now, but I cried as I watched Cece and Brian leave. Why? A lot of reasons (probably a lot of hormones).

We are waiting for ultrasound number 3. Despite the tears of the last few minutes, there is a lot to be thankful for. First, upon arrival back to Czech, my dear friend, Lauren, contacted the doctor who delivered two of her three children at a hospital 30 minutes from here. After getting advice from a specialist in the states and the doctor in Belgium about the kind of care that I would need now, Lauren asked her doctor, who is the head of the department, if he and his colleagues would be able to provide the kind of care needed. Much of the need comes in the level of NICU as the babies are likely to come early. The doctor here in Czech explained that their NICU is one of the two largest in all the Czech Republic. He said they can handle all levels except severe congenital heart abnormalities. We are very confident that we can finish our care here in Czech.

We have an ultrasound with one of the specialists on Tuesday. He will be checking to see that the level of amniotic fluid is growing in the sac of the smaller baby (pee little guy, pee:)) and not growing too much in the other. He will also be checking the heart of the bigger baby--as they were still a little concerned about that when we left Belgium. I will be getting an ultrasound once a week for the next month and once every two or three weeks until I give birth.

Also, we found out this week that our landlord is willing to talk about selling the house we are renting to us. The price mentioned seemed very fair, and we are meeting with them tomorrow to discuss details.

I am sure that every pregnancy is one of faith. I have lived vicariously through three of my dear sister-in-law, Karen's. Asking her all kinds of questions that she was gracious enough to answer (and just not shy about answering:)). So, I know that the days and weeks between doctor visits can require a lot of faith. I was feeling that way before I found out the babies had TTTS. Now, I feel like it's a minute-by-minute pregnancy of faith. It's not that I'm not believing in God's ability to redeem this or that I'm not standing firm. It's just that it's taking a lot more energy than I realized it would.

There is a verse that my cousin Melanie pointed out to me many years ago from Psalms 84:

⁵Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
⁶As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
⁷They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.
⁸O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!

The NIV says "who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage". That's kind of how we feel tonight as we await ultrasound number 3 and 4 and 5 and . . . . It's going to be a long road, and it's going to require going from "strength to strength". However, that's kind of real-life. I also think there can be something really beautiful about going from strength to strength and needing God so much that it makes you cry!

Thank you for trudging along this road with us!

Much Love,
Aleisha (for all of us)