Memories And Reality #LCHADadventures

Earlier this week I came face to face with the past.  The heart stopping, hard to breath past.  I went to the same Labor and Delivery unit that Miss Alex was born to welcome a sweet baby into the world.  This was a much sweeter delivery experience than that memorable one more than 13 years ago.  (I won't lie, there were a few moments to pause and remember but not too many.)

The next morning I found out that sweet little one needed some breathing help from the NICU!  The memories flooded in.  Mostly the weight of having to remember to breath.  While I am so thankful that little one is doing great and already getting ready to go home, there were some moments where I had to work hard to get it together to go to my friend (the new mommy).  I knew I had to go because I knew there were no words to describe what she needed.  Just some tears and a hug.  A nod of understanding.

I realized nothing can change what happened all those years ago.  What is amazing is what is happening today!!  Today makes is all worth it.

This evening I was able to take my girls to see Alex's first nurse from this LCHADadventure.

Alex and Nurse Andrea!

I realized something amazing while we were talking.  Those NICU days gave us some much needed skills that would serve us well during this LCHADadventure.  We learned how to communicate with capable doctors and nurses who had no idea how to treat our girl.  We learned how to learn along side them. 

We made every day count.  We had no idea how long we would have our two girls so we made each moment special.  Claire had a great time reminiscing about her memories in the NICU.  She recognized Nurse Andrea.  She asked where the hand wash station was.  We discovered they changed the soap and it doesn't smell the same.  She remembers playing in the waiting room and  realized that she has happy thoughts and feelings while in hospitals.

Nurse Andrea and the sisters (much bigger than those early days)

While yesterday's memories were hard to face, today reminded me that we have come a long way.  God's gracious hand was felt a LOT in those early days.  Today His faithfulness to our little family wraps my heart.

Psalm 21:1-6 says it well....  "The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.  How great is his joy in the victories you give!  You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.  You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.  He asked you for life, and you gave it to him - length of days, for ever and ever.  Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.  Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence."

I can honestly say I never could have imagined this day.  Today I am the mom of two amazing teenage girls.  They are smart, capable young women who love the Lord.  They are loving and kind.  They enjoy the life they are living and are thriving because they are seeking the Lord.

Thank you Nurse Andrea and the NICU staff for setting us off on our LCHAD journey well!

Alex and Nurse Andrea

Dad and Claire scrubbing in!

Big Sis Claire hanging out with Little Sis