A little background that led us to being bereaved parents...Pt.1

Dec. 30, 2014  
Brad and I have been blessed with THE strongest little girl in the entire world. After several long days of painfully watching her fight a nasty virus and pneumonia, going through respiratory arrest, and 45 minutes of CPR, she fought through with our amazing Lord giving her strength. It is going to be a long road but we know we've got a little miracle. Thank each and every one of you that prayed a prayer in her name. We love you.

(later that day) Please, please, please continue praying for our sweet Avery. Your prayers and her amazing strength have pulled her over one hurdle after another but we have so many more hurdles to overcome. We learned today that Avery was born with a hole in her heart 9mm in size which has caused some issues when paired with the pneumonia and virus that she has. Her little lungs and heart were literally at their breaking point. We need prayers for Avery's continued strength to fight the sickness she has, healing and recovery of her lungs (a machine is working for her lungs) as well as the rest of her body, guidance for the doctors and nurses who are making decisions for Avery's health, a smooth transition from the machine she is on to only a ventilator, and healing of her brain, as we don't know what kind of trauma happened to her brain during the long period of time with no oxygen to it. We also need prayers for peace and comfort for Brad and I as well as the rest of our families. This has all happened so fast we still haven't wrapped our head around everything. All we know is that we still have our Avery and God is good. God is amazing.

Jan. 8, 2015
Avery had a good night with the ECMO capped off, meaning her lungs were doing the work of the machine. The ventilator is still running bc her lungs need help being inflated since they are so heavy from the pneumonia and fluid. The plan is to take the canula out of her neck today, taking her completely off of ECMO. Big steps!! AND the X-ray shows improvement of the pneumonia!! We are so thankful for daily victories!!

(later that day) It was a successful day getting Miss Avery off of ECMO (hallelujah!) so now she is resting and breathing with the help of only the ventilator while she continues to recover from the pneumonia. The next big step is an MRI of her brain and despite what doctors are saying COULD be, we know we serve THE great physician who is capable of things unimaginable. Heart surgery is still in Avery's near future but today we are praising the fact that we have our baby and she is one step (of many) closer to being through all of this.  We are so thankful for our amazing work families, friends that we call family, and the amazing medical team that has worked with us.

Jan. 10, 2015
Small steps today... Avery has tolerated small changes made to the ventilator and X-Ray of chest looked better... We will continue to celebrate little victories for our little angel.

Jan. 12, 2015
"All of God's grace in one little face" couldn't be more fitting for our little Avery.

We know that He is working through her and healing her tiny body. She has done so well coming off of the IV medicines and is keeping all of her 'numbers' at great levels. She should be off of the ventilator in a couple of days (🙌) and then it will be determined if she is able to keep her airway open on her own.

We have loved seeing her beautiful blue eyes today, as she is coming off of sedation. Brad and I both cannot wait for the day we can hold her and kiss her all over.

Tomorrow, Avery will have an MRI done of her brain. This will show brain activity and any damage that might have happened. We are staying positive though because this little girl has been winning one battle after another right before our very eyes. Prayers tomorrow for an EXCELLENT scan, peace for Brad and I, and continued healing of miss Avery's lungs.

We love you all so much and are eternally grateful for every single prayer lifted up for Avery.

Psalm 91:2

Jan. 14, 2015

I'm gonna keep this update short and sweet, as we are trying to process everything and every day brings something completely new.

When we met with neurology today, we received a less than positive report. A report that knocks the breath out of you. I won't go into details but we know that the neurologist doesn't have the final say. Avery WILL continue to prove the medical world wrong, beating to her own drum. She's done it since the day she was born.

We continue to have set backs every day but at the same time we have silver linings. It is amazing how much this little girl has done in her first four months.

We love all of our 'Avery Angels'. We love you for your prayers and for loving our Avery so much.

Jan. 15, 2015"It is The Lord who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

Be brave, my little girl. 

Jan. 16, 2015
Last night, after waiting until almost midnight, we were able to get Avery out of her bed and hold her. I think all three of us needed that snuggle time, I just know she knew what was going on.

She's got a big day ahead of her with several little procedures to try to smooth out some bumps in the road but we are looking forward to more snuggle times. I think it should be in the doctors orders.

We are so thankful for little moments like this.

Jan. 17, 2015
"I can barely stand right now
Everything is crashing down
And I wonder where You are
I try to find the words to pray
I don't always know what to say
But You're the one who can hear my heart

Even though I don't know what your plan is
I know You're making beauty from these ashes

I've seen joy and I've seen pain
On my knees, I call Your name
Here's my broken hallelujah
With nothing left to hold onto
I raise these empty hands to You
Here's my broken hallelujah"

I found this song so relatable. There are no other words for what we have except a 'broken hallelujah'. We don't understand things right now but I know He hears our hearts and our cries. Yesterday, my sister sent me a quote that is so true.. "We want the testimony but not the test." I pray every day that all of the praise, honor, and glory goes to Him. We serve the mighty physician that can do things that medicine can't. I know He is working right in the middle of this chapter in our lives and is keeping Avery safe and making beauty from these ashes.