Lest I forget

Our sweet littlest girlie has been hardwired by God with resiliency. She continues to improve her sleeping and settling into our family despite multiple new events/surroundings/people.

Medically: we are praising Jesus for normal echocardiogram results and an amazing pediatric orthopedic surgeon (which we have access to...again, praising God that by His grace He placed us right here). The evaluation with the orthopedic surgeon (Dr. G for short) was enlightening and made us in more awe of the workings of Our Father (background: this surgeon was able to put back on a 12 year-olds amputated hand a few weeks ago...when no one else was willing to do it)...and this is whom God chose for us to have access to....long story, but he was who was on the schedule the first day Maren went to Shriner's 2 years ago (he now sees both younger girls). Anyhow, he wants to wait and see how Maeve's feet deformities impact her standing and walking before starting in on surgically addressing those deformities; she is not standing alone or walking so we will return for an appointment in May in hopes that we have a clearer picture of how her ambulation is impacted by the deformities. What was really amazing was the discussion of Maeve's hands...mainly because in our (limited) understanding we thought there was nothing to improve function except full hand prosthetics when she became a young adult; however, Dr. G. thinks he can surgically create a "post" (think anchor) for a prosthetic for pinching (acting as a thumb)...in his words "we need to give her pinch; what she has now [one finger] is okay for picking up cheerios but not much beyond that". He mentioned taking a bone from the palmar area of her hand do to this (he actually said she would have been the perfect candidate for transferring both big toes to be her thumbs...I know, amazing that God has instilled this knowledge in him...but of course, mentioned this was not possible in Maeve's case because of her feet deformity.) He did a nice job of giving us the future implications of the 1 deviated finger she has on each hand...he said her hands are really rare and is not typical of this syndrome. Overall, I could not stop thanking Our Lord for orchestrating the details of our path to an amazing surgeon who also happens to have great bedside manner!

Adjustment: It is sweet to see her and Maren's relationship develop...just this morning after breakfast, Maren was saying, "Maeve don't you want to come play with me." It is also sweet to see her relationship develop with the older 3: the minute Mora gets home from school she goes and "hangs out" by Mora's homework corner (aka corner of the couch), she is partial to playing silly games with Bennett, and is mesmerized by Bryce's toys (helicopter). She is more and more curious with each day: loves playing in the pantry, will open a cabinet door and look in (yet to really empty the cabinet yet though we know that day is coming :) and will try and touch/catch the stick vacuum.

I am amazed at how God has put together our family. I am praying that lest I forget the awe and praise of His grace, love, mercy, provision,and faithfulness that so easily rises up these days...I am a blessed mother.