Malachi soon to arrive!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Malachi is due to arrive any day now. We are heading to Pittsburgh tomorrow, October 31st for an ultrasound. (Malachi is still measuring small.) After the ultrasound they will decide if they are going to keep me for an induction. (They more than likely will.) Then depending on how everything goes, he will be born (I'm guessing) Thursday, November 1st.

I go back and forth on how I feel on any given day. I have days where my faith is strong, and am completely trusting the Lord, and then I have days where I cry and worry and doubt what God has instore. Thankfully I am so blessed with such a godly husband that reminds me of truth. One thing that amazes me is the fact that there will and have been so many people lifting Malachi up in prayer. I can't wait to tell him someday just how many people were praying for him.

I feel anxious about what the next couple of days will hold. Labor for one! Then waiting to see what the surgeons decide. Seeing him for the first time, and learning how to feed him. It is all so overwhelming, but I am glad that the Lord will be our strength and guide us through the next couple of weeks.

Thank you all so much for your continued encouragement and prayers!

We love you!
Philip, April,(who wrote the post), and Malachi

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in[3] view of the surpassing value of knowing[4] Christ Jesus my Lord, for[5] whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the[6] fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in[7] order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so[8] that I may lay hold of that for[9] which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:7-12

35 Weeks and counting!

So here are the latest pictures of our beautiful baby boy! I compared his picture to one of Philip's baby pictures and they look identical! We got to see him move his arms,(he likes to hide during the ultrasound!)Then he pulled his hand up to his mouth and started sucking on it! It was so cute. Then he let out a big yawn. The Sonographer got the picture just when he did it. It was so cute. He is such a beautiful baby. I can't wait to kiss his handsome little face! Here are the pictures:

32 Weeks...

So this picture of Malachi is actually at 30 weeks. It was taken when we visited Pittsburgh. The detail of events were:

We started off at 7:30 am at Magee Women's Center with an ultrasound. Everything (except his heart) looked good. He is measuring in the 29th percentile. (Which means he is smaller than average, but not abnormally small.)

We then headed over to see the Cardiologist Dr. Sherman. He told us he was going to look at Malachi's heart with fresh eyes. He determined the same results as our cardiologist with Malachi having a regular sized Aorta and a narrowed Pulmonary artery. He determined that the narrowed Pulmonary artery might be a good thing. The narrowing might help equalize the blood flow to the lungs and the body. After Malachi is born they may even have to narrow the artery even more, just to make sure the blood flow is controlled. He did tell us that when Malachi is in his 20s or 30s it is pretty likely that he would need to have a heart transplant, as the work of one ventricle can strain the heart after so many years, but that is down the road and not a concern as of now.

We then met with the surgeon over at Pittsburgh Children's Hospital. We met Dr. Wearden, (Dr. Morrel also works along with.) We liked him the best. When he walked in the room he asked for Malachi's name, and referred to Malachi the whole time he was speaking. He showed us a drawing of what Malachi's heart looks like, and showed us the repairs they would do on it. He referred to how God designs our hearts, and how Malachi's was different. How encouraging is that! The very man who will be holding our son's heart in his hands referred to God! We don't know if he is a Christian, but we are certainly encouraged by his reference to God! He reexplained what the Cardiologist stated. He said that Malachi might not need any surgery when first born, if he does it would be minor. They would (if needed after first born) to put in a shunt connecting his Aorta and Pulmonary artery. They would also put a constrictor on his Pulmonary artery to equalize the blood flow. In either case, we will take him home with a monitor to check his blood oxygen levels. Then when he is two months old they would look into doing the Glen Procedure which we referred to in the past post: connecting the Superior Vena Cava to the lungs. Then when he is two or three years old, he would have the Fontan Procedure, routing the blood flow through the lungs by the Inferior Vena Cava. He said that Malachi is fortunate enough that they don't have to rebuild his Aorta, as is the case with most Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Thankfully the Lord has made his heart to function and be a little better off when first born.

After the surgeon we headed back over to Magee and we met with the high risk Obstetrician: Dr. Emery. He said that the plan is to induce me at 39 weeks (the week of November 5th). They want to make sure that we are both in Pittsburgh. He said the only need for a Cesarean would be if I wasn't progressing enough.

Then we finished our day with Dr. Vats. She is the neonatologist at Magee. She went through the plan of events after Malachi is born. She said that they will be in the room when Malachi is delivered, and will take him aside (in the room) and evaluate him. They will check his breathing and heart sounds. Then they will give him back to us to hold and get some pictures and let the family see. Then they will take him down to the Neonatal unit to have him on monitors until the surgeons are ready for him. (This will all take place within a few hours.) He will only be on an iv drip, incase he may need to go into surgery. Then he will be taken over to Children's to have the surgeons evaluate him. If he does not need surgery, then they will make sure he is feeding and monitor him for about a week. If he does need surgery he could be in the hospital for two weeks, or a month depending on how quickly he heals. Regardless, they will make sure Philip and I know what we're doing before we take him home.

It was a very long day, but very informative. I told Philip that as far as Malachi needing surgery, I feel confident and at peace. The thought of me being a new Mom, scares me to death! I know that it will all come together, but wow what a responsibility. I am honored that the Lord would choose Philip and I to be parents of such an incredible young boy. He truly is a miracle and made especially by our Lord. I can't wait to meet him in 7 WEEKS!

Here is another story about a little girl named Makenna living with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. She differs from Malachi, as she needed the first surgery, the Norwood, as Malachi does not. Here is the link: Makenna

Love,
April (for all three)

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:6-9

My Hero...

While reading Philip's last post I reminded myself just how thankful I am for my husband. He is my hero. Before we were together he left behind family and friends to serve his country with pride. He protected my freedom without knowing I would be apart of his life. It is neat that I was able to pray for him while he was gone, not knowing we would end up together! I am honored to know him, let alone be married to him. As Philip wrote in the last post, we do have so much to be thankful for. (Malachi just kicked in agreement.)

One thing I look forward to one day is telling Malachi, (when he is old enough to understand)all about his Daddy and all that he did to protect us. Philip will already be Malachi's hero because he will adore and love him so much, just because he is his Daddy. I can't wait for Malachi to know just how amazing a man his father is, and how blessed we are to have Philip leading our family. I know that there is NO ONE ELSE that I would want to walk through all of this with. Philip has been such a vessel of strength and used as a voice of Truth for me. I am so blessed! Although Christ will always be my first love and hero, I am so glad that He blessed me with a tangible hero! :o)

Love,
April

"Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12

I love you Malachi...

I was realizing today that I have not written in quite some time, so I am going to attempt to share with you my thoughts today.

I cannot even begin to fathom the immense love that my Lord has for me, for my wife, and for my son. I find that each day that goes by, drawing us closer to when Malachi is born, brings me to a greater understanding of how great my God is and how small I truly am. I wish that I could say I don't understand what the Lord is doing, allowing my little son, my little Malachi, to have this defect, this imperfection... that he has to come into this world with a broken heart and go through surgery when he won't even know what's going on or why he has to be in pain. I wish that I could be oblivious to why innocent little babies have to develop abnormally and face a difficult life due to physical imperfections. I wish I could forget why we exist... why we are born into an imperfect world with all of it's sin and imperfections. I wish that I could live without feeling, without tears, without fear... But I can't! I cannot forget, be oblivious, lack understanding, feeling, tears, or fear... because I wake up each morning... lying in the most comfortable bed... with the sun shining on my face... my beautiful wife lying next to me... and my son kicking inside of her. I am blessed beyond anything I could ever possibly imagine. I know that my life is His... I know that I am here to Glorify my Lord... I know that whatever He allows in my life, it is for good... it is to draw me to Him... to refine me and shape me into a reflection of Him. I know that my little Malachi is "...Fearfully and Wonderfully made..." Because He made him and formed him in April's womb... The Lord formed Malachi's inward parts... and He formed him and has given him to April and I so that we together as a family may have the honor of glorifying our Lord and Savior through anything! I understand this... I am not oblivious to this... I cannot forget it... I cannot live without feeling the weight of becoming a father, and the responsibility that comes with it... I cannot go without shedding tears for the ones I love... and I do fear... I fear that everyday I am given to live, is another day to Praise the Lord. What an incredible honor and responsiblity. I am learning daily that I cannot be a nebbishy man... for if I am going to fulfill my purpose here on this earth... I must take whatever comes my way and turn it into an opportunity to Trust the Lord giving Him all the Glory and Praise. Granted, I fail daily at this, but because I do understand... I continue to take one step at a time.

I cannot possibly express just how much I am looking forward to holding Malachi in my arms, looking into his eyes and telling him over and over and over how immensly I love him... and how much greater the Lord loves him. I am so thankful that he is my son and I am his father and April is his mother and we are a family! God is so good.


"For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Thy book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them." Psalm 139:13-16

27 Weeks!

"For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him. "So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:27-28

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:13-14a

I have been doing some research on "hypoplastic left heart syndrome." Malachi is labeled as: "hypoplastic left ventricle." He is pretty similar to the cases I have read, but he has a larger aorta(body artery). He won't have to have the first surgery that most children have called, "the Norwood." There are two other surgeries: "the Glenn" and "the Fontan."

I found a very encouraging story about a little boy named, Luke. His mother made a website for him, it is: lukesheart.com

It is amazing to read how the Lord has brought him through all the surgeries and illness he has gone through.

We love you all and thank you for your continued prayer for our little Malachi Philip! :o) According to what I have read online Malachi weighs about two pounds! He is kicking a lot and filling my womb pretty nicely! :o)

Love,
April (for all three)

"He heals the brokenhearted, And binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

26 Weeks...

"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?"
"Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?" -Psalm 56:3-4,8b

The past few months have gone by in a blur. The next three are going to as well, I am sure. I was thinking about the road ahead and realized that what we are about to experience is humanly impossible. It makes me afraid and I cry A LOT. Then all of the doctrine and lessons we have learned come to mind: It is not our strength to get us through, only His that will be the strength we need: PERFECT STRENGTH. Philippians 4:13 takes on a whole new meaning when you realize that promise... We can do this, but only through HIS STRENGTH. So I need not be afraid, because He hold us in His hands. (John 10:28)

I was also reminded of another part of scripture I came across when I was going through something several years ago. (Thanks to Lori Cunningham.) It is the second part of Psalm 56:8. The Lord holds our tears in a bottle, and He records them. I asked myself why? Why would He hold onto them? Times of heartache and saddness, but also joy and happiness... why hold them? My opinion is that one day when we get Home to Heaven, He is going to give us the bottle and show us the record, and we will get to annoint our Savior's feet with our tears, just like Mary did. (Luke 7:36-50) I know I will be first in line. I pray that every tear cried would be tears that honored my Savior in this life. When it was hard and the burden was so heavy,I pray, that the tears I cried were in a cry out to Him. For all that He has brought us through so far, and will continue to bring us through, I DESIRE to annoint His feet with my tears to thank Him for being a faithful God who loves and cares for us... Philip, myself, and Malachi.

May our lives bring Him all glory and praise.

Love you all, and thank you again and again for the prayers and support!

Love,
April (for all three)

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28