Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

    
     Josh and I are very proud to introduce you to our precious little baby! On Tuesday he or she will officially be 20 weeks old. At our ultrasound we were able to see the arms and the head moving around, and starting last week I was able to feel those beautiful little movements on the inside! There is no better feeling in the whole world than feeling the little movements of a baby. Each time I feel our baby move I thank the Lord for giving me each of these precious moments to remember forever.
     A couple weeks ago we learned that our baby has Limb Body Wall Complex. It is extremely rare, and typically a baby with this condition would not live past 9 weeks. This condition is so rare that there is very little information to be found about it. There is however a small support group that I was able to find online that has been such a blessing. On this support group I have met a few moms who have either been through this journey already, and 3 others who are going through it right now. 
      Because of this condition our tiny baby has a very curved spine, and its lower body was not formed correctly. We were however, able to see one fully formed leg and foot. Typically a baby in this condition will be missing limbs or have severely clubbed feet. Due to the deformities on its lower body, the chest cavity is not able to develop fully. Therefore, the baby's lungs are not able to grow and develop. It can continue to live inside the womb, but the lungs will not be able to function on their own. This is ultimately what will lead to death once the baby enters the world. I have read that some babies are born stillborn, while others are able to breathe for a short period of time. It really just depends on how much the lungs are able to develop. The doctor was not able to tell whether our baby is a boy or a girl. But we are hoping to be able to find out at our next appointment. We will keep everyone posted on what we find out! 
     Despite all of the deformities that our baby has, we strongly believe that he or she has been fearfully and wonderfully made. God has formed this baby perfectly according to his plan. We hold on to the promise in Psalms 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." As difficult as it is to know that we only have a very short amount of time to spend with this little one, it has honestly made me so grateful for each and every moment. The depth of love that I feel for this baby is absolutely impossible to put into words. Even though I do not understand God's plan, I feel so blessed to be able to be this baby's mom. 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.    Isaiah 43:2-3

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him." 1 Samuel 1:27