Heart Family

I've been reading a lot of updates from people in carepages.com. That is a website designed for the same purposes as this one, to keep family and friends informed about what is going on with these kids. Everyone of them just amazes me with how much faith they have in God and how they glorify Him no matter what is going on with their children. One mom refers to all of the other families that she knows of as the "heart family." This could not be any more accurate. I have already received emails from some of these people saying that they are praying for Damon and our family.

That means so much to me, to know that there are people who have been thru everything we are going to face. I am grateful to have come into contact with these people and that Damon will be born into this "heart family." Please pray for baby Elijah (having his 2nd HLHS surgery soon). Pray for baby Cade who is getting over a cold (had 2nd HLHS surgery not too long ago). Pray for Braedan (just had 3rd HLHS surgery two weeks ago).

Talk to you soon.

2 Weeks

In two weeks we will be on our way back to STL for our last appointment before Damon is born. I can't believe how close we are to his arrival. The days have flown by since we first found out about HLHS, but I can still remember everything about that appointment when we found out like it was 10 minutes ago. I don't think I will ever forget it.

The past couple of weeks my emotions have been a little more normal than they were, but as this next trip to STL gets closer and closer, I am thinking more and more about what it might be like at the hospital and I know myself well enough to know that Nov 8th will be a hard day for me; for all of us really. So please pray that God will hold us up that day and give us His strength and for us to see past all the clouds and into the Light.

On a lighter note, we had a good time in Lebanon this weekend. It was good to see everybody and get to spend time there. We had a nice baby shower thrown by Aunt Chelle. Congrats to Nanny and Papa Cochran on their 64th anniversary. Also congrats to Ashley and Lonnie on the birth of baby Chance! Talk to everyone soon!

Much to do

We are working really hard trying to get everything ready for when Damon comes home. We put the crib back together, washed all the bedding and put it back on. We got out all the baby equipment and washed it all off and put it all back together. We have washed and put away the clothes, bibs, burp clothes, etc. that were either given to us or we already had.

We are also switching our office with our living room. The main reason is because the room that is the current office, that will become the living room is a lot warmer in the winter than the other room, plus it looks a lot better. A big thank you to the following people who have helped us with this project: my dad and step mom for putting in a new cable wire so we could move our tv, my uncle Joe for patching/drywalling the former window hole that was in the corner of the room, my mom and brother who are going to come over tonight and help Jeremy move all the big furniture and arrange it, and Scot Amos my best friend's husband who is an electrician, for fixing the light switch that controls the outlet where the tv will be plugged in.

We are also off to Lebanon this weekend to spend some time w/ Jeremy's parents and his brother and wife, and to celebrate his grandparents 63rd wedding anniversary! Congrats to them. Michelle, our sister in law, is also throwing a shower for us, so we are excited about that.

We only have 3 weeks until our next trip to STL, and then another 2 weeks (give or take) until we are scheduled to deliver. Time is going by so fast, I can't even believe it. Keep us in your prayers for safe travel this weekend.

Talk to you soon.

If only...

Myles is getting so excited about Damon being here. Up until now I didn't really think he completely understood that an actual baby would be coming out of my belly. When we see a baby, either real or in a picture or on tv, we have been telling him that when Damon comes out, he will look like that baby. So for the past few days, everytime he sees a baby or a picture of a baby he says "Aww, there's Damon."

Last night at church I was holding a newborn baby and when I came back over to sit down with Jeremy and Myles, he leaned over and asks me "Momma, is that Damon, did he come out?" It was too cute! If only it were that easy!

There have been 2 babies born at our church in the last month and they are both precious. The first one weighed 8lbs 8 oz, 21 inches long. The second was 9lbs 9 oz, 21 inches long. Jeremy said to me, "There is a patern here so Damon will be 10lbs 10oz, 21 inches long."
I slapped him. Ok not really, but if that is true I think I will ask the doctors to just knock me out while I deliver.

God is so amazing. He has taken care of us in so many ways lately. And He is a "much more than" God. As in, "much more than we deserve or expect." We give glory to Him for everything good. He has placed around us an army of family and friends that are carrying us through this battle in our lives and there aren't words that can express our true thanks to you, or to Him. I wish I had the time to write out everything everyone has done for us, but the list is too long, and it will get longer I know. Our prayer is that someday Jeremy and I and Myles and Damon will be in a position to be there for you all the way you have been for us. We love you so much.

Talk to you soon.

PFO

It's open and accounted for! Don't ask me what PFO stands for because I can't tell you. All I know is that it's an opening between the right and left atrium and the cardiologist we saw in STL wanted us to have it monitored to make sure it was still there. We went to see the perinatologist this morning and everything is just the same as it always was, which is good news in my eyes.

We got to see his face a little better today, but sorry no pictures. He did have his arm in front of his face, but they pushed harder w/ the transponder or whatever that thing is and looked thru his arm to see his face. He has big lips! Maybe he will look like me...

He weighed 4 lbs 1 oz this morning. Two weeks ago he weighed 2 lbs 13 oz so he has gained over a pound in 2 weeks. They said that not every machine measures the same, but still, he is getting bigger and that's great news. We have another appt tomorrow w/ our regular midwife. More info to come....

Talk to you soon!

The Countdown Begins

It is now the first day of October and the countdown begins to the birth of Damon. In just over a month Damon Conner Cochran will be born and our adventure begins. Sarah and I both really are excited for the day that Damon is finally here and we feel that we are up to the challenge of caring for him. Everyone always tells us that God would only pick strong people to deal with a problem like Damon's. I know it is going to take a total family effort, not just Sarah, Myles and I. But I have seen how loving and generous friends, family and even total strangers have been in supporting us through the hardest time in our lives and I know thry will continue to be.
It has been really helpful talking with other families that have dealt with HLHS firsthand. To see how that their children have overcome not only the defect, but also have exceeded the doctor's expectations. Anyone who knows me knows that I love to prove people wrong. Damon's situation would be a great opportunity to do just that. Ever since we found out about Damon's heart, Sarah and I have both prayed that God would use his situation for his glory and that prayer continues.
I have a nickname for Damon that I been calling him. I call him my 'little fighter'. I am a big boxing fan and I know through this ordeal that Damon is going to have to fight a lot. Fight to beat the odds, fight through surgeries and just fight to survive. But I know that God will see him through all of it. Then instead of my 'little fighter' I can call him my 'little champ'. I would ask that you all would continue to pray not only for Damon, but also for Sarah and I. This next month leading up to delivery will be stressful, but I pray that the Lord gives us comfort in knowing that his is always with us.