No world record

This post will be a little short. I finally have a few minutes to write a quick update. Well, as my title says I did not make it in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first woman to be pregnant forever. Baby Amariah Faith was born January 8th at 11:18am. She weighed 7lbs and 2oz and was 20in long. God blessed all of our prayers and allowed me to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). I was in labor for 12 hours and pushed for 18 minutes. At 10cm I had to hold her in because the doctor was not there yet. His tire popped on the way to the hospital! I held her in for about 50min. It sounds bad but it actually helped the pushing go much quicker and smoother. Amariah is a very strong and healthy baby girl. Her heart rate was great, she was born pink as can be--no jaundice, and has caught on to breast feeding very well. I was worried about Hannah being jealous about the new baby but she has not shown any jealousy at all. She's been more of a helper. She loves to get out the wipes and diapers when I change her. She also loves to tickle her sister's feet. She is so cute with her. The first week, Hannah had a very high fever that lasted 7 days. It peaked at 105.3. It was so scary. We went to her doctor's office three times that week. She is doing well now and is her happy bouncy self again. Her appetite is a little less so please keep that in prayer.

Jarrod is doing well. Last week, the four of us took a field trip to Jarrod's neurosurgeon's office...IN THE RAIN. I was so proud that I remembered to pack everything and get everyone in the car only to find out I forgot the umbrella. It was crazy getting everyone out of the car and back in. I actually enjoyed the challenge though. Anyways, we got his MRI results back and there is no tumor, no new growth, and the spinal fluid is now flowing. We wanted to do cartwheels in the hall. He still needs to undergo radiation to kill the cells we cannot see. We are just trying to find an oncologist/radiation specialist that we feel comfortable with. Since Jarrod's tumor is so rare there are not many people if any at all that are familiar with his case. The person we saw last month did not make us feel comfortable. His neurosurgeon referred him to USC but our insurance denied it. We can file an appeal but it could take up to a month to hear back from them and they will most likely deny it again since the doctor we saw feels he can take care of Jarrod. One of our pastors who had cancer and went through treatment referred us to City of Hope. Our insurance doesn't cover us there so for just a consultation is $700.00 and that doctor may not be familiar with Jarrod's case either. Keep this in your prayers as well please. We need guidance and wisdom as to what to do and where to go. Other than that he's doing great. We went to the gym the other day and he went swimming. He practiced walking in the pool and did a lot of exercises with his legs since the water makes it easier. I noticed a HUGE difference in the way he walked afterwards. He had a physical therapy session that day and the therapist even noticed a difference. We now plan to go to the gym as many days as we can during the week. OH! On Monday his physical therapist had him walk about 12-15 feet without the walker. He stood right behind him with his arms out ready to catch him if he started to fall but Jarrod did it! I'm so proud of him-- not just of his progress but also of his good attitude and determination. How easily he could sulk and give up trying. Not him. He's not giving into that. Of course it's through Christ's strength that he has been able to stay positive and determined. He does go through those low moments where you just want to ask "WHY ME?!" but it never lasts long. We don't see him as a handicap. He manages perfectly well. Sometimes he'll feel bad for not being able to help me as much with the babies and around the house but really if he were 100% then he would be even less help because he would be at work.

Anyways, things are going well here. It's crazy but we're managing well--all by God's grace! I thought this post would be short but I couldn't resist details. I'll attach some pictures for you to see...

2 weeks since Jarrod's been home

It has been 2 weeks since Jarrod's been home. We're so thankful he came home in time for Christmas. We have enjoyed every moment together. We thought we were going to need a lot of help with him being home but he has done an amazing job adapting to our new normal. Since he's been home, he's been taking showers without anyone hovering over him like they did at the hospital, he's made me breakfast, he's barbecued, we did a little bit of Christmas shopping, and other things here and there. Did I mention he's building up one heck of an upper body? He looks incredible. That tumor really sucked the life out of him. Since that tumor has been removed he has gained weight, muscle, and even color. A physical therapist has also been coming to the house twice a week to work with him. Jarrod has made great progress with him. He was even able to take 3 steps without holding on to the walker. He still has the shaking in his legs every once in awhile but that just comes with the nerves having to regenerate, heal, and learn to work together. That will take time. Time. Oh, time. Learning to live with how fast and slow it goes at the same time can be frustrating. Patience is another thing that is not much fun to learn. We are right in the middle of those two lessons of time and patience. I don't like it. Right as we are learning to enjoy our new way of life we get hit with those oh so fun contractions. I am so glad I am having them without my water being broken like it did with Hannah. This means I have a better chance for a VBAC. I just didnt think it would take SOOO long. I've been having contractions since 5 am yesterday. I saw my doctor and I haven't dilated yet but he said that I am extremely close. He estimates within the next couple days. Last night we had absolutely no sleep because my contractions were coming every 5-10 min the ENTIRE night. Still no baby. I bet I'm going to be the first woman in the Guiness Book Of World Records to be pregnant forever. Time is now slow but too fast at night and we can't get sleep. Patience, again. Even as I sit here annoyed and complaining, I am at the same time still so grateful. I am loving that my best friend is finally home with me. I am so happy that I'm not going through this alone. I still wouldn't have been alone even if he weren't here because we have so many awesome people in our lives supporting us but it's still so much nicer when it's with your best friend and soul mate. In a way, we're actually blessed to be going through this time right now. If all of this didn't happen Jarrod wouldn't be able to share these horrible contractions with me, he wouldn't be able to stay with me for more than a week after giving birth, he wouldn't be able to experience watching every little growth spurt or milestone of our babies. He will eventually heal completely and go back to work but he'll get to experience more than what he would have. We are loving it and taking full advantage of this time together. Thank you all for your prayers, support, financial blessings, and gifts. Hopefully soon my next post will have a picture of the four of us and you will NOT see me in the Guiness Book of World Records. ;)