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...