Incredible Baby News

Dear Friends, this was the day we have been long awaiting. The day we looked to with dread, but also with a great deal of hope. The day we got a first glimpse at our new baby's heart. The day we found out that our newest little blessing has a STRONG heart that is beating with

FOUR BEAUTIFUL CHAMBERS!!!
The four dark spots above are baby's four pumping chambers!

We are not completely out of the woods yet...  in a few weeks we will go for a complete fetal echocardiogram, but even some smaller cardiac defects cannot be detected before birth.  Still, we are rejoicing today at the news that more serious defects such as single ventricle and transposition of the great arteries can be ruled out!  What's more, the rest of baby looks healthy, too!  The only place we didn't look was between the legs... that will be a surprise we keep for later :-)

You formed my inmost being;
You knit me in my mother's womb. 
I praise you, so wonderfully you made me;
Wonderful are your works!   --Psalm 139


THANK YOU for all your prayers, and please continue to keep Baby Six and our family in your intentions.  

Yet in our time of rejoicing, we have learned that another local family is facing some dreadful challenges.  A former co-worker of Steve's just learned that their week-old infant suffers from Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a condition very similar to Zachary's.  The family is faced with some difficult decisions regarding surgery for their child.  Please pray that their doctors keep them informed, that they are filled with hope for the future, and that they make decisions to give their precious child a fighting chance at a normal life.  We hope that Zachy's story and the stories of our brave heart hero friends will give them the inspiration they seek.


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