Baby Fish Update

Culley would like me to update you on her baby brother...

Wow! What a ride the past 8 weeks have been for us. We praise God for His goodness and His absolute sovereignty. We received the final results from our test a couple of weeks ago. The results said, "there was no evidence of a chromosomal abnormality." We are so grateful for all of the prayers that have been said in the last couple of months and we pray that God was glorified in those prayers.

So...the only thing that we have left is some close monitoring of the baby's growth for the rest of the pregnancy. Due to the two-vessel cord, the doctor would like to continue to monitor the growth and development of the baby for the 13 weeks we have left. All that really means is that once a month we will have a sonogram where they will measure and monitor growth. This seems minor when a few weeks ago we were thinking there may be a heart problem, a chance of losing the baby, and a possibility of serious chromosomal issues.

Thank you for all your phone calls and emails and texts. It has been a tremendous blessing to see the body of Christ work to minister to us. We are so grateful to you and to our heavenly Father who created all things.

Blessings!

!!

Before you read the following post...go to my playlist and listen, really listen to number 3, "Above all Else."

Update

The past week has been...well...hard. But, hard does not mean bad and we can be assured that God has a purpose in all that he allows in our lives. We came home on Wednesday with a myriad of emotions. We were relieved to find out that the bleeding seems to be old, which means that at this time there is no longer a danger of miscarriage. They did find a few "mild" indicators that the baby could have Down's Syndrome. However, these indicators could mean something else...and could mean nothing at all. So...we left with no solid answers and are waiting for test results that will come in the next two weeks.

There are two thoughts that have continued to cross my mind in the past couple of days as I've had time to process and pray through some of my fears and concerns. First, when the doctor pulled out the chart that shows the ages of women and their chances of having a baby with Down's Syndrome, the age of 32 wasn't even on the chart. So if we were to look at a woman 33 years of age (which I am not yet) the chances are 1/417. That's a pretty small chance. So either way you look at it, the probabilities and chances of this baby having Down's is incredibly small. God, however, does not operate on probabilities or chances...and both Brian and I know that if this is indeed the case it is completely, totally, and beautifully from God. Second thought was this: in listening to the doctor there was a phrase that she kept repeating. It was, "this may not be an indicator...and it may be an indicator." Basically, I had the realization and confirmation that man's knowledge ends. There is a limit to what doctors can predict or know. There is a limit to technology and science. It ends. There is a point when even the most intelligent humans have to throw up their hands and say, "I just don't know." BUT...God does. In fact He already knows because my baby was "fearfully and wonderfully made" by the Creator of all. So even though the doctor said, "this baby could be completely normal, or maybe not," God knows when man does not.

It is in this truth that we rest. God is still good and I will still praise Him. This circumstance that Brian and I find ourselves in is actually not about us. It's about Christ. Will we make much of Christ? I pray that is the case. Please know that words are easier to write than to live...and it is a daily prayer for us.

This life is so much more than pursuit of career, pursuit of the American Dream, or pursuit of comfort and ease...a beautiful home or nice clothing. This life is so much more than we make it. "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned that in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who gives me strength." I don't know hunger...and I don't know need. Every single one of my needs is taken care of in Christ. What is the secret? Christ. Who gives me strength? Christ. It's about Christ. Even the tough trials in our lives are about Christ.

Please pray with us for the healing of our baby...and that we would make much of Christ regardless.

Blessings today as you live in pursuit of the same.

Little Fish Update

Please keep praying. We did not get great news on Wednesday and have to go back this Wednesday for more tests. There are a few indications that the baby may have stopped growing or is not developing properly which can lead to so, so, so, so many outcomes. We just don't have answers at the moment but we are hoping in the Lord. We know that whatever the outcome, our baby is fearfully and wonderfully made. Please pray for wisdom and a keen eye for our doctor as well as strength and wisdom for Brian and I.

Blessings

Football

We made it through preseason! Woooohooooo!!!! This week marks the first game week for the Sterling Warriors. The first week of practice we made it to almost every single morning and evening practice. Our day went like this: wake up, eat breakfast, go to practice, eat lunch with Brian, go home for nap, wake up in time for evening/late afternoon practice, eat dinner, play, go to bed. Sounds like Culley's schedule, huh? I took full advantage of those nap times myself! :) At each practice Culley had one or all of her cousins there to play with her help me out. She and Sylvie bonded during this week...and Culley obviously felt comfortable enough to plop right on Sylvie's tummy for a comfy seat.

During the second week of preseason Culley, Aly, Sylvia and I went to the farm. Here Culley got to help grandma in the kitchen and ride a horse with grandpa. We then came home, toured the brand, spankin new elementary school with her cousins where the lockers were just her size

I will say that I thought each passing season would get easier...but I can honestly say they don't get easier, they are just different. This season I've been extremely tired. I'm sure this has to do with the pregnancy and chasing a 1 year old around...but we've made it through another successful preseason.

I've got the dum-dums ready for game time (I've heard they are rather successful at keeping little one's occupied during long games:)

Go Warriors!

Little Fish

I guess this is the first post about the littlest Fish. For those of you who aren't on facebook (I rarely am these days) I posted about 12 weeks ago that the new version of the Fish family will be here December 27th. We are so incredibly excited...even Culley knows that her mommy has a baby in her tummy. Although...she has absolutely no idea how her world is going to change drastically!

Three weeks ago we had our sonogram to find out whether we were having a boy or a girl. Unfortunately they were inconclusive! The technician thinks it might be a boy...but she said she wouldn't paint the room just yet.
So...we will wait for a few more weeks and hopefully get a better picture of the ornery one.

Which brings me to another point. We are asking for prayer for our little guy...can I call the baby a guy even though it's inconclusive? On September 8th we go to a heart specialist to have a level two sonogram and a fetal echo. There were some concerns with the umbilical cord. In normal cases the cord will have three blood vessels...but in our case there are just two. The doctor said that everything looked fine but that we just needed to make sure. This type of thing can often be a sign of problems with the heart for the baby. So...please pray for our developing baby. I will keep you posted as we know more.

P.S. If you or someone you know has heard of this...and you are tempted to share horror stories with me...DON'T. God is on the throne...and Brian and I intend to leave Him there and take this one step at a time with Him. Thanks!

Culley at Thirteen Months

It’s an interesting job…motherhood. I remember Brian and I asking each other the question while Culley was still yet to be born, “what do you think she’ll be like?” Even once she was here…when she was yet to crawl or walk we would ask each other the question, “do you think she’ll be laid back?” And…even when she started crawling at 5 months we began to assess that she was a “go-getter” but we would still ask each other, “will she be funny or serious?” I’m sure that we will be asking this question well into her life. I think the question will change a bit, and instead we may ask, “what kind of woman will God make her?”
Well, regardless of the past and in anticipation of the future, we have stopped asking the questions and rather begun to make observations. This young toddler has begun to sprout a personality at which we could only guess. There are combinations that we see and understand that in the future may prove to be rather complex and difficult…yet currently they provide a small amount of humor. More and more often I find my eyes widening with a smile of unbelief as I am amazed at what she understands and many times at her responses to various situations.
Culley has always been a hard one to crack…even from the beginning she would never laugh or smile when prompted. One day a tickle spot would crack her up…and the next it wouldn’t even phase her. Brian and I would be amazed at a new “trick” she could perform, but when we would ask her, or even bribe her, to show someone else she would look at us as if we were crazy (Brian says that’s a look she learned from me). She is still a hard one to crack…unless she’s the one cracking the joke or trying to be funny…just don’t expect her to perform anything twice.
Lately, we’ve been commenting on how much of a goofball she is. In many cases I think she may thrive on people’s reactions. She’ll start to do things to see if I will react. If not, she’ll quit…if she sees me start to react she will continue with whatever is bringing out the response in me. Often it’s throwing her sippy cup in the trash…or standing too close to the top of the stairs…or even acting like she’s going to throw her sippy on the floor. I have learned that a well-timed look will mostly diffuse the situation better than any other response I can give. Often…with a look that says, I know what you are trying to do…don’t…will often cause her to pull her hand from the trash, back her up from the stairs, or place the sippy on the tray. However, there are always those times when I am too late, or she’s already made the decision to act. Oh boy…can we skip the teenage years?
There’s so much that we have to learn…and there’s still so much she will show us and so much she will develop and become. It’s a blast to imagine how God can use any part of Culley’s personality for His good. I’d love to write more, but right now my daughter is yelling for Dad…which in translation means Mom…and she knows the difference. She just knows that if she calls me Dad it will bring a response.

The Fish Family Camping Trip

We have just ended our first ever Fish Family Camping Trip. Wow...what an adventure! After a week of getting our camping gear ready and organized...packing Culley and I's clothes for two weeks in a small carry-on bag...and planning the menu and grocery list for the week we set out on our first camping trip on July 5. We started our driving at 3:00 a.m. Culley did a tremendous job, sleeping until 9 and only fussing for probably an hour total of the 16 hour drive to Indiana. We spent the night at Brian's parents' house then headed to Potato Creek State Park for five nights of rugged camping. Although the first day was a bit hectic with trying to get set up and everything organized...and after a few setbacks we were ready for dinner at 7:00 p.m. Culley was a bit clingy...it was tough to walk on some of the terrain and quite honestly she heard the word "no" rather often as the fire was hot, the stove was hot, the road was dangerous, the dirt wasn't safe to eat, etc. However, with only two rough nights and a couple of clingy days, we had a fantastic time.

Wednesday: Today was incredibly HOT. It reached 96 degrees and the humidity was any one's guess. We began today with my poor baby waking with a horrible diaper rash. Not a great beginning for a week of dirt and sweat. Not to mention we went to the beach and swam in the lake. This was an interesting experience but Culley absolutely LOVED it! She remained clingy and after a hot afternoon nap we headed to Walmart to get ice. We also drove back to the Fish's house so Culley could take a bath. Her diaper rash was getting worse and she just needed a good bath. Once we got back to camp we took a 6.6 mile bike ride up hills, down hills, around curves and through the woods...Culley fell asleep for about 45 minutes, which was a HUGE mistake. Once we got back to camp bedtime was immediately a goner as she laughed and played in the tent until after 11:00 p.m. All in all this was probably the toughest day with the heat, Culley's clinginess and a rough bedtime. I was ready to throw in the towel for the week. But I'm so glad I stuck it out.

Thursday: This morning it rained. A rather large amount. Once it stopped, the only place for Culley to play was in the mud. My daughter...who hates to get her hands dirty...played like a champ in the mud. For some reason she was much more comfortable and began to roam around the campsite. We did cheat a bit today. Culley needed a good afternoon nap so we headed back to Grandma Fish's for naps and ice cream. Today we have begun to see an extremely stubborn and independent heart in our daughter. She was quite disobedient and we had a few challenges that we haven't had before. I guess I now know how to specifically tailor my prayers, huh? We sang around the campfire before bed and Culley had a GREAT sleep.

Friday: This morning we went for another bike ride. This trail is beautiful and fun to ride. It's a bit winding and I think Culley may have gotten a bit "car sick" as she hurled all over when we stopped for a snack. It didn't phase her and she kept right on being her social, independent self. In the afternoon we went for a hike and then Patsy and Elson came over for dinner and games. Today was probably my favorite day...until...1:30a.m. Yes...this mother hasn't camped with a little one before...and definitely not in an area where it can get below 60 at night in the summer. This night was COLD and I didn't bring winter jammies for Culley. She hates to be confined in her sleeping bag or under blankets so she kept kicking off her warmth. At 1:30 a.m. she began to whimper and whine and cry in her sleep because she was so cold. After about an hour of warming up in our bed we finally put her on the floor next to us so I could keep putting covers on her when she kicked them off. Needless to say, we were all quite tired the next day.

Saturday: Another great day. We had a lazy morning...played at the play ground where Culley became a big girl as she went down the slide and she went swinging on the big-girl swings. Then we came back for naps and Brian's family came to the campground for games, dinner, and fellowship. We had a GREAT day. Our final night at the camp ground ended with a huge thunderstorm that Culley slept through. Brian and I enjoyed sleeping in a dry tent listening to the thunder and rain.

Sunday: We packed up and headed back to Brian's parents' house.

Highlights:
On our trip, Culley learned how to say "uh oh" and she said it so much I heard her saying "uh oh" in her sleep one night :)

When Culley would walk around the fire and we'd remind her that it was hot...she would make the funniest face as she thought that if she looked away from it, it wouldn't be there. Problem with this little strategy of hers is that she would look away from it and walk right toward it! This gave her mommy and daddy a few heart attacks...but we make it through the week with zero burns.

My daughter seems to have both Grandma Lambert's and Grandma Fish's ability to make friends and be social. EVERY car that drove by, she would wave to them and tell them "hi". She would tell most of the kids that rode by on their bikes "hi". In fact, most of the kids didn't know what to do with her. :)

Another mile marker for her was she was able to swing on a big-girl swing. There weren't any baby swings at the playgrounds so, by my standards, she was forced to grow up a bit too fast as she went swinging on the big swings. She did a great job and we had no injuries.

We had a great time. My descriptions above don't give justice to the week...but the best part was watching Culley adjust to her surroundings and it seemed like she grew up right before our very eyes. For those of you in Kansas...you may not recognize her! As much fun as it was, though...I am thankful for a shower and bed for the next five nights before heading home. :)