Ava Gray & A Saturday Update

Dear Ones,

Thanks for your patience. I was hoping to send out an update early this morning, but the day got away from me. I am finally sitting down to a computer and have all kinds of good news to pass along to you guys. First praise: Ava Gray has had a really good night (last night) and day today. No seizures. No vomiting. Very little pain (and the pain that she does have is being caught quickly & well-controlled by her wonderful nurses). She is resting soundly and healing up much faster than I expected (they swelling has gone way down from even yesterday!). Havyn also had a good day & in an unusual twist, went to sleep before 9pm tonight (during the upheaval of hospital-stays, this is sadly a rare event). 

Ava Gray is doing so well that the only thing keeping her in the ICU is that she is not yet opening her eyes. It's hard to know if it just hurts to do so (the swelling has gone down far enough where her docs say she could if she wanted to, but the eye socket that was brought forward has a little bruising around it and may still be sore to open), or if she is just pretending to be asleep in order to make everyone and everything around her "go away" (a cute little survival trick she picked up in the NICU during her first 4 months of life) : ) Whatever the reason, I am thankful that she is resting & getting lots of good sleep in during this period of healing. We definitely don't mind waiting till she's ready to move to the next step! 

The fluid in her lungs is still there, but it hasn't settled anywhere, and Respiratory Therapy is coming by several times a day to thump on her chest (which she hates) & suction her mouth & throat out (which she hates even more!). During her last "thumping" today, we did see a little sliver of an open eye (her right, the one that wasn't moved forward in surgery). Hopeful sign!!

I'm including a picture of AG and her Blanco grandparents. They are so faithful to come to the hospital and love on both the girls. Thanking God for their sweet family! Also included; pictures of Havyn in her new outfit. A little explanation may be needed here.... Her friend, Kristina P, took Havyn out yesterday for a little "girl time." They ended up at Target, and KP swears that Havyn picked out this outfit herself. I don't doubt it, but it's pretty stinking hilarious! 

Okay friends. Please continue to pray for AG, that her lungs would clear up quickly & that she'd open her eyes so she can move to a regular room! For Havyn, that she would continue to find times of rest (thanks for praying for her - God has been mercifully providing this for her!) For me, rest. : ) And for my mom as well. Thank you all for your love & prayers. 

Till soon!

-Jules