Update on Lily 10.13.08

Hey everyone,

Thanks again for all of the prayers over the past few days. Lily
continues to improve. She is eating a lot now and keeping Amy busy.
God's been faithful; Amy's been able to "keep up production" to match
and even make extra for Lily's overnights in the NICU.

One bit of discouraging news was that the infection indicator number
went up 2 points instead of going down below normal. The doctor,
however, wasn't alarmed and will continue treatment until the end of
this week. Hopefully, she will be able to come home this Friday.

Pray that:
1) The infection indicator number would go back to normal
2) We'd be able to peacefully continue working out our schedules to
accommodate Lily's feedings, my work, Amy's mom's and the boys'
schedules.
3) everyone in our family would feel honored
4) everyone who has been helping us with meals, etc. would get doubly
blessed in the next upcoming weeks.

Peace,
Ben

Update 10.12.08 for Lily

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! Lily's infection indicator
number dropped almost by HALF! She is now breastfeeding like a
trooper and is loving life. She will remain in the hospital for most
of this week to complete her round of antibiotics. Also, both
cultures (blood and lumbar) were NEGATIVE just as we prayed.

Please pray NOW that:
1) her infection indicator number will drop to normal
2) she's slightly jaundiced, so pray that she will come back to normal
3) we'll be able to schedule this week where everyone in the family
feels honored and loved

Also, we're part of a prayer chain for another lady named Cheryl who
is dying from terminal cancer and only has a few weeks to live.
Contend with us that she will get the healing Jesus paid for and soon.

Peace,
Ben

Quick update before going home

Lily's off the IV! Amy was able to get plenty of milk so we can
leave it with the nurses and go home and sleep all night! Hoorah for
Jesus!

Ben

Latest news on Lily 10.11.08

We just got news that the 48 hour reading of the blood culture was
negative-- just as we prayed. They're still going to check it again
later next week as well as the culture from the lumbar puncture. She
just got finished taking a full feeding from Amy as well. Perhaps as
soon as tomorrow she will be completely off the IV and only on breast
milk. Praise God for all He has done and all of His goodness!
Thanks for all the intercession!

Keep praying that:
1) the infection indicator will drop to normal
2) she will keep progressing
3) my (Ben's) work will be understanding during this time
4) we adjust to at least a week of coming and going from the hospital.
5) Amy will produce plenty of milk.

Peace,
Ben

Presenting Lily Hosanna Crace!

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What's in Mommy's Tummy

Tonight at bedtime Ben and I were asking Isaiah what was in my
tummy. Isaiah first said that I drank too much pool water and now my
tummy is big. Then, he said that I ate too many cheeseburgers! I am
not sure which one made us laugh the most! We are getting as ready
as we can for the baby girl to come. I have plan A, plan B,
schedules, and bags packed. We'll be sure to let everyone know when
she arrives!

Captions

I am including a few captions here that didn't show up on the 2nd
post. Either I am way jet lagged or I just don't know how to do all
of this stuff! I would say it's both!!!!

"Gandaddy leaned over to kiss Isaac and roughhouse with him a
little. When he finished and turned to walk away Isaiah said, "What
about me?" (Notice the progression of the pictures here. Gandaddy
had already kissed Isaiah but he didn't roughhouse him!)

Isaiah loves his uncle Cody. He asked for him every day! He also
loved holding baby "Bla" or baby "Billa" as he called her all summer."