Updates from Chicago

Well, this week certainly has been eventful...

First, a quick update on a prayer request I posted earlier. Friends of ours welcomed their son, Adam Parker, into the world at 2 pounds 14 ounces and 15.5 inches. Such a tiny little man, but already showing such thirst for life and spunk! He is, miraculously, breathing room air and trying bottle feedings! He still requires lots of IV medication and gets most of his nutrition from an NG tube, but they are hopeful that he will be moved to a less restrictive NICU in the next few days!

Please keep Julia, Adam, baby Adam, and their family in your prayers. Due to his health concerns and the threat of flu, only Julia and Adam are allowed to visit the baby. Their parents have only seen pictures and video that have been taken as the NICU doesn't even have a viewing window. Also, please pray that Julia be given an answer to transportation issues. As Adam has to go back to work and her mother lives an hour away from their home, Julia is concerned that she will not have a way to get to Detroit (another hour from her home) in order to visit the baby everyday once she is released from the hospital either today or tomorrow. Julia had a C-section and will not be cleared to drive herself for a few weeks.

I know Tracy and her church have been praying for the family and has offered meals and transportation! I wish we were closer to them and that I was allowed to drive, but I know that God will continue to provide for them. Please continue to pray.

I took an impromptu trip to the hospital on Monday after Miss Addison decided to hide from me during a kick count. A kick count is how long it takes me to feel 10 fetal movements. Usually Addison is a superstar and will complete a count in 15-25 minutes, but after 50 minutes on Monday morning I was beginning to worry. The doctors draw the line at 45 minutes, so I was told to head over to the hospital to have a non stress test. Once Addison and I were on the monitors, Addison felt like she could come out to play again. She had great movement while we were there, but her heart rate was a little high for their liking. We had an ultrasound done which showed that the amniotic fluid was still fine, and I was eventually allowed to leave. I'll follow up with my doctor tomorrow and have another non stress test to make sure things are back to normal.

On a much lighter note...

We were very lucky to have visitors here this past Sunday! As Joy posted earlier, she and the rest of her wonderful family joined us for bagels and donuts before their big Star Wars adventure! Adam brought wonderful Christmas gifts for Alaina (they had each other for the Christmas exchange) and it was fun to watch her experience ripping off the paper and discovering a new toy. Alaina loved the book about baby Jesus, the smock for baking and art projects, and couldn't get enough of the magnetic fishing puzzle and play tea set! I will post pictures next week when Alaina is back home so that everyone can see! Thank you Adam (and Joy-I'm sure you helped a little..haha). Alaina is working hard on wrapping gifts to bring to Ishpeming as well.

Well, after almost 6 months on the market, no offers, and frustrations with the lack of communication and commitment from our realtor, Pete and I have hired a new listing agent. We are hopeful that with a new marketing plan, new pictures, and a new perspective we can move forward and move to a new house before I need to start a new job in a few months. Our new agent has a family and understands the urgency we feel to get settled in a home that fits our needs.

Hope everyone is safe and warm despite the winter storm. It seems like the worst of the storm will miss us here in Chicago.

Love you all,
Emily Ann