Happy Birthday Big Boy Matthew!

Then:

Now:

Time really does fly by, doesn't it? I can't believe that four years ago, I was holding my first son. Matthew is truly one of a kind. He is funny, he is kind, he is fresh, he is sweet, he is smart, he has a million excuses...he is MATTHEW! He is unlike any other child, he is just himself and he is happy with that. Matthew's heart is so pure...purely Matthew. He adores Emily and looks up to her, he is still so in love with his Wittle Bubba, and he is very excited about Cuatro. Matthew has helped to get me through some of the toughest times since Luke's passing. At the funeral Mass, it was Matthew who made me smile. After Luke was gone, it was Matthew who always asked about him. Now that Emily is in school, it is Matthew who keeps me company. I love him so much and Tommy and I are so thankful that God gave us this gift. "Matthew" means "gift from God" and he, as well as all four of our babies, is just that: our gift from God. Thank you for helping us wish our big boy a very Happy Birthday!

Now for an update on Cuatro: we went to see Dr. Tinker today and were able to see the baby on ultrasound. We were checking to see if I still have placenta previa. I do still have it and it hasn't seemed to move, so we are most likely looking at a c-section. A c-section is fine by me, but I am a little worried as I have scoliosis in my epidural space, therefore, I don't get epidurals. So, if I can't get an epidural or spinal, I will need to be put under anesthesia and be "out" during surgery. I want to see my baby when he/she is born. I am still praying that the previa goes away so that we won't have to worry about this. The baby is growing well, but they did see a hernia at the belly. Dr. Tinker thinks that this is either an umbilical hernia or something called a omphalocele. Both pale in comparison to Luke's HLHS diagnosis, but it is still scary that the baby has a congenital defect. I will go to the high-risk OB on Monday (I asked if we could get an earlier appointment than the 15th as I would go crazy waiting), so we will be able to have a better view (hopefully) of everything. This is also when they will first check out the heart. To say that Tommy and I are nervous about this is an understatement. The hernia thing kind of threw us for a loop, so we are a little on edge tonight. But we know that God will take care of our baby and we just need to trust in Him.

NOW FOR THE NEWS PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR...the tech told me that she never guarantees gender id (we will look again on Monday), but from what she saw (and it didn't take her long) it seems as though my feelings have been correct: it looks like we are having a baby BOY!!!! We are very excited, although we are happy with any gift that God gives us. I will let you know if that changes on Monday (although I don't think that will happen). PLEASE keep our sweet baby in your prayers. And please pray that our nerves will be settled, that we will be able to find out exactly what we are dealing with, and that there are no more defects present. Thank you in advance!

Once again, thank you for checking in on our little family. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people praying for us. Thank you for your compassion! God Bless!