Greetings and Happy New Year!
We are thrilled beyond words to introduce to you, Sophia Elizabeth. She was born on Monday, December 29th at 5:35 PM. She was 20 inches long at birth, and weighted 6lbs 6 oz.
The actual induction got underway on Monday, December 29th at about 9:30 AM. Jennifer’s labor moved very quickly, and we had a frightening episode about 2:30 PM, when Sophia’s heart rate began to drop pretty rapidly. One minute, there was only one nurse in the Labor & Delivery room. Within the space of about 30 seconds, there were at least 5 nurses present, and about 30 seconds later, Jennifer’s obstetrician appeared. They gave Jennifer an injection to stop her contractions. After her OB examined her, they re-started the oxytocin. After about three hours, it became clear that Sophia just wasn’t going to drop into the birth canal, So, in light of the potential risk we were already facing, the OB made the call to perform a C-Section. Almost as quickly as the process started, we had a baby. After she arrived, and still behind the drape – on the other side of where the doctors we putting Jennifer back together, we decided her name would be Sophia Elizabeth.
After allowing us to have a quick look at her, they whisked her away for evaluation. I joined them at the table where the neonatologist examined her from head to toe. She looked great, needed no resuscitation and had a very healthy, strong cry. After a few minutes, I was directed to the recovery area where I was greeted by our perinatologist, who had stopped-by after her office hours to check on us – just as she had promised she would do. She had already seen Sophia, and said that she thought she looked great.
A few minutes later, the examining neonatologist, came to see us and said that he examined her very closely, and was unable to find any anomalies that would indicate that Sophia has Trisomy 13. Obviously, we were elated. He then told us that he was open to Sophia skipping the NICU altogether, and going to the regular nursery. However, after discussing it further, we decided – and the doctor agreed, to admit Sophia into the NICU for the night. So, she went to the NICU, where she received her first bath, and had the opportunity to meet her grandparents as well as her brothers and sisters!
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- Grandaddy and Mimi Graham
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- Nana Jane & Papa Allan
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- Chandler
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- Maggie
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- Camille
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- Annie
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- Bridgette – Big Sis!
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- First Bath
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- Sophia holding on tightly!
On Tuesday morning, she was moved to the intermediate nursery, and later, to the regular nursery on the postpartum floor, where we could have her in the room with us as much as we wanted! We have had the time of our lives getting acquainted with our newest little miracle! We think she is just perfect.
For months we have cried out to the Lord to heal our little girl. Many of you saw our Facebook posts or visited our blog and cried out to God on our our behalf. All of you encouraged us along the way. God has heard and answered so many of our prayers. It is a miracle that she is even here with us, and that she is doing so well! To Him alone be the glory.
We’d like to ask for your prayers once again… The doctors can’t conclusively rule out Trisomy 13 until they get the results of the chromosome test. We are hoping that comes back today, but are not certain that we will get the results, given that the genetics lab at Emory was closed Wednesday and Thursday. Please pray that we get clear test results, and that we get them soon! Given the excellent way that Sophia presented at birth, and how she has done the past few days, its hard to believe that there would be any chromosomal abnormalities, but the test will provide the conclusive answer.
Then, we’d appreciate your prayers for Sophia, as she fights some slight jaundice. We think this is related to feeding and nutritional intake, but that has been addressed, and the nurses don’t seem too concerned at this point. Please also continue to pray for Jennifer’s healing from the surgery. She is progressing nicely, and is working hard to stay mobile so that she has the strength and mobility that she needs.
This journey has been a fight for faith, to be sure. God has been so kind and so faithful to walk with us during this time of trial. He has proven His faithfulness time and time again. Today, we again find ourselves asking God to intervene on our behalf. We know that he hears us when we pray, and we are strengthened by his promise never to leave or forsake us. One of the verses I read to Jennifer early on in her labor was from Isaiah 43. As we await news of the testing, I am praying this prayer once again:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” Isaiah 43:1-3
I cannot adequately express our deep gratitude for you. You have prayed and encouraged us through these last seven months – and we are so grateful. We will update you as soon as we know more. Do not be concerned if you don’t here from us today. We’ll update the blog as soon as we have news!
Andy and Jennifer
Such great news! Continuing to pray for the test results!
Thank You Lord Jesus for your ever Presence,Comfort & this Healing – continue to answer the prayers of these Faithful parents, family & friends. Amen & to our God be the Glory!
Such beautiful news !
Much love and continued prayers!
Words cannot express the great joy that is felt hearing the wonderful news. Praying for God’s continued watch over Sophia and your family. Blessings to everyone.
Praise God!!! What wonderful news!!! Thank you for keeping us updated! I don’t know you all but have been following you and have been so anxious. What a miracle that sweet baby is!!!
I stumbled across your blog on Monday of this week (Sophia’s birthday!) through a FB friend’s post. I read every single entry and was amazed by your positive outlook and faith. I will admit I have checked regularly ever since for an update, and I am thrilled to see this wonderful post! To God be the glory; great things HE has done!!
Thanks for the update of your journey! Prayers for good blood work results. We have been thinking of you and your family all week. Sophia is precious! Mike and Cathy Quick
This is the most wonderful news I could ever receive that little Sophie Elizabeth has been born and is the picture of health. Oh Lord, continue to be with this little one in every way. May there be no signs of what was possible. We praise you Dear Father!
Welcome Sophia! Rejoicing with you all and continuing to pray for your family! Praise God for His unfailing compassion!
Welcome baby Sophia! So glad all is well with Jennifer. May Sophia be a blessing to her family and to the LORD who hears from within the heart.
A True Christmas Miracle! The Healing Grace of God is Amazing! I will be looking forward to watching this beautiful sweet miracle grow. Prayers for the entire family.
Andy and Jennifer…
I saw your blog on my FB newsfeed months back that someone had shared and
I was so glad they did because it has been a blessing to follow your blog and read
of your faith. I cannot thank you enough for your beautiful spirits and faith through all this
and for sharing transparently your struggles. It has meant more to me in my faith walk
than you will ever know. Your lives have truly strengthened my faith. I have seen the goodness
of God and it has brought me to a place in my faith walk where I realize who God is is what I need to be focused on, not what He does. I think my heart has always been there, but too often our eyes get distracted by what God is doing rather than who He is and we are distracted and do not realize it. Your experience has awakened a need in my life to be more Christ focused and what that really means. Sophia is beautiful. Andy, you once told me that my ilfe is about who God is and what God wants and I need to let Him write my story. You were so right and I have seen it lived out in ya’lls faith and faithfulness to believe God and it has changed my life in good ways for His glory and strengthened me as a person and my faith in God’s goodness.
Cindy Clark (BSU)
Praise God!!! Thanks for the update!! I’ll continue to pray for Sophia!
we are proud to see everything going so great Our God is great!!!!! I love the pictures posted.especially the proud grand parents looking at you an andys beautiful daughter lol from Ann roy and russell morris
She looks beautiful Andy & Jennifer. God Bless your family.
Congratulations! She is beautiful. We are keeping all of you in our prayers!
Congratulations! Rejoicing with you all. Thanking the Lord for His kindness.
Congratulations Jennifer and Andy & family on the arrival of beautiful Sophia Elizabeth. Your family has been blessed with the greatest gift we could ever ask for a healthy thriving baby. I will keep her and your family as a constant in my prayers and will share this beautiful story with others that hear the devastating results that you were given and feel hopeless. Sophia brings a whole new meaning to “You Are My Sunshine” GOD is an awesome GOD
Continuing to pray daily. She is so beautiful.