Early Birthday Present

On Thursday morning at 6:52 the world was drastically changed forever - Connor Zachary Foster was born.  He came into the world weighing a pathetic 1 pound, 12 ounces (which isn't that pathetic considering he was only 24 weeks and 4 days old).  He was quickly swept up by the neonatal team who had been standing by as Sara courageously pushed him forth into the world.  Within seconds they had cleared his lungs of amniotic fluid, within hours he was breathing room air.  This was a great sign that the painful steroid shots that Sara was subjected to were working fantastically.

Sara had been in labor for 34 hours with contractions coming every 2 - 7 minutes and increasing in pain each time.  She was hooked up to two sets up IVs, one in each arm.  Now I know what you're thinking, "Ouch, a needle in each arm!"  Well, it was worse than that, the first IV alone took 3 tries to get into her delicate, beautiful veins.  On top of that she had to have shots to slow down her labor and to increase Baby Boy's development.  By the end of the ordeal, the number of shots she had received reached into the double digits.  In case you were unaware, Sara is not a lover of needles.  As a matter of fact, she's not even a liker of needles or a tolerater of needles.  Fortunately for Connor, she is very brave.  The actual delivery was described by her as "easy" and "nothing compared to contractions."  She couldn't see "why everyone would complain about that."  Of course this was after she had been injected with morphine, stadol, and an epidural.

Two hours later.  The grandparents had arrived and we were allowed to take them into the neonatal nursery to see little baby Connor.  He is the smallest baby I have ever seen.  In fact he is the smallest baby that most visitors have ever seen.  As his great-aunt Linda so eloquently put it, "1 lb. 12 oz! That's just 7 sticks of butter."  However, small as he was, he is doing much better than expected.  We were warned that the first few days are the honeymoon period, so we expect some complications to occur.  However, we are very trusting that the Lord has a hedge of protection around Connor.  He knows what He is doing and He loves our baby very much.  Thank you all so much for your prayers.  Please continue to pray for Connor's development and continued health.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. -  Isaiah 46:10