Cathie just wrote back to me late tonight via email:

Hi Tina,

I have been speaking with Tracy Mitchell daily. Jonathan is still very sick…please continue to pray…He has been on ECMO for 11 days now…we are all praying for a miracle for him! I have talked with her many times about how we are called to pray believing and that is what she is doing.

I’m glad you are not contracting. We are praying that your little one stays put until you are safely in Gainesville! How was your stress test today? It’s wonderful that she is gaining weight so well!

Wow…one week and counting!! Hang in there…I know how difficult this anticipation is! We will be praying for safe travels for all 3 of you!

Okay…time for sleep…talk to you soon!

Take Care,
Cathie

Everyone, please continue to pray for Jonathan…

Today is my mother-in-law’s birthday…and while she is celebrating in Vegas, I worked and went to the doctor for another routine check-up. I gained 2 more pounds – – 22 total pounds so far. And boy, it just seems like every day my belly is expanding!

Our baby girl passed the stress tests again today – – everything looks really good. And no contractions for me – – which is good.

Josh leaves next Thursday, 7/19 at 4am to start driving. I will join him on Sunday, July 22nd. So, only 10 days left for me and I am hoping that she stays put! I am a bit anxious about it! I don’t really want to go to Florida, but now that I am at 35 weeks, I want to make sure she doesn’t want to come early!

I have 2 more doctor appointments next week before I leave: one with ultrasound to check her again and one with more stress test/routine pregnancy stuff. We will see how much she weighs next week via ultrasound…I am thinking 5 – 5.5 pounds, since she was already 4 pounds on 6/20/2007. But we shall see…

Just running around like a crazy person trying to get everything done. There are just things you do not think of when you have to be gone that long…like buy a battery back up for my car since it won’t be driven for 3-4 months. Oh, and turn off the thermostat on the way out the door that morning…etc, etc, etc.

Yes, my mother’s maiden name is Adams and they were having a family reunion in the Denver area this year. So, my mom, aunt, 2nd cousins, grandfather, and many other relatives joined to have some fun. Here are just a few pictures to show that we know how to have a good time!

Today, I went to the doctor for my first round of stress tests. The scale tipped at 20 pounds today!!! So, I am still in the “normal” range of weight gain (they like to see 25 – 35 pounds), but I am putting on the pounds now!

For the stress tests, they hook up a monitor to track the baby’s heartbeat and movement while tracking whether or not there are any contractions. At least they let you relax in a leather recliner. Those are the kind of tests that I do not mind!

At this point, I have just been feeling more tired and extra pressure in my pelvis area due to the baby. But no contractions or anything else that has been different.

Our baby girl passed with flying colors. Lots of movement, proper heartbeat rhythms and no contractions for me. Now, she just needs to stay put until Florida.

I go back to the doctor again for another stress test next week…

Cathie wrote to me today…

Hi Tina, I talked with Tracy yesterday…they put Jonathan back on ECMO Saturday night and he has been stable. His chest x-ray even looked better yesterday…but he is still one sick little guy. Please continue to pray…Tracy is convinced (as am I) that that is why he is still fighting. Thanks so much for praying and for emailing to check on him…I know how crazy your life is right now with trying to prepare for being away from home for awhile. Tracy said there was a fourth baby boy born on Friday…his name is Evan…yet another little one to pray for….the other two, Ben and Cole, are doing very well and should be discharged soon…praise God!

How are you? Are you having any contractions? Know that we pray daily for your sweet little girl and for you and your husband. The journey you are about to embark on is a difficult one…but one that will be so worth it!!

Our July 4th was fun…Luke and Jack had a ball and loved the fireworks! We are so very blessed!

I look forward to talking with you soon…

Take care!
Cathie

Isn’t she the best? She is so supportive and wonderful to all the parents that are walking down a path that she has been on before. Thank God for Cathie!

And I continue to pray for Jonathan – – will you join me? He has now been in the level 3 NICU for 9 weeks (average is 4-6 weeks). But he is still fighting…and he has the same LHR as our baby girl. My heart is heavy for Jonathan and the Mitchell family.