Haiti

The news of the earthquake - mostly the human suffering because of it - has made my heart ache the past couple of days. Watching the images of ravaged buildings, rampant looting, and rising death counts in the midst of the world's deepest poverty literally has brought tears to my eyes. Those dead, dying, maimed and suffering are someone's sons, daughters, husbands, and wives. Loved. Maybe my soul aches because I've seen the Dominican Republic, the 'rich' country on the island, and have seen its' physical poverty. Maybe it aches because I feel guilty, undeserving, that somehow I've won the lottery and was born in the US. But as much as my heart aches, I know God, who Knows each person affected, aches infinitely more. He aches not just for their temporal physical well-being, but for their eternal well-being. He sees this blood & sin stained world as worth rescuing. He proved it - not just on the cross, but in my life. Thankfully for the Haitians, and for all those who realize they need Rescuing, as Yancey said, Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part.

Thanks Mal

Last weekend we thoroughly enjoyed having Mal come over to work her magic on lil' Brenna. Not only does Mal have an adroit photographer's eye, she has a remarkable ability to mold small baby bodies into whatever position she chooses. Judging from the way she effortlessly worked with our daughter, she either slipped Brenna some sedatives or somehow cast her into a hypnotic trance. No matter. Well done, and thank you Malissa! (this is not a paid advertisement, although we would highly recommend her for any of your creative photography needs!)

Click here to see a sneak peak

Welcome to our home, Brenna Marie

The events of Sunday, December 27th, will be remembered with great fondness and just a tinge of fear in our hearts for the rest of our days. Five minutes after the conclusion of church, where Melis played the piano, she felt a big goosh. After abruptly ending her conversation without explanation or excuse, she walked nervously to the bathroom where an impromptu meeting of her Mom, Michelle & Kristin was called. It didn't take long to assess the situation and quickly stop at home to gather some clothes, then head off to the hospital.

At the hospital, we waited. And waited. After Pitocin was started, we waited some more. And did a 300 piece Austria puzzle. And watched the movie Earth. After a new bag of Pitocin and some uncomfortable membrane stripping by Dr. Burtner, finally by 9pm, things were rolling.

Things got rolling so quickly, actually, that Melis nearly delivered in the middle of getting her epidural started - they barely got around to getting the drip going. As she was getting it, the contractions got intense enough that the pushing started. One push after getting laid back down on the bed, a head full of dark hair popped out. A first year resident made the catch, and the doc mosied on in a few minutes later.
Brenna Marie weighed in at 6lbs 14oz, at 19" long. Because she was four weeks early, I had a feeling she might face some difficulties early on. Unfortunately that hunch was right. After spending an hour or so getting acquainted with Mom, it was determined that her blood glucose was abnormally low, so they took her to the Special Care room for monitoring. She was strongly encouraged to drink formula as she waited for Mom's milk to come in (ok, I pretty much force-fed her). After a few hours there they released her back to Mom. But a few hours later her glucose fell again, and after four failed attempts to start an IV (poor girl), they decided to simply keep monitoring her & keeping her well fed. It took a few more hours, but she came around and stabilized. One of my most memorable two hours of the last few days were sitting in Special Care with our nearly naked baby under the heat lamps as I watched, read & prayed. She was attached to monitors that periodically started honking when her oxygen saturation, breath rate, or body temp would drop too low. Melis was getting some much-needed & deserved sleep, as I looked on nervously - helplessly - trusting that this delicate life was going to be used by our sovereign God who loves her. There's a lot of comfort in that.
This is the same hat that Abigail filled out very nicely. Brenna will need to do a little growing before it fits her. Compare to this similar pose of Abigail Joy.
Abigail has been a very loving, gentle, & curious big sister.

One Tuesday the pediatrician went back & forth in the decision of letting her come home. They were worried about jaundice (common in preemies who have had quite a bit of bruising), but she let us go about 44 hours after birth, and seems to be doing great.

Christmas pics on New Year's Eve with Grandpa & Grandma Utah.

Little stocking stuffers.

How do you have a baby and look this good four days later?!?

Check out Brenna's sour apple face ;-)Here's to a pleasantly unexpected & amazingly blessed Christmas & New Year in the Koning house.