Seventh Smith

We're mere days away from discharge. Evangeline continues to improve. She's been pleasant...awake...wide-eyed and snuggly! Doctors are running final blood work, ECHO's, X-rays and trials before we get the OK to leave. The biggest hold up remains that she continues to have trouble breathing on her own without the oxygen. There is a possibility they may send us home with oxygen, which we really hope to avoid! Pray that her lungs would heal and strengthen so they can function without the help of oxygen.

A big day yesterday. My mother and sister, C's parents and four lively siblings came to visit Evie. Quite a crowd for a tiny hospital room! Evie even got to go for a "walk". Hooked up portable oxygen and wheeled her around in the stroller while the kids played hard in the fantastic kids atrium here. She's almost starting to feel like a "normal" baby again.

Second point of prayer is that Evie is not gaining weight yet. Doctors dont seem too concerned about weight gain, stating that post-op babies are often very slow to gain, so they are ready to send us home on oxygen if necessary, but I would really like to see her breathing on her own and adding a few ounces before we leave. No one wants to leave more than I do, but I'll feel much more confident if she's a bit stronger!

Tristan is on his way to California with Patti & Dwight and the girls are getting special time with Grandmoni and Aunt Josie in Columbia waiting for us to be discharged and come home. While its not under the circumstances any of us would have chosen, its been really sweet to see the kids enjoying time and bonding with grandparents in a capacity they've never been able to while we've been living in Ukraine. They are definitely feeling the strain of being a fractured family though, so continue to pray for their tender little hearts too!

We've seen the Lord do miracles in this precious life. We've laughed that she must be the most prayed-for little tyke in history with prayer warriors all over the globe fighting this battle on her behalf and witnessing the Lord do great and marvelous things. May her little life be a testimony that brings Him glory!!

Mandy and Evie