Dear family and friends,
Last night (Sunday), Eliza had increased her girth by 110 grams. For those of you who have witnessed the prodigious enlargement of Jackson babies, this should come as no surprise. In Eliza's case, this is a good sign both because it means good nutrition and good neurological function (Brain: "Grow body; help those lungs!"). Eliza also had a wee bit of a smile for dad today. It may be a while before we catch that on camera, but it was an encouraging--and developmentally appropriate--sight.
Some new doctors came on the scene to test Eliza's sucking and swallowing. Eliza passed the first test by sucking on a pacifier without having it held in for her. When given a milliliter of water, however, she immediately coughed it out. This is no surprise given the trauma her airway has experienced. These doctors will return daily over this week to continue testing. We shall see.
During communion at church yesterday, Daniele found herself stuck on Jesus Christ's words: "Take and drink." As we continue on this long and often exhausting path, we are mindful that we are drinking Christ's cup of sacrifice. We do pray as Jesus did that this particular cup might pass, but we also pray for confidence and strength to ask with Jesus that God's will would be done. Moreover, we rejoice that Jesus walks with us as one who knows from experience. And, as God's love is "shed abroad in our hearts," we know our hope is sure.
Two weeks and counting...Please pray for peace in our hearts as we anticipate all the factors involved in Eliza's homecoming.
Love,
dixie jax
P.S. Thank you for all the compliments on Eliza's looks. We are now accepting down payments on dowries.
