And the countdown begins...

In less than a week I will check into the hospital and undergo fetal surgery to help repair the open neural tube defect on my sweet girl's back. I have talked to Angel (the nurse) several times this week. We have filled out my short-term disability paperwork and FMLA paperwork. I have appointments in Houston all day tomorrow with a social worker, the team of neonatologists (baby doctors), anesthesia, and tours of the NICU and maternal floor where I will reside for at least a week. It seems as these are the last things to check off on a very long list of pre-op to-dos. As these days leading up to surgery pass all too quickly I am consumed with lists of things that need to be done before I am gone for 2+ weeks. There is also the possibility that Caroline could decide to make an appearance at any time as well. So, we were expecting a baby in April and now it could be any day. I would be lying if I said that I'm not scared to death. I'm sure this is normal. And as my dad said today, if I didn't admit to having these feelings I would be faking it. So, we push on. We get everything done that we can (including taking family pictures on Saturday!), and just go with it (which I admittedly am not the greatest at doing). Surgery will be here before I know it and then it is all out of my hands. While I walk around most of the time with a very heavy heart I am also frequently reminded of a God who is in control and loves me very much. I am thankful beyond words for those reminders.

This is a picture taken during an in-utero spina bifida repair (just like Caroline and I will be having). The baby was asleep with anesthesia so he did not reach out and grab the surgeon's hand, but it is a really neat picture nonetheless. Just wanted to share... 

There will be several pictures taken during my surgery as well, all of which we will have access to. It will also be video-taped and we can have a copy of that too. Kind of weird but since it is only the second surgery of this kind to be performed here they are going to use it for lots of teaching. In a weird way (trying to look at the positives) I'm excited to get a sneak peak at this sweet baby before she gets here (hopefully 10 weeks before she gets here!).

I know I have said this over and over again, but we are blown away every day by the amazing people surrounding us. God has provided family/friends on every front, beyond what we ever could have imagined. We will never be able to appropriately express our gratitude, but hope to be able to pay it all forward one day very soon.