An angel was born...

Dear Friends and Family,

I know now what it means "to write to you with a heavy heart."

Two weeks ago today, at our 20-week ultrasound, we received the devastating news that the baby had several developmental problems that were likely not compatible with sustained life outside the womb. The following Monday that diagnosis was confirmed. After discussing our options with the doctor, a difficult decision was reached with consideration of what was best for the health of Lanette, the baby, and our family.

On Tuesday, June 12th, an angel was sent up to heaven. Ava Katherine McDowell was born sleeping at 8:54 pm that evening. We both spent some time with Ava to say our goodbyes to her before the nurse carried her away. She was tiny and fragile, but beautiful and very much loved by her mother, father, sister and brother.

In Keira's card to baby Ava, she put our feelings into words simply and beautifully: "You were going to be a great baby. We were so excited for you to be born. You will be a wonderful angel and be with God and Jesus up in Heaven."

During this time, we continue to take much joy and comfort in the two miracles of life we have already been given, Keira Elizabeth and Ian William. We are so very thankful to have them as a constant reminder that we truly are so very blessed. We are grateful for every minute we have with them.

We are thankful for the thoughts and prayers we received these past two weeks from the few friends and family with whom we shared this painful news. As we continue to grieve and move to find a new normal in our life, please continue to hold us in your thoughts and prayers.

With love from our family to yours,

Lanette and Ryan

P.S. Please share this news with any friends or family we may have missed.

Sent from my iPhone

Say what?! Exciting news?!

Ryan and I have some exciting news to share: Baby #3 is on the way and should be arriving sometime before October 17, 2012 (hopefully not too long before then!). I'll be 13 weeks along tomorrow.

So far, so good...for the most part. Most importantly: Baby is healthy and growing just fine. Unfortunately, this pregnancy has been a bit more eventful in the first trimester than my first two with 3 weeks of spotting early on and low progesterone levels which required a progesterone supplement until 11 weeks. So we have been pretty wary of sharing the news until now. But this past Friday, the 12-week ultrasound showed that everything appears to be developing as it should and the risk of several chromosomal defects is pretty low.

After receiving that good news, things moved pretty quickly. We shared the news with Keira and Ian on Friday night. Keira is so excited and Ian couldn't care less of course. Then before we even had a chance to celebrate and share the news with our extended family and friends, my cerclage surgery was scheduled for...yesterday!

Yesterday, I went to the hospital for surgery to have a cervical cerclage (purse string stitch in cervix) placed to help keep baby in utero as long as possible. This cerclage is a preventative one, not emergency, meaning that my cervix has not yet shortened, but is expected to in the future (given its history). However, this cerclage placement turned out to be much more difficult than the one placed during my 2nd pregnancy so I was in a significant amount of pain afterward as the spinal wore off. I asked to be admitted to the hospital overnight until I knew that the pain medication would work to reduce the pain to a more tolerable level. That occurred late last night so I was released home this afternoon and I am now at home recovering this week. Ryan's mom and dad are helping out this week with the kids.

Due to my history of preterm delivery, modified bedrest will be starting shortly. Possibly next week due to the difficulty with the cerclage, but hopefully not for another three weeks. The doctors believe they were able to place a good stitch and feel that, together with bedrest, we have a good chance to get this baby to full term.

Ryan and I were well aware of the likely hardships we would face during a pregnancy when we decided we wanted to try for a third child. We thought long; we thought hard; we did some soul searching; we did some Internet searching; and we both agreed that it is so worth it. When you get to the other end of the pregnancy and hold that tiny baby in your arms then see that baby grow into the little persons that we have before us now in Keira, at age 4, and in Ian, at age 2...it is oh so worth it.

Believe me when I say that the 8 weeks I spent in hospital on bedrest keeping Ian in utero was a bargain compared to the amount of joy and love Ian has brought to our family and to our lives.

We are hoping for the same great bargain this pregnancy. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.