I've said it before...and I'll say it again...

snuggling babies is one of my most favorite things in the whole world...and I had the privilege of being invited to do just that yesterday. I got to hold sweet Hannah Noel. She is SO amazingly tiny. At 3 months old she is weighing in at an astonishing 5lbs. 9oz.!! She is eating like a little oink-er, which is an answer to prayer. So...she hopefully will begin to pack on the pounds and catch up with all the other plump 3 month olds soon.

I also had the privilege of taking some photos of the little peanut...if they turned out one of them will hopefully serve as the birth announcement/thank you card. So...hopefully we captured a good one. I took most of them with my film camera...but here are a couple that I took with the digital...

**to give you an idea of how small she is...that is a normal infant sized pacifier...these pictures are so deceiving...she looks way bigger than she is!**

Can I get a loud HALLELUJAH!!!

I just sat down to check my email, and found an update on our sweet Hannah Noel.

Here is what it said...
(written by Dan)

"I'm packing up cameras and car seats and the kids and we're all on our way to the hospital to bring our little girl home. We just got the OK from the doctors.

Hopefully we'll be home by 3:00 or 4:00, resting and enjoying a return to normal (for us) life."

After spending 80+ days in NIC and NIM at Spectrum, after way to many ups and downs, after losing her sister, and coming close to losing her too, after thousands of prayers form all over the country (literally)...one of Gods sweet little miracles is coming home!!!!!!!

On a VERY selfish note, I am sad that, once Hannah is home, no one will get to see her til spring(insert sad face). But...I am going to praise God for this miracle...and thank him daily for answered prayer. To quote one of my fav hymns, my Lord "HOW GREAT THOU ART"!!

I'm thankful for answered prayers...

I was able to stop at the hospital after school yesterday. And I wanted to let you know that God does answer prayers, (in case anyone doubted)!!

I arrived at the NIMU, (Hannah has been moved out of NIC...answered prayer #1!!) I was instructed to "scrub-up", (I was still wearing my scrubs, which are required at my Tuesday class...so I fit right in.) Then I was lead down a long hall, to the very last room, and there they were, Tami sitting in a hospital recliner...holding sweet little (4lb. 5oz. 17 in. long) Hannah Noel!! (answered prayer #2!!) She has only ONE tube which is for feeding, but she is IV free, and is doing well. (answered prayer #3!!!) I think the child just finds joy in keeping us all on the edge of our seat.

Tami said Hannah had a good few days. The new formula is agreeing with her...her stomach is remaining steady and soft...and she is digesting 99% of her food. They are going to keep her on this formula for a while...the GI specialist has a feeling that her tiny intestines have some sort of injury that needs time to heal.

She is awfully sweet. She makes the cutest little baby faces...she even opened her eyes for her "auntie" Shann!!! We spent some time trying to decide who she looks like...and quite frankly she looks a little bit like all of her siblings!!

I was nice to spend time with Tam...we usually talk on the phone way to much...and I have missed her the last couple months. I was also nice to hear her laugh...and see her smile...and see her holding that little girl. God does answer prayers...and I am so thankful for that.