Layne Grace Gaston was born Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 12:57 pm. She weighed 4 lbs 1 oz and was 16 1/2 inches long.
Please visit Layne's Caring Bridge page for pictures and updates.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/laynegracegaston
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
10 Hours to Go
It's 2:15 am and in less than 10 hours I'll meet my precious baby girl. I woke up so I could eat one last meal before surgery tomorrow. As I was eating, I realized that would be the last time that my baby girl would be nourished by my body. I'm so ready to see her but I can't help being overwhelmed with sadness right now. In less than 10 hours, she'll no longer be physically connected to me...instead, I'll be holding her in my arms. Fear of the unknown is settling in and I'm fighting all of those negative thoughts that come along with it. I pray that God will wipe all of the fear and negativity away and replace them with excitement, courage, strength, comfort and peace that passes ALL understanding.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
Today I had my last doctor's appointment and one last sonogram before Layne's arrival. She was still breach but had flipped over to the opposite side. This is something she's been doing for weeks now! As I thought about it, that's exactly what I do all night long when I'm sleeping...flip from right side to left side! Dr. Gebhart has been such a wonderful blessing through this journey. His compassion and strong faith in God have comforted me in so many ways and I am so thankful that God led me to him 9 months ago. After my doctor's appointment, I met a very special friend of mine for lunch. Julie and I met by email 2 days after we found out Layne's diagnosis of Trisomy 18. Julie's beautiful little girl, Magdalena, was born with T18 2 years ago and lived 167 days! Their story touched my heart and I felt an instant connection with Julie. I have enjoyed meeting with her once a week for coffee or lunch and just talking. God brought our paths together for a reason and I am so grateful. After lunch with Julie, I met my sister, Sydney, for some light shopping and then for manicures & pedicures. It was SO relaxing and much needed. I am so thankful she drove here early from Tupelo so we could spend some time together before the BIG day.
Well, it's now 3 am and I need to get some sleep to be rested for Layne's birthday :)
I will have someone post updates and pictures soon.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4 6-7
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
Today I had my last doctor's appointment and one last sonogram before Layne's arrival. She was still breach but had flipped over to the opposite side. This is something she's been doing for weeks now! As I thought about it, that's exactly what I do all night long when I'm sleeping...flip from right side to left side! Dr. Gebhart has been such a wonderful blessing through this journey. His compassion and strong faith in God have comforted me in so many ways and I am so thankful that God led me to him 9 months ago. After my doctor's appointment, I met a very special friend of mine for lunch. Julie and I met by email 2 days after we found out Layne's diagnosis of Trisomy 18. Julie's beautiful little girl, Magdalena, was born with T18 2 years ago and lived 167 days! Their story touched my heart and I felt an instant connection with Julie. I have enjoyed meeting with her once a week for coffee or lunch and just talking. God brought our paths together for a reason and I am so grateful. After lunch with Julie, I met my sister, Sydney, for some light shopping and then for manicures & pedicures. It was SO relaxing and much needed. I am so thankful she drove here early from Tupelo so we could spend some time together before the BIG day.
Well, it's now 3 am and I need to get some sleep to be rested for Layne's birthday :)
I will have someone post updates and pictures soon.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4 6-7
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9
Monday, October 11, 2010
37 weeks and Counting
I've been meaning to post this for a few days now but have just now gotten around to it. Last Monday, Oct. 4th, I turned 37 weeks. Layne is more active than ever now and loves to move & groove. I love to feel her little hiccups, which seem to last all night long. It amazes me how strong this little girl is with each passing day. She is amazing!!!
Thursday, I had my 37 week appointment and sonogram. We were checking to see what position Layne was in to determine if a C-section would be needed because last weeks sonogram showed that she was breech. Well...she is a stubborn little bug. She was still breech but had flipped over to the other side. And she LOVES her feet!! They are right up beside her head and she loves to hold them. She measured 4 lbs. 2 oz. but is more likely to be close to 4 lbs. Lori, my technician, informed me that the ventricle in her brain that was dilated last week, was no longer dilated. Also, there was less fluid in her left kidney than last week. Praise God!! When I was told about the excess fluid at my last appointment, my heart sank. For a while I had been researching and reading other T18 families blogs and was so hopeful that she would be with us a while. But when Dr. G started talking about hydronephrosis and how it could affect her, I felt like I had been hit by a freight train all over again. I felt like it was a reality check for me. However, I know that my God's plan is perfect and I don't want to question it. I know that He is carrying me through this dark and uncertain time and He won't abandon me.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29: 10-12
So because Layne is still in her comfortable position, we have been scheduled for a C-section on Thursday, Oct. 14 at noon. I'll go back for one last visit and sonogram on Wednesday, just to make sure she hasn't decided to change her position. Right now I am praying that Thursday will be a day of joy and peace. I don't want it to be a sad day...it should be a day of celebration because we will meet our precious little miracle. I pray that God will surround us with His overwhelming peace and will allow us to have the perfect amount of time with her.
Prayer requests:
Pray for the doctors, nurses and medical staff who will be working with us.
Pray for Layne's safe delivery.
Pray that she will feel no pain or suffer in any way and will know only love and peace.
Pray for God's guidance as we make any decisions concerning Layne.
Pray for Reid & Lily. That God will provide a blanket of protection over them and that they will have time to love on their little sister.
Pray for strength, courage and understanding for us and our families.
Pray that this sweet little girl will continue to impact lives and that God will be glorified through her life.
"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5
"God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called for His purpose." Romans 8:28
Thursday, I had my 37 week appointment and sonogram. We were checking to see what position Layne was in to determine if a C-section would be needed because last weeks sonogram showed that she was breech. Well...she is a stubborn little bug. She was still breech but had flipped over to the other side. And she LOVES her feet!! They are right up beside her head and she loves to hold them. She measured 4 lbs. 2 oz. but is more likely to be close to 4 lbs. Lori, my technician, informed me that the ventricle in her brain that was dilated last week, was no longer dilated. Also, there was less fluid in her left kidney than last week. Praise God!! When I was told about the excess fluid at my last appointment, my heart sank. For a while I had been researching and reading other T18 families blogs and was so hopeful that she would be with us a while. But when Dr. G started talking about hydronephrosis and how it could affect her, I felt like I had been hit by a freight train all over again. I felt like it was a reality check for me. However, I know that my God's plan is perfect and I don't want to question it. I know that He is carrying me through this dark and uncertain time and He won't abandon me.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29: 10-12
So because Layne is still in her comfortable position, we have been scheduled for a C-section on Thursday, Oct. 14 at noon. I'll go back for one last visit and sonogram on Wednesday, just to make sure she hasn't decided to change her position. Right now I am praying that Thursday will be a day of joy and peace. I don't want it to be a sad day...it should be a day of celebration because we will meet our precious little miracle. I pray that God will surround us with His overwhelming peace and will allow us to have the perfect amount of time with her.
Prayer requests:
Pray for the doctors, nurses and medical staff who will be working with us.
Pray for Layne's safe delivery.
Pray that she will feel no pain or suffer in any way and will know only love and peace.
Pray for God's guidance as we make any decisions concerning Layne.
Pray for Reid & Lily. That God will provide a blanket of protection over them and that they will have time to love on their little sister.
Pray for strength, courage and understanding for us and our families.
Pray that this sweet little girl will continue to impact lives and that God will be glorified through her life.
"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5
"God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called for His purpose." Romans 8:28
Monday, October 4, 2010
36 Weeks and Going Strong
Well, first of all I want to thank each and everyone who has commented, sent emails, texts and cards to us since we found out the news about Layne. And most of all, thank you for your constant prayers!! They mean SO much to me. I can sense God's overpowering peace and comfort surround me each day and especially now that the time is drawing near for us to met our precious little miracle. Layne truly is our miracle baby. Most Trisomy 18 babies don't make it to their due date, but she is beating the odds each day.
I was 36 weeks on Sept. 27th and saw my doctor on the 30th. We had an ultrasound done first to check her weight and position. She was up to 3 lbs 13 oz but was still 6 weeks behind on her growth (which is common with T18 babies). We could still see the VSD (ventricular septal defect) in her heart and her left kidney is holding more fluid than it was 7 weeks ago. We also saw that she is breech...she is definitely stubborn like her mother :) So now we are faced with whether we will have her vaginally or by C-section. This is something that I had been battling with in my mind from the moment we found out the devastating news. I knew that T18 babies don't handle the stress of normal labor well, as so many are stillborn. My doctor didn't want to perform a C-section because he didn't want to put me through major surgery, Layne not make it and then I have all of the grief and stress to deal with on top of my recovery. So...I turned it over to God. I know His ultimate plan is perfect and that He will take care of the situation for me. I am at total peace knowing that. My doctor and I discussed the need for a C-section if we want to give her the best chance of being born alive. At my appointment next week, we will have another ultrasound done to check her position and then determine where to go from there. If we decide on a C-section, Oct. 18th will be Layne's birthday.
It's hard to believe that 7 weeks has gone by so quickly and now we are approaching Layne's arrival. I am SO happy to finally get to see and hold my beautiful daughter, but at the same time, I am sad and scared to death knowing that I may have to let her go. No mother should have to bear this burden. But I hold to my faith and knowledge that God loves me and Layne more than we know and that He will be glorified through her life, however short or long it may be.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5
"The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:17-19
Layne 28 weeks
Layne 30 weeks 4D
Holding her foot
Looks like she's thinking about something
I was 36 weeks on Sept. 27th and saw my doctor on the 30th. We had an ultrasound done first to check her weight and position. She was up to 3 lbs 13 oz but was still 6 weeks behind on her growth (which is common with T18 babies). We could still see the VSD (ventricular septal defect) in her heart and her left kidney is holding more fluid than it was 7 weeks ago. We also saw that she is breech...she is definitely stubborn like her mother :) So now we are faced with whether we will have her vaginally or by C-section. This is something that I had been battling with in my mind from the moment we found out the devastating news. I knew that T18 babies don't handle the stress of normal labor well, as so many are stillborn. My doctor didn't want to perform a C-section because he didn't want to put me through major surgery, Layne not make it and then I have all of the grief and stress to deal with on top of my recovery. So...I turned it over to God. I know His ultimate plan is perfect and that He will take care of the situation for me. I am at total peace knowing that. My doctor and I discussed the need for a C-section if we want to give her the best chance of being born alive. At my appointment next week, we will have another ultrasound done to check her position and then determine where to go from there. If we decide on a C-section, Oct. 18th will be Layne's birthday.
It's hard to believe that 7 weeks has gone by so quickly and now we are approaching Layne's arrival. I am SO happy to finally get to see and hold my beautiful daughter, but at the same time, I am sad and scared to death knowing that I may have to let her go. No mother should have to bear this burden. But I hold to my faith and knowledge that God loves me and Layne more than we know and that He will be glorified through her life, however short or long it may be.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5
"The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:17-19
Layne 28 weeks
Layne 30 weeks 4D
Holding her foot
Looks like she's thinking about something
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