Check Up

Well, Lyla had her three year check up last week, so here's the report--

She weighs about 28 lbs now which puts her right around the 20th percentile (on the regular charts) for weight, and she's right around the 20th percentile for height as well. She's off the Trisomy 18 charts for both!

After Lyla's exam, both her primary physician and the geneticist who follows her commented on how amazed they are at how well she is growing and thriving. They both said that they have never seen a Trisomy 18 child do so well. We give all the glory to God. It is always nice to be reminded of what a miracle Lyla really is.

We told our pastor about Lyla's check-up and her rave reviews, and he made a comment that spoke straight to my heart, because his thoughts have been rattling around in my mind for some time. I will try to explain... I think that as a Christian, I (and probably many others) have sort of been taught that God works a certain way--if you're a good enough Christian and are acting rightly in your life, He will bless you. If things are going poorly, then you must be doing something wrong. We give the Lord all the glory for what He has done for Lyla, and we thank Him for it mightily. But what if things were not turning out as they are? What if she weren't doing so well, or what if we had lost her? Should we praise God any less? I would like to think that no matter what happens, we will praise Him and we will trust Him. The Lord gives and takes away--He is sovereign and we will choose to trust Him no matter what, as hard as that may be. Right now it is easy to be full of faith and to be grateful in our hearts, because Lyla is doing so well. But there are many families who also love the Lord in which things have not turned out so well. Does this mean that they are worse Christians or have done something to turn away God's favor? Not at all. His love is unconditional, and He is sovereign. It is often difficult to understand why God lets certain things happen, but this is where true faith comes in. I know that He is sovereign and that everything happens for a reason--He is in control even when life seems out of control. And all things happen so that He will receive glory. So, to be clear, we have truly done nothing to merit Lyla doing so well. God, in His sovereignty, has chosen to bless us with her, and we thank Him for it. She is a miracle all because of Him, not because we are "good parents". And no matter what happens, I will trust Him because He is worthy of all our trust.

THANK YOU LORD FOR LYLA JANE!!!

Just doing a little shoppin. :)

And walkin.

Oh, and Lyla went on her first date with Daddy the other day. He took her to Happy Feet 2 in the theater because she loves music and dancing so much! She did pretty well and watched most of it, with a few breaks to walk around in the aisle, and a 15 minute nap on Daddy's chest. So sweet! I was able to get a lot of Christmas decorating done while they were out. :)