Meet Little Miss
- Niina
- Nov 15, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 12, 2023
Over the last 8 weeks our family dynamics have changed drastically with the arrival of our sweet Eloise. Every moment right now revolves around this little darling, so I’ve had lots of time to reflect over her birth story and the overwhelming faithfulness of the Father. Nearly every day I share my amazement with my husband ... I can’t believe Ellie is here and that her birth went so smoothly. We are a family of 4!
I became increasingly nervous leading up to Eloise’s birth. You see, Evangeline’s birth started with a placental abruption at home in the middle of the night, and that trauma never came to light until I was facing labor and delivery 10 years later. Thankfully my OBGYN was the same doctor who delivered Evie. She was on call that night and knew exactly how traumatic and scary my first birth story was. My doctor was so incredibly supportive in allowing us to choose the delivery that gave us the most peace of mind. She calmly talked me through the entire C-section procedure, reassuring me that all was normal and well. What a grace of God that was!
A month before delivery, Eloise was estimated to weigh what big sister weighed at birth (7 lbs. 10 oz.), so I thought for sure this baby would come early. Kiel and I made a plan that once contractions were 10 minutes apart, we'd go to the hospital immediately to wait for the standard 5 minutes apart. The placental abruption happened before I hit 5 minutes apart, and I was determined that I would be close to help if I needed it. We counted contractions every night, but nothing remotely consistent ever happened. We found ourselves driving to the hospital at 5:00 AM on our scheduled C-section day. The nurses kept apologizing for how crazy things were that morning with the shift change, but Kiel and I were in awe by the fact that everything was going according to plan. Peace flooded my heart as every little detail unfolded perfectly. When we heard the sweet cries of our little Eloise at 8:13 AM for the very first time that morning, tears flowed freely. Our child of promise was finally here! She was born at a healthy 9 lbs. 12 oz. 21 inches, and practically perfect in every way!
My daughters have two very different birth stories. Evangeline‘s birth was marked with complications, gestational diabetes, excess amniotic fluid, a placental abruption, and emergency C-section. The first two years of her life consisted of breathing problems, NICU stays, and feeding therapy. I kept expecting all I had experienced the first time to happen with Eloise this time. However, my doctor appointments during this entire pregnancy and birth were marked with peace, even when we lost her twin. I started wondering why things were so difficult the first time around, but so normal and easy with Ellie. In fact, this experience has been so vastly different and enjoyable that I started feeling guilty. Guilty for enjoying this season more than I did the other.
Jesus so beautifully pierced through my worry and guilt, revealing Truth to my heart. Parenting an only child our season to experience God's protection. He hedged us in on every side, so that we might powerfully experience His saving mercy. Everything we endured to this point, when ...
a placental abruption nearly claimed the lives of Evie and myself.
we stood on the brink of financial ruin due to lost jobs and compiled medical bills.
the mass in my husband's stomach miraculously disappeared.
my health failed me and doctors had no answers.
a fertility specialist said IVF was the only option for more children.
facing a scary MoMo Twin pregnancy and was advised to terminate one to save the other.
when we lost Ellie's twin.
... Jesus proved time and time again that He is in control. We can trust His plan and have confidence in His protection. Is it hard? You bet it is! I’m human. I doubt. I fail. And yet, Jesus wants me to know He loves me and will protect me in spite of myself. He calls me to rest under His watchful eye and trust that as I keep my eyes focused on Him, all things will work together for my good.
Now we enter a new season. A season of promise. There are things the Lord has promised us. Not just the promised arrival of Eloise, but for our future, for our work, and for our family. If you are reading this and have not seen God's promise fulfilled - don't give up! I waited nearly 10 years for our baby girl. In the midst of our waiting, I couldn't see or understand His reasoning or His goodness. Nothing made sense, but WOW! Now I can't imagine life any other way. Jesus not only knows what we need, but the timing in which we need it.
God has placed the word promise on my heart. I don't entirely know what that means, and I don't know what to expect (I rarely do). Nonetheless, the word promise pops up every where I turn. It's like the Lord is telling me that this is only the beginning. We have forged through some difficult and deep waters to get to this point. Now we are ready to receive what He has promised. Hebrew 10:35-36 has been my verse for a long time. It's been the verse that's kept me going, fighting, and pushing through in spite of my circumstances. I've read it a hundred times, but it's the last phrase God keeps bringing to my attention this time around ...
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36
Whatever season you face today, don't allow the enemy to convince you that God doesn't have a plan. Jesus has something very special in store for your life. There is promise on the other side of perseverance. Come what may, He never fails and remains true to His Word!
Thank you Jesus for Your goodness. Your abundance in life and love humble me. Even when I am faithless, You remain faithful. May Your praises ever be on my lips. Never let me forget all You have done in my life and all you promise to do. In Jesus' name, Amen!
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