First off, I want to say your prayers are invaluable. Thank you.
We have had so many people ask what they can do for us. The flowers we have received are beautiful & they brighten my white hospital room. However, with so many of you asking what you can do, I don't want my apartment full of flowers. :)
So, we've decided to set up an account in honor of Layla's precious life. It will be set up through Associated Bank, under "Celebating Layla Faith". Please know that the funds will be used for something to honor Layla. We will keep you posted in the weeks to come.
Checks can be made payable to "Celebrating Layla Faith".
Mailed to:
Celebrating Layla Faith
1578 Manderly Way #7
Green Bay, WI. 54311
Or dropped off at any Associated Bank location.
THANK YOU!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Layla Faith Gruse - 11/29/11
I don't know what to say today. We are overwhelmed with the support that we have seen/heard on Facebook & through this blog. It is incredible. To see that, is what moves me to tears. I signed on to Facebook last night, and just cried through reading everyone's sincere messages. It was truly comforting. Layla Faith has touched so many lives. I signed on to the blog today, to see that over 500 people have visited to check-in on us. Wow! We are so blessed.
Layla Faith Gruse was born yesterday, 11/29/11 at 4:29pm. He heart was beating when she was born and it continued to beat while I held her until 5:18pm. She was alive to hear everyone when we returned to the room full of our family. She received many sweet kisses on the head & was held by the most important people in our life. Kylie came to visit & just had a huge smile on her face the whole time she was looking at "Baby Layla". Layla was 4 pounds & 2 ounces (much bigger than expected). She was only 10 and 1/2 inches long.
Sometime, I will write about everything that happened. Right now, I need a nap. I am feeling good, physically. We're hoping I can go home tomorrow night. I have so many beautiful pictures of our precious Layla Faith. I'll include a couple right now. I'm sure I will share more in the future.
Aside from having her yesterday and not on Dec 16th, everything went as planned. Bryan and I were so happy with the way things turned out. We said goodbye to Layla last night at 9pm when the funeral director, who we know from church, came to pick her up. She left in her beautiful white dress, pink blankie, and her hat from Auntie Sarah.
Please know that we felt your prayers last night. It was so comforting to know that we have so many people praying for us. I remember in the beginning of my blog, I said that "even if my miracle is to have an hour with Layla...". We got that :)
Here are some pics:
Layla Faith Gruse was born yesterday, 11/29/11 at 4:29pm. He heart was beating when she was born and it continued to beat while I held her until 5:18pm. She was alive to hear everyone when we returned to the room full of our family. She received many sweet kisses on the head & was held by the most important people in our life. Kylie came to visit & just had a huge smile on her face the whole time she was looking at "Baby Layla". Layla was 4 pounds & 2 ounces (much bigger than expected). She was only 10 and 1/2 inches long.
Sometime, I will write about everything that happened. Right now, I need a nap. I am feeling good, physically. We're hoping I can go home tomorrow night. I have so many beautiful pictures of our precious Layla Faith. I'll include a couple right now. I'm sure I will share more in the future.
Aside from having her yesterday and not on Dec 16th, everything went as planned. Bryan and I were so happy with the way things turned out. We said goodbye to Layla last night at 9pm when the funeral director, who we know from church, came to pick her up. She left in her beautiful white dress, pink blankie, and her hat from Auntie Sarah.
Please know that we felt your prayers last night. It was so comforting to know that we have so many people praying for us. I remember in the beginning of my blog, I said that "even if my miracle is to have an hour with Layla...". We got that :)
Here are some pics:
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Today Is The Day
I don't know how to write this, but today's the day. We had our 34 week ultrasound and they recommended that we have Layla today. The Dr. sees pressure building up an causing her heart to compress. She is not in pain, but she is under stress. Right now, we know her heart is beating, so we've decided not to wait.
We've scheduled a c-section at 4 today at Aurora. We appreciate all of your prayers and support. This has been an incredible journey. I have so much more to write, but I'm leaving for the hospital in 20 minutes.
Thank you! We'll try to keep you posted. :)
We've scheduled a c-section at 4 today at Aurora. We appreciate all of your prayers and support. This has been an incredible journey. I have so much more to write, but I'm leaving for the hospital in 20 minutes.
Thank you! We'll try to keep you posted. :)
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thankful
I am thankful for a lot. My list is probably very similar to everyone else's. Faith, family & friends. If you really think about, that's all the matters. There are a lot of material things that I'm thankful for; two cars, a roof over our heads, jobs we love, but none of that matters without faith, family, & friends.
Faith:
Where would I be today if I didn't know God, if I didn't have faith? I know that's a phrase people say, but seriously. I wonder what my life would be like if I didn't trust in God and believe that He cares and provides for us. We have leaned on Him for so many times throughout our life. It seems like we lean on Him a lot for material things, but in our situation right now, it's so different. We've lost our jobs and not had money & He provides (in His timing). Now, we have faith that God will carry us through this valley. He already has! I've made it to 34 weeks! I could go on & on about this. Anyway, I'm thankful to have a God who loves me & cares for me, who I can rely on for anything, and who will carry me when things are not great.
Family:
We can always count on family. I was remembering the day we found out about Layla. We had our apt and found out something was wrong. We both went to work, but I got home before Bryan. Mom, Emily, & Sarah all showed up right after Bry left so I wouldn't be home alone. Thats what family is, right? They are always there, whenever you need them. Even if you don't do anything. Just having them there is enough. ** I had to add this. It was going to be my entire post, but I'll just say: I am thankful for my husband & my beautiful daughters Kylie May & Layla Faith. They get me through the days. Kylie can always make me smile :) **
Friends:
I am so blessed to have the friends I do. Again, in the situation we're in, I've realized how awesome my friends are. It's knowing that so many people are praying for my family. Knowing that I could ask anything of my friends, and it would be done. Being able to call & vent about stuff. Being heard & being challenged to view things differently. Learning from friend's experiences. I'm thankful for you, my friends who read this blog & who keep us in your prayers and encourage us everyday.
It's been a busy week. Having only 3 days to do 5 days worth of work was interesting. We had an excellent relaxing Thanksgiving at Gruse's. Kylie was a little under the weather today. She slept until 9:30 on the couch, ate a little, napped a little and is going to bed now. Doing better tonight than she was this morning. I shopped with mom & Sarah. Sarah was due with baby #4 yesterday, so we were walking a lot! Found some great Black Friday deals even in the afternoon. We're hoping to do some Christmas decorating tomorrow before Bryan goes to work. Another busy week ahead. I think time will fly from now until Dec 16th!
I have a few more posts that I want to write, it's just a matter of finding the time! Oh, I was asked to work more hours & I started last week. So I'm working all day on Mondays & Wednesdays now. Also, Layla's apt on Tuesday was great! We have an ultrasound this Tuesday.
Please keep praying that we make it to the 16th. I am just amazed when I realize we've made it this far! Our prayers are working :)
Faith:
Where would I be today if I didn't know God, if I didn't have faith? I know that's a phrase people say, but seriously. I wonder what my life would be like if I didn't trust in God and believe that He cares and provides for us. We have leaned on Him for so many times throughout our life. It seems like we lean on Him a lot for material things, but in our situation right now, it's so different. We've lost our jobs and not had money & He provides (in His timing). Now, we have faith that God will carry us through this valley. He already has! I've made it to 34 weeks! I could go on & on about this. Anyway, I'm thankful to have a God who loves me & cares for me, who I can rely on for anything, and who will carry me when things are not great.
Family:
We can always count on family. I was remembering the day we found out about Layla. We had our apt and found out something was wrong. We both went to work, but I got home before Bryan. Mom, Emily, & Sarah all showed up right after Bry left so I wouldn't be home alone. Thats what family is, right? They are always there, whenever you need them. Even if you don't do anything. Just having them there is enough. ** I had to add this. It was going to be my entire post, but I'll just say: I am thankful for my husband & my beautiful daughters Kylie May & Layla Faith. They get me through the days. Kylie can always make me smile :) **
Friends:
I am so blessed to have the friends I do. Again, in the situation we're in, I've realized how awesome my friends are. It's knowing that so many people are praying for my family. Knowing that I could ask anything of my friends, and it would be done. Being able to call & vent about stuff. Being heard & being challenged to view things differently. Learning from friend's experiences. I'm thankful for you, my friends who read this blog & who keep us in your prayers and encourage us everyday.
It's been a busy week. Having only 3 days to do 5 days worth of work was interesting. We had an excellent relaxing Thanksgiving at Gruse's. Kylie was a little under the weather today. She slept until 9:30 on the couch, ate a little, napped a little and is going to bed now. Doing better tonight than she was this morning. I shopped with mom & Sarah. Sarah was due with baby #4 yesterday, so we were walking a lot! Found some great Black Friday deals even in the afternoon. We're hoping to do some Christmas decorating tomorrow before Bryan goes to work. Another busy week ahead. I think time will fly from now until Dec 16th!
I have a few more posts that I want to write, it's just a matter of finding the time! Oh, I was asked to work more hours & I started last week. So I'm working all day on Mondays & Wednesdays now. Also, Layla's apt on Tuesday was great! We have an ultrasound this Tuesday.
Please keep praying that we make it to the 16th. I am just amazed when I realize we've made it this far! Our prayers are working :)
Monday, November 21, 2011
Still Doing Good
I follow a few blogs, and when I don't see a post for a while, I always wonder if everything's okay. Just wanted to say, yes. Things are still good. We have a 33 week heartbeat appointment tomorrow morning. I'm sure I'll post something after that!
For now, enjoy a couple family pictures that my best friend Crimson did a couple weekends ago!
For now, enjoy a couple family pictures that my best friend Crimson did a couple weekends ago!
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