The Holidays, The Creeping Crud, and a True Miracle

Our little miracle (Photo cred: Hollie Macenczak)

Sometimes when I think I've got it all together and everything I need to do is done and tied up in a neat (figurative) package, and I am about to reward myself time to sit and rest for awhile, I do indeed get to sit and rest for awhile but not because I want to, because I have to. I have been forced to take a vacation over the holidays because I was sick as a dog. Now, you might remember (or not) that I was also sick as a dog right around Thanksgiving, so I think I've paid my dues for the next 10 years in the being-sick-at-the-holidays department. The hubs and I have been coughing our heads off and, much to our neighbors' delight I am sure, the coughs are beginning to wind down to something that resembles normalcy, whatever that is. I absolutely hate to be sick, and especially at the holidays. Did I mention that I got sick exactly four days after I had my flu shot? What's with that?

So the holidays had some challenges, but it also had its moments of joy and reprieve when the storm subsided and peace ensued. One of those moments was when our fourth grandchild made her debut onto the world stage, forever sealed to be the darling princess that she is. That is the one day of this holiday season where time stood completely still, and nothing else in the world mattered. If you have forgotten her story, may I refresh your memory? This past May as I visited my son and his family in Florida, I received a phone call from Hollie informing me that she and Adam and Preston would be relocating back to the states for an undetermined amount of time. I knew she had recently found out she was pregnant with their second child, but in recent days she had experienced symptoms consistent with Zika virus while living in Honduras. Needless to say, she was devastated. She had done everything she knew to do to protect herself and her unborn child and, yet, here she was, facing a towering multitude of uncertainties and fears. There was no test to confirm a diagnosis in Honduras, so coming home was the only way to know for sure if she was infected. Now, if you watched the news this past summer, you know that a diagnosis of Zika virus when you're pregnant is a scary diagnosis. Within 24 hours they arrived in Atlanta, where a team of Emory infectious disease doctors and ob/gyn specialists received them and confirmed, much to our dismay, that she had indeed contracted Zika. Thus began a few roller-coaster months of back and forth trips to Emory for testing, sweet moments of encouragement from the doctors and many, many tears documenting the ups and downs. It was a trying time for our family to say the least. But as test after test, sonogram after sonogram, blood work after blood work was done, we began to feel a tremendous amount of hope that everything could and would be all right. My daughter remained steadfast and strong and she and I had more than one conversation of how, no matter the outcome of it all, a baby girl would be born into a family who would love her beyond her greatest imagination. There were uncountable highs and lows along the way, and our faith was sorely tested at times. But it was that same faith that ultimately prevailed and got us through this most uncertain of times.

Fast forward to December 21st, 2016...

Hollie was admitted to Emory for a scheduled Cesarean section, and our hopes were high as we awaited the birth of our third granddaughter. Latest tests had revealed that baby girl appeared to be perfectly normal and developing just as any healthy baby would. In fact, she was growing so fast and strong they predicted she already weighed in at more than 9 lbs. and the doctors did not want Hollie to go to her due date.

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At exactly 12:55 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21st, 2016
our most precious angel,
Quinlan Hope Macenczak, was born
weighing in at 9 lbs., 2 oz., 20 inches long,
and in perfect health!
Thank you, God, for this unspeakable gift!

It's hard to believe that baby Quin is already two weeks old, and she is thriving! The latest post-delivery testing done by the infectious disease doctor has shown that the Zika virus most likely never passed through the placenta to our little angel. Without any doubt whatsoever, we know in our heart of hearts that this was a direct result of the many prayers offered up for this child. You can see why we call her our little miracle, and we will be forever grateful for this little girl and what her life will mean to all who know her. We are totally and forever smitten.

As for the holidays, I can't deny that (as much as I love Christmas) I'm almost glad -- no, I AM glad and ultimately relieved -- that they are behind us for this edition. Even though I got to spend time with my youngest and her beau who flew in from Houston which is always a treat, I can't deny that being sick put a damper on the holiday and the experience of bringing a new baby home. I'm afraid I wasn't able to be the helping mom that I wish I could've been but hopefully there's plenty of time ahead for that...at least a dozen good years of babysitting and investment in this little life, till she becomes a tween and thinks Nana is ancient! As for the post-holiday humdrums, I've begun the "waiting out of  winter" which I do every year -- the season of which has really just begun in this neck of the woods, and I've officially started my daily countdown to spring. But at least I have my grandbabies to snuggle and keep me warm, as I spoil them by the fire right under their parents' noses.

​And in case you think the renovation has fallen by the wayside, let me assure you: It's in full motion, and nearing completion!

​But that update, my friend,  is for another day.  Stay tuned... 
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The best use of a nine-months-preg belly? A place to rest your drink of course!

Sleeping beauty

It's hard to see in the picture to the left, but the head full of jet black hair is visible in the above image. Will it stay or will it turn golden like her sister's? The jury's still out on that one! Also, this is one proud big sister! Love these two beyond words...

So good to get to be with these two! They always inspire me to be the best I can be!

Proud Aunt

Family...
It's the glue that holds together our wishes, our hopes, our dreams...
It's the illumination around us that radiates, even in our darkest moments...
It's yesterday's firm foundation and tomorrow's bright new vision
It's the knowing and the growing and the knitting together of many hearts, learning to beat as one.