Cindy's Virtual Baby Shower

Well, it finally happened.  Somebody finally surprised me.  I am a big snoop. I love to ruin surprises.  But today got me. 

You all have heard stories of my "Peeps". The unlikely group of women that met on a Weight Watchers Forum and became friends.  You have met the local girls. And some have made trips to Memphis . And we have had meetings in Nashville and Knoxville.  But mostly the internet.  But we have become very active in each others lives.  We are able to share things with each other, partially due to anonymity, and partially because we have developed that kind of trust.  But mostly, the secret thing.  It is easy to discuss personal issues with someone you don't have to look at the next day... But it is also a group where we can go, sometimes late at night when the world is heavy and sleep won't come, there is a good chance you can find someone to chat with that can help you through a tough spot. Whether it is through prayer, or just chat, you are not alone.

These girls have jumped on the Thomas Prayer wagon like nobody's business. And the Believe in Miracles. 

And behind my back...They arranged to have a baby shower and sent all the gifts here to Suzie.  Suzie is a very unlikely suspect in this. She is very quiet and shy.  But a little devious.  She has been collecting presents from the peeps and just mentioned that she wanted to get together with Cindy and give her the "Fabulous" present she had gotten. 

Well, this week was really busy, and I finally got with Cindy and Suzie and scheduled to meet at Cindy's at 5:00 today.  We arrived at the same time.  I know Sadie and Lillie would be a handful, so I went into the house to help calm them down.  I took them out the back door, so they could "greet" me and not get in trouble for peeing on the floor.  As I was going back inside, Barrett came out and said, I don't want you blindsided when you walk in...   WHAT????? I was only outside for 2 minutes...What's wrong???


He said, Suzie has brought presents from your whole group of friends, not just her gift. 

I have to break here and just say this.  I put out the rally cry a few months ago, asking that close friends please just pray, and send cards to Cindy and Barrett. They were having a tough time and they needed to be cheered up.  Truly, this was all I expected from anyone. But Thomas's Warriors stepped up and flooded the Webb's with cards and trinkets and happies and dollar bills and 5 dollar bills and gift cards, and our Believe in Miracle bracelets, for starters.   There will never be a way I can thank all who have prayed and given.  Because I don't know who all is included. Thomas is on so many prayer lists, I can't even begin to count or thank.  But I will try.  Forever.  But back to the blog.

Seems the Peeps have been scheming behind my back and put Suzie in charge of our Virtual Baby Shower.  I can't add all the pictures on here.  But please check out my photo album on Facebook.  What a neat surprise.  And yes, this was all done for Thomas. And Cindy and Barrett.  But this came to them, from a group of fat (or formerly fat) women that found each other on the internet. 

I Believe in Miracles.  I believe in internet dating. I believe in Wikipedia. (Yeah, I believe in the Craigs List Murder too. I'm not stupid) I believe I have a group of true friends that while they are unable to be here to hold my hands when I need it, they are in the background asking God to please hold my hand for them.  I am blessed beyond measure.  I have a loving family. Friends that have known me all my lives. They are the ones that hold my hands. But newer friends.  They love me and my family too. They prove it every day.  Just ask God who all He has heard from today....

By the way, Bennie's youngest granddaughter turns 1 tomorrow.  We went to her birthday party today too.   That will be a different blog.   But here her sweet little face.

 Barrett's only real request was for the baby carrier!!!  Thanks Jeanie

 My favorite!

 The Pink Cookies.....From Dee...She is one of the folks that came to Memphis to stay with me a couple of years ago.  Actually, she wanted to meet Neil and my Mom, but that's beside the point. There is a bakery in Anna, Illinois that makes these awesome "Famous" pink cookies..  Since we didn't know we were having a shower, the cookies were a hit  They were our "refreshments"

 The rug in Thomas's room.

 The Thomas the Train that is getting full of dollars from all his supporters!

As I said, this was God telling me it had been a good day and to rejoice!

Thomas-The Strong

We are 6 weeks away from the birth of Thomas the Terrible.  Thomas the Fighter. And hopefully, Thomas the Miracle. I am going to briefly journal some of the past few months struggle and our ascent from the bottom of the pit.

As you know, my blog has been my happy place.  I love to take photos, and save them here to go back and smile over.  But for the past few months, the smiles have been few.  At somewhere around 22 weeks of pregnancy, Thomas decided to not have any kidney function.  Cindy lost all amniotic fluid.  And the report from Dr. Depressing was that this baby would not survive.  We started to prepare for having to abort, stillborn, born with no lungs, born only to die within a few moments, born needing immediate dialysis, born needing a kidney transplant, born with no lung function.....What else...Oh well, you get the picture.  We, as individuals and collectively, have started the long process of preparing for all of these scenarios.  And don't get me wrong.  We are still prepared for all of the above. 

The only bright spot in all of this is Cindy's steadfast belief that he would fight his way through.  And at her 30 week ultrasound...There was kidney function.  There was fluid. And today, there is still kidney function. She has fluid. His heartbeat is strong. His lungs show to be "breathing" like they would in any unborn child.  We won't know if they have developed until birth.   But his size is normal, he is doing what all babies are supposed to do.  He is growing and making his mama "faux" miserable.  She is uncomfortable. And loving every minute of it.  You see, we prepared for all possibilities except having a healthy baby. So the past couple of weeks, we have started believing in miracles.  We have bracelets celebrating and reminding us that we should pray and believe.  And we do.

And me...For the first time, I feel like a grandma.  I actually believe we have a miracle baby.  I'm not sure what God and Thomas are trying to teach us.  But I am trying to learn. And I can't wait to meet him.  Unless he decides to act up some more, we will be meeting him on November 3rd.  That will be Cindy and Barrett's Anniversary gift.  Such a sweet gift!

And here is the face that has changed me from a "Doubting Thomas" to a believer.

Better News

Let me start by saying, we aren't out of the woods yet. And I won't rest until I am holding my sweet little Thomas in my arms, and he has peed in my face!

But for the past 2 ultrasounds, Thomas is showing kidney function,  there IS fluid, and his little lungs are "practice" breathing, which means they are developing. 

After 2 months of hearing such depressing doctor reports, I have to say...Yes...We are prepared for the worst.  But finally, we have been given hope for the best.  He is the right size and best medical science can say, things are going in the right direction.  And Cindy says he is a fighter. She has known all along he was going to fight for survival.  And Cindy is the boss.  She cradles his breech little body and knows whats going on. 

In her words, I have prepared for all possible outcomes except bringing home a healthy baby....So we have been concentrating on bringing home a healthy baby.  And guess what?  This is fun.  It is so exciting to listen to all her planning and checking the baby registry to be sure people are buying her stuff.....(Would you expect anything else?)

To anyone that reads this, thank you for praying for Cindy and Thomas.  Whatever happens, he is a blessing to us all and is a constant reminder that Miracles Do Happen.  Keep praying for his continued growth.  And be prepared.  Any kid that fights this hard to get here, he's gonna be a spitfire!    I can't wait.