So much to be thankful for

God has been really good to us!

When Tim and I found out we were expecting Shanna, we prayed specifically for the following items. So many things about being pregnant and having a baby that is out of our control... we had to trust God to provide. Here is to share how our requests were answered.

1. Healthy development of baby - spinal, organs, limbs, brain, etc
--> Shanna is indeed healthy and well formed

2. Baby will not have jaundice and require treatment
--> Shanna measured at 122 (highest), this is considered as no jaundice.

3. Baby will not pass out meconium during delivery
--> Shanna did not poo :)

4. Baby will not be too big so the delivery will not be too hard for me. I asked for baby to be between 2.8 to 3.3kg (not too small nor too big).
--> Shanna was born 2.91kg

5. Baby to be born at full term, lower health risks
--> Shanna arrived 1 day ahead of expected due date... on week 39 day 6 :)

6. For a natural birth
--> I did not have to be 'potong'ed
--> We knew the cord was around part of baby's neck. But baby's heartbeat remained strong and doctor was able to unwind the cord as she came out.
--> Somehow I had the strength to puuusshhh

7. Clear indication of when to go to hospital... 1st time experiencing labor, may not know the signs :P
--> My water bag burst... so that was clear enough

8. Smooth traffic to the hospital which is like 20km away
--> It was 1.00am, so no traffic and green lights all the way

9. No need for epidural, pain-less delivery
--> After the Pethidin jab (relaxin) I was practically asleep until time to push

10. That I will not faint from injections during labor process (yes, I have a long history of fainting after taking injections)
--> I was pricked for IV, Pethidine and multiple times for the episiotomy. Not once did I feel light headed or faint

11. Shanna will be a joyful baby
--> She's a happy, smiley girl

12. A babysitter that will suit us in terms of her house location, monthly fees and other criterias
--> We engaged our babysitter's service in December and she was willing to wait until May to start. She is not taking care of other children. Her house is on the way to work for us. Her fees are in the lowest market range RM500... she is not babysitting just for the money, but as past time and she likes children

13. The babysitter will love Shanna, and treat her well.
--> We can see how much Aunty Por Por & hubby & whole family, in fact, sayang Shanna. Now we are worried she'll be spoilt! :)

14. That I will be able to breastfeed
--> This was important for us as we wanted Shanna to benefit from all the nutriens in breastmilk. Well, it has not been easy but with support from Tim and family, I have been breastfeeding exclusively from Shanna's birth until now.

We are very thankful to God who has been so gracious to us, not that we earned or deserved any blessings... it was and is entirely His love and grace to us :)

~ Audrey