The Begining!

We found out on September 25, 2009 that we were going to have a baby born with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. We were very scared and nervous and wasn't quiet sure what to expect. We were told that the baby would have to be born at UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville, VA. On October 1st we had an appointment at UVA for a ultrasound. We were very scared and not sure what the doctors would tell us. The doctors informed us that the baby was going to be born with a hole in his diaphragm. The hole would allow his stomach and intestines to come up threw the hole and push on the baby's lungs. The baby's lungs would not be able to develop as well a a normal baby's would. The baby would have to have a tube down its throat to help the baby breathe. They would do surgery on the baby 3 to 10 days after it is born to fix the hole and put everything back were its suppose to be. The doctors gave us all the facts and told us that there is no guarantee. We knew that it was going to be a very long and rough road ahead but we were going to stay positive and have faith. We received a lot of information that scared us and made us very nervous but we also were informed that we were going to have a baby BOY! We are going to have a son and he is going to be an amazing young man! We chose to name him Nathaniel because it meant "Given by God" and we knew that he is our gift and we were blessed. We have had many doctors appointments since then and many ultrasounds and he is growing and doing has well as can be expected. They are going to induce me on February 4. Nate will have to remain in the NICU until he will be able to breathe on his own. We have faith that God will take good care of him and he is going to be okay. Nate is making his mark early in life so God must have a special purpose in mind for him.