"There's only grace, There's only love, There's only mercy and believe it's enough"

Thanks to all of you who prayed and encouraged me before my UAB ultrasound. It is always wonderful to feel the love and support of the Body of Christ.

We headed for a 20 week diagnostic ultrasound at UAB to specifically check on this new little girl and see if there were any signs of SB. Oh, and I made Ben take a 20 week picture:



I wish I’d made him take one last night because even though I am only 2 weeks further along my belly has definitely popped out. I’m hoping it’s from the growth of our sweet girl and not just all the ice cream I’ve been eating lately 

We headed to the doctor last Thursday. Ben, my mom, and Charlotte were all there with me. I was pretty worn from anxiety and having gotten very little sleep the night before. I had been encouraged by how much kicking I had been feeling early on; but worries still plagued me. First, they had us watch a video on diagnostic testing and amniocenteses. There was another girl in the room with us who had had abnormal blood work. It was thinking about her situation that began to calm my nerves.

I don’t know her situation except that she had a 7 year old daughter and she seemed very young. I began to think about how hard it must be for her, how scary. I remembered my own fear coming in for testing with Charlotte. I was worried this time but it was different because I had survived it. God had proven trust worthy during some of the hardest times of my life. He had not given me more than I could bear. There was so much comfort in those thoughts; that even if this child had issues I knew that the Great Physician would provide in my hour of need.

I wondered about the girl and her situation; if she had a supportive husband and family. I began to get a small glimmer into the grace that God has had in my life since Charlotte’s diagnosis. Sometimes I think all we get is a glimmer into His grace, because it is so boundless and unfathomable. He placed me with a spouse who loves and encourages me. I have a father who keeps up with new findings in Spina Bifida and has always been the one I call for questions. I have a mother who comes to every doctor’s visit and makes sure she knows the proper ways to care for Charlotte. I have siblings who have prayed for my daughter and loved her like she was their own. I have in-laws who lavished Charlotte with love and always looked at her like she is perfect (which she is, in our eyes). I have a church both here and where I grew up that have been prayer warriors on behalf of my daughter. I have friends who have cried with me and rejoiced with me. And Charlotte has done exceedingly well. God has bestowed BOUNDLESS grace in my life.



I sat in the doctor’s office as the Ultra sound tech took pictures, and though my heart fluttered with nerves I thought of all this grace. It has been grace given to the least deserving. My mind went to the girl, hoping she would have a good report and if not, that she too would look back and see God’s grace. This little babe would be well taken care of not matter the outcome. God’s sovereignty and goodness has been at work even in my womb.

The Tech informed us that we were having another GIRL: YAY! And the doctor informed us that everything looked great. They can never tell you for sure you are having a healthy child but from the ultrasound all was going well. More and more grace. I will never deserve it nor be able to repay it.

I am thrilled to be having another little girl. We have decided to name her: Mary Margret Bratton and call her Margret. It is a named derived from family we love dearly. I never had a sister and though I can’t imagine life without my brothers I am elated for Charlotte to experience it.

I pray that they will be close. I know that they will fight, because that is what siblings do. Yet, I hope that Margret will bring lightheartedness into Charlotte’s life, and that Charlotte’s sweet nature would be a balm to Margret. I can’t wait to see what she is like. It’s strange to think that this little girl could and will probably be completely different from the one I know. But I love her already and I know that my God does too.

Charlotte and the move are keeping me fairly busy but I will try to keep everyone posted on how this pregnancy is progressing. And a few more pictures before I go:

"Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' into the Future"

Ok, so I’m racking my brain trying to remember everything that has passed since my last post…a lot. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We certainly did. We spent this year is Scottsboro and hosted Ben’s family. I have a new appreciation for the many years my mom has slaved away to give us a special Christmas dinner. We decided to do a Christmas lunch so I cooked as much as possible before hand. I could not have accomplished the monumental task without Ben taking over turkey cooking and the numerous calls to my mother as I tried to get the dressing just right!





Christmas morning everyone came over and watched as Charlotte was dazzled by an array of gifts. She is still too young to really get into toys and she came down with a cold that morning; yet, Charlotte seemed to have a good time eyeing all her loot.




The car was a fabulous gift from her Aunt Beth and Uncle Graham. She loves me pushing her around. I was doing laundry the other day and we “picked up” the sheets in her car and then drove them over to the bedroom. My back is still recovering!



Charlotte has been more and more enamored with stuffed animals so I decided it was time for a doll as did her grandparents. Now she has two babies that she loves to hug. I think she is going to be a wonderful big sister.



Our biggest Christmas surprise came in the form of getting a new home!! That’s right, we are moving. I am sad to leave all the memories we have made in this home and all the work I have put into this yard. However, I couldn’t be more thrilled to familiarize myself with a new kitchen and make even more wonderful memories. The other plus is this new house is less than a mile away from our current location; hopefully, making moving a little less burdensome. I do get a bit overwhelmed thinking about packing everything with a little girl who demands my full attention and a belly that is getting more swollen by the minute! Ben and I hope that this will be our last move 

The week after Christmas went by rather slowly as Charlotte’s cold made her more and more fussy. It was her first time having a cold (huge blessing) and it made me realize what work it is to care for a sick child.

We went to my family for a long New Year’s weekend which was a welcome break. While in Covington, Ben and I attend a concert in Atlanta for a band we greatly enjoy, Futurebirds. It was a late night for this pregnant woman (1am-ish) but definitely worth it. Sunday, Ben headed back to Scottsboro while I stayed on with my parents. Charlotte was acting very sick and started to get a low grade fever. We were all worried about the possibility of a UTI but knew it could also be from a virus. We decided to wait it out. Monday, Charlotte’s temperature was hardly elevated but by the evening it was running very high. We ended up taking her to the ER were she was diagnosed with a UTI. I am happy to report that she has greatly improved since then, with hardly a cold left and done with her antibiotics.

Sunday, Charlotte and I headed to Birmingham for yet another appointment. I get pretty tired of traveling the road so much but I’m very lucky to have wonderful family in Birmingham. It is always a treat to see them. Monday, we headed to her Ophthalmologist appointment. I thought that maybe her eyes had improved a bit. However, Dr. Metz did not see much improvement. She will need eye surgery, but Dr. Metz wants to wait a few months in the hopes that her right eye might improve and only one would need correction. I am praying towards this.

Tuesday, we headed to an OB appointment were Charlotte and I were able to hear the whooshing of Peanuts heart as it pumped away. All seems to be progressing well. My nausea is much better though I still sometimes reach for Zofran to make it through the day. And my belly is all of the sudden growing at a rapid pace. I didn’t get all that huge with Charlotte but I can tell I’m going to be much bigger with this one.

Next Thursday, we head to UAB for the diagnostic ultra sound. I’m still anxious and praying for God’s peace. I have felt tons of movement which has been an encouragement. I would ask that you all continue to pray.

And finally, for those who are interested, I took picture of Charlotte’s braces. We practice standing for at least an hour a day. She has done well though sickness slowed her down for a few days.




Ben picked out the shoes for Charlotte while we were out shopping. Yep, she already has Toms and they work great with her braces.



New Christmas toys also help keep Charlotte entertained though she often gets tired and fussy at the end of a work out.



I hope you all our enjoying the New Year. I can’t believe it is already 2012 and I’m half way done with this pregnancy. I am looking forward to an eventful year and praying for God’s wisdom as we navigate the often tumultuous waters of parenthood.