Blessings

Andrew and I are recognizing more and more blessings in our life each day as we begin this scary journey. We're beginning to see just how much the Lord has been preparing us as we learn more about Olivia's condition. I certainly don't want to forget what these blessing's are and I certainly don't want to pass them off as happy coincidences.
First, around the time I found out I was pregnant with Ella I was the visiting teacher for a sweetheart named Alli. She was also pregnant and had found out her little boy had HLHS among other things (he is now three and quite the little superhero.) I had never heard of it but followed her family's journey through her blog, and still do. Naturally, when I found out that Olivia had the same condition I thought to contact Alli. While I followed her blog we didn't talk a ton. But like I said, she's a total sweetheart and has been in constant contact with me since I told her of our situation. She's been informing of what I can expect in all aspects from prenatal appointment and delivery to hospital stays and bringing Olivia home. I have no idea what questions to ask and she's been a life saver at just telling me anything and everything she can think of. She and PCMD have also directed me to a support group called Intermountain Healing Hearts and I have been learning a great deal on their website and forum.
Some of our other blessings were a bit disguised but I certainly don't believe in coincidences. When I was entering high school my mom decided to go back to work. She got hired on at my high school as the teachers aid in the special needs class. I loved going to my first day of school with my mom. She loved her job but didn't necessarily love going back to work. When the Dr's told me that Olivia would be somewhat delayed in her learning skills due to hospital stays and being put on the bypass machine I immediately thought about the 5+ years my mom spent teaching kids with learning disabilities. Olivia won't necessarily have a learning disability but if she's a little behind I know who to go to for help in getting her caught up.
After my mom quite working at the school she took classes to become a CNA and is currently doing phlebotomy classes. Another blessing. All this medical stuff scares the living daylights out of me but if I can have her holding my hand while I get used to all of this I know I'll be fine. I'm so glad she knows what she's doing.
Along with the support of IHH and Alli I am finding so much support in our ward. About a week ago I found out that my visiting teacher (whom I also visit teach) lost her little girl. She had her about 1.5 months early but there were some unforeseen complications and the baby didn't make it. Naturally, she is struggling a ton but she seems to be doing pretty well. Though the amount of comforting we've given each other isn't much at this point I know that we were put together for a reason.
This blessing is kind of silly but it's still a blessing. Shortly after we found out I was pregnant I started looking for a new swing and bouncer seat. The swing we had was an old wind up one and while that was ok it didn't recline very well which was annoying. Also, the entire seat was one plastic piece. So the leg holes were plastic and didn't look very comfortable and the tray didn't fold out so getting Ella in and our was a pain. So I looked on KSL and found a woman who was selling her swing and bouncer seat for $35 total. The swing plugs into the wall and has a fold up tray and cloth seatbelt thing. Much better than the old one. So we purchased both. Well, in Alli's e-mail today, she informed me that HLHS babies suffer from reflux pretty bad until after their second surgery (3-6 moths old) so she suggested getting a good swing that will prop them up a bit. TADA! We already have one. And for a steal of a deal too. The bouncer will also help with the propping them up. Not only will it help with the reflux but when it comes to moving a hurting baby in and out it will be so much nicer than that old hunk of plastic.
And of course, there are all the blessings in the form of sweet people. Since we will have to be in Salt Lake for a while after Olivia is born we have had several offer their homes to us. Of course there were those that I expected like my sweet grandmothers. But the place we will most likely stay and were the most surprised to hear from was my brothers mother-in-law, Alison. She lives just a couple blocks away from the hospital because she's an ER nurse there and offered her spare room to us when my mom informed her of our situation. I've met her several times but was still surprised when she offered her home to us.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to see the Lord's hand in my life each day. It's a scary road we're headed down but knowing that He's helping us through each step makes it a little less terrifying.