37 days ago, my wife Ashlie was admitted to the hospital with pregnancy complications with our third child, a daughter, Piper Anne Collier. She has been there ever since, and the boys and I go visit her every day. Unless she goes into labor early, we expect her to remain hospitalized until doctors induce labor at 34 weeks soon after Memorial Day.

It can be a grueling routine, but our faith and little bits of good news keep us encouraged. Just recently she was granted wheelchair privileges, so once a day we take her on a 30 minute wheelchair ride around the hospital. There aren’t many places to go, but Charlie and Henry enjoy pushing the elevator buttons, going to the hospital cafeteria, and occasionally petting the hospital therapy dog when we happen to see him in the hall. His name is Nemo. Nemo is pretty cool.

We received more good news yesterday at our latest ultrasound. Piper is still growing, and has actually picked up the pace. Her estimated weight is now 3lbs 10 ounces placing her in the 50th percentile of her gestational age. Ashlie’s Amniotic Fluid Index is also at a very comfortable level at 17. (Normal is considered to be between 18-12.) The only frustrating part is that Piper is now breech again, meaning that if Ashlie were to go into labor early she would need an emergency C-section. We are hoping that over the next few weeks Piper will flip around so that we do not have to go that route.

I haven’t updated in a few weeks because there hasn’t been much excitement, and I’m glad it’s been that way. It’s already been plenty exciting, and there are still exciting times ahead of us. So I’m thankful for this period of relative normalcy. It has been good for the boys’ ability to predict what their lives will be like, when they will see their mom, when they will go on a wheelchair ride, and when they will see Nemo. We are hopeful for a Nemo sighting today!

Again, thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. Your love has been felt, and needed. We have about a month left of this season. We are excited to begin our new season with our new family this summer.

-Cody

Easter week was hard for all of us. Between multiple church meetings, services, rehearsals, and activities the boys and I were exhausted. We however did get to have our traditional Easter dinner with extended family and hunt for eggs. It wasn't the same without Ashlie, but we took our baskets to the hospital and shared our candy with her that afternoon. 

Piper is now officially 27 weeks. Two more weeks older than what we were facing when our lives were turned upside-down on March 23rd. Thank you again for all of your prayers, support and concerns. We’re still taking all of this a day at a time, and even though the boys and I have found a new daily routine, it’s not easy not having mom around.

Ashlie had a much anticipated ultrasound this week. We have been craving new information on Piper’s development ever since the doctors said, “We’ll check again in two weeks.”  Here is what we learned:

Piper is still growing. She is only in the 10th percentile in size, however she has measured there consistently. Our doctor says she has little concern and she thinks Piper is just a small baby. Her estimated weight is 1lb 14 oz. They will however keep an eye on her size.

Ashlie’s AFI (Amniotic Fluid Index) is actually up to 15.  She had measured as low as 12.5 last week. When her water broke last month, she initially measured at 18, but that number has fallen ever since. To see the number bump up a little is encouraging. A higher AFI (a good level is between 12-18) is likely to help reduce the risk for infection and provide more room for Piper to move. Piper is also no longer in breech position. She had been breech since her last ultrasound and this was especially concerning since delivery would be more difficult and dangerous if Ashlie were to labor early.

All of this is very encouraging to us and we remain cautiously optimistic. Last week we were quite discouraged with a dropping AFI, and with Piper measuring small and breech. Even though this report is better than the last, we have to remember that she is still at very high risk for early labor, and it could very well happen any day. At least we know that if that were to happen today, the outlook is as good as it has been since this all started.

Thank you all for holding our hands through this. Being lonely is something we have definitely not felt. Your continued prayers are appreciated as we theoretically still have 7 weeks of 24 hour hospitalized bed-rest to go. We keep reminding ourselves that this is just a short season of our family’s story. We remain faithful that after this is all over, we will still end up being the same family of which we've been dreaming. Next Easter there will be a little girl in this picture. 

God is good. He is not surprised by any of this.

-Cody