His Compassion is New Every Morning

As many of you know, back in January Eden was diagnosed with a tethered spinal cord that they found on an ultrasound. They had told us that she would need surgery on her spinal cord sometime before she was a year old in order to prevent damage to her legs. Well, today we went for the MRI and to talk with Dr. Fuchs, the neurosurgeon about her surgery. The MRI went well - Eden was sedated for that and did great. We then went to meet with Dr. Fuchs. He came in the room and said that he wasn't convinced she had a tethered cord. He said he looked over and over her scan to make sure it was the correct patient becuase it didnt match the ultrasound they did back in January! Once again, we have just witnessed another miracle of God in this sweet baby's life. I was reading in Psalms and it says, "tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done." I wanted to send post this to proclaim His goodness and the works which He has done in Eden. Thank you all who have continued to pray for her. We know that God is faithful and will continue to answer prayers. I wanted to also ask for your prayers for a few other things going on with her. Her pediatrician is concerned becuase she still has closed fists - at this point, her hands should be opening more. Please pray that she will begin to open her hands and play with toys. I know this seems insignificant, but I know that this matters to the Lord and He who has taken away fluid on her brain and corrected a spinal problem can also open fists:) We also have an appt with a genetic specialist at Duke in May to go over her long history of "quirks" (as Dr. Herriott likes to call them). She just wants to make sure there is not something underlying all these little problems they have found. Please pray that this appt would go well and there would be nothing else going on with her health. As many of you who know me well, know how much of a worry wart I can be. This past weekend, I went on a women's retreat (and yes - i left Eden at home with Josh). The topic of the retreat was "facing life fearlessly". It was so timely in my life as all that has been going on with Eden lately. Please pray for me that I will trust the Lord with her daily and rely on His strength to get me through each day. Pray for me as I battle worry each day.

We continue to pray Colossians 1:9-12 for her, "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." If you think about our sweet girl from time to time, please lift up this prayer for her. We know that the Lord has Eden in His hand and that His glory will shine through her. We are so thankful to get to watch His plans unfold firsthand in her life and we hope that you can praise God with us. Thanks again!

Josh, Steph and Eden Carroll

Sorry for no picture this time - I meant to take a picture today of her in her pjs while she was a little drowsy from the sedation b/c she was so cute - but I forgot... we were having to much fun lounging around together. I'll post pictures later this week.

New pictures:)

Check out our new photos by clicking on the link to the left "3 month photos".



So it was another beautiful day in Raleigh - I'm getting used to these days... I love spring. I think Eden likes it too. Yesterday we just hung out at home after a doctor's visit. That seems to be our usual Wednesday routine. Seems all our visits to the doctors have been on Wednesdays and then I have to spend the other part of the day cleaning up since I've been a work for two days and haven't touched the house. Today however, we got out and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Eden and I went on a "playdate" with Leah and Elisha. Elisha did alot more playing than Eden, but we still had fun. After we got home we went for a jog outside and I finally got a picture of Eden in the jogging stroller. She had more fun that the picture makes it seem.



Pray for Josh this weekend. I took the plunge and decided to go on the women's retreat at our church. Josh is daddy-sitting all weekend by himself - so there will be a post after the weekend with an update I'm sure:) I am so thankful for him and how much he has grown in the role of dad! As much as I don't want to be apart from her all weekend, I know that he will do a great job and she will be well taken care of (maybe not well-dressed, but well taken care of).

A few more congrats to mention... seems like there are babies everywhere to report! Our friends Cole and Lorren finally had little Savannah on the 29th. Gary and Natalie had little Andrew on the 6th and Clint and Rachel had little Abraham today. Congrats to them all!

Eden's First Jog

Seeing that Eden has so much of Josh in her already, I should take have taken a picture of her first "jog".... but sadly, I didn't. Mostly because our jogging stroller isn't very light and I have to manhandle it with two hands after I've already brought Eden inside. It was a beautiful day for a jog too and I think Eden enjoyed herself (if by enjoyed herself I mean she didn't fuss and fell right asleep). I have to say though - pushing a jogging stroller, even if she only weighs 10 1/2 lbs was a workout! I can't image pushing a child in one of those. I realized how out of shape I was and can't wait to start jogging again. I also can't wait to get to do more things outdoors with Eden... I hope she enjoys being outside as much as her mommy and daddy do.

There's really no news to report. We have our appt with the neuorsurgeon on April 16th for an MRI and to discuss her need for surgery. Please continue to pray for wisdom for the doctors and for her health. Thanks so much! 

Eden in her bunny coat - I loved it - Josh, of course, hated it



Everyone loves baby feet:)



Eden and Daddy



This is what happens when you elevate the head of the crib:)

Back Home to NC

Well... its taken a few days, but we are finally adjusted to being back home after a quick (yet extended) trip to TN. We had a blast seeing family and friends while we were in town... however I think it wore Eden out. Thank you all who came out to both "meet and greets" to see Eden. We are so thankful that she got to meet each of you and I hope I got pictures of her with everyone (that was my goal at least). I think she was exhausted when we got home b/c she has been sleeping really hard during her naps - if only I could get her to sleep through the night we'd be rockin! I do have to say though that I enjoyed every minute of sleep in H'ville while my mom got up and fed Eden during the night. It was the best nights sleep I have had a LONG time:) Since coming home though, Eden has only been getting up once at night... this is a huge improvement for the past few weeks where she has been getting up 3-4 times. I can't wait for the day when she makes it through the night!






I hope you have all check out our photo links to the left. It is much easier (and faster) for me to post photos this way than on flickr... everyone should be able to view them. If you can't - please let me know.

It feels like spring her in Raleigh. We spent a good part of Wednesday outside (in between our two doctors appts). Eden and I went to the mall just to walk around at the outdoor part b/c it was so nice. Yesterday was cleaning day for - but that didnt keep me from enjoying the weather. I had all the windows opened - I just love the smell of fresh air. And today we are going to have a play day / lunch date with Aunt Heather and Avery. Maybe I'll even take my camera and get a few pictures of the girls outside. We have to enjoy it today b/c I think its suppose to get cold again tomorrow.

On another note - just wanted to say congrats to a few friends (I dont know if they even read this blog or not, but anyways).... Congrats to Kristen and Michael on the birth of Miley Kate.



And congrats to Jess and Josh who just found out they are having a little boy (he's going to have quite a few girls to choose from!).... And then a good luck to Lorren and Cole who are anxiously awaiting the birth of miss Savannah!

Steph

New Photos

Its 10:30 and I need to get to bed, but I wanted to let everyone know that I have posted new photos on my facebook site. Anyone can view them though by clicking the links to the left. I'll post later this week about our trip to TN. Goodnight and sleep tight (cause I definatley won't be!

Steph

She's definately her Daddy's child

I just had to share these two pictures with you because they make me smile. As much as I want Eden to have some trait of mine, I love the fact that she looks like her daddy - and I think his personality is starting to come out in her as well. He took this picture of her tonight and for those of you who know Josh - all I have to say is "the Josh face". Eden's got it - I just have to teach her to smile in her pictures.



Josh introduced Eden to track and field this week. He was watching some race (I'm going to be in trouble for forgetting what race it was) on the internet and had Eden sitting with him. I think he was starting to coach her already.




Well - Just wanted to post a quick update as I'm in the midst of packing for TN!!!! Yahhh - hope to see you all when we're in town.

She's More Fun Every Day!

It looks like it has been a while since I"ve posted, sorry about that! It seems that I'm picking up every virus this winter:) I've been back to work 5 weeks and already had the flu and the stomach virus! Eden on the other hand has remained well! We went to the doctor today for her two month check up and Dr. Herriott said she is doing wonderful! She weighed in at 9lb 12oz and has moved up into the 10% in height and weight. YAHHH!!! (Sorry Avery - we'll have to rename the club). She did have to get her first round of immunizations today - it was so sad to see her cry so much. She calmed down pretty quickly though and hasnt acted like her legs hurt - we'll see how the night goes!



She also had her repeat hearing testing done yesterday and passed!!! Praise the Lord. It continues to amaze me to watch her grow so "normally" - it constantly reminds me of God's compassion and goodness in our lives. Having once thought she wouldn't meet milestones on time, it is such a joy and blessing as we watch her progress as a normal child. One of the funnest things so far has been watching her smile and then just this week begin to laugh! Of course, she laughed first for Josh! He was pretty excited that she laughed for him and we spent the next few days trying to get her to do it again. She has and is getting quite a little giggle! She is such a happy baby and making her laugh just brightens my day!



We will be in TN in one week! For those of you on Facebook, you probably got an invitation to an informal "meet and greet" at my parents house. For those of you not on Facebook - the Harrell house is open on Thursday night (3/20) from 4-7pm for you to stop by and meet little Miss Eden! We know many of you have prayed for her on many occasions over the past year and we would love for you to get to meet our little miracle!