Clara Ann Payne

After not writing for six months, I decided I finally was ready to start blogging again. The last six months have been pretty crazy for us, as most of you probably know. Abe left for Iraq on March 21, which means the deployment is now half over...HOORAY! Time really has gone fast, but Abe and I are so anxious to be back together again. We are excited to live in Colorado, get a new house, and finally settle in after having been married a year and a half. I have to say though, I have thoroughly enjoyed living with Abe's parents, Calvin and Jane, up here in Washington state. They have been so good to me, and it will be hard to say goodbye when the time comes. I couldn't have asked for better in-laws!

Our biggest news... Abe and I had our first little girl, Clara Ann, on Thursday, August 5, 2010. Clara was born eight weeks early, weighing 2 pounds 15 ounces, and 15 1/2 inches long. Clara didn't live with us for very long, but lived longer than we expected her to live. For having no lungs and being eight weeks premature, Clara lived for 50 minutes. Abe wasn't able to be there for the birth, but was able to see Clara for 40 of the minutes she was alive on Skype. Abe was able to take emergency leave and got home three days later. We had a beautiful service for Clara on August 12.

When I was 19 weeks pregnant we found out through ultrasounds, that Clara had some very serious problems. Originally, we thought Clara had Trisomy 18 (a chromosomal problem), come to find out her chromosomes were completely normal through an amniocentesis. Clara had a Diaphragmatic Hernia, where her abdominal organs herniated up into her chest, pushing her heart to the wrong side, and making it so her lungs had no room to develop. She also had Dandy Walker Syndrome, which means connective tissue in her brain was missing. Clara had a very poor prognosis. We had many doctors appointments, which were very draining and hard. It was hard to never hear good news. However, with all the ultrasounds I was able to have I got to see Clara A LOT, which I loved!

As much as we miss our little Clara, we are so happy that she doesn't have to suffer through life. We know she is being taken care of, and Abe and I both know that we will get to be with our little girl again someday. This has been the hardest thing Abe and I have ever gone through, but we have received so many tender mercies from the Lord showing us that He is aware of us. One of the biggest tender mercies, Clara being born at 7:01 pm. Which just so happens to be mine and Abe's anniversary, July 1. I know by this happening, the Lord was confirming to Abe and me that Clara will always be apart of our eternal family. I find so much comfort and peace in knowing this.

Abe will get to take his normal leave around October 20... Which I am SO excited about! We are planning a trip to Hawaii, where we'll be able to get away and spend some good time together. We are very much looking forward to this! Just 4 weeks to go!

Also, Abe and I would like to thank everyone for everything that was done for us as we were going through such a hard time. It is so hard to adequately express how grateful we were for all that was done, but please know that we appreciated everyones willingness to help and comfort us so much.