Following The Leader

I've got a lot of battle cries.  

Most days, I choose the headstrong, puffed-chest, "ain't nobody gonna break my stride" cry.  It's gotten me through a lot of tough spots in my life.  I've always prided myself in forging my own path and going against the grain.  This woman answers to no one.

Except this week.  This week, I've got marching orders from an infant.

I went into labor on Monday night.  On Thursday, I gave birth to what I thought was a healthy baby girl.  But before we could even name her, she was taken to the NICU.  She has some sort of blood infection, and she can't breathe through her nose, so she also can't eat without a feeding tube.   My world has come to a halt.  I was discharged on Saturday night.  Since then, Mark and I have been making non-stop trips back and forth to the hospital.  Whatever she needs, that's what we're giving her...until the day we can bring her home.

There are times in life to lead, and then there are times in life to follow like hell, to work our hardest for the thing that most demands our attention.  And with that, this leader is off to give more time and love to the newest addition to our family.  I'll see you back here next Sunday with more updates on baby Johanna. (Bob Dylan's "Visions of Johanna" was the first song on the radio on the way to the hospital.  We thought it was a sign and that the name would give her strength.)  Like the song says, visions of her are conquering our minds. -Em

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