Sunday, October 26, 2008

Josephine Elizabeth Bennion



Josephine Elizabeth Bennion was born on Wednesday, October 22 at 10:35 am. She weighed 4 pounds 3 ounces and was 17 inches long. She was born by c-section as she was not tolerating the pitocin or the contractions at all. The c-section went well, and I was very lucky to have a very supportive husband holding my hand through the entire thing. I was also lucky enough to have the OB nurses that I had gotten to know during the last month with all of my non-stress tests there to assist during the surgery and delivery. It made for a very calm experience.


Josephine is now in the NICU at Columbia Regional Hospital. She was transferred here on Wednesday night after having a moment where she stopped breathing. She spent her first night here with her dad and her Uncle Paul in the room with her. And she was able to do so without extra oxygen.


The prognosis is that she has Trisomy 18, or Edward's Syndrome. We should have preliminaries back tomorrow (10-27) and a definite diagnosis by the middle to end of this week. At this point, we will be surprised if it turns out not to be Trisomy 18. She has many of the outward characteristics of the syndrome: the way she holds her hands, her right foot is rocker-bottom, low-set ears that are folded, and a small mouth and chin. Unfortunately, the outcome of this syndrome is fatal. Josephine will unlikely make it to her first birthday.


But she has shown that she is a fighter. Even in utero, when we thought she was just being finicky, we realize now that she is a miracle. The placenta was only the size of a chocolate chip cookie, and by all reason, she shouldn't have made it this far. Now, as of today in the NICU, they have taken her IV out, and she is being fed only through a feeding tube and a bottle from time to time. I have been able to pump breastmilk for her, and she does like it a lot more than the formula! She was also able to have the oxygen sensor removed. The only two things that remain for her to accomplish before we can take her home are for her to gain some weight (she's down to 3 lbs. 13 oz.) and she has to come out of the isolette. She's getting close to being in the open crib; they keep turning the temperature of the isolette down because she's been able to maintain her temperature fairly well. Our wishes are to bring her home, so that we can be together as a family for her short time with us.


Now, with all of this news, I'm sure you're wondering how we are coping. The answer is very well. We are looking at this time as a gift and a blessing. Jon and I are comforted through our faith and knowledge in the gospel. We feel very humbled that this wonderful spirit child of our Heavenly Father has chosen us to be her earthly parents, even if for a short period of time. We are thankful for the blessings and covenants of the temple, so that we are able to be sealed as a family for time and all eternity, and to know that she is our daughter forever. Please know that the feeling here is one of peace and joy. We are so proud to be her parents. We know that the time will come for grieving and mourning, but the time is not now. Now is the time to rejoice in the blessing of a new child, and love her every moment!!


Josephine has had many visitors over the last few days. Most importantly were her older sister and brother. Marian had a chance to sit and hold her, and I know she was VERY proud! Marian is a smart girl and knows that something is wrong and has been worried. She is such a tenderhearted little girl. She already loves her baby sister with all her heart and wants her home as much as we do.

James loves his new baby sister, too. As soon as he saw her, he started saying, "My baby. My baby." He loved to pat and stroke her, and thinks she is just the coolest thing he's seen. Maybe he'll get to hold her soon, too. He was just too excited the other day.
Please feel free to contact us here. We are staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Columbia, but both of us have our cell phones with us. We will be updating the blog on an almost daily basis so all of our loved ones, friends and family can see how things are progressing. Thank you to each of you for all of your love, support and prayers. They are definitely helpful. We are very appreciative to have each of you in our lives.

25 comments:

Lawhead4 said...

She is so beautifull!!! We are praying for you...Ethan is to. We love you all!! Love The Lawheads

Unknown said...

Wow. Mrs. Bennion! Look at your growing family and what a beautiful addition she is! I am praying for your family and hope your little bundle of joy comes home soon! With love, Erin (Abbott) Morisset

Debbie Lewis said...

Josephine is beautiful! You have such a beautiful family. My prayer is that you all can be home together soon and enjoy being a family. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Debbie Lewis

Lorna Smith said...

Clara, Josephine is beautiful, she was planned, specifically gifted and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman, our Heavenly Father. How blessed you are to have been chosen as a family for her. Thanks for keeping us up to date, we love and miss you and know that our Father has you in His hands. Lorna

Natasha said...

Clara, Josephine is indeed a miracle and beautiful girl (like we had doubts). I am so grateful that Our Father chose you to be the guardians and blessings for this wonderful new life. I am also grateful that you've chosen to embrace this time as a gift and an opportunity to glorify God.

Loving you and praying God's comfort and blessings upon you and the family!! (Hope to come see you on Saturday or Sunday - I will definitely call first.)

Bev Holst said...

Clara I am thinking of you everyday and you are surely in my prayers, I also want you to know how proud I am to know you. God has given you an angel and I can only imagine how special she is to you. I know you will savor every moment you have with her. May God Bless all of you through this experience. Bev

Unknown said...

Clara, thank you for this blog. What a beautiful baby Josephine is. Your family is in our prayer always. May you all have comfort, peace, and joy in your heart.
Love Miyuki

Huey Fam said...

Josephine is so beautiful! Thanks for updating us with pictures. This blog will be great to check out periodically. Your family looks so happy. We're praying for Josephine's strength so you guys can all come home soon! Maybe we'll have to have our Brian Regan night at the Ronald McDonald house. We love you. "Take luck!"

Molly said...

Clara, Jim & I are holding you and your family close in our hearts and prayers...Love, Molly

jlhabh said...

She is a beautiful doll! Our prayers are with you guys. I love You and if you need anything let me know. You guys are in our prayers.

nancy mckinney said...

Clara,
Josephine is a beautiful baby. Treasure every moment with her and know that you and your family are in my prayers.
Nancy McKinney

Mindy said...

She's beautiful! We are praying for you.

Mindy Zeigler

Janette Connell said...

Dear John and Clara,
What a beautiful little girl! Thank you so much for sharing the pictures of her and your family. And thank you for your testimony, Clara and sharing your feelings and insights that you have as her mother. What a strength you are. And you are right, you are indeed lucky to be chosen to be her parents. What a beautiful name you have given her. Our prayers are with you all and we too will pray that she will be able to come home with you to enjoy what time she has in the home of her loving family. Because of your faithfulness, we know that the Lord will strengthen and sustain you thru this special time. We send our love and prayers.
Evan and Janette Connell

Unknown said...

Dear Clara
Josephine is so beautiful and you family looks great. Marion is the perfect picture of a proud big sister. God truly works in mysterious ways. Cherish each other and your new addition. We are currently in Germany and our thoughts and prayers are with you all. With love Jennifer (Nye) Wolfe and family

Kelly said...

What a wonderful little gift you have been given! We (Shepherd's Fold Church in Neelyville, MO)wanted to let you know that our prayers are with you all and your beautifull bunddle of joy. Blessings......Pastors Eric & Kelly Leroux and The Church family

Jordan said...

I will be praying for her......Jordan Leroux of Doniphan, MO

Elania said...

Clara
I have gave alot of my prayer warriors this blog site. We have seen miracles happen when the prayer warriors start touching the throne of God and I am so excited she is doing better. I know she is put in your family and she will have a great life with you both as parents to her. Just keep faith believing and everything will be fine.
Love & prayers
Elania

Connie said...

Clara, Josephine is such a beautiful baby girl. I continue to pray for your family and hope you get to bring her home soon. It is an abundant blessing that she has such a wonderful family to be a part of. God Bless, Connie

amanda said...

What a wonderful inspiration you both are! I don't think I could handle this as well as you both seem to be, but they always say that God will not give us more than we can handle. She is absolutely beautiful. How lucky she is to have such a wonderful family. Danny and I and his family are keeping you all in our prayers. I hope you get to come home soon. Marian and James were such a joy to have over the other night. Anytime you need a break just call. I love you guys!! Amanda

NIKK said...

Clara I just want to send my love you way and let you know Zach and I are praying for you. You have a beautifull little girl. Im so glad God blessed you with time to spend with her. Just know if you need anything just call. Nikki Franklin

Lise' Smith said...

Clararella, You know that your Aunt Lise' is lifting you *all* up in prayer, and God our Father is answering... keep trusting, keep leaning, and know that He is with you and he will never forsake you. I feel especially blessed to have gotten to hold our angel, and sing to her... and I know she was listening! Love and prayers, Aunt Lise'

Barbara Pemberton said...

Dear Clara, Debbie called me this morning to tell me about your little angel. It touched my heart so, I am so thankful that you and your husband are trusting in God. You realize that those little precious gifts are ours for just a while but what a joy they give. Gene and I will be praying for your family. We love all of you. Your little girl Josephine is so beautiful. With all our love, Gene and Barbara Pemberton (Tim's mom)

Aunt Lisa , In Ohio said...

Clara,
This is your aunt Lisa in ohio,
just wanted you to know that we are thinking about you and praying for your little angel. Your faith amazes me, but with god in your life , it will carry you through,
If you need anything at all,,please let me know, Iam here for you,, Love you,,,aunt Lisa,(in Ohio)

Unknown said...

This is your cousin Eddie in ohio.

Praise god. she is a little angel and thank you for sharing this gift with us. She is blessed with such lovely parents. God bless you and your strengh, what a perfect little gift from God.


1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm:100

DeAnna Bradley said...

Congradulations on your newest member to your family...she is very pretty! just wanted to let you know tht i rad you blog and your family is very special! not that you didnt know that, i just want you all to know that others around you know it as well.