Introducing Valerie Joy

Valerie Joy Mouser

May 11, 2009

6:10 a.m.

7 lbs. 3 oz.

20 inches

Many of you have already heard of the early arrival of our third sweet daughter. She was due on May 27th, but decided that was just too long to wait. The delivery went very smoothly, but shortly afterward her blood sugar levels started to fluctuate. She was admitted to the NICU at St. Luke's Hospital here in Meridian. That was certainly a very difficult experience for Marc and I. She looked and acted like a healthy little girl and it was heartbreaking to see her hooked up to monitors and an IV drip. Her blood sugar levels eventually balanced out and kept a steady level. Once she was discharged from the NICU, my blood pressure started to act up. (Whose wouldn't, right?!) My medication was changed and I was then released on strict orders to take it easy and come back for a check up. That check up was this morning. My blood pressure has started to come down and I will just continue to take the medication for at least the next 6 weeks. Valerie also had a check up this morning. The doctor said that everything looks great....except she is a bit yellow. So we had to have her poor little heels poked yet again! Her bilirubin results came back just a while ago and were within the acceptable range but still much higher than at the time of our release from the hospital. Just as a precaution, we are supposed to take her to the ER tomorrow to have a lab draw yet again. YIKES! How much more?! Yet God continues to provide His perfect peace just when we need it. This old hymn has been running through my mind all day today:

"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed. When you are
discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings -name
them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small. Do not be
discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will
attend. Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see
what God hath done!"

So here are some of the blessings:

1. The delivery went very (very!) quickly and I was able go "all natural" this time!
2. Grandpa and Grandma Cook were able to see and hold Valerie for a short while before heading over to Israel. My mom was even there for the birth!
3. We had wonderful NICU nurses to care for our daughter.
4. Valerie is a good little eater.
5. Susie & Benjy and Chuck & Missy did (and continue to do) a fantastic job of taking care of Sierra and Ally for us. Although we missed the girls terribly, we were never worried about them. They were having such a good time that they barely missed us.
6. So many church friends and family members have been generous in providing delicious meals for our first week at home. THANK YOU!!!
7. Marc was able to take the whole week off from work to be with me and to help out at home. He only has one more week of school left this year!
8. Some guys have offered to take over Marc's Sunday school teaching responsibilities for the next couple of weeks.
9. My blood pressure has begun to come down.
10. We are all home together!!!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR PRAYING FOR US!!! We certainly have much to be thankful for. Now more than ever, Valerie's name and it's meaning have become extra special to us:

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH!!!