Unexpected Delivery

Baby Ava made a surprise entrance in to this world today...at 29 weeks and 4 days gestation. Jennifer's water broke abruptly last night and Ava made her entrance before the doctors had a chance to halt labor. Ava was diagnosed early in gestation with Scoliosis and was already considered a high risk pregnancy/infant. Due to her prematurity she has many more complications at this time; lung development, internal organ alignment (due to scoliosis), and she has a malformity in her rib carriage-she only has three on one side where there should be twelve. Every minute is a miracle and she is continually making progress.
Please keep Jennifer and Ava in your prayers as well as the family supporting her (i.e. Nanny Donna, Grandman, and Kelly). This is a very hard time for all of us.
Here are some NICU photos.






This was my first experience in a NICU facility. It is very overwhelming to be around so many sick little babies. Ava was not the only one--the room was packed. Please pray for all these families. Ava is one of the smallest at 2.7 pounds and 13 inches long...very tiny--but very precious and beautiful.
I will definitely keep everyone updated on her progress and post new pictures as I take them. We plan on heading back to Birmingham (UAB) this weekend.

Be thankful and grateful for your healthy children.