Sleeping Like an Angel

Mila drank 4 ounces of pedialyte and 2 ounces of formula right after surgery! She was having some belly discomfort so she was a little fussy but once that was relieved she fell asleep and has been sleeping soundly for a couple of hours. She has to be exhausted. She slept 3 hours last night and maybe an hour today between naps. We are really really hoping we start seeing the happy girl we know is inside there very soon! The cardiology team just came in and gave the run down of the "plan" as long as Mila doesn't have her own plan! They're going to check the drain in the morning and decide if they want to pull it or not based on the amount of fluid draining. They will do another echo and keep a very close eye to make sure no more fluid is building up. They want to keep her at least a couple more days if all goes well. They sent fluid samples away for testing to make sure there is no infection present. Whenever she is discharged they will keep a very close eye on her and we're already making arrangements with our local pediatric cardiologist to be seen there to save the many trips back here. (Our local guy is really good for follow up and he is Zoya's cardiologist).

I've been thinking a lot about Mila's life through all this, but especially these last two days. I've been reflecting on how we lost Laina and how the path seemed so crooked and how hurt we were. We trusted through the hurt and were led to Mila. I know God did not make a mistake here. I have absolutely no doubt that if God did not lead us to Mila at that exact moment she would have died without ever knowing love, family, and belonging. He knew all along she would be ours. He knew all along each and every struggle she would go through. He made her a fighter and he gave her a family. Knowing her now, I can hardly look her in the eye when I think about almost not continuing our journey past Laina. The sad truth is SO MANY orphans are dying. So many are sick like Mila and wasting away in an orphanage without family and without medical care. Maybe one of those orphans is YOUR CHILD!? Mila's life is a miracle. God has big plans for her, of that I'm sure. But holding her through all this pain, I know in my heart her future is bright and hopeful but I can't help but be so sad for all those other orphans who are recovering from surgery alone, or who are DYING waiting.

Through these struggles our thread to Mila is being woven into a rope. We have a fierce love for her and would fight to the ends of the earth for her life. Her big blue trusting eyes stare deeply into ours and she knows she belongs. She knows she can trust us to comfort her through the pain. She is not alone. She is a beloved daughter, sister, grandaughter, niece, and cousin. She has a place in this world. She is making her mark. She is wanted and she is worthy of everything wonderful in this life.

Let your light shine, Mila....I know you're ready and we're all here anxiously waiting to watch you blossom!