A beautiful Day for a Beautiful Baby Girl

March 28th, 1995 dawned a gorgeous spring morning. I was 38 weeks pregnant and the road was finally coming to an end. We were about to see our most anticipated, most incredible baby girl that we had prayed fervently for for many months and years.

When Matthew and I married at the very early age of 19, He slaved away working like a mad man trying to finish his degree at A&M. About a year into our marriage, God gave me a very real, very pressing desire to speak with Matthew about starting a family. I can remember sitting in a Chili's Restaurant pouring my heart out to him telling that for some reason, I strongly believed the Lord wanted us to begin thinking about babies. His eyes bugged out of his head and gave me all of the reasons why this was NOT a good time at this point in time, but we commited to pray.

A month later, I went in for a routine exam with my endocrinologist in Galveston (UTMB medical center). At that appointment, I could tell that something was wrong. My doctor started asking me random questions about whether or not we wanted kids, how many we'd like to have, etc. I thought they were very personal and extremely random questions. A few minutes later, he explained that some tests on my kidneys had come back abnormal and he referred me to a nephrologist (kidney dr.) at UTMB the next month. The outcome of that appointment was basically "Have as many kids as you want (within reason...3-4) as quickly as you possibly can because your kidneys may present a problem at any point in time." I had an "Ah-Ha" moment immediately. I realized that God was preparing our hearts in anticipation of this news.

I discovered I was pregnant the day that Matthew graduated from Texas A&M. What an exciting Graduation gift! We consulted with an incredible OB-GYN who watched me like a hawk through my pregnancy. I had some scary run-ins over the course of the pregnancy. First, it was the dreaded "Alpha-Feta Protein" test that was done at 15 weeks. It came back abnormal with a 35% chance that our baby girl would have Down's Syndrome. We refused to do an amniocentesis, but I worried about that for the duration of the pregnancy. At 23 weeks, I was hospitalized for 1 week with a kidney infection, which happened while Matthew was out of town (of course). I was hospitalized 2 other times for what was believed to be toxemia. At 30 weeks, I was hospitalized again with high blood pressure and kidney issues, at which point my precious OB/GYN came to me and told me that the current "goal" was to get me to 32 weeks, where he would most likely transfer me to a Neonatal doctor in Houston. I spent 24 hours in the hospital pouring my heart out to the Lord, asking for His mercy.

Because of my high-profile (HA!) pregnancy, all of the doctors and nurses in Dr. Anderson's office knew me on a first name basis and by the time I was ready to deliver, all of the nurses in Labor and Delivery knew me as well. They even got to the point that they were taking bets on whether or not I would have an April Fools Day baby.

Well, Jessica Gabrielle Flippen made her grand entrance at Brazos Valley Medical Centeron March 28th, at 12:30pm. She weighed 6lbs, 2 oz. and was 18 3/4 inches long. It was one of the best days of my life! Before she was born I prayed many times a day, asking God to allow me to deliver a child that would honor Him and be a blessing to all around her. That He would let His light shine on her and that she would bless His holy name. I continue to pray this prayer over her.

I was scheduled for a c-section at noon (Dr. Anderson's lunch of course). When I was laying on the table waiting for Dr. Anderson, I began to notice that all 3 of the doctors in his practice were coming into the room to assist with the delivery. I also had a wonderful surprise waiting in the form of my pediatrician being there to assist as well. She was the doctor that had diagnosed me with juvenile diabetes and we had a special relationship. What a blessing to have her be there with me when I delivered my first baby girl. As I lay on the table anticipating what was to come, I was simply overwhelmed with joy for all that God had done for me and for my precious baby. He had calmed my every worry (he knows me SO well) by bringing in every possible doctor into the OR that would give me confidence and encouragement and peace. I'll never forget, as long as I live, the incredible joy that bubbled out when I heard her cry.

Jessica has always has been a joy from the Lord. She has a quiet strength that I admire so much. She is bold and courageous and completely unashamed of the Lord. She holds herself with dignity and strength that is rare in a 14 year old. She adores children and desires to be a woman of God. I couldn't ask for anything more in my wildest dreams.

Jessica, you are my one and only daughter, a continual gift from God. I pray God's richest blessings on you in the year to come. Keep your eyes on Jesus and He will show you the way.

I am immeasurably blessed to be her Mommy. Happy Birthday Jessica!

Mommy :)