Good News!

Miss Violet does not have cystic fibrosis! The words "just a carrier" never sounded sweeter to me. I can't get over what a miracle it is.

During my pregnancy, I tried not to think too much about CF and baby no. 2. We were obviously well aware of and at peace with the fact that our child had a 25 percent of having CF--otherwise we wouldn't have been having another baby. But of course we would a million times rather our baby fall into the 75 percent category.

We had Violet's cord blood collected at birth and sent away for genetic testing. The standard newborn screening process does not test for the CF mutations that we carry, plus it's a relatively slow way to find out when you already know that CF is a possibility.

And now we know. Violet is CF-free. I didn't expect to cry as much finding out that a child doesn't have CF as I did finding out that Madeline does, but I am just overwhelmingly grateful for my babies just as Heavenly Father has sent them to me. They are both perfect little miracles. And I am so, so, so happy for Violet that her version of perfection doesn't include CF.

I hope that Madeline and Violet will be good at supporting each other through the years. Surely it will sometimes be hard for Violet to have a sister with CF, just as it will sometimes be hard for Madeline to have a sister without it.

And perhaps it sounds selfish, but I'm also grateful that we don't have to start all over again with CF care right now. I take care of Madeline gladly, including her CF-related needs. I really do. But do you know how amazing and miraculous and relaxing it is to nurse a tiny little baby without shaking little enzyme beads into her mouth first? Without wondering if the dosage is going to be right and if she will digest the food properly? And to see her actually grow as a result of her efforts? I love it.

Violet is getting a double chin. Her thighs are filling out. She will be three weeks old tomorrow and is already pushing 8 pounds--nearly 1.5 pounds more than her birth weight! Every time I put her on the scale, I'm positively amazed and grateful to see the numbers going up.

What if I have a fat baby?? Who cares if it happens; I love that it's even a possibility.