Exciting Changes & Announcements

Since the ending comment on my last post generated even more anticipation and questions than I imagined, I decided to go ahead and share some of that to which we were alluding by that statement.

~www.graceoutpoured.blogspot.com~

Over the past thirteen months, this blog has changed platforms and faces a few times and morphed into something far bigger than I ever imagined possible.  Most of that has been due to Noelle's journey and all that she has experienced during that time, but the blog has also begun to serve another purpose as I have had the opportunity to connect with people from various corners of the world and build relationships that I was not even aware could be there.  The blogging world is a unique community of people from all walks of life that becomes even smaller when you settle into your niche.  However, our niche is different than many others since we never sought this particular experience with Noelle; but instead, it was sovereignly place in our lives by a loving God who desired to draw us closer to Himself through trial.  As Noelle has grown and become stronger, this blog has changed with her and reflected her milestones.  And while there is still a journey to be walked that is different from the norm, the blog has consequently taken a different tone than days past of roller coaster rides and heartbreaking moments.  As we look ahead and wonder what else the future might hold, some decisions have been made concerning the direction we should take, and we are excited to say that we will soon be transitioning the blog to our very own platform/website to that of www.graceoutpoured.com and dropping the ".blogspot" part of this blog.  In some ways, it is probably more exciting for me than for you, since much of those changes are behind the scenes; but you will soon be directed to this new site and {I hope} enjoy the new look and content that will be made available to you.  In many ways, I still am unsure as to where God is leading this venture; but since He has led in every step thus far, I know He will continue to do so even as we hope and pray that days such as those spent in the PICU continue to become more and more distant.  A specific launch date has not yet been set since there is still much to accomplish {and this mommy cannot guarantee specific time devoted to this subject}, but we will certainly keep you posted and let you know as the date approaches....soon.

~Happy Girl in the last few months of her helmet {we hope!}~

As far as announcements, we had originally hoped to be telling you today that Noelle had completed the time in her helmet; but after her appointment yesterday, that is not to be so.  I cannot say that I am disappointed because I truly am not, although I would have been pretty excited to say that it was true.  We had expected it based on her last appointment, but because her fontanelle is still open and her head still has the potential to change, her medical personnel feel it best to continue with this form of therapy for at least two more months.  Since she wears it now only when putting pressure on the back of her head, the actual time she spends in it each day has become less and less; and I now have to make a conscious effort to remind myself to put it on her head during those moments.  It has evolved into yet another normality in our life, becoming a "nuisance" only when a certain little person realizes that she now has the ability and strength to remove it.  I think she notices it more now that she wears it less, than when she wore it nearly 24/7!  So hopefully this particular announcement will become official in another two months.

~Formatting & Editing For This Child I Prayed~

Our another announcement has been mentioned previously, but it is becoming more and more of a reality as I format and edit Noelle's birthday book for distribution.  I have had mixed feelings in the preparation of this book for public reading since it is so very very personal to Noelle and our family; and yet I have also been humbled and encouraged and have prayed and cried as I read through letters and notes from so many who have loved and prayed for our baby girl.  Many have asked about obtaining a copy, and we are answering that request with this book, an expansion of what we created for Noelle on her special day.  This book will include not only the submissions for the birthday book but also select NICU posts, comments left for us during those difficult days, and other special posts that relate to the overall subject, For This Child I Prayed.  Again, we do not yet have a specific launch date as I am still in the formatting and editing process while also wading through the many details of publishing a book such as this; but we do hope to make this available to you shortly after the website launch and are planning both an e-book and a printed version for whichever type you prefer. 

So amidst the crazy schedules and life happenings in the Aguiar household, these are the changes and announcements that have been brewing beneath the surface.  We are excited to share them with you and look forward to the coming weeks as things actually begin to "fall" into place.  Thank you for sharing in the excitement with us!