Yesterday the three Harrington children were able to go to the hospital to meet their new baby sister, Irene. Above, Arsenios Harrington holds Irene for the first time.

The GoFundMe account for the Harringtons is over $47,000 now, thanks to your generosity. I noticed at church today that at least four checks had come in from readers all over the country, to help cover the family’s expenses. I cannot express how much this kindness from you all is needed — every penny of it — and is appreciated. Father Matthew said to us in church today, “Where there is grace, there is struggle, and where there is struggle, there is grace.”

There is lots of struggle in this family right now. But also lots of grace. Thank you again, and please keep praying.

UPDATE: I posted this yesterday, but took it down shortly thereafter because I realized that the photo came from Mat. Anna’s Facebook feed, and that she didn’t necessarily want to put it in the general public. This morning I see that she has written an update for the GoFundMe page, with the photo. Here is the text she added:

I just thought I would reach out and give you an update. I’m starting to feel a lot better and if all goes well it looks like I can come home tomorrow. This is bittersweet as we still don’t know how long our sweet girl will be residing in the NICU. First off I wanted to thank you privately for your efforts in a very tender situation and then in some way try to express the amount of gratitude to the many who have reached out, prayed for us,cried for us and helped in so many ways. There is no one way to say thank you. All I can say is Glory be to God for all these things and all these people. It is hard for Father and I to be on the receiving end, not out of pride or arrogance but out of a feeling that there are so many who could use the help that are in much more difficult situations than we are. Having said that…we have had this week to wrap our minds around how scary this turned out to be, that God is so merciful for His reasons that we have a full family today. I’m still having some trouble processing this and it will take some time but I am sober minded about it and feel so fortunate.

So UPDATE– today was a good day! I may go home tomorrow. Cautious was the word for the week and extra days in ICU were needed but I’m really feeling a lot better. Some follow up appointments for me and post op procedures but all in all we are all amazed that my recovery is going so well!

Irene is still eating from a tube. We are awaiting some review and info about meeting with a craniofacial team about her condition. She has been unable to suck or eat from a bottle just yet as she was born with only one side of her nose (one nostril) and it does take some corridination to get that process working if you think about it. So possibly one more week in the NICU to learn how to do this if we get the ok to pursue it…or we wait for some reconstruction and she possibly goes home with a feeding tube… we don’t know at this point. Other than that major obsticle we don’t know if her vision in her good eye is affected or her hearing so we just have to wait. She is doing so very well otherwise. No oxygen and no IV’s; she will be seeing quite a few specialists in her future but we were prepared for that.

She also got to meet some very special little people today! The kids were SO excited to meet her for the very first time. They love her unconditionally no matter what little anomolies she may have or how different she may look…they didn’t even seem to care, they just adore her smile.

I must give credit to the wonderful staff and incredible Doctors at Women’s Hospital that came together had conferences before my surgery and sent out memos; everyone, unbeknownst to me, was on alert and knew it was going to be a big deal.

AND …it was! It was long and complicated and they all were amazing! I will probably be able to say more in time…all I can say is that almost a week ago we came knowing it was going to be a really risky day, and although I understood the gravitiy of the situation and I was scared, I felt calm and at peace and which could only have been the prayers of so many all over far and wide… Glory to God for all things.

I can’t really put into words the gratitude, neither Fr and I know exactly how to say thank you. To doctors , family, friends, down to local people who just love us for no good reason and bring our kids happy meals while their mama is in the hospital. Nights where friends stood in to care for you kids while you had to go be admitted. That was rough. Everyone’s concern just helped to float us through this and knowing we are loved and cared for in EVERY way that was needed. Our spiritual Father’s Presvytera who is so very dear came across the country to take care of our kids while all of this was happening and thats not all…great incredible human beings shining God’s love through their actions and prayers. We stand in awe of all of it. From sharing our situation, supporting us financially, to donating blood in our name to give back the SO many units that were not planned to be used. All the way to meals in my freezer, people purchasing baby items and household items for us, for parents and family loving us and being concerned . Best friends, clergy, our spiritual father who guided us through much of this and those who pleaded out in prayers with tears. Undeserving as we are, we have a full family and for that I am eternally grateful. A very very sober thank you.

Blessings and love. We will keep you updated. I’m feeling so much better but big transitions on the horizon with home comings smile emoticon We are ready!