9:00 a.m.

It is amazing to be writing these words: Copeland has lived almost 20 hours. She made it successfully through the night and Conor and I were able to sleep as well as can be expected. The NICU nurses have done a phenomenal job with her.

Conor went to check on her early this morning and we learned that the hopes the doctors had with the feeding tubes had been somewhat dashed: it's almost as though Copeland's body is so ill-equipped for this world that when she tries to eat, she cannot manage to do other things at the same time. Her breathing becomes labored to the point that the nurses don't feel like proceeding with the feeding can be their top priority. When Conor came back from the NICU around 8:15, it was with tears in his eyes. I think we believed the Lord would take Copeland at His time and due to circumstances beyond our control; it's strange to think we might have to play a small part in making decisions to protect her and to keep her pain-free while at the same time knowing we're risking her life to some degree. Each moment with her is such a gift, but I admit, as I watch her struggle, as she draws breath with increasing difficulty - the nurses said she struggled more last night than all day yesterday - I long for her to be free. No parent ever wants to see their child suffer. So we begin the day with hopes of keeping her a little longer, but also prayerful that the Lord wouldn't let her linger if she is truly hurting.

We will continue to keep you updated throughout the day. I hope to have some photos posted as soon as possible.