Thursday, December 27, 2012

29 Weeks! Praise the Lord!


(From Bryan)

Becca has now missed Halloween, her birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It’s hard, but we are so thankful that Carson and Harper are still safe and sound in her womb. Becca’s doctor came in the room last night and told us he was amazed,  and that we were blessed because most people don’ t make it this long without delivering. Thank you for your prayers! He also told us that he won’t let her go past 32 weeks so the countdown is on. I was able to be at the hospital last night for Becca’s sonogram and was happy to learn that Carson is now 3 lbs 3 oz and Harper is 3 lbs 6 oz. They’ve been growing and everything looks good. We got a nice view of Harper last night when she looked right at us during the sonogram! Praying for a few more weeks, everyday in the womb is beneficial and equals less time in the NICU. We are ready to have our family of six under the same roof. Have I mentioned that we had to sell Becca’s Tahoe so that we can get a mini-van?! I had three siblings growing up and I made myself three promises: that I would never have four kids like my parents, that I would NEVER own a minivan, and that I wouldn’t raise a family on an educator’s salary. Good call! (Actually I couldn’t be happier about it all—well except the mini-van part but what are you going to do?)  We will always have a full house and an adventurous life. 

Snow on Christmas, oh yeah!


Snow on Christmas?!  A great reminder of what Christmas is all about and why Jesus came to live among us.  “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." - Isaiah 1:18

Snow angels, snow ball fights, and a little hot chocolate to warm up!





Here comes Santa Claus…


(From Bryan)

Is there anything more exciting than Christmas morning when you are 3 years old?! Everything is so magical to the boys at this age and they have had a blast with their Elf Charlie every morning over the past month and there have been many, many conversations about what Santa would bring on Christmas morning. For literally a year Nathan has told us that he wants the “Batman House” and “ALL the Batman stuff and Joker’s house” for Christmas. Literally a year, he has never wavered. Nathan is consumed with Super Hero’s and bad guys. I really believe he thinks these are future career possibilities. Jordan, on the other hand, started telling us a few months ago that he wanted a robot for Christmas. He was very specific that it had to be a red robot that moved. Becca and I had no idea where he got this from. We asked a ton of questions: did you see this in the store, is this from a movie, did you see it in a book, and did you see this at someone’s house? The answer to all questions was, no.  When he didn’t relent, or ask for anything else from Santa we started to panic but thanks to MeMe and the internet we found one that met his specifications. It was a HUGE hit and Jordan knows that Santa made it special just for him! It was a special morning for the boys but obviously it was a little rough on Becca. I knew she would be heartbroken to not be home on Christmas morning but like so many other things this year it was out of our hands. My Granny told me on Christmas Eve that it was my fault because I specifically prayed for her not to be home for Christmas. Big picture, we are thrilled she is still in the hospital and that the babies are growing stronger each day but that still didn’t keep her from breaking down a few times over the past few days. However, thanks to modern technology she was able to watch everything over the computer and we even got it set up in time for her to see the boys come out of their room to discover the loot Santa had dropped off.






 

Vivi and Georgia flew in from California late on Christmas Eve, so they came over for some Christmas morning fun too!




 
When everything settled down we loaded up for the hospital to have Christmas with Becca. It was a special time and even sitting in a hospital room opening presents we know we are blessed beyond measure. One of my favorite moments from this Christmas is when Jordan and Nathan opened their presents from each other. They were so excited for the other one to open what they had picked out. When they were done they gave each other a huge hug (unprompted I might add)!  Jordan picked out a Buzz Lightyear puzzle for Nathan and Nathan got Jordan a Ninja Turtles coloring book. They know each other well!


 And to top it all off, when we came to the hospital it was just cloudy and raining. When we left to go home everything was covered in snow. The boys were just a little excited.



 

It’s easy to get carried away with Christmas and I’ve been guilty before of being a little Clark Griswaldish, but I just can’t help it. Yes, we know and celebrate the real meaning of Christmas in our home. Even at three years old our boys know that Christmas is all about Jesus and what an amazing gift He was from God but this is the very reason I go overboard. It’s a joyful season, it’s a time of giving. Two thousand years ago the greatest gift ever given was presented before two humble parents and for all of mankind. Jesus is the center of our marriage and our family. We give because He so freely gave to us. We love, because He loved us first. Even though it was a little strange, it was still a Christmas to remember. We have been so blessed and we have seen our prayers, and those of our friends and family, being answered daily. We are already looking forward to Christmas next year when we will all be under one roof and can celebrate together. We’re going to need some more stockings, and probably a bigger roof too!  
 
 

Christmas Eve with the Calvert’s


(From Bryan)

We had a great time Christmas Eve morning with my family but it felt pretty strange not having Becca there with us. The boys were very excited to finally pass out the gifts they had picked out for their grandparents and granny! Nathan can hardly contain his excitement when someone is opening a present from him. I’m sure PaPa will make good use of his rope and screwdrivers and Gram has a new spoon to make macaroni for Jordan! Jordan picked out a spoon for his gram to make macaroni with and a pan for Granny to make pizza in…that boy is very serious about his food. The boys were pumped with all of their new toys and probably a little relieved since my dad has been telling them for a week that he only bought them underwear and socks. As soon as we left my parents house we headed straight to the hospital to spend a few hours with Becca. We just hung out and watched movies which provided Becca some much needed snuggle time with her boys.








Calvert Family Christmas and an Engagement!


(From Bryan)

We started out our Christmas break by celebrating my baby sister’s engagement! My sister’s boyfriend Chris surprised her with a proposal and then again with her entire family waiting to celebrate at a nearby restaurant. Chris and Morgan met while working at a Christian camp a few summers ago. They both love the Lord and he we are excited for their engagement and for him to be an official part of our family. Nathan and Jordan have been able to spend a lot of time around Chris and they both refer to him as their “buddy”.  When I explained to Nathan why we were celebrating he was pumped and kept telling everyone that he gets to call Chris, “Uncle Chris”! Congratulations Morgan and Chris!
 
Jordan and Nathan checking out Aunt Morgan’s ring.
 
Nathan hugging his buddy…


We got together with the entire family (minus Becca of course) on the 23rd to have our annual Calvert Christmas. The boys had a blast and were well entertained by all of their cousins. Samantha always does a great job of entertaining the little kids and the boys were thrilled that they were able to make their mom a snowman bookmark which we had to hand deliver to the hospital on the way home that night.





Wednesday, December 19, 2012

28 Weeks!

Woohoo!  We made it to 28 weeks!  This is quite a milestone.  This is my 34th day in the hospital...crazy.  I've made great friends with the nurses and they take such good care of me.  I had to have 3 terbutaline shots yesterday and 1 tonight.  This is becoming quite a roller coaster.  The great thing about making it to 28 weeks is that the babies are very viable at this point and we are pretty much out of the dark with long-term side effects of a preemie birth.  Praise the good Lord!  We are still praying the babies stay put a little longer to make their NICU stay shorter and easier.  We are overwhelmed with God's grace that He has blessed us with this many extra days.  

"For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace" John 1:16

Now for a fun hidden picture: Can you find Nathan and Jordan?!  This was their awesome hiding spot for Gram yesterday...there is never a dull moment.  I can't wait to be home and play hide and seek with these little boogers.  


Sunday, December 16, 2012

It’s all about Christmas for the Calvert Boys…


(Bryan posting)

The countdown to Christmas is on and Jordan and Nathan just can’t get enough! I know it is killing Becca to miss so much but the boys and I visit every day and there are about a dozen texts, phone calls, Face Time, and videos exchanged daily. It’s hard to tell how the boys are dealing with it all sometimes. They are so different. Jordan is sensitive and tender hearted. He listens when people are talking about Becca and the babies and he asks lots of questions. Nathan seems to roll with the punches. He blows kisses and yells messages to Becca anytime we drive past the hospital. Today it was, “See you after church mom”.  He likes to talk to the nurses and each time one enters the room or passes by in the hall it’s “Hi, my name is Nathan, are you a nurse or a doctor?”  All of the Christmas activities have provided a great distraction for the boys. I love that they are so intrigued with the Christmas story and “baby Jesus”.  Nathan is constantly on the lookout for Nativity scenes and apparently couldn’t contain his excitement during chapel this past week. As Ms. Trish was telling the Christmas story and building up to the birth of Jesus she was telling the children, “and then during the night you could hear a baby cry out…” and somewhere from the middle of the sanctuary my Tot yelled, “it’s Baby Jesus!”  Love it.  

On Saturday I took each boy out on their own to buy gifts for their family. I made them a check list with pictures of their grandparents, Becca, Cooper, and their brother. Becca and I already pray that our boys will be joyful givers and generous to others and I thought it would be fun to take them to the dollar store with some money and just see what happened. It was as sweet as it was hilarious. I won’t ruin the surprise for the grandparents and Becca but I will tell you that a few of my favorite gifts they bought were: a Star Trek memoir, trash bags, a spoon, a pack of 15 pencil sharpeners, and a solar powered dancing flower!


 
We were on the way to the bank when we stumbled upon an impromptu Christmas party on Main Street with Frosty, an elf, and a really tall Santa. I love how my boys just jump right in a go for it. I will tell you that I was nervous the entire time we were there because I kept having visions of Nathan knocking the Santa-on-stilts over! Jordan was very serious about the games and even started one competition a little early before getting busted by the elf!








We are so thankful for all of the prayers, visits, and gifts. We are humbled daily by how much support and love our friends, family, and even acquaintances have given. And we are thankful for perspective. This season in our lives has made me cherish the life God has given me. We have no right to complain, or feel sorry for ourselves. It’s just temporary. I’m tired and worn thin these days but I’m not a single parent. I visit the hospital everyday but no one is sick. A few months from now everything will be back to normal, but it has made me sensitive to those parents who raise kids alone. It’s made me hurt for those who have a lost a spouse or watched a child suffer with illness. We are lucky, we are blessed, we are thankful. If God never gave me anything other than the promises in His word, it would still be more than I deserved or could ever repay and yet He has given so much more. Praying faithfully that Carson and Harper will continue to grow healthy and strong and stay put for as long as possible. That being said, there are three boys in this house that can’t wait for Becca to be home! Praying for a few more weeks!  

 

Friday, December 14, 2012

29 Days...

Today was my 29th day at the hospital.  Christmas is getting closer, just 11 days away.  And as it approaches, I have to admit I am getting quite a bit homesick.  I was sent to Labor and Delivery again this week.  I spent Tuesday night in a Labor and Delivery room due to contractions again.  I was so uncomfortable that night.  If you are not aware, those labor and delivery beds are like a gym mat with a sheet over it.  I had to wear a hospital gown (never comfortable, right?).  I was hooked up to an IV.  I couldn't sleep that night and finally after tossing and turning I broke down to tears at about 2:30 in the morning.  Poor Bryan.  Thank goodness he was there that night.  He calmed me down and I went to sleep about an hour later.  This means Bryan  got about 2 hours sleep before work the next day.  Needless to say, he was just a little tired!  On Wednesday, I was moved back to a comfortable antepartum room.  I was so relieved to be back to a long term room.  Now I have had a couple of pretty good days.  We will make it through this.  I am sure we will eventually look back and think the time went by fast.  I know it will all be worth it when Carson and Harper are born.  I had a sonogram yesterday.  Carson is estimated to weigh 2 pounds 9 ounces and Harper is estimated to weigh 2 pounds 14 ounces.  I was elated to hear how well the babies are growing and the fact that they have both gained about 13 ounces in two weeks.  What a blessing!

 What I've learned this week:  There will be breakdowns.  It's okay to cry until my eyes are dry sometimes.  It's okay to feel homesick and wish I was enjoying Christmas with my family.  Even though there are those moments, we are not alone.  The Lord picked me up and gave me another day...another day to keep my babies safe in my tummy.

I am 27 weeks 2 days pregnant now.  We are praying for at least 5 more days and hoping the Lord blesses us with more.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Hospital Day 24

I have been in the hospital over three weeks now...funny how the days go by super slow but the weeks go by fast.  I had another scary day yesterday but nothing a good terbutaline injection in my arm couldn't help.  The terbutaline injections make my heart race which makes me hands and feet shake...just a small side effect for a great medicine.  We are so thankful for the quick thinking doctors and nurses that are taking care of me.  The Lord gets the ultimate credit for pulling us through these little scares.  He is the one in control of Harper and Carson's birthday.  I am 26 weeks 4 days now...well on our way to our next goal of 28 weeks.  While I have been here watching TV most of my weekend, the boys had a nice relaxing weekend with Daddy at home.  Bryan is super-dad these days.  Really.  He even told me he made all the beds at the house today! 

The boys took Cooper to the pet store for a good grooming and haircut.  Bryan said Jordan was really sad to leave Cooper there...oh my sensitive Jordy.  As if Cooper has never had a haircut before.


Cooper is such a good sport.  He is the sweetest dog ever...if only he wasn't scared of our wood floors.  



Charlie the Elf has been on a roll...this little bitty elf brings so much fun to our house this time of year.  The boys just love it.


Super-Dad-Bryan decided the boys needed some motivation to clean up toys on Saturday.  He told them they could have one marshmallow for each task he asked them to complete.  He said they've never worked so hard and fast in their little lives.  


Tonight they wrapped a few Christmas presents.  N and J were super proud of their work with Dad.  How do you like the wrapping paper?  Oh goodness...can you tell Daddy is in charge?



Thank you for continuing to pray for weeks for Carson and Harper.  We know the Lord hears our prayers. And, we are trusting in Him. 

"Those who trust in the Lord
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever."
Psalm 125:!