Sub freezing temps, Santa, and a much needed distraction…

From Bryan:

Today was Becca’s fifth day in the hospital and there were no significant changes, which is GOOD. I’ve actually been praying and preparing for Becca NOT to be home for Christmas. The hardest part will be trying to keep things routine and normal for the boys. Since I’m off work this week we have been visiting this hospital twice a day. This in itself is becoming  a new routine: parking lot to the “Batman/Joker Door” (revolving door in the lobby), down the hall to the elevator, push up arrow, push floor 2, tell Nathan for the 100^th time why we don’t push the “fireman hat button”, left off the elevator, right down the hall, find the motion sensor to open labor unit doors, down the hall, get hand sanitizer, enter room, hide behind privacy curtain to surprise mom, kiss mom, exit room to find ice machine, get water, more hand sanitizer, pillar the loot that visitors have delivered, and finally coloring pages and Batman books!

They love visiting “mom’s hotel room”, as Nathan calls it, but there is only so long you can entertain two three year olds in such a small space so my mom and I took the boys to ICE today for a much needed distraction.

 

 

Meanwhile back at home I’m doing my best but I’ve clearly lost control of their wardrobe. I have no idea what’s going on here but I do know that we had hardly finished breakfast before Jordan was in his Spiderman costume and Nathan was some sort of….well, I’m not really sure what look Nate is going for here……



 

So thankful for our friends and family right now! We can’t thank you enough for the cards, emails, and visits. We are asking God to draw us near and we are resting on his promises. Please continue to pray that Carson and Harper will grow strong and healthy and stay put for as long as possible!

-Bryan

Hospital Day 4

Carson and Harper are hanging in there...tough little babies!  I had a sonogram this morning that showed there wasn't much change, which is good. I am hooked up to heartbeat monitors and a contraction monitor twice a day and so far the babies' heartbeats sound good and there are no contractions.  I am somewhat settled in my cozy hospital room.  Jill brought by a mini Christmas tree today and a framed picture of my boys.  I have my computer, my phone, my book, a TV, and my big cup of ice water...I'm set for the long haul.

Bryan and I are so grateful for all of the preemie-baby success stories that have been sent our way over the last few days.  The positive stories have brought us so much encouragement.  We are nervous for what might be to come but we are not discouraged.  We have been so blessed by our friends and family that have reached out to us, promised to pray, sent cards, visited the hospital, called, and texted. We are feeling so loved.  Please continue to pray for weeks.

We are trying to make the best out of this situation.  These two little boys coming to visit me sure does make me smile!  They are going to be pretty spoiled rotten from this Mama when I get to be with them all day long again.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7

"When Mommy's in the hospital..."

...you get to drink chocolate milk for supper!"

This was the text message I got from Bryan last night when he took the boys out for supper.  I couldn't have  agreed more that these two patient, sweet, munchkins deserved a big ol' chocolate milk.  My water broke and I was admitted to the hospital on Friday afternoon.  It has been a scary couple of days.  I have not shown any other signs of labor yet, so the babies are still safe inside of me.  Thank goodness.  The doctors have me on IV antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection, a medicine to reduce the risk of contractions, and I've had two steroid shots to strengthen the babies.  The doctors have said I could make it anywhere from 1 day to 8 weeks before delivering the babies.  I am specifically praying for at least 5 weeks.  We are begging God for a miracle.  My doctors have told me I will be in the hospital until I deliver the babies (whenever that may be.)  Nathan seems to be adjusting to Mommy in the hospital pretty well.  But, my Jordy just looks at me with puppy eyes and tells me he misses me and he wants me to go places with him.  BREAKS MY HEART.  Boy am I thankful for Gram & PaPa and MeMe & Grandad.  Nathan and Jordan are getting a lot of good grandparent time right now.  Chocolate milk and grandparent time sound like great therapy to me.  

Yesterday afternoon, the Neonatalogist came in to visit with us.  Bryan had left to run a couple errands, but thankfully, Jill was here with me.  I held myself together really well for about the first 5 minutes of the conversation and then I lost it to a blubbering ugly cry. Jill crawled up in my bed and held my hand for the rest of the conversation.  Bryan got back just in time to hear the end of it and ask questions too.  The Neonatalogist explained the complications with a baby born as early as 23 weeks and she slowly went through the complications of babies born at 24, 25, 26, to 29 weeks.  To even have to tap into the idea of what we might be facing with two little preemie babies is like a nightmare.  I know the Lord has knitted Carson and Harper into exactly who He wants them to be.  I know He knows their birthday.  I know he knows the struggles they might face and I know he is already preparing our hearts and theirs.  Needless to say, I'm afraid.  I'm afraid of the unknown right now.  My goal is to cry less today, relax more, take more deep breaths, and wait for God to work His wonders.

"When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the ROCK, which is higher than I."  -Psalm 61:2

Picture Perfect

We had the boys pictures taken again in October.  Ashley Bell of Ashley Lauren Photography (www.ashleylaurenphotography.com) once again captured the hearts of my little guys.  She is amazing!  She has taken the boys pictures three years in a row and I plan on using her again next year with all four...boy is she in for it!?!  Ashley has an amazing heart, such great patience, a good eye for photography, and she is just a precious person.  I work with Ashley's mom who is just as fabulous.  If you live in the area and need a family photographer, I highly recommend her. 

**Kudos to Aunt Emily and Gram for shopping for outfits for the boys for their pictures.  Since I couldn't walk the malls, I needed them to shop for me.  Bless them!  They did amazing!

**Kudos to Bryan and MeMe for taking the boys for their photography session and wrangling them for photos at 8:30 on a Saturday morning!

Here are a few of my very favorites...

This first picture was a total surprise to me when I got the pictures back.  So sweet!

Zoo Time!

I went to the doctor yesterday.  I am still receiving good news with each appointment.  The blood clot is slowly healing.  Yay!  And, the babies were measured this week.  Carson is estimated to be 1 pound 5 oz and Harper is estimated to be 1 pound 4 oz.  Praise the Lord, they are growing and look great!  The doctor even said they were big for 22 weeks.  Woohoo!  I am still on bed rest but I feel more and more encouraged with each week.  My dear friends from school have been providing our family with the greatest meals.  And, more than anything I love the company when they drop by to deliver a meal. I am so blessed to work with such amazing friends.  

Jordan has been requesting to go to the jungle and see elephants lately. And, since going to the jungle is totally not an option, Bryan took the boys to the zoo last weekend.  Jordy sleeps with "Ellie" the elephant every night.  He has three identical "Ellies" and he counts them each night and snuggles with them all night long.  He will wake us up at night if he can't find one in the middle of the night.  He thinks they are real and he just loves them dearly.  So, Bryan just had to honor his request.  Gram and PaPa joined the fun!

Gorillas!

And, Jordy sprints toward the elephant sign!  Oh my, he was so excited!

So proud to get a picture in front of the elephants!

Checking out the bears...

The boys even got to witness a bear fight!  Wowzers.  I'm glad I missed the bear fight.  This mama would have been nervous.

Nate just can't get to the next animal fast enough!

Silly otters!

Waiting for the train with PaPa and Gram...

Best Daddy in all the world...thanks to Bryan, the boys are still enjoying lots of fun stuff while Mama is stuck on the couch.  The last thing I want is for Nathan and Jordan to miss out because I have to miss out.

Trick Or Treat!

It was a Superhero Style Halloween at our house yesterday.  Nathan rocked his Ironman costume and Jordan rocked his Spiderman costume.  Here are their superhero posed pictures...crack me up!  There were no cute-smiley-Halloween-hug your cute brother-pictures this year.  This superhero stuff is serious business!

I did get a little misty eyed when the boys got in the car and headed out with Bryan for some Halloween fun. As much as I had tried to prepare my heart for missing out, I was still sad.  The time went by fast.  I stayed home on the couch and watched "Survivor" and "Law and Order" with Granny.  I was tickled when the boys got home and emptied their pumpkin buckets while sharing lots of stories from their fun night.

They ran into Cousin Luke at the church Trunk-Or-Treat.  Luke is such a cute fireman!

Bryan said Nathan had a mission to meet all the other superheros!  He would run over to the kids striking up a fun conversation every time.  He cracks me up!  He was really thrilled to find two Captain Americas.

Racing on the obstacle course!..

That is one big slide.

Nathan meets Batman!  This kid makes friends everywhere.  I hope he never grows out of his friendly personality.

 Digging for acorns...

Looking for acorns just got serious.  Jordan took off his mask.

More fun games!

And a little trick-or-treating to my parents' neighbor's house...

 These boys sure do love Ms. Kay and Mr. Hank!  Jordan even made up a whole song about going to trick-or-treat at Ms. Kay's house!

 The boys loved helping MeMe and Grandad hand out candy on the front porch.  Nathan was so intrigued by all the costumes.
Nathan: "Hey, what your costume?"
Kid: "Psycho Clown."
Nathan: "What's that?"
Daddy: "He said silly clown."
Nathan: "Oh okay."

Then, they thought they needed to trick-or-treat in MeMe's bowl of candy too.  Even though she had already given them a big Halloween treat earlier that day.  These boys are rotten!

Nathan and Jordan had a great Halloween!  Now bring on the holidays!!

** Update on the babies** I got a good report from the doctor this week.  The blood clot is still looking formed and a tiny bit smaller.  Thank goodness that I am still showing signs of healing.  Carson and Harper are looking great and keep on growing.  Praise the Lord!  I am still on bed rest until further notice...going on 7 weeks now.  I am 21 weeks pregnant and we are praying for at least 15 more good weeks!