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!  

 

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.

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:!

26 Weeks Today

I made it through today and therefore made it to 26 weeks pregnant.  Whew!  This was the first small goal.  The next big goal is 28 weeks.  I am so thankful for intercessory prayer, doctors, nurses, friends, and family, that are pulling us through these weeks.  Thank you for praying for "weeks."  We are not just asking the Lord for days, we are specifically asking for weeks.  We know that His will is sovereign but we also don't want to underestimate His healing power.  My ObGyn walked in today to check on me (like he does every day) and he came in with a big smile on his face that I made it to 26 weeks.  He tells me every time he comes by that we are counting our blessings with each day the babies have in my tummy.  Yes, we are counting our blessings alright.  We are rejoicing for 26 weeks today and hoping this bedrest journey is far from over.

MeMe and Grandad took the boys to the Christmas festival at their church tonight.  My heart swells to see these happy faces soaking up the Christmas season.  For, Jesus is the reason for our hope.  

" Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord" -Psalm 31:24 (KJV)

Christmas in Full Swing

Here I sit in my hospital room on day 17 (I think).  I am 25 weeks, 4 days pregnant today.  We are praising God that I am still here and the babies are still settled in my tummy.  I have had several uneventful days in a row, which is awesome.  I keep thinking about other people going through struggles of all kinds.  Believe me, I do know that we are not the only family struggling through this holiday season.  My heart goes out to families facing illness, loss, financial strains, troubled marriage, and so many other pains.  The Pastoral Care pastor of our church came to visit me this week and he reminded me of Phil. 4:19 - "But my God shall supply ALL your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."    Those of you facing struggles of any kind, God will provide all your needs...He promises that and His promises never fail.  The Lord continues to provide for us emotionally, physically, and financially.  We have seen new blessings each morning during this trial...another promise from Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord's faithful love, we do not perish, for His mercies never end.  They are new every morning.  Great is Your faithfulness!"  My sister mailed me a book by Laura Story titled, "What if your Blessings come through raindrops?"  You might be familiar with Laura's song of the same title.  It's true.  Sometimes God's blessings come through raindrops. 

It is so weird that life is going on in full swing outside of these hospital walls.  I can't even see the sunshine out my new hospital window because there is a building blocking the way.  Bryan, Gram, PaPa, MeMe, and Grandad are making sure the boys have a joyful and fun Christmas, celebrating the true meaning while enjoying the magic of Santa too!  Thank goodness.  All I have lately are iPhone pictures so the quality is not that great...these are all text pictures I get from Bryan to keep me in the loop.  I sure do love it when my phone dings with a new message.

Our Elf, Charlie, has returned!  He always shows up Thanksgiving night and he's a creative little guy!  Nathan and Jordan sure do get tickled to talk to me on the phone in the morning and tell me all about Charlie's little antics.  So cute!

Bryan has stepped up in a big way to get the house decorated for Christmas too.  My gold bows even made it on the tree.  N and J were happy to help Daddy hang the ornaments.

The boys got to visit Santa this weekend and to their surprise, the Chick-Fil-A cow was at the mall that day too!  What a treat!  Jordan told Santa he wants a "red robot."  Nathan gave Santa a very long list (this is a kid that LOVES toys.)  But, at the top of his list was "all the Batman stuff."

Nathan and Jordan are counting down to Christmas!  Jordan told Bryan he put the heart ornament in the middle of the tree because his heart is in the middle and Jesus lives in our hearts.  Makes me choke on tears.

I sure do miss these cute little faces every day.  I just LOVE it when they come to visit me...my crazy-Mommy-love for them reminds me of why I am sitting in a hospital bed for so long.  I have the same crazy-Mommy-love for Carson and Harper.

Hospital Day 13

Today marks 25 weeks in my pregnancy...so glad to have made it 13 days since I was admitted to the hospital.  We had a scary Sunday and Monday but everything calmed down by Tuesday mid-morning.  I started contracting on Sunday.  They quickly transferred me to Labor and Delivery.  Then, the doctors ordered me to be on a Magnesium IV drip.  That Magnesium is tough stuff.  It made me feel like my body was hot from the inside.  I was super drowsy, couldn't use my arms and legs much, and my vision was like crosseyed.  However, after about 27 hours of that stuff, they took me off and my contractions subsided.  I had a few more contractions yesterday morning and had to get a terbutaline injection in my arm.  Again my contractions subsided and I have been in the clear for a good 24 hours now. Whew!  I cried big tears when they transferred me to Labor and Delivery on Sunday night.  Bryan was a mess too.  Ugh.
I was scared.  We just did not want these babies to be born yet.  It's a really scary thought to know what your little bitty babies might have to endure if they are born so early.  I was reminded that everything over our head is still under the feet of Jesus.  For Ephesians 1:22-23 says...

"And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

This whole situation and the birthdate of our babies is completely out of our control.  All we can do is pray, follow doctors' instructions, and praise God for each day he gives us in between.  Bryan and I are so grateful for all of the prayers, phone calls, texts, emails, visits, and cards from friends and family.  It means the world to us to know we have such a great support system behind us.  We are so humbled by the love you have shown our family.  

Last Saturday night, Bryan brought the boys up to the hospital in their pajamas to read stories with me and tell me goodnight.  This is Jordan sitting in my bed pretending he has babies in his belly.  Cracks me up!!  

Give Thanks!

 ^"Rejoice always,  pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today, we are thankful.  I am thankful for my husband.  Today is our 9th Wedding Anniversary.  What a way to spend our anniversary!  Ha!  We did watch the Cowboys game together in my hospital room and we watched part of the Thanksgiving Parade on TV with the boys this morning.  Last year, we were working on potty training the boys on our anniversary.  Maybe next year we can actually go on a date...oh gee.  Good thing we are both in this for the long run!  

I am thankful for Nathan and Jordan...what little blessings they are!  I sure did miss them all day today.  I just get a kick out of their quirky little personalities.  Can't get enough sugars out of them lately!  Hug your babies tonight.  I took for granted the privilege of tucking them in bed, fixing their breakfast, and taking care of all their needs.  Right now I have to let go and let others take care of these sweet boys.  And, my job is to take care of the two babies in my belly.  The Lord is teaching me so much about what He is expecting of me right now.  Please pray for Nathan and Jordan.  Little Jordy is still struggling trying to understand all of this.  Bryan said the boys were arguing in the car this morning over whether or not I am sick.  They know that I am staying in the hospital so that the doctor can take care of me and the babies, but it sure is hard for a 3 year old to wrap their little mind around.

I am thankful for Carson and Harper.  I praise God that these babies have "cooked" 7 more days since I have been in the hospital.  We are believing God for several more weeks.  I am still getting good reports from my contraction monitors. My blood pressure is good and I don't have any signs of infection.  Every day is such a blessing and every day is so important.  I was 24 weeks yesterday so it's still too early for these little babies to make their debut.  Thank you to all of you that are praying.

It just wasn't the same to eat my Thanksgiving meal in my bed.  However, the food sure was good since my mom brought a plate up for me with all the fixins.  And in the end, spending Thanksgiving in the hospital is so worth it to keep Carson and Harper safe inside.  

We have a lot to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving day.  "We will rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus." -1Thess. 5:16-18