Back to School

Today was my first day back to work.  It was bittersweet.  I LOVE my job and I LOVE my school kids.  They are all so precious, fun, energetic, brilliant, funny, goofy, wise...I could go on and on.  I adore my teacher friends.  What would I do without my teammates??  They are amazing women that have also been called to spend their days with 5th Graders.  Such joy!  These kids crack us up and keep us smiling all day.  I was overwhelmed with handmade cards from my kids, flowers, plants, gifts for the babies, a Starbucks card for me (now how did that parent know I might need some caffiene?!)  I told someone today I had been out of work for 20 weeks but it's longer than that.  I was on bedrest for 20 total weeks and the babies are 8 weeks old.  So I have been away from my classroom for 28 weeks.  That's crazy.  Thankfully our faculty, parents, and kids have welcomed me back with open arms.  It was really a lovely day.  I was so sad to be away from my babies.  Crosswalk duty after school felt like an eternity because I was so anxious to get home.  I was so happy to walk in the door and cuddle my sweet Harper and Carson.  The big boys came home a little later after an afternoon with MeMe and Grandad.  I just couldn't get enough hugs and kisses.  BUT, I made it through Day 1 and  I really enjoyed it too!

Then tonight, I sure did appreciate this sweet sister-brothers moment...

These big brothers sure do love their baby brother and sister.  By the way, how do you like Jordy's pj choice?  Isn't that nice {wink}?   My dear friend, Jill, taught me to let my kids wear whatever they wanted to for pjs because they can find all the ownership and creativity in that.  Whereas I always pick out their clothes.  I always thought that was great parenting advice. Nathan and Jordan both always look forward to picking out their own pjs at night and mismatching the tops and bottoms.  So, I am passing along this advice to you.  Let the kids pick out the pjs and let them wear all the character pjs they want.  It could be the tackiest set of pjs from the store and we probably own it and the boys love it. HA!

Two Month Check-Up

The babies went to the doctor for their 2 month check-up today. They got great reports! Harper weighed 9 pounds 12 ounces. She's finally on the growth chart! She's in the 25th percentile for her weight and 15th percentile for her height. Carson weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces. He is gaining adequate weight but he still hasn't made it on the growth chart.

Sweet babies. :)

Cute As A Bug

Nathan and Jordan had their Open House and preschool program last night.  It always cracks me up to see these boys on the stage.  All week we have been asking the boys what songs they were singing, what kind of costumes will they be wearing, is there a theme for the show?  Jordan would just give us a serious look and say, "It's a surprise."  Nathan would just smile real big and say, "You'll see!" We were so tickled to see Nathan dressed up like a spider and sing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" with his class.  Jordan was dressed in a Mexican fiesta costume and his class sang "La Cucaracha."  Jordan got a little tired at the end of the program and walked over to sit with his teacher.  Later she told us he told her that he was so sleepy.  Poor little guy. He sure does like his 7:30 bedtime.  Nathan was happy during the program and he sang his song very enthusiastically  especially "the big fat gorilla went up the waterspout" verse.  :)  At the end of the program, Nathan started to digress.  Or, maybe I should say his costume began to digress.  I looked up on stage and he had pushed both of his arms up through the neck hole of his t-shirt!  My son looked like he had on a tube top on stage!  Luckily his darling teacher noticed his antics pretty quick and helped him fix his shirt.  That Nater-Tot always likes to keep us on our toes.

These boys were so proud of the work displayed in their classroom!

And here's two more cute little bugs!  I'm trying so hard to soak up this baby stage.  Carson and Harper will be 4 years old and in preschool before we know it.  Crazy.

Newborn Photoshoot

"I will give thanks to You, 

For I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well."

-Psalm 139:14

Sleep is so overrated.

The babies are six weeks old and just as precious as can be!  We are slowly adjusting to being a family of 6.  I'm really not sure how in the world we will ever make it to church on time during the next decade.  The babies are both great sleepers but they are still (of course) waking up for a 3am bottle.  This tired feeling is the best tired feeling ever.  I go back to work in a couple weeks and I sure will feel like a zombie then!  I don't really like to talk about going back to work.  I LOVE my job and I LOVE my school kids but I sure will miss my babies.  I know God promised Moses in Exodus 33:14 that "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest."  I pray that the Lord gives us rest and multiplies that rest so we can continue to function.  Don't get me wrong...I am crazy forgetful in this sleep deprived state.  I forgot to bring Carson's medical records to his doctor appointment.  I have been trying to write this blog post for three days but I keep falling asleep in the chair.  Dern! I just did it again...felt my head drop as I started to go to sleep!

We had great company in town for Spring Break this week.  My sister's family was here all the way from California. My Memom and Aunt Laura came to visit from Georgia.  Try explaining to Nathan that Vivi and Georgia live in California and Memom lives in Georgia.  He thinks anyone that lives far away lives in California.  We had great food and great conversation.  Everyone was so excited to see the babies!

Memom and Carson

Vivi and Harper: Vivi was such a sweet big cousin.  She wanted to hold the babies, feed the babies, love on the babies...she has such a "motherly heart."  :)

Georgia and Harper

Memom and Harper

Aunt Jenn and Carson: When Jenn arrived last weekend, she walked in my front door and there was no dry eye.  I was so thankful for my sister to finally meet the babies.  California is way too far away.  :(

 Aunt Laura and Harper

 Jenn, Me, Mom

At home with a family of SIX!...the babies love to nap in their bouncy seats.

And play toys!

Sweet sleepy babies - 

We took Carson to the childrens' hospital for his first appointment with the pediatric pulmonologist a few days ago.  I was concerned because his monitor had been beeping quite a bit and his oxygen levels were hanging out between 80% and 92%.  Sure enough, after a chest x-ray and blood gas levels, the doctor said to increase his oxygen flow to 1/8 liter rather than 1/16.  Now I am happy to report that his oxygen levels are hanging around 95- 100%.  He's eating better and seems to feel better too.  Bryan and I are getting accustomed to Carson's oxygen tanks and monitor.  We are still hanging around the house with Carson...we can't wait for RSV and flu season to be over so he can meet so many of you that have been praying for him!!  

"Ascribe to the Lord the GLORY due to HIS NAME!" Psalm 29:2

We give God all the glory for Carson and Harper's healthy little lives.  We are watching the Lord heal Carson one day at a time and strengthen his lungs to support his body.  

Soccer season is upon us....

The boys got their first taste of organized sports back in the fall with baseball but now we have moved into the world of soccer. The boys were excited to pick out all of their gear, especially their own soccer ball. Nathan was particularly excited about his shin guards and let everyone know before the first game that he couldn’t wait for someone to kick him because it wouldn’t hurt! We are three games into the season and the boys are finally starting to figure out the game. In their league they practice the first thirty minutes and then play a game directly afterwards. The difference between Jordan and Nathan’s personalities is a constant source of entertainment for Becca and me.  I guess I hadn’t done a good job of preparing the boys for their first game because when the whistle blew to begin they both had very different reactions. They had both done fantastic during practice but the chaos and unpredictability of soccer was too much for our perfectionist Jordan to handle and after a few minutes he came running off the field in tears to find his mom. If it were up to Jordan, everyone would line up shortest to tallest or in alpha order, and take turns kicking the ball into the goal. I’m happy to report that he is finally enjoying soccer and likes to run down the field during the game giving me thumbs up so I know that he has a “happy heart”. And then there is Nathan. I love this kid. He is wild at heart and one of a kind. I’ll go ahead and apologize to anyone that is going to play “The Angry Birds Soccer Club” this season and happens to be in the proximity of my son. He acts like William Wallace attacking the English as he charges down the field pushing, jersey pulling, and “booming” anyone that bumps into him. Scoring goals, or even the location of the ball are of little relevance to Nathan. Two weeks ago he ran into the game, fist clinched in the air, and yelled “Not today Transformers!!!” I didn’t know that as a father, I could be both proud and mortified at the same time. Jordan keeps reminding me that he likes baseball better than soccer and that is fine with me. Life lesson: soccer was invented so there would be something to do between basketball and baseball season!

Jordan #2

Nathan-William Wallace-#3

Carson's Home!

It was a happy day yesterday!  We were able to bring Carson home from the NICU to join the family.  Now my family of SIX is all together.  This was a day we have been longing for since I was put on bedrest last September.  September 15 to January 30 seemed like such long months.  I was just waiting and waiting for the arrival of these little ones and praying for weeks along the way.  We praise the Lord that these babies made it to 34 weeks.  Last Tuesday, I was up at the NICU feeding Carson his bottle and the Neonatologist, Dr. K, stopped by to visit with me.  She gave me two options...Carson could stay at the hospital and they could continue to wean him off of the oxygen or he could come home with us on oxygen and follow up with his Pediatrician and a Pediatric Pulmonologist.  After visiting with the doctor, we decided it would be best for Carson to come home!  I was given a 90 minute tutorial on Carson's oxygen and pulse-ox monitor by the children's home healthcare respiratory therapist.  It was A LOT of information in 90 minutes.  I am sure we will become more and more accustomed to his nasal cannula and oxygen tanks at home.  But it still makes me a tiny bit of a nervous wreck.  According to doctor's orders, Carson is homebound and we are to limit his visitors.  His lungs are still very small and it would be very scary if he got sick.  I have never been too much of a germ freak before but I am a total germ freak now.   We wash hands every time we come in to the house and frequently throughout the day.  Luckily Nathan and Jordan have jumped on the handwashing bandwagon too!

Harper came back to the hospital for some pictures with brother by the hospital photographer...and they actually turned out pretty good!

Carson is in his car seat ready to go home!

 I got teary-eyed saying good-bye to some of Carson's nurses.  Annabelle was Carson's nurse on his really critical night when he was one day old.  She will always hold a special place in my heart.  Elizabeth and Cindy were Carson's primary care nurses.  I know they truly cared about Carson and loved on him and I always felt good when they were there to take care of him.  Linda and I had a special connection because I taught one of her sons when he was in 5th grade.  Now he's a senior in high school!  I love how Linda oohed and aahhed over Carson's cuteness.  Dr. K and Dr. T were incredible!  They made great decisions to help Carson and get him well.  I know there was about 72 hours where they were really not sure if Carson was going to live.  I am thankful for their dedication and perseverance.  These doctors are great instruments for the Lord's mighty work.

Going down the elevator for the last time!

All four of my babies together for the very first time!  Nathan and Jordan were so excited to finally meet Carson.

So happy to have my baby at home...we continue to pray that his lungs get stronger and stronger.  We pray a hedge of protection around him from illness and germs.  He's a true fighter.  As Bryan says, "small lungs, big heart."  Carson has a long road ahead of him.  The doctors have said it could take 2 to 7 years for his lungs to fully catch up with himself.  His chest still pumps up and down so intensely just to breathe.  He's on a higher calorie formula to make up for the calories he burns breathing.  He's one special kid and we could not be more grateful to be chosen to be his parents.