Look who's one week old!

Will and Nate are doing good- they are one week old tonight. They keep progressing a little day by day. They had head ultrasounds which showed no bleeding in the brain which is a huge blessing. Their breathing keeps getting better and they are eating little amounts.

The big news is that I have been able to hold each of the babies! It was very nice to snuggle both my boys. I held them one at a time- when they get a little bigger I will be able to hold them both or Mike and I can each take one. MIke was not able to go with me to the hospital the last few times as he thought he was getting sick. He was very sad to miss seeing the boys but was not willing to chance it at all. Hopefully he will get to go again tomorrow morning... he really misses his little guys. My mom has really enjoyed being able to go to the hospital during these days.

We have been trying hard to balance seeing the little boys and spending time with Derek. We have been going to the NICU first thing in the morning and then after Derek's bedtime. This has worked well for the last few days that Mike has been off work. The balance of all this is a day by day learning experience. I am not sure balance is the right word for it all. We still feel and need lots of prayer.

Derek and Linnea

Derek and Linnea had a lovely dinner date yesterday. They both watched each other to decide what to eat in what order. They both enjoyed the sparkling apple juice as well (a huge treat for both of them).

They also had a song and dance routine going. Derek would sing and Linnea would dance. Then they held hands and danced in the kitchen. It was so adorable. It was such a nice afternoon.

Happy Thanksgiving

The boys are doing well this Thanksgiving Day. Mary is taking care of our boys today. Please ask the Lord to bless her as she loves our boys today. Each nurse we have had has treated our boys with care, concern, compassion, and love, The nurses and doctors are such a blessing to us.

The boys had a great night. They keep improving their breathing which is very encouraging. Their jaundice levels dropped enough to be done with the lights. It was so refreshing to go last night and this morning and have them breathe without needing intervention. It hurts your heart to watch them need a physical touch to remember to breathe. I take breathing for granted- now I see the miracle each breath is. Their feeding schedule has been more sporadic. Their undeveloped systems are having problems receiving milk. This may take a few more days to keep working on.

Derek is a riot. We may not share as many Derek stories but he is funny. He has been "cooking" up a storm lately and singing a ton. He will have a great afternoon once his buddy Linnea gets here. He has been missing her since Sunday!

Happy Thanksgiving. There is always so much I have to be thankful for.

Will and Nate

These pictures are from right when they were born. WIll needed oxygen assistance immediately. Nate had an easy time breathing initially and then he needed help later.

Our boys are hanging in there. They had a hard day yesterday with procedures. Today was a much needed rest day for them. The boys are still being assisted in breathing. They are under the lights for jaundice. Under the lights, with little sunglasses on, they look like wrinkly old men lying on the beach. They are so tiny. Their legs are about the width of Mike's pinky. Yet each time we go in to see them, we get a bit more used to their size and the iv's, and all the other tubes.

We are thankful for our 3 boys. We are thankful to the Lord for sustaining them. We are living by His grace alone.

Monday update

Hi everyone. I just wanted to give you a quick update. We plan on posting pictures soon but have been really busy. We will get them up..eventually.

We are learning to take each day on its own. The whole process of getting our boys home is overwhelming so we are going day-by day. Will and Nate are doing well. They are in the NICU just a few feet apart. I am convinced that their cries are communication to each other. When they get a bit bigger and more stable they will be able to share an incubator so that they can cuddle. The boys were each about 2 pounds (2lb5 and 2lb7). They have each lost a bit of weight which is to be expected. We are encouraged by the fighters that they are. The biggest prayer request for the boys it that they remember to breathe. They get lazy and forget a bit and have a bit of apea which is normal for their size. They are not intubated but do have a nose feed to help aid in their breathing. Nate especially has been more forgetful in breathing. Most of the time, he catches himself and quickly starts again which is good. The neonatalagists are very encouraged by their progress for how small they are.

I am going to be discharged tomorrow. I have been recovering very well from the c-section which is very encouraging especially considering how much my body has gone through since Friday. I have been taking the last days to recover, pump milk for the boys, and trying to sleep. So after I go home we will need to find the new "normal" for the next weeks to come until the boys come home as well (which will be 6-10 weeks). Please pray for Mike and I as we learn to balance when to be at the hospital, when to be at home, and everything else. My mom arrived yesterday and we will have one of our moms here until January 1 which is a huge blessing. Derek has been amazing. He had a ball with Joe, Imaya, and Linnea and came home last night. His adjustment so far has been such an answer to prayer. My mommy heart is ready to snuggle by precious baby.

Above everything else, we feel covered by prayer. We are experiencing God's grace and peace in our own weakness. God has been carrying us through the last few days. I know that it is only by Him that we will carry on day by day. When I look at my sweet tiny tiny boys in the NICU, I know that God is holding them as I cannot, that He is Jehovah Rapha the healer of our boys, and that He loves our boys more than we do. He has blessed our boys with amazing nurses and doctors here at Emmanuel who are wonderful. I can say it is well with my soul thanks to the active presence of the Lord moment by moment. Please keep praying- we literally are at peace due to prayers of friends and family.

bundles of joy

Last night we had two unexpected guests, Nate and Will were born! On Friday night, during dinner of course, Jen's water broke. Though they are both small being 10 weeks early, they are clearly fighting and feisty judging by the screaming. They will need lots of prayers as they have a long and full road ahead of them for the next few weeks as they need to bulk up and get their lungs working good before they will be allowed to go home and start beating up on their big brother.

And speaking of Derek, he has been staying with our great friends Imaya and Joe. Mike went to visit him yesterday afternoon and found him running around laughing and screeching while playing with Linnea. He was having such a good time Mike was not sure that Derek realized daddy had come to spend time with him. After about 10 minutes (and further dis-respect to daddy,because at Joe's request), Derek finally came over and snuggled in with Mike for a minute before taking off chasing after Linnea again. He was obviously missing us terribly. It is a huge blessing to have Imaya and Joe to care for Derek.

We love play-doh.... and the HUGE mommy

Derek loves play-doh. He likes to roll it out and cut it into shapes. I think this is a phase that will last a long time. He hasn't eaten it yet.. but there is always this afternoon.

30 weeks. I am 30 weeks pregnant and huge. Everyone keeps asking so here is the picture (here goes any attempt at vanity). I have been bigger than I was with Derek for several weeks. Surprisingly I feel pretty good. Sleeping or the lack of it is really my only complaint right now. I was also diagnosed with gestational diabetes this week which will bring finger pricks and some diet changes. The good news is that it will help the babies be bigger. The biggest prayer request is still for the babies to stay in longer... at least until 34 weeks. Who knows how much bigger I can get!