Lee seemed so proud to bring this picture home to me. I knew before we had the babies that there was a strong chance that we would lose one or both of the babies. The Dr said they had a 74% chance of surviving. We did not even discuss if they survived what was the quality of life. Even knowing this I think I was in such a daze after the babies that I did not "wake" up and see them till this moment. I saw this picture and I was devastated. I knew that the only way they would survive is if God intervened.
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Moment I Knew
10/22/09
Lee seemed so proud to bring this picture home to me. I knew before we had the babies that there was a strong chance that we would lose one or both of the babies. The Dr said they had a 74% chance of surviving. We did not even discuss if they survived what was the quality of life. Even knowing this I think I was in such a daze after the babies that I did not "wake" up and see them till this moment. I saw this picture and I was devastated. I knew that the only way they would survive is if God intervened.
Lee seemed so proud to bring this picture home to me. I knew before we had the babies that there was a strong chance that we would lose one or both of the babies. The Dr said they had a 74% chance of surviving. We did not even discuss if they survived what was the quality of life. Even knowing this I think I was in such a daze after the babies that I did not "wake" up and see them till this moment. I saw this picture and I was devastated. I knew that the only way they would survive is if God intervened.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Wyatt and Bailey's Christmas Eve (and my present)
On 12/20/9 Wyatt was taken out of the isolate and placed in a big boy bed. It sure was a big bed for such a little man. I saw him in the new bed for the first time on Christmas eve.
The nurse practitioner at Children's came to me and asked how I would feel about him going back down to Baptist South to be with sister. I did not answer because all I could do was cry. She asked how I would feel about him being there for Christmas. Definitely YES! I would not even take a million dollars over having him be back close to home with his sister. The NP at Baptist South said they called her and asked how she would feel about giving someone a Christmas present.
He made it down to Montgomery at around 5:45. I wish I could have gotten a picture of him on the stretcher. All I could see was a little pink face in the middle of this big stretcher.
I can just imagine what he is thinking as he sucks this pacifier. (which he usually doesn't care for) He had just made it down and was a little traumatized. He peed and pooped on the nurse.
His new little baby bed
His sister slept for most of the time he was getting checked in. She did at one point "crawl" over to the side hole and bump her head on it. I put her back, and I told her I was sorry but for now this was the closest we could get them.
Closest they have been since they were 5 days old. A very emotional time for me....
The nurse practitioner at Children's came to me and asked how I would feel about him going back down to Baptist South to be with sister. I did not answer because all I could do was cry. She asked how I would feel about him being there for Christmas. Definitely YES! I would not even take a million dollars over having him be back close to home with his sister. The NP at Baptist South said they called her and asked how she would feel about giving someone a Christmas present.He made it down to Montgomery at around 5:45. I wish I could have gotten a picture of him on the stretcher. All I could see was a little pink face in the middle of this big stretcher.
I can just imagine what he is thinking as he sucks this pacifier. (which he usually doesn't care for) He had just made it down and was a little traumatized. He peed and pooped on the nurse.
His new little baby bed
His sister slept for most of the time he was getting checked in. She did at one point "crawl" over to the side hole and bump her head on it. I put her back, and I told her I was sorry but for now this was the closest we could get them.
Closest they have been since they were 5 days old. A very emotional time for me....
Twas The Night Before Christmas, St. NICU
Twas the night before Christmas, and in each isolette
Little creatures were squirming and getting all set;
Machinery sat by their bedsides with care,
In hopes that good breathing skills soon would be there.
Day shifters were home all snug in their beds,
As visions of overtime danced in their heads;
While preemies on ventilators, and some on CPAP,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap...
When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
The residents woke up to see what was the matter.
Away from the sink I flew like a jet
To make sure all was well at my baby's isolette.
Some bilirubin lights with their powerful glow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to babies below,
When, there before my wondering eyes, it would seem,
Was an oversized stroller and a medical team.
With a handful of needles with which they could stick you,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nicu.
More rapid than eagles his specialists came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Nurses! Now, Residents! Now, Neonatologists!
On, Social Workers! On, Respiratory and Occupational Therapists!
From the front of the unit! To the end of the hall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
Up to each baby's cribside they flew,
With the stroller full of toys, and St. Nicu too.
And then, in a twinkling, they stopped at each bed
And tucked in the babies and got them all fed.
As I looked at my baby, and was turning around,
Down our aisle St. Nicu came with a bound.
He was dressed in red scrubs, and I could instantly tell
That his clothes had an obvious hospital smell;
A bag of stuffed animals was flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
A little red pen he held tight in his teeth,
And a stethoscope encircled his neck like a wreath.
He was chubby and plump, with a few extra pounds,
And I laughed when I saw him there doing his rounds.
A turn of his clipboard and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke few words, but came straight to my side,
And running down his face was a tear he had cried.
And laying his hand on the back of my head,
He gave me a nod, and slowly he said:
"Each night you come here you're aware of the danger,
But your baby is loved by the One in the manger."
Then the medical team gave a thumbs-up and smiled
And St. Nicu placed an animal next to my child.
But I heard him exclaim, as they rolled out of sight,
"Merry Christmas, tiny baby, and have a wonderful night!"
Author Unknown
Little creatures were squirming and getting all set;
Machinery sat by their bedsides with care,
In hopes that good breathing skills soon would be there.
Day shifters were home all snug in their beds,
As visions of overtime danced in their heads;
While preemies on ventilators, and some on CPAP,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap...
When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
The residents woke up to see what was the matter.
Away from the sink I flew like a jet
To make sure all was well at my baby's isolette.
Some bilirubin lights with their powerful glow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to babies below,
When, there before my wondering eyes, it would seem,
Was an oversized stroller and a medical team.
With a handful of needles with which they could stick you,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nicu.
More rapid than eagles his specialists came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Nurses! Now, Residents! Now, Neonatologists!
On, Social Workers! On, Respiratory and Occupational Therapists!
From the front of the unit! To the end of the hall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
Up to each baby's cribside they flew,
With the stroller full of toys, and St. Nicu too.
And then, in a twinkling, they stopped at each bed
And tucked in the babies and got them all fed.
As I looked at my baby, and was turning around,
Down our aisle St. Nicu came with a bound.
He was dressed in red scrubs, and I could instantly tell
That his clothes had an obvious hospital smell;
A bag of stuffed animals was flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
A little red pen he held tight in his teeth,
And a stethoscope encircled his neck like a wreath.
He was chubby and plump, with a few extra pounds,
And I laughed when I saw him there doing his rounds.
A turn of his clipboard and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke few words, but came straight to my side,
And running down his face was a tear he had cried.
And laying his hand on the back of my head,
He gave me a nod, and slowly he said:
"Each night you come here you're aware of the danger,
But your baby is loved by the One in the manger."
Then the medical team gave a thumbs-up and smiled
And St. Nicu placed an animal next to my child.
But I heard him exclaim, as they rolled out of sight,
"Merry Christmas, tiny baby, and have a wonderful night!"
Author Unknown
Wyatt and Bailey Pictures
Wyatt 12/8/9
Bailey 12/9/09
Bailey's first bottle 12/9/09
Wyatt loves someone to hold him. 12/13/09
Wyatt's foot with daddy's hands 12/13/09
My Chunky Monkey 12/13/09
Ssshhhh don't tell Wyatt but we are getting ready to give him his first bottle. 12/20/9
The first bottle did not go so bad. He only got 11 ccs so that does not take very long. There are 30cc in one ounce so as you can see that is very little. 12/20/9
I may not be full but all that eating wore me out.
12/21/9
12/23/9 two different hospitals and two different donors and we ended up with the same shirt!! Wyatt thinks it makes Bailey look like the brother he was begging for. :) Bailey just wanted pink.
Bailey 12/9/09
Bailey's first bottle 12/9/09
Wyatt loves someone to hold him. 12/13/09
Wyatt's foot with daddy's hands 12/13/09
My Chunky Monkey 12/13/09
Ssshhhh don't tell Wyatt but we are getting ready to give him his first bottle. 12/20/9
The first bottle did not go so bad. He only got 11 ccs so that does not take very long. There are 30cc in one ounce so as you can see that is very little. 12/20/9
I may not be full but all that eating wore me out.
12/21/9
12/23/9 two different hospitals and two different donors and we ended up with the same shirt!! Wyatt thinks it makes Bailey look like the brother he was begging for. :) Bailey just wanted pink.
Monday, December 21, 2009
A Week Long 7th Birthday Celebration
Tyler turned 7 years old Dec 9th. My baby is growing up way too fast. He decided he would celebrate his birthday all week. Literally. He started off by having cookie cake at the local Mexican Restaurant. He loved having them sing to him.
The next day we went to Roadhouse (the kids call it the peanut place) with Grandma and Mr Steve. He really thought he was something when they stood up and said Yeah Haw for him.
Blurry picture but you get the idea.
He then had a birthday part at the bowling alley.
Sweet, patient Uncle Tim helps Brianne bowl for the first time.
I think Nicholas and Brianne had the most fun bowling.
The cake Tyler has talking about since he saw the movie "Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs."
Please let the next year go slowly. If everyone could have a child as kind and sweet as Tyler they would be lucky people.
The next day we went to Roadhouse (the kids call it the peanut place) with Grandma and Mr Steve. He really thought he was something when they stood up and said Yeah Haw for him.
Blurry picture but you get the idea.
He then had a birthday part at the bowling alley.
Sweet, patient Uncle Tim helps Brianne bowl for the first time.
I think Nicholas and Brianne had the most fun bowling.
The cake Tyler has talking about since he saw the movie "Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs."
Please let the next year go slowly. If everyone could have a child as kind and sweet as Tyler they would be lucky people.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Letters to Santa
The kids went ahead on 12/6 and sent their letter to Santa. I was afraid we might get too busy this year so while I was sick and stuck at home we burned the letters.
In in all the craziness I almost forgot that each year we burned our letter so it could go to the North Pole. Tyler reminded us.
When we were done we roasted marshmallows.
In in all the craziness I almost forgot that each year we burned our letter so it could go to the North Pole. Tyler reminded us.
When we were done we roasted marshmallows.
Where does the time go?
A few weeks back when I was sick I caved and bought an camera. I needed to see my babies so I sent Lee to both hospitals with camera in hand. The following pictures are from 12/5 and 12/6 so you can imagine they have grow since he took them.
Wyatt
It is hard to get a good face shot of Wyatt because they use an unnecessarily large amount of tape.
Maw decorated a Christmas tree for Wyatt. She has one for Bailey but she can't have it in her unit. We will save it for her room next year.
Bailey
Wyatt
It is hard to get a good face shot of Wyatt because they use an unnecessarily large amount of tape.
Maw decorated a Christmas tree for Wyatt. She has one for Bailey but she can't have it in her unit. We will save it for her room next year.
Bailey
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Santa Pictures 2009
It is bad when your child is scolding Santa with her hands on her hips. This was not a posed picture.
Monday, December 7, 2009
How Preemie Mom's Are Chosen by Erma Bombeck
One of the ladies with the preemie support group I joined shared this piece.
How Preemie Mom's Are Chosen
Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a preemie."
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel."
"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair.
Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it.
I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I am going to give her has a world of it's own. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."
God smiles. "This one is perfect. She has just the right amount of selfishness. "
The angel gasps, "Selfishness! Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.
She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says "momma" for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it.
I will permit her to see clear the things that I see - ignorance, cruelty, prejudice - and allow her to rise above them.
She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
"But what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air. God smiles.
"A mirror will suffice."
How Preemie Mom's Are Chosen
Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a preemie."
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel."
"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair.
Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it.
I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I am going to give her has a world of it's own. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."
God smiles. "This one is perfect. She has just the right amount of selfishness. "
The angel gasps, "Selfishness! Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.
She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says "momma" for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it.
I will permit her to see clear the things that I see - ignorance, cruelty, prejudice - and allow her to rise above them.
She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
"But what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air. God smiles.
"A mirror will suffice."
Thursday, December 3, 2009
I am sick for the second time since I have had the babies. Oh Brianne.... please keep you mouth and hands off of things so you will stop getting sick and bringing it to me. I have not seen Bailey since Monday and Wyatt since Sunday. I can finally hold my babies, and I am stuck here at the house sick. The good thing is that they are doing well. I am hoping to see them again Saturday if I am better. Oh I would also like to see a little snow on Saturday. LOL
Current weights:
Wyatt 3pds 10 oz
Bailey 3 pds
Current weights:
Wyatt 3pds 10 oz
Bailey 3 pds
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