Mid-Week Visit

Got to go see Kayla today and so thankful that Richard got to go with me because the trip with Drew is not easily done by myself. But we had a wonderful visit! Drew was funny and made Kayla laugh, they truly enjoyed their time together. The girls at work gathered a huge bag of stuff for her; things to eat and other things to keep her busy and they also collected over $350 in cash!!!! That will help them so much with gas money. So appreciative! So here is drew checking out what is in the bag. And he found an orange in another basket someone brought. I don't know that he had ever had an orange. He found it and thought it was a ball. After being "bounced" on the floor a few time, he decided to take a bite out of it. So at that point I peeled it for him. He loved it! He couldn't eat it fast enough!

I am amazed at how he will crawl up into Kayla's bed and just sit with her. Here they are sharing Teddy Grahams.

Kayla had asked for a wheel chair before I got there. So when the nurse brought it into the room the first thing Drew said was "Whee". Obviously he remembered his ride from the weekend.

And this was on our way home. He need a Cheez-it break.

One week down!

A week ago yesterday Kayla was admitted into the hospital. I don't know that I can even imagine all of the feelings that she has gone through this week. And I am afraid it is going to get worse before it gets better. But she had some good news today. They did another ultrasound this morning and her fluid level has increased from 4.5 cm to 8 cm! TYJ! But the baby is not positioned head down any longer. Precious Audrey Claire is lying side to side. Kayla said maybe she isn't leaking as much because the baby's spine is lying on her cervix. Maybe. At least she has had enough fluid to move around in but really want and need her to get back in the right position. I hope to get to Springfield tomorrow afternoon. She wants to see Drew again and this will be mid-week.

25 Weeks!

A milestone! Such an important week! Kayla has made it to 25 weeks; three weeks after her "water broke". Such a miracle. God does have a plan for this precious little girl. Praying continually for at least another three weeks; however, nine would be so much better! Just day by day and by the grace of God. Chase got to spend the weekend with Kayla and for that I am grateful. This would be a strain on any relationship. With God's help and in his time, this too shall pass. I got to take little Drew to Springfield to see his momma again yesterday. It was such a nasty day. Rainy, foggy, dreary, etc but there was so much happiness in that hospital room. Kayla wanted ribs from Chili's. Actually she wanted to be able to go to a restaurant and go eat with everyone but the restaurant was going to have to come to her. Chase had gone and picked up ribs and corn on the cob. So Drew got to share a late lunch with his momma again. I think this was his first corn on the cob experience. He loved it! Look at those eyes! I love it.

And here he was being so entertaining. Kayla said she was scared of him. He was just excited to see her and was making funny faces.

And after five days of being confined to a hospital room, Kayla finally got out. Chase wheeled her down to the first floor to check out the Gift shop, coffee shop, and the cafeteria.

Drew rode like a little trooper. While going down the halls he kept saying "wheeee". And then we met quite a few EMT's and he waved and said "hi" to them.

It was a great day for her. I can't wait to go back again when the weather is pretty and take her to the Atrium. She needs to get outside!

Back to Back Spgfd Trips

I got off work last night at 5 pm and made a mad dash to Springfield to see Kayla. Had not planned on doing that but it was so good to see her. It absolutely breaks my heart to know she is up there all by herself without visitors day after day.

And I got to go back today and this time I took little Drew! I think they were equally so glad to get to see each other. He crawled up in the bed with his momma and sat there for quite awhile.
They even shared supper.

And he likes her water jug. He was so comfortable.

And they played with stickers.

We had a good visit. So very hard to leave. She said Dr. Deaver came in again to see her today and he is still really positive about her situation. She has almost made it another week! For that I am so grateful and thankful.

Optimistically Hopeful

I am emotionally drained. But I am sure I am not the only one. Kayla's doctor referred her to a specialist in Springfield so she had an appointment with Dr. Andrea Greiner this morning at 9:15. They did another ultrasound and again told us the baby looked fine. Actually she is already a big baby for 24 weeks of gestation. Average baby would be 500-700 grams; our baby is 800 grams or 1.12 pounds. And again her kidneys and bladder look to be ok and she had a good heartbeat. Underdeveloped lungs are the concern right now. Dr. Greiner wanted to admit her to St. John's and she will have to stay there until she delivers. Every day is so critically important. Her goal today was to make it until tomorrow. Tomorrow her goal will be to make it until the next day. We did find out that they will not let her go past 34 weeks IF she even makes it that long.

After being admitted to the hospital, fifth floor, suite 1, the obstetrician, Dr. Dever came in and talked to us. He was very encouraging. Points that he noted that are in Kayla's favor. . . .

1. Still Pregnant two weeks after "her water broke".

2. Such a plus that up until 2 or maybe 2.5 weeks ago, fluid levels were normal.

3. The sex is a girl, they are stronger fighters.

4. The baby is positioned head down.

5. Kayla is young.

6. She still has 4.5 cm of fluid, that is better than NO fluid.

Then after Dr. Dever's visit, the neonatal doctor and his team came and talked to us. And we even got to take a tour of the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). That is when reality hit me. There was a family there that offered to let us view their baby. That mother had delivered at 25 weeks and their baby weight about what Kayla's does now. So tiny is all I have to say!

Anyway, it was a very long and draining day. I just hated to leave Kayla up there by herself. But Shannon and Peggy were able to bring Drew up there for his first visit. I was able to get a picture or two.

He liked playing with his Momma's hospital bracelets.

And he loved sharing Momma's Sprite!

To say the very least, I think we are going to have a very long hard road ahead of us. But God is good and we will make it thur this and be stronger because of it.

Last Day at Home for a While

Wow, today was absolutely beautiful! Upper 70's and sunshine, it was a little windy, but still georgous. Kayla had to go to NARMC around 1'ish to get a steriod shot so we picked up Drew on the way home from church. Grandma Ginny called me yesterday and told me to bring Drew up to her house so he could pick a bouquet of flowers for his momma. And we did just that after he woke up from his nap. She spent her last day at "home" at my house. After they left the hospital, Chase brought her out here to spend the rest of the afternoon.

Drew actually had more fun taking the flowers out of the vase.

He loved looking thru the posts on Grandma Ginny's porch.

So innocent and pure.

Kristin sent me a text message about some BBQ pulled pork she made. I can't wait to try it. She said it was really good. She is on Spring break this week and I am so happy for her. She and Brandon went hiking at Petitt Jean State Park yesterday. So wish I could have been there with her.

Brian went out again with Emily Heard last night and then went over to her house tonight. Hummmmm?

I am so apprehensive about Kayla's appointment in Springfield tomorrow. I am go glad and thankful she asked me to go with them but am scared at the same time. Hopefully in 12 or so hours, we will better know what we are facing.

Dear Lord, please keep your hands on this little family. I pray for wisdom for Kayla and Chase for the decisions that they may be facing.

Signs of Spring

Still very trying times this week. Finally got to snap a few more pictures of Drew this afternoon. He just loves this monkey, has for months. In this picture his momma told him to give his monkey a hug and he is getting ready to do that.
And here he is giving his monkey a kiss. So sweet!

I am loving daylight savings time! It is not dark when I get off work. Today was beautiful so Drew and I spent a few minutes outside this afternoon. Kayla has a Bradford Pear tree in her yard and in just the last few day they have started blooming all over Harrison. They are beautiful! Drew has always liked flowers; he loves to smell them and of course pick the blooms off. He was fascinated with all of the blooms.

Miss Patty Hendrix, one of Kayla's friends' mother, cooked supper for them tonight and brought it over. Things like that mean so much during trying times. That was such a blessing. And Drew loved it! She brought spaghetti, green beans, salad, bread and smores!

Worried, Stressed, Tired

One week ago tomorrow, Kayla was admitted to NARMC for observation and IV, trying to pump massive amounts of fluid into her. Monday, March 7th, she was scheduled for her regular check-up. She had gone to the emergency room Saturday night because she felt or had the sensation that her water broke. The ultrasound done Monday morning showed very low amniotic fluid; measuring 6 cm and she should be measuring 15 cm; very critical. She had to stay overnight in the hospital and they were hoping to see improved fluid levels Tuesday morning. That did not happen. She was dismissed as there was nothing that could be done. Basically, the doctor sent her home to wait for the on set of labor or for an infection to develop. Tuesday night when she got home, she started leaking even more. Therefore, her doctor has order her to 100% bed rest. She can only get up to go to the bathroom and to go get something to eat. Having an 18 month old at home makes this very difficult at best. Add Chase's work schedule to that and it makes it even more difficult. So every night last week, I would go to her house and help out with Drew. Feed them, bathe him and put him to bed. Friday night little Drew started running a fever. Kayla is going absolutely stir crazy and wanted to get out of the house so she and Drew came and sat at my house yesterday. He so didn't feel good. And he wasn't any better this morning. She wanted me to come and help Chase and we ended up taking him to Mediquick. He had a raw red sore throat and had upper respiratory junk. He was so pitiful. So I ended up spending most of the day trying again to help out with him.

I was able to snap a picture or two yesterday. In this one, Drew is learning to hold a pen and learning to make marks on paper. I actually wrote his name and said D R E W, Drew. And he said his name for the first time.

In this one, I was trying to get a picture of his beautiful eyelashes.

Friday Night

We spent another Friday night at home.  Kayla and Drew came over for a while so here are a few pictures I snapped.  Huh?  Clearly he didn’t understand something his mama was telling him.

And in this one I think he is going to be a car enthusiast like his Grandpa and Uncle Brian. He loves to get their magazines and find the cars and say “bummm, bummm”.

And when there is food in the room, this child comes running.  In this picture he is helping Grandpa eat his Cheetos. 

New Barn

We are in the process of having a new hay barn built down under the hill.  I got home early enough today while it was still daylight in order to take a few pictures.  So happy for Richard, this is something he has wanted and needed for some time now.

Monster Shoes

Well, before we get to the monster shoes, Drew decided to play a little tune on his guitar and sing a song. I am lovin' his pj's.
Now for the monster shoes. He wore these all day long on Saturday! He loves them.

Yay, Kristin and Brandon came "home" this weekend. Brandon had a MMA fight at the Burlsworth Youth Center on Saturday night. Some of their friends came up to support him and spent the night at our house; Amber, Alicia, and Dara.

I got to keep Drew on Saturday. Kristin and Brian both wanted a new FB profile picture.