Thankful Thursday!

Audrey’s First Kiss!

Well, Chase couldn’t take Kayla to Springfield today, so I did.  I left work at 11:00 and we headed that way.  I had the most wonderful day!  I so needed to see little Audrey for myself and ask as many questions as I wanted to.

Audrey was having a wonderful day.  As of 5 pm, when, we finally left, she had not had any medicine to sedate or calm her or any pain medicine since about 5 a.m.!  Today they moved her feedings up from every four hours to every three hours, and now they are giving her 17 ml (a little over an ounce) at each feeding.  They also moved her touch periods from every four hours to every three hours!  And she had three poopy diapers today.  She was not on any oxygen today, she was breathing the normal room air.

Today her nurse’s name was Trena.  She was wonderful.  She told us that she didn’t know what people’s religion preferences were but she prayed over “her” babies at the start of her shift everyday!  Thank you Jesus for putting Godly people in our paths. 

We were only able to stay about 4 hours and it is amazing to watch those people that care for her. 

Kayla and I stopped at Lambert’s on our way home.  I had only been there one time many many years ago and man it was absolutely wonderful!  The candies yams are delicious! And the chicken fried steak wasn’t bad either.

A different Wednesday

As happy as I am for Kayla to be home, I kinda miss what has been our “normal” Wednesday routine for the last few weeks.  I miss being close to my daughter and spending a little special time with just her and Drew.

Below is an update that she just posted on Facebook.  I hate learning news this way, but at least I know. . .

“Audrey had a good day today (Wednesday). The spinal fluid they tested showed no infection! Her pneumonia is about the same. They were able to turn her ventilator down a little. She had her first bowel movement last night! All praise to Jesus! Thank you!! “

And here is a picture she took today, Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 5 days old.

And a couple more. . . Tuesday, April 26, 2011,  4 days old.

And three days old . . . Monday, April 24, 2011

I cannot wait to hold this precious little angel.  I cannot wait to hear her cry. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for this little miracle.  I pray that you will continue and complete the work you have started here.  Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom and strength for the medical team of nurses and doctors that are caring for her every minute of every day.  Dear Lord, please take away this pneumonia and make her little lungs strong. 

Easter Sunday

Just saw a face book post that read “It’s official . . . . Peter Cottontail has drowned”.  That describes the weather pretty much for the past couple of days.  As of this afternoon we have already got about 7” inches of rain and there is no end in sight.  Doesn’t make for a very good day of egg hunting.

Drew and I colored eggs yesterday.  It was a little more difficult that I remembered . . . the attention span of an 18 month old is not very long at all. But we had fun and got the job done.

 

I spent the night at Kayla and Chase’s house last night so Drew would sleep better through the storms.  The lightening and thunder were terrible.  Peggy picked him up and took him to church with her and we picked Drew up on our way home from church.  Kayla wanted him to go to Easter Dinner at Grandma Ginny’s house.  All of Shonna’s family was there today and my family was scattered.  Of course Kayla is still in the hospital and Kristin is in Russellville.  Drew and Hunter were able to hunt eggs (as much as an 18 month old and a year old can) in the house.

After dinner, Richard, Drew, and I went to see Kayla and little Audrey.  Kayla had a really rough night last night, emotionally, mentally, physically, etc.  She was much better today.  As far as I know or can tell or from what I have been told, little Audrey is doing ok.  Here are a few pictures from today.

Kayla made a post on face book tonight about how amazing it is of all the little things a person takes for granted.  That is so true.  I feel like I have learned and grown so much during this ordeal with her the past few weeks.  I have often thought the same thing.  I take so much for granted.  I am and have always been a very jealous person.  I hate that about myself.  What a horrible attribute to have or way to be.  I have had a most difficult time truly letting go of my girls since they got married.  I don’t know why.  It is something I struggle with everyday.  And I have good sons-in-law that are good Christian men that love and serve the Lord and provide for my girls.  And I am happy for them but there is just something that I have a hard time dealing with.  I just don’t want to be forgotten.  I just want to have those relationships with my girls that we had before they married and I guess I am always afraid of losing that.  I have so much more growing in the Lord that I need to do.

Audrey Update

Here is what Kayla posted on Facebook earlier today. . . . .

audrey update: doctor said she had a really good night. today they are going to test some of her spinal fluid for infection (since my water ruptured so early theres a higher chance of infection in her). they turned her oxygen off, and they were going to try turning the ventilator off too. hopefully she can pick up the breathing on her own!

And she has also said that they have given Audrey just a little bit of her milk that she has pumped today. Just praying that she tolerates it.

Audrey Claire Has Arrived!

April 22, 2011, Good Friday, at 10:18 a.m. She weighed 3lbs 13.5oz and was 16” long. Born at 28 weeks and 5 days.

She is such a precious gift from God, a miracle, and such a blessing. God had a plan for this little girls life as she has had such a rough time getting here and still has a long road ahead of her. And she definitely needs continued prayers.

This makes the hard tough events of the past few days since the last post just not very important any longer.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday! Thank you Jesus; I serve a risen King! Kristin and Brandon both are in their churches Easter production. It was presented last Wednesday and last night as well will be presented tonight and tomorrow. Kristin says it has gone very well, lots of people have been saved. I have seen the production twice in years past, they do a wonderful job! Again thank you Jesus, I am so thankful that my children know you and serve you.

So . . . . little Drew and I are going to color Easter Eggs today. I cannot wait! The eggs are boiling now and I will go to Harrison in a little bit and pick him up from Peggy and Shannon. It will be a fun day and weekend in spite of all of the rain that is predicted.

“I Love Wednesdays”

That makes my heart happy. . . . “Thank you so much for coming.  I love Wednesdays”, that was the message that Kayla sent me tonight when I let her know that we made it home ok.  It does her and Drew so much good to see each other and it just be the two of them.  And I am so thankful I can leave work early and go to Springfield on Wednesday afternoons.

We got to play with the nurse’s stethoscope today.  Drew kept putting in on his belly.

And St John’s finally uncovered the ball and Drew that it was so cool.  The water was; however, a little chilly.

And Kayla decided to try and get a little sun.  She told me NOT to post this on Facebook, so I thought my blog was appropriate.

And in this picture, a helicopter had his attention. Anything to keep from looking at Nana.

And for supper before we headed hope, we shared a pizza.

 

We had a wonderful visit and Drew slept part of the way home. Until next time.

Happy Birthday Brian!

This post was supposed to be done last Friday, April 8, 2011. 21 years ago, God blessed us with a precious baby boy. Brian has been such a blessing to us. He has been/is such a good kid. We have not had a bit of trouble out of him at all. Scares me to death to think how close we came to loosing him a couple of years ago when he had his 4-wheeler wreck. Tonight we took him and Emily Heard to Red Lobster for supper.

We got Brian a Snap-On neon lit clock for his new shop, that is what he wanted, and a new billfold.

I love you sweetheart. You have brought so much joy to our lives. We are so very proud of you.

Just Tuesday

Kristin and Brandon are coming “home” this weekend.  Woo-hoo!  Haven’t seen her is so long.

Kayla had another ultrasound today.  It showed that little Audrey is growing very well. In fact she measures 29 weeks and weighs about 3 pounds which is larger than average for her gestational age; Kayla is only 27 weeks along.  However, her fluid level is really really low. . . only 1.8 cm, normal is between 12 and 18 cm.  That is the lowest level she has measured yet.  Not good, but again there is nothing they can do.  They are simply waiting the onset of labor, the sign of an infection, or for her to get to 34 weeks.  The baby is no longer breech, she is transverse again.  Still not in the position she needs to be in. Kayla says every time they monitor the heart beat, it looks fine.  So bless her heart, she is just still waiting.

Brian’s shop building is coming along; slowly, but coming along still.

27 Weeks!

Praise the Lord continually!  Kayla has another week behind her and little Audrey is that much stronger and more developed.  Today also marks the end of her third week in the hospital.

Here are some pictures that we took yesterday.  We just had such a full busy day and there were to many to post.  After our trip to Springfield and the zoo, we came home and Pawpaw took us on a 4-wheeler ride to go check the cows.

And we got to play in the boat.

And we blew and chased bubbles.

And then today, Sunday, Richard had to move turkeys again because the other house ran out of feed so we didn’t get to go to church.  Drew and I took the boys something to drink and got to see the birds being moved.

And we had to check out the tractor of course.

It has been a wonderful weekend! 

ZOO

I decided that Drew and I needed to visit Dickerson Park Zoo while we were in Springfield to visit his momma today.  It was rather warm, much warmer than I cared for, especially by the time we got there.  The thermometer in my car read 91 degrees!  I had brought along the sun screen, water, stroller, and camera.  So wish Kristin or Richard could have gone with me.  It would have been much more fun and easier.

But Drew was a trooper!  He was so good!  He wore his sunglasses, drank his water, and rode in the stroller without trying to get out.  I was actually amazed a little.  And we had a wonderful time!

We went to feed the giraffes first but they were not selling any giraffe food.  What was up with that?  Next time I will know to take crackers.  This giraffe was really closer that it appears.  They are such amazing animals.

Then we were off to the petting zoo.  Ok, I really had reservations about this area.  But Kayla said this was his favorite part last time.  She and Chase had taken Drew to the zoo 6 months ago on his first birthday.  I think goats stinks and who would want to let them eat of your hand, gross.  But this was for Drew not me.  So I dug around and found 50 cents and bought some food.   He loved it!  He had so much fun! He fed the goat one piece at a time and just had the sweetest look on his face with each piece.  Sometimes he would take the piece towards his mouth and then suddenly give it to the goat.  I think he thought he was teasing he goat like his Papa Richard teases him. It was so funny to watch him.

I can’t wait to take him back. Next time; however, I hope to have his momma with us and go much earlier in the day while it is a little cooler.

Now for pictures of his visit with his momma.

We had another good visit.  Richard and I went to Best Buy last night and bought a portable DVD player and a couple of movies for Drew.  It worked wonderfully!  He very rarely sleeps in the car and he gets so fussy and tired.  Well, I popped in a movie and he actually watched it.  He was pretty content on the way up there and on the way back.

We had a full day when we got back home too.  We took a four wheeler ride to go check the cows, played in the boat, and then Tina and the kids came over and we blew bubbles out in the front yard.  More pics to come tomorrow.

Wed - Another Mid Week Visit

So thankful for the opportunity to get to take little Drew to go see his momma again yesterday. The weather was beautiful and I took my mother with me. We rarely do anything together. I need to make a better effort to spend time with my mother. I will do that. Anyway, I liked last weeks visit better that this week. Kayla just didn't act like she felt very good. And I had to cut the visit shorter than normal. And I didn't go get her any food. I know the hopsital food has to be getting old. When Drew pulled this color out of the box he immediately said "lellow"! We were amazed at how he knew that what color that was! We finally got to go to the Atrium today! Drew had fun running around. He decided to crawl up on his momma and give her a hug. I know they miss each other so much. So hard on both of them. At least Drew won't remember. But there are many positives that I have to keep reminding myself . . . . 1) she is NOT in Little Rock 2) it is NOT Christmas time or during the holidays 3) she isn't hooked up to IVs or monitors or machines and is free to move about While trying to keep him entertained, he found my reading glasses in my purse. And he loved them. So cute! It's a good thing they are inexpensive and from Walmart.

"yummm, this apple is so good". I think this is the first time he has eaten an apple like this. This apple was in a goody bag that someone gave to Kayla. Every time I take him to see her, he makes a bee line for that goody bad and digs out this apple. So we finally decided to let him eat it today. He loved it.

And here he just decided to lay back and rest awhile.

26 Weeks!

Kayla has made it another week! Thank you Jesus! We never thought we would make it this far. I know these two weeks seems like an eternity to her and it is so easy to say encouraging words to her. But I know being on her side has to be so difficult. As a mother, I want to do something to fix it, to make it all better, and there is nothing I can do. So I took Drew for another visit today. He found his mama's colored pencils and decided to draw a little. And we took the gift bad to the hospital to show his momma what he got at Hunter's birthday party and these glasses were a big hit.

And here he was ready to go bye-bye and started trying to put his shoes on.

Some of Kayla's friends went to see her yesterday and they had a craft day at the hospital. Kayla is not a crafty person at all, never has been. However, she had a wonderful time and decided that making the wreaths they made was more fun than she thought it would be. So she started looking for another project to do. I went to Michael's today, because Hobby Lobby was closed, to get her some crafting supplies. She decided to get the letters that spell the baby's name, AUDREY, and cover them in yarn. Absolutely darling! Can't wait to see the finished project. By the time I got home, Kayla had already completed the first three letters.

And this is a picture of the hospital. Her home for the last two weeks and hopefully many more weeks to come.