Poor Baby Girl

 My poor baby had another tuff day in the NICU. 
When we got to the hospital they were trying again with the PICC line. 
They tried her leg and then her head.  Both with no luck. 
They had to shave off a big patch of hair and you can see in the picture how swollen and bruised she is on her forehead. 

They had her pretty heavily sedated hoping they could just get the line in and not worry about it. 

They said it's like trying to thread a tiny piece of thread into a tiny little vein the size of the thread. 

After trying for a few hours they had to give her a break.

On top of being sedated they said that she is not feeling well.  They drew some blood work to see exactly what she is fighting, and they started her on antibiotics last night.  The problem we keep running into is she can't keep an IV in for more than a day for the anti biotics (that's why we need the PICC line) She has what they call loops.  You can see these vein looking little loops inside her tummy as well as her tummy being rock hard and swollen.  It is clear she is unable to digest anything and she just does not feel well.  Last night they said they were going to just let her sleep and try not to work on her so she can recover from the trauma of the last few days.  It is so heartbreaking.  Ryan and his Dad gave her a Blessing last night and now we just wait, pray harder than ever and trust in the Lord. 

After a little over a week, I was excited to finally get the word I could go home. They released me about 10am. On our way up to see Aubrey they called and asked if we were willing to sign a consent for a PICC line.. She is not digesting anything and the IV's are just so fragile and keep blowing out. We went to do that and they could not get it in right. It kept curling before reaching the heart. After three different tries and a couple of hours of her screaming they gave her a break. We are letting her rest for 24 hours and then going to see what options we have. I have never felt so helpless or cried so hard. Such a hard day. We are home now and I am drained.  I was nervous leaving my baby in the hospital anyway, but I know they are the ones who know how to help her best right now.  They had a literal line on the floor that we could not pass since they were going into her heart and everything had to be sterile.  I kept it together in the beginning but could only take her heart breaking cries for so long before I lost it.  I could tell the Doctor was pretty frazzeled and disappointed he was not able to get it in.  I am very thankful for the doctors and all that they are doing for Aubrey. 

We got home and Ry put me to bed and I slept well.  Staci insisted on being my first meal home.  :)  Love her!  It was just the yummy home cooked meal and visit our little family needed and at just the right time.  I hope that we are able to get things figured out and things aren't so hard on Aubrey tomorrow 

Sweet baby girl!

Thought I'd post some pictures of our little 3 day old sweetheart. 

When I got to the NICU this morning they were just about to put her under the lights for Jaundice.  Preemies have a hard time digesting food and it's very common of them to need to have help with their Belly Ruben

 They let me hold her for 30 minutes before they hooked her up. 

Thats the longest I have ever got to hold her. It was very exciting!
 She kept opening her little eyes at me and smiled.  It was so tender.   

She seems to like it under the lights.  They said she will be under them for a few days. 

 since she can't digest food she has an IV in her little head to feed her. 
It use to be in her hand, but it started leaking so they moved it to her head. 

It is very hard to see your child full of wires and tubes.  The IV on the head was a tuff one for me. 

 You can see her head is smaller than Ry's fist. 

I just love this little girl and can not wait to take bring her home! 

A little change in plans

Last Monday June 11th I had a full busy day ahead of me.

First thing on the schedule was my dr. appointment, followed by errands, swim, lunch at the school and a jump start of things for the girls room.  I kissed Ry and the kids good bye and told them I'd be back in an hour or so. 

When I got to the Doctors office we talked about how things were going and they took my blood pressure.  I have been trying all pregnancy to get my blood sugar under control, but having very little success.  I figured I would be starting insulin today.  Well, after they took my blood pressure and accessed a few other things they told me to go straight to the hospitial.  They were worried I was in the begining statges of preeclamsia/toxemia. 

It all felt so familiar. The same thing happened with Ky-guy.  Only I was 32 weeks with him and this pregnancy I was 31 weeks.  I went, but really thought they'd be sending me home later that day. 

When I got to the hospital they started me on blood pressure meds and ran lots of tests.  They decided to keep me over night to complete a 24 hour urine test.  Once the results came back from that it was clear I wasn't going anywhere.  Typically they like to see the protien come back at 130.  They say when it's 500 though that it is extrememly dangerous and they always take the baby.  My test came back at 1092.  YIKES!!!!  Because they had already started me on the meds and it seems to be maitaining things they decided to keep me on hospital bed rest.  They said I would have to stay there  instead of bed rest at home because once I start progressing, I would progress fast and it can be fatal to me and the baby.  When the blood pressure rises it makes the toxins dump into the baby.  It was crazy just getting up to go to the bathroom raised my blood pressure.  They watched me like a hawk.  I eneded up being able to go 5 days before things go real bad.  

When I found out I was going to be in the hospital I began to worry about everything.  How were we going to take care of the kids.  Ry was already planning on taking time off when the baby comes, how could we afford to have him take time off now too.  These were all things I worried about, but I must say that our little family has been extrememly blessed and I have seen the hand of the Lord everywhere in the last week. 

Ryan's dad just retired in May and offered to come down for as long as we need him too. 

That has been such a blessing.  He gets the kids where they need to be, takes care of them, feeds them and has kept up on laundry dishes and all the day to day duties.  Ry has helped him too when he is not at the hospital taking care of me.  Staci and Gwen both immediately called and told me they were taking the kids and doing meals.  We are between wards, our records still hadn't transferred into the new ward, but my friend Mandy heard what was going on and brought us dinner and set up meals with our RS.  I remember in conference this year, Pres. Uchdorf talked about how there are those people who may see someone drowning and ask if the person is ok and would like them to jump in and save them.  That hesitation and way of asking doesn't seem to make much sense and we need to be able and willing to jump right in.  I have thought of that talk over and over this last week.  I am sooo blessed to have people call and tell me they are doing this or that, not letting me tell them no.  Gwen called and said "Ok, what day am I watching kids and what days do I have meals"  I seriously got teary eyed.  It is hard sometimes to let people help and I don't know why, but it was clear I could not take care of my family on my own.  It is very humbling to be the recipient of so much unconditional love and service. 

Staci took the kids for us and showed them an amazing time.  The boys especially loved trying old school nintendo.  :) 

Along with all of the many many offers to help I was touched by all the thoughtful visits, texts and phone calls.  It really helped those 5 days fly by.  Ry had asked Jim to come give me a blessing.  Gwen came along with him and we ended up having a mini date night in my hospital room.  It was SOOOOO much fun.  We just talked and talked and talked.  I LOVE those people. 

I loved the all the sweet thoughtful gifts that people dropped off.  Lindsay and Janell brought this adorable hospital survival bucket and Staci brought me a fun little pamper gift with cute onsies.  She even got to go to the NICU and see the baby.  :) Two new ladies I didn't even know from my ward brought me flowers and a book that I ended up LOVING! 

I LOVE the bright happy "chickadee flowers" from my mom and dad.  I keep looking over at them and they just make me smile.  I had a really ruff day yesterday and it was my mom who pulled me thru.  It is amazing how she can do that for me even in a different state.  It made me reflect on my relationship with her and what I hope to have with my little girls.  I hope that even when they are grown I will be able to be there for them like she is for me.  She always knows how to handle things.  She is always on your side and can always cheer me up.  I am thankful for her way of being here for me even when she can't physically be here.  I LOVE and adore my Mother! 

Friday night June 15 I had the WORST stomach ache ever.  They ran some blood tests and decided it was time to have a baby.  The toxins were too high and ready to spill over into the baby.  I have never been in so much pain and I was soooo grateful that I was in the hospital and not experiencing that kind of pain at home.  There is nothing they can do for the pain other than have the baby.  This all happened around 2 am.  I was finally scheduled to have a 10 am C-section.  When it was finally a decent hour I called and let Ryan know it was baby time. I was really nervous and scared to be having another preemie. 

Sat June 16th 2012 our sweet little miracle baby girl was born.  Aubrey Elaine.  She weighed 4lbs 2 oz.  She is doing great.  We were really worried she would need oxygen but she hasn't. We have been told to plan on about 3 weeks of her in the NICU for her to get big enough and healthy enough to come home.  I am so thankful for the sweet little miracle our family has been blessed with.  She is seriously the sweetest little baby.  I am completely absolutelty in love with her! 

Miss B had her big end of the year recital and it was darling. 

They put on Snow White and she was one of the forest bunnies. 

She was absolutely adorable and did a great job. 

 I LOVE her sense of modesty. 

When she got her costume she said it was not modest! 

GULP...so true. 

As a mom I didn't know how I wanted to handle this. 

I work so hard to be sure she is always covered up and understands why we dress modestly.  

Then she gets this little costume. 

We talked about how somethings are ok to wear while you are using them like a swiming suit and in this case her costume just for the recital. 

I like that she was uncomfortable wearing it and wanted to change right out of it. 

Such a good girl, she makes her parents proud.   

This is her beloved Brother Hundley. 

He wasn't able to come to her preschool graduation, but he did make it to the recital. 

(his niece was also in it, but Miss B thought he was there just for her) 
He was adorable with her and made her feel like a million bucks. 

The Hundley family is amazing and I am so glad they are a part of our lives.  

After the recital our whole group headed over to Nielsons for Icecream.  Yum, Yum!!! 



It was a fun night and I'm so glad our Daddy

was willing to take the night off to support our 

little sweetheart!   

WOW, I can't believe it. 

The kids have been out of school for 20 days already. 

It is flying by so fast and I don't think I like it. 

 

After we got back from Utah the kids started swim. 

Today was the last day of the first session.  

They all did great and have improved so much.   

Ky's favorite is the freestyle

 He has really great technique and a lot of speed. 

J-man is our little fish in the water. 

He  ALWAYS wants to go swimming. 

His favorite stroke is the breast stroke. 

Some of the kids jump in and just start waving their arms around and fighting the water.

 Jman was amazing at slowing it down and going nice and smooth. 

He has AMAZING technique and is a lot of fun to watch. 

 Miss B was adorable. 

Her teachers LOVED her. 

 Her teacher Alan kept calling her his little model. 

Every time he would show the class something new he would say,

 Ok "B" should we show them how it's done? 

 She had no fear and always did exactly what he told her to do. 

 She was the perfect little leader model. 

 She is able to go on the BIG water slide now and LOVES it. 

She  has loved seeing her teacher lifeguard when we go swimming as a family. 

He is very cute with her and always talks with her. 

It's been a great first session.

Can't wait to start the new classes on Monday! 

Summer Vacation 2012 Part 2

One of Jeffersons buddies wanted to do a combined FHE picnic in the park to celebrate their graduations.  There was a fun little splash pad that the kids loved. 

 So handsome!!!! 

 The next night we went to one of Kendalls vacation homes and enjoyed some fun swimming. 

 The water was vcery refreshing a felt so good. 

 They had this amazing rock waterslide that we all went down. 

Yep even yours truly. 

 It was a blast!!!

 We swam til just after dark

 Miss B LOVED the slide

 I love anytime I get to see Ry do Daddy/Uncle duty. 

He is so funny with the kids and makes everything so much fun. 

I'm not sure what the rules were of this game but I think it was some kind of water wrestling thing. 

I kept my distance

 J man on the slide

 The next day we got up bright and early and Ry and I headed off to

 Vegas for a 3 day get-a-way with out kids. 

It was so much fun! 

The kids had a blast and I did not have to worry about them even once. 

Ry was in charge of planning our anniversary and he did a great job. 

He booked us a really fancy room at The Palms. 

We went and saw the Blue Man Group. 

I have always wanted to see them and they did not disappoint. 

We had fun walking around, went to Battleship the movie,

 ate at a yummy buffet in the Mirage and a few other yummy restraunts.   

I loved how laid back and relaxing it was. 

No schedule to keep, just make it up as we go kind of trip. 

We slept in EVERY morning! 

It was nice to wake up when we wanted and not have an alarm or kids waking us up. 

It was really nice to have my sweet husband all to myself for three whole days. 

I think every pregnant wife should be so lucky to have that experience. 

I feel rejuvenated, uplifted-he really does inspire me to be a better person,

happy and ready for this baby. 

Thank you Clements for making it possible and THANK YOU

to my sweet best friend for planning everything

 and being everything I have ever dreamed of and more these last 14 years. 

I am sooo super blessed to get to be married to such a wonderful supportive amazing man!