I'm home

I was discharged on Thursday afternoon. I had been in the hospital for 7 weeks and 1 day and was so ready to be home with Michael and the big boys. I didn't anticipate how hard it would be for me to leave Sam in the NICU. He is so well cared for there and progressing as they would expect, but the reality of him not being with us is SO incredibly hard for me. I went again to visit him today and it wasn't any easier to leave. I am praying he will be home in a week.  The nurses said it is possible he could be be taken off the breathing tube on Saturday. For being premmature, he has done very well with that since his first hours of birth. As I was leaving Thursday, the nurse asked if I wanted to hold him... tubes & all and of course, I couldn't contain the tears. I wasn't expecting it and it was so special. I haven't seen him yet with his eyes open. He has been so sleepy which is what they want because it is so important in his development. After all, he is supposed to be sleeping in my tummy!  He did develop jaundice so he is under lights. When he was first born, he was eating 5cc of milk. He has a feeding tube in his mouth that goes directly to his tummy for him to digest. As of today, he was taking 25cc of milk. I'd say that is some serious progress!!  Here are some recent pictures...

August 27

I didn't feel well on Monday. I was more lethargic, lost my appetite & felt like my belly was about to pop. I laid down most of the afternoon and a nurse came to check on me about 615 before her shift was over. She recommended we monitor my contractions as precaution & they picked up a little more. They called dr. Kang and she ordered an IV for me to get fluids. Before they got that going & only within minutes, my contractions were coming more frequently. Shortly after that, there were about 6 doctors & nurses in my room. They said call Michael cause you're having the baby! Well michael was bathing the boys and didnt hear the phone until after 7 attempts to call him & they relinquished my phone. Michael rushed to the hospital and was jogging down the hallway to get to the OR and made it just in time. I was very nervous about the surgery, but excited that we knew our son was healthy enough to be born & that most of the unknowns would finally be known!  We decided to do general anesthesia which was a better option in case I needed a blood transfusion or a hysterectomy. Although my uterus was in bad shape, neither was needed and Samuel Henry was born at 8:26 pm without a glitch weighing in at an even 5 lbs! He is doing quite well in the NICU, but will probably need another week or two before he can be home with us. I am doing well too... Just the normal pain from recovering from a surgery, but each day is significantly better. It looks like Michael & I will come home late afternoon on Thursday. 

 After some debate on his name, we agreed on Samuel a few months ago and once we looked it up in the Bible, we knew this had to be his name. 

1 Samuel 1:20 "So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,^[a] saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
²⁷ I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. ²⁸ So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.”


Our hearts have truly been on a journey with much prayer in getting this little guy here. We are overwhelmed with thankfulness that we are now a family of 5 and appreacite all those who prayed and supported us with encouragement, food and childcare. We would have not made it through (with as much sanity) without you! 

My contractions continue to pick up a little bit, but they are being controlled with oral medicine, rest & lots of water. It is normal for contractions to increase at this time in any pregnancy, but they put a strain on my weak spot for me. Right now, everything is still holding together. The doctors & ultrasound technicians have all told me this week, that are thrilled that I've made it this far & maybe even a little surprised. My OB is not picking a planned date to deliver the baby, but the longest should be around 34-35 weeks which is only a couple weeks away. This is mainly because my uterus will grown even more significantly at that point & my contractions will continue to increase & intensify. Taking the baby then will decrease the chances of an emergency situation. The baby will get weighed again next Friday, but should be around 4.5 lbs. If we make it to 34/35 weeks, there is a chance he will not be in the NICU & would be able to go him with us. Now, that would be a miracle! There are three things that have to happen for him to be able to go home... 1) He can breathe well on his own, 2) he can hold his body temp & 3) he can eat without a feeding tube. Babies ability to suck, swallow & breathe simultaneously develops around the 34 week mark. Even if he were born sooner, there is a good chance he will not have to stay long at Baptist. We are looking forward to hs arrival!

My big boys seem to be doing well. Michael is still running the household very well and Jacob has started 1st grade! The routine was something he needed & is loving his new class. Luke starts his last year of preschool Monday. They now call Baptist "my (mommy's) hospital"

My days have looked pretty much the same these past weeks... Tv, stay in bed, visit with friends, pay bills, coordinate my kids' schedule and read books. Sounds pretty decent, but I tell you that after over 5 weeks, it's very old! My energy level is fading because of the rest. I don't have much responsibility, but I also have no freedom... Haven't ridden in a car since July 11 and I can't even go outside without someone pushing me in a wheel chair. Next time, I'll take these breaks in smaller doses, please!
I am monitored for contractions & heart rate twice a day & there was a little more activity with that today. They raised my dosage of medicine to keep those at a minimum, so the doctors & nurses are watching me a little more closely. I go through phases of accepting the idea that I'll be in the hospital for 3 more weeks, then today happens & I wonder if I'll make it through the weekend. I take comfort in reminding myself that God knows our baby boy's birthday... That HE cares for our son (and for me) more than we do. In terms of medicine I think the doctors are surprised, although glad, that I've made it this far. We are not surprised & feel like it is only because of God that we are expecting for everyone to be healthy! Keep praying!

I made is past August 10!  My next goal is Aug 22. These are just personal goals & there is really nothing within my control that I can do to get there (except rest, I guess), but they help get me through my bed rest. Baby boy "passes" his ultrasound test every time with flying colors- checking amniotic fluid, his diaphragm, lungs and heart. I was anxious to see how much they estimated him to weigh on Friday. We were hoping it was atleast 3lbs which is the average for 30 weeks. They take certain measurements to estimate his weight and it was 3lbs 10oz! I cried of course. I was so unbelievably thankful. Michael said it is tough with me being in the hospital, but this is what we prayed for! God is continuing to show Himself to us throughout this process. we are finally getting to a point where baby boy should be healthy upon delivery (just a little bit "mini") and I am getting so excited to meet him!

I haven't had any additional contraction scares. I am starting to feel really relieved that I have made it so close to 30 weeks!! The doctors are very optimistic about baby's health now that I've made it this far. I love all these analogies the doctors give me. Today the head high risk doctor said " you've got the silver medal by making it to 30 weeks. 32 will be the gold and anything on top of that, will just be icing on the cake!"

The upside of all this is the great visits I've had with family & friends. My cousin Laura even gave me a pedicure!! Here are pics of some of the sweet visitors that I've had...

My mom, Aunt Debbie, Aunt Gloria & cousin Kim

 Allison, Rachel, me, Misty & Lindsey

Jacob and yes, Lucy!!

Kristen & Sarah (who gets the award for travelling the farthest... from Peru!!)



Michael, me, Karen & Matt (who chose to spend his birthday dinner at the hopsital :)

My contractions settled down and the doctors are contiuing to give me a small dose of medicine each day as precaution to prevent more contractions. I have felt good these past couple of days and doctors are going to get me as far along as they can. I made it to August!  That was a personal first goal of mine. My next goal is to make it next Friday (around 30 weeks).

I am starting to get tired of being at Baptist. I know I will be here longer and it will totally be worth it, but part of my heart really wants to be at home with Michael and the boys. Jacob told me the other night that he wished I could be home to cook him dinner. And of course, I wish that too!  I think of everyone, this has been a little harder on Jacob. He's my homebody. He is getting a little tired of going to camps and would be content to be home to draw, write & play legos!!

Thanks you for praying & reaching out!