Our Crazy August

Today I am finally updating, although most who read this already know what has been going on. The day I turned 34 weeks I went into the hospital with back pain and contractions, and I was not in labor. Thought it was a false alarm, and then in the middle of the night the next night, sweet Caleb's heartbeat dropped in to the 30's -50's and required an immediate emergency c-section. He was born at 34 weeks and 1 day at 4 lbs and 15 ounces. He was whisked away to the NICU and is still there as I write this. The NICU has been a whirlwind and a roller coaster. Caleb is proving to be a fighter through all of it though! We started out with breathing machine and are now down to just sweet Caleb in a crib just like the ones they use for full term babies in the hospital and we are expecting for Caleb to come his home for the first time tomorrow! I have certainly been on an emotional journey as not only have we been dealing with Caleb, but both my other boys have been sick, finances are screaming at us, and school starts Tuesday. However, the LORD is faithful and just and promises to be with us always. He can move mountains and he takes care of even the birds of the air so he can certainly take care of us. He knows the future and it his in his hands. He is sovereign over all. Our Savior NEVER fails! I am remembering these promises and clinging to them.

Other updates in August, Jeremiah was a whopping 28 lbs at the doctor when he went last week, which is a long time coming for us. I am so excited and Jeremiah knows all these new words and phrases, too many to repeat on here. He loves his new Sunday School Teachers, which is a blessing.

We have found that we have many friends and people that care about us and it is so refreshing. People have brought meals, bought us extra preemie clothes, extra diapers, etc. We have received financial help from family and friends. I could not be more grateful, and thank GOD for blessing us with our surrounding friends and family.

Last night I was praying and thinking about all the crap we have had to deal with and are dealing with in the past three weeks and then God reminded me of all the Good, and all I could say was bring it on Satan, cause everything you do God makes it good! Here are some pictures from our journey at the NICU

29 Weeks

Well here I am updating two or three days later, I am proud!

Anyways had my appointment today and did the gestational diabetes test, and had an ultrasound to check on baby tingle's kidneys. Everything went well, as some of you know I have been on bed rest, and praise God, I was taken off of it today, that's how good everything looked. He has moved out of my pelvis and off my back and therefor a lot less pressure and has reduced the contractions I was having. YAY! Anyway, I passed my Gestational diabetes sugar test and that is good, and I still have only gained 9.5 pounds which is good for my BMI and for my asthma.
The ultrasound was amazing because he was real active. The fluid in the kidneys has increased so we have to make a trip to the high risk doctor to be further evaluated, but they are still confident that the problem will most likely correct itself, so I am just praying that this will be the case and if not and he has to be in NICU for a little while then God will still be in control and will know what is going on. Other than the kidneys though the baby looked great, they said he was perfectly along with my due date of September 8th. He was three pounds today! So 3 of those 9.5 pounds are the baby. We got some great 4d images of his head and facial features pictured below. I go back in three weeks for appointment with normal doctor and a week for my appointment with my high risk doctor.

To add to this post real quickly, Jeremiah has a new favorite pasttime, jumping off furniture on to a pile of blankets :)

Life as we Know It

So here is all the updates from the past couple of months...A lot has been going on around here, and we have been busy busy busy.I finished fall term and started summer term. School is going great and it is nice to only be taking two classes. Michael got double the vacation at work at his 3 year mark and I could not be more excited.

Jeremiah has gone potty three times in the past two weeks and poop once!! We are trying to formally start potty training, but just trying to take it slow. He has also started repeating everything we say, I mean he has always tried and repeated us a lot but now every word that comes out of our mouth comes out of his mouth. He also has taken to love being read too, he wants us to read a book to him constantly, which is not something I am complaining about :)

My pregnancy is moving right along.I am 29 weeks today! only 11 more to go.We have had a couple of contraction scares, but everything has been settling down this past week, and I have faith that everything will be fine. I have been praying continuously for peace and an energy that can only come from my savior and he has granted it to me. I really feel like the rest of the pregnancy will go off without a hitch. ( We still have no name for the baby ).I have also gained a lot less weight this pregnancy and it feels good!! We are just right at 9 pounds right now, and the doctor said that 15-20 is enough, but no more than 35, so i think i am doing just fine, I might actually get the baby weight off from my first pregnancy after this one, haha :)

Anyway, so what have we been up to besides normal life. Well we have been to THE BEACH, birthday parties, Alabama Adventure, family events, swimming at the pool, playing at the park, family fun night at Trussville, and then some relaxing days at home. It has been a very busy summer, and it's about to get a whole lot busier!

Here are some pictures from the beach forward (and a couple of shots from Wilbanks photography from back in March)

Being Attacked

Lately it seems that Satan is attacking our family from all sides of the ring. He is attacking Michael mentally and emotionally because of his work schedule, he is attacking me in trying to spend more time with God and fellow Christians with my schooling. I feel like sometimes I have to choose between school and God. I just want a degree to be able to help provide for my family and so Michael has time for his. I have noticed lately that around here when it rains it poors. Michael's job in jepoardy, Jeremiah's medical expenses exceeding our income, and Michael's income being cut. I feel like we lose out on fellowship because we can not go anywhere due to Gas, and the one place I could go and get fellowship, which is Bible Study, I cannot go to because I have to take a certain class at a certain time. I know God is good all the time and that he is faithful, I just have to keep my faith through these storms. God does work all things for the good of those who love him. I just need to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. Ok, I am done burdening the readers with my personal issues, but we would appreciate a little prayer sent up for us.

Update on Jeremiah. We are trying to get him to sleep in his bed all night and it is not going over so well, so we are exhausted, but I know the end will justify the means. On a more upbeat note, He is learning so many words, the doctor put him at a clear and concise 60 word vocabulary (these are words said at the doctors office that he can clearly understand!). He is still in the lower 5th percentile on his weight, but I have a feeling it will always be that way. He is in the 95th percentile on his height he is a whopping 38 inches (3ft 2inches tall)! We are still struggling with him being sick all the time and are working on getting tested for selective IgA deficieny, google if you want to know more, takes to long to explain! He most recently had 2 ear infections, stomach bug, and sinus infection (in the past 2 weeks) meanwhile he had tubes put in 1 1/2 months ago.

Family update,we just recently went to the beach which was amazing and we had a blast! Jeremiah loved the beach, and still asks almost every day to go the beach :), if only it was that simple.

Baby Tingle(hopefully Josiah :) ) is doing well he is just over a pound and growing very well. He tested negative for Cystic Fibrosis , which is awesome and a huge blessing. However, the only issue is that his Kidney's are backed up with fluids, and he could require surgery postnatal, we will have to watch and wait to know what will have to be done! I am due in 3 1/2 months, and it is going by way to fast. I have only gained around 5 pounds thus far ( I am 24 weeks 2 days), so I feel relatively healthy, however my belly is starting to POP!

Well sorry for the long update, its been a while, will post pictures from beach and baby tingle in a few days!

14 weeks Pregnant and other updates

My ultrasounds keep changing my due date, but we now have an official word from both Dr. Gonzalez and Dr. Gregory. The due date is September 13, 2o09. Which is the same due date as Jeremiah's. This due date makes me 14 weeks today. I had a very long week. I went to the doctor to get some first trimester screening tests done and we had a huge mishap. While making a tiny slice with a razor blade they hit a blood vessel which resulted in loss of blood and 24 hour bed rest. Everything turned out okay, but it was a long weekend. I cannot believe how much I am already showing, this pregnancy is so much different from the last one. I have not really been sick and just have not been as miserable. Which are great things!! Here is a picture of my ultrasound, labeled. The baby is sucking its thumb and did the entire hour of the ultrasound (Yes I got to look at my baby for an hour on the ultrasound while did the first trimester Screening!).




So that is the update on the new baby. I will add a belly pic starting with week 16. So far I have not gained any weight. In fact I have lost some. Anyway, now an update on Jeremiah. He has gotten so big , here are some pictures from our zoo trip with the Champion family. We had so much fun!

Baby Number Two!

Well guys, some of you already know, but we are officially pregnant. My period is due in about 3 days and I took 5 positive pregnancy tests this morning.
I am going to the Doc in a Box for blood test confirmation today! I cannot believe we are doing round two already!
I am nervous, scared, but excited. I love being pregnant and there is nothing like newborns, but also, I am in school and Mike is in school. So we will see what happens, but I know that God will provide and God is sovereign and in control! We would appreciate prayers!