2 months old!

2 months old and my how you've sprouted,

Now in level 2 NICU - great to be re-routed!

At 5 and 6 lbs. you two are getting big

Surprising Daddy each time he returns from the rig!

Breathing deeply comes easier than before,

Almost everything is less of a chore! 

We’ve seen your eyes,

Kissed both of you little guys!

We love to hold your hands,

Still prayers coming from your fans!

Now you’re wearing little clothes, you so look cool,

Just think - in 6 months we’ll be splashing in the pool!

This month you're learning to suck from a bottle.

Don't worry you'll get it and we'll be there to coddle.

Now your job is to grow, stay healthy and drink every bit 
You'll both be home with the family before you know it!

                                                   

Tucker

Cody

What a Christmas!

5 weeks ago Tucker and Cody unexpectantly arrived

By God's hand we all have somehow survived!

It has taken us all a few weeks to recoup

Mom is so glad to be back in the loop

We make the drive to visit the boys every other day

"keep bringing the milk" is what the nurses say!

We are learning all about our little premies 

Wearing clothes is the next goal for them - we tease!

Each day they are growing bigger and stronger 

but still we can't help wonder how much longer?

The nursery is finished thanks to Grams,

there is nothing like the love from your fam!

Aunt Kathy stayed to help out for week #2

Cooper and Allie loved their Aunt, she knew just what to do!

Getting ready for Christmas this year has been a slow go

God's presence is here, it's all that we know!

The boys have given us a unique Christmas surprise

No more C-Pap tubes, clear noses and they're opening their eyes!

Thankful for the nurses, doc's and the NICU

because all of this for us is so new.

We are blessed!

We have not heard your cries

We have not seen your eyes

yet - We are blessed!

A surprise you two were, right from the start

know it's hard when we must depart

yet - We are blessed!

We have not touched your hand

No place for a kiss to land

yet - We are blessed!

No diapers for us to change

No schedules to rearrange

yet - We are blessed!

They all said, "your hands will be full"

But they are empty

yet - We are blessed!

Tucker 

Thanksgiving is the season you both arrived

Now we wait to hold you both side by side.

yet - we are blessed!

Many prayers for you have gone before

We all wonder what's in store

yet - we are blessed!

You breath in and you breath out

God's got his plan, there is no doubt

yet - We are blessed!

Progress comes and Progress goes

The highs are High the lows may be Low

yet - we are blessed!

Cody

A brother and sister wait to play with you

A dad and mom eager for this day too

Lovingly and Patiently the Carlson Crew

Yes! - We are blessed!

Hospital Visits!

Cooper and Allie really enjoy the hospital!

There are elevators, escalators, fish tanks, metro cable cars and a great mini-train exhibit!

This place hasn't lost it's excitement!

 They also love to lay in my hospital bed and push the buttons to see what the bed will do!

"No crumbs in Mommy's bed!"

We work on a craft every time they visit!

This is the children's chapel.  On our wheelchair rides we stop to pray . . .

And we write or draw a picture of our prayers to hang on the "prayer tree".

It's been 27 days that Mom has been in the hospital

but she's be home for Thanksgiving!

11-12 Update

We've made it 15 days so far!  A roller coaster at times but things are settling down.  I feel well taken care of!

I am off of the IV pole unless there are other problems that would require it.  My arms an veins are healing up. I am able to walk freely in my room.  I am able to take wheelchair rides when Lee and the kids come and visit.  We found a huge interactive train exhibit that the kids adored on our wheelchair ride.

No signs of infection, babies look great when we monitor their heartbeats and movement, and contractions have been minimal and infrequent.  All of these are answers to our prayers!

I've had many visitors come this week bearing all kinds of love gifts; crafts for me and the kids, books, magazines and treats.  One friend gave me a pedicure which was so nice.  Prayers and conversation this week by my friends and family was so uplifting.

Hoping to make it at least 2 more weeks that would take us to Thanksgiving and out of the extreme danger zone for the babies.  After Thanksgiving, our next goal is having the babies stay put until Christmas.  We will deliver sometime the week after Christmas - Lord willing!

That's about it for now!  Thank you for your prayers once again and keep us in them!

11-7-11 Update

I am doing well the past 2 days.  Saturday afternoon and evening was rough, had too much fluid leakage and had to get a new IV, 24 hour continuous heart rate monitoring (uncomfortable - no sleep), ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels and spec exam.  No problems just a busy day of ruling thing out because of the excessive fluid leakage.

By Sunday afternoon I was able to be off the IV pole for Lee, Cooper and Allie's visit.  We took a wheelchair ride to the Children's Atrium Garden.  They were able to run around, count the birdhouses and played hide n' go seek.  We worked on a Star Wars puzzle of Bobo Fett, had some snacks and did a turkey craft.  It was nice to have some real food from Olive Garden.  We all enjoyed our time together!

Today low key with only a few hours of heart rate monitoring and 2 hours of IV infusions of iron (for anemia).  No visitors today which is refreshing to just have some quiet time.  Had a craft session with my bed rest buddy Sylvia and the Spiritual Care leader Sarah. Sylvia was having a rough day so it was good to talk and cry with her.

Having a bit of trouble with my IV sites.  IV's are supposed to last about 7 days before changing sites but my veins won't last more than 4 days.  I'v had 3 different IV sites in 11 days.  Bruising and soreness is setting in.  I think I'm ready for the next IV to go into my foot to give my forearms a break.  I can't complain because I am not continuously  hooked up the the IV pole, like my bed-rest buddy is.  I feel like I am getting a medical education here - ha ha ha!  The more the IV sites are switched the higher chance of infection.  If I get an infection the Dr's will deliver the babies because they are safer out of the womb rather than in the womb with an infection swimming around.

Looking forward to my friend Carrie visiting tomorrow!

So, please pray for no infections, no contractions, and the possibility for me to not have an IV site set up.

There's your update!

Today's Thoughts 11-4-11

Had a great night sleep.  Thank you Lord!

Visited by my OB today.  I just love her!  She informed me that I am anemic - low iron count.  My body needs to do iron infusions every other day, 3 times a day, for an hour and a half each of those times for the next 4 weeks in order to avoid a blood transfusion when the babies are delivered.  Not fun being hooked up to the "pole" - the IV pole, which restricts my ability to walk around my 8X8 room but I am thankful that it is only every other day!

Then my OB told me she was going on a cruise for her 50th birthday and her dad's 82nd birthday.  She was so reluctant and felt horrible to be leaving me.  So sweet!!!  All I could do was put out a big smile, and insist that she have a wonderful time.  I reassured her that I felt in good hands with her other team members.  She looked so relieved!  Thankful to be showered in grace and then be able to extend that same grace.

Tomorrow should be a great day for Lee and the kids.  They are going to the zoo which is only 10 min from the hospital, then visiting me,  While out of the house wonderful friends are bringing dinner and preschool lady friends are coming to do a little house cleaning.  We are feeling so spoiled and eager to shower blessing on people when our time to serve comes along.  Until then just doing our best to wait patiently!