mE OH my, WhaT a MaY!

What a month May 2012 was!

It started off great with a visit from Grams, Auntie Heidi and cousin Remi!

A quick catch up of the month ...

The three cousins born a week apart

all 6 months old finally got to meet each other!

the 3 boys

A fun visit from our old buddy Ashley ....

Then a few days before Grams, Heidi and Remi fly back to CA, 

Cody spent 8 days in the hospital with a flu virus (para-influenza).  I stayed by his side. 

Papa and Grandma came for a week to take care of Cooper, Allie and Tucker. 

He was then home for 2 days and then rushed by ambulance 

back to the hospital because he was grey looking and unresponsive.

His oxygen saturation and heart rate were very low.

While in the ER CPR as administered for approximately 2 minutes.

 He was then ambulanced to Houston's Medical Center 45 minutes away.

The same hospital he was born in.

Cody spent 12 days in the pediatric intensive care unit on a ventilator.

He was sedated with a neuro-muscular block so that 

he would not move.

Cody had contracted another virus, H influenza.

This was a critical time for Cody.  

As he fought for his life, we all prayed for God's mercy and healing.

Traveling to the hospital everyday was a chore but also a joy 

to see Cody make steady slow progress.

Arranging childcare for the other 3 and meals was handled by our friends 

at First Colony and Cinco Ranch churches.

Cody was lifted in prayer literally around the globe.

Cooper and Allie each had a turn visiting Cody.

Allie gave Cody a bath in his hospital bed!

Mr. Rand (our texas grandpa)

spent one night with Cody.

A tough month May was for us!
Lee and I spent mother's day
with Cody
and farmed out Cooper, Allie and Tucker
to wonderful friends.
That mother's day I wondered
if this was the last mother's day I
would be a mother to 4 children.

But ... he recovered slowly
and
Cody arrived home May 31st!

We are so blessed to have Cody

back home with
 the Carlson Crew!!!!!!!!

(Last day in the hospital waiting for discharge)

Easter Time - and random pic's ...

Life has been super busy!!!

Never did I dream how much work twins would be 

But ...

Good thing I have 2 wonderful little helpers.

They are putting pacifiers into 2 screaming mouths!

Cooper and Allie are like having 2 personal

assistants around.  They are great with retrieval anddisposal 

of diapers, pacifiers, turning off monitors/alarms when they beep

and just about anything I give them to do!

Not sure how much longer they will want to take

baths together so I had to snap this shot.

As you can imagine with 2 this big in the tub

the floor looks like a hurricane hit it.

But the squeels of shear enjoyment

is music to my ears!

Picture of Lee and the big kids

before "Doughnut's with Daddy" at school!

Tucker has just learned to smile, but you have to work 

really hard to capture it! Obviously we didn't - Ha ha ha!

I did something weird with the red-eye reduction in this pic.

and couldn't get the original back.  But everyone is looking!

Cody Loves Baths!

Often he sleeps in total relaxation!

Easter Weekend was rough! 

 Lee gone and

everyone a little sick! 

We celebrated Jesus at home just the 5 of us!

2 days later Cody was admitted into the hospital for 5 days

because of phenomonia - ugg! 

Cody had to get a feeding tube  - double ugg!

This is cody Easter weekend ...

I gave him a break from his tubes for an hour without his 

oxygen while his numbers were good.

Keep praying for this little dude!

Our Easter craft -

The kids loved it and 

I have to admit I did too!
We love Jesus and what he did for us on the cross!

2 at a time ...

Yippee! Now we're juggling 2 at a time!

Both boys home and we're busy all the time!

Weighting in at 8 and 10 lbs - they're always asking for another round!

Bottles, diapers, lots of laundry and a little bit of sleep but these times won't always be around!

(Brothers holding hands or arm wrestling?)

Big Bro Cooper and Sister Allie as helpful as can be!

Friends always dropping off dinner - how awesome would this be!

bis sis Allie & Cody

(our friend Mr. Clint stopped by with pizza and lent a hand or 2)

Many trips to the airport picking up/dropping off family for their week of service to us!

Still scratching our heads and saying, "How can there really be 6 of us?"

(cousin Dana, skipped school in CA to help out too)

a day at the zoo with Auntie Wendi

Scavenger Hunt Clue

Cody still has a few oxygen issues - so keep those prayers come'n!

The Carlson Crew just can't wait for what else God's got come'n!

Tucker at the zoo

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!

A season for all things ... 11-1-11

Some season's in life you anticipate like the first fall day you get to bake pumpkin bread, some you dread like the first day of August in Texas, some seasons are just sprung upon you like the early death of my Daddy.  Whatever the season, it doesn't do any good to fight it or be angry at it.  The season's of life are chances for us to grow.  If we embrace the season it will be easier to cope.  If we learn and be thankful for that season we can be used by God.

My season right now is to rest and to grow these twin boys as best I can and as long as I can here in the hospital.  We are at 24 weeks and a few days and praying that our season in the hospital lasts at least until Thanksgiving.

In Sept and Oct Lee had to work 3 weeks and was home one week for each of those months.  A long time without Daddy and Hubby was a stretch especially for 2 months in a row which was really uncommon also.  Being pregnant with twins for those 2 months and caring for Cooper (almost 5) and Allie (3) was a stretch.  With plans for a fun Halloween weekend and Cooper's 5th birthday party we were eager for our family to be together for 2 weeks. However when Lee did get home the very next day is when the little twin's sac ruptured.

We had Cooper's 5th birthday party planned for Sat. which happened to be the day after the rupture.  A decked out 'Star Wars' party was his dream party.  What a trooper he was to understand that things had to be changed because of his twin brothers needing to be in the hospital.  That party will be awesome Cooper - when things settle down we'll do it!

I'm praying that this time for Cooper and Allie is a good season to get more connected with Lee without me.  I remember special times with my Daddy and how I loved not having my mom right there to fill up the space with conversation or activities.  Those times were usually on the houseboat for vacations, working on a project in the garage or my dad driving me to a friends house.   I hope things are going ok at home while I grow these babies and I pray this season is not wasted by any of us.  I hope we take hold of it and let us be molded by it so that we are more usable by God.

Faith to scamper off ...

As I was reading a friends blog whose son has been in the hospital Cooper asked me what I was reading.  I explained that our friend baby Greyson was in the hospital and that he was very sick, the doctors didn't know what was wrong, he keeps throwing up when he eats food with his mouth, and that his mom and dad are worried about him.  He asked me to read the words on the computer in order to know more and as I did (in a paraphrased form of the blog entry) I began to cry.

Cooper got a concerned look on his face and said, "Ok, I will pray!" It was as if he understood what needed to be done immediately and that I was too sad to pray words. He closed his eyes, bowed his head, and said a simple one sentence prayer.  "God, please help baby Greyson feel better and let the doctors understand what's wrong. Amen."

He then scampered off to shoot up some bad guys with his lego gun.

Moments like these grow my faith in the power God has in our lives.  How easily am I encouraged by a 5 year olds prayer!  That's the way God must feel when I act on prayer deliberately and immediately and then leave problem in his hands to scamper off to do what's next.

God, help me to be bold, help me to act quickly, help me to leave the problem with you, help me to scamper off going on with my day happy hearted.  God heal baby Greyson and let the doctors understand what's wrong. Amen!"

A day at Galveston Beach, TX

Had a great day at Galveston Beach!

Sandcastles, warm water, small waves, 82 deg., picnic lunch

Perfect for our family at this stage of the game!

She was absolutely fearless!

Never complained of the saltwater constantly

splashing her in the face!

She is a such a fish!

"C'mon mommy, let's go in the waves again!"

A wave had just doused Cooper and he 

was cheering with shock and excitement!

Yes, Of course I missed my California beaches

with the roaring waves and chill of the water!

However, I am also so blessed to be exactly where God

wants us to be because that is absolutely the best place

for the Carlson Crew!