Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Showers of Blessing
Ezekiel 34:26 "And I will make them and places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessings."
What a beautiful weekend, full of so many showers of blessings! We are so thankful for where we are in this season of life, especially knowing where we came from just a few short years ago. January represents some of my darkest times, before our prayers were answered with you boys. And then, January began to represent such joy. January was your due date month and the month we finally got to bring you both home. January represents a point in my pregnancy now that we prayed and hoped we would see, but were always uncertain. And this weekend, we wrapped up this January month celebrating showers of blessing through our marriage, our family of four-soon-to-be-five, and celebrating you, Baby Peanut!
Friday night, your daddy and I were able to enjoy a much needed date night (and our first in seven plus months when we went out on vacation). It was so nice to enjoy some adult conversation with your daddy or as you sometimes refer to him, "you best friend, Mommy." While we don't get out of the house on physical dates often, we know the importance of keeping our focus on one another, but even still that can be challenging. We try to show you boys the importance of maintaining that relationship and teaching you what love looks like. We pray you see it in us and that one day you all will find that love with the person God has in store for you.
We were so grateful to Zsu Zsu and Paka for suggesting we go out and taking their own time together to watch you boys. (They tried to give us a night away two weeks ago, but due to traffic and Baby Peanut acting up, we weren't ever able to go out. So we were especially grateful for this take two, chance!) We are so blessed to be surrounded by family, so that when we leave, you don't cry for us, but instead celebrate and get excited about the time spent with grandparents, uncles and aunts, etc. Growing up away from my own extended family, this is something I so treasure and am grateful you boys get to experience.
Saturday the showers of blessings continued with an actual shower...our baby shower! Nenny hosted a most perfect and beautiful baby shower for us four, with all sides of the family invited and together for the afternoon. It was so nice to have all of your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins together. I love watching your relationships develop with all of your family members. It is so special to sit back and watch you little boys interact with our family and to see how loved you are by so many family members.
Again, we are beyond grateful for the love and support we feel from our family on a daily-basis, but were especially blessed today. Baby Peanut, it is amazing how loved you are already! We can't wait (...but we will, a few more weeks!) to welcome you into this big, caring, crazy, wonderful family!
What a beautiful weekend, full of so many showers of blessings! We are so thankful for where we are in this season of life, especially knowing where we came from just a few short years ago. January represents some of my darkest times, before our prayers were answered with you boys. And then, January began to represent such joy. January was your due date month and the month we finally got to bring you both home. January represents a point in my pregnancy now that we prayed and hoped we would see, but were always uncertain. And this weekend, we wrapped up this January month celebrating showers of blessing through our marriage, our family of four-soon-to-be-five, and celebrating you, Baby Peanut!
Friday night, your daddy and I were able to enjoy a much needed date night (and our first in seven plus months when we went out on vacation). It was so nice to enjoy some adult conversation with your daddy or as you sometimes refer to him, "you best friend, Mommy." While we don't get out of the house on physical dates often, we know the importance of keeping our focus on one another, but even still that can be challenging. We try to show you boys the importance of maintaining that relationship and teaching you what love looks like. We pray you see it in us and that one day you all will find that love with the person God has in store for you.
We were so grateful to Zsu Zsu and Paka for suggesting we go out and taking their own time together to watch you boys. (They tried to give us a night away two weeks ago, but due to traffic and Baby Peanut acting up, we weren't ever able to go out. So we were especially grateful for this take two, chance!) We are so blessed to be surrounded by family, so that when we leave, you don't cry for us, but instead celebrate and get excited about the time spent with grandparents, uncles and aunts, etc. Growing up away from my own extended family, this is something I so treasure and am grateful you boys get to experience.
Again, we are beyond grateful for the love and support we feel from our family on a daily-basis, but were especially blessed today. Baby Peanut, it is amazing how loved you are already! We can't wait (...but we will, a few more weeks!) to welcome you into this big, caring, crazy, wonderful family!
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Movin' and Groovin'
While we still hope Peanut keeps cooking for several more weeks, we are all getting very excited and anticipating her arrival. I have always dealt with my nerves by doing. I have to be doing something proactive towards my nerves (it could even be as simple as writing lists or writing). This week, I handled my need to be doing by packing hospital bags! I was able to pack a decent amount of what I'll need, as well as your bag, Baby Sister. Wednesday afternoon, I prepped a few more...some hospital goodie bags (some that were a secret from you boys) and one that you helped prepare for Baby Sister.
It felt productive and got us all excited to meet you. Wednesday night, Daddy and I were watching a movie in bed and watching my belly moving like crazy! Peanut, you were nonstop that night. I almost reached for my phone to start videoing, but stopped myself and thought, We'll have plenty more of these moments. We still have weeks to go until we meet you.
Not long after, we both fell asleep. But, just like any other night, I was up several times throughout the night. Typically, when I wake, I feel you move at least 2-3 times. Tonight was different. There was no movement happening - and while I know this is normal for most babies, I also know my body and something seemed off. I was up all night, trying to get you to move. I could feel tiny limbs close to my belly and so I poked and pushed on them (which you hate). Nothing. There was no flutter to get away, no push back, no movement.
After a sleepless night, I finally woke at 5, praying you'd start moving. Again, I did the things that typically get you going. Nothing. Still no movement. I even resorted to using my baby heart monitor app (which I realize is not a medical device, but we have heard your heartbeat on it and it is pretty cool). Again, nothing. No sounds, no heartbeat. I was beginning to panic and think the worst.
By 5:45 I decided to call my doctor. I was told to eat and drink, wait 20-30 minutes, and see if that didn't wake you up. If no movement, we were going to come get checked out. 45 minutes later still nothing. So at 6:30, we made the call to Zsu Zsu, asking if she'd come sit with you boys and take you to school. Ten minutes later, she and Paka were here! We shared a quick prayer and we were off.
As we were leaving, I thought I was beginning to feel you move again, but not like your typical strong kicks. We hopped in the car and were on our way by 7 AM. On our drive over, you started to kick again! It was such a relief and instantly rescued our concerns. Still, we wanted to play it safe and get you monitored.
We made it to the hospital and doctor's office as the office was opening. So, instead of going to Labor and Delivery, we went to the office in hopes of seeing my doctor. We were quickly set up on the monitors where they found your heartbeat right away. It was such an answered prayer to hear that sweet thumping and to see that the rate was normal and you weren't in any kind of distress.
While they continued to monitor me, my doctor came upstairs (who actually ended up being on call downstairs in Labor and Delivery that morning) when she heard I had come in. I was so thankful to be able to chat with her and that she took the time to come up and see us.
What started off as such an unsure, scary morning, quickly had our emotions swinging in the other direction. Yet again, God has protected our family and continues to watch over us. We are beyond thankful for His goodness. We can't wait to meet you Little Peanut, but hang on just a few more weeks, please!
Not long after, we both fell asleep. But, just like any other night, I was up several times throughout the night. Typically, when I wake, I feel you move at least 2-3 times. Tonight was different. There was no movement happening - and while I know this is normal for most babies, I also know my body and something seemed off. I was up all night, trying to get you to move. I could feel tiny limbs close to my belly and so I poked and pushed on them (which you hate). Nothing. There was no flutter to get away, no push back, no movement.
After a sleepless night, I finally woke at 5, praying you'd start moving. Again, I did the things that typically get you going. Nothing. Still no movement. I even resorted to using my baby heart monitor app (which I realize is not a medical device, but we have heard your heartbeat on it and it is pretty cool). Again, nothing. No sounds, no heartbeat. I was beginning to panic and think the worst.
By 5:45 I decided to call my doctor. I was told to eat and drink, wait 20-30 minutes, and see if that didn't wake you up. If no movement, we were going to come get checked out. 45 minutes later still nothing. So at 6:30, we made the call to Zsu Zsu, asking if she'd come sit with you boys and take you to school. Ten minutes later, she and Paka were here! We shared a quick prayer and we were off.
As we were leaving, I thought I was beginning to feel you move again, but not like your typical strong kicks. We hopped in the car and were on our way by 7 AM. On our drive over, you started to kick again! It was such a relief and instantly rescued our concerns. Still, we wanted to play it safe and get you monitored.
We made it to the hospital and doctor's office as the office was opening. So, instead of going to Labor and Delivery, we went to the office in hopes of seeing my doctor. We were quickly set up on the monitors where they found your heartbeat right away. It was such an answered prayer to hear that sweet thumping and to see that the rate was normal and you weren't in any kind of distress.
While they continued to monitor me, my doctor came upstairs (who actually ended up being on call downstairs in Labor and Delivery that morning) when she heard I had come in. I was so thankful to be able to chat with her and that she took the time to come up and see us.
What started off as such an unsure, scary morning, quickly had our emotions swinging in the other direction. Yet again, God has protected our family and continues to watch over us. We are beyond thankful for His goodness. We can't wait to meet you Little Peanut, but hang on just a few more weeks, please!
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Homecoming Day
Not only was today an exciting day because we've made it to the 32 week mark (thank you, Lord!!), but because January 10th is one of my favorite days anyway...it's the anniversary of your homecoming day! In the midst of our NICU days, I remember feeling desperate for you to come home. It seemed like it would never happen. As a potential homecoming date approached, it seemed very likely (almost a given) that you, Wiley, would be coming home first without you, Ryan. But in God's perfect timing, it worked out that you were both discharged on the same day. 52 long days later, we brought home two healthy, five pound miracle babies, forever changing our lives. It seems like just yesterday and a lifetime ago all at the same time. What a wonderful, full three years it has been. We are blessed beyond measure because of you, Little Boys. Happy Homecoming Day!
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