Catch Up

I feel as if I've missed most of February on this blog with all the happenings of my kids and husband. Anyway, here are some events from earlier this month of March.

I don't know why, but I love this picture of Kate so much. It isn't even the best photograph. This is from a day or two before she left the hospital. 

I found this photo of a receipt for hospital services when giving birth in 1943.  Look at those prices! I sure wish that was our cost this year!  Never before have we utilized our health insurance like we have this year! We are so grateful for it! Of course, we are spending a lot more than we expected this year, and as all the bills have started to roll in,  can not believe the cost of medical care! I mean, hundreds of thousands. Again, thank heavens for health insurance that puts a cap on these costs. Whew.

In December, Vance and I bought tickets to go to a Piano Guys concert. We don't go to concerts much, and we've been excited for this one for a long time.  We loved the talent of the pianist and cellist. The cellist said he has 32 cellos. He played the cello in many ways I didn't know were possible. Vance and I hadn't gone on a date in quite some time (besides watching movies together in my hospital room). It was great to spend this time with him. Side note... I was reminded how out of shape I am. We walked two blocks from the parking garage, in the theatre and up to the nosebleed section, and I was breaking a sweat! It will feel really good to get some muscle back and into shape again. I can't wait to go on long runs on warm summer nights soon. Not to mention fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes:)

These boards were so important to me as a patient. They marked the progress of my baby and I looked at them so many times. When I was on bed rest for so long, one of the first things I would do each morning, would be to mark how far along I was (ex: 34 1/7 weeks). 

Kate's room. I think it is a room I want to remember because it was from such an important time in Kate's life.

Jana and Holli. Holli was the nurse that first helped Kate in the OR and the hours after. She helped her breathe and stay healthy. As a mother, I feel so much love and appreciation for any nurse who cares for my child. How do you thank someone who literally helps your child breathe, eat, etc. They are lifesavers! I didn't get a picture of all my favorite nurses (you know who you are because you are reading this).

March 10th--heading out!

At first Lincoln was devastated that Kate was a girl. I mean, sobbing.  But now he is absolutely in love with her. Most of the time he is so gentle. I love how he speaks with her. He'll call her sweetheart, darling.....

Last weekend Lincoln got to take home "Ginger" the giraffe class mascot. He had been waiting for his turn all school year long. We were supposed to document some of the fun things we did with "Ginger" and report back this week.  I wasn't super thrilled about the homework assignment (oh, and I know this is not even the beginning) but he loved it!

Dying Easter eggs last Sunday. My kids always love this. 

Our neighbor Kristin came to visit. She has been such a sweet neighbor since we've lived here. Lauren was unhappy about something in this photo, which makes me laugh. 

Kristin was so kind and gave Kate this pink hat. It is so fun to dress this little lady up.  We are really enjoying this newborn stage. She already seems so much bigger, though. Vance and I joked the other day, "Where has our baby gone?" Ha ha ha. Vance and I are so tired, but I think as I've healed, it has been getting easier physically. We feel so blessed to have this girl join our family. It is a reminder of the great responsibility we've been given to teach our children well and be good parents. 

Home

On Thursday afternoon Kate was discharged and we headed home. It was so exciting. I really thought it would be a couple more days there.  It felt as if a chapter of our lives was ending (the hospital stay) and we were starting something brand new. The bedrest and NICU stay was a crazy two months. It was actually a good experience. However, honestly I have had so many mixed emotions. I almost didn't want that chapter to end. I met so many wonderful people there who blessed my life. But it was really hard to feel so disconnected for so long from Lincoln, Lauren and my husband.

Anyway, going home brought all the feelings of a first time parent back.  Is she still breathing? I checked so many times the first couple of days she was home! Thursday afternoon was my first day home and it was just Kate and I.  I couldn't believe how quiet it was in our home...this was rare. But I had the freedom to do anything--so I made some cookies, (by myself which is much less stressful), got the mail from the mailbox, and cleaned the house for my parents and kids returning the next day.

Having another child in our home has truly multiplied our joy. Watching the interaction and growing relationships between each of my children is one of my favorite things. Both kids love to talk with Kate and "help" in any way possible. It makes us laugh. The changing dynamics is great to see. It has been a little bit of an adjustment being all together again, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Yesterday being daylight savings time change, two preschoolers just coming back from a 2 week grandparent stay, and both parents sleep deprived made for a rough day. But we made it and the sun still came up this morning (well sort of...it's cloudy)

Not sure there will be pictures this post. I'm really tired...my head definitely hurts. But making this post is an accomplishment today...along with keeping my kids alive:) It has been so nice to put my own kids to bed each night and cuddle with them for a while. They have changed in the last few weeks and have become more independent. I love them so much!

Kate has arrived!

Kate Annalisa Murray was born at 8:17 AM on Thursday, February 25th. She was delivered via a c-section that went well! She was born at 34 weeks and 5 days, and we were so excited for her arrival. My 5 1/2 week hospital bedrest was finally coming to an end. Honestly, hospital bed rest was not that bad! Food catered throughout the day, someone else doing the daily cleaning, visitors, etc. But it was hard to be away from my husband and children for so long. We have relied on so many others for this time to care for Lincoln and Lauren, allowing Vance to continue to work. Vance has been the best support and husband a girl could ask for. My admiration and respect for him has increased and I am amazed at how he has handled this all like a champ.

A few days before the birth, two nurses made a countdown. It said "Countdown to Kate." Each day you opened up a diaper tied with ribbon. Inside was a glittered heart that had the number of days remaining. So sweet and kind. I have been blown away by the kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness of all the nurses and staff here at the hospital. They are wonderful!

Shortly after Kate was born...Vance cutting the cord. He watched above the curtain as the doctor pulled her body out. 

After a few minutes, I got to see Kate shortly before they took her to the NICU. This was one of the best moments! We have been waiting for a long time for this little girl to join our family. I cried tears of joy when I got to meet her!

One of the BEST parts of the delivery was Vance's eyes. Because of his mask, I couldn't see the rest of his face. When she came out of my womb, his eyes lit up and were so happy (seriously, like a little kid on Christmas morning!) He came back to me a couple of times after Kate was born (he was with Kate sometimes, and me the other times while I was getting put back together!). I loved the excitement in his voice! It was awesome. I hadn't seen her yet, but hearing what Vance said and watching him enjoy the moment was enough!!

Kate received CPAP for the first couple of days. I believe it stands for Continous Positive Airway Pressure. It helped keep her lungs open so she could more easily breathe. She was working so hard at the beginning to breathe, and you could hear a grunt every time she took breaths. After the first couple of days on CPAP, she graduated to a high pressure nasal cannula that also helped her breathe. One morning Vance and I came down to see her and she had no cannula! She was breathing just fine on her own! Way to go, Kate!

After two hours in recovery, I was wheeled into the NICU to see little Kate before I was taken to the postpartum floor. I got to hold her just shortly, and because of all her gear, held her on her back. Again, it was a wonderful feeling to see my girl. When I arrived to my postpartum room, one of my FAVORITE nurses was there waiting. She had decorated the door with a fancy wreath that was full of pink ribbons galore. Wish I had taken a picture of it.  It was such a wonderful welcome and will be a great memory.

Kate was under blue lights for jaundice, apparently pretty normal for premature babies. She only needed it for a day. A week later (yesterday and today), her bilirubin levels have rebounded, but they slightly decreased from yesterday. She probably won't need the lights again. Last night and today her temperatures are borderline---she is sometimes maintaining a normal temperature, and other times not. So we've been doing even more skin to skin time and keeping an extra blanket on her. 

Lincoln holding Kate for the first time. He told her he loved her and had earlier asked, "Kate, can you hear me?" I was impressed with how gentle he was with holding her.

Lauren also was so gentle with her new little sister. It was fun to see the curiosity in her eyes and delight from holding her tiny baby sister. She was so disappointed when she couldn't come to hold her again yesterday before heading to Wisconsin for a week.

Kate is now working on growing and feeding. She is 4 lbs 9.9 oz as of this morning. She had decreased her weight to 4 lbs 7 oz a couple of days ago, and steadily is on the rise. She has been able to breastfeed a little bit more the past couple of days. As she can gain the strength to breastfeed more, her tube feedings will decrease. Before she goes home, she has to be able to get all her nutrition through breast or bottle feeding. She also has to breathe on her own, which she can do. Kate will have to maintain her temperature as well, which she does virtually all of the time.

It has been a long road to get here, but we've been so grateful for the relatively good health we have. We have received so much love and support the past couple of months. Thank you to all of you!

Pregnancy Announcement to Kids (August 2015)

Last summer we decided to tell our kids that we were expecting a baby on our road trip out west. Lincoln had been praying for months for another sibling.  Anyway, it was a long video so I split it up into smaller segments to upload more easily. Each of their reactions were cute and individual. We wanted to put it here on the blog as a great memory!

January 2016

Happy New Year! We hope 2016 is a great year.

I had a cousin get married at the beginning of January. My sister, Kelsey, and her family, went to their wedding in Wisconsin. On their way home, and drive back to Washington, they stayed with us for a night. They came to church with us the next morning, which was so cool! Here are the happy cousins. (Jared, Lincoln, Rosalie, Norah, and Lauren)

Lincoln: "We look lovely!" 

We have since increased the variety in our dress up clothes box!!!

Cousin Norah left a pacifier here (sorry Kelsey, I haven't sent it back yet). Lauren loves to pretend she is a baby these days!

Looking good in mom's boots!

My mom got us this dresser a couple of years ago from a garage sale. It is a great dresser, but I wanted to update it to my style. It was a bit of work, but it has a new coat of paint, handles, etc. 

Lauren's new and improved room. Her favorite color is purple. It was fun to make the sparkly purple pom-poms above her bed.

I've had complete placenta previa this pregnancy. I woke up to another bleed on January 18th. I was hoping to be home the next day, but I had a second and heavier bleed that first night. It was my third strike so I am here to stay until baby is born.  I've been here 33 days already on bed rest and baby girl will be born next week. Vance has been a real trooper through it all. He has been acting like a single parent in many ways for quite some time. My mom has been in town several times, which is so helpful to us and our children. 

The kids come to the hospital most days. Here Lauren is conducting our Monday night family night. We called it Family Home Evening. The stool is the same one we used on our Kindt side growing up. It has a lot of sentimental value. She is conducting our fun evening on the stool with a Harry Potter wooden wand:)

Received this sweet note from Lincoln . He is so good at showing his love and does it through gifts and sweet notes. 

Baby at 32 weeks and 2 days. 

The kids apparently had a successful dentist visit!