Christmas 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009!

Not sure why this one is blurry, but I still liked it. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.....

(minus Abigails which I didn't get done - sorry baby Kale too)

Here we are opening one gift on Christmas eve.

ALL the stockings were eventually hung by the chimney (a little late) thanks to Nana!!
Looks to me like the big guy has been by!! Before the kids came down.

Some happy kids on Christmas morning. They didn't get up too early either. I was up and was waiting and waiting. Almost went and woke them up!!
Jacob got spoiled rotten. (And was quite good at guessing his presents)
Madelyn got spoiled rotten. (And really liked this present!)

Ella got spoiled rotten. (I wish this vaccum really worked!)

We didn't even take any pictures of Abigail on her first Christmas.....oh dear! (Grammy did you get any?)

Miss Abigail's Latest Photos

So here is the cutie patootie! We got this outfit from one of my Visiting Teachers. It is the first preemie 'outfit' we got (the others have all been sleepers) I think it is SOOOO cute! It really is like dressing a doll!!!

I really want to capture her size. She is growing so fast I know we won't remember really how small she was soon. When I showed Barry this picture I sang, "one of these things is not like the others, one of these things is not the same." He said I wasn't right?!

Here Abby is sleeping in her bed. Her color is a little weird in this picture (I was trying flash and no flash), but I wanted to put it in anyhow so you can see how small she is. Funny thing is - she isn't in a big crib - this is the small cradle that we have next to our bed. REALLY look how little she is!

Here with Big PROUD Daddy holding her!

In Daddy's arms.
These next two are my favorites. We have close up's of all the kids just born faces on our bedroom wall. So here are a couple that I took for Abigail.

Now as I look at these, I cry again. This time with EXTREME thankfulness for our healthy baby girl!! What a Merry Christmas this will be!!

Smarty Pants and Heavy Weights

Jacob was accepted into the Gifted and Talented Program at his school. Way to go Big J! We are so proud of you!!!! He loves 'science' and doing projects - so I think this is going to be a wonderful opportunity for him. He's had a few days of being a little crazy at school and when we ask why, he says he is bored. It will be fun to see what they do.

At Abigail's Doctor appointment last week she weighed 4 lbs 6 oz. She went to the Doctor again yesterday and now weighs 5 lbs 6 oz - ONE POUND IN A WEEK! Way to go big girl!!!

Here are 'the first' pictures!!

Here are some HAPPY kiddos getting to hold their baby sister for the first time. There were many smiles and giggles to go around! Is Jacob about as proud as a big brother can be?Abigail had the hiccups while Madelyn was holding her and Madelyn was laughing soooo hard. It was funny! Look how huge her smile is!

Ella is still trying to figure this all out, but she sure loves her little sister.

Our kids - we are SO blessed!

One big happy family!

ABBY IS HOME!

It is a miracle.....we went in for our 'regular' visit on Wednesday morning and we were told that the Dr had written orders for us to room in THAT night. That is where I stay at the hospital with Abby and see how we do and then she goes home the next day. So after some panicking and scrambling (we weren't ready for her to come home yet) I headed back to the hospital to stay with her. She did great and we got to bring her home TODAY. Pictures to come soon.

The kids were crazy excited and just can't stop looking at her. They want to hold and touch and sing and dance for her. They love her already.

THANK YOU for all the prayers. Please keep them coming that she will continue to grow and develop as she should.

Abigail Update

Sorry it's taken me so long to update this - we've been a little busy!! =)

Abigail continues to make great strides. I know it is because of all the prayers, blessings and the hand of the Lord!! I finally got to hold her (before I left the hospital). This first picture is from then. This is her in my arms. Look how sweet. She just snuggled right in and slept so soundly. I couldn't believe the feel of her in my arms. Oh how they ached for her!!

This is me trying to smile through the tears! I was happy I promise.

This is Barry and I the night (Thursday) I checked out of the hospital. WOW, was it hard to say goodbye. Luckily the other kids were there and a good distraction. I did shed a few tears though. But she needs to be there and the nurses and doctors are SOOOOO good, you can't be too sad! This is what it is and we are trying to deal with it the best we can.

I got to help give Abby a bath the other day (it might have only been yesterday, I can't remember!) She finally got the main line out of her belly button, so we could dress her and wrap her up. This is FANTASTIC because that means her sugars have leveled off and she can keep them up like she is supposed to. YEAH ABBY!!! This also means she doesn't have to be in the warmer bed anymore. So she transitioned to a big girl bed yesterday. She is able to keep her own body temperature up - another good thing! I also got to feed her a bottle. She is trying to get the hang of it. So they only have to feed her a little through the tube in her nose.


Trying to keep life semi-normal at home, we decorated the tree. We've had it out since Thanksgiving, but never got it done. Sure does look pretty in our house!

Barry is finally over his cold enough that he got to come back into the NICU. Here he is holding her for the first time. Happy times!

Barry got to feed her a bottle today. And she took the whole thing in 20 minutes! (They have a time limit of 30 - so she did good) And she was looking for more when it was done. They will increase the amount she is eating tomorrow and if she keeps doing as well with her feeds they will take the tube out tonight! It will be fun to go back in and actually SEE her tonight! She is still having some trouble with her platelets. The tests haven't turned up anything yet. Her levels are up higher and coming down slower, so that is all good - but she isn't out of the woods yet in that department. They won't send her home until they are stabilized. One last cute shot when Barry was burping her today - look at that face!