Prayer Request for Caleb and Caden

Updated March 7

Long day, but so worth it in the end. I got to hold Caleb again. He responds so well to his mommy time. I wish I could have held Caden too, but right now he's showing that he'd rather be left alone. He did stay awake the whole time I held his brother, so maybe the sibling rivalry has begun (if you zoom in on the first picture, you might notice him in the background). I've gone back to work now too.

 

Updated March 9

The boys had a good day. They're both gaining weight. Caden is now 2 lbs 10 ozs and Caleb is 2 lbs 8 ozs. They still drop their heart rate and forget to breathe at times, but overall they're doing so much better. Keep it up boys. Mommy is counting down the days until discharge��

 

Updated February 21

Caleb has been extubated! Praying for everyone to be infection free so that they can move on from IV's and antibiotics. February 21 was a good day for both boys with no bad news.

 

Update February 11

Good news...the brain bleeds are resolving on both boys. The doctor said we won't know the effects until they are school age, but I believe they will be fine. Caleb still has his heart problem (called a PDA if you want to look it up) so he will be getting some medication for 3 days and then a repeat echo. Praying that will also resolve and he will be joining his brother in feeding and breathing with a CPAP. The most exciting news of the day is that I get to do kangaroo care with Caden sometime soon. The doctor ordered it so we need to figure out a day that's best for the baby. I'll finally get to hold one of my sons...so overwhelmed. Thanks once again for the prayers. God is doing great things in these little boys.

Update February 10

Good news...the brain bleeds are resolving on both boys. The doctor said we won't know the effects until they are school age, but I believe they will be fine. Caleb still has his heart problem (called a PDA if you want to look it up) so he will be getting some medication for 3 days and then a repeat echo. Praying that will also resolve and he will be joining his brother in feeding and breathing with a CPAP. The most exciting news of the day is that I get to do kangaroo care with Caden sometime soon. The doctor ordered it so we need to figure out a day that's best for the baby. I'll finally get to hold one of my sons...so overwhelmed. Thanks once again for the prayers. God is doing great things in these little boys.

Update February 7

I just got home from seeing the boys. They are doing so well. I already shared about Caden's big day, but Caleb made some progress as well. He had another echo done today and the results showed improvement (for now that means no new medicine and no surgery!). He also started feeds like his brother. It's only 1 mL of breastmilk every 3 hours, but the milk coma that takes place after the feed is priceless.
Thank you for being so supportive and so faithful in your prayers. It is appreciated more than you know.

Update February 4

The boys had a great day. They got their umbilical lines removed and had a PICC line placed. Their vent settings were decreased..there's a little competition going on there since I report to each what the other is doing

Their labs, vitals, and blood gases all came back ok. I got to lift both boys while their blankets were changed (that's a hold in my book).

Their diagnosis is still hanging over my head, but I am trusting that they'll be fine. Thanks to everyone who has prayed for them. They are very lucky little men who are already loved by so many.

Update February 3

I received the results of the boys' ultrasounds and Caleb's echo. I'll start with the positive. Caleb will have another echo on Friday, but it looks like they will just monitor him for the time being. Now for the ultrasounds. A lot of this doesn't make sense, so I'll just give a basic explanation. There are 4 grades of bleeds with 1 being the mildest and 4 being the most severe. Caden had a bleed on both sides of his brain..a grade 3 on one side and a grade 4 on the other side. This can cause conditions like cerebral palsy or hydrocephaly. Caleb had a grade 2-3 on one side only. 

While the news crushed my spirit, I know I serve an awesome God who is capable of healing both of these boys. They have beaten every obstacle that has been thrown in their path. I know they are special and have touched many lives in the week they've been alive. 

There was a few great moments today...Caden came off the oscillating vent and back on the regular one. His swelling is almost completely gone. He held my hand and looked completely content.
Please pray for these boys. They are my heart and soul.

Update February 2 from Rachel

Babies are doing great, but mommy has a fever now. Please pray. Thanks. 

I just wanted to thank my friends and family for all you've done over the past two weeks. I've had people cook, clean the house, wash my clothes, pray with me/for me and the boys, post comments on Facebook, cry with me, and visit me in the hospital. You all have made the transition to my new normal as smooth as possible. I look forward to sharing our journey with all of you, and appreciate the support more than you can imagine. Love to all

Update February 1 from Rachel

The boys look amazing today. Thank you for all the prayers..they're working.

Update January 30 from Rachel

Caden made a little progress this afternoon. He is now on room air on his vent, he got rid of his insulin drip, and his blood count/gases looked good at 2 PM. It's still hour by hour, but my little man is fighting hard. Thanks for all the prayers for both of my sons. It is so appreciated. 

Update January 29 pm from Rachel

Last update for today: Caden is really struggling today. His vent settings were changed again, his belly is more distended, he's getting more new meds, and another blood transfusion tonight. It's so hard for me to see my baby struggling like that.

Caleb is doing pretty good, but is also getting a blood transfusion tonight.  I had a long talk with both of them, so hopefully they will listen to their mama. Thanks to all who have been praying for them. It is so appreciated 

Update January 29 from Rachel

Caden had a little setback overnight, but I'm trusting the Lord already has this figured out. The doctors think he may have a brain bleed, but won't know for sure until he has an ultrasound. He also had a ventilator change because he was showing signs of distress. I know this little guy is a fighter, plus I'm sure he's stubborn just like me.

Caleb was a rock star this morning. I got to take his temperature and change his diaper..it's the little things right now.

*****

My high school friend Rachel just gave birth to twin boys at 25 weeks and 6 days. (A "normal" pregnancy is 40 weeks.) Rachel and I played basketball and volleyball together and earned a State Runner-Up title as well. Rachel has always been amazing with children and always had a gift with them for as long as I have known her. I am so excited for her to get to be the mom of twin boys! Would you please lift both these boys up in your prayers and keep them there? I know Rachel and her family would appreciate all the prayers they can get! These little guys are fighters and are doing well. Let's ask the Lord to continue to give them the strength to go home healthy and strong!

Caleb Evan (1 pound, 11 ounces)

Caden Oliver (2 pounds, 1 ounce)

Golfing with the Joni

On Monday we decided to take Joni back to our new favorite place to go on this island -- miniature golfing! We had a fantastic time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a bit windy as you can tell from this picture -- but Joni still managed to help Abigail successfully miss her putt.



This hole caught all four balls up at the hole!

 

Joni tried to give her ball a hard hit to dislodge some other balls -- she ended up in the rough!

What face is this?

This is the face of a little girl that just got diagnosed with the running-rampant-on-Base-illness Hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Really hoping the other kiddos don't catch it! Joni and I went to the library's story time on Wednesday with all the kiddos. Hannah started acting really funny -- gagging and having trouble catching a breath. We brought her up to the Clinic where Dr. Storey decided to do a chest x-ray for the off chance that she had put something in her mouth that shouldn't be there. X-ray was fine, but she was running a fever and not looking good. A day later, the hand-foot-and-mouth reared it's head. Apparently, however, all these bumps are pretty mild according to Dr. Daddy. Supposed to avoid other kiddos for about a week!

Getting to hug Grama

Today, Grama Di made her debut on Terceira Island! Oh how wonderful it was for us to all get to hug her. I especially love that Sidge started singing this song once she had finally arrived.

A road trip

On Friday, Joni and I braved the elements and took a bit of a road trip. Since it's a very tiny island, road trips are, likewise, very tiny, but they are a road trip nonetheless. We went to the "Basketman" first. This is a Portuguese man who, for his entire life, has been making baskets by hand in his garage. The Americans are his only source of income, and he depends on them to buy his baskets. I went and ordered a ton of them -- wanting to have him finish them before we pack-out sometime in April. 

After that, we headed to Duck Pond/Lagoon/Lake. I gave all the kids some very old boxes of Cheerios. Sidge wanted to eat his more than give it to the ducks, but despite some bad weather, we managed to have a little picnic and spend some time feeding the ducks before heading home.

Friday Funnies

 

It's pretty cool to watch your childrenthink things that no one else would know.
gain perspective on complex things. I'm pretty sure that the conversation below was Sidge recognizing that he could actually
Sidge:  "Mommy, sometimes I say things that no one else can hear."
Me: "Where do you say them?"
Sidge: "I don't know. Maybe my heart?"

****

While playing Hangman with the boys, Joni was having a hard time figuring out the word Isaac picked: Superman. "You are going to kick yourself when you see what word this is," I said. Sidge crinkled his nose and said, "How do you kick yourself?"

Easter Egg Hunt a month early

One activity we have LOVED to partake in here on the island are Easter Egg Hunts. We do them as often as we think of it with whatever spare candy is lying around the house. I give the eggs I kept from last Easter to the kiddos, they fill up and close the eggs themselves, and then I go out and hide them for a hunt. With such an incredible garden at our fingertips, it makes for a way fun time.

 

Of course, truth be told, Easter Egg Hunts are very emotional. Someone is always finding more than someone else, sharing is encouraged, someone cries because someone else grabbed the egg they were looking right at but didn't see ... you know, that sort of thing. But all-in-all, it's a fun event that usually kills a good hour of our day!

 

With Joni here, we got some pictures of our fun morning:

 

A picture before the "ready, set, go." Sidge cracks me up. He cannot handle sun in his eyes AT ALL. I think it's the light eyes as I have trouble with that as well.

3, 2, 1 ... go!!!!!

Joni bought these Easter egg baskets for the boys years ago, and they continue to use them all the time. I need to get something good for Abigail as I just gave her an old gift bag ...

Superman (aka "Sidge") finding an egg. On this particular day, he was the one doing the most whining because he wasn't finding as many.

Isaac was the best sharer on this day. He was helping his brother and sister and even giving away eggs -- just being incredibly kind.

Abigail with her Easter egg "basket" (and her skirt that is a little too big.)

 

 

Success!

I still sometimes have to pinch myself that we have had this beautiful garden as our backyard for the last two years. What an incredible place for our kids to spend their childhood. (Is it funny that I don't even notice that my kids have costumes on anymore? It's just such a part of our everyday here.)

Sidge getting poked a bit in his quest for an egg!

Eating the Valentine's Day Hearts after the hunt.

Done!

Started this puzzle yesterday afternoon and finished this afternoon, with, surprisingly, some help from the kiddos! Love doing puzzles with Joni.

Fun times

Having Joni here has been a BLAST. Check out some of these photos from one of the many sunny days we've had here on the island recently! Magnatiles, Superheroes, and their reading game that Sidge got for their birthday are currently big favorites.

Wee-Wind Wednesday

 

Today is my niece Charleigh's fifth birthday. Her birth meant my parents went from 0 to 3 grandkids in under one year! Pretty impressive! Charleigh is such an amazing chick -- filled with life and passion and personality. Click here for a Wee-wind to the day of her birth five years ago.

Do you hear the waves?

"Listen to the waves," Joni said, and I realized, I hear the waves most days. For the last two years, the waves have been a part of the sounds of our home. Only when the wind is not blowing do we not hear the waves, and on this windy island, that doesn't happen very often.

 

In less than three months, I will no longer fall asleep to the sound of the waves. It won't be a continuous rumbling in the back of my ears.

 

I will miss this place.

 

When do you get to live in a place where water borders three sides of your home?

 

When do you get the opportunity to live on a 12 x 19 mile wide island in the middle of the Atlantic?

 

 

I will miss walking over to the Red Café with my boys for an ice cream cone. The same faces sitting outside drinking their coffee or beer each morning and afternoon and evening.

 

It's actually called Café Ponta Negra but for the sake of the red awnings and red chairs that line the street, it will always be the Red Café to us.

 

(They have the best chocolate donuts too.) 

And even more than the Red Café, we will greatly miss Buzius. Close to once a week, we sit down as a family on the water with Ms. Marta or Ms. Katya -- the two waitresses that serve us each time.

This restaurant is a favorite of the Americans, and we feel so lucky to have it in our backyard. They call the kids by name and walk around with the baby and bring the kids their food without us even ordering. JB usually asks the chef just to "make him something special" each time. It's such a comfortable place for us.

 

And the natural swimming pool to the right of Buzios represents this island for us. It is how we judge the weather. If there are Portuguese bodies swimming or laying out in the sun then summer is upon us -- or at least a warm day. Climbing on the rocks is absolutely the boys favorite thing to do. 

 

And Scrubs absolutely loves playing Frisbee in the water -- if it isn't too cold.

 

I've often wondered if living on Base would have been a better fit for us, and then I realized that all my memories surround our home here in Porto Martins ... not the Base or any section of it. When I look back, I will remember the wind and the waves and the fireplace and the marble stairs and the pirate ship clubhouse and the pool and the gardens and the Café and Buzius.

 

The truth is that this has not been the easiest assignment for us. We've really missed our friends in Turkey and we've really missed our life in America.

 

But there is no doubt that this place has been home.

 

And it will be hard to say good bye to it.

Potty-Training

 

I get asked by other mothers a lot what did to potty-train our children. I am also trying to write down things we did so that it is easy to share this knowledge with others with simply a link of the blog.

I'm one of these moms who doesn't do a lot of research. I don't spend hours of time digesting data online. Instead, I talk to a few people, find out what works for them, think about what feels like a good fit for us, talk to my husband, and go with it.

I don't have time to scour the Internet and draw up charts and pictures and plans. I think. I pray. I go.

We have now had three simply wonderful potty-training experiences. These were boys and a girl. These were biological and adopted children. All variables were covered with the same result each time. We potty-trained Isaac and Sidge at the same time (2.5 and 2 years old) an Abigail just recently (2.5).

We decided to potty-train the boys when Isaac appeared ready. Sidge was an afterthought. We simply thought we'd try him with Isaac and see if he got it. (He did!) We waited until they were able to be a main player in the activity. I didn't wan to have to take their clothes on and off for them each time. I wanted them to be able to at least take their pants down by themselves.

We opted for naked potty-training. Technically they don't have to be completely naked. You can put a pair of underwear on them. But we simply go cold Turkey, and a key ingredient to this is that they actually feel the pee when they go. We don't do any preparing ahead of time. We just picked a long weekend where JB would be home with us. We picked a long weekend that we didn't have anything to do out of the house. We rolled up all the rugs. And we went for it!

We gave the kids a ton to drink and watched them like a hawk. As soon as they started going that first time and felt it coming down their leg, we ran them to the bathroom, put them on a potty chair, and let nature take its course. Because they had been drinking so much, they really had no choice but to pee in the potty. Then, when they went, we started celebrating and brought them into the kitchen where five M&M's were their reward!

We would ask them frequently if they had to go, but more than that we watched them. We watched for a look on their face that signaled something was happening.

We spent the entire long weekend continuing this routine.

At naptime and bedtime we put them back in a diaper. Naptime and bedtime training come much later. Once they are consistently staying dry at either of these two events, you can start trying to not put them in underwear to sleep. But I don't think you should even cross this bridge until they are very completely daytime potty-trained. There is no hurry when it comes to sleeping.

Not only did we spend the entire long weekend at home, skipping church and anything else that might be suggested during the weekend, I then spent the week that followed very close to home. I limited trips from the house as much as possible. I felt that giving up a week of my life was well worth the money I was going to save in diapers.

Number one was easily conquered during that first week.

Number two varied for each child. Some of them got it quickly. Some didn't. We would often use Miralex during this time. The reason we used is that each of the kids started holding in their number two. Making sure it stayed soft meant that they were less likely to panic when they finally went. Keeping the experience a pleasant one helped assure that constipation (and ultimately refusal to go number two because of this discomfort) would result.

Also, I did use pull-ups when we left the house only after I could tell the child understood what the sensation was and that they were intent on trying not to go in their pants or in their pull-up.

So, in a nutshell, here are my tips:

• Go cold Turkey.
• Celebrate successes.
• Explain failures but don't punish or get upset.
• Spoil with tons of their favorite candy or treat.
• As successes become more regular, begin cutting down on the treats.
• Don't even think about naptime and bedtime.
• Expect it to be a bit messy.
• Eliminate all other items for your schedule.
• Use pull-ups only after the child is consistently using the bathroom.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please share! There is definitely not only one way to potty-train, but this is definitely what worked for us!

Here are some links to past entries on my blog that followed our potty-training adventures:

The Pee-pee Diaries Part I
The Pee-pee Diaries Part II

Puzzle #1 Complete

 

Joni loves to do puzzles. So do I, but I don't really ever do them until she gets here. We started this puzzle on Sunday evening and finished it on Tuesday afternoon. 1,000 pieces! Time to open up another box. (Thanks Kim B. for the table loan!)