Pictures from the Last Two Days

Sweet babies together

Eliana resting her head on Isabella

Isaac saying "No more pictures, Mom!"

First time holding all three babies in two weeks

Second Week in the NICU

Words like "your babies are doing fantastic" and "they are progressing so well" soothe our souls and bring us to our knees in thanksgiving.  These are comments that Isaac, Eliana, and Isabella's doctors have made to us over the past few days.  They are definitely issues consistent with prematurity, but we are constantly overjoyed at the way God has blessed each of them and in turn, blessed us. 

Much to our surprise, we got a call Saturday morning that our babies were being moved from the NICU to the Continuing Care Nursery. There were several admissions and our babies were the first candidates to be moved since they were in the best health of all their neighbors (insert gasp here:)). The next day, the doctor reported that they were indeed having their PICC lines (IV's) removed.  Since then, every one's jaundice has been resolved and growing and feeding have been the goals of each day.  This means the number of things they are attached to has gone down even more. Isabella and Isaac have been working on maintaining their body temperatures and last night, Isaac weighing in at 3 lbs., 15.2 oz. was moved from his isolette to an open bed!  It is hard to imagine that only a week ago, he was on a ventilator. 

Isaac in His Open Bed

I think he was trying to tell us he was tired of all the picture taking:)

He and Isabella, weighing 4lbs., spend their days in cute little preemie clothes.  Isabella is well on her way to an open bed as well.  She is such a cuddler, but likes to try and escape her Z-Flow bed and pull her NG tube out. 

Micah and his Bella Joy.

Sleeping Beauty

Eliana is gaining weight well.  She now is above her birth weight at 2 lbs., 8 oz. and remains developmentally on track despite her small, yet big for what she has endured, size.  She is still feisty, but always relaxes when we do kangaroo care time.

I think she was trying to tell us something!  I love the look on her face.

Tiny hands~ but formed perfectly.

Andrew and Elijah returned home on Saturday as well.  It was a big day for us!  The nurse helped us wrap the babies up and let the boys see them through the CCN window.  I am so glad they had a good trip to NC, but I am also so glad they are home.  I have been able to do all the things I love~ like sit at the breakfast table with them and make Rice Crispy Treats.  Having my parents here for the weekend and my mom staying throughout this week has been such a blessing for them and for me.  It was so sweet to introduce Papa and Mimi to their three new grandchildren.

 

The Big Brothers

Mimi and Eliana

Papa with Isaac

Micah and I have enjoyed getting to know each baby.  Their personalities are coming through more and more every day.  We wonder how Andrew and Elijah are going to interact with them when they come home.  Adjusting to having five children with different needs brings us to a familiar place~ relying on God to encourage us in the gospel and bringing us the perserverance we need to love on each child.  We never stop carrying each one to Jesus for his or her particular needs.  We are juggling~ and it is wonderfully exhausting. 

Micah and Me tag-teaming the babies.

Our prayer requests are that we would continue to have the endurance we need for each day.  The girls have had some bradycardia episodes and most of the time they self-correct.  We do pray they grow out of these soon and maintiain their heartrates consistantly.  Thankfully, they have no apnea at this point.  They all are having some reflux and we also pray that resolves.  Overall, they are healthy babies, which brings me to my last request.  All around us, we have seen much sicker babies and families struggling watching their tiny ones fight for life in the NICU.  I ask that you take time to pray for all of them.  We pray God brings them peace and comfort in the midst of such excrutiating difficulty.

Growing Babies!

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 30:11-12

Yesterday, Micah and I danced home from the hospital.  We had such a cared for experience there but were so glad to get home.  Even though it was difficult to leave, there was much to be thankful for~ and the babies couldn't be in better hands.   


Our Nurses Were So Kind:)

It was odd though, our house quiet... each of our five children somewhere else.   It has been a long time since I felt freedom to move and make plans and enjoy the outside!  It feels like the whole world has changed~  Or at least from my perspective for sure. It has taken a bit to let it sink in~ where we have been and what the Lord has done.

God continues to breathe vigorous life into our babies.  Isaac was taken off the ventilator yesterday with no problem.  His nurse also removed an arterial line he had in his belly which made it possible for me to hold him for the first time.  That was also the first time I got to really see his face without tubes occluding his little smile!  He is a cutie with blond hair!

My First Time Holding Isaac

Sweet Boy, Isaac

He squeaks some (reminding me of Andrew as a baby:)) and loves to cuddle.  The doctor is also planning to take him off forced oxygen (room air) through his nasal cannula in the next day.  Isabella and Eliana are also thriving.  They are all three tolerating feedings into their bellies well.  The doctors are increasing the amount they receive every day.  Eliana has already grown up to and past her birth weight and now is at 2 lbs. 5 oz. and Isaac and Isabella are both at 3 lbs. 9 oz..  Since they are getting more than half of what they need from feedings, they each may get to have their PICC lines removed in the next two days.  They have also had brain scans and echo cardiograms and nothing significant has been found thus far.  The babies are progressing so well~ Micah and I did not anticipate such great reports!  It is making me realize that I need to get ready to bring them home even more quickly than we thought!


Daddy and His Eliana Girl



A Cuddly Bella Joy and Mommy Late Last Night


We have had such a wondreful time talking about embryo adoption with the hospital staff.  We think about where these babies were only months ago, frozen in the same building where they now grin and move, bodies warm and fresh and are amazed. 

I spoke with Andrew and Elijah this morning.  They are excited about coming home and the possiblity of the babies coming home in the next few weeks.  Elijah asked if I was able to be up and around which he refers to as "crazy mommy" again!  By God's grace, yes I sure can. 



The Birth Story and Beyond

God has proven to us during the last many months that His timing is perfect over and over again.   

I was getting pretty discouraged at the beginning of this past week~ just not sure how much longer ~for the babies sake and mine.  I was trying to read providence forward, which is impossible.  What, when, how, why was constantly on my mind.  Once again, Micah and I prayed for obvious clarity of direction.  My doctor came to see me early last week and had contacted The Fetal Care Center in Cincinnati as well as the Neonatology department here at this hospital.  It was clear to him that we go ahead and set a date for delivery for February 13 and we were comfortable with that timing.  Apparently babies diagnosed with TTTS are at much higher risk for things going wrong in-utero verses being born premature at 32 weeks gestation...  So there was the light at the end of the tunnel and I geared up for 9 more days of bed rest.

Friday the 3rd was a typical hospital kind of day.  Medications, monitoring, eating, and napping were on the agenda.  I spent some time with a church friend who helped me knit little hats for the babies.  It has been a delight to have visitors.  Micah went to work and the boys were with his parents who had driven up from North Carolina.  I have had wonderful nurses although a couple have seemed intimidated by finding three heartbeats that can be monitored uninterrupted.  My nurse on Friday wasn't intimidated at all.  She worked patiently through one monitoring session making sure she had good heart accelerations on all the babies,  So far, so good.  Then the second time she began monitoring was much different.  She found Isaac's heart rate with no problem as well as Isabella's.  Then, we began looking for Eliana's.  The way she was positioned made her difficult to track down especially with two larger babies with larger hearts on either side of her smaller body.  After a few minutes, my nurse did find her but had to sit and hold the monitor at an angle so she could get an accurate, consistent reading.  Eliana was more still than usual but her heart rate was normal~ at first.  Then, we heard a very audible deceleration.  It was not a good sound, like time slowing down, but we knew time was not the issue.  The nurse and I looked at each other then she very calmly started calling for help.  The recording device had not picked up the deceleration but she and I knew exactly what we had heard.  I called Micah and asked him to leave work.  Within minutes, I had an ultrasound and all appeared to be fine.  In the meantime, our doctor was called in and came to sit with us and watch her more.  As we were discussing what was best, Eliana's heart rate, now visible on the monitor, dipped again.  It was clear~ it was time.  Within an hour, I was being prepped for surgery.  During the prepping hour, I had also gone into labor.  I asked the triage nurse wincing in pain, "Do you see all these contractions I am having!?!"  She replied, "Well, I think you need a C-Section, dear."

I will never forget the sight of the OR.  There were three little assessment beds for each of the babies with their names already on them on one whole side of the room.  Within minutes, each baby had at least one if not two nurses in ready position to recieve them.  There was also a Neonatologist and a Nurse Practioner to oversee the babies immediate care.  They were so eager to get their hands on our babies!  The smiles in their eyes above their masks made me feel so much at ease.  There were seven taking care of me~ nurses, my Perinatologist, an assisting OB/GYN from his same practice, an Anesthesiologist and a scrub nurse.  There were so many people in that room!  I knew there would be a crowd, but seeing everyone filling up almost every space was overwhelming!  Micah came in to join us and within minutes Isaac was out.  Somehow, he had managed to get a  knot in his umbilical cord which could have presented a huge problem for him.  Micah got a picture and was then inspired to take more over the curtain pictures (which will not be posted on this blog~ rest assured:)).  Isaac was whisked away to his station.  One minute later, Eliana was out.  She had the tiniest cry but she was surely spirited.  Another minute later, Isabella was out.  She was the first baby I saw as her bed was parellel to mine.  Micah was running around trying to get pictures before the train of babies left the OR.  I got to give Isabella a kiss then she and the others (1st - Eliana, 2nd - Isabella, 3rd - Isaac) made thier way up to NICU.  Later I was told that Andrew and Elijah did get to see their brother and sisters as they were wheeled down the hallway.  I was so glad they got a glimpse of them.  Back in the OR, my doctor leaned over the curtain and reaffirmed our decision to take them out.  He finished the procedure and sent me to recovery.





It wasn't until 4:30 a.m. that I got to see the babies.  By that time, they were settled in to their own special spots in the NICU.  Later that morning, the big boys left for North Carolina and will be cared for there by family.  It was hard to see them leave but reassuring knowing that they will be loved on while Micah and I learn how to navigate the NICU.  Already I feel stretched between five children.  I knew it was coming, but experience is usually different than I expected and will be a true educator. 

Eliana~ the tiniest~ is doing very well.  She has no assisted breathing devices at all and likes to try and rip out the other tubes in various places on her body:)  Isabella has a little bit of help with breathing.  She moves around the most, demonstrating how she was able to stretch her legs and arms out when she was back in my belly.  Isaac has needed the most help.  His doctor has him on a ventilator but doesn't expect him to stay on it very long.  All the babies will be getting a PICC line to help reduce the need for other sticks.  They are all getting small feeds already and seem to be tolerating those well.

Isaac in his Isolette

  

Isabella, showing us how she liked to try to lay in-utero

The first time I got to hold Eliana

On top of all the medical stuff, they are just so cute and sweet.  I got to hold the girls yesterday for the first time and do what is called Kangaroo Care.  When I held Eliana and would speak, she would open her eyes and look toward the sound of my voice.  Isabella even relaxed more against my skin and curled up on my chest, most content.  I am hoping to get to hold Isaac soon.  Please pray that his breathing improves.  Even though he is having difficulty with his breathing, the docs are saying he is acting appropriately for a preemie boy and anticipates resolution in the near future.  The Neonatologist estimates they will come home in 4-6 weeks.    

I think that should get everyone up to speed;)  Micah and I have treasured all the emails, calls, facebook messages, and texts so many have sent.  One day, we will tell our babies about your outpouring of love and prayers on their behalf.

Meet the Babies!!!

THEY'RE HERE!!!  Our Lord has been good to us!

Isaac Curtis
Time: 8:45 pm
Wieght: 3lbs 11oz
Length:  15.5 in.

Eliana Sue
Time: 8:46 pm
Weight: 2lbs 4oz
Length: 13.5 in.

Isabella Joy
Time: 8:47 pm
Weight: 3lbs 11oz
Length: 15.5 in.

Thanks so much for praying.  More updates to come.  Enjoy a few pictures!

Please pray!

Please pray!  The babies will be delivered tonight!

We'll keep you updated. 

Update from the Hospital #2

I am thankful to report that after an eventful weekend we are still here and the steroid shots have now had enough time to help the babies' lungs develop.  They, by the way, look fantastic.  The nurses monitor them three times a day, which is quite the accomplishment~ finding three different babies with three distinct heartbeats that many times a day:)  They were also measured on Monday.  Isaac measured 3 lbs. 2 oz., Eliana 2 lbs. 2 oz., and Isabella 2 lbs. 15 oz.  We are so thankful to be at this point.  And we are so blessed by our Lord to be in such a good place in light of all we've been through.  Micah and I even met with a Neonatologist yesterday who talked with us about what our babies' needs may be when they are born.  Overall the conversation was very encouraging.  We give all the glory to God~  He has made Himself known in such outwardly recognizable ways. 

God continues to be so kind.  Even in the little things~  Monday we were trying to decided the best place for me to be until the end of this pregnancy.  There were a few things up in the air, and I asked that He would make it plain.  A couple of hours later, we learned that true labor had begun and the decision was clear.  I will be here until the babies are born.  Our doctor is still giving me one medication to hold off labor to a point, but if things change more or if the babies show any signs of any distress, we will be ready to receive them. 

We will keep this updated.  Thank you all for all the love shown to us.

Update from the Hospital

Tiffany was admitted into the hospital on Friday night. The babies have not been born but are being monitored closely. She has also received 2 steroids shots that will help the babies' lungs mature at a faster pace.  The goal is to get them as many days as possible in utero before we must take them out. She is 30 weeks 3 days but her body measures about 41 weeks. For obvious reason she is in a lot of pain. However, the babies are looking very healthy. We are very thankful to our Lord for his mercy and for all the prayers offered up on our behalf.

Please pray that Tiffany will be as comfortable as possible and that the docs would have wisdom about the right time to take them out. 

Blessings,

Micah

Admitted for Now

Last night, I began having some contractions and enough discomfort to contact the doctor on call at our practice. Thankfully, my doctor was the one who very quickly called me back! Within about 15 seconds, he decided to have me come on in. And I was so glad he did. I learned quickly that I was contracting every 1.5-2 minutes. Thankfully, he got them under control with two doses of medication. Long story short, I am here to stay~ at least until Monday. He has decided to go ahead with steroids and help the babies lungs develop more quickly and keep a close watch on us all. We would again appreciate your prayers. Again, we all~ the boys included~ feel very carried and cared for through each and every day. I read this familiar verse on a friend's blog early this morning and it reminded me of God's perfect knowledge and plans for us: In Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.~ Psalm 139. May this day reflect His plan so clearly that this truth is obvious to us all.

Everyone looked great yesterday.  Our doctor was hesitant to go ahead with the steroid shots because he thought they may cause me to go into labor. We are going to wait as long as possible before attempting those.

The babies are looking more and more piled on top of each other as they all maneuver for space!  We have watched them "practice breathe" which is just fascinating.  Eliana particularly had a good amount of amniotic fluid and an even better doppler reading than last week.  We go again next week to have them measured again.

Friday will be 30 weeks!  We feel so humbled to have reached this point. 

All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Psalm 145:10-12

Watching and Waiting

At Wednesday's ultrasound, Isaac measured 2 lbs. 13 oz., Isabella 2 lbs. 12 oz., and Eliana 1 lb. 11 oz. Even though there is quite a size discordance between our two girls, we were so glad to see that Eliana has grown some and that Isabella and Isaac are growing so well. She did have another abnormal umbilical doppler reading (pointing to insufficient blood flow) but it wasn't higher than other readings. We are so thankful our doc will be back from vacation on Tuesday. We are meeting with him then.  There is a possibility of going ahead with steroid shots to give their lungs an opportunity to develop anticipating an early delivery.

We have had moments of speculation about what is going to happen in the coming weeks as we get closer to reaching communicated milestones for the babies regarding the TTTS.  I used to say, "If God would only reveal His future plans to me, then I would feel better prepared".  I am not so arrogant to think myself so capable of such preparation anymore:)  Walking by faith has never been so practical.  I know I would not have made it this far, in constant suspense taking one day at a time, if God would have told me just how difficult it all was going to be back then.  Once again, "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" proves Himself to be the Only One capable of walking by sovereign sight. 

29 weeks

I am treasuring each movement, each hiccup, and each spirited kick. I never thought my body could stretch to this size! Let me just say, it is not comfortable, but holding three babies at one time is a blessing. I had another mother of triplets remind me that it will be near impossible to hold them all simultaneously when they are born. It is hard to believe that 11 weeks of bed rest have passed.  Andrew and Elijah officially cannot remember when mommy wasn't sporting a huge belly~ or when mommy actually cooked and did things around the house!

God remains faithfully merciful to us all~

Moving Toward 29

Friday, Eliana's doppler reading was better than Wednesday's so she is holding steady in that regard AND I was thrilled to learn yesterday that I do not have gestational diabetes.  Praise God!

During a break in the three hour diabetes test, Micah pushed me in a wheelchair (actually, raced with me through the empty parts of the hospital hallways) up to the Neonatal ICU where the babies will more than likely be for a while.  I am one to do better when I see things ahead of time so this was exceptionally helpful.  It takes the ~wondering~ out of it a bit and definitely makes me feel more prepared.  We met several nurses and one gave us a tour.  She was so kind to us.  She introduced us to a few of the babies already patients there, some the size of our babies now, and answered several of our questions.  It was a peaceful place and the ladies we met seemed to really love their jobs.

Micah and I already go back tomorrow to have the babies measured.  This is a huge matter of prayer~ that our doctor (still persistent in following us from his vacation) will have wisdom about Eliana's growth and what is best for her as he continues to assess Isabella and Isaac.  As all of this is overwhelming, pray for us~ that our eyes will be fixed on Jesus as He continues to carry us along. 

I have to mention how very blessed and helped we have been by our church family and friends during the last several weeks.  There is such beauty in community and our family has felt and experienced this first hand.  It truly demonstrates to us the very heart of our Savior, Servant, Jesus Christ.

I must apologize if I have failed to communicate with everyone who has reached out to us.  My note writing/sending has been egregiously lacking and I hope you who continue to love us through words and actions will accept this as a huge, heart felt, Thank You.

Andrew Is 8!

We are so thankful for and proud of Andrew.  Today, on his 8th birthday, we celebrate the gift of his life! 

Today's Update

Just a quick update:  Today, Eliana's umbilical doppler result was abnormal.  She looked great though, moving all around.  She had changed positions... again:) and kicked the sonographer several times in the course of the scan.  We actually saw her profile better than we ever have today.  She seemed to have plenty of fluid around her face~ such a blessing ~and that made it easy to see her cute little features.  We go back Friday to check her again and assess what is best.  I am so thankful they are following our babies so closely.  They appeared to be having a big party for their big brother Andrew's birthday tomorrow. Andrew says sometimes my belly looks as if they are in a bouncy house!  Our doctor is on a planned vacation to Key West this week and next.  Micah and I were a little concerned when he shared this news last week (to say the least), but he had already temporarily given our case to another doctor and had a plan for following us on his iPhone.  He can view all our ultrasounds and even track information on hospital monitors from there.  Thank God for technology!

Another note:  I failed my gestational diabetes test today.  I am also being tested more extensively on Friday to see if this is another thing we are going to have to watch.

Thank you for the continued prayers.

Perspectives

Perspective is an interesting thing.  When I look out across the landscape of life and see situations out of context and circumstances unattached, I admit there are judgements I make that I am certain aren't completely accurate.  I try to judge based on truth, but most likely, I understand experiences in generalizations that primarily come from my own perspective.  I wish this weren't the case as much because I am sure I miss so much learning in living.   

For example, if you would have told me about a baby in a NICU born at less than 30 weeks weighing less than 2 pounds, I would have immediately thought, "Wow- that is really hard and sad".  I would have thought of the mother and father and their struggle as they watch their tiny baby and deal with the plethora of problems that come with prematurity.  I would have thought about all the posters in OB/GYN's offices that explain the symptoms of preterm labor.  I would remember my own experience with Andrew at 35 weeks~ showing up at a regularly scheduled doctor's appointment totally unaware that three hours later, I would be holding him in my arms. 

And yet, here I am, 27 weeks pregnant with these three precious babies.  I think of all the days and nights when waiting on the Lord was excruciating.  I think of all the ultrasounds, doctors visits, travel time back and forth to Cincinnati, and ups and downs of the babies conditions during this pregnancy.  I think of all the time I fought against the what ifs.  And then I hear my doctor's voice saying, "no one in this practice thought you would make it this far".  I also remember the stories of other TTTS mommies who have not had as many weeks with their babies.  The Lord has done great things for us~ and 30 weeks will be another great accomplishment. 

Yesterday's doctor's appointment provided a great deal of perspective for us and our babies.  Despite adequate fluid, normal heart rates and umbilical dopplers, there is beginning to be a large enough gap in the growth of our girls to warrant serious conversation about getting them out.  It is difficult to imagine that babies at such a young gestational age can do better outside than in, but with TTTS, that is precisely the case.  Eliana has only gained a few ounces in four weeks.  Isabella and Isaac are growing right on track.  Even though the thought of exposing a very small, premature baby to the world makes this mommy very concerned for her (as well as for our other two babies), I am beginning to understand that I should be more concerned about her development in a place where she cannot receive adequate resources.  It is a very different perspective. 

Micah and I have talked at length about technology.  The same advances in medicine and science that have caused there to be hundreds of thousands of embryos frozen in time are the same advances that have allowed for our babies to be cared for to this point with life-threatening syndromes.  They also provide the ability for them to live and thrive outside the womb at such an early stage if need be.  We are thankful for God's provisions in these things.  I ran across this devotion excerpt today from Spurgeon revised by Alister Begg that reminded me that my greater hope is in an even better Physician:   

He is the Physician, and if He knows everything, there is no need for the patient to know. What you don't know now, you will know later; and meanwhile Jesus, the beloved Physician, knows your soul in adversities. Why does the patient need to analyze all the medicine or estimate all the symptoms? This is the Physician's work, not mine; it is my business to trust, and His to prescribe. If He shall write His prescription in a fashion that I cannot read, I will not be uneasy on that account, but will rely upon His unfailing skill to make everything clear in the result, no matter how mysterious the process.

These words, while beautifully true and very persuasive, bring me to my knees. I should despair in my inability to be so faithful in trusting Jesus.  This is not descriptive of this gal who is in and of myself 4 needy patients at this moment in time:) Yet, it is descriptive in the way God sees me as his daughter as He invites me to trust Him.  I assure you that what you may see as trust in me is one of two things; complete and total exhaustion~ the kind where I am too tired to be anxious~ or Jesus working in me the kind of faith that takes my inadequacies in trust and submission and makes them show His perfection. It is truly compelling, coming to terms with oneself yet knowing how I am loved. Therein lies the means of moving forward with a thankful toast for today and rest in my Great Physician and His mysterious ways for tomorrow for us all.  Seeing Him offers the most valuable perspective. 

So please continue to pray.  God can choose to grow Eliana at a quicker rate or He can choose to care for her in a different way.  We and our doctors need wisdom in knowing how to best care for all the babies.  We also desire that Issaac and Isabella continue to grow well.  Andrew and Elijah are doing very well.  They have loved all the visitors we have received over the past weeks.  Having our church family and friends in and out to help with housework, take the boys outside, and bring meals has been such a blessing.  Micah is juggling!  I am so thankful for his diligence and love.  We are so thankful for his employees that allow him to care for me when he is needed at home or at the hospital.  So far, my body though stretched thin, is holding together remarkably.  I have had a few trips to the hospital, but to this point, I have been able to come home each time.  We as a family don't know all those reading and praying, but God does, and we are thankful He has brought us such a great multitude of encouragers for this season.  Blessings to each of you!

Christmastime and Another Graduation (of sorts)

It was such a blessing to be home at Christmas. It was a different year for me particularly, participating from bed rest. We have had family visiting. Both Micah's and my parents and my siblings have spent time with us. The boys have had a great time with family and thoroughly enjoyed all the extra love and attention. On top of that, it has even been mild enough outside for Andrew to learn to ride his new bike! As for the babies, it is official! We have been discharged from the Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati Children's Hospital! Since fetal laser surgery isn't offered past 26 weeks gestation (a milestone we reach Friday) and since the babies are still doing well despite small changes with regard to TTTS, we are going to be watched by our home doctor from now on. We said goodbye yesterday and made sure we got pictures of every doctor, nurse, and staff person that has been caring for us and our babies. We are so thankful for each of their God-given abilities. I can't wait to show their faces to Isaac, Eliana, and Isabella.

From this point on, weighing risks vs. benefits changes from considering surgery to considering delivering the babies. There may come a day when the risks of them staying in-utero could harm them more than the risks of prematurity. Our goal now is to keep them in as long as possible. God has been so merciful to keep the TTTS from progressing and we pray He continues. We also pray that my body holds together! I have now visited the hospital twice to stop labor. This past visit, they were able to get all the babies heart rates up on the observation screen at the same time. With a belly full of monitors, Micah and I still stare in awe~ as if bystanders, watching something complete foreign and amazing happen. Then contractions and medication kicks in and I remember quickly that I am not just watching:)

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles." And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

Deuteronomy, Joshua, and Chronicles contain the phrase spoken by Yahweh Himself, then repeated by Moses, Joshua, David, and Hezekiah ~be strong and courageous~ as an exhortation to His people in different contexts to give them reason to not fear and trust Him. In providing for them, in fighting for them, in bringing about His own will for them, God proves His ways are sure. Those whom He loves can put their confidence, not in their own abilities, might, or understanding, but in Him. I say all of this because this is our experience on behalf of these babies. God has proven to us that they are His and He is fighting for them, and we have only to be silent (Ex 14:14).

The path is still unclear. There are moments when I anticipate the day when our doc says, "Today is the day". With all the trials, suffering, hopefulness, peace, turmoil, joy, and uncertainty of the past many weeks contextualized by where we are today, how can we not proceed as exhorted above? After all, the strength and courage comes from and rests upon God and is then perfected in us by Christ. God has continually proven that no matter the outcome, we all belong to Him and nothing can stop His plan.

Update Along With Merry Christmas

I am thankful to report that there was no change from yesterday. The doctor felt it was safe to send us home for Christmas! No hospital bed rest for now! We continue to pray through each day, one day at a time. Our next appointment is next Tuesday, the 27th, in Cincinnati.

Instead of Christmas cards this year we want to send this cyber-greeting:

May we all find our hearts bent toward celebrating God's perfect and priceless gift, Jesus Christ. We pray you each experience the eternal hope of being found in Him.

Merry Christmas!

More to Pray About

So sorry it has taken me a while to update! I have been a little more quiet lately... learning to boast in my weaknesses (2 Corinthians). These past couple of weeks have been trying. I have found myself comparing all that I lack to all that I have in Christ. All I can say is that the gargantuan difference between this gal and her Savior is astounding.

Last week, our appointment in Cincinnati went well. There was a slight change in Isabella's and Eliana's heart scores but still not enough for intervention. We had an especially great visit with one of our Maternal Fetal Medicine Doctors. He walked into the room and the first words out of his mouth were, "You puzzle me...". "In a good way or in a bad way?" I asked. He went on to say that our progress is wonderful and "this should have gotten much worse by now." Of course, we aren't puzzled at all~ just thankful that God has been so kind. We were scheduled again to return in two weeks from that day and told to follow up in Louisville in the between time.

Enter my very least favorite thing about winter... the stomach viruses that spread like wildfire through every social occasion. Elijah and I shared a bite of baked apples when he and Andrew returned home from church Wednesday night. Later on, he got very sick. Immediately, Micah took him to the couch and stayed beside him all night~ away from me so I wouldn't get it. But I knew, the damage was already done. By six that evening, I was sick. By ten, I was on the phone with the doctor on call trying to handle the threat of dehydration. By 11:30 p.m., I was in the hospital despite my best attempts to stay hydrated and with contractions brought on by the dehydration. After 15 hours of fluids and some pretty strong meds to stop the contractions, I was back at home.

Yesterday, we all spent the majority of the day at home. It was the first day we had all together without something major going on. We finished up some Christmas preparations (see picture below) and enjoyed each other's company.

Today, Micah and I went to the doctor in Louisville for our weekly check. Overall, the babies looked good. However, this mama's body is struggling to hold on to all of them. It's funny, our perinatologist warned us about all of this the first time we met him. He said that at about 23 weeks, things can start changing. Today, I am 24 weeks, 3 days. At this point, my cervix is shortening and funneling. I go back tomorrow and if it is any worse, I go into the hospital until the babies are born.

My mother-in-law sent me this from a larger devotion by Roy Lessin last week and it is so fitting:

I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49:15)
God will not have a memory loss, lose interest in you, lose track of you, or lose sight of you. He will not be thinking about you one moment and forget about you the next. He will not lose track of you. He will not lead you somewhere and then forget where you are. He will always be paying attention, and He will never be oblivious to your needs or situation.

[I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down ( relax My hold on you)! (Hebrews 13:5 AMP)
God will never say to you, “I’m sorry, I would like to help you, but I can’t.” You will never hear Him say, “I’m sorry, I would like to help you, but this is not a good time for me.” You will never hear Him say, “I’m sorry, I would like to help you, but you’ll have to wait your turn.”

At a time when I feel exhausted in every way and I feel like I have prayed the same prayers over and over, this is the God I need. This is my Loving Father.

Before I go prepare for what may come tomorrow, I would like you to see what I like to call, "Views from Bed Rest":

Sweet boy watching TV in the next room

Andrew beating Mommy at Battleship

Making a Gingerbread House

Coloring, Coloring, and More Coloring

My Cuddle Buddy