The last week has been a whirl wind for our family. Just when you say "that was the hardest thing I have ever done," usually something trumps that. At least it does with our family.
Zoie had surgery one week ago from Friday and everything went smoothly. She had a VNS implanted for seizures. She was in surgery for about three hours, then recovery for about three. The hardest part for me was watching them put her under and having to walk away. Luckily they took good care of her, and she is healing wonderfully! She had her first ramp up appt to slowly turn on the device Friday and the appt went well. We have noticed a few changes in her since Friday like some irritability, she is having difficulty rolling, and makes funny sounds. Tomorrow we will call to make sure these are normal side effects and that everything is okay. It's always hard when it's something new and you haven't experienced it before. Her incision site looks phenomenal! She is my rock star!
Last Sunday (one week ago) my water broke. I really did think I just kept peeing my pants, andlmost didn't even go to the hospital. When I went in, they confirmed it was my water and not pee and gave me some hard to handle news. I would be staying at the hospital on bed rest until either Ivie decided to come, or until I hit 34 weeks. Whichever comes first. This was a shock and something we weren't prepared for. Mommy being gone from home. Derik having to take 3-4 weeks off work. Sitting in a bed. Not having anything ready. And having a preemie. A lot of shock!
I was 32 weeks last Sunday, and transported from Loveland to Greeley on Monday so that when Ivie came, we would have a nicu for her. First helicopter ride :) it was a little crammed. I'm just glad it was me in there for once and not Zoie.
So here we are, one week later, Ivie is still cooking and is actually 33 weeks today. It's a blessing we have made it a week with a broken water. Even the doctors are surprised. Many people say that a baby can't survive without the fluid, but she is a rockin and a Rollin in there. I get my temp taken every two hours along with blood pressure to check for an infection, blood draws every morning for my white blood count, I'm on constant monitoring for contractions and the baby's heart beat as well.
I have had contractions, but they aren't close enough for them to pull her. There has also been no sign of infection. It's a bittersweet feeling. The reason I say that is because it's very very very hard to be away from my family and have zero control of anything.
I know Ivie needs to cook for one more week, but I'm also asking God why He thinks we can keep handling this. Derik has been a super dad. Not many people know what it takes to care for Zoie. She is round the clock care, which I'm used to, but Derik has never done. You have to feed her four meals a day, do meds twice a day, keep her on a feeding pump all night long, deal with seizures, play with her and keep her happy, all while she recovers from surgery. He is taking one day at a time, and that's how he is staying happy and sane. He swears this is happening because God wanted him to be able to help me more when Ivie came, and apparently this was the only way for him to learn. ;)
As they go through their days, I keep in touch and help as much as I can over the phone. Not much else I can do besides pray. I told him he is half done. We have one more week, if Ivie makes it that long (Sunday 30th) then Ivie will be here :) and I can get home.
With Ivie, she will be staying at the hospital in the nicu. We are hoping for only 4 weeks! Some things we have been told are that she should be about 4 lbs, will need oxygen, a feeding tube down her nose, and an IV. As she matures we can take stuff away and add a bottle, and eventually breast feeding. I'm just praying she comes out healthy and surprises the doctors.
It will be hard leaving her. It's not something we planned. But we will come see her every day and make sure she knows she isn't alone. It will be a long few weeks, but we can do it. And we will be so blessed when we can have two beautiful and perfect baby girls under our roof!
I always say that zoie is our little miracle baby. We are getting a second one, little Ivie <3
I'm not sure why God thinks we are strong enough for a special needs kiddo and a preemie, but we will show everyone, that it will only build us up as a family and grow our faith and trust in Him.
I'm excited to have a little peanut within the next 7 days!!!!
With all of this going on, deriks grandpa in NE also passed away last Monday. It was expected, but it doesn't make it any easier. We aren't able to be at the funeral, but our hearts are there, and we love grandpa Karl so much.
We also found out today, that my grandpa has internal bleeding and may only have a few days before Heaven is ready for him. He is 94 and has lived an amazing life, but once again, it's not easy. He is in hospice and sleeping a lot. I can't go see him, but I did get to face time with him <3
With all of this going on.... I'm not angry and I know God knows what He is doing, we just may not see it right now. It's not easy, and I cry some days in frustration, but I am doing my absolute best to stay positive and look forward. This all will pass.
We don't need or want people to feel bad for us, ever.... Just pray for patience and understanding and strength.
I'll be grateful when I'm home in a week or so with my family and I know that Ivie is safe in the nicu.
Derik and I couldn't be doing this without all the help, sitters, meals, visitors, texts, phone calls, cookies, and wonderful gifts we have received. We have some really awesome friends and family in our life!!!!! There aren't even words to explain it. But thank you!!!!
When little Ivie makes her appearance this week sometime we will let everyone know <3
Zoie had surgery one week ago from Friday and everything went smoothly. She had a VNS implanted for seizures. She was in surgery for about three hours, then recovery for about three. The hardest part for me was watching them put her under and having to walk away. Luckily they took good care of her, and she is healing wonderfully! She had her first ramp up appt to slowly turn on the device Friday and the appt went well. We have noticed a few changes in her since Friday like some irritability, she is having difficulty rolling, and makes funny sounds. Tomorrow we will call to make sure these are normal side effects and that everything is okay. It's always hard when it's something new and you haven't experienced it before. Her incision site looks phenomenal! She is my rock star!
Last Sunday (one week ago) my water broke. I really did think I just kept peeing my pants, andlmost didn't even go to the hospital. When I went in, they confirmed it was my water and not pee and gave me some hard to handle news. I would be staying at the hospital on bed rest until either Ivie decided to come, or until I hit 34 weeks. Whichever comes first. This was a shock and something we weren't prepared for. Mommy being gone from home. Derik having to take 3-4 weeks off work. Sitting in a bed. Not having anything ready. And having a preemie. A lot of shock!
I was 32 weeks last Sunday, and transported from Loveland to Greeley on Monday so that when Ivie came, we would have a nicu for her. First helicopter ride :) it was a little crammed. I'm just glad it was me in there for once and not Zoie.
So here we are, one week later, Ivie is still cooking and is actually 33 weeks today. It's a blessing we have made it a week with a broken water. Even the doctors are surprised. Many people say that a baby can't survive without the fluid, but she is a rockin and a Rollin in there. I get my temp taken every two hours along with blood pressure to check for an infection, blood draws every morning for my white blood count, I'm on constant monitoring for contractions and the baby's heart beat as well.
I have had contractions, but they aren't close enough for them to pull her. There has also been no sign of infection. It's a bittersweet feeling. The reason I say that is because it's very very very hard to be away from my family and have zero control of anything.
I know Ivie needs to cook for one more week, but I'm also asking God why He thinks we can keep handling this. Derik has been a super dad. Not many people know what it takes to care for Zoie. She is round the clock care, which I'm used to, but Derik has never done. You have to feed her four meals a day, do meds twice a day, keep her on a feeding pump all night long, deal with seizures, play with her and keep her happy, all while she recovers from surgery. He is taking one day at a time, and that's how he is staying happy and sane. He swears this is happening because God wanted him to be able to help me more when Ivie came, and apparently this was the only way for him to learn. ;)
As they go through their days, I keep in touch and help as much as I can over the phone. Not much else I can do besides pray. I told him he is half done. We have one more week, if Ivie makes it that long (Sunday 30th) then Ivie will be here :) and I can get home.
With Ivie, she will be staying at the hospital in the nicu. We are hoping for only 4 weeks! Some things we have been told are that she should be about 4 lbs, will need oxygen, a feeding tube down her nose, and an IV. As she matures we can take stuff away and add a bottle, and eventually breast feeding. I'm just praying she comes out healthy and surprises the doctors.
It will be hard leaving her. It's not something we planned. But we will come see her every day and make sure she knows she isn't alone. It will be a long few weeks, but we can do it. And we will be so blessed when we can have two beautiful and perfect baby girls under our roof!
I always say that zoie is our little miracle baby. We are getting a second one, little Ivie <3
I'm not sure why God thinks we are strong enough for a special needs kiddo and a preemie, but we will show everyone, that it will only build us up as a family and grow our faith and trust in Him.
I'm excited to have a little peanut within the next 7 days!!!!
With all of this going on, deriks grandpa in NE also passed away last Monday. It was expected, but it doesn't make it any easier. We aren't able to be at the funeral, but our hearts are there, and we love grandpa Karl so much.
We also found out today, that my grandpa has internal bleeding and may only have a few days before Heaven is ready for him. He is 94 and has lived an amazing life, but once again, it's not easy. He is in hospice and sleeping a lot. I can't go see him, but I did get to face time with him <3
With all of this going on.... I'm not angry and I know God knows what He is doing, we just may not see it right now. It's not easy, and I cry some days in frustration, but I am doing my absolute best to stay positive and look forward. This all will pass.
We don't need or want people to feel bad for us, ever.... Just pray for patience and understanding and strength.
I'll be grateful when I'm home in a week or so with my family and I know that Ivie is safe in the nicu.
Derik and I couldn't be doing this without all the help, sitters, meals, visitors, texts, phone calls, cookies, and wonderful gifts we have received. We have some really awesome friends and family in our life!!!!! There aren't even words to explain it. But thank you!!!!
When little Ivie makes her appearance this week sometime we will let everyone know <3
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