On Tuesday night, July 22, Stephanie began to have contractions and run a fever. Wednesday morning they drew blood work and her white blood cell count was high. This left us with no choice, we had to deliver Baby A to get rid of the infection. They induced Stephanie more to make it go faster as the sooner they got the infection under control, the better for Stephanie.
Elisha James was born July 23 at 3:26, weighing 12 ounces, and was 10 inches long.
After Eli was born they stopped the medicine, and Stephanie's contractions stopped. The other two babies sacs were still intact and their heartbeats strong. We thought we were in the clear. Then all of a sudden Stephanie's temperature spiked out of control into very dangerous territory. The doctors tried everything to break the fever, but nothing was breaking it. They told us we would have to deliver the other two babies, or Stephanie's uterus and life would be on the line. They left us for five minutes to take it all in, and in the process, Steph's contractions started again. They came back in and started the medicine to speed up the process again.
Isaac Matthew was born July 23 at 8:46, weighing 13 ounces, and was 10 and 1/4 inches long.
Micah Ray (our little tomboy) was born July 23 at 8:50, weighing 11 ounces, and was 10 inches long.
They were all three beautiful babies. The boys looked like me, with long everything, especially fingers and toes. Micah looked like Steph, with the cutest little pixie face ever. It all happened so fast, we are still in shock, and of course our hearts are broken.
However we have hope. As parents, our greatest goal was to raise our babies to love and serve Jesus with their whole hearts. Although it didn't happen as we had planned, that is exactly what our babies are doing, loving and serving Jesus.
Please pray for us as we have so much to deal with, and so much to do. God has been our stronghold and given us great peace, but it doesn't heal our broken hearts.
Thank you for your prayers throughout this process, and for your prayers as we try and move foward. God bless.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Monday -- Ultrasound Day
Well we went downstairs for our weekly ultrasound. Everything was as was expected. The babies heart rates were all good and everything was normal except for the amount of fluid around baby A. Last week there was no fluid around that baby at all, but today there was about 2cm surrounding him. They also told us that they don't like it to get below 5cm. We realize that we won't get to that 5cm mark, but at least there is some fluid now. We will continue to pray for more fluid to surround Baby A.
The exciting news of the day was that Dr. Floyd told Steph she could take a shower as long as she sat in the shower on the stool. This got her pretty excited. However, when we went down to the ultrasound, instead of trying to cram the bed into the little room, she had to walk about 4 steps from the bed to the ultrasound table. It was the first time she has even sat up since last Sunday. Needless to say, she got very light headed when she sat up. And the total of 8 steps to and from wore her out so bad that she decided that her legs hurt too much to take a shower today. I think she was also super nervous to see how her body would respond to this, but other than a few cramps she is feeling fine. Its amazing the amount of muscle atrophy that takes place in just one week. I can't imagine how week her legs will be when this is all said and done.
Please continue to pray for Steph and the babies, especially Baby A. We need to make it at least another 4 weeks for the babies to have a chance at surviving, and we'd love to make it longer.
The exciting news of the day was that Dr. Floyd told Steph she could take a shower as long as she sat in the shower on the stool. This got her pretty excited. However, when we went down to the ultrasound, instead of trying to cram the bed into the little room, she had to walk about 4 steps from the bed to the ultrasound table. It was the first time she has even sat up since last Sunday. Needless to say, she got very light headed when she sat up. And the total of 8 steps to and from wore her out so bad that she decided that her legs hurt too much to take a shower today. I think she was also super nervous to see how her body would respond to this, but other than a few cramps she is feeling fine. Its amazing the amount of muscle atrophy that takes place in just one week. I can't imagine how week her legs will be when this is all said and done.
Please continue to pray for Steph and the babies, especially Baby A. We need to make it at least another 4 weeks for the babies to have a chance at surviving, and we'd love to make it longer.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
"Take a Deep Breath and Relax"
Those are the words our doctor told us this morning. He said we are not "safe" with a capital S and never will be but that we could take a deep breath and relax. It was great to hear those words and know that things are going pretty good considering all the circumstances. Thank you for all your prayers and future prayers, we really appreciate all that you guys have done for us.
The night doctor came in this evening, the same one that was here when we came in on Sunday. He was so excited that we have proved him wrong by still having 3 babies. He was pretty sure we had lost the one and was great to hear about the miracle that is taking place.
Please just continue to pray for us and communicate with us in whatever way works best for you! We really appreciate all the words of support and love we have received.
The night doctor came in this evening, the same one that was here when we came in on Sunday. He was so excited that we have proved him wrong by still having 3 babies. He was pretty sure we had lost the one and was great to hear about the miracle that is taking place.
Please just continue to pray for us and communicate with us in whatever way works best for you! We really appreciate all the words of support and love we have received.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wednesday
Hello again. I just thought I would tell you guys that we will be trying to update this blog every 2 days or so and let everyone know what is going on with the 5 of us.
Yesterday's blood test showed no sign of an infection, so that is GREAT news. When the doctor came in this morning, he said now its just a waiting game pretty much. We are going to have Steph sit here "until she hatches" three beautiful babies.
If we can get to the 23/24 week mark, the babies have a better chance at survival due to their lung functions getting better around then. Currently we are sitting on the 19/20 week mark. Ideally, the longer they are in there the better. We are praying to lay around until the 30 week mark which would put us at the end of Sept.
I also had a local company call me this afternoon wanting to set up an interview for next week. It is with a company that works with online student portfolios. I am going to watch some of their online demos this evening to find out even more about them. I also have an interview tomorrow with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Columbia.
I want to encourage you to call or even to stop by the Columbia Regional Hospital. I sent out my phone number in an email today, but if you didn't get that email, just let me know and I will get you that number. Anyways, we would love to hear from you and help break up our boring days and evenings.
I would show a picture of Steph in our new "apartment" but as you probably know, she has refused that one.
Thanks for all the prayers. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yesterday's blood test showed no sign of an infection, so that is GREAT news. When the doctor came in this morning, he said now its just a waiting game pretty much. We are going to have Steph sit here "until she hatches" three beautiful babies.
If we can get to the 23/24 week mark, the babies have a better chance at survival due to their lung functions getting better around then. Currently we are sitting on the 19/20 week mark. Ideally, the longer they are in there the better. We are praying to lay around until the 30 week mark which would put us at the end of Sept.
I also had a local company call me this afternoon wanting to set up an interview for next week. It is with a company that works with online student portfolios. I am going to watch some of their online demos this evening to find out even more about them. I also have an interview tomorrow with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Columbia.
I want to encourage you to call or even to stop by the Columbia Regional Hospital. I sent out my phone number in an email today, but if you didn't get that email, just let me know and I will get you that number. Anyways, we would love to hear from you and help break up our boring days and evenings.
I would show a picture of Steph in our new "apartment" but as you probably know, she has refused that one.
Thanks for all the prayers. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
What's Happening
Hello everybody. I just wanted to update you on what is currently happening with us and the babies.
Sunday evening, Steph's water broke on one of the babies so we took her to the hospital. Since that point, we have stopped the contractions and we still have three strong heart beats. Things are still very critical. If an infection forms in the uterus then we will most likely loose all three. However there is still a chance that the infection will not form and we will have 3 small babies in about 6 weeks.
Yesterday, the two boys measured at about 12 ounces and the girl at 11. We had previously thought they would be about 8 or 9 ounces, so they are growing at a very good rate.
Please keep us in your prayers as we go through this really critical week. If you have any questions, you can email us.
matt
Sunday evening, Steph's water broke on one of the babies so we took her to the hospital. Since that point, we have stopped the contractions and we still have three strong heart beats. Things are still very critical. If an infection forms in the uterus then we will most likely loose all three. However there is still a chance that the infection will not form and we will have 3 small babies in about 6 weeks.
Yesterday, the two boys measured at about 12 ounces and the girl at 11. We had previously thought they would be about 8 or 9 ounces, so they are growing at a very good rate.
Please keep us in your prayers as we go through this really critical week. If you have any questions, you can email us.
matt
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Love and Hate Relationship
One of the things I was looking foward to most about moving back to Missouri, was the summer thunderstorms. I love them and I love curling up with a good book and reading during one.
However, since we've been back, there have been way too many thunderstorms! I had heard and kept up with the flooding in the midwest, but didn't realize it was affecting the area where my parents live. I've found myself praying for no more thunderstorms, something I normally love. I just want to see the sun!
This past Tuesday, Matt and I along with my mom ran to town to get groceries, about a 40 minute drive from home. Although we drove through very little rain, in the course of about 40 minutes, they had over 3 inches of rain at home.
My parents house is an underground, with only one side open and not in the ground. Well, apparently getting so much rain in such a short amount of time was too much. So half of my parents home flooded. This includes both of my sisters bedrooms, a storage closet, two bathrooms, my parents room and the living room. They tried vaccuuming out the water, but there was just too much of it, and it was beginning to stink! Finally we tore out all of the carpet on Wednesday.
Apparently carpet layers are booked like crazy, so for the last part of this week and all of next week, we're living on concrete floors and chaos. This doesn't work so well for my mom who likes the house to be spotless and everything in place, all of the time.
Please pray for my family as we work on putting everything back together, and also pray for the farmers in the Midwest. Many of their fields have been wiped out due to flooding, and because it hasn't stopped raining and flooding, they can't really replant. I believe this will affect the US as a whole come sooner or later.
Anyways, this is what we've been up to the past week!
However, since we've been back, there have been way too many thunderstorms! I had heard and kept up with the flooding in the midwest, but didn't realize it was affecting the area where my parents live. I've found myself praying for no more thunderstorms, something I normally love. I just want to see the sun!
This past Tuesday, Matt and I along with my mom ran to town to get groceries, about a 40 minute drive from home. Although we drove through very little rain, in the course of about 40 minutes, they had over 3 inches of rain at home.
My parents house is an underground, with only one side open and not in the ground. Well, apparently getting so much rain in such a short amount of time was too much. So half of my parents home flooded. This includes both of my sisters bedrooms, a storage closet, two bathrooms, my parents room and the living room. They tried vaccuuming out the water, but there was just too much of it, and it was beginning to stink! Finally we tore out all of the carpet on Wednesday.
Apparently carpet layers are booked like crazy, so for the last part of this week and all of next week, we're living on concrete floors and chaos. This doesn't work so well for my mom who likes the house to be spotless and everything in place, all of the time.
Please pray for my family as we work on putting everything back together, and also pray for the farmers in the Midwest. Many of their fields have been wiped out due to flooding, and because it hasn't stopped raining and flooding, they can't really replant. I believe this will affect the US as a whole come sooner or later.
Anyways, this is what we've been up to the past week!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Safely "Home"
We arrived just fine on Thursday evening into St. Louis. I (Stephanie) was pretty sore from the long flight, and poor little Gideon (our cat) got sick. The flight was quite a bit more bumpy than usual. Anyways, no big problems, and for that, we're super thankful.
Since then we have been enjoying time with family and trying to recuperate. Normally, jet lag isn't so bad coming this way. However, for me its been quite the experience. The thought never crossed my mind that the babies would have jet lag to. I have been waking up in the morning starving, so hungry my stomach hurts. I guess they will have to adjust to their new feeding hours!
Today started the job search for Matt. We are praying it won't be a long process because so much is hanging in the balance that depends on the job he gets. Please continue to pray for Matt as he searches and interviews, which can be exhausting. Also, please pray for me as I begin the search for a new doctor. I think it will be hard to find one I will like as much and feel as "safe" with as my doctor in Austria, but I trust God will provide the perfect one.
Since then we have been enjoying time with family and trying to recuperate. Normally, jet lag isn't so bad coming this way. However, for me its been quite the experience. The thought never crossed my mind that the babies would have jet lag to. I have been waking up in the morning starving, so hungry my stomach hurts. I guess they will have to adjust to their new feeding hours!
Today started the job search for Matt. We are praying it won't be a long process because so much is hanging in the balance that depends on the job he gets. Please continue to pray for Matt as he searches and interviews, which can be exhausting. Also, please pray for me as I begin the search for a new doctor. I think it will be hard to find one I will like as much and feel as "safe" with as my doctor in Austria, but I trust God will provide the perfect one.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Saying Good Bye
There are so many things and events that have taken place in our last few weeks in Vienna that I want to write about on here! I am hoping I will have time to catch up on our blogging once we get back to the States.
We fly out tomorrow, Thursday, June 19, morning to head back to the States. Everything in our apartment is done, everything is packed, we are unregistered with the Austrian government and all accounts are closed. We are ready to go. Now all we have to do is say good bye.
The past week has been filled with good byes, none of them easy. It is hard to say good bye to people you love, who you have close relationships with, not knowing if you'll see them again until heaven. Although we can keep in touch via internet, which we are super thankful for, it will never be the same.
The whole leaving VCS and Vienna process has been super hard on us. Especially on me, with my preggo hormones surging! Anyways, please be in prayer for us as we leave the school for the last time, go downtown for the last time, hang out with friends here at a favorite restaurant for the last time, and most importantly, say good bye. Please also pray for us to have a safe flight and for me (Steph) to not be horribly uncomfortable during the almost 12 hours of flying we have to do.
Auf Wiedersehen (Goodbye)!
We fly out tomorrow, Thursday, June 19, morning to head back to the States. Everything in our apartment is done, everything is packed, we are unregistered with the Austrian government and all accounts are closed. We are ready to go. Now all we have to do is say good bye.
The past week has been filled with good byes, none of them easy. It is hard to say good bye to people you love, who you have close relationships with, not knowing if you'll see them again until heaven. Although we can keep in touch via internet, which we are super thankful for, it will never be the same.
The whole leaving VCS and Vienna process has been super hard on us. Especially on me, with my preggo hormones surging! Anyways, please be in prayer for us as we leave the school for the last time, go downtown for the last time, hang out with friends here at a favorite restaurant for the last time, and most importantly, say good bye. Please also pray for us to have a safe flight and for me (Steph) to not be horribly uncomfortable during the almost 12 hours of flying we have to do.
Auf Wiedersehen (Goodbye)!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Let the Craziness Begin...
We had a wonderful time on the senior trip, in Mallorca, Spain. the resort we stayed at was really nice, and with lots of sunshine and pools and beaches to sit at, it was a very relaxing time hanging out with the kids. We really feel like God blessed this time for the seniors and they were able to spend quality time together as a class before departing ways.
Its official, the 2007-2008 school year is over. I cannot believe the year has already ended. It literally flew by. Saying good bye to these kids has been and will continue to be one of the hardest things either of us have ever done. The kids at VCS are unique, creative, talented, caring, and amazing in every way. We have become so close to many of our students, and saying good bye has not been and will not be easy. Its not like we will see each other in a few years. Realistically, the next time we will see many of our students will be in heaven.
Please continue to be in prayer for Matt and I as we continue to say good bye to students and dear friends and close out our two years in Vienna. Pray that we can get everything packed and shipped with little stress, and our apartment cleaned and checked out. We'll keep you updated as much as possible as the process continues!
Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement and support. This morning I woke up with a crystal clear image in my mind. One of my favorite chapters is Isaiah 40, and I have been thriving on verses 30-31 throughout the craziness. "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." This morning, the strength of my precious Savior, and your prayers were the wings I was soaring on. Just know we wouldn't be thriving admist the craziness without your prayers.
Its official, the 2007-2008 school year is over. I cannot believe the year has already ended. It literally flew by. Saying good bye to these kids has been and will continue to be one of the hardest things either of us have ever done. The kids at VCS are unique, creative, talented, caring, and amazing in every way. We have become so close to many of our students, and saying good bye has not been and will not be easy. Its not like we will see each other in a few years. Realistically, the next time we will see many of our students will be in heaven.
Please continue to be in prayer for Matt and I as we continue to say good bye to students and dear friends and close out our two years in Vienna. Pray that we can get everything packed and shipped with little stress, and our apartment cleaned and checked out. We'll keep you updated as much as possible as the process continues!
Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement and support. This morning I woke up with a crystal clear image in my mind. One of my favorite chapters is Isaiah 40, and I have been thriving on verses 30-31 throughout the craziness. "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." This morning, the strength of my precious Savior, and your prayers were the wings I was soaring on. Just know we wouldn't be thriving admist the craziness without your prayers.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Senior Trip
Starting their freshman year, each class begins doing fundraisers to raise money for their senior trip. Its a lot of work, but a nice trip at the end is a luring incentive. Unfortunately for our seniors, their trip has been a rollercoaster ride.
In the February we booked a Medeiterranean Cruise for our senior trip. It was going to be an amazing trip and everyone (us sponsors included) was very excited about it! However, the day before we were supposed to fly out (Tuesday), the cruise line cancelled on us. Thankfully they were willing to refund the money we paid for the cruise, as well as our flights and hotels.
So began the chaos of looking for a new senior trip, at the last minute. First we found some more amazing cruise options (Wednesday-Friday morning). One major problem, we couldn't find flights. Thanks to the Eurocup beginning this weekend, every flight is completely full, going to and from everywhere! Finally, one of our parents called up one of his connections in Germany, a last minute travel agency. At this point Matt and I began talking with this travel agency about trip options. By six o'clock Friday night, we had a trip we could book to Rhodes, Greece. However, by the time we were able to call and book the trip, the company was closed. We called back Saturday morning to hear the usual, the flights are no longer available.
We asked the travel agent if he could look for more trip options and he kindly agreed to do so. Around two Saturday afternoon, he called back with another trip option to Majorca, Spain. We didn't waste any time, and booked the trip before we lost the airfare. Finally, we have a senior trip! Mind you, this is with us splitting up for our flights returning to Vienna!
All this to say, please be in prayer for the senior trip. This is the last time many of these kids will have to hang out with their friends. After graduation on June 11, they will scatter all across the world. So this time for them to say good bye is very important. So just pray that God will do amazing things this week, and provide the seniors with overflowing hearts, full of cherished memories.
In the February we booked a Medeiterranean Cruise for our senior trip. It was going to be an amazing trip and everyone (us sponsors included) was very excited about it! However, the day before we were supposed to fly out (Tuesday), the cruise line cancelled on us. Thankfully they were willing to refund the money we paid for the cruise, as well as our flights and hotels.
So began the chaos of looking for a new senior trip, at the last minute. First we found some more amazing cruise options (Wednesday-Friday morning). One major problem, we couldn't find flights. Thanks to the Eurocup beginning this weekend, every flight is completely full, going to and from everywhere! Finally, one of our parents called up one of his connections in Germany, a last minute travel agency. At this point Matt and I began talking with this travel agency about trip options. By six o'clock Friday night, we had a trip we could book to Rhodes, Greece. However, by the time we were able to call and book the trip, the company was closed. We called back Saturday morning to hear the usual, the flights are no longer available.
We asked the travel agent if he could look for more trip options and he kindly agreed to do so. Around two Saturday afternoon, he called back with another trip option to Majorca, Spain. We didn't waste any time, and booked the trip before we lost the airfare. Finally, we have a senior trip! Mind you, this is with us splitting up for our flights returning to Vienna!
All this to say, please be in prayer for the senior trip. This is the last time many of these kids will have to hang out with their friends. After graduation on June 11, they will scatter all across the world. So this time for them to say good bye is very important. So just pray that God will do amazing things this week, and provide the seniors with overflowing hearts, full of cherished memories.
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