special delivery!

Miss Abby was born on June 8th weighing 4 lb. 11 oz. She is doing great and we are sooo ready to have her home. She's had to stay in the NICU for the past 2 weeks until she can master the eating thing. Her little body did not have enough energy to eat for a while, but now she is on a roll! We're hoping that we can bring her home on Friday.

Here's a picture of Paige, just for kicks. She has not met Abby yet, and is probably clueless as to what is about to happen.

The story:

Tuesday, June 7th, I was feeling quite exhausted, but knew that if I did not get milk and a few other groceries that night, it would mean taking all the kids to the store the next day. I opted for midnight shopping. When I brought my first load of groceries up the 3 flights of stairs, I walked in the door and suddenly peed my pants. Understandable after my exercise. I headed straight for the bathroom and wondered if it were possible that my water broke. After much stalling, Julian and I decided we better go to the hospital to check things out. Silly me didn't even have my plan a, b, or c figured out. I called my friend, Tiffany, who stayed the night with the kiddos and even most of the next day. What a lifesaver!

It was confirmed. My water had broken and we were stuck at the hospital. Abby was born at 8:56. She had to be on oxygen for about an hour, but other than that, she has been great! We've mostly been working on her feedings.

My mom came out the day Abby was born. She has been wonderful to take care of the house and kids while I take care of Abby at the hospital. I never would have though that we would have needed her for 2 weeks! Ogden was born 8 weeks early with breathing problems, apnea, reflux, etc. and he was in the NICU for 3 weeks, so for sure Abby would be home in a matter of days. Guess I was overly optimistic on that one.

The last 2 weeks has been a daze for me. I wish I could have carried Abby longer--even a week or 2, just so she could have started out healthier and stronger. It has not been fun seeing her with an IV in her head, or watching a tube be put down her nose. I'm grateful for all the wonderful nurses and doctors that have helped us though.

Ogden, Kaelyn, and Paige are doing well. I know this has put a strain on them as well. I'm used to being able to be there all the time, and now I can't. I've noticed a couple of the kids have started talking like babies and have been more sensitive/whiny lately. I've noticed I have not been patient with this behavior either. I'm scared for the next couple months. But, overall, I'm just grateful to have such a wonderful family.