2 Months

I can't believe she's been here for two full months!  We love having this little girl in our family.  Here's the stats:
Weight: 9 lb 5oz (Yay!! I was so shocked! I had them weigh her twice. She's a chunk)
Length: 21 in
She's in about the 10-15% in all but she's growing!
She's eating pretty well (obviously better than I thought) 
Sleeping 5ish hrs a night
Still sleeps a lot during the day but is alert more
Smiles and coo's
Will follow with eyes
Loves to be held
Puts up with crazy older brother who likes to sit on, poke, and try to carry her around

Our camera broke a couple weeks ago so I only have pictures from my phone. I'm not sure how well they'll turn out. 

When she was born they found the extra hole in her heart wasn't closed (not sure what it's called but all babies have it but it usually closes close to birth).  Anyway they wanted to check it at 2 months and it's still not closed but the dr isn't concerned (in some babies it can take a full year).  She'll go back to see him at a year to make sure it's closed.  This is the EKG and then she had an ultrasound.  i don't like seeing her like this.

 At her two month appt.  Bens loves to sit in the car seat and then tells me to put her in, that he'll hold her. 

 What a chunk! Look at those cheeks :)

A Blessed Day

Anthony got to bless our little Lucy yesterday.  It was a beautiful blessing and a very sweet experience.  My parents were able to be here and it was nice to have family and friends celebrate our little girl.  She really is such an answer to so many prayers.  She looked beautiful in an outfit provided by both grandmas.

6 Weeks

Yes it's been six weeks since I've posted.  Yes this little girl is now six weeks old; where does time go?!  We are loving every moment with little Lucy Jo.  I still look at her and can't believe she's real and really ours.  That she came out of me healthy is such a miracle!  She is still such a newborn. She sleeps all the time, like it's the hardest thing ever to wake her up to eat every 3 hrs.  Oh and if we can get her awake then within 2 minutes of eating she's in a deep sleep, never wanting to awaken again.  I'm not complaining, really I'm so grateful she's not a screamer or always awake needing me, but I am concerned she's not eating enough.  I think she's getting bigger but can't really tell.  She's still in newborn clothes and diapers.  We go back to the Dr on Sept. 11 so I'll update then with hopefully higher weight stats.  (I never worried with Benson, he left the hospital drinking 4 oz every 3 hrs and had gained over 3 lbs the first month.)
Benson is loving his little sister, most of the time.  He loves kissing her, holding her and bringing stuff to us for her.  He also loves launching her out of her bouncer, poking her eyes so she'll open them, pulling her ears asking if she can hear him, and helping mom burp her, i.e. hitting her.  But every night he says "night, night Lucy" and every morning "morning Luc." I love it!
I'm recovering well, I think.  I have to remind myself that not only did I have a c-section but my body has been on full bedrest, doing nothing for 5 months.  We have ventured out a few times.  I was amazed at how hard it was to push a shopping cart with Benson, Lucy in a carseat and 2 gallons of milk.  We went to the aquarium and swimming with fairly successful results.  I'm sure it'll get easier with time. 

All ready for her baby shower

 Isn't she beautiful?!?

 Ready for church catching some rays

 Benson at the Aquarium

 Before hair cut

 After hair cut - what a stud

 Doing what he loves best, helping mom in the kitchen

 The two of them (at a rare time when Lucy was awake)

Lucy Jo Vance

She made it!  Our beautiful little girl has joined our family at last.  And I must say she is a cutie.  Here are the numbers:
Born at 12:02 pm
Height - 18.25"
Weight - 5lbs 8oz

Lynette and Lucy are doing great.  Lucy continues to sleep and wants nothing with food.  She is slowly getting over that.  Lynette is now starting to walk around and is progressing well with the abdominal pain.  She has quite a bit of pain when it comes to standing up but overall is doing great.  Lucy has blonde hair and perfect little features.  Between Lynette and I she looks like the Weston clan with some Vance mixed in (perhaps the nose).  I will let you decide for yourself.  These are some pics from Lucy's first day with our family.  More will come another day but hope these are sufficient for now.  

 

7.11.12

Isn't that a great date?!? Wouldn't that be a great day to have this baby born?  Well that's when it's set for.  We had a Dr. appt today and set the day for the c-section.  I'm pretty excited about it and can't really believe it's coming so quickly.  I don't think we're ready, at all.  But really what do we have to get ready for?  We have the carseat and the pack-n-play for her to sleep in.  So anything else we can get as we go.  (Oh I do need to get a couple oneies so she doesn't have to wear blue ones :)
I'm still at home, doing great.  After doing over 4 months on bedrest I can totally do 30 more days.  Tomorrow I'll be 32 weeks.  They will take this baby at 36 wks b/c they don't want anything to happen (like for my uterus to rupture). 
This past month we've had so much help from our ward members in taking care of Benson and bringing in meals.  One of my sisters, Rebekah and her family, surprised us by coming for 10 days at the end of May and Sara Anne got here last Thursday.  She brought my niece Raleigh who will be here until June 20th.  Sara Anne will be here until July 20th!  So glad she'll be here when this little girl gets here! 

Home

Isn't that a beautiful word? 
I'm home!  I was able to come home last Saturday!  It was supposed to be Tuesday, my 28th week (today), but my Dr. (Tia) said I should be home for Mother's Day, so I was!!  It was the best mother's day ever!  Just to be able to talk to Anth whenever and to watch Bens play made it a wonderful weekend!  My body and this little girl are still doing well, really more than they ever should have.  Everyday is a miracle!  I'm not sure how long I'll be here.  The Dr.'s aren't really looking at my cervix length as they are waiting for me to show signs/symptoms i.e. painful/consistent contractions, bleeding, or water breaking.  I'm a bit nervous about how it'll work out, when and how, but continue to have faith and hope that all will go well. 
Thank you to friends and family for the fasting in our behalf.  Thank you to the wonderfully kind women who have been taking care of my Benson.  For loving him in ways I haven't been able to in a few months.  Thank you for the visits in the hospital, they were lifesavers!  Thank you for all the packages of treats, books, magazines, etc. they really helped passed the time.  We have felt such an outpouring of love and support through this whole process!

It's a Miracle!

So, when I was thinking of the title of this post and the news we received Lynette said, it's a miracle.  As I thought about that some more I was reminded of a skit that was part of Bill Cosby's act involving him as a little boy staying home from school because he was sick and then miraculously he was fine when school ended and his friends came calling.  In this bit about his life, the little boy proclaims, "It's a Miracle!..."  This proclamation is equal to the news we received recently.

Last week the ultrasound tech came and performed both abdominal and vaginal ultrasounds.  As you may remember Lynette was checked-in to the hospital on account of the thinning of the cervix.  Since she was checked in they had not returned for measurement.  As the tech was performing the measurement Lynette indicated she had an odd expression about her.  Lynette inquired as to the problem and the tech only indicated that her doctor would let her know.  Well, it is pretty great to have such an amazing relationship with our doctor as she is one of our close friends.  Lynette began to text with her to get all the details.  The tech finished up and again said nothing but indicated that Lynette's doctor would be in to give her the news at a later time.  Tia came in and indicated that she hadn't received any information but then received a call.  She stepped outside and took the call.  Lynette had other visitors at the time (she is now very popular) and was able to wait patiently.  When Tia returned she indicated that Lynette's cervix had sealed back up and was measuring 3.1 cm (before was 0.5 cm).  It appeared to be a normal cervix.  There was no funneling, just a healthy looking cervix.  Tia shared with Lynette that she had only seen this once about 25 years before.

It is remarkable to have received this news and we know that it really is a miracle that her body has responded so well.  She is now 26 weeks 5 days.  She is not having any contractions, she has bathroom and shower privileges, and she loves all the hospital food (wait that's me...).  She is doing extremely well.  She is doing so well in fact that her doctors have said that if there are no changes between now and 28 weeks she will be able to return home and have bed rest at home.  I must say that I am excited about that prospect, however, she must know my cooking is not much better than what she is getting in the hospital.  We continue to pray for the both Lynette and our sweet little girl.  She is about twice the size as William weighing in over 1 lb and getting bigger every day.  We are so excited at the prospect of this little girl joining our home and watching her grow alongside her older brother.  To think how far we have come and the blessings that have been ours because of the faith of family and friends is truly remarkable.  We are not out of the woods in any of this.  Each day is very positive and the chances of survival only increase.  It is our prayer that all continues to progress according to the Lord's will.

Many have asked how Lynette is doing.  To their question I always respond the same, "Extremely well."  Lynette is not a complainer.  She does not sulk, she does not shy away from the challenge.  She makes incredible sacrifices for our family.  She has such tremendous faith and is ever constant.  She counsels with me, she loves me, and helps me become a better man.  I love her and hope that I can rival her goodness and sacrifice.

It may come as no surprise that Lynette comes from an incredible family.  I have known them since I was about 11.  I grew up being close friends to her brother Dan (aka Daniel to her family) but never really had a chance to meet many of the others.  I had only a few interactions with her parents but knew it was a good home.  As I have been a part of this family now for the last 4 years I have realized how incredible they really are.  If you think of a baseball team and how difficult it may be for an opposing pitcher to face not one or two but three great batters you will understand that this family has not one, two, or three great individuals.  It is a lineup that is strong from top to bottom.  They are wonderful people who love, care, and help all those around them.  We have benefited from that love and support many times.  To all of you, thank you.  I/We love you!

We had such a wonderful time with Rachel and Adelaide in early February and then Lynette's mother was with when from February to April.  Then in March, Lynette's father was able to come and spend some time with us and his wife as they celebrated their anniversary.  We look forward to seeing all of you when the time comes but until then here are some pics of the past few months.  We love you all and thank you for your prayers and faith.