Fun visits to break up the days

Over the past few days, we have had several visitors who really help break up the monotony of the hospital stay. It is wonderful waking up in the morning and knowing that someone is stopping by later to just say hello.

I have really loved the babies who have come by. Our friend, Gretchen, brought her precious and funny baby boy Tripp and it was a wonderful reminder that there is a real prize at the end of this journey!

Rosemarie Shipley also came to do a Mary Kay facial, hand treatment, and makeup session. It's amazing how far a little pampering goes around here!

This past weekend, our great family friends, Tim and Juanita Denton, drove down from Ohio and spent the weekend at our house. I am so grateful for the work they helped Brad do around the house. Apparently, we have new shelving in the garage and Juanita got our closets moved around and organized so we have some space for Timothy and all his baby stuff! I guess I will see the fruits of their labor when I finally get to go home. It was wonderful to just spend time with them and have fun in the hospital as well.

This picture shows them playing with the thumb wrestling set I was given. (Thanks Teena for the great to-do basket!)

So many others have also stopped by, sent cards, given gifts, or called to say they're praying, and we are overwhelmed by everyone's support.

In medical news, Timothy continues to grow and stay strong. One night while I was on the monitor, I was having some contractions, but have not had any in several days now. We need Timothy to stay put much longer!

I will be 26 weeks tomorrow and am really beginning to feel pregnant. This is really the first time I've realized that my regular clothes just don't fit anymore, but it's about time. I know if we are able to have other children in the future, I will look back at that statement and be envious of this pregnancy! Please continue to pray against any type of infection and that I will not go into pre-term labor anytime soon. Thank you so much for your continued prayers for our family!

Dreaming at four weeks

Today marks 4 weeks of the hospital stay. In one sense, the time has flown by but when I think back to the last time I was in my real home, I believe it! I am definitely thankful for how Timothy seems to be thriving in this environment and I'm trying to keep that in mind when I start to go stir crazy.

I have found myself dreaming of out of hospital excursions...then I wake up and remember that I am still here and make my peace with it. I'm amazed that it's the simple things you miss: cooking a meal yourself, running an errand, going to work, or just being home. At the same time, I know there will come a moment when I am home with a newborn baby that I think if only I had some time to myself to watch a movie or read a book! The grass always seems greener on the other side!

During this season I am reminded that God often calls us to wait as a matter of obedience. May I wait patiently for Him and seek His face.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

First Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms! I am especially grateful for my mom's dedication throughout my entire life but even more so since I've been in the hospital these last three weeks. She has spent many nights up here, done laundry, made food, and most importantly prayed for Timothy!

Yesterday, my whole side of the family got together for a joint celebration. Brad went to Trevecca's spring/summer graduation. He is so close to being done...one more semester of internship and he'll actually be able to put the diploma in the holder he received Saturday. I am so proud of him!!

We also decided to celebrate Mother's Day a day early and it was a full house with mom, dad, Katelyn, Chad, Nanny, Dado, Candee, Adam, and Brad all piled in the hospital room. We had great food and got to exchange presents and cards. I even got a Mother's Day card from Timothy himself! Katelyn and I surprised mom and got her this bag. She can't wait to officially be Cici!!

While mom and Brad were here at the same time, the three of us also went up and toured the NICU. I will be 24 weeks Wednesday, which is a huge marker for viability, so they wanted us to be familiar with the NICU just in case. While I am amazed at the care the babies receive and what all can be done to keep them healthy and growing, I'm all for Timothy staying put as long as possible!

Tomorrow, I will receive the first round of steroid shots that are designed to help Timothy's lungs mature. One of the biggest risks with premature babies is lung development, so we are trying to get a jump start. Please pray that Timothy will continue to develop well, especially his lungs, and will see no reason to make his grand arrival anytime soon. Thanks so much!!

Nashville Flood: Before & After

For those of you who live in Middle TN, you have probably been captivated by news footage over the last few days just as I have. We have several friends who were stranded in their homes and others who had significant damage. Because our house is on top of a hill, we escaped the major flooding but if you drive less than a mile down the road and it's a different story. This is the footage from YouTube. Needless to say, the main road to our house is still impassable.

The hospital had 3 feet of water come in the first floor which also led to some minor electrical fires. Of course, you don't think they are minor when you hear code red and see towels being stuffed under your door! Thankfully, the alarm was canceled quickly.

The day before the storm hit, good family friends, Patty Rucker and Jan Gregory, came up to bring mom and I lunch. For those of you who know them, you can guess this was not just any ordinary lunch. There was a devotional for Timothy, prayer time, blue plaid cloth napkins, gerber daisies tied with blue ribbon, and yummy homemade desserts. Truly a treat!!

I think people must have felt guilty that I stayed at the hospital alone during the storm (no one could physically get here for 2 days) so I had quite the entourage show up Monday afternoon. Katelyn and Chad took me on my second wheelchair ride where my skin saw the sun for the first time in over 2 weeks! Mom, Candee, and Brad came later that day to join the party!

The doctors continue to remain positive about how things stand at this point. We have enjoyed hearing Timothy's heartbeat at least once a day and we even got to hear his hiccups one day and him kicking the doppler monitor another. We have been coming up with our own theories about how he feels about all this monitoring. Some seem to think he loves it while I'm not so sure that he just wants to be left alone. I guess we'll have a better idea of his personality in a few months after he makes his arrival!!

Difference a day makes

When you spend every day in the same hospital room for 2 weeks, you get pretty tired of the surroundings. Well big news today...permission to take a 30 minute wheelchair tour of the hospital! It actually feels like freedom!

So funny to think that a few months ago, I would never guessed that something so simple would mean so much! So mom took me on my big outing today. We went to see the "burrito" babies (as Katelyn likes to describe how tightly they're swaddled), went to the main hospital's atrium, and I just got to experience what's been right outside my door for the last two weeks!

In other news, the weather has been crazy today! Brad has spent the day trying to keep our basement dry before he comes to stay for the weekend and mom left late this afternoon to head home where she said she had never seen this much water. Ever wonder what happens when a hospital is under a tornado warning? Well, you get the chance to see every other pregnant woman on the floor who is on bedrest. Everyone had to leave their rooms and head into the hall. Thankfully, the storm passed quickly!

For days that seem to be incredibly routine, it's amazing to see what simple changes really do to elevate your mood! As an update on Timothy Ryan, he continues to have a strong heartbeat and there is no sign of infection. We so appreciate your continued prayers for all of us!!