Yes We're All Still Alive

It's been a while sense we've posted, but you probably can imagine why. We've been getting used to being outnumbered 2 to 1. It's been pretty interesting.

From carrying in 'dead' (sleeping) children from the car after all of the various errands we've ran:

To learning how to take 2 kids to the bathroom at the same time. Helping the one, while securing the other from wandering and while leaving one in sacrament meeting by himself. Oh, and while Mom is at the hospital with #4:

Letting the kids help as much as possible, w/out risking #4's life too much:

For the most part, we're getting back into a new routine.

Thanks again to all those who have been directly helping us over the past 3 months.

Life in the NICU

Over the past several weeks people have asked "how are you doing?" or "how are you surviving this?" The answer is with faith. I know it may not mean much to other people, but it is HUGE for me. Before our first trip to the hospital, I had asked Peter for a priesthood blessing. (A priesthood blessing is a sacred blessing for comfort, counsel or healing that is available to everyone . It is given to an individual by a Melchizedek Priesthood holder.) I was scared and did not know what to do so I asked for one. The blessing helped to calm me down and has helped several times since, as I have thought back on the words that were expressed to me at that time. All I know is that Heavenly Father knows us, even if we don't know Him, and he is watching over us hour by hour. The scripture, "be still and know that I am God" has ran through my mind so many times. I am glad that He is in charge, and that He has provided ways for me to have peace.

Today Whitney is four weeks old. So far she has spent everyday in the NICU making friends and enjoying the good food. ;) Currently the NICU is over capacity and so we have what the nurses call 'bunk mates.' Whitney's bunk mate is Mr. Lucas. He was born a week earlier and is about the same gestational age - 35 weeks. They, along with most of their friends, are in the Feeder Grower Nursery or the Fat Room. The babes in that nursery are for the most part stable and working on growing and gaining weight. Currently Whitney is one pound and six ounces past her birth weight, making her 5lbs 13 oz.

In the NICU there are only a few windows and two weeks ago we got moved near one. Up until then we were far away, or in our own room. This new move made it possible for Whitney's siblings to come see her. I wish I had a camera from the inside, Zach and Liz's facial expressions were priceless.

Finally, if you ever find yourself in the same situation, here is a list of the lingo often used:

Toaster Head - having a head that is a little flat on both sides.

Doughnut - a round pillow to help with the "toaster head".

Zaky - a hand, literally. Shaped like an ovenmit and filled with beans.

Bendy Bumper - a "U" shaped bumper pad.

The BBG - The Baby Booger Grabber. The king of all snot suckers.

Monkey Bar Crib -The scariest looking crib ever. Believe it or not it actually looks more welcoming with all of the machines attached.

Big Girl/Boy Bed - the well baby tubs

Graduation - when you move from the A Nursery to the B Nursery, etc.

Just an update...

Whitney is doing great!!! And I think we've been vomit free for almost a week!! More and more of Emily's time is being spent at the hospital, as Whitney keeps progressing. The doctors are all really impressed with Whitney's health and strength. Feedings are going well. Still no concrete times on when she'll get to come home, but things are looking really good. Thanks for all the prayers, food, baby sitting, words of encouragement, etc... It really makes events like this more manageable.