The Mercy That Covers Me

Coeur d'Lane Lennon   Mamaw & Coeur and Gigi & Lennon

The girls had a pediatrician appointment today.  As expected, they are growing and gaining well.  Coeur d'Lane is up to 6 pounds 8 ounces and Lennon is at 5 pounds 12 ounces.  This is not bad considering today was their due date!  They are preparing for a trip to meet their Florida Schmidt family.  So excited!!! Coeur d'Lane looking unimpressed :-) Oliver's birthday is in one week.  He will be two.  Colleen and I were talking tonight about how just one year ago Brooke and Chris were here for his birthday and no babies.  So much changed in that one year! So, we're going with the Cowboy theme for the birthday.  Oliver liked that the best of all the choices he was offered - haha!  I'm looking forward to his party.  Oliver and I have a date for his 6 month photo shoot.    Should be tons of fun! "Howdy Partner!"

Proof from the girls first "professional" photo shoot! August 23, 2011 - Oliver sitting still for his first hair cut! Stickers and Buzz Lightyear keep him very still. Wearing his "First Haircut" ears! Oliver approves!

Lennon had her first visit with the Pediatrician today.  She weighed 4 pounds 14 ounces.    Coeur d'Lane weighed 5 pounds 12 ounces. Mike and Oliver in the jaws of a "shark". The EPCOT "ball".

Oliver and our Jax family & friends joined us at Hanna Park for some beach birthday fun! Oliver and Aspen playing together in the sand. One of many awesome gifts I got for my birthday! The Kentucky Schmidts sent their love <3 

Looks like they are getting used to be being back together!

It's been twenty days since they've seen each other and what happens?  This: Suggested captions for this photo: Coeur d'Lane:  "What do you mean, 's he's staying' ???" Lennon:  "Ah, just what I have gotten used to over the last 20 days - babies crying!  We'll get along just fine!" More and better pics to come.  Welcome home, Lennon!

Today's entry is a little quiz!  The prize goes to Brooke and Chris.  Here's hoping you get all the questions right. 1.  Who has gone over 24 hours without a feeding tube? 2.  Who, in that 24 hours, has taken all her feedings without any problems? 3.  Who weighs 4 pounds 8 ounces? 4.  Who passed her hearing test? 5.  Who passed her car seat test? 6.  Who gets to go home tomorrow???? If you answered Lennon to all the questions listed above you are correct!!!  That's right Coeur d'Lane and Lennon will be reunited tomorrow.

In the economy of mercy I am a poor and begging man In the currency of grace Is where my song begins In the colors or your goodness In the scars that mark your skin Is where my song begins We are one day closer to the day we have been waiting and hoping for.  18 days seems like an eternity but we are getting close to reuniting two sisters and their parents.  The picture on the right is Lennon.  There is something missing in this picture.  Something that has become part of her life was removed today - her feeding tube! Today is the beginning of the process of releasing Lennon from the hospital!  They asked Brooke and Chris to bring her car seat in so they can conduct her car seat test.  They only do this when it's close to leaving the hospital.  We don't have a date yet but believe it may be as early as Wednesday.  Stay tuned. Coeur d'Lane continues to thrive and is no doubt excited to share her co-sleeper with her little sister.  Lennon...

Two years ago this Sunday, my good friend Hope gave me this locket.  Hope is one of those people who puts so much thought into a gift and she knows me well.  This locket has become our locket of Hope - haha! On the outside of the locket are the words, "What's in your heart?".  One can then add birth stones of friends or family, you know, whoever is in your heart. Hope included my parents' birthstones, Ray and my birthstones, our oldest son and his wife's birthstones, our second son and his wife's birthstones, our daughter and youngest son's birthstones.  At the time Colleen was very close to giving birth to our first grandson.  So, not knowing whether he would be born in August or September, Hope put a peridot AND a sapphire in the locket.   Thinking that when he was born I could take out the one that wasn't needed.  He was born in September and therefore I took out the peridot. In November 2009, I had a conversation with Chris.  Jokingly, I...

A rare moment out of the water Oliver went to his first water park yesterday!  He had a blast.  He found great delight in splashing Gigi :-) While at the park we got updates on Lennon.  She continues to be progressing toward a release some time within the week.  They are removing her from the isolette.  She just needs to maintain temperature (which she has done just fine) AND feed well AND maintain weight gain.  She does all three together - she comes home :-)

This is a picture of Coeur d'Lane at her Pediatrician visit yesterday.  She weighed in at 4 pounds 12 ounces and the Ped is very pleased with her growth.   Coeur d'Lane praying for Lennon to come home soon!  Lennon is up to 4 pounds 3 ounces.  Yesterday she drank 5 out of 8 bottles for the day!!!  The Neonatalogist thinks she'll be home within a week.  Keep praying, CDL! Coeur d'Lane fell asleep while texting Gigi :-) Lennon looking happy with the news that she should get to come home within the week.

Coeur d'Lane is adjusting well.  She goes back to the pediatrician on Thursday for a weight check.  She should be close to birth weight by then.  We keep reminding her that Lennon will be home soon.  The speech therapist has suggested that Lennon start being offered the bottle at each feeding.  Once she can take all the milk from the bottle at each feeding, they will likely release her within 24-48 hours.  Of course, that might take a few days to get to that point.   In the midst of the excitement and joy of the gift of two precious baby girls, Chris & Brooke brought Emerson's ashes home today.  Packaged in this beautful heart-shaped urn, a reminder that she will always be close to our hearts.

It won't be long until Lennon joins her sister at home.  They have added another bottle feeding!  We went to the hospital this afternoon.  Brooke has been able to nurse Lennon about three times but today was different.  Lennon was able to stay latched on for a good while and was getting milk!  Coeur d'Lane continues to feed and grow well at home.  Brooke and Chris are getting into a good rythym which will help tremendously when Lennon comes home. Enjoy these pics from today! Brooke's mom - Mamaw Stivers and Coeur d'Lane Coeur d'Lane and those sweet lips! Lennon - always bright-eyed! Brooke and her sweet Lennon. Lennon, speaking with her hands.

The latest update is good news.  Lennon continues to improve daily.  She took 32 cc's in one feeding with the bottle, only leaving 7 cc's to put in her NG tube.  Praying she will "get" it and come on home.  Also, her weight is now 3 pounds 15 ounces.  Coeur d'Lane weighed 4 pounds 6 ounces yesterday.  Lennon's catching up :-) Last night - Lennon wearing her Gator cap! Last night - Papaw Stivers holding Lennon for the 1st time! Lennon listening intently on her mother's instruction to hurry up and come home! Coeur d'Lane doing what she does best - napping! Coeur d'Lane & Gigi watching a movie together. Coeur d'Lane was a little bored.

Coeur d'Lane and her first bath.   Coeur d'Lane very happy after her bath! Lennon did amazing today!  Took 25 cc's of milk.   Lennon in the place she loves most - on her mother's chest.

Today was a nice, laid-back day.  Brooke and Coeur d'Lane hung out together without leaving the house!  Grandma and Grandpa Stivers & Uncle Larry spent a few hours at the house visiting.  Chris and I went on a few errands - got a prescription filled and went to visit Lennon. The visit with Lennon was amazing.  She was wide awake and very engaging.  She continues to do well.  She took 17 cc of the 35 cc of milk she gets at each feeding via the bottle for the last feed.  Before that she was only take 10 cc at a time.  All she needs to do now is take all her milk through the bottle/breast and she can come home.   She is up to 3 pounds 13 ounces. Tonight brought a nice visit with Mamaw and Papaw Stivers (Brooke's parents), Aunt Kristy and cousin Adrienne.  A box of hot Krispy Kreme donuts visited with Pastor Josh and Val :-D Here are a couple of pics from today that were exceptional :-)  Also, I must add a couple of cute pics ...

Another busy day.  Pediatrician appointment at 10AM, Lactation Consultant appointment at 1:30, visit Lennon in between.  Stop at Baby's R Us to get clothes to fit Coeur d'Lane and home.  Got home at 5:00!  Virtual birthday party for Jeff at 7:00. Got some good news about both girls.  Coeur d'Lane does not have to get blood work for jaundice drawn again.  The results from last night's blood draw were low enough to discontinue monitoring.  Lennon gained 2 more ounces and now weighs 3 pounds 9 ounces.  She continues to improve.  She saw a speech therapist today who was able to get her to take 10 cc's of milk at one time!  Big accomplishment!  She needs to be able to take all 30 - 40 cc's by mouth before she can come home.  Prayers appreciated! Here are some pics from today's outing.  Enjoy. Coeur d'Lane at her first pediatrician visit.  Getting the weigh in.  4 pounds 5 ounces! Dr. Larsen.  He is very...