First family photos

Hello again fellow followers, it has been a whirlwind of emotions here. We are still at the hospital and Caroline is doing just fine, so is Casey. Not a whole lot of updates to give. But we would like to share some of the photos with everyone.

Casey got to hold Caroline for the first time. I tell you, I have never seen a woman so proud and happy. It's all different when you hold your child for the first time. Those of you who have children know what I'm talking about. It was emotional for everyone.

Every 3 hours, the hospital arranges a "holding time" for mother and father to come into the NICU, and you're able to hold your baby for a short period of time for bonding, and feeding in some cases. Since Casey is better able to get out of bed and be wheeled down to the NICU, she takes every opportunity to do so. We love going down there to see our daughter. I know she can tell that her Mom and Dad are there because each time we go, she relaxes more, and stays calm. Even smiles sometimes.

She even opened her eyes for us, for the first time. I guess she wanted to see what all the fuss was about. She is kind of a big deal.

She will usually fall asleep while we hold her close to our chest. This is a process they like to call, "Kangaroo parenting". You basically place her up against your chest, for warmth, and so she can smell and hear your heartbeat, which soothes her, and calms her. It works so well in the growing process that this hospital can claim that their premature infants have a 95% survival rate, where other hsopitals that dont do the "Kangaroo parenting", have a 80% survival rate. I like those odds. She is in very capable hands.

The nurses, and Nurse Practitioners at this hospital are so nice and very understanding. They do this for a living. They were even nice enough to take our first Family photo. I know we both look a little tired and worn out, but we could'nt be happier with our little girl.

Welcome to the world Caroline. You are loved by so many already.

Happy birthday kid

Day 1..... (Tom is doing the Blog for now while Casey is Resting)....

To say the least, the first day was a long stressful day. Not in a bad way, the opposite, a very good stress. It was a very emotional day, also a very physical day. Casey was taken into surgery around 9:40am for her C-section. I was there, all smocked up, sitting right next to her. At around 10:23am, Caroline Leigh was born!

After she was born, the nurses from the NICU took Caroline and I, down the hall to the NICU for further testing and observation, also Caroline's new home for the next couple months.

Casey was taken to recovery for a few hours, and I was standing bedside next to Caroline while she was evaluated. The nurses had to insert a feeding tube in her belly, and keep her on the sipap machine, but with room air.

Throughout the rest of the day, I was the go-between guy. I would go be with Caroline for awhile, then I would run to the other side of the Hospital to be with Casey, and to tell her all about our new little girl. Back and Forth all day long, taking visitors and Grand-parents to and from the NICU. All the nurses could say about Caroline was how well she was doing despite her premature age. She is a fighter.

Along with being a fighter, and I know she gets this from her mother, She is a lover... See picture below...........

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She held my hand her first day. I guess it was her way of saying thank you for all the prayers. So to all who read this, Thank you from Caroline!

More to come! Keep checking for new posts, We will be blogging about Caroline and Casey's progress, all the way until we take her home!

Happy Birthday

Sweet Caroline.....

Well ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you the star of the show, Caroline Leigh Anderson, weighing in at a mere 2 lbs, 12 ounces. But tons of love and courage. She was born this morning by C-section at North Austin Medical Center at 1023 am. She is in very good health for her premature age. The doctors have her on a breathing tube to help out her little premie lungs. They also have her on a feeding tube until Mommy Casey recovers from her little surgery. I'm sure Casey will fill everyone in on how that felt, I'm sure it didn't feel good, but all that matters is they both made it out perfectly healthy. We are still currently at the hospital so details are still coming in. Please keep a close eye on this blog, as we will try to update it as we know more! Pictures also to come, here is the first of many.

Swing Batter... Strike

Today has been a very long day of nothing... just waiting.  The doctors knocked me out last night and in my drug induced fog I apparently started talking.  Tom being the sweet loving man he is tried to calmly wake me well I apparently didn't like that and took half hearted swing at him and missed... then cried.  I was clearly not myself.

So after feeling terrible from the meds they gave I have slept as much as possible today to try to prepare for tomorrow.  I am waiting for an ultrasound that will determine if a vaginal birth is even an option.  I'm still holding on for that slight chance but more than likely because she is breech we will have to do c-section.  Tonight at seven I move over to the labor and delivery unit where I will start a magnesium drip.  From what I hear it's going to make me feel pretty terrible.  I will be on it for 12 hours before we proceed with either type of delivery so no baby before 7 am tomorrow but how things will go after I really don't have much as far as answers.

I am here with my mom and I have sent Tom home to shower and get clothes for the next few days.  I feel sorry for him because I'm normally his rock but from what I know I'll be pretty out of it.  So he's kinda on his own.  :(

A lot of people have asked if they can come tomorrow... the answer is of course yes but I can not guarantee you will get to see me but there is less likely of a chance of getting to see Caroline.  I won't get to see her for at least 24 hours and the doctors won't let guests see her before me.  So no guarantee either way. 

Lots of love and more to follow as soon as we know something.

Love,
Casey, Tom and Caroline

Ready or NOT here I come!!!!

Looks like we are having a June 1st baby...  Maybe longer... maybe sooner.  I got my results back from the testing and while they all showed normal I am still fighting a continuous headache and severe nausea which is all symptoms of developing pre eclampsia.  The concern is that I will have a stroke or seizure and of course that is a major risk to Caroline.  I am here to stay and have been given a 75% chance of delivery with in the next 24 hours and although I didn't ask I can almost bet based on all of the doctors visits including someone to explain risks from NICU, that it will be Friday.  I am singing consent forms tonight as well.  So there you have it in short.  I have been given more information than my brain can handle and we are very overwhelmed.  I wouldn't say stressed but it's scary to bring a baby into this world at 30 weeks.

I know many of you will like to be here/see her right away but to be honest I am more than likely going to have to have a c-section.   With the c-section and the meds I will be on I won't even get to see Caroline for the first 24 hours after they whisk her away.  During the first 72 hours visitation will be limited to Tom as I have to take care of me in order to take care of her.  I will get to see her some but it will be depending on how I do.  After they deliver her Tom will go with her to the NICU and my mom will come to be with me in recovery.  As soon as we can we will get everyone pictures and of course let you all know when she's ready for visitors.  Because it is the NICU where there is currently 44 babies extreme precautions have to be taken.  Unfortunately Mikayla and Kirstin and any other child won't be allowed.  :(  We will take video and pictures.

We of course are going to have to put my shower on hold until further notice.  Laura and Hailey will work on rescheduling.  I don't need anything at the moment I believe that someone will be working on a care calendar that you can volunteer to help where help is needed.  I appreciate in advance anything any of you help with.  I am surrounded by amazing people.

On a happy note I got to visit with four pretty puppies from Therapy Pet Pals of Texas.  The picture is of me looking like I've been in the hospital and Buddy.  I also got to love on another basset hound named Betty and two Australian Shepard's named Rusty and Allie.  It was by far the highlight of my day.

We will keep you all updated as we have time.  I will do my best to update every day!

Love to you all,
Casey, Tom and our precious Caroline

Eternus Fides... Keeping my Faith.

Today's weekly appointment proved to be exactly what I thought it would be.  Although I have had what I will describe as an uneventful week, yesterday I developed what I will say is as close to a migraine as I have ever had.  I thought maybe because I had gotten out of the house and out in the pollen that maybe it was allergy related but after no help from any over the counter medicine I had to mention it to my high risk doctor.  I had an appointment with her today so I wasn't in a "hurry" to have her admit me.  Headaches can be a major symptom of Pre Eclampsia and when associated with any type of visual disturbances it's kind of a big deal.  After a very restless night of hip and head pain I thought to myself about 5 am I am over being pregnant... I TAKE IT BACK NOW!

Dr. Destefano has ordered the steroid shots to help develop Caroline's lungs.  I have had one of two in this first round.  The shots are good for two weeks at at time and they will only give two rounds of two shots if needed but when asked we have a 50/50 chance of delivery with in the next two weeks.  The shots are best if used within two days of getting them... so we may have a baby very very soon.  Two of my best friends birthdays are this week one on the first and one on the fourth.  I joke that I'm going to give them the best birthday present they could hope for.

As for me I am of course anxious or maybe scared... I don't really know how to describe my feelings.  It's definitely overwhelming.  My doctor hugged me which has one never happened and two seems to be out of genuine concern.  We all have an eventful few days and I pray that the tests show to be much less of a big deal and that this is all precautionary as usual but only time will tell.  I am doing a lot of testing for the next few days but I know I am in good hands.  Tom is off work until Friday night so I have my rock beside me as usual.  We are supposed to pick up the girls on Friday... Not sure how all of that will work out but it always seems to fall into place.  I can't say we need anything at the moment.   I unfortunately don't have a lot of answers...

PS My shower is scheduled for the 9th and is still on for now.  No changes will be made to that until we know more.  We may have the shower with me via web cam...  Those details will also fall into place over the next few days.

Lots of prayers our way.  I'm not normally one to ask but believe in his will to be done.  If she's supposed to be here... she will be.

Love to you all,
Casey, Caroline and Tom 

A few quotes:


Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart... ~ Jeremiah 1:5


A baby is God's way of saying the world must go on. ~ Carl Sandburg


If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. 
~ Abigail Van Buren


...Children are a reward from HIM.
~ Psalm 127:3


Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old. 
~ Mary H. Waldrip


I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. 
~ Jeremiah 31:3


Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it. 
~ Harold Hulbert


Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
~ Elizabeth Stone

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

~ Jeremiah 29:11