Sunday, February 19, 2012

prego update

I haven't been very dedicated in this belly growing documentation - but at least I've been taking the pictures, or Rob has. Here's the last four weeks during which I've grown considerably. I don't think I've ever felt more pregnant, and there's still more than a few weeks to go!

We felt that it's important to give names to these children even though we're in the habit of waiting till the last minute. This way, we can pray specifically for them plus give them individuality from the start. Our baby boy is Samuel, named after the Biblical Samuel who was born as an answer to his mother's prayers. We haven't settled on his middle name as of yet.  Claire Elyse is our baby girl - Claire being a name we've loved since Bennett came along and Elyse for my dear friend of many years. Thank you for letting us use your beautiful name!

I know that many of you are praying for Samuel and I ask you to continue.  A meeting with our specialist this past week confirmed some of our worst fears - that his lungs don't have the room to grow as big as they need to be at birth. This reduces his chances of survival significantly. I think this is simply a test of our faith as we continue to plan for his arrival and pray and learn to trust that Heavenly Father has a plan for him. We will cherish whatever time we get to have with him. If he endures his surgery and recover well, there's a high likelihood he'll suffer from brain damage or other complications. We welcome any thoughts or advice that would help us to plan for dealing with special needs.

Samuel and Claire cooperated for the first time and let the ultrasound tech get some great profiles.

Claire at 24 weeks
Samuel at 24 weeks
This is Claire kneeling with her bum in the air... love it!
Here's what we have so far in the nursery. They'll share a crib till they're too big for it sideways. I'm thinking of doing some pink accents with a rug or art on the walls.

5 comments:

emily a. said...

Oh Space, not sure what to write other than that I'm so sorry for the recent news. Little Samuel is in my thoughts and prayers and I just added your name to our temple's prayer roll when we went last week.

Lots of love to you all.

emily a. said...

I forgot to mention 2 other important things.

You look so great. So cute. And that baby bump... love it.

The nursery is so cute. Claire and Sam will be so happy in there. I can't wait to see pictures of the 2 little bugs asleep next to each other in the crib.

Elyse said...

Me too, Space. My tears are flowing again for that sweet little man and the prayers never stop. I love your faith and I am truly honored to know you and call you one of my dearest friends. I can't wait to meet those two babies and hopefully in person someday! Maybe we will have to make our girls trip in St. George... Just a thought =) The nursery is beautiful and I love the idea for the wall hangings. I wish I was crafty and could sew a beautiful quilt or something, but alas I'm not that talented. Emily, on the other hand... I love seeing your blooming belly. I always think I'll be so diligent and take one every week, but it hasn't ever lasted beyond a few. You should do a belly cast again and compare the end product from Audrey's =) I bet that'd be a trip! Love you, Space and I'm thinking of you... xoxoxoxo

Ditto Family said...

Stacey -- what a heart wrench-er you are going through! I will keep your family in my prayers. You do look lovely!

Unknown said...

Thinking of you.