Tyson's Umbilical Hernia

I just found this picture of Ty's umbilical hernia. OUCHY! As big as it was, it did go away.

Surgery: Scheduled for Friday, May 15th at 11:00 am.

Today, Darren and I had an appointment for Jaxon at Dr. Densmore's office. He is the doctor that will be doing Jax's surgery. Praise God that he is local. From what we were told on Monday, Dr. Densmore is the ONLY doctor in town that does this type of surgery and he was just recently transferred from California (trying to be thankful and focus on the positives).


Before entering the medical office building, Darren and I prayed together in the car. We asked God to give us ears and comprehension beyond our normal ability. We asked God to help us to focus on what the doctor would say and to memorize his words so that we could be clear as to what is about to take place with our baby.


Our doctor looked over Jax pretty intently. We found out a lot more today that we did on Monday. Today we learned:

• Jax's inguinal hernia is actually a bi-lateral hernia, which means, he has TWO inguinal hernias vs. one.
• Jax also has an umbilical hernia.

Dr. Densmore said that the umbilical hernia does NOT have to be removed unless it gets much larger or unless it doesn't go away. Most umbilical hernias disappear. We know this to be true because Tyson had a HUGE umbilical hernia and it went away.

Dr. Densmore was very good at keeping things on laymond terms for us. He even had a white board and drew a diagram for us. We were well-informed. We felt like pre-med students. Basically, he explained to us that Jax will be getting a "bi-lateral inguinal REPAIR". Jax will receive two incisions on his lower abdomen. The doctor will go in and stitch the "hole". This hole is allowing Jax's small intestine to go into his groin. After the surgery, Jax will have to reside in the hospital for one day because he is considered a "preemie" being he was delivered at week 37. The recurrence rate of the hernias is 5%.

The reason behind the immediate surgery is because if "strangulation" occurs, one or both of Jax's testicles could "bottom out" or die. If both failed, he would be unable to produce sperm. He could also cause damage to his small intestine which would then create a whole other realm of problems.

We did learn that this diagnosis is fairly common. Dr. Densmore had already done two of the exact same surgeries earlier this week on little ones. Although it is "fairly common" it doesn't diminish our sadness for little Jax. We love him dearly and do not want to see him go through this, but we will lean on our Lord and Savior to keep us strong and positive, proving our Faith in Him.

Earlier, I was joking to a friend and said, "What next?!?" He said, "I'm pretty sure Jax has it covered physically!" I said, "No, not really! There is ONE other type of hernia that someone can get. Thankfully, he doesn't have it, but guess who does? HIS MOMMY!" During my 6 week postpartum visit yesterday, I was told I too have a hernia. Hopefully, I won't need surgery! :)

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I LOVE ALL OF YOU who have already offered to watch Tyson and Lilah and help out wherever needed. Being we don't have much family locally, it's a blessing beyond measure to have our Family in Christ fill in the gaps. You all are AMAZING! I thank God for you all DAILY!

Prayers Needed for MY Little "Jax"

On Saturday, Darren noticed something different with Jaxon's groin area. I would have never noticed. I mean, it's obvious to me NOW, but prior to, being I am not a male, I thought his groin area looked normal. I took Jax to the doctor yesterday and Dr. Delaney told me that he has what is called an "inguinal hernia". If you are interested in reading up on it, here is a link on webmd's website. http://wwmy biw.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/inguinal-hernia-topic-overview

Basically, his small intestine is inside his groin and he will have to have surgery to get it removed before "strangulation" occurs (that could be dangerous or deadly) We will be visiting the surgeon on Wednesday of this week and surgery could be as early as next week. I am sad about the entire situation, but I know that God is sovereign. I am more worried about the anesthesia than I am about the procedure.

Please keep our little munchkin in your prayers!

The Life of a Newborn!

Sleep, sleep, and more sleep! Lilah and Jax - Week 5

Talk About the Perfect Squat...

I received this picture from my step-mom today. My cousin, Heidi, has twins too. Little did I know, they make baby bjorns for twins. In my first pregnancy, I was opposed to two things: minivans and baby bjorns. Okay, so I have already gotten over the minivan fear. Maybe to rid of the extra pounds I've gained from having twins and from eating dessert every night, since I've been home from the hospital, I can get over my baby bjorn stigma and use this item to create the perfect squat. Although I fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans already, I can tell some of my leg muscle has turned flabby since I haven't worked out in almost 2 months. I have to say, after viewing this picture, I thought "how ridiculous does that look", but when I consider how much house work and leg work I could get done by using it, I may have to retract the thought and the "laugh out loud" and buy one for myself. :)

Lilah and Jax are Growing...

Lilah and Jax are ONE month old. It so hard to believe. Seems like JUST yesterday I gave birth to them. Today the twins had their one month check up and the doctor was pleased with how much progress they've made already. Here are their stats:

Lilah

• Weighs 5 pounds 7 ounces (she has gained a whole pound since birth)
• Height 18.5 inches
• She hasn't made it on "the charts" just yet.
• Is drinking 2 ounces every three hours
• Loves her BIG brother dearly
• Most people think she looks like daddy
• Enjoys a warm bath and a passie

Jax

• Weights 7 pounds 3 ounces (he's quite a chunka compared to Lilah)
• Height 20 1/4 inches
• He just made it "on the charts" and is now considered "full term"
• Is drinking 3 ounces every 3 hours
• Loves his BIG brother to death
• Most people think he looks like Ty or Mommy
• Loves tummy time and is still very alert

Over the weekend we thought the babies became colic. We were besides ourselves because we had only gotten 4 hours of sleep in two days. With the help of something called, "Gripe Water" and with the abundance of prayers being said, BOTH Lilah and Jax slept through the night last night (well despite getting up every three hours to feed). Praise God!!!!!!

Enjoy a few funny pictures of Tyson playing "Grocery Store" with his baby brother and sister. I thought this was hilarious!!!

The Arrival of Lilah and Jaxon!

Our little angels have finally arrived AND ANGELS is putting it lightly. I know the time will come for them to terrorize me, like the almost 4 year old first born does, but for now, I am basking in the happiness they bring to our household.

For those of you who have yet to meet them or hear much about them, let me fill you in a bit. The morning of my induction I woke up about 4 am. I had to do the last chore on my "to do list". I scrubbed my hardwood floors on my hands and knees. HE HE....

Off to the hospital. Darren and I spent the last few moments on the way to the hospital talking about what this experience was going to be like. We discussed our fears, our excitements, and EVERYTHING in between. We stopped off at Chick-Fil-A for breakfast and then off to the hospital. We arrived about 7:20 am. They took me immediately up to the 13th floor. I was able to labor in a normal room, but being I was having twins, I had to deliver in an operating room.

After I got checked in, I was told that I was already contracting, 3 cm dilated, and 80% effaced. WHOA!

Dr. Swisher came in around 9:30 am. I was placed on pitocin around then. I had my epidural about 11:30 am. OUCH! The last time I got it, I didn't even know that the doctor had numbed me or inserted the epidural. Oh well, that pain is NOTHING compared to what I would have felt with labor pains.

At around 1:55 pm, I said to a nurse, "Ah something feels unusually weird down there. Sorta like pressure!" I was certain it was Lilah's head. My doctor hadn't checked me in quite a while so he came in immediately. He checked me and it was Lilah's head. They got me to the operating room, "set up", and ready to push within 2 minutes. Lilah came out within 3 minutes. I only pushed twice and my little peanut arrived. She weighed in at 4 pounds 7 ounces and 17.5 inches long. I am not an emotional person, but when I looked over at Darren and he was witnessing the birth, bouncing up and down and crying, I cried too. I thought that was insanely sweet.

Jaxon arrived 17 minutes later. Unfortunately, his heart rate was dipping every time I pushed, so Dr. Swisher had to use the "vacuum" to get him out. He weighed in at 5 pounds 7 ounces and 19.5 inches long.

As of now, things could not be MORE perfect. Daddy returns to work tomorrow, so let's see if reality sets in a little more tomorrow. The twins have a pretty tight schedule. They eat every three hours. SO... first feeding is 1 am, 4 am, 7 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, and 7 pm. I don't mind getting up in the middle of the night.

Jax's personality:

Jaxon is so sweet. He sleeps all day until we wake him to feed him and change him. He has really big eyes and is very alert when he is awake. I have only heard him cry 3 times since he's been alive. We took him to the doctor today for his first check up. He was discharged at the hospital weighing in at 5 pounds 3 ounces. He has gained back all of his birth weight. He is slightly jaundice. He got pricked today and if his bilirubin comes back lower than desired, he will have to sleep with a bilirubin blanket for 48 hours. Just heard back from the nurse.... he's in the clear.

Lilah's personality:

Lilah is a little midget. She reminds me of a little old woman. She is quite the drama queen although I have to say I have only heard her cry maybe 5 times since she's been alive. She is on soy formula, but Dr. Delaney has requested that we take her off of that and put her on the same formula as Jax. He didn't think placing her on soy formula at such an early stage was necessary. She spits up quite a bit, but hey "Spit Happens".

Mommy is doing great. I feel like I could run a marathon. I didn't tear at all. As a matter of fact, I don't even feel like two babies came out of me. My right foot is pretty swollen, but Dr. Swisher said it may take 3 weeks for that to go away. My belly is odd looking. I look like I have a large cone shaped tumor inside of it. I pray this goes away quickly. Supposedly my uterus is just still very large. The only complaint I have is the pain I felt last night after my milk arrived. OUCH! I would rather have 50 kids than be engorged. I am using all of the methods to dry up my milk, EVEN CABBAGE LEAFS. It was funny, I was reading books to Ty and he said, "Who farted?" No one did, it was the cabbage leafs.

Daddy is an incredible help. I really have to pat him on the back. He has gotten up for every single feeding. He has been very helpful around the house and keeping up with entertaining Ty. I am so sad to see him return to work.

Tyson has been phenomenal with "[his] babies". He wakes up every single morning and runs to the crib they are sleeping in. He checks firs to insure they are in there. Once he realizes that they are, he runs back to his room, removes two stuffed animals from his bed, and puts one next to Lilah and one next to Jax. He is very germ focused. He knows to use the germ-ex constantly and than tries his best to refrain from kissing their lips. It's so tempting though.

Well, that's it in a nutshell. I plan to send out an ofoto album today or tomrrow of a few cute pictures we took on the first day they returned home. For now, enjoy one of each of them below. We would like to express a sincere thank you for all of you who have visited us in the hospital, those of you who have showered us with love, gifts, and YUMMY meals. Not having to cook is the biggest stress reliever EVER!

Love to ALL......

From Top to Bottom: Lilah and Jaxon with Mommy