Summer School & Brody

Well, we have had some exciting changes around!

First of all, thank you for your prayers for my pregnancy and delivery. Brody Nicholas was born Monday, May 15 at 7:29 am, 6 lb 11 oz and 19" of sweet baby perfection. He was only 36 weeks (so was a month early) but he did REALLY well and came home with us two days later. THAT (the fact he was healthy enough to come home with us) was a HUGE answer to prayer. It was a dream that I didn't really know would ever be a reality for us because of how the boys had to be delivered and the fact we couldn't carry this baby to term. It has been the SWEETEST gift to get to enjoy all the newborn smells, sounds, and feels in the comfort of our home! I stare at him for hours of the day and revel in the miracle of his life. It is hard to think about these things that we missed out on with Carson and Kellen but it has made the joy even greater this time around. Carson & Kellen LOVE being big brothers and often request to hold Brody, and give him lots of love throughout the day.

Two other miracles that happened surrounding Brody's delivery. First, we found out my high risk OB that I LOVE is leaving the end of June...so if we would have been just a little later we would have missed his knowledge and expertise in determining the timing of Brody's delivery. His advice & opinions were so important to me because he was the one who delivered the boys and so knew much more about my specific case. And the second thing, that makes me tear up if I think about it too much...during the delivery, my doctor was able to visualize my uterus and see if there were any thin spots (that lead to possible uterine rupture which is an immediate danger to the baby & me). Preston got to see it too but there was an area of my uterus that was so thin that you could see through it. AHHHHH! That is so scary to think about...it may have ruptured if I would have carried Brody longer or had more contractions etc and from what we have heard from doctors...if your uterus ruptures, you only have minutes to get the baby out (we live an hour away from the hospital)...I think you probably get the picture. But it is hard for me to think about something happening to Brody. (And the other thing...my uterus is still intact...because of the risk for rupture there was actually the equipment in the OR to do a hysterectomy if need be...so thankful that wasn't the case). With all that said, that's when I really appreciate all the prayers that covered details I didn't even know to pray for specifically.

And the second big event, Carson and Kellen starting summer school today!!! They had a blast and didn't seem to have any nerves about it. They told us ALL about their day when they got home! Carson has a nurse that is with him all day in case something happens with his trach. Praying there are not any issues but I do feel confident in the nurses' ability if something did. This is the first time since leaving the NICU that Carson's emergency care has been in anyone's hands other than Preston or myself and the occasional times that a family member watches him. It's a huge step for us and I think this independence is going to be great for the boys! I hope they love school and learning as much as I did!

Here are some pictures...

the morning of Brody's birthday

Big brothers first viewing : )

Just a bit excited!!

Brody Nicholas

Having fun after coming to visit their brother!

"little brother" ready to go home!

Practicing 'lunch' at home before going to summer school

Oh yeah...we also have a season of t-ball starting...and they have a new fan!!

Our silly BIG boys!

and our newest super hero

Telling Nana about their day at school...can you see the excitement?!?

Recap of our trip!

We made it home yesterday (a day earlier than expected) & this momma was happy to be home! Carson did well! The scope (on Friday) still showed some swelling at the prior surgical site which Dr. Cotton felt was to be expected. But because there was still some swelling...he wants to take a very slow, conservative approach. We will return in 6 months. I asked if it was really necessary to wait that long (Kindergarten was in my mind) and he was firm on waiting 6 months. However, he does not believe that further intervention will be needed (Thank you God!) So, Saturday night, Carson did a capping trial overnight. He did well with no oxygen desaturations and no drops in his heart rate with his trach capped. We will continue what we have been doing (capping during the day) for 3 months [I believe this is to allow most of the swelling to subside] and then cap day and night for 3 months before returning to Cincinnati. We haven't gone 6 months without a trip to Cincinnati in a couple years...so the break will be nice for Carson [& for us].

So, although, I have always prayed his trach would be out by Kindergarten...I am over the moon excited they he still thinks that the big surgeries are behind Carson. I think it was a good report overall! Thank you for the many many prayers, calls, texts, etc. We are so incredibly grateful!

Now, my prayer is we can make it until May 15th to deliver this baby...I've been more tired since the trip and have been having more Braxton Hicks contractions. We have an appointment tomorrow [Tuesday] and then hopefully next Monday will be a birthday!!

We will be headed to Cincinnati!

Thank you all for your prayers! Today was a LONG day...started with a call this morning that surgery needed to be rescheduled because of insurance authorization. Then after explaining that I am about to have a baby and that we need to get this done, they agreed to call one more time. In the interim, I was making phone calls that I could. Long story, short, after about 5 hours [& multiple phone calls] I got a call from Cincinnati saying it was a go for Friday still.

So, we are packed and ready to leave tomorrow (Thursday). The bronchoscopy is scheduled for 7:30 am ET.

Here are some pictures from the last several weeks...

My handsome men!

Matching hospital wrist bands...I had an MRI & Carson had a follow up appt at Cardinal Glennon

Look at that proud smile! It's hard to see but he has a butterfly on his finger!

And Carson's roly poly friend : )

Riding rides with Ellie at Thunder over Louisville

The whole fam got together in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby kickoff event [Thunder over Louisville]!

The firework show was AH-mazing!

At Thursday School [preschool] graduation!

Fun with cousins!

Doesn't get much better than that!

Early morning hugs for 'pumpkin'!

One last trip to Cincinnati before 'Pumpkin' arrives

Okay, I wanted to hop on here quick and put out some prayer requests. I have lots of pictures to share but I'll try to do that tomorrow.

We are scheduled to leave for Cincinnati Thursday for a scope on Friday (May 5th) and then a possible capping trial over the weekend.
So, first prayer request...there was a slight change in Carson's insurance that will likely require reauthorization for the surgery. I did not get the new insurance cards and the new plan did not go into effect until May 1st so that leaves VERY little time to obtain authorization. Praying for a miracle, that somehow authorization is obtained and we can go forward with this step.
Second prayer request...we are 13 days from delivering 'pumpkin' (The third Clark brother, we still don't have a name : \). So, we are asking for prayer that he stays put during this trip to Cincinnati so we can make it back home before the planned C-section on May 15th. But also for peace of mind for me and guidance if there is some reason I should not be making this trip to Cincinnati.

I know God has always taken care of us before, so I'm truly trying to trust, listen, and realize that God is in control and His plans are always good!

Update on Carson: His voice has returned and the stridor (noisy breathing) is improved but still evident with exertion. I still feel like his voice may be a little softer since the bout of laryngitis but it is SO hard to tell and compare between weeks. We don't really know what to expect with this bronchoscopy...hoping that things look good and that there is some explanation for the stridor we are hearing with exertion. So, as always, we are praying for comfort for Carson through this whole visit, an accurate assessment, and miracles in healing of Carson's airway/voice.

Thank you all for the many, many prayers and all your love!