Thursday, May 28, 2009

Our Updates

We are still awaiting the arrival of the twins. 37 weeks and still gooooooing. My ability to get around has seriously deteriorated. I should not be driving...but I still am. My mom will fly in tomorrow which will give me some comfort...first time she will actually make it in time for the birth, unless I go into labor before 6 pm tomorrow...which I would welcome. At the last US the babies were measuring 6lbs 10oz and 6lbs 6 oz. I feel every one of those ounces.
My very talented friend Amanda took my belly pics. She did a fabulous job.


Lukey's last AFP result was an amazing 4!!!! They took another one recently and we should get the result at his next appt on the 3rd. If it stays the same we can look into getting his central line out. They also want to do another CT scan soon as a follow-up. He is doing so well though. We still have issues with his drinking, but I finally found a cup that he likes and he is up to about 12 oz a day from a cup. Maybe I should just start feeding him dry, salty foods :) He is only on the feeding tube at night now and we just run water with baking soda. He is off the special formula because he is taking in enough calories from food. The baking soda has something to do with his kidneys, which they are keeping a close eye on. The chemo and his current meds are very harsh on the kidneys, so they hope they will recover on their own. That's why his fluid intake it so vitally important. He is crawling and cruising now. I hope he starts walking soon. He is so cute with is spiky hair. It's growing back in...straight up in the air..hahaa. Overall his health is very good and he is a happy boy. We moved him in with Levi, so we could give the twins his room. So far it has worked out well. However, the other night neither of them wanted to go to sleep and I walked in there and Levi was whispering something to Lukey and Lukey was sitting up in his crib giggling. It was actually a precious sight....brothers.


Levi is about to graduate from Pre-K. I am sad that I will miss it. He graduates on his birthday June 5th. Tonight is his open house at his new "BIG" school. Ben will take him and the staff takes them for a tour and a show in the gym and then snacks, and a bus ride around the neighborhood to get them used to riding. I am sad to miss this also. He is getting so big before my eyes. I was worried how he would feel about having to share his room with Lukey, but he seems to like it. For the most part he is very protective of Lukey, but sometimes a little jealous. Lukey loves to hang over the tub while Levi is taking a bath and throw things in. He laughs and laughs. I can't wait until he can get in the bath and splash around too. Hopefully he'll get his line out soon and his ng tube.


Well the longer I sit here the bigger my feet get. Ginormous, as Levi says. I will update this with baby pictures soon!!! My c section is scheduled for June 2nd unless the Lord has mercy on me and I go in sooner. Please Lord...mercy.

Monday, May 4, 2009

A New Season

Well everything has been going good here at the Fernando house. Lukey is doing well. We are still working on the drinking, but he has started cruising along the furniture and just being adorable! His personality is definitely coming out...he loves to imitate big brother Levi, which is not always good. We will find out his AFP result on Wednesday and I think a lot of decisions will be made from there. We pray it all goes well and it has come down. I also go for another US on Wednesday. I hope they are over 5 lbs now and I can stop worrying and let them come any time. I really do want them out...I just don't know what to do after that :) I can barely walk and breathe...and sleep...forget it. I had a wonderful baby shower from the ladies in our church. It was so nice and I just felt so overwhelmed by it all. We had a great time...and I ate lots of cake.
Chelsea enjoying the sun
I was waiting for this tree to bloom...to me it means a new season in our lives.

Today when I went to pick Levi up from school, there was a big double stroller with bows on it and all the kids and their moms were waiting next to it. I almost lost it, but managed to just get watery...these hormones have me so confused. It was so thoughtful and wonderful...again I was overwhelmed! So many have given us items that we might need. We received the cribs, swings, bouncers, clothes, and so many beautiful gifts for the boys. We are blessed indeed!!

My little guys

This weekend will come the rearranging of the house. The twins will take Lukey's room so, where to put Lukey. I want him in with Levi, but with the feeding pump and all the times I go in at night I'm afraid it might wake Levi. Ben wants to move the office and put him in here...I just don't know.
The Fernando House
We are planning on banking the twins cord blood, and the wonderful news is that they are going to do it for free. Through the Sibling Connection, because of Lukey's diagnosis we qualify for it. I think I would have done it anyways, but this is just the best news. I'll continue to keep you updated on the twins status now too. Let's see...Levi is doing great. He really loves to ride his bike and play with the neighbors. I am reading a very good book called "Wild Things...The Art of Nurturing Boys". It is an excellent book if you have boys. It has opened my eyes to why Levi does some of the things he does. He is normal after all :)
Ben's aunt pushing Lukey and Levi riding alongside.

I think we are all about to enter a new part of this journey. I feel like we walked through the valley of the shadow of death, through the hills and valleys and now we headed for something new. Life with twins...four boys...maybe we are headed back to that dark valley...just kidding. We are very excited and look forward to the future and all it holds for us. If we survive the first year...we are doing gooooood!
The Belly
I will update again after we find out about Lukey's AFP. I just know it's all going to be alright. He sees the feeding team at Children's in DC this month, so hopefully we can resolve this drinking issue and get him off the feeding tube. He is five months out from transplant tomorrow..HOORAY!! God has been so good.