Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The month has flown by!
As of Friday, we have been the party of 5 for a month now. It's like Zoey has been with us forever now. Here are few pics to enjoy.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Life Moves On!
Well, we are now pretty much settled in with a new baby in the house. The mornings are still tough for me because I am just so sleepy. My mom and mother-in-law have still been a tremendous help in getting the kids to school and picking them up. This week I hope to share more in those responsibilities. Zoey and I had several outings this past week by ourselves and she did just great. She is sleeping pretty good for the most part, especially during the day. At night she gets up 2 or 3 times to nurse, but each time takes about 45 minutes. Hence, my being sleepy in the mornings!!
The boys have really taken to her and it seems like she has always been here. Zachary is a huge help because he's really comfortable with picking her up and comforting her. Zander is in the process of still learning to pick her up from her bassinet, but I'm still not so comfortable with that. He just likes to move so quickly that it makes me nervous. I'm just glad they both love her so much!
Darrell is so busy with finishing his Master's degree and school contest. He also has a couple of interviews lined for Assistant Principal positions. Keep him in your prayers. He is really ready to move to the next step in her career.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Zoey enters the world with a bang!
Well, Zoey is finally here. On March 24, 2009, Zoey Crisslynn Tompkins was born - exactly 9lbs, 20 1/2 inches long, 6:04 a.m.
All seemed perfect as she took her first breaths and let out several cries!
However, because Zoey was 3 weeks early, there was too much fluid in her lungs, causing her to breathe too fast. For 6 days she was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) being treated for Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN). It occurs in about 1% of newborns, especially babies born early and through C-section. In the end it is easy to fix with observation and treatment. However, it was a very difficult 6 days for our family. When you hear about babies with lung problems at birth, you always feel bad for the baby, but you can never understand the real fear that the parents go through unless you experience it first hand with your own precious newborn.
Looking back at each day that she was in the NICU, it seems like it actually lasted a month. It broke my heart see the C-PAP machine covering her little face.
I didn't get to see her until about 12 hours after having her. That was so hard, but I was very motivated to get up and moving so I could see her. It also broke my heart see the iv in her tiny arm and the feeding tube in her nose. She could not take a bottle because of the rapid breathing. Of course I prayed constantly but I could not stop feeling helpless, because there was nothing I could do to help my baby. Finally on the third day of feeling so guilty and helpless, I realized that there was nothing I could do. I had to completely turn my baby and her healing over to God. I had not done this yet, which is why I felt so helpless. Something I've known to do all my life, for some reason did not come automatically when it had to do with my new baby.
It is so amazing what happened next. In that instant, God took over and began the quick healing of our baby girl. Zoey still could not drink from a bottle, but that very same day, the NICU nurse
called for me to start trying to nurse her. What a miracle! Zoey did perfectly and then that night was able to take a bottle. From then on, each of the items on her little body started to come off. They had already taken off the C-PAP machine and replaced it with a nasal cannula tube of oxygen. That was removed, then the iv, then the feeding tube. By day 5, she only had the monitors on her to watch her respiration, heart rate, and oxygen levels. Unfortunately, that was the day I had to go home, without my baby girl. Even though I knew it would only be a couple of days before she came home, it was still very difficult. I think I could have filled the oceans with all of the tears I shed over this week!
The NICU doctor did say that it would only be a couple of days before she came home, because her respiration rate was still a bit too high at times. Darrell and I went back up there that night and the nurse commented how well she was doing. The next morning, we got up early to head to the hospital. On the way, the nurse called my cell phone and said to be sure to bring Zoey some clothes and her car seat because she may get to come home today. The doctor was not in yet, but little Zoey was completely fine now! The doctor arrived shortly after we got there and said we could take our sweet baby home! The long 6 days in the hospital were over and Zoey was now a perfect newborn baby.
During all of this, our boys had to be shuffled around by Darrell and the grandparents, who were such a tremendous help to us. I know they were so worried about me and their new sister, but they were troopers. They were really ready for all us to be under one roof and just wanted to hold their new sister.
She has been home for almost a week now, and she is such a good baby. She sleeps well and does not cry too often. Zach and Zander just love her and want to hold her all of the time. It's amazing to think what we went through during those first few days of her life. I always had faith that God would take care of us, but it wasn't until I truely turned it over to Him that we could see Him in action. Our children are a blessing, and I pray that God uses each of them to do His work in this world.
All seemed perfect as she took her first breaths and let out several cries!
However, because Zoey was 3 weeks early, there was too much fluid in her lungs, causing her to breathe too fast. For 6 days she was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) being treated for Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN). It occurs in about 1% of newborns, especially babies born early and through C-section. In the end it is easy to fix with observation and treatment. However, it was a very difficult 6 days for our family. When you hear about babies with lung problems at birth, you always feel bad for the baby, but you can never understand the real fear that the parents go through unless you experience it first hand with your own precious newborn.
Looking back at each day that she was in the NICU, it seems like it actually lasted a month. It broke my heart see the C-PAP machine covering her little face.
I didn't get to see her until about 12 hours after having her. That was so hard, but I was very motivated to get up and moving so I could see her. It also broke my heart see the iv in her tiny arm and the feeding tube in her nose. She could not take a bottle because of the rapid breathing. Of course I prayed constantly but I could not stop feeling helpless, because there was nothing I could do to help my baby. Finally on the third day of feeling so guilty and helpless, I realized that there was nothing I could do. I had to completely turn my baby and her healing over to God. I had not done this yet, which is why I felt so helpless. Something I've known to do all my life, for some reason did not come automatically when it had to do with my new baby.It is so amazing what happened next. In that instant, God took over and began the quick healing of our baby girl. Zoey still could not drink from a bottle, but that very same day, the NICU nurse
called for me to start trying to nurse her. What a miracle! Zoey did perfectly and then that night was able to take a bottle. From then on, each of the items on her little body started to come off. They had already taken off the C-PAP machine and replaced it with a nasal cannula tube of oxygen. That was removed, then the iv, then the feeding tube. By day 5, she only had the monitors on her to watch her respiration, heart rate, and oxygen levels. Unfortunately, that was the day I had to go home, without my baby girl. Even though I knew it would only be a couple of days before she came home, it was still very difficult. I think I could have filled the oceans with all of the tears I shed over this week!The NICU doctor did say that it would only be a couple of days before she came home, because her respiration rate was still a bit too high at times. Darrell and I went back up there that night and the nurse commented how well she was doing. The next morning, we got up early to head to the hospital. On the way, the nurse called my cell phone and said to be sure to bring Zoey some clothes and her car seat because she may get to come home today. The doctor was not in yet, but little Zoey was completely fine now! The doctor arrived shortly after we got there and said we could take our sweet baby home! The long 6 days in the hospital were over and Zoey was now a perfect newborn baby.
During all of this, our boys had to be shuffled around by Darrell and the grandparents, who were such a tremendous help to us. I know they were so worried about me and their new sister, but they were troopers. They were really ready for all us to be under one roof and just wanted to hold their new sister.
She has been home for almost a week now, and she is such a good baby. She sleeps well and does not cry too often. Zach and Zander just love her and want to hold her all of the time. It's amazing to think what we went through during those first few days of her life. I always had faith that God would take care of us, but it wasn't until I truely turned it over to Him that we could see Him in action. Our children are a blessing, and I pray that God uses each of them to do His work in this world.
Zachary & Zoey
Zander & Zoey
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Bed Rest and Ready for Zoey
Well, I am officially on strict bed rest now. I spent a couple of nights in the hospital over spring break because of my blood pressure. Everything is still okay, though. As long as I don't get up, my pressure stays down. I hope to keep my blog updated every couple of days, so I can update everyone. I can't stay on the computer too long, because I am suppose to be laying on my side as much as possible.
This does make things very difficult for everyone, especially since school starts back tomorrow. Our families are such a blessing, because they are and will be helping so much. Where would we be withouth them??? Darrell has a lot on his plate, but he is really taking such great care of us! Zachary and Zander are just ready for it all to be over and have their new sister. Zachary understands what is going on and is being so mature about things. Zander is having a rougher time, especially when I was in the hospital. He says he just wants to take care of me and be right by my side.
Anyway, please keep our family in your prayers. We know what God's timing is perfect and we will wait on Him.
This does make things very difficult for everyone, especially since school starts back tomorrow. Our families are such a blessing, because they are and will be helping so much. Where would we be withouth them??? Darrell has a lot on his plate, but he is really taking such great care of us! Zachary and Zander are just ready for it all to be over and have their new sister. Zachary understands what is going on and is being so mature about things. Zander is having a rougher time, especially when I was in the hospital. He says he just wants to take care of me and be right by my side.
Anyway, please keep our family in your prayers. We know what God's timing is perfect and we will wait on Him.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Here are some pics from Zander's birthday party in December at the Gymnastics Place.
Today we painted Zoey's room. The boys just had to help us, so I still have quite a bit of touch to do. However, it looks so cute. It's a light purple with one accent wall we tried to marblize with a "grape juice" color. I'm not too good at decorating, but I'm getting lots of helpful ideas. When I finish I'll try to post some pics of it on this blog.
This evening we went to watch Darrell and his students auction off their winning BBQ pits. His 1st placed pit won over $4500. It was amazing to watch! We are so proud of him!
I am so ready to finish everything in Zoey's room. We have all the furniture in boxes and I can't wait to put it all together. Thank goodness that is Darrell's specialty. Before the furniture, we have to change the flooring and put down a laminite flooring. We never put carpet in the room, because it was initially our office.
More to come.................
Friday, January 23, 2009
First Post
Thank you to my wonderful friend, Amy Beasley, for creating this blog for me. Isn't it amazing! She has started this business creating blog designs for people so contact her if you want one too!
About us Tompkins:
We are all doing great! The house is buzzing while we prepare for baby Zoey. We only have about 11 more weeks until she arrives. It's amazing how much stuff we have collected in our almost 12 years of marriage and 10 years of kids. Making room is not that easy.
We are all excited, though. I feel the most for Zachary, because all of the craziness seems to be the hardest on him. He has so much pressure from school and being the oldest. We are trying to find the best way to help this transition for him so that he can enjoy this wonderful blessing for our family. He is a trooper and such a big help around the house. Zander is more excited than I expected. He is looking forward to being a big brother and really easy going about our household chaos! He just keeps us laughing. I need to make a blog just for things that Zander says.
Darrell is working hard at school and trying to finish his Master's Degree. A new baby in April is definitely not the best time for him, but we know that God's timing is perfect. We are both excited to see the effect of a girl in our home (besides the dog). Darrell has lost 100 pounds over the last year and really looks and feels great. I'm very proud of his determination. I'll be looking for that for myself after April!
Me, I am now officially uncomfortable. I am huge with still 11 weeks to go, my ankles are swollen, and Zoey has given me a bad case of Carpel Tunnel (spelling?) in my wrist. I have a feeling she will definitely give us a run for our money as she gets older. I CAN'T WAIT!
That's it for now. Stay tuned for more updates on our blog.
About us Tompkins:
We are all doing great! The house is buzzing while we prepare for baby Zoey. We only have about 11 more weeks until she arrives. It's amazing how much stuff we have collected in our almost 12 years of marriage and 10 years of kids. Making room is not that easy.
We are all excited, though. I feel the most for Zachary, because all of the craziness seems to be the hardest on him. He has so much pressure from school and being the oldest. We are trying to find the best way to help this transition for him so that he can enjoy this wonderful blessing for our family. He is a trooper and such a big help around the house. Zander is more excited than I expected. He is looking forward to being a big brother and really easy going about our household chaos! He just keeps us laughing. I need to make a blog just for things that Zander says.
Darrell is working hard at school and trying to finish his Master's Degree. A new baby in April is definitely not the best time for him, but we know that God's timing is perfect. We are both excited to see the effect of a girl in our home (besides the dog). Darrell has lost 100 pounds over the last year and really looks and feels great. I'm very proud of his determination. I'll be looking for that for myself after April!
Me, I am now officially uncomfortable. I am huge with still 11 weeks to go, my ankles are swollen, and Zoey has given me a bad case of Carpel Tunnel (spelling?) in my wrist. I have a feeling she will definitely give us a run for our money as she gets older. I CAN'T WAIT!
That's it for now. Stay tuned for more updates on our blog.
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