Deanna Nicole -Part 2

Just a side note---read previous blog first to get the right order of events.

After going to the recovery room for 1 1/2 hours, I was taken to see Deanna. She was all hooked up to lots of different things. We were told she had lots of meconium and that she is getting the help she needs right now.

Here is our first picture together as mother and daughter.

Look at Deanna's hair-we thought it was going to be light and curly, but it has changed a lot.
The boys came by in the afternoon to see her face. The nurse covered up a lot of the cords so they wouldn't be scared for her- Adam's first question when they came to my room- Where is she?

I went to my room and she stayed in NICU.

WE were given lots of information the next time we went to see her, but honestly I can't remember what time it was or what was said...it is all a blur. I spent the next 3 days in the hospital and with each day there was information overload as to what went on with Deanna. I was and am recovering fine. I don't feel too bad considering a c-section is a major surgery. I always trusted God to look after Deanna and I raised my hands in worship that I had another day with her. Each morning that I see her, I praise Him for another day. I thank Him for each feature on her body (working or not) and know that we can get through this obstacle.

After day 2, Deanna has made progress for the better. She didn't have pneumonia, but there are other causes of concern. WE are awaiting chromosomal tests to eliminate any possible abnormalities. Some of the concern of the drs. is that her hands are positioned differently than most newborns. They are in the right spot placement-wise, but she holds them in a relaxed way, not with her fists clenched. They also noticed that her forearms are short, her eyes are really sunken, and her ears lay flat. We don't know if there is a connection between all of these things or not, maybe it is the way she was "crafted." Deanna will also be wearing a cast for the first few months of her life. Her right foot is a club foot, this is a common genetic abnormality and not related to the delivery or how she was laying in utero.

Deanna's heart is normal, her lungs are good, her brain is looking good,but we will see more info on an ultrasound being taken on Monday. She has shown a blood clot in the "air pocket" in her brain. This can be normal for newborns after delivery, but again, we will know more later. We pray for complete reabsorbption back into the brain of the blood.

She currently is being moved to a level 2 room instead of the level 3 where she has spent the last 6 days. This is great news!! She is off the ventilator, off any pain medications, and is currently on cortisone (her body used her supply up in the labor process) and antibiotics. She is being fed through a NG tube-through her nose and straight to her belly, of my breast milk and is doing well with it.

Here is the latest picture: Deanna is off the ventilator-YAY!!!!

Deanna Nicole Kraft

Let's start at the beginning...

On Thursday, July 2nd, I went to my check-up appointment and had no news. I was barely dilated and my cervix was pretty far back, so things didn't look very immediate for baby.

On Friday, I helped sell some of my junk at a garage sale w/ my friends, hung out and visited and about lunch time felt contractions more consistent (10 minutes apart) for the rest of the day. I called the dr. about 4 pm w/ some complaint of sharp pain down low, but was reassured that my cervix was most likely dropping b/c it needed to in order for delivery to get closer. There was no change in my contractions. We went to supper at Olive Garden(tried it Susan:))--it was sooooo good and the closest the contractions came were 7 or 8 minutes apart,but most of the time they were 10. I felt like nighttime was going to be show time so I packed my bag for the middle of the night rush- that is how both Casey and Adam began their debut. I slept really good, got up once to go potty and fell right back asleep. The next morning, I was a little disappointed...

On Saturday, the 4th of July, the boys and I went to the Wellington parade and then headed home to pack the car for camping and a rodeo on Sunday. We got up to the Maxwell Ranch (CSU's summer pasture) about 3 pm and sat around during a rain, ate supper under a tree, then dried up by the fire, roasted marshmallows, and lit off fireworks. Brian and I stayed up until 11 drying off the only pair of jeans and boots that I brought for the boys by the fire and then called it a night (so we thought).

2:30am- Got up to potty in the woods, fell back asleep between contractions. They were about 7 minutes apart. I was debating whether to pack it all up or wait until they were 5 minutes apart to make the journey back to town. I started watching the clock...

4 am- Felt that I may not have "drip dried" enough...got up to make sure and WHOOSH! I felt a feeling that I had yet to experience. I waddled to the outhouse, then came back to tell Brian, "It's time to go!" We loaded up the sleeping boys, and all that was in the tent and started the bumpy drive to the highway in about 20 minutes. THe drive down 287 usually takes 1 1/2 hours, but Brian kicked it up a notch and we arrived in Fort Collins in about 45 minutes. My contractions were still only 5 minutes apart and not to painful so we took the boys to his parents' house, stopped at home so Brian could change out of his campfire clothes and then headed to the hospital.

5:45am- I am admitted to the hospital and shown my room, asked to leave a sample-What??? Apparantly she wasn't told my water broke and for the past 2 hours I have been leaving samples on everything. Another nurse begins the admission process, but is quickly distracted by my answer to the color of the water leaking from me. She checks it out and then moves quickly into action upon realizing that there was meconium involved. My contractions progress...it hurts...after about 10x breathing through, more nurses come in to help me w/ changing positions. Deanna's heartrate was "decelerated" after each contraction and took longer each time to get to "normal". They brought in the ultrasound machine to check her position and reasssured me that she was head down, but must have the cord around her to have such a slow recovery after each contraction. Another one...I changed positions again...this time her heartrate went to 85...another one...etc. My doctor was now present along with my closest nurse friends-all 7 of them--and it was decided that the cord was definetly wrapped around her. They checked me again, I was only a 5 with contractions 4-5 minutes apart. Did I mention that I really did not enjoy having my water broken? It is a gross feeling-trust me and I kept getting fresh bedding underneath me and still was complaining.

THe next thing I know a different dr. comes in and discusses w/ my dr. that a c-section is the safest way to deliver Deanna w/o compromise. I signed some papers...they talk to Brian...and off I am being rushed down the hospital corridor into a meat locker! Within minutes my legs are numb and my toes are tingly and the drs. ask me if I can feel that? It was the initial slice into my belly. They deemed it safe to bring Brian in now that I can't feel anything. hmmm??

I was awake during the c-section and was making some jokes. Word got out that I was camping and sleeping on the ground just hours ago and the drs. were poking fun at me/us. After some time, they pulled Deanna out and reassured me that they didn't want her to cry. There was a lot of meconium in the placenta and they needed to clean her out first. The cord was wrapped twice around her neck and once around her shoulders. We were told that she probably would have pnemonia b/c of her environment. She was rushed away and I lay open in a meat locker.

the last 3 months...

My dad and sister come for a visit over our spring break. It was a fun weekend.

Casey lost tooth #6.

Adam and Duke--it is a love/hate relationship at this point.

Easter 2009: After spending the 3 days before Easter being very sick (mama talkin) we had a very low-key Easter celebration. For lunch, we went to Texas Roadhouse and came home and took naps. The next weekend, we had a egg hunt with our extended family and a traditional Easter lunch.

My handsome boys!

Vacation Bible School at Wellington Community Church, June 1-5, 2009 Casey and his friend, Libby at snacktime.

Adam at the closing ceremony.

Casey celebrated his 7th birthday at the rollerskating rink with his good friend, Madison, who is 10 days older and their buddies. We had the rink to ourselves for 2 hours and enjoyed cupcakes and drinks. I can't believe my "baby" is 7 years old. He is grown into a boy who is kind, sensitive, a good friend, a great athlete, and always up for an adventure! I am so proud of you, Casey!!

Brian and Casey on skates--who would've thought???

Madison and Casey before blowing out the candles.

Drum Roll Please...

Well, I guess it is official... we are having a girl ! I went yesterday to the 3D/4D sonogram office b/c I was getting anxious to know for sure. It seemed harder to wait this go-round as we were eagerly anticipating a new member of our family. I still find it hard to believe!!! A girl!! My perceptive little Adam was right-he knew when I was pregnant (praying for "the baby in mommy's tummy") and he told all of us that it was a girl. He is going to think God answers his prayers all the time. The pictures are a little freakish-looking, but please be kind and tell me how beautiful SHE is. :) I'm more nervous now knowing I'm having a daughter than not knowing what I was having. We waited with the boys to find out until their birthday so this is all new territory for us. Both Brian and I lost some zzzzs last night imagining what is to come, what her name will be...(this won't be decided until we meet her), and how our family will forever be changed***for the better I am sure! Hopefully she makes her debut in scheduled fashion the second week of July.

Let me know if there are others of you that are skeptical of this picture, as I can still be!?! I still can't believe that because I don't see a penis that it means she's a girl.

Our new brother!

Meet Duke, our new brother who is 8 weeks old. He was born to Mocha and Rusty on January 7, 2009, along with 6 siblings. Today he came to our house to live for hopefully a very long time.

He belongs with our family and has freckles to show for it. He is very cute! We hope he enjoys his home and all the attention that the boys want to give him. They can't wait to "train" him to fetch and take him for walks.

Florida Vacation

Here we are...all decked out in our MM gear. I think it helped us keep track of each other during the day. We saw other families w/ the same idea, it was pretty funny. Day 2 of our vacation and we are hitting the Magic Kingdom along w/ millions of our closest friends. :)

Donald Duck at FrontierLand. The boys loved Splash Mountain (they went down 5 times) and Thunder Mountain (3 times).

On Friday, we went to Epcot Center. Right inside the gate was Chip n-Dale so we got their autographs and a photo. Once I develop some photos, I encourage you to ask the boys about their autograph books, they will be excite to show you who they met.

Today we went to SeaWorld. The boys enjoyed the water rollercoaster that we went on and their favorite show was Shamu. Here is a before picture at the Dolphin show. Here is a picture after watching and getting all wet by Shamu, the killerwhale, during the show. The boys braved the "Soak Zone" and sat in the first row possible. Brian and I sat about 15 rows up and stayed dry. Halfway through the show, Adam came up to us b/c he was cold.

On Sunday, Feb. 15th, we went to Tampa, FL to Busch Gardens. Here the "boys" rode the scorpion rollercoaster. It was the only one that Adam could ride, b/c of height requirement. They loved and it even went upside down!

The main man--MICKEY MOUSE, that we have been waiting to see. Here we are getting their autograph and picture at Animal Kingdom.

MINNIE MOUSE has 2 new boyfriends.

On our last day, I realized that we did not have a picture of all 4 of us at any place on anyday, so I asked a complete stranger to photograph us in front of the castle at Magic Kingdom while we waited for the "dance party" to begin. It was a wonderful day to end our magical vacation.

The jury is still out!

18 weeks and blossoming

At yesterday's doctor's appointment, we saw an ultrasound of our new baby, we were hoping to see what the baby is going to be (our 1st time doing this). We saw lots of things...4 valves on the heart, good symmetrical brain, fingers and leg bones, a spine and a waving baby to its parents, but unfortunately, we didn't see any "private parts" to know if it is a boy or girl. Brian and the doctor (60% sure) is pretty sure it is a girl since we didn't see a "waterspout." I am going to wait until the next picture to see girl parts before I start my new favorite color scheme--denim and pink!

The boys are anxiously hoping for the big trip to DisneyWorld--we leave today!! More pictures to come upon our return. Happy love day!

Happy New Year!

The Kraft Family’s Top 10 for 2008

#10 Being able to weather the recession so far and have enough money to send out Happy New Year letters to our friends and family.

#9 Watching both Casey (6 yrs.) and Adam (5 yrs.) take on a new sport—wrestling! In their first tournament, they muscled (not much technique, just farm kids not wanting to be on their backs) into 2nd and 4th place respectively for their weight class.

#8 Beginning a new chapter in our lives: Sending Casey to school on the bus for kindergarten. Mom gets to help out once a week with literacy skills for his class and enjoys keeping tabs on him while he is away.

#7 The boys absolutely loved going to Montana where this summer we stayed for 16 days. We enjoyed swimming, taking the dogs for walks, watched baseball games, visited family and friends and rode our bikes on sidewalks. It is sure is a refreshing break for mom too!

#6 Brian was able to juggle many roles this past year: dispatcher, driver, farmer, bookkeeper, manager, mechanic, husband, and dad. He managed all his roles well and enjoys having the opportunity to serve the cattle feeders and run his business, considering what we paid for fuel this year.

#5 Watching the boys develop their soccer skills to become good players who practice teamwork and have fun. Adam becomes available to play when the ball gets kicked out of the mob of kids and usually gets a run away towards the goal. Casey is by far the strongest kid on the team and kicks the ball ¾ length of the field to help out. Mom was able to coach Adam’s team.

#4 We had a memorable day at the fair this year with Adam competing in the stick horse rodeo and winning the best 8 second ride and Casey riding a sheep for a few seconds, then off to the fair food and a couple of rides.

#3 Surviving a tornado while it went over our house is definitely a memorable experience for our family. Brian was home for lunch so it was extremely comforting knowing we were all together while it passed over, but it sure was scary and mysterious and we thank God for His protection.

#2 Telling the boys at Christmas that we are receiving the gift of life and expanding our family to five. We expect a new bundle of joy to arrive the second week of July so please keep mom and baby in your prayers for a healthy and safe delivery.

#1 Maintaining our health and working bodies to serve others, enjoy life, play and laugh often, go down waterslides, camp in the outdoors, ride sheep, enjoy supper out with friends, and most importantly worship our Savior, Jesus Christ, during Christmas season and throughout the year.

Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year filled with love and laughter!

Smoke Signals to Santa

The boys (Brian helps write, Casey and Adam) have a tradition of writing Santa a letter of things they want for Christmas and a paragraph or two of how they have behaved and things to improve on. Then Brian has told them that Santa will read the smoke signals in the sky from our house with what the words were. Here are both boys with their letters and then putting them into our fireplace. One of our own cute traditions.

Casey putting his letter in the fireplace.

Adam with his list of everything a cowboy needs and then standing next to the open door.

We give Thanks!

Thanksgiving was spent in Montana this year and we were fortunate to be able to see my grandparents who came down from the Round Town (Circle, MT). We celebrated with my mom, dad, Stacie, and Great Grandparents. It was a wonderful treat to visit with everyone and eat yummy meals.

Great Grandma Virginia and Grandpa Sarge with Casey and Adam.

Sage Willis with Adam & Casey

We then ventured to Buffalo, MT by Judith Gap to see our friends, the Willis family. We helped them cut down their Christmas tree in the National Forest, but I couldn't convince Brian to bring a tree all the way to Colorado for us. The interstate by CO was closed so we stayed an extra day with our friends- it was great to see them and their new stomping grounds.

Wrestling Tournament

Adam's first match was won by forfeit (lucky us) but his next match proved to be too much for him, he lost by a few points. His third and final match was unfortunately against a girl in a singlet-not her first wrestling tournament. He was a great sport and learned what this wrestling thing is all about. We had previously practiced once a week at Poudre High for 1 1/2 hours with Bill Greenwood & others who put on these clinics for the kids in honor and memory of his son, Nicholas Greenwood, here the website info: www.gritwrestling.com.

Casey is super strong and can push and pull with the best of them, but unfortunately he lacked technique for wrestling moves. He went to practices too and learned some moves, but using them was a different story. He did a great job and took 2nd for his weight class. In the last match, he lost by a one point for first place, bummer!

2nd place finish for Casey in the Nicholas Greenwood Memorial tournament, Nov. 22, 2008.