OT: Introducing Hannah and Clara!

Hi Friends,

I've missed you all so much. Life has been incredibly full the past 10 days. I'll condense. Hopefully I'll find time to go back and read your posts but probably not for a day or so. 

Hannah Nicole and Clara Abigail arrived on Erin's 30th Birthday! They (Hannah especially) had been eager to enter the sunshine since at least March 7th, my birthday. I would have loved to share the day with them but they needed to grow more.  March 14th they really started getting insistent. Hannah pushed, kicked, butted her head and butt until Erin's water began to leak. Afraid that it was another false alarm she didn't want to call the doctor. We got out the books, read up, and decided she probably should let the experts make the decision.

This time it was no false alarm. Josh took her to Olympia, about a 30 minute drive up I 5 on a Friday night. After a couple of hours they took her by ambulance to University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle another hour drive. That worked out great for all of us as we have a lot of my brother's family in the immediate area and Mike and I have my sis in law's condo to stay in as she still hasn't been able to get back home tho she is now at an assisted living just a couple of miles from her condo. Sorry about that "sentence"! Once she got to Seattle the doctors were in no rush as babies were doing fine. They said:  "We won't stop you, but we're not going to hurry it up either.  Could be a day could be 3 or 4 as there is still plenty of fluid in there." 

So, hurry and wait. . . . Nathan had gone home for the weekend after calling his sister and making sure that she WASN'T going to deliver over the weekend.  Wrong. . . .So I call Mike. Mike, Nate, Maggie and her brood load up in Nate's car on Saturday morning and head over arriving early afternoon Saturday.

Hanna and Clara arrived Sunday afternoon breathing on their own, about 17 inches each, Clara a bit above 4 lbs, Hannah a few ounces less than 4 lbs.  They are still in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. They sound and look big for preemies but still have some work to do. They forget to breathe when eating. . . Not good.  I thought that was automatic but they were just about 33-34 weeks. I guess this learned response doesn't really get good until about 35 weeks. They still have a feeding tube through the nose. I think it will come out today or tomorrow as they are both now on full feedings by bottle. Erin is becoming a pro at pumping and using her speaker phone! Babies are getting breast milk by bottle, easier on them than nursing. They cuddle with mom and dad and play around at nursing. I think they'll really start working on that this week. Saturday evening Erin and Josh headed home to Chehalis to get more clothes and spend the night. They signed a form so that Mimi Karen could cuddle babies while they were gone. Man, was I ever ready. Of course with gown, gloves and mask I probably scared the little critters. Hannah mostly slept, but Clara was wide awake the whole time I held her. I talked, and sang and she just listened for all she was worth. Her little eyes would dart back and forth. I just know she was taking in every word.  I have a lot of pics. None are wonderful as they are in isolets still and it's hard to get good pics. I'll try to post a few on my profile and will probably have to get Jan S involved. Nurses say 4-6 weeks but I think like their Mamma and Daddy they will be over achievers! Phone's ringing. . . Probably JW. . . Karen C

I know you are so proud of them and cant wait till they get home. How are you going to stay on yourside of the mountain? I think you will go back and forth so much that you will beat that mountain down lol Cant wait to see them .Congratulations.

Karen, congratulations and welcome to the wonderful world of Grandmaland!  Can't wait to see pictures.  I hope Hanna and Clara continue to grow strong and are able to join Mom and Dad at home soon. Aunt Debbie

Karen, I'm so happy to hear about Hannah and Clara!  The story of their arrival is just such a nice refreshing thing to read about and I'm thrilled that all are doing well, including Mom & Dad!  Can't wait to see the pictures!

Hi Gramma Karen! What a wonderful story......  congratulations to all of you.  How nice mommy gets to share their brithday -- literally! I'm sure you are overwhelmed with joy and completely exhausted.  Rest and reflect! Hugs, Kathi

and you have been missed! justifiably! karen they are gorgeous,,,tho my first thought is how can they enjoy cuddling with those gloves on???? soon--soon you will have your arms full and the doting will get intense!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you for sharing their story and for auntie janet's updates!!!!!!!! welcome back to the fold...here's a big hug of congratulations!!!!!!!

All your babies are finally here.. What an exciting Easter season for you all. The pictures are wonderful and your sweeties are beautiful.  I just loved the picture of Erin and Maggie, profiles, how clever. Welcome back, you were missed, but we wouldn't have wanted you anywhere else but right by Erin's side. Blessings

Karen, those are some beautiful babies!!!  Congratulations again. Warm hugs

Congrats to you!!

Aloha and welcome back, friend.....

Oh, my....what exciting times!! I am SO HAPPY to hear that Hannah and Clara have entered the world and are doing great. They were born on my son and DIL's anniversary...so I will not forget their birth date.

Ironically, on Saturday I had TWO babies that were born early...and they weighed a little more than your babies.......about 4.5 lb. each. They are on monitors but didn't need to be transferred to Honolulu to the NICU. Unfortunately Maui doesn't have a NICU.

Enjoy those little muffins........you are now a grandma (tutu), and your life is going to be enriched so much.

With so much aloha,

Maui Karen