Anastasha - 10 Months Later and Twin Update

Tonya at 33 weeks - at least 2 to go!

The last couple of weeks have been challenging but blessed.  Friday marked the 10 month anniversary of Anastasha's birth and death.  Tonya and I watched her birth video for the first time together since that day.  It was difficult to watch and relive both the joy and pain.  We were both struck by how brief her life was.  It just seemed like a moment that she was here and then gone.  Our memories are brief, as well, because of that.

We watched her funeral with all the kids.  That was also difficult but precious.  We've gone through some of her things, including her receiving blanket.  It still smells like our baby girl.

It is a very strange emotion to be in the middle of anticipating new life again.  Anastasha's death still feels fresh to us.  That is one reason we watched her videos.  We wanted to embrace her life as we look forward to life that is coming.

Tonya is still on bed rest.  As of Saturday, my parents are now here, which is a great blessing.  Life is hectic, but Tonya is still here (and not in a hospital room in Dallas) and  the babies are still in her tummy (and not in a NICU in Dallas).  So we are NOT complaining.  We both feel VERY blessed that both of the above are true.

The twins measured 4 pounds and 4.5 pounds one week and a half ago.  Tonya is still having contractions, but the medication she is taking seems to be holding them at bay somewhat.  She got some steroid shots last week because the fetal fibronectin test (anticipates whether or not you are likely to go into labor in the next two weeks) was POSITIVE this time.  It doesn't mean with certainty that she will.  It just means that we can't reliably assume that she won't.  Make sense?

Tonya had a baby shower on Saturday, given by her dear friend Joy Griffin.  It was a blessing to see many friends who love her.  And it was her first time out of the house (other than for her OB appts) in 2 weeks.  Can you say "stir crazy"?

We are hoping to get to at least 35 weeks gestation with the pregnancy.  That will be sometime around 9-10-11.  That will allow us to (hopefully) avoid Dallas.  jAnytime BEFORE that will likely land us and/or the babies in Dallas.  Anything AFTER that is icing on the cake, so to speak.  Please pray with us for God's mercy during this time.  And that His perfect love will cast out fear.  Thanks for praying for us.  We'll keep you updated.

Craig

Authority

I had the opportunity to preach at church last week.  This time it was on the topic of authority and our submission to it as believers.  You can watch here.

A Ring and Twin Update

It has been a while since I've posted anything.  Sorry, I'm a bad blogger...:)

On Father's Day this year, Tonya had a ring made for me.  It is a signet ring that has a picture in relief of Anastasha's hand from the ultrasound that we took (picture is on the blog page).  The ring was my father's when he was a teenager.  It had his (and my) initial's - CD.  I've worn it for years, but my Dad said that he would be honored for us to convert to a ring in honor of Anastasha.  We melted down gold from one of Tonya's old charms, a charm from my grandfather, and a cross from the woman who raised my mother (Sangootz, we called her).  It is very precious to me.

Tonya is currently 31 weeks pregnant with the twins.  Things have been remarkably smooth up until this past week. On Tuesday at a routine OB appt, Tonya's cervix was noted to be 2 cm dilated.  The OB wasn't alarmed, but that has never happened to Tonya in the past.  Tonya has only dilated in the past when it was time for delivery!  So we were a bit concerned.  Wed night she and I spent overnight at the hospital because of contractions every 5 minutes.  They were able to successfully stop them and sent her home on a medication that she takes every 6 hours.  She is also now on modified bedrest, which means that she can't be on her feet for an extended period of time - no cooking, cleaning, driving, etc.  And due to the relative lack of mobility, she is on heparin (blood thinner) shots twice daily to prevent blood clots.

So life here has been....well...interesting.  Ariana has handled breakfast for everyone.  I come home for lunch and make lunch for the kids, and then dinner when I get home.  Tonya has been homeschooling from the couch.  I've basically been in charge of running the home, something my very competent wife does MUCH BETTER than I ever could.  Tonya talked me into going to Walmart yesterday.  It was a 3 1/2 hour trip, complete with a 45 minute "price matching" check-out (I'm not exaggerating).  I told Tonya that trip was just a step short of hell for me.

So please pray for us and these two little blessings.  We are hoping to keep them in until AT LEAST 35 weeks (approx 9-10-11) - one month from now.  That will allow us to deliver locally instead of in Dallas.  Every day counts as far as morbidity and mortality is concerned.  Here is a picture of Tonya's belly over a week ago.  Can you imagine how big she will be if she carries them for another month or more?!