Back in Blog!

Wow, has it really been that long since I've updated this blog! But it feels like yesterday we took our new bundle of joy home from Little Rock ... Okay, where do I start?

Our homecoming with our new baby girl has been a whirlwind of fun, emotion, busyness and adjustment. Adalynn is a wonder. I spend a lot of my time just staring at her pondering what in the world has happened to our "normal" life! :) And I wonder what in the world the Lord wants to do with this little miracle.

Adalynn has blessed our socks off... she has this entire house wrapped around her tiny little fingers. Her brothers and dad are so in love with her they can't see straight! I will forever have this moment etched in my memory...

Adalynn doesn't cry very much at all. She probably doesn't have time to because she has five people flocking to her every need! :) But one of the first times we actually heard Adalynn cry was when we were on our way home from St. Louis. We had just stopped at a rest stop to feed her, have a picnic lunch lovingly packed by Memaw and let the boys run off some steam... After we got in the car, Adalynn started to voice her discomfort/displeasure. I looked back and Ty had the biggest crocodile tears I ever saw! His face was a picture of true fear and sadness... he absolutely HATES to hear his baby sister cry! We had a great teaching moment of "...this is how she's communicating to us... we just need to figure out how we can help her, etc...", but Ty was miserable. So we put together a bottle and let him feed her. It wasn't too long and he was smiling again and the fear was gone. What a blessing that Adalynn has this much love and concern that surrounds her... what's going to happen when she goes out on her first date! (ha!)

I'll try to start catching up with the next several blogs... we have had some wonderful adventures. Adalynn is a "Flat Stanley" of sorts showing up at all kinds of fun places. I will say that the time cooped up in LR stirred up a need to get out and about and see the world--to enjoy things like never before. And it's been a fun time learning how to be a family of 6!

Some pictures of our sweet Mirakel...

Crist snapped this picture and posted to facebook. Adalynn's getting started on her own blog at an early age!


I love this picture. We posted this to facebook with the caption, "Adalynn's got a question!" I think this image perfectly portrays the phrase, "Sleep like a baby."


Adalynn requesting a serenade from her daddy... who's got who wrapped around whose finger?


Adalynn in her first baby swing! This swing was given to us by my mom's Bible Study group. What a sweet group of ladies and what a blessing! Thank you dear ones!


Another picture taken by Crist... LOVE this! And I think this is the first of MANY trips to Chick-fil-A by this little chickie!


More pictures to come... and more about our baby girl. Oh, it feels good to be back!

Homecoming!

Hello from Northwest Arkansas!!!

Never, ever did I think it would feel so good to get back home... and what a homecoming it was! We had family waiting, a new nursery (!!) and our family of six was together, at home, for the first time since Adalynn was born. Wow, did it feel good.. Here's a journal of pictures:

Adalynn in her coming home outfit... fits her, fits this Mirakel of life!


Adalynn in the car on the way home! (3 hour drive)


Addy and her "bubbas"... first family picture!




Can I just say that I have the best friends ever?! This nursery was waiting on Adalynn when we came home from Little Rock. Extreme Nursery Makeover at its best! We/I was overwhelmed with this gesture... with this true example of servant-LOVE! Adalynn has the best digs in the house, that's for sure!

Valance and bedding all handmade! (by Sue Prude!)



Daddy and his "Chickie Monkey" or "Pumpkin" or "Munchkin"!


Adalynn in her brand new hat made lovingly by her Grandma Betty... Heritage Orange!


Addy and her Grandma


More pictures and thoughts to come... waiting anxiously on wireless to update more often. Thank you family and friends for welcoming this baby girl into your life as well as ours! We are overwhelmingly grateful and thankful for each and every thought and prayer!

Love to you... Karen

We're HOME!!!

The Olsens, family of 6, are together and home!!!

While they're working on getting wireless access at their house, Karen asked me to post this sweet picture of their miracle girl and covey to you all a few words. Karen says, "We are working on our new "normal". We're just so thankful for everyone and all the prayers." She is looking forward to posting pictures of their homecoming and Adalynn's nursery!

Welcome home, Karen & Adalynn, and Congratulations on your

family of 6 being together again!!!

Emotional Roller Coaster Highs and Lows

Well, we thought today was the day... unfortunately the doctors did another billirubin test and it revealed that Adalynn's count had gone up to 13.3. That's the highest it's been since we've been here! Needless to say, they had to put her back under the lights. That was super hard news to take today.

We woke up this morning with such anticipation. We had everything packed, Adalynn had passed her car seat test... we thought for sure that today was our last day at UAMS. And believe me, the nurses and doctors were hoping to send us home (can't you just imagine how tired they are of us!?). We had a meeting of the minds this afternoon trying to lay out all the options of getting her home, etc. The best case scenario is to keep her under the lights, lower her billy count and then we'd be released tomorrow. We MIGHT have been able to go home tonight, but we would have been out really late and we would have had to arrange for a Home Therapy Treatment to be set up for us upon our arrival. Tomorrow we could have such a good report from Adalynn's count that there might not even be a need for therapy treatment upon arrival home. But regardless, we will have to get Adalynn some follow up checks to make sure that her counts don't creep back up again.

When the doctor mentioned how dangerous it was for an infant, especially a premature baby, to have jaundice. He said that there could be brain damage. Of course, that got our attention. As much as we NEED to be home, we NEED to take care of this little girl too. I will say that I had such an emotional low, I spent my time just crying in the middle of Jason's Deli (normally one of my favs). I think how Adalynn could be in such a critical condition, but she's not... We really don't have much to worry about. But I had just talked with Dane and he was asking in his sweet, trying-not-to-be-emotional-voice when Adalynn was coming home. That just broke my heart. And Crist called earlier and asked if we could possibly pick him up from Swim Ranch on our way through--he's working there this week. We all are just ACHING to be back together as a family. It's been 6 weeks today since I rode down here in an ambulance. I think this has been the longest, most heart breaking, emotional and physically strapping trips I have ever been on... Ready for this emotional roller coaster to come back into it's starting gate.

Tom and I got a final chance to have a dinner out tonight (Italian Chicken Nachos and Tiramasu at Johnny Carinno's--oh yeah!). We spent the time just reflecting on this whole "ride." As hard as it was, we have learned SO much. It's like the analogy that Max Lucado talked about us being "On the Anvil." We are always on the anvil getting hit and shaped into a tool that can be used only by the Lord Himself. It hurts, but it's all for His good! This journey has had lots of highs and lows... but in our heart of hearts, we know that we are changed. That we have a new and different perspective on parenting that could only come from this--watching Adalynn come into this world. She changed us... God through Adalynn changed us forever.

And when I reflect on the very beginning, I remember God was completely directing my heart to our home... My "ministry" in these next years were to have a focus on our home--our children and the atmosphere within. He wasn't directing me to another ministry focus, he was preparing for my heart and home to make room for another child, another Olsen!

More that we have taken from our LR excursion:
... the Lord through Adalynn gave some precious time to Tom and I. Time for me to physically heal with him by my side every step of the way. I cannot tell you how much I love my husband, but the gratitude for this best friend will forever be altered by our time together here.
...that our whole family just yearns to be together again as a unit. We need each other...we function better together. We, I pray, never ever take that time for granted that we have together.
...that God places people in your lives for a reason. The nurses and staff here at UAMS have been god-sent-amazing. Yes, there is still good in this world! These people are truly angels among us.
...that grandparents are huge blessings... that they shoulder more of a family's burden than anyone will ever know. Grandparents are tangible expressions of God's holy hand in our children's (and our) lives.
...that God still does miracles today. (Luke 1:37) That if we would get outside our finite minds, we would see how active and strong He is in this fallen world. The Lord is faithful to complete his work within each and every one of us! He has not left us and will NEVER forsake us.
...that roller coaster rides are still exciting, full of highs and lows, but it's always nice to get through with the ride and get back to the starting point. (...just to get off and get on another one!)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

More pictures from yesterday and today. This was Adalynn when she was out of her isolette and in her crib. Aren't you just curious what is going thru her mind as she gazes up at her daddy? This should be a "crazy caption contest" picture!


More of Adalynn in her crib. This is when "sleep like a baby" is an accurate saying.


We took this today after finding out we were here for one more night. Adalynn is holding a bat that the Morgans brought from their trip to a Baltimore Oriole game. We think this photo should be titled, "Adalynn getting ready to bust this joint!"

One More Day?

We think Wednesday is the day!! The doctors and nurses seem very determined to get our family back together. And we are grateful...

The check list:
...Her billirubin level went down--she came out from under the lights. [check!]
...Adalynn has been eating 42 ml each feeding (veeerrrryyyy slowly, but she gets it done!). [check!]
...Her body temperature has been good because they wrap her up like a little papoose! [check!]
...And she is currently sitting in a car seat undergoing a "car seat test." The doctors have put her in there for 3 hours because that's how long our trip is back home. [almost a "check"!]

So we are hoping for another great night from Adalynn and we'll be discharged tomorrow! I can't tell you how much Tom and I pray for this to happen. We certainly want what is best for Adalynn...but we think Adalynn needs her "bubbas" and her brothers need her too! It will be six weeks tomorrow since we have all been together as a family at our home. Wow... I can't believe we made it.

More pictures of today:

Here is Adalynn when she first went down for the night. Notice how sprawled out she is under the lights.

This was funny... I woke up at around 2:30 and noticed Adalynn teetering on the edge of her little bed. She then plopped over on her back. She didn't seem to mind. I couldn't help but grab the camera. She is one wild sleeper!


I then put her back in the middle and she managed to push herself over to the side again. The night nurse said that she saw the porthole and was making her escape!


Here's Adalynn after the IVs are out, the lights gone and she has graduated to a crib (out of the incubator)! She's in real clothes!


Adalynn all snuggled up like a papoose to keep her body temperature regulated. Love this picture. She was looking at her daddy.


Daddy trying to mimic his little girl... or is it the other way around?


Aunt Cindy, Uncle Steve, Chelsea and Amberle stopped by on their way home from vacation. Their first time to see Adalynn! We then went out to a great lunch together at Terri Lynn's (restaurant recommended by Carie Whitham...it was her family's restaurant!). So yummy.


A picture of Adalynn in her crib. She is finally out of the incubator. Can't believe how far this little girl got in just one short week. We are so proud of you Adalynn! You are a true fighter!


It's unbelievable that this girl isn't even supposed to be born and yet her eyes are just so bright and her will is so strong. Truly I just gaze into the face of Adalynn and wonder what the Lord has in store for this miracle...for Adalynn Mirakel. She is a gift from Him and Him alone. I pray with all my heart that this mom doesn't get in the way of what He purposes to do in through Adalynn's life! Thank you, Lord, for letting be a part of this amazing journey.

A Feeder and a Grower

Another great day full of progress in Little Rock!

Last night, we were all (myself, Tom and the night nurse) up late just admiring little Adalynn. Tom just casually mentioned that he couldn't wait for that feeding tube to be off Adalynn's face... he said, "We haven't seen much of her since she's been born because of the tube and the bandage she has to wear for the billy lights." Well, apparently that is what the nurse wanted to hear! She started going on and on about the reason for the feeding tube was so that I could continue to nurse Adalynn while she continued to eat from another source--to avoid nipple confusion. We talked about it for awhile and we told her that we were more concerned about her getting the nourishment--we could work on breast feeding at home! So she said that she was going to do everything she could to get her eating from the bottle and get that feeding tube off by the morning! Adalynn has drained her bottles from that point on!

The doctor came by this morning and said the same thing... we want this little girl eating, growing and able to go home! In fact, we were talking about back-transporting Adalynn to a NICU in NWA and she said that I wouldn't be surprised if she does so well that we can discharge her to go home instead! UNREAL! Again, Adalynn is defying all the odds! This would obviously be our prayer... we'd love to have our new family of six together for the first time!

We just found out that she has gained her birth weight back... she's now 5'1" again! Wahoo! And she just ate a 42 ml bottle which translates to about 1 1/2 ounces (which she has for the last several bottles). That really is a lot of food for this little girl and she's so young! We are so proud of her...

So the checklist (and prayer requests) for Adalynn to go home is:

...Continue to eat on her own and maintain her weight

...Get off of the billy lights (get her billirubin level to stay low)

...Maintain her body temperature on her own--she has a heat controlled bed now. They plan to move her to a crib eventually.
...She has to sit in a car seat for a period of time and have her oxygen level checked.

More pictures from today:

This picture just cracks me up. This was one of the first times we saw her without anything on or attached to her face... look at this "little old lady" look! :)


Here is the first time that Tom has gotten to feed his little girl...


Don't know if you can see the "Popeye" expression on her face... she does that a lot!


Sleepy head. I just love this picture with sweet Adalynn and Tom feeding her. It gives you an idea how precious and little she is...


"I praise you because (Adalynn is) fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Freedom!!

Today... after 39 days in the hospital... on my rear end, eating from the same menu each day, staring out the window at construction, looking forward to work on the computer, mail, visitors and trips to the shower each day... I was discharged from the hospital!!! Never did I think that freedom felt so good! :) Tom and I cleaned out the room and then headed out of the hospital parking lot. I was in a car for the first time since May 20th. We picked up prescriptions and then ate at a real live restaurant! Can't tell you how wonderful that was...even though it's hot in Little Rock, I didn't care. We even went out again tonight to have a Toffee Coffee Twisted Frosty from Wendy's--wow! You come to appreciate the little things...

Meanwhile, we've moved into Adalynn's room. She has a nice big room with one bed, a bathroom and shower. I get to hang here tonight. And then there are sleep rooms down the hall for the dads. It really only has a bed and a lamp in it, but Tom doesn't plan to spend much time there. He wants to be with his girls! :)

To get caught up... Adalynn has been improving each day. She was on a breathing tube right away, but they steadily reduced the oxygen and took out the tube when she was just 24 hours old. She's breathing on her own no problem! She has had up and down billiruben levels (meaning she is somewhat jaundice). She was under the lights for awhile, had them off for awhile and is now back under them through the night tonight. Adalynn's weight went from 5'1'' (birth weight) to 4'13' to 4'11' and the latest reading was up to 4'15"! She's definitely getting some nutrition! And she is a fidgety one...I imagine she's burning those calories quickly too!

At this point, they are specifically working on her learning how to "suck, swallow and breathe." She's got the breathe part down, but is working on the others. I continue to pump so that she has breast milk...and we've been working on her learning to eat from me as well as a bottle. She is getting good, I tell you! Tonight we watched her suck a bottle almost dry! Tom and I felt like brand-new, first time parents again! The sooner she learns this, the sooner we take her home!

We also talked to the doctor today and he brought up the possibility of Adalynn back-transporting up to Northwest Arkansas (and to a NICU there)! Of course, we were THRILLED by this! He said there is a lot of merit of having the family unit all back together while Adalynn was continuing to grow and develop in a NICU. We wholeheartedly agree! UAMS and this NICU have been absolutely wonderful. The staff and the facilities here are amazing. We are thankful for everything they have done for us. And we've developed quite a relationship! But we are ready to be at home...with our family... healing isn't just physical in nature...we need emotional healing too!

In spite of the transport happening, we have heard conflicting reports as to how long Adalynn could be in the NICU. We've heard 2, 3 and even 5 weeks! I'm counting on this Noble Miracle to continue to defy all odds. She is one fighter!

Here are more pictures to document our days:

Adalynn was supposed to be lying vertically in this picture. You can see that she is quite the wiggle worm. She's just laid out everywhere. The big bandage on her foot is the IV site (which they change frequently), the wires to her chest is for her heart rate readings and the tape on her nose is holding the feeding tube.




Tom and I just can't get over how she's always so laid out... no fetal positioning with this kid!


When we came back from our Frosty time at Wendy's, Adalynn had her convertible top off the incubator! We got some close up pictures...


Another picture of Adalynn's hair. It's SO soft and she has quite a bit! Our friend, Buffy, was here and she said that this girl needed a bow already!


Adalynn drinking from her first bottle! She inhaled it!


Adalynn's first burping!


Thank you friends for the continued prayers and support! I'm healing more and more each day (certainly ready for the soreness to go away) and Adalynn, of course, is doing great!

Thank you Lord--Our Great Physician!