Of the Light

Today I was thinking about the fact that newborn babies seem to get their nights and days confused... They "sleep like a baby" all during the day, but then seem so anxious to wake up the household in the middle of the night!

We went on an overnight trip to St. Louis to have our lone vacation (well, aside from our time in Little Rock, but I don't consider that much of a vacation!) at the end of July. Tom had the idea of catching a Cardinal game and take in the zoo, or something like that. It was a lot of fun... I grew up going to Cards games and I think I would hit every game if we lived closer. The night after the game, Adalynn stayed up quite a bit. She was so bright-eyed--not fussy--but certainly not sleepy. We stayed up awhile with her and then Tom told me to go to sleep, he would try to feed her and see if he could get her settled. All the while, we were keeping the room dark and trying to be quiet so we didn't bother the boys. He ended up taking her over near the bathroom, flipped on the light and began to give her a bottle. She immediately relaxed and went limp...falling fast asleep. Tom came to the conclusion that she's much more comfortable, and sleeps better, when it's light! The hotel room was probably the darkest room she'd ever been in since she was born...

It all suddenly made sense! She spent the first days of her life in the bright hospital, then under the billy lights because of the jaundice and we keep a lamp on in her room through the night... of course she'd be more comfortable in the light! And I personally believe she came from being in the presence of the Lord where it (I would imagine) is SUPER DUPER bright and beautiful. She's our miracle of God--He hand delivered her to us!

And on that note, I have a friend that told me once that she feels that babies come to earth just filled with secrets of heaven. But they can't speak and tell us these treasures... and by the time they are able to talk their mind, they've forgotten. We spend the rest of our lives just searching to know all the mysteries of God... if only we could read the minds of babies! So to me, it gives more meaning to the little giggles, dimpled smiles, and whimpers Adalynn makes while she's sleeping. I think she's dreaming about God Himself... I think she's remembering Him in all His splendor and I just know that He's whispering loving things to her. Oh... if only we could have those ears to hear... No wonder Jesus said, "let the little children come to me." It's a reunion for them!

So back to my original thought--babies get their nights and days confused because they are more comfortable and relaxed when it's daytime. We were born to be in the light! All the more reason to pray for Adalynn to continue to be a light in this dark world!

[Here are some more pictures from the week Adalynn came home from the hospital]

Adalynn bundled up and sleeping in her crib, in the daylight of course.


One of my favorite pictures... Grandpa holding Adalynn and proud big brother, Dane, looking on...


The doting "Bubbas"


Adalynn finally with her eyes open!


"Sleeping like a baby"


... on the eve of returning to work after this long/short but wonderful journey to meet Adalynn... (I truly can't believe it's been 8 weeks!) I'm remembering how hard it is to be a working mom. My heart is certainly divided. I love my "work" at Fellowship, love my church family and love my ministry there... But my mom-longings are strong. I forgot how much a baby can steal every portion of your heart. I just ache to think I could miss a smile, a cuddle or any milestone. Adalynn has just rocked my world.

I'm just SO thankful that she will be lovingly cared for by her memaw and grandma while I'm at work. Adalynn is so fortunate to have such wonderful women and amazing legacies in her life. What a blessing that she gets this window of time with them! I know there is purpose in that...

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