Ethan Lane Schreiner ~July 9, 2009

This has been the hardest few days of my life. My heart hurts more than I thought it ever could. We checked into Labor and Delivery on Thursday July 9. We walked in the door and there was one of the elders from our church to pray with us before we began the most difficult day of our lives. We had another sonogram just to make sure the results from the day before were the same. They were. So, I got an IV, an epidural and the process began. My doctor and nurses were wonderful. It took all day and I was given lots of medications, some to sleep and some to help the process along. At around 7:40 our son entered this world. He was tiny, just about 8 ounces. The nurses let us hold his tiny body wrapped in a blanket. They pointed out his tiny feet and how cute they were. One nurse held my hand the whole time. Our doctor showed Tim some of his findings, that will be confirmed after all the testing comes back. Then he got to work on me. I lost a lot of blood! We were moved to a room around 11:30 that night. I was able to come home Friday afternoon. Physically I am weak, but feel fine. No pain, except for being sore after the epidural.
Last night Tim and I gave our little boy a name. Ethan Lane. There's not a meaning to it, just something we liked. We had already picked out a name if it was a girl. I thought the whole time it was girl. So much for a mother's instinct!
We are so thankful for the thoughts and prayers of everyone around us. Even from people we don't know. We know this road will be difficult. I know that I will have some good days and some bad days. I also know that with God all things are possible and He will give us peace and strength to face each new day and the challenges that it brings. Please continue to pray for our family as we try to resume our "normal" daily activities.

Sad news...

We went in for our sonogram today and found that our baby had no heart beat. I don't know what to think or to feel. We will know more in the next week or so. We go tomorrow to deliver the baby which will then be sent to pathology to further investigate the cause and genetics.
Please pray for our family.

Naptime mischief

Here is what I found Glade and Addison up to after their nap today. They were practicing all the things they had learned from Ms. Brenda and swim lessons today! Guess I shouldn't forget to lock the bathroom door from now on!

Tractor rides with Pappy

Tricycle fun

Glade and Addison did so good on the tricycle at my parents house that we decided it was time they had one at home. Addison has only crashed a few times. The new ones aren't as sturdy as the ones from 30 years ago...like my parents have! They love to ride them. They ride them around our table in the dining room when it is too hot to be outside!

Visit with our cousin

Tim's cousin Katie stopped in from Kansas last week on her way to Houston to visit her dad. The kids had a good time playing with their cousin Baron. Here are some pictures of the fun. We got one of the toddler seats for the table out so Baron could sit at the table with us for dinner. After they left, Glade and Addison both wanted to sit in Baron's seat!

It's been too long...

So I when I started this post I had lots of pictures that I wanted to put on here to catch up since it's been so long. BUT...I am at my parents house and well, it's taking way too long to upload the pictures. Another reason why I love FIOS internet! So, I will do my best to get pictures for you before I come home on Monday because at this rate, it's going to take that long!

Here is a recap of what's been going on with us lately...

Splash Day at Preschool
Glade washing the cars. I tried to rotate, but again...Mom's computer is not like mine!

Addison at the water table

Glade running with a sponge

Addison in the sprinkler

School is out for the summer. I am so glad to have a break and not have to be anywhere before 9. I am still pretty tired and my blood pressure is giving me fits. I have had high blood pressure since right after the twins were born, and now it won't get below the standard 120/80. Part of the problem is I am super worried about it and the possibility of bedrest and how that will affect our family...mainly what will I do with Glade and Addison? I am trying to rest as much as possible and I am eating as little sodium as possible. I go to the dr. on Wednesday so hopefully he can ease my worries a little!
The kids and I came to my parents house last Wednesday. The kids have been having a lot of fun. They have been riding the tricycle, fed Sambo the dog, went swimming in our pool, dug potatoes and picked apples from the garden, and been a tractor ride with Pappy. The first two nights Addison slept with me. She was coughing a lot and would wake up really upset and that made her cough more. Last night she slept all night in her bed. You would think I would have slept good, but no, I kept waking up thinking she was going to wake up! That and heart burn...ugh, I eat tums like candy!

Tractor Fun! Glade had been asking everyday about Pappy's tractor. Finally he got to ride, and I can't find the picture. I have it on video, but thanks to Mom's computer, I can't upload it! I'll save it for when we get home.

Swimming! Watch the progression of the next few pictures...Glade jumping in...
Addison jumping in!
Glade catching the fish, again, I rotated it, but it didn't work.