Kelson Ray Kuipers

As most of you know, Krista and I were expecting the arrival of a son around June 28. Little did we know, God had different plans. Last weekend, Krista had noticed the little "kick boxer" wasn't moving as much as he had been the past several weeks. Although the doctor wasn't too concerned, she advised Krista to have a "non-stress test" to measure the baby's activity, and put our worrying minds at ease. On Wednesday April 25, we went to the OB department at Gibson City Area Hospital (GAH) for the test. The baby's heartbeat was strong, but activity was not. This was followed by an ultrasound. As the tech was finishing the test, our doctor, Dr. Austman had arrived. I knew immediately by the look on her face that she was concerned. We were told that the baby had fluid on his lungs, and we could potentially need a c-section soon, even though the baby was only 31 weeks. The started Krista on an IV, and started administering steroids for the baby's lungs. The remainder of the day is kinda a blur. The nurses began moving much more rapidly. I called Kristas parents, and my parents, so that everyone could be on standby. We were then notified that the neo-natal team from Carle was being flown in, and Krista was being prepped for surgerry. I was able to scrub in, to be by Kritas side during the surgery. I had just enough time to call our pastor, Liz, and send our parents a frantic text message. The moment the Carle team was in place, the GAH team began the c-section. The baby was delivered, and taken next door where the Carle team began working on him. I was able to meet my son, Kelson Ray, and squeeze his hand. He was very purple, and incredibly swollen. There were people everywhere so I sat in a chair just within view, but out of the way. Things got pretty scary, so I was able to have Pastor Liz come sit with me and pray. I needed someone strong to help me stay calm. The main flight nurse was acting frustrated, so she made a phone call to get another opinion. I heard her say "ok, I'll try" and hung up the phone. Whatever advice she was given on the phone apparently worked. She had been able to release some fluid off of Kelsons lungs, and his heart rate started to rise....hope. I went back to give Krista an update. It still amazes me how strong she was throughout this entire process. After all she had just went through, she had yet to shed a tear and just kept smiling that beautiful smile. The got Krista cleaned up, and wheeled her to recovery. The plan was to pack Kelson up in the portable incubator, and roll him down for Krista to see. However, after putting him in the incubator, his stats started to drop and he was back on the table getting chest compressions. They sent a wheelchair, along with three strong male paramedics, down the hallway to get Krista, since she was still numbed from the surgery. Krista was able to meet Kelson, just before they packed him up the second time into the incubator. Kelson was then taken to the helicopter and airlifted to Carle. I am amazed at how well the medical staff from both hospitals worked so calmly and efficiently. The cooperation, consideration, and compassion from everyone involved was truly inspiring. I will be forever telling the doctors and nurses "Thank You". I was able to get dressed, and spend a few minutes with Krista, before leaving to go be with Kelson. I hated to leave her, but her parents, brother, and "sister" Ria were there to take care of her. I needed to be with our son. Pastor Liz was able to drive me to champaign, which was a great help. Once I arrived at Carle, I was met by our dear friend Amy Rademaker. Amy was able to guide me to the NICU. My parents, and another great friend Marla were waiting there. I was able to go back to the restricted area, and taken to a room to meet with the Doctor. The doctor said a lot, but I really only heard two things...he is stable, but critical. That was all I needed to hear. Kelson was alive so there was still hope. I was able to go back and see him, hold his hand, and let him know I was there. They had to do some major work, so I then had to go back to the waiting room. I suddenly realized I had not even had anything to drink since about 10:30 am. It was almost 5 pm, the previous 6+ hours had seemed like an hour at most. I drank some water, and was brought a bowl of soup. About an hour later, my parents, and I went back to see Kelson. The nurse explained everything that they had done. He was still very swollen, but when I compared it to the picture I took at GAH, it was obvious he had made huge progress. Kristas Mom, Dad, and Brother came, and I was able to take her parents back to meet their grandson. After spending some more time in the waiting room, it was decided that my mom would stay with me at Carle, and Kristas mom would go back to GAH to spend the night with her. Kristas Aunt Kathi and Uncle Kenneth came and were able to go get me some food to have overnight. I didn't really sleep, but was able to get a little rest overnight. Today, thursday, has been long, but good. We learned that Kelson has a syndrome known as HYDROPS, which means he has excessive fluid and swelling all throughout his body. The cause of this is still unknown. He remains steady, which is a good sign. Krista was released from GAH at about 2PM. It was rough on her to see Kelson, but she is staying strong. We were able to have Pastor Liz do a baptism, and pray for God to continue to give Kelson the strength to fight. The staff here at Carle has been amazing as well. We are getting to stay in a private room within about 20 steps of Kelsons bed. Krista has been asleep for about an hour, and I am going to join her soon. I know this has been a long rambling, but I wanted to answer everyone's questions. Kelson is critical, and just needs to rest and gain as much strength as possible. I will continue to provide everyone with updates on here as we get them. Feel free to call or text...but most importantly, Pray. Thank you to all for the support!

20 weeks....almost

We're halfway there! Halfway to meeting baby #2 that is! The word has been out for a few months now but since we know what to expect this time around we haven't had as much to share. We had an ultrasound right before Christmas because the little booger wouldn't cooperate for us to hear a heartbeat. We did get to see the heartbeat though and Claire got to see the picture on the computer screen. She wanted to hold the baby! I was back to the doctor a couple of weeks ago and there was a nice strong heartbeat so no worries!

I'm finally feeling pretty good. I'm not nearly as tired as I was until about 18 weeks. I'm starting to feel some movement and have had more discomfort in my stomach this go around. The doctor chalks it up to this being my second pregnancy and carrying around a 2 year old doesn't help.

Claire is very excited to be a big sister. She calls this baby "Shout" after a character on one of her favorite tv shows and we've run with it. She's convinced it's a boy and I'm pretty sure she's going to be ticked if it's a girl and if we don't name it shout. She thinks she can touch the baby if she puts her finger in my belly button and likes to give my belly kisses, especially if she bumps in to it. Every morning I tell her to be a good girl and she responds with "be a good mommy. be a good shout"

I go back to the doctor in a couple of weeks and on March 12th we head back for another ultrasound. Hopefully he/she will be cooperative and we can find out if he/she is a he or a she!

Pre-School Screening

Today was a big day for Claire. She got to go to "Practice School". Most normal people call it pre-school screening but Claire was so excited to go to school that I had to explain to her that it was just for 1 hour and not every day. Plus, we didn't go to a school, we went to a church.

Claire was scheduled at the same time as her friend Alex which worked out nicely since Alex's little brother had a "screening" of his own. Everything was play based and there were about 5 ladies sitting around watching them play and taking notes. There was one girl that played with the kids and encouraged them to try out the different activities.

Some of the activities included identifying animals, colors, shapes and food. She did a good job hopping through the rings, kicking a ball, pedaling the bike and throwing the ball. She struggled a bit with the scissors but we don't let her have scissors so that didn't surprise me. She also did a good job interacting with the other kids, being polite, following directions and asking questions back to the teacher.

Needless to say, Trever and I were both very proud of how well she did. But, we're a little bummed that she most likely won't get in to the public school program. There is a private nursery school in the area that is an option for us and Claire and I might go check it out at the end of the month.

Piglets, Goats & Birthdays...OH MY!

On January 20th we packed up and headed to Ohio to celebrate some very special birthdays. Friday night we headed out with Aunt Kyla to do some evening chores. Claire was very excited to hold a baby pig!

She really enjoyed the goats too, but we definately don't need any of those at our house.

She and Maddi are best buds! Until one of them has something the other one wants.

The real reason we went out was for Mr. Kempton's 1st birthday! His mommy really went above and beyond with the birthday cake!

And Kempton REALLY got in to his cake! It tasted awesome so I don't blame him at all!

After getting hosed off he got to try out his new toy! Isn't he too stinkin' cute!?!

A snowy weekend

A few weeks ago, in early January, we finally had some snow. Claire couldn't have been more excited to play in it! Luckily, Saturday morning the weather was beautiful and it wasn't so cold we didn't want to play with her.

There are lots of pictures on facebook if you want to see more!

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011 is now in the books. It has taken me all day to get the pictures up on the blog but for those of you who don't have facebook (if there are any of you out there) here is the run down on our festivities.

Friday afternoon we met up with the Ficklin family at Shagbark golf course in Onarga. We always have a great time with this group. Everyone brings a ~$10 gift and we spend a couple of hours fighting over things like hams, wine, and a telescope. We brought home a blanket and a twelve piece cutting kit (knives, scissors, box cutters, etc). Claire got some kind of text messaging game that keeps her entertained for hours!

Claire bellied up to the bar (because there were cartoons on the tv). Will thought it would be fun to let her try out a fake ID for the first time!

Saturday morning this is how I found Claire sleeping. She slept until about 9 a..m. that day! Her cousins must have tuckered her out the night before!

On Christmas Eve we headed to LeRoy to see the Builta clan. We usually have steak for lunch and mom was trying a new asparagus recipe. Kirk claims he cooks all the time, but I snapped this picture because it's the first time I've ever seen him do anything remotely close to cooking.

After lunch it was time to tear in to the presents, but not before a picture of our baby girl next to the tree!

Claire got a new Minnie Mouse blanket that Grandma made. She loves it and is actually taking a nap under it right now!

Uncle Kirk is ready to throw a party. He got LOTS of booze to stock is liquor cabinet. And a recipe book so he can make some fancy cocktails.

Uncle Kirk also spoiled Claire. He got her some new Minnie Mouse slippers.

And she got a new car seat for her bitty baby from grandma and grandpa.

And then she unwrapped her musical instruments from Uncle Kirk. She's really enjoyed playing them and even snuck her harmonica to Mary's house one day this week.

After naps we headed to grandma great's house for soup and more presents. We did another gift exchange but this group isn't nearly as big or as risque as the Ficklins so there wasn't much stealing. We came home with a 3 pan roaster and some Fannie Mae and Root Deer. Claire decided that Kara was pretty fun to hang out with too!

Christmas morning started pretty early. Not because Claire was anxious to see what Santa brought, but because we had a lot to get done before 9 a.m. church service and a day with the Kuipers.

Santa brought Claire and new ball and bat...

A broom and a dustpan so she can fly like a witch.

And a vet kit so she can take care of her puppies and kitties and mommy and baby shout.

After church we headed to Gammy & papa's house for breakfast and more presents. Kempton is SO CLOSE to walking. He really likes to dance with Santa too!

Claire and Kempton starting to unwrap mommy's presents!

Claire loves her big cousin Caisey!

and her Simba stuffed animal from Gammy & Papa Kuip.

Kempton was happy with a box and some hangers.

Just when we thought we were all done with presents, out come some pink pedal tractors for the little girls!

Then it was time to attempt naps in the new sleeping bags. The eventually did both fall asleep but neither one of them was in their sleeping bag.

Before we left, the kids had to all pose in the super girl and spider man jammies! This went over much better than the attempted homemade jammies last year!

December

I know...I know...it's been a while. But guess what. Life has slowed down. The camera barely comes out of the closet these days but I'm sure we'll make up for that come Christmas.

A few weeks ago we put the Christmas tree up. Congo enjoys playin around the base of the tree and picking off the ornaments. While Congo was curled up under the tree, I tried to get a picture of Claire with him.


And this, like most of Claire's good intentions with the cat, is how it ended. Congo loves her "favorite kitty" but Congo doesn't always love to be carried around by his legs or tail.