So many wonderful feelings!

by Jessica

Renee is doing better everyday! 4 lbs 4.2 oz. Moving to an open crib as we speak. She had a few apnea episodes, but still a lot fewer than normal! But isn't she beautiful!

Feelings of NERVOUSNESS

Renee will be coming home soon and I don't know if I have everything I need!!!!!!!! I think I do, but doing this for the first time is scary and exciting all at the same time! She is so fragile and hopefully she won't be coming home with a monitor! But if we do, I'll be wide awake and ready for anything, I hope!

Feelings of SADNESS

Grandma Jo and Nanny Leah will be leaving us this morning. Their stay was short, but they were here for such big steps. Makes me sad sometimes to think of how far away they are, but technology today is amazing and I know Grandma Jo will be getting a web cam here soon! Sadness also because I have to leave this beautiful little girl everyday. I know she is in good hands!

Feelings of JOY

I'M A MOM!!!!!

What else can I say!!!

God Works in Mysterious Ways!!!!!

by Cora

Mom always says that God works in mysterious ways. Either by the love of family, that is including animals, or just by people doing good deeds!!!!!! Mom and Dad have been through a lot in the past year, and Mom would say she has gotten through all of it because of everyone around her!!!!

First when Mom miscarried Drew, my little brother! Ironic enough, my Aunt Leah, Uncle Steve and Cousin Amanda were coming to visit for a week in October and God must have known that Mom would need some family at that time! They arrived a day before everything happened. Mom always says that it happened for a reason and that God knew that she needed her big sister in that time of grieving! It also brought them closer, making it an easy decision, when Mom and Dad were going to have their next baby, that Aunt Leah would become that God Mother, or Nanny here in Louisiana!

Next was when Mom found out she was pregnant again and that she would have to be on a long bed rest!!!! 6 months! Grandma Jo came down to help Mom and Dad out!!!!! 2 different times!!!! Thank God she is retired!!!!

During that time of bed rest and many hospital visits and stays, many friends came to help, and visit when Mom was bored and down in the dumps!!!!

Now, we have a little sister and she is still pretty sick, so she has to stay in the hospital!!!!! Grandma Sandra has been here to help Mom with her recovery and drive her around when she hasn't been able too.

Mom has been worried about a lot of things now with Renee being born 2 months early, if she will be able to afford to stay home with Renee for a few weeks when they release her from NICU, and God answered Mom's prayers again!!!! My Great Uncle and Aunt have been so generous and caring to help out and Mom has been in tears the past 2 days, because of their generosity.

She is overwhelmed and so so thankful for the love of family and friends!!! This letter is a big thank you to all of you who have been there for our family!!!! Mom and Dad are so appreciative and grateful, as am I and Jack to have you in our lives!!!!!! I wish I could BARK it from the roof tops, but Mom won't let me get up there and I don't really like to bark, so I'll just write it here!!!!!!

THANK YOU

Mom's homecoming!

by Cora

MOM IS HOME!!!!!!!

I can't believe it. She is finally home, and it seems like she is home for good, but it is kinds of different. She is getting around really slowly, and she seems to be getting out of the chair and actually doing some house work. She keeps telling me that we will soon be meeting our new sister, but I thought she had to keep still for another 2 months. Jack keeps saying Mom is getting skinnier, but she still has a belly. Looks like something should be in there. She won't let me sit with her right now though. Says she is sore and can't have anything by her belly.

I just wish she could tell me what is going on, but it is nice to have her home safe and sound, so I can keep an eye on her!

Happy Birthday Renee Arvilla (July 2nd)

by Jessica

Where to start........ Well I'll pick up where I left off from last week.

We were sent home on Sunday morning. Cora and Jack were so excited for me to be home, they couldn't contain themselves. I think Cora ran into the door of her room trying to get to me when I called her name. Poor baby, missed her Mommy. Well I was home for a few hours, and then started bleeding again! Can't catch a break. Third strike, or time going to the hospital, and I'm in for the long hall. Little did we know!

Everything was going well, I was stable with a few high blood pressures here and there, but nothing alarming until Wednesday evening. Amanda, Red, and Rhodes were coming over for a big dinner. Spaghetti and meatballs with lemon merague pie!!!!! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM So we were looking forward to a nice dinner with friends!

I took my showerat 3 and my blood pressure is a little high, since I've been up and about, but we took it again 30 min.s later and it was higher yet 177/96, then again 15 min.s later it was 197/107. SCARY! So they took action fast and put me on some magnesium sulfate and gave me a catheder. Not very comfortable, but before they put that in, I had to go to the bathroom and empty my bowls. Being so nervous, they emptied quickly.

Doctor came in and told us that we were going to have a baby tomorrow July 2nd!!!!!!! Here she is long anticipated and awaiting her arrival!!!!! Renee Arvilla Frederick born 9:30am, July 2nd, weighing 3 pounds 13 ounces and is 16 and 3/4 inches long!