13. July 2008 by Julie.

Well we survived the weekend.  It gets harder and harder to leave him.  He is so cute and all the nurses just love him.  Today the 2 nurses were fighting over him.  I’m sore abd its hard to walk to and from rhe parking lot to the NICU.  But he’s worth it.  He’s starting to get better at his feeds.  We have a good couple of feeds and then a not so good feed.  I’m trying pump every 2 hrs so I can keep up with his schedule.  He’s every 4 hrs.  Tomorrow (Monday) he’s upgrading to what the nurses call his “big boy” bed.  He’ll be out of his isolette. Or incubator.  One goal out of the way!!!  We’ve been going to the hospital 2x a day.  One for his morning feeds and one for his dinner feeds.  I wish I could be there all day but its hard with Thomas.  We have to balance it all again.  I don’t want Thomas to feel less important now that a new baby is here.  Anyhoot, thanks for your messges, thanks for the flowers, thanks for the visits in the hospital.  We’ll update as morenews comes in.  And some of you requested our address…just email me and I’ll send it to you.  Thanks again….

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12. July 2008 by Julie.

Well I;m home now.  Feels weird without lil Ryan, though.  He’s absolutely adorable.  Both jessie and Thomas were born bald and Ryan has all this silky black hair.  But he has to be left at the hospital for another week or two. We went back for his feeding this morning and will go back tonight for his 6:00 feeding.  They have certain times that they feed at.  We miss him but in one way after Jessica, it doesn’t phase us. Hopefully we’ll get out of it soon.  They say be patient but those ran out a long time ago.  I just want normalcy.  I never expected to go so early.  Had Braxton Hicks for a few months but then had contractions on Monday that never really went away. I thought I was 10-12 min apart but they were really 2-4 min apart.  So I was told to go over to the hopsital.  I had a c-section which I would do again in a heartbeat over a vaginal birth.  I have so much trouble with them recovering that a c-section isn’t all that bad.  I’m very sore but I’m trying to not take my pain meds.  They are pretty potent and I was on them for 5 days.  Ibuprofen is just going ot have to work for now . I’m giving breastfeeding a try but I have always struggled with it.  I just want to get to my die date at least.  It’ll be good for him.  The nurses have so nice and they all get a kick out of Ryan.  He’s already a social bug.  If someone is talking and he’s up, Ryan looks around to see who it is. Just like his brother.  We laugh when it happens.  Well, thanks for all your comments.  I know Jessie is looking down on us.  I;ve asked her to keep on Ryan and to help make him stronger so we can take him home.  I’m ready for all the chaos.  I hope everyone enjoys their weekend.  Again, thanks for all the encouragement.

Posted in Julie's Status | 8 Comments »

11. July 2008 by Julie.

Well, things are improving slowly with little Ryan.   His heart rate and breathing are stable and he is maintaining his temperature for long periods of time.   The removed his IV but he still has his feeding tube in place.  He is slowly eating more by mouth, but struggles sometimes to do everything at once (breath, suck, swollow, etc).   Things we all take for granted but I guess little ones need to learn.   Julie returns home today without Ryan, that will be quite strange.. but it should only be for a week or so.  We will manage.   Here’s another picture of Thomas holding Ryan..  enjoy

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8. July 2008 by Tom.

Much to our surprise, Julie went into labor yesterday afternoon and delivered a healthy baby boy at 8:01pm.  Ryan Thomas Tucker weighed in at 6lbs 11oz and was 19inches long.  He was 6weeks early, but so far is in good health.   He will spend some time in the NICU until they are sure everything is ok.   Mom is doing well and recovering from a C-Section, so she is in some pain but in great spirits.  Thomas is also very happy to be a big brother and said “this is the best birthday present I could ever get….”   He is 10 today, so their birthday’s will be a day apart.  

Julie should be able to come home on Friday, but Ryan may need to stay a bit longer.

Posted in Message from Tom | 40 Comments »

24. June 2008 by Julie.

Hello all.  My doctor appointment went well.  He wants me to go for non-stress tests every week to make sure the baby is still doing okay.  I think he’s puting my mind at ease also. I’m 33 wks already, so time is coming near.  I finally went out and bought onesies and a diapers but that’s about it.  I’m just busy trying to get all our projects finished up so we have no more sanding to do or painting.  Almost there.  My bought me my bassinet/pack-n-play.  She said the baby needed a place to sleep when it came home.  I guess she’s right. (haha)  I don’t know why I’m so un motivated. I feel like I have so much time when I actually am running out of time.  I guess its true by the time its your 3rd or 4th kid you get laxed. Oh well, I look at life so much different now,  just go with the flow.  Remember back in the day when I said I would have “closet time”?  Then it moved to “shower time”?  Well, I have been having a lot of them lately.  I’ll be washing my hair, thinking of something with the neighbors and then boom…..a flashback of Jessica pops in my head. And its always the grim things.  Maybe that’s why I feel that I am having a boy. Maybe Jessie watching out for me so I won’t be comparing or looking into a girl’s eyes and seeing Jess.  I wish I could just cuddle with her. I miss her so much. And yes it has gotten better over time but it still feels almost like yesterday that she was here.  Anyhoot, thanks for checking in.  Tom is going to try to update this page .  I think he’s sick of hearing me complain.  New people who say they have stumbled across this have no idea of Jessie’s journey.  So he’s going to try to put a history part on here plus a photot area.  Well, have a great week and enjoy your weekend. Please say some prayers for so many children out there battling to get better. Hold the ones who have lost close to your hearts.  Especially Jessie and Anna.  Signing off….

Posted in Julie's Status | 19 Comments »

18. June 2008 by Julie.

Hello, finally our last day was yesterday!!  It was the longest year ever!  Although it was a good year, just long.  So now I have to try to keep Thomas busy so he doesn’t sit around playing video games.  I did sign him up 3 mornings a week for the Jr swim team and a day camp for a week in July that a few of his friends are in, so that should be fun for him.  Plus baseball is still in action and before you know it in the beginning of Aug starts football.  Hopefully the weeks will go by and this baby will be born!!  My dad came in for a few days to visit.  Helped us with some projects.  No, I haven’t started on Jessie’s room.  I need to start getting a few items for the baby, like something to bring it home in. And a car seat would be a necessity also. I’m still feeling okay but I’m having a lot of braxton Hicks and pressure on my stitch.  I know I need to start taking it easy now.  I have been reaal uncomfortable the last few days.  I think this baby is coming early.  Well, I just wanted to say hello.  I ahve a doctors appointment on Thursday.  If he says anything new, I’ll post a message.  Thanks for checking in.  Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.  I know I will be.  We are trying to add some pics to this page also.  Not sure if we are able to but will try.

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9. June 2008 by Julie.

Hi guys,

What a long weekend.  We had a lot of baseball and spent most of it in the parking lot waiting for the lightning or rain to subside.  But when we did get to play Thomas did so well.  He plays 1 st base and sometimes right field.  I love to watch him. Everytime he does well he looks over at Tom and I and gives us the “thumbs up”.   Wanted to do some yard work but didn’t have the time or energy.  I’m so far behind when it comes to my flowers and mulch this year.  Of course, the weather hasn’t been on our side either. 

Well, I’m still feeling good but I’ve been having a  lot of Braxton Hicks. Doc says its normal and everything checks out fine but they have been pretty strong and I’ve never had them before.  I’m 31 wks now so I’m on my way soon. Thomas can’t wait.  He says its going to be the best birthday present ever.  His birthday is a few weeks before the baby is due.  But both kids will be born in July.  This week my dad is coming in from Orlando for a week.  So I’m doing some major cleaning in my guest bedroom since there are maternity clothes scattered through out.  Plus I think its time to do the job of cleaning out Jessie’s room.  I’ve asked Tom to help me because I get anxiety just thinking about it.  Its not so much her actual room as its all the “post” Minnesota clothes and her bedding and pillow that upsets me.  Even as much as her socks and pajamas in her drawers.  I still have a small pile of T-shirts that she wore the last few weeks that I could never wash or put away.  The “smell”.  I wish Che could be here to help me. I wish Jessie could be back laying in her bed again.  That’s why I’m so worried when the doctor tells us what sex the baby is and I’ll be disappointed if its not a girl.  I know that sounds bad but I’m mixed.  Of course I don’t care as long as its healthy but in one way I just want my girl.  I’ve lost two, so why can’t I just have one more?  Sometimes I think maybe its better if I did have a boy.  That way I won’t compare the baby to Jessie or who knows.  I ask Jessie to give me whatever she thinks would help me.  I leave it up to her.  She knows what’s best.  I do believe she has her hands in this all.  Well, thank you for checking in.  Its nice to have you all back again.  June 17th is our last day at school.  Can’t wait.  Then we have so much to do for this baby.  Hope you all have a great week.  Say some prayers for our sick kids and keep Jessie in your hearts.

Posted in Julie's Status | 11 Comments »

3. June 2008 by Julie.

Hello all.  Well the nicer weather has finally arrived.  Let’s hope it stays now.  Things are still hectic around here. I’m feeling okay.  Just very uncomfortable.  Its my stretching skin that kills me. Plus the further I’m along I’m feeling my cerclage more.  It grosses me out. But I think we’ve decided to take the baby during the last week in July.  I’ll be 38 wks. I’m not sure if you remember but my donor is also pregnant.  Infact, she’s 4 weeks behind me.  She’s doing real well too.  What a neat experience. Especially if we both have the same sex baby.  We call and complain about the same things or discuss all our food cravings.  Its fun.  So a few of my friends mentioned a baby shower for me since I don’t have anything except baby spoons and blankets.  So I went to register at Babys R Us and wow!!,  Didn’t realize all the new, neat, and fun gadgets there are for babys.  It was so fun.  I did however, feel like the oldest mom registering. But oh well.  As long as I can have a healthy baby to use all these things with, I don’t care.  Well, I know a few of you have been concerned with Che because of her website being down but I did talk to her yesterday and everything is going just fine.  I forgot to ask her about the website but she just graduated over the weekend.  She’s done with school now.  Congrats to her!!  Anna’s birthday is coming up soon.  June 24th she would have been 4.  So I know she is getting bugged by that.  But she did say that she is coming out her when I have the baby.  I’m so excited for that. We need our yearly visit.   Well we have 11 more days of school.  Not short enough but looking forward to getting OUT!  I trying to return to work next yera.  I know some people say I’m crazy but its Thomas’s last year in elementary and I thought I  would work one more year before he goes off to middle school.  Besides, I’m only there from 8-2:30.  Not very long.  And  by the time we are out for summer next year the baby will only be 10 months. That will be perfect to stay home then.  But who knows I need to find a sitter first.  So that is what’s happening here at the Tucker household.  Thanks for checking in.  I still love to read all your messages.  Take care and have a great night.

Posted in Julie's Status | 10 Comments »

26. May 2008 by Julie.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.  At least the weather wasn’t too bad.  I know we were very active.  We had baseball of course, a wedding, and a lot of odd ends to take care of.  The last few days I haven’t been feeling that well.  I am extremely uncomfortable. I’m feeling a lot of pressure on my stitch and my groin area.  Like I would be worried if the stitch wasn’t there, would this baby come now?  So I have been trying to take it easy but the minute I stand that’s when it hurts the most.  So we’ll see what happens.  The baby loves to move around.  My stomach is all over the place.  A good sign, though.  Thanks for all your messages, though.  My email updates me with them which is cool since I get lost on this site.  We’ll get it back to the old looking one soon, I promise.  Tom has the week off which will be nice.  He has a whole list of things to get done.  And then he can help take Thomas to baseball.  Some nights, I just need to lay flat not sit in the car for 2 1/2 hrs. But I do enjoy watching lil guy practice.  He’s been working so hard. Its neat to see the changes of improvement.  He has really grown in such a short time with baseball this year.  Well another week of school.  I think  I’m done soon.  June 17th seems so far away.  I never want a snow day again.  Its not worth it.  In one way its been nice that the weather hasn’t been so hot yet.  School would be miserable and the kids would be bouncing off the walls.  Well thanks so much for checking in…I hope you all have another good week.  Take care and remember to keep those who not with us, in your hearts.  We love you Jessie!!

Posted in Julie's Status | 10 Comments »

19. May 2008 by Julie.

Okay guys we are back and up and running.  I know that this is very generic and it bugs me too without alll the pretty background colors and butterflies but I needed something and Tom is way too busy to set something up that fancy.  So this will have to do until later.  It will take a while to get used to. So This week, I am 28 weeks and feeling good.  I’m alsmost to the “safe” zone. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far.  Its good being that it was my last attempt.  Things are getting pretty hectic around here.  Everyday there is something to do after school. We have baseball 3-4 times a week plus a game or two or three.  I try to fit in my girl time with my friends once a week and then just odd things going on.  Our basement is 90% done.  We are in the process of painting it.  All we need then is carpet.  It looks great and I’m so ezxcited to send the boys down there this winter when they get on my nerves with the video games or the football games.  It was the best investment ever!!   We have so many projects going on also its making me crazy.  Our next projext is to open up the pool.  It would be more tempting if the weather was a lot nicer.  We are truly having a “spring” which its been so long since we have had one we have forgotten what its actually like to have the fourth season.   Before you know it July and August will be here and this baby will have arrived.  My mom keeps asking me if I have this or that yet and I haven’t done anything for this poor child.  I still haven’t decided where I’m going to put this baby.  I mean which bedroom.  I haven’t picked out onesies yet or bottles, etc….  A couple of friends have mentioned giving me a shower since I don’t have anything because we never had to use it with Jessie.  But I don’t want anything before worried about jinxing something.  Plus, we don’t know the sex of the baby and I’m not into yellow or green. (haha)  So, one of these days, I guess I need to go through Jessica’s closet and room.  Something I dread of course. I just need motivation.  Well, I’m glad to have my chat buddies back again. Its been a little weird not posting my status’s.  I can’t wait to hear from you all.  I hope you have a good week and I’ll be back this week.  Signing off……

Posted in Julie's Status | 23 Comments »