Hannah's First Day of 2011 (major picture day): Day 26: (1/1/11)

The day started with Nathan and Valerie wanting their picture with Hannah Grace!

This is one of my favorite pictures!  It shows how much Hannah was loved by her siblings!

This is the start of the head pictures!  Valerie, Hannah, Nathan and Heidi

We added another!  Valerie, Cassie, Hannah, Nathan, Heidi!

Heidi and Cassie wanted their picture with Hannah laying on the ground too.  I love this picture too!  Shows more love!♥♥

Everyone wanted their picture taken with Hannah Grace!

Hannah in the doll car seat!

Hannah looks so little in this doll car seat!

Terri Lynn wanted a turn to hold Hannah in the car seat!  Terri Lynn was crying because she wanted to do it now! 

My girls!  Valerie Kay, Heidi Alice, Terri Lynn, Hannah Grace, Cassandra Marie

All my blessings!  Nathan, Valerie, Heidi, Martin, Hannah, Sam, Terri Lynn, and Cassandra

I'm so thankful we got this picture! 

My boys and Hannah Grace:  Nathan Richard, Samuel Roger, Martin Allen

Cassie snuggling with Hannah. Hannah is snuggled in the blanket Cassie made.

Our special visitors!  Marv, Kim, Nic, and Trevor

Nic holding Hannah. 

Trevor holding Hannah,  He was not sure he wanted to hold Hannah but she changed his mind and I'm sure he was glad he did!

More of Trevor and Hannah

Hannah looks good!  Rick not so good!  Usually Rick always takes great pictures and me not so good!  We we had a great laugh over this picture! 

Hannah's First Day of 2011 (major picture day)

Hannah made it to 2011! Praise the Lord!

Aunt Alice and her children left this morning to go home to Oregon.  I am so thankful they took the time out of their Christmas vacation to come meet Hannah Grace!  It truly meant so much to us!  We love you!  ♥♥

Hannah had many special pictures taken today!  Hannah's sisters had fun taking pictures of Hannah with her brothers and sisters!  I love all these pictures because they show how Hannah was treated in our family.  She was loved and treasured!  They all are so proud to have Hannah as their sister!

Terri Lynn really wanted to play baby with Hannah just like her sisters were doing!  She got upset when her turn was not coming soon enough!  I'm so thankful,  I allowed Terri Lynn to play with Hannah and make memories with her.  (under adult supervision!)

Hannah peed on Kim while she was holding her!  It was so funny.  Kim was ok about it!  Hannah had a really good day and evening!  We love you ,Hannah!

Thanks to Aunt Alice, Kaitie, Jessica, Roger, Annabelle, Marv, Kim, Trevor, Nic, Aunt Janet, Kurk, Brenda, Jack and Luke for your visit!  I'm so thankful that you did come see Hannah Grace,  That was a true blessing to us!

Colossians 3:14&15

¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

In Christ, Sandi Kwant (Hannah's mommy)

Heidi and Hannah ♥

One day we were going to pick up Cassie and Valerie from piano lessons; and Dad was taking us. But Hannah Grace started crying when we put her in her car seat. My dad did not want her to scream like that so the whole way there and back I got to hold her. She did not cry any more. And that is one of wonderful memories of me (Heidi) and Hannah Grace


                                                                             LOVE,
                                                                                        Heidi (Hannah's sister)

Cassie and Hannah Grace!!!!!

Hannah  in a doll car set. She looks like a doll. She fits better in the doll car seat than a real baby carseat.

This is me lifting Hannah in the doll car set. She looks so calm.

Another one of Hannah in the car set.Terri is holding Hannah with my help Terri Lynn really wanted to carry Hannah and play babies with Hannah play like she was Hannah's mom. She wanted to carry Hannah around in the car set like Hannah Grace was a doll. There was little straps in the car seat Terri buckled Hannah in some times.

With Love Cassie (Hannah's oldest Sister)

First Trip To the Store: Day 15 (12/21/10)

Hannah already to go to Walmart.  I love this picture as she looks so peaceful!

Rick, Terri Lynn and Hannah exercising together!

Terri Lynn just loving on Hannah,  She wanted to hold her hand.

Terri Lynn showing us she is holding Hannah's hand.  Hannah looks so good and so happy!

Hannah's First Trip to Walmart

Today was a very uneventful day.  She was real content, happy and relaxed.  She loves her family so much.  Hannah did go on a little outing today.  Sam had an appointment and Hannah went with.  It was fun showing her off at his appointment.  When we were done Sam, Hannah and I went to get a few things at Walmart. This was the first time Hannah as been in a store. She slept the whole time while I or Sam carried her. 

Later that evening when Rick was done exercising, he took Hannah and Terri Lynn to stretch next to him. It was so cute the see all three on the floor.  Rick loves his little girls!

Hannah has been doing so good on her feeds.  She doesn't really ever spit up unless we have just upped her feeds.  And that is only for a day.  She is thriving, happy, content, growing and loved. 

We love you so much Hannah Grace!

Thank you to Bobby and her children and Dana and her children for your visit.  I'm so thankful that you got to meet Hannah!

Proverbs 20:11

Even a child is known by his deeds,
      Whether what he does is pure and right.

Love you Hannah,  Sandi Kwant (Hannah's mommy)

We are Going Home!!!! Day 8 Part 2 (12/14/10)

Once Hannah passed her 2nd car seat test.  We put her in her going home outfit.  It was huge on her!

Nurse Sandra getting Hannah all tucked away into her car seat for going home!

Hannah all ready to go in the little red wagon! She rode in this red wagon all the way to our pick-up!

We are out of here!

Nurse Sandra pulling all our stuff

In the elevator

Sign the kids made for Hannah coming home!

As soon as we got home Hannah needed to be fed and I needed to pump.

At home with the family!  So much better here! I love this picture.  It shows so much love!

This picture too is another favorite.  So much love!  Hannah you were so much loved!  You had a huge fan club!



We Are On Our Way Home

Our going home checklist:

-clean out the sleep room

-car seat test passed

-pediatrician appointment set up in 2 days

-breast pump for at home

-feeding pump for Hannah

-take Hannah's pictures off the wall

-pack all our stuff so we are ready to go

-gather all the mementos the nurse gave us

-collect all my extra breast milk for home

-meet with the Walgreen's lady for Hannah's medical supplies for at home

-meet with the social worker to show us programs available for special needs kids

-take pictures

-clean out our stuff from the refrigerator in the NICU

-make phone call home to tell them we are coming home with Hannah!

-say thank you to the nurses

-gather some breast pump supplies and extra little bottles

-play with Hannah as we wait

-get supply of Enfacare for extra calories to be put in my breast milk

-get extra NG tube, tape for her face, syringe for checking NG tube

-get instructions from the doctors and nurses

-sign paperwork

-get doctors notes and paperwork about Hannah

-more will be added as I think of it

What the kids did to get ready for Hannah coming home

-clean house

-do laundry

-make welcome home sign

-get Hannah's changing table/crib ready

-organize her gifts

-dinner ready

-wait all day for Hannah

When our meeting with the Walgreen's lady was over the nurse, Sandra, got focused on helping us get home.  She helped us get all the stuff we needed to get and helped us remember to gather all the things we needed to gather up.  She even helped us gather memories of Hannah being in the NICU. She was really nice.  I changed Hannah into her going home outfit.  I was so excited this was really happening.  God is answering our prayers. I was prepared during pregnancy to the fact we may never get to take her home.  We were do pleased that Hannah was doing so well, We praised God and thanked Him daily.

Nurse Sandra got Hannah all belted properly in her car seat, while I got all our stuff on the rolling cart, while Rick got the pick-up closer to the front door of the hospital.  So when all 3 of us were ready we headed for the pickup!  The nurse walked us all the way to the pickup while Hannah was in the little red wagon.  When we got to the pickup I gathered up Hannah and got her buckled up, while Rick and the nurse got all our stuff into the back of the pickup. 

While we were driving home,  I kept checking to make sure Hannah was still breathing or making sure she was ok.  Rick said he felt like Hannah was his first child that we was bringing home from the hospital.  We were nervous but excited!

We got home around 6:30pm, and immediately we needed to eat dinner (because everyone was waiting for us the eat dinner with us) and Hannah also needed to be fed.  It was all new with this new feeding pump and all the eyes watching me.  I was a bit stressed and so was Rick.  While we all ate dinner, Hannah was being fed with the feeding pump.  She was sleeping so peacefully!  After dinner, I sat and pumped milk with the new breast pump.  Rick and my dad laughed at the sound of the new breast pump!  We enjoyed each other and the kids took turns holding and loving on Hannah.  I was so happy our whole family was under one roof! 

1 John 4:18&19

 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  We love Him, because He first loved us.

In Christ's love, Sandi Kwant (Hannah's mommy)

The Long Wait!! Day 8 Part 1 (12/14/10)

Rick and I spent along time waiting to go home, we were just enjoying our baby.

Rick talking to Hannah

Now I'm talking to Hannah and totally enjoying her.  In the background is her feeding pump.

Car seat test! 

Bundled up for her car seat test.  She had to be in the car seat for 1 hour without any alarms going off because she stopped breathing or her heart rate slows,

She passed the car seat test 2 times!

Hannah's weight: 4lbs 1oz

Hannah's nurse: Am:  CeCe, Pm: Sandra (only a couple hours)

 The Long Day Waiting!

The plan was to go home today!  Yeah!  We were so excited for the thought to go home. We were have trouble having patience! 

In the middle of the night,  Hannah's nurse decided to have Hannah try her car seat test.  She needed to pass the car seat test without setting off any alarms. This will show the doctors she can handle a car ride for at least an hour.  She had to sit in her car seat for a hour all hooked up to the breathing and heart monitors.  I the middle of the night I woke up to pump and hold Hannah only to find her in the middle of her car seat test and I could not pick her up.  I was sad but I was happy she was doing so good with her test. 

In the morning the nurse decided to see if the straps can tighten up more as she was looking at Hannah's car seat she noticed her car seat was expired! (I really had no idea that it could have been expired, it was the car seat thatTerri Lynn used a few years ago). She then told us that could not take Hannah home unless we got a current car seat.  We got worried!  The kids were not going to be coming up to see Hannah today because we were going home.  We thought of Rick's mom Gertie.  We called her right away to see if she could stop by a store and buy a car seat for sweet Hannah.  Thankful for Grandma today! 

So since we got a new car seat, we were told Hannah had to pass another car seat test in her new car seat.  So Rick and I sat together with Hannah in her new car seat watching her sleep waiting for the car seat test to be done so we could hold her.  (an hour can be so long sometimes).

We also had to wait really long for the Walgreen's lady to bring us Hannah's feeding pump for at home and show us how to use it.  We were struggling once again with patience. The lady finally showed up at around 4:00pm. Then what I thought would be a quick show us the pump ended up being at least an hour or so.  It was a long time!  Once she left our nurse got us all ready to go home.  I am finishing up this day on the next post see We are Going Home Day 8, part 2. 

James 1:2-4

 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

In Christ, Sandi Kwant (Hannah's mommy)