Hampton: Home Sweet Home

I am more than thrilled to announce Hampton has been home for a more than a week now and is doing really good healthwise. We are all settling into our new routine with sweet Hampton. It's been a while since we've had a little one at home so we are getting used to lots of sleepless nights, but after our second stay in the NICU as a family (this one, a lot shorter than the boys thank goodness)... we will take sleepless nights any day for a healthy little bundle of love!!!! Last Friday, Dr. Riley decided Hampton's lungs were doing much better so he had us room in on Friday night at the hospital... getting Hampton used to nursing with me all the time... and on Saturday, we were overjoyed to bring her back home to Tyler!!! If you don't see the family out and about for a while, it is because the doctors want us to again guard our little ones lungs because of the issues she had at birth and the boys too! This H1N1 flu is something we don't want to mess around with! It's a small sacrifice for a lifetime of fun to be had in the near future. It's also nice to have this time with the family to bond.

It was wonderful to see the boys meet their sister for the first time last Saturday. To my amazement, they were not jealous of her, but very intrigued by her arrival. I think they finally understood that was the baby in mommy's tummy the past 9 months. Thank heavens for my mother staying home this past week with me. It is going to be a lot of work when she goes back to work... but I am ready for this wonderful challenge.

These past couple of weeks with the unexpected health scare for Hampton has once again really been a test of our faith... to believe that the Lord was going to heal her the same way he did the boys, but I am so glad I have that blind faith... because Hampton is an amazing GIFT! She is a sweet little girl. She loves to eat, she's been struggling with baby gas, but she's a tough cookie as she proved to us the past 2 weeks!

I have spent a lot of time cuddling with her and watching her sleep. It just doesn't get much better than this. I have 2 little miracle twins who love to have fun, a sweet daughter to comfort and cuddle, and an amazing husband to help me and love us all along the way. He continues to be my strength when I can't muster it and my positive voice when I am worried about what other challenges we could face. This is the best life! I wouldn't change a thing because I appreciate all that I have EVEN MORE! And I appreciate all of you... our friends who pray for us anytime we ask. Now, that is another blessing the Hughey family never takes for granted. May everyone know the power of prayer as we have come to know it over the past 2 years!

Love to you and yours....

Dana, Trey, Ford, Hayden and Hampton

Hampton's Healing Continues.....

Good Morning sweet friends and family! So sorry I didn't blog yesterday. It was a busy day spending time with Miss Hampton, now that we are no longer in the hospital together. Everything just seems to take a little longer: getting her mommy's milk to her & travel-time to her. Of course, it's just a new routine and no big deal for us.

Hampton started a new routine the night before last. She is no longer on oxygen or air flow to help her breathe! I don't want to jinx it, but then I remember with the Lord on our side that is not possible. He wants us to rejoice in his good works, so that is what I want to do... praise the Good Lord for Hampton no longer being dependent on oxygen and that she is started to breast feed and bottle feed a couple of times a day. She still gets some of her feeds through her tube, but she is doing really well. The other night she tried to breastfeed for about 20 minutes, but she fell asleep after getting 7 good minutes of milk. Then she took a little bottle and the rest was given in her tube. Yesterday she didn't do so great at the afternoon feed because she got the hiccups and was frustrated (poor baby)! Last night we had a big breakthrough.... she nursed for about 35 minutes and 25 of that she was latched on really good... GO HAMPTON! She still had to get some of her feed by tube, but hey, Hampton is making amazing strides.

I have to say... I miss that we are not both under the same roof, though I am happy to be out of the hospital. It was; however, easier when a floor separated us as opposed to 15 minutes of Arlington traffic.

Our sweet friend Melissa, and Ford's primary nurse at Cook Children's came to hang out with Miss Hampton and me yesterday. It was so great to spend time with her... she really is like family now. I know Hampton is going to love her when she gets older.

Other than that, Trey and I spent most of the day cuddling with Hampton, praying with and for Hampton and doing regular parent things like changing her diaper :)

Please pray that a light bulb goes off.... and Hampton starts feeding like a champion. That is the hurdle we need to cross before she can come home with us. I have faith in her and the Lord that it will be done VERY SOON!

Lots of love and sincere thanks,

Dana, Trey, Ford, Hayden and Hampton

Hampton Stays Strong.... and So Sweet

Our Sweet little Hampton is such a strong little girl. She is now on high flow oxygen instead of the bubble c-pap for her breathing support. While I wish she didn't need any help to breathe and her lungs were acting more like a full term baby than that of a preemie... I am just blessed she is such a fighter. Hopefully today she will make even more progress as far as her doctor is concerned and not just her proud, very hopeful and prayerful parents.

I just got off the phone with her night nurse, who said she's been having a good night. She just had an xray and will also get some blood work this morning. They will be checking to see if her xray has gotten any better, less hazy and to also check on a pneumothorax she has in her lungs. That is a pocket of air that she could possibly need removed via needle or chest tube, but I'm praying she just works that out on her own. Her blood work will be checking her billirubin level. She has been looking slightly jaundiced... so she might have to go under the lights... again, I pray that is not the case, but it is possible. We are also waiting for a blood gas to see how she's handling being off the bubble c-pap and on less support with the high flow oxygen.

We will likely get a new nurse today since the sweet nurse, Cassie, we've had the last couple of days is off. That's always an adjustment to learn someone else's ways and demeanor, especially when it comes to your baby! As you can tell, I can't sleep. I need more of it, but constantly wake up thinking and praying about Hampton.

As far as Dana the patient goes, I should get out today. I am feeling pretty good. Still sore from the c-section, but I will be just fine.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I was able to hold sweet Hampton twice yesterday. Trey snuggled with her as well! She is so beautiful and cuddly. That was definitely the best part of my day!!! I continue to pray she quickly overcomes her unexplained preemie lungs and gets to come home soon. Also, please pray that I get some patience with the doctor who has a different bedside manner than works for Trey and me. I know the true physician is the Lord and he will heal our little girl!

Sincerely,

Dana, Trey, Ford, Hayden and Hampton Hughey

Hampton Update

I wish I could say Hampton was off, but it just hasn't happened yet. We just got back from seeing her in the NICU and it is so hard to leave her there. Mothers, I am sure you understand this, but leaving her after we've spent the last 9 months together is simply heart wrenching. I want to be stronger than I am and I leave no room for her just healing and getting better, but I wish with all of my being she and I could just cuddle, feed and cuddle some more.

I am going to use the blog tonight to make my prayers known to the Good Lord. First of all I just want to thank him for my amazing family and all he has done to heal Ford and Hayden and will do for my sweet little Hampton. I just pray that her recovery starts kicking into high gear and the fluid starts lifting from her lungs and she starts breathing like the doctors would like her to do. I pray that I get to hold her soon and tell her how proud I am of her for working so hard to get better. Lord knows, I never thought I would have to endure another child in the NICU, but I pray God gives me the strength be patient while Hampton is healed. I also pray for all of you and whatever you're going through tonight, because without the support of my amazing friends and family.... I would be mush, pure mush!

Hampton is beautiful, so beautiful! She has progressed to taking some feedings today and her xray looked better.
Thanks for your support,
Dana, Trey, Ford, Hayden and Hampton

Hampton's Not So Smooth Arrival

Well, our sweet little Hampton made her debut into the world.... with some complications. This is something I did not prepare for, nor did we expect. This has been an ideal pregnancy so I never imagined we would find ourselves back at the NICU at MCA Arlington.


Hampton Malone Hughey on Bubble C-Pap, poor darlin!
After the c-section, Hampton was working too hard to breathe and keep her oxygen levels so the nurses took her to the NICU while my amazing doctor finished my surgery. We were hoping and praying she would only spend a few hours in the NICU, but she continued to struggle breathing. That's when the neonatologist decided to put her on bubble c-pap to keep her little lungs inflated. He also ordered x-rays and blood gases to monitor her lung situation. At this point, Dr. Riley believes she has fluid on her lungs from taking a big gulp of amniotic fluid before or during labor. Normally during regular labor that gets squeezed out as the baby exits the birth canal, but this does not happen in c-sections so.... there can be complications... as in Hampton's case. Now, the Dr. tells us there could be other more serious reasons for her breathing issues, but we are all hopeful she is just having trouble breathing because of the fluid on her lungs making it difficult. I sound sane right now, but I have been boo-hooing all night.

I just hope and pray Hampton is as strong as Ford and Hayden. I have only seen her twice because of the c-section and having to recover myself which makes it hard on me emotionally! Trey has seen her several times and is so optimistic and faithful. I need more of him in me. I WORRY, WORRY, WORRY! She is such a big, beautiful baby that I never would have guessed the NICU would even enter into the picture. She came into this world weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.... so you'd think her lungs would be mature enough? Of course, I feel like this is my fault that I some how couldn't protect her longer so that this would not happen. We had the c-section at 38 weeks so I started to feel bad for wanting to have her now instead of at 40 weeks, but my doctor informed me yesterday that I had already dilated to a 3 so I was about to be in active labor.


Thank you so much for your prayers once again! Please keep her on your prayer list... we already love her so much and want her to have the same resolve and strength of her brothers, Ford and Hayden.

Love,
Dana, Trey, Ford, Hayden and Hampton

Loves Of Our Life and Ford's Surgery

Hughey Family ~ Jackson Hole, WY

So long no blog.... I know, I know... I have been horrible. I have been doing a much better job keeping everyone updated on facebook since I can do that from my i-phone. We have been a busy family of late. We've been to Jackson Hole for one of my dearest friends weddings in June, are in the process of selling our house & hoping to build a new one... not to mention, I'm almost 27 weeks pregnant and I broke my foot 2 weeks ago. I hope I will get better about blogging, but the boys like our undivided attention.

Ford basking in his first dip in the pool!

Our sweet little Ford has surgery tomorrow. It is the same surgery he was scheduled for several months ago, but he and his brother got a terrible virus and it had to be put on hold. I wish I was not such a worrier, but I admit I have cried several times today. I just love him so and hate to see him in pain and even more... I just worry about any surgery, period. I still have the same faith I had that pulled the boys through the darkest days of the NICU, but we've been having so much fun being a healthy family... I just have forgotten what all the hospital stress was like to some extent. His urologist will be repairing a hydrocele he has that could cause a hernia. It's a boy surgery if you know what I mean. The surgery is scheduled for 10:30 am tomorrow morning (Wednesday). I hope you would say a little prayer for our Ford and for our peace of mind during the surgery. It should be just a day surgery and I am faithful it will be and am already thanking the Lord for Ford's healing and an end to his many surgeries. If you know someone who has kept up with the boys... I would love for you to forward this blog to them as I don't have the same forum now that I am no longer with Channel 7.

Hayden clowning around in the pool!

The boys are now 18 months old and both walking, sometimes running around the house. Hayden has been walking for about 2 months... Ford for about a month. As all of you parents know, walking (alone) is a process. The boys have been walking with the help of the couches and toys for months and months, but finally they let go and have been having a ball ever since. I love seeing them grow and reach obstacles. It is just amazing to see. We still have therapists who come out and work with them, but not as much since they are doing so well. Eating "big people" food was a real struggle for a while with their gag reflex from being intubated for so long, but now they are eating pancakes, muffins, chicken nuggets, hotdogs, corn dogs, grilled cheeses and so much more. Of course, they love animal crackers the most of all!!!! We've been to Big Honey and Big Daddy's pool several times and they love it more each time. It wears them out which is a good thing for getting them to sleep better.

Big Honey & Gram with the Boys in Jackson Hole

The boys also had their first plane ride to Jackson Hole where they did just amazing. Fortunately we had both our moms with us and they were a huge help. We received lots of compliments about how well Ford and Hayden did on the plane ride. They enjoyed seeing the sights of Jackson Hole and spending some quality time with their grandmothers while we attended wedding events for my dear friend, Coye.

As for their baby sister who is due in October, so far so good! I keep praying this pregnancy will be smooth sailing because my boys need me. They don't get it yet that they have a sister on the way, but I am sure they will love it once she arrives! Now if I can just get this broken foot healed... I will be great.

Trey and I just want to thank you in advance for your prayers for Ford tomorrow. It means the world to us and we are so thankful for everyone who takes a moment to send up some good thoughts for our sweet boy.

Love,

Dana, Trey, Ford and Hayden

Loves of Our Life and Ford's Surgery

Loves of Our Life & Ford's Surgery

March For Babies A Success..... even in the rain

This morning was a big day for the boys, Ford and Hayden. Today they were the ambassadors for the March for Babies Walk in Tyler. We were up bright and early.... unfortunately it was not so bright outside. We heard the rain coming down as we got ready for the walk, but didn't let it dampen our spirits as we made our way out to Bergfeld Park to meet all of our friends and family supporting Ford, Hayden and the March of Dimes.

We were ecstatic when we arrived to see a couple hundred people there despite the elements... which turned from rain to sprinkles, just in time for the walk. My mother had a team from Azalea Orthopedics. They were energetic and ready to go wearing some great shirts that they had made for Ford and Hayden... now dubbed the Wonder Twins.

Trey's sister, Heather and her family also came out to walk with us.... Patton, Payne, John, Jean and Ronnie. Not to mention the countless other friends who said "we're going to walk even in the rain."

The walk was shortened because of threatening skies, but we enjoyed every step. You see, this time last year we still had both boys in the hospital. Hayden came home at the end of April, but Ford didn't come home until the end of May. To see how far they have come, well, it just amazes me everyday. I know we have some wonderful doctors and nurses to thank for that and especially the Good Lord who watched after all of us from the moment Ford and Hayden came into the world on January 8, 2008. I've said it many times that I always believed they would make it, but they have far exceeded my expectations. They may not be as big as most 15 month olds, but they are getting there. So far, they really don't have any developmental delays and we don't expect they will. They are just two amazing little boys that bring so much joy to everyone they meet and especially their parents.

I want to thank all of the people who came out to support the Hughey Family and who made donations to the March of Dimes on our behalf. I wish everyone knew how instrumental the March of Dimes is in championing babies. Afterall, you never know when you are going to need them... we certainly didn't think they would figure into our life, but they did. It's the March of Dimes research we have to thank for surfactant that was given to our boys so their lungs could work properly because the lungs are the last thing to develop in utero. It was a great day for the March of Dimes in Tyler. Not all of the money has even been counted yet, but an early total is $45,000 raised in Tyler alone! Amazing. The Hugheys plan to be part of this for a long time to come.

Sincerely,

Dana, Trey, Ford and Hayden

Ford Scheduled for Surgery in May

Hi again everyone! I just wanted to update you on our latest doctor's

appointment. While I was at the March for Babies kickoff, Trey & his mom, Janet.... were taking the boys to the urologist.

Unfortunately, our sweet little Ford is going to have to endure one more surgery. It's shouldn't be a huge deal, but it's a surgery to avoid getting a hernia in the future.

I talked with the doctor on speaker while Trey and Janet talked to him in the office. Of course any surgery has its risks Dr. Pugach told me, but we know with the Lord's help it will be smooth sailing.

It tears me up every time to be in that waiting room while Ford is in somone else's care, but I know the good Lord will be guiding the Doctors and nurses... so that gives me some peace.

Please keep him in your prayers until then and his sweet little bro, Hayden. The surgery is on May 13th. Other than that, they really did get good reports on their kidneys and after this surgery... we may not have to see the urologist much longer.

Take care,

Dana, Trey, Ford and Hayden

You're looking at this year's March of Dimes Ambassadors

Ford & Hayden are almost 14 months now and soooooo FUN! They are both so active and love to play... keeping their mommy and daddy endlessly entertained and busy.

Some EXCITING news to report... The boys are the Ambassadors for the March of Dimes in Tyler this year and for the March for Babies on April 25th in Bergfeld Park, what an honor. I would love to have all of our supporters over the past year and a half come walk with us. You can join our team or make one of your own. There is a link on the March of Dimes website to do that and it is quick and easy too!
http://www.marchforbabies.org/at_work.aspx?src=atwork

Today, we had the kick off luncheon at the Rose Garden Center... so we are just getting teams started and it's not costly... it is just for an amazing cause. So we can save more babies. No one ever thinks their baby is going to be born premature or with birth defects, but thank goodness we have the March of Dimes doing work for us to help preemies and the other sick babies out there. They've done endless research and are instrumental in legislation, as well.

That's our Funny Ford... sticking out his tongue as usual. He is fascinated with it. Also, both boys are cutting their bottom two teeth. It is SO cute. I can't wait to see how their look changes with some pearly whites.

Okay, these two pictures have a story. Every Friday mommy, that's me of course, looks forward to the mail getting here and my People Magazine. Take a close look at the boys. I walked into the office for 2 seconds and came back to this scene. My beloved people magazine wadded up and 2 boys loving every single second of it. They love paper. Maybe that means they will love reading... a mother can hope can't she?

Hayden's crawling

How exciting, on Superbowl Sunday... our little Hayden took off. He's crawling and pulling up on everything in sight! What fun. Ford is not far behind. He is trying to crawl just hasn't mastered it yet. He's doing the backwards crawl, just as Hayden did. Ford can also sit up on his own now from laying down. What Big Boys!I have to tell you... Hayden did find the way to the dog food and took a big scoop into his hands while I was changing Ford. No worries... he didn't consume any, but the dog food has been relocated. We also have a toy fortress in the living room so they don't crawl on the tile and hurt themselves. I am trying to stay out of hospitals you know.

Sleepy and... Not So Sleepy Boys

Here are two very sleepy Boys and check it out... Hayden Has Some Bananas on His Nose!


Aren't they sweet? This was after some fine cuisine of sweet potatoes and oatmeal and a little formula to wash it down with last week.

We had a very busy week last week with both of their occupational therapists coming to work with them. The first time since the holidays. They worked on crawling exercises, as well as exercised to help them learn how to sit up on their own. I have to tell you... Ford is not a huge fan of the crawling, but he does like to stand, but he is quite unsteady on his feet so it is actually more like us holding him up! No problem. Hayden is still trying to crawl and getting better every day. I can say as of today, he crawls all over the living room, but still backwards. He did do a lot of rocking back and forth so... I'll keep you posted!

On Friday, we visited the pulmonologist for their RSV shots. He is just so pleased with their progress and said their lungs sounded good and that they seem to be managing their lung disease well. Next year, if all goes well... Ford and Hayden won't have to get the RSV shots. Exciting news. We have a ton of doctors appointments coming up in February. The urologist, pediatrician, nephrologist, eye doc and they pulmonologist again. We are going to be logging some serious miles to Fort Worth. I also have some doctors appointments. Doesn't sound like a lot of fun does it. Just pray they all go well for all of us. That's the most we can ask for. We have been so blessed so far.

Under the advice of the pulmonologist, we continue to keep the boys fairly secluded from the rest of the world and it seems to be working. April... I can't wait for it to get here, but even better is that the boys have stayed quite healthy and being closed up in doors is worth it... if the end result is 2 healthy boys.

The boys are eating really good. They are eating about 3 organic Gerber meals a day, plus formula about every 4 hours or so. We are trying to catch them up still. They are 9 months adjusted age today and I am wondering... Where are their teeth. I can seem them beneath the gums, but none have broken through yet. I look forward to seeing what they look like with chompers.

The past couple of evenings, I have been brave enough to let them sleep without their heart and apnea monitors. The Dr. says they don't need them, but kept the prescription because of RSV season and the uncertainties of it all. I slept okay and still I worry. I look forward to breathing a little in the future when they are just two rambunctious boys without and major medical issues.

Well, so far so good on my resolution to be a better blogger since getting the computer situation handled.

I hope you have all been well thus far in the new year. You are all such a blessing to me. It's nice to know there are so many people out there who care. Hopefully we can all get through this recession unscathed and better for the journey it takes our country on. I have faith it will all be okay. I do ask they you say a prayer for our friends, The Fenders. They have twin sons born at 30 or 31 weeks. One is home now, but the other still needs time. Just pray his recovery is a speedy one so they can all be together for the first time. It is so hard to leave one at the hospital. We did it for a month and the guilt is unimaginable. They are strong and so are their boys!

Now for some weekend photos of the boys playing....

Hayden Trying to Crawl and Play......... Ford Playing and Curious about the FLASH!

I hope you enjoyed the photos. I will keep you posted on what the boys are up to this week. It is always eventful.

Love,

The Hugheys

Our Birthday Photos, Aren't We Handsome???

The Happy Birthday Boys 1/8/09!

Today... We're 1 year 1 week old!

Adjusted... almost 9 months... We should have been born April 19th!

Hayden and Ford Celebrating the Big "1"

It was such a fun day for the whole family to celebrate with the twins.
They have come so far and continue to do so each and every day.
This week, they are both still working on crawling, working on getting some teeth (lots of drooling & lots of teething & a little fussy), working on growing taller and chunkier and working on more babbling sounds... still not much "mama" to speak of :) ... but we have buh~buh, bluh~bluh, guh, ahhhh, oooo, eeeee, ahhhhh, dada DOWN PAT!

The occupational therapists came to work with them... they are quite impressed! Also we have a pulmonologist appointment Friday for more RSV shots. Poor fellas!

Hayden has woken up coughing a couple of mornings, but we give him a treatment then he's done for the day... don't think he's sick, maybe it's the weather! No fever, not acting different, who knows???

Their mommy is thankful because I was able to go get a massage this week, It was Fantastic and much needed.

Also, the boys are going to be the ambassadors for the Tyler March of Dimes this year, which is such an honor so I am hoping many people will get behind the organization and 2 of their fundraisers this year. The organization does so much to help save babies who went through similar situations as the boys. They help preemies and babies with birth defects. They've done so much research that has paved the way for preemies to flourish who were born at 25 weeks... not so long ago it was a different situation. Thank Goodness for the March of Dimes. I will add a link to their page soon so you can learn more if you'd like.

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes over the past week. I wish you could hear the boys they are talking right now... pretty much as loud as they can. MUSIC TO MY EARS!! LOVE IT!!!

Oh Man, that FLASH is bright!!!

Seriously Cute Outfits Calls for Serious Cute Boys!

Our Bday Cakes & We're ready for Cake!!!!!
Thanks for your love and prayers as always!

More to come....

The Hugheys

Oh, What a Night!

Tonight was Ford and Hayden's First Birthday Bash with the family. It was just a small gathering of Grandparents, Aunt, Uncle, cousin and 2 close friends. We are trying to keep them healthy so... we are going to have a birthday party when they SHOULD have been born in April. Too much cold, flu and RSV out there right now.
Their cousin Patton even made them a Birthday sign!!!! So Sweet!

We have received so many wonderful email, texts and calls today wishing the boys Happy B-Day. KLTV even came out tonight and took video of the boys "trying to figure out what to do with their cake," opening presents, playing with the family and just being boys, 1 year-old boys now. It was so nice to have Layron Livingston here and to finally meet my boys... he was great with them.

I think they enjoyed their birthday and I know we did. What a milestone. We were glowing all day long today at what they have overcome and what is to come for Ford and Hayden.

They were good little birthday boys. We took lots of pics and I will add a few tonight and more tomorrow...

Here are just a few thoughts of how Hayden and Ford have changed our lives.....

It has been a big day in the Hughey household today 1/8/08.... Can you believe it that Ford and Hayden are celebrating their first birthday? A year ago last night was the scariest moment of my life... I was going into labor and really praying that my precious little ones would not be born so soon at 25 weeks, but God had a different plan. It was a bumpy, curvy and scary path to say the least in the beginning for Ford and Hayden, not to mention us... but we made it through the journey God had planned for us. Over the past year, I have tried to learn how to be appreciative of the journey no matter how tumultuous it may be. And boy have we been blessed 200-fold! Ford and Hayden are beyond our wildest dreams. They are the light in our lives and from the response I have gotten over the past year on our blog and to my work email... they have touched the hearts of East Texans to people overseas I have never met who prayed for my Ford and Hayden. Just the other night, Trey and I were at Hobby Lobby getting some family photos framed and a nice woman stopped Trey and said how are the boys, I would recognize them anywhere... and she didn't even see me... that's how special they've become to so many people. It really is great to know and witness the inspiration that they have been to so many families about what the power of prayer can do in our lives. I always knew down deep it was powerful, but I lived it this past year... and it has changed my life. Many of you are parents and you know what I mean about your children changing your world... showing you a love that goes deeper than anything you have ever known. I am so thrilled I can finally know that love... being a mommy is my greatest joy! I just wanted you to know also that I updated the blog tonight with some new photos and will add more tomorrow in a Birthday Blog. Thank you doesn't suffice what you all mean to me and what countless others mean to me that I can't give a personal thank you to, but hopefully they know...

Have a wonderful 2009, I know we plan on doing the same with Ford and Hayden!Love and Blessings~Dana, Trey, Ford and Hayden Hughey