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