Rebekah's 1st birthday

Monday May the 9th she had heart surgery and Saturday May 14th she turned one year old.  WHAT A WEEK!!
Recovery from the surgery went well at home, we could once again get out and about.  So we planned a FULL weekend for her birthday.  Saturday after her morning nap we took our kids to the park to celebrate the birthday girl with some yummy cupcakes and swing time.  Then after the park we attended a high school graduation party for another sweet Rebekah that we know.  Sunday was our first day back at Church since her diagnosis and then another friends birthday party in the afternoon.  We had a lot to celebrate and we partied HARD all weekend :)

Rebekah's surgery

We spent the morning  of  Rebekah's heart surgery holding her tight and meeting the team that would be taking care of her during the procedure.  They explained their part in the event and answered any questions that we had. 
I am sure that May 9th is a date that will always stick out on the calendar to me.  It was the day that I had to watch Trey hand our precious baby girl over to the nurse who would then walk her into the Operating room for her balloon valvoplasty.  All Trey and I could do was hold on to each other, turn our backs and walk away.  Although she seemed to be a very sweet lady, she was still a stranger that we had met only a few hours before. This was by far one of the hardest things I have ever had to do! Still weeks later it brings tears to my eyes and I get a giant lump in my throat just reliving the moment.  I am so thankful that I had my faith and my wonderful strong husband to hold onto during that time.   
When we left Rebekah we headed down the elevator to the waiting room, where our sweet friend Paula met us. There we sat and first thing we did was get online to send out updates.  I was immediately overwhelemed by the numbers of people that we saw that were already lifting up our girl and her procedure.  What a comfort God's people were to me during this time.  Just knowing that we could join together in prayer, no matter where we were,  and pray for Rebekah and that a living God was hearing my prayers... Such comfort!
We waited for our hourly updates.  Not only were we delighted to hear that things were going very smoothly at hour 1 but we were elated that at our 2 hour update the team had completed what was estimated to be a 3 hour procedure.  We were moved into a meeting room to have a personal update from the surgeon himself.  He explained all they did and gave us her new pressure levels as of post op. Praise the Lord that they were able to fix her valve so easily.   He then instructed us to wait for one final call that they were ready for us up in recovery.
We held our breaths for just a few more minutes and then recieved the call to head upstairs to be with our baby girl.  We walked to her bed to see her laying there, waking from anesthesia, white as a sheet.  I was so glad to see her little face but she looked so pitiful.  The nurses immediately let me hold her then I handed her off to Trey, Shepherd needed to go potty :) We then spent the 6 hours of recovery taking turns holding Sweet Rebekah while the anesthesia wore off.  She started to perk up at about hour 4 we were released after 6 hours of observation. 
We are thankful that the surgery went so smoothly and without any complications.  I know that the Lord used this event to bring Himself glory.  I am honored that the Lord not only used it in my life,  but we also know that He used it in the lives of others that we know.   

Shepherds visit with the specialist

Since we now have a child that that has been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, my OB wanted us to have Shepherd's heart checked as a precaution.  He referred us to a Specialist in The Woodlands for a high level ultrasound and possible inutero echo cardiogram.  The Wednesday after Easter, while Abigail, Hannah and Samuel were still with my parents, we had our appointment.  The sonographer that works for the OB was very knowledgeable and thuro.  The Doctor really thought that they got some great images from the ultra sound and that Shepherd's heart looks fine.  So, she did not see a need for the echo.  Praise the Lord for what appears to be a healthy heart for our little man.

4D ultrasound picture of our little man.  Cant wait to meet Shepherd Sanborn Krum

Rebekah's surgery consult

Trey, Rebekah and I left Corpus Christi the early on the Monday morning after Easter.  The big kids got to have have their first visit at MeMe and PawPaw's without us.  We left them there for a couple extra days because #1 my mom and Dad where willing to keep them and #2 we had a couple of Dr. appointments for the babies that we could not take them to. 
On Monday afternoon we had our first appointment with Rebekah's surgeon at Texas Childrens Hospital Downtown.  The appointment went GREAT, it was long but that was to be expected. They did an additional chest X-Ray and then with had the consult with Dr. Petit.  We also met with his nurse after we visited with him.  All of the information was communicated very clearly and consisely.  They called us the very next day with the date of her procedure.  I am very thankful that my parents watched the kids b/c the waiting would have been stressful with the additional kids tagging along.  Here are some pics for the appointment. 

In the waiting room.  One of the nurses fell for the adorable smile and brought Rebekah out a teddy bear.  I dont judge her that smile gets me ALL the time.

Playtime with Daddy while we wait for the Doc.  I love that man! The one in the picture not the Doc :)

Congenital heart defect

At our sweet Rebekah's routine 9 month check up, our doctor heard a heart murmur.  We have been waiting to have our first appointment with a pediatric cardiologist at Texas Children's Hospital.  She will be 11 months old next week, yes we had to wait a LONG time to get in.  I was waiting to post because it could have been nothing. 

We had our appointment last Thursday and it turns out it may be the first of many appointment. 

We had been told the murmur was loud but oh, how we wish it was NOTHING.  That is not the case.  Rebekah was diagnosed with Pulmonary Stenosis (PS).

From the American Heart Association:
The pulmonary valve opens to let blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs.  Narrowing of the pulmonary valve ( valvar pulmonary stenosis) causes the right ventricle to pump harder to get blood past the blockage.  Moderate to severe PS will require treatment with heart catherterization or surgery. 

Rebekah's pressure level is high, at a little over 4. Which puts her in the upper moderate to severe level.  Her valve only opens about 20-30%. 

She will require a procedure called a Balloon Valvuloplasty.  This is a procedure done in the cath lab at the downtown TCH. 

We do not know the date or much about the procedure yet.  We will have a consultation down at the Med Center, hopefully within the next week and then the procedure will follow. 

We would definitely appreciate your prayers and I will keep you update the best I can. 

I am truly thankful for God holding her little heart  in His hands.  I am also amazed and SO thankful that she is not exhibiting symptoms.  From what I understand, once symptoms start to show it can be a sign that the defect has progressed to the point that permanent damage may have been done to the heart. 

Here are some pictures from our visit:

Beautiful girl as we were heading out the door to the appointment

oh, that face :)

Wonderful Daddy praying for his little girl

Daddy holding his baby girl, trying to get her to sleep for the echocardiogram

And she's out safe and sound in her Daddy's arms

Getting hooked up for the EKG

"Mama?!"

"What is all this?"

Precious girl sitting still for the test

Baby boy #2

Baby boy number two is officially named.

Drum roll please.......

Shepherd Sanborn Krum

will be joining us late July. Oh, who am I kidding I am sure he will hold on until August.

more updates to follow :)

#5

The Krum's are excited to announce that we are expecting our 5th child.  Not only are we having another baby BUT Samuel will have a baby Brother! YEAH!!!! We are all very excited! Cant you tell. 

Baby boy #2 is due July 19th .  Which actually means that I will have him probably sometime around mid August.  NO, just kidding, but I would be willing to beat that I will go past, several days past, my due date. 

The kids were with us at the appointment on Wednesday and got to see their new baby brother on the ultra-sound.  It was neat to watch their reactions to the images on the screen. The girls wanted another boy, so they were excited :)

Today Hannah wanted to play "baby Doctor".  She was definitely paying attention at the visit.  She even tucked a cloth into my pants so that I did not get the gel on my clothes and told me, "Have a good week!" at the end of my check up :) SO precious!

Baby boy #2 has not been named yet, there are a few ideas floating around.  I told Abigail, do not say Brudus... I will NOT name him Brudus! No offense if your name or someone that you love has that lovely name. 

I will try and keep you updated on name and all the baby preparation that will be going on around these parts.  Happy Baby making everyone :)

Rebekah 9 months old

I realized that I have not update on Rebekah in a LONG time, so I figured I better do that.

I am with her all the time so I forget that everyone else in the world is not delighted by her bright beautiful blue eyes and red hair on a daily basis like we are.  Yes, old friends that is right, Sarah Pyle Krum still has a redish hair blue eyed baby.  I know it is HARD to believe.

AND oh her LAUGH, cutest thing ever!!!

She is much smaller than her brother and sisters but thankfully is growing again, she dropped off the chart for a while. We have been busy working to fatten her up. Her legs are starting to blossom the beautiful baby leg rolls. Oh, I could just eat them up!

She is crawling, has been since about 4 months, standing but has not taking any steps toward walking yet.

She is on formula, nursing is something I had to give up when she drastically dropped off the growth chart, and eating table food.

She is affectionately known by her siblings as, "Baby Abekah".  None of them can say their "Rs", Yeah I gave them that.  She is doted on by her Daddy as often as he can get his hands on the pretty little thing.  To say I LOVE her well, that is an understatement :)

Rebekah starts cereal

Rebekah May had her first bites of cereal this past week.  This is the longest that I have waited with any of my kids, she will be 6 months next week, and it is going so smoothly.  She is able to eat it so much easier than her brother and sisters did a 4 months.  Here is a picture of her digging in.

Rebekah 4 months old

Rebekah May turned 4 months old today. She is such a happy baby. She is now laughing and officially rolls from both her back to tummy and tummy to back. Her brother and sisters love to kiss her and play with her. The girls really love to take turns picking out her clothes. She is much smaller than our other babies, she seems more petite. Maybe she's small boned :) but not sure where she could have possibly gotten that from. Whatever we want to called it, she is definitely small. She is still wearing 0-3 month clothes and wears a size 2 diaper. Her eyes are still blue, bright beautiful crystal blue. Oh, and have I mentioned that I LOVE her... I LOVE her so much!

I want to share some really cute pictures of her but sadly they are hard to get. I use my cell phone camera during the day and she closes her eyes due to the flash almost every time. Here are some pics I got of Samuel playing with her yesterday. They are in reverse order but frankly I am too tired to spend the time to switch them around. She started with only the ball and them Samuel started bringing her more toys. It was really cute to watch. He really does love her he is a great BIG brother :)

Rebekah May 3 months

Telling me a story
Melting my heart with those big blue eyes.
Smiling at me and she might have said, "Thank you for feeding me!"
Waking up from her morning nap. She really was happy but hates the flash!


Our "Sugar Plum" is 3 months old. She is so beautiful!! She still seems so small I guess because for the first time I didn't bring a baby home to a house full of babies. She now pushes up on her arms in her crib and can roll from her tummy to her back. This can sometimes lead to problems during nap time. She is still nursing great, she eats about every 3 1/2-4 hours. She sleeps all night, from about 8pm to 9am. Oh my goodness, I LOVE her SO MUCH!! The others are fond of her too.

Some examples of lately:

• We all listened as Daddy sang and rocked her at dinner last night.
• Abigail always wants to know where she is.
• Hannah is there to sooth her when she cries and loves to talk to her.
  
• Samuel gives her kisses and ran to get her a pacifier the other day when she was crying
  

And me well I love her so much that sometimes I feel like waking her up just so i can see her sweet smiling face. Don't worry I am smarter than that!

Sorry my pictures aren't the greatest. I use the camera on my cell most of the time because lets face, it I don't know where the "real" camera is half the time. She really doesn't like the flash and I don't know how to turn it off :)

BIG brother

Samuel took on his roll as big brother for the first time the other day. He pulled his chair right up next to Rebekah as she was sitting in her bouncer. And by right next to I mean they had to be touching. Here are some shots of him "helping her"





We took the side off Samuel's crib the other night.


Here he is asleep in his "big boy bed".



And this is how I found him the next morning during breakfast. He stayed up until about 11:30pm and got out of bed at around 5am


He also asked to hold Rebekah for the first time yesterday. Here are some pics of him holding his little sister.
So precious!
picture perfect

pucker up Rebekah


I think he has fallen in love like the rest of us.

Rebekah May Update

We took Rebekah to her one month check up on Monday, she was actually 5 weeks already and will be 6 weeks this Friday. She is doing fantastic! She was a little over 8 lbs when we left the hospital after our 10 day stay. She weighed a little over 10 lbs at her check up. That means she gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks. WOW, is that normal?! You would think I would know, this being my fourth and all, but I have no idea. It seems like a lot to me. She is eating well :) loves mommy's milk!
She is starting to fill out. She has that chub on her arms , you know the kind that makes her look like she has huge biceps, hehe.

She is also sleeping GREAT. She slept through the night last night. I put her down at about 9pm and she slept until 6:30am. I was so shocked I did go check on her once to make sure she was okay and she was still sound asleep making that sweet deep breathing sound. After I stared for a minute I tip toed out quickly and quietly.

I do have to admit it was good to see her sweet face at 6:30 am. We will have to wait and see how tonight goes. I am off to bed now to get some sleep while I can.

Catch up

We have had a busy month.

At a 8 days old, On Saturday, May 22 Rebekah started running 101.7 fever. Thankfully my mom had arrived a few hours before, Trey was out running some errands. So, long story short I packed her up turned my flashers on and drove as fast as I could to Huntsville to get her to the ER. They took her back almost immediately and then started running tests. We were admitted in the wee hours of the morning that next day. Thankfully her fever finally broke on Sunday night and she was diagnosed with a Urinary Tract infection, something that is very treatable. But bad news we had to stay for 10 days until she finished the round of IV antibiotics. Since she was considered a "dirty" baby because of the infection it is hospital policy that she not go in nursery, Huntsville doesn't have a NICU, which meant someone had to be there with her at all times. Which meant except for 2 short breaks I was in the hospital for 10 days too. Bright side Rebekah and I got to spend a lot of quality time together and I got LOTS of rest. Needless to say Life at home was a little crazy: Family separated, Mama not at home, Big sisters missing and confused about where their little sister was, and Grandma's in and out helping. Thankfully Trey was able to stay home from work so there was so stability. With much prayer and some great nurses care we made it home and Rebekah is thriving.

On May 27th, Rebekah and I were still in the hospital, our adorable boy turned 2 years old. So with much sadness we decided to wait to celebrate his birthday until we were all together again. This was really hard for me, Birthdays are a BIG deal at out house, I love making everyone feel extra special on their "special day" We finally celebrated the other day. Here are some pictures.

Rebekah May Krum

Our Sweet Rebekah has finally arrived!

Thursday evening May 13, 2010 at about 8:30pm Trey and I headed to the Hospital in Huntsville with my contractions about 5 minutes apart. We arrived at the hospital at about 9:10pm. We checked in through the ER and then we went up to Labor and delivery. I was examined I was still at a 2 and dilated 50 % they monitored me for a about an hour. At a little about 10:45 the nurse suggested that we try walking and boy did we walk. :) I was determined to see Rebekah's sweet face. We started walking and my contractions quickly went from 5 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart. We headed back up to L&D at about 11:45, my nurse examined me again and I was 6cm. They then began the process of moving us into the delivery room suite and doing all my labs and such. I was examined again and was 9cm. They finally called the Dr. back and told him to head over at 12:15 am. I really wish they would just believe me when I tell them that I have fast labor, this is not my first rodeo people. It felt like a lifetime while I was waiting for him so that I could push. He arrived a little about 12:40am and our sweet Rebekah was laying on my chest about 2o minutes later.

Rebekah May Krum born 12:58 am on Friday May 14, 2010 7lb 10 oz. 20 .25 inches long

40 weeks Cinco De Mayo

Today is my due date, but no baby as of now (9:00pm) Not much to update from the Doctors appointment. I made some but not much progress, I am now dilated to a one. I am trying not to get impatient but I am very uncomfortable. Don't know why I am so uncomfortable but have definitely never experienced this much discomfort in previous pregnancies. I really would like to do it natural again as I did with Samuel, it was so much faster and easier than the induction process I went through with the girls. Good news is that Rebekah sounded good and everything checked out fine. We did go to celebrate Cinco De Mayo, minus the margarita and minus Rebekah, with some yummy Mexican food. I piled on the Jalapenos but nothing.

Oh, and we took the girls to the Doctor today. They have been coughing and we just wanted to make sure it was allergies since the baby is coming soon. Well turns out not allergies. They have infections. Their Doc thinks it is viral, which means there is nothing we can do, it just has to run its course. But we went ahead and did antibiotics, just in case it is bacterial, since we kinda have a special situation right now. Sad news is they can not be around baby until they are cough free and if I go into labor before that happens they will not be able to come to the hospital to see their baby sister. I think that once the girls understand this there are gonna be some SAD BIG SISTERS!

We got home at about 4pm and I went to rest in bed. Trey was taking care of things while I was resting. He came into the bedroom to visit for a minute and he got another call from the kids bathroom, "Daddy I went poo poo!" Trey: "You really do this ALL day long?" Me: "Ah, Yeah." Trey:"We should get government aide or something, REALLY you should get paid!" :) Then I had to break it to him that the hard part isn't just doing the job but doing it in a loving, sweet and patient way ALL day long. I think my sweet man had his eyes opened just a little :) and he sure knows the way to my heart :) When we stopped to pick up the girls prescription he bought me a treat of dark chocolate malt balls from the special candy section at the store. Not bad, Not bad :)

38 weeks AND COUNTING

Wednesday afternoon was my check-up. Rebekah sounded great. I measured good and Doc said my blood pressure was fantastic like always. He did examine me and said I am about a finger tip dilated, he felt her little head. He then said I am "maybe" 20% effaced. So, I still have a LONG way to go. I also found out I will have to stay in the hospital for 48 hours after delivery because I am strep B positive and they like to monitor baby. This means I will probably be spending the second night alone at the hospital, which makes me a little scared and sad. Trey will most likely have to be at home with our other sweet babies.

After the Doc we took the kiddos to eat and play at McDonalds before AWANA. Then after we dropped them off my sweet man took me to Chilis. My tummy is sticking so far straight out that people are really starting to stare. I fit in to the booth, but it was a tight squeeze. After dinner Trey helped me up and as I waddled past one table, on the way out and "funny guy" about our age heckled, "Ya gotta a big one there." It was funny, I laughed but really! Then as I was attempting to walk to the car I looking behind me and, no exaggeration, every window table was staring at me, the "BIG ONE". It is as if I should no longer be let out of the house I am causing such a stir, frightening folks I guess. Really I am LARGE; for the first time I can balance a cup on my belly. Trey was taken aback the other night when he walked into our room and I was doing tummy tricks, it was pretty entertaining :)

37 weeks

Wednesday I turned 37 weeks and went in for my weekly check up. There is really no update. Don't think that anything is happening yet, but the doc said he will start checking this next Wednesday. I really hope things start happening soon! :)

On a sweet note. The girls are REALLY excited about the arrival of their baby sister!
Yesterday morning they were playing babies and Abigail told me she was practicing for when her baby sister was born.
Last night a bedtime, Hannah said, " I am really ready for baby Rebekah to come out." I said, "Oh, me too Pumpkin" Hannah then said, " I am just gonna wait up."
Also, Samuel gave "baby" a kiss good night :)

I am pretty sure we have the cutest and sweetest kids on the planet. Cant wait to meet Rebekah and add her to the mix!

36 weeks

I had my 36 week check up on Wednesday. Everything is going fine. I will start going weekly this coming week. I think Rebekah may be a little small like her BIG SISTER Abigail was. She has been in the low percentile for size on ultrasounds and I measured small at this appointment. I am hoping she is just small and not gonna stay in the oven for extra time.

I have also started working on her room again :) I finally have all the other kiddos clothes in tubs and Samuel's new dresser arrived. So, am finally able to finish getting Rebekah's things into the dresser and closet.

I will keep you updated :)

1st Baby shower

Well obviously not for me...

On Saturday March 20th I drove down to Katy for a baby shower for one of my best Childhood friends. Babies and mommy are a normal part of life for me but it was so sweet to see my dear friend Heather oh and ah over all the adorable little gifts. She is already such a little mommy and I love watching her love cute little Addison already. This was a new experience for me as it was the first shower that I have been able to attend for a childhood friend. So FUN!!

Congratulations Heather and Justin!!

I am also excited because their Addison and our Rebekah will only be a few weeks apart. Here is the belly shot we took hard to see because we were both wearing black.

I cant wait to take a picture of the two girls when they arrive and i am getting enough sleep to drive back to town :)

Super fun morning with life long friends that I love and miss. Thanks Beth, Louisa, and Sara for putting it all together, it was beautiful!