Back to the ER

not again
where everybody knows your name
another setback
driving at 2am never gets old
the Twins give anyone high blood pressure
i thought it was the actual baby that prevented sleep

so many titles for this frustrating stretch. Kara was back in the hospital last night with another splitting headache and high blood pressure. The labs showed that Kara's other preeclampsia symptoms had actually improved (hemoglobin, liver count, vision) so, while suspicious, they hope this was a hiccup on the way to recovery. Kara is home again and sleeping and she'll try to take it easy these days. So, once again, I must ask for you prayer warriors to fight on Kara and Nina's behalf. Thanks again and we hope you all have a great weekend.

The many faces of Nina

Nina decided to wake up late last night and, looking cute, I thought I should take her photo. She continued to pose and cried anytime I put the camera down so I kept clicking. Sorry they are poorly lighted and blurry, I hadn't anticipated the marathon photoshoot nor did I want to use the flash right in her face without Aunt Esther's sunglasses. It didn't help that she was trying to ride a bicycle and kicking throughout the photoshoot. Blurry or not, I think you'll get the idea.

Happy at Home - Part II

Kara was given a clean bill of health and was excited to return to her little one. She and Nina spent most of the day together and couldn't be happier. Thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers.

Prayerful Progress

Kara is getting better, still in the hospital, but feeling more like herself. Yesterday, Kara felt more like Nina, as she had straws thrown in her face when it was time to eat, napped a lot, and occasionally went to the bathroom. Today she had more color, lower blood pressure, and less swelling! Hooray! Nina went to cheer her mom up and it was a beautiful reunion.

Nina's numbers were better and she is off her treatment for jaundice, only one more blood-draw to go. We've felt blessed to have such an agreeable baby, supportive family, and caring friends through these early trials. Kara's mom has been taking care of everyone and everything while the Nakagaki grandparents have made more meals in 2 days than most families do in a month. Thank you, friends, for all the prayers and well-wishes, we feel so lucky to know each and every one of you!

Missing her Mommy

Kara was readmitted to the hospital at 3am this morning and is being treated for postpartum preeclampsia. While rare, this is becoming more common as women don't get to stay in the hospital as long after birth. She is getting magnesium which will hopefully help her headache, blood pressure, swelling, and other ailments. Kara will be getting treatments for 24 hours and then they will want to monitor for another day or so. She is working hard to get better and see her little angel.

Nina had two trips to the clinic herself for her jaundice. Despite being a trooper and not crying at either blood-drawing, Nina made sure to cry and yell at the nurse who treated Kara so poorly yesterday. Nina is doing better and her jaundice is expected to be gone soon, and she can't wait for mommy to join her in good health.

She lights up our world...

Nina had a huge day today, with a few more guests, a bath, a trip to the doctor, and turning into a baby glow-worm. Her doctor told us that she has jaundice, which is very common in asians (I don't know about quarter-asians : ) and so she had to get some blood drawn and now is getting treated by being hooked up to a portable tanning-wrap, known as the billie blanket. Hopefully this won't last long and she can poop out the rest of her problems... if only that worked later in life. Thanks for all the thoughts and well-wishes. Please keep Nina and Kara in your prayers!

Happy at Home

Nina is jovial about life at her new house and all the love she receives from friends and family. She went for a stroller ride, captively listened to guitar, played 500, and slept for many other relatives. Thoughtful Esther, Jason, and CC made sure to get her some sunglasses (and a million outfits) due to the paparazzi's love for Nina.