saturday night update.

I just left Courtney’s room and she is sound asleep. Pray she stays like that for the remainder of the night. Everyone is doing OK and the babies still look great!

Thank you for your prayers… pray for much rest for the whole family tonight!

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Last night, Baby B was born and didn’t make it. He is now in heaven with his identical twin brother. It was a hard two hours in labor and the whole family is emotionally and physically exhausted from it. Everyone did get to sleep some after the birth into this morning. Please pray for Courtney and Allen’s hearts. Pray for peace.

Before I left today, Dr. Gregg came in and talked some things out with Courtney and Allen. He always brings a calming sense of optimism, which was definitely needed today. Also, we got to see all four of the babies’ heartbeats and watch them move around (Baby F was waving!) That made all of the difference in the world to Courtney.

Please continue to pray for the family. Try not to visit today unless you are called. She needs lots of rest.

I will update again later.

another good day.

Courtney had a great day today. She got lots of rest, hasn’t had too much pain, contractions are still pretty far apart (considering what they were). It was a good day. Also, they were told Baby B still has a heartbeat, so he is still fighting to stay put! Keep praying! We will update you tomorrow.

Prayer Gatherings: Every night at 7, we will meet in the lobby of the Main Entrance @ Palmetto Health Richland to pray for Courtney, Allen, and all of the little ones. If you can make it, please try to be there. Thanks again for your prayers!!

sleeping beauty.

Courtney slept through the night and is doing well. Allen got a lot of rest last night, too! Allen said this for his update this morning: “Courtney is resting… She’s more comfortable than she has been in a while. And, she’s eating real food!” Praise God!

Keep praying for Courtney to continue being strong and sticking in there! She’s such a trooper! And thank you for your continued prayers!

**If you bring food to the family, Courtney needs to be able to eat it. So, think: no spices, high protein & high carb foods. She can eat baked/grilled/friend chicken, mashed potatoes, greenbeans, veggies, fruits. She asked specifically for chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A and a baked potatoe from McAlister’s. Thank you!

slushies & prayer service.

Hey, everyone. Allen wanted me to start this by letting you know how much your thoughts and prayers mean to them. Tonight, some of the ladies at Midtown hosted a prayer service on the front lawn of the hospital. It was a beautiful thing seeing 70+ people sitting in the grass, praying to our God on behalf of Courtney, Allen, and all the little ones. We heard stories of how God is already using this story to make His name more known in the lives of believers and non believers alike. We cried tears of grief and praise that sweet Will (baby A) is in heaven doing exactly what he was made to do–glorify and worship our God. We prayed with thanksgiving for Court and Allen having the Holy Spirit to be their strength, joy, and peace. And we saw the magnitude of your love as we told Courtney all about the experience and watched her smile from ear to ear–something none of us have seen much lately. So, thank you, from the bottom of Allen and Courtney’s hearts, for loving and caring and praying. Thank you.

Now, update on Courtney and babies: Everyone is doing OK as of right now. Baby B is still in the womb, growing and developing hour by hour. He has actually turned sideways (not feet first or head first, but laying on his back). He’s tough like his mommy…fighting to stay in there himself! There is still great risk for infection, so pray that God would keep that out of her system entirely. Pray for no fever. Pray for peace. Pray for sleep and rest for everyone.

Before I left tonight, Courtney was resting still, but laughing a little bit and talking some. She was still having some contractions, but didn’t seem to feel them too much due to the epidural. We got her one of her favorites: Sonic Slushie… way better than just ice chips! She’s being such a champ!

Thank you again for your prayers… we will update you tomorrow morning!

update.

It’s unnerving how quickly things can change. Unfortunately, it looks like Baby B is on his way. Please pray for the peace of God to be in that room right now as Courtney and Allen prepare for what is to come.

We will update you as soon as I hear from them.

Tonight, we are going to meet at Palmetto Health Richland in the main lobby and head to the chapel at the children’s hopsital to spend time praying for The Tippings. Please meet us there @ 7 if you would like to pray together for the family.

a great night!

Hey, everyone– Just spoke with Allen. Courtney had a great night. She recieved an epidural last night and it helped her sleep most of the night. (This is an answered prayer… one thing Court needed was lots of rest!) As of right now, contractions are still at every 10-11 minutes, but this is a big improvement as well.

Pray for Courtney to continue resting and praise God for the epidural helping in her rest. Also, praise God that Allen and all parents were able to get a little rest through the night, too.

If you would like to help, go here: http://www.carecalendar.org/logon/13340 

And enter the following information in the appropriate spaces:

CALENDAR ID      :   13340
SECURITY CODE :   6875

Again, thank you for your prayers and encouraging words… Courtney loves to hear your comments and just see how many are praying–near and far.

update.

Hey, everyone…Kristi here. It’s been a rough 24 hours. Last night, baby A’s water broke and at about 4am he was born and did not live. He was a precious, sweet little boy but just had not been able to develop enough at only 20 weeks in the womb. Courtney has continued to have contractions throughout the day and has little sleep. Thankfully, good news came about 20 minutes ago. Baby B (A’s identical twin) isn’t as low as they thought. Great news..! Praise God.

We all continue to say to each other that we are praying to a God that can do immeasurably more than we ask of Him. Courtney and Allen cannot tell you enough how they can feel your prayers. The peace of God is truly in this hospital room today. 

Specific prayers for you to pray:

• Pray that infection stays out of Courtney’s system. It’s quite a risk right now.
• Pray for Courtney’s body. Pray for her to continue being strong.
• Pray for Allen. He is being so strong for Courtney and getting very little sleep.
• Obviously, pray for the babies to stay put! Pray for the health of all 5 of them. Specifically, for Baby B right now.

We covet your prayers and are so thankful for you all! I will definitely share your comments with Allen and Courtney and we will update the blog more often.

A whole new world

Today is a great day. Our doctor came back from Denver (family vacation) and we got to talk with him in person. It has made a world of difference. For the past few days, we have been in panic mode, scared, and very unsure about what was coming. Dr.Gregg came in today and helped to relieve our minds. He said things are normal and all of this is to be expected with so many babies. The contractions will not stop, but labor is not really progressing either. My favorite quote that he said is “Courtney you are not sick, so we are not going to treat you like you are.” Meaning we are going to remove the catheter, blood pressure monitor, oxygen level, etc. All medication is lowered (she will remain on a low level of magnesium for the duration because it slows contractions) and she is now able to sit at an incline (helps greatly with indigestion). Courtney has now eaten both breakfast and lunch, without nausea.

Dr. Gregg said his first goal is 26 weeks. Then we would continue to extend the goal out for 2 weeks as we accomplish each goal. So we are still praying for 28 to 32 weeks. 

Jesus is good and faithful. We are thankful for God’s grace and mercy and for so many caring people who have been praying for us. 

We will keep you updated.

Sleeping Quietly

Most of the day, I have been thinking of a song I heard at a middle school church retreat, and I think it was called “Somebody’s praying for me, I can feel it.” We have been overwhelmed with pray support and we thank yall so much. God is already working miracles, but the journey is still a good bit longer so keep praying. 

Last night was a shock. Courtney was telling me about some back pains and other symptoms so we called her Dr. He recommended us going to labor and delivery just for a check up, mostly to ease our minds. Little did we know. Courtney was in preterm labor and the pregnancy and babies were at risk. The doctors put Courtney on an IV to increase here fluids, on Magnesium to slow her muscles and inverted her to take pressure off of her cervix. Around 6:30am, the contractions eased up and Courtney was able to get some rest. 

Tonight we were fighting some nausea, with mild contractions, but right now all is quiet, except Courtney’s snoring (my favorite tune). 

Honestly, right now I am feeling pretty scared. Please pray that we can keep all of the babies in the womb for at least another four weeks. Pray specifically forcontractions to stop, no type of infections, her uterus to be calm, and her cervix to be strong. Pray for Courtney because she is uncomfortable and will be from here on out. We are desperate for God to work so keep praying. Thanks and much love.