The Gardner's: 2013

Friday, September 13, 2013

RVTV

Channel 13s RVTV made a stop in Iowa Falls last night, so I HAD to take the boys to the fun! Most of us cheering for Iowa State and 1 lonely one for Iowa! The kids had fun and we can even be seen in the background of the news at 5!

Show off their new tattoos and necklaces

Excitement of TV crews

Here is Cooper and Taye on the news! We were seen in a few different shots but here you can really see these 2!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

2 months?!

Hard to believe it has been 2 months since our sweet baby girl left this world. Not a day goes by that we don't think about or talk to her. We love you Caris Jenika!

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

11?!?!?

Add Happy 11th birthday to my dinosaur lovin', Hawkeye wearing, basketball playin', soccer kickin', football runnin', hat wearin', face makin', fun lovin' boy!

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Father's Day

Happy father's day to my Dad (Ken Sly), my husband (Joshua), my brother (Tony Sly) and brother-in-laws (Jason Kopp, Eric Lindsey and Jeremy Gardner)!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Caris Jenika

Caris Jenika Gardner passed away June 1. Visitation will be June 5th from 5-7 pm at Creps-Abel in Eldora and funeral is set for June 6 at 1:30 at New Providence Friends Church.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

What's sleep?

Well, Caris came home on Sunday (17th). We decided not to tell the boys incase something happened, when they got home they were all VERY excited to see her! The first night however was very difficult for Joshua and me, her alarms kept going off, so we got about 3 hours of broken sleep each. Joshua took Monday off so we could get used to having Caris home. Monday and Tuesday night I slept in the livingroom so Joshua could get some sleep because he has to work in the morning. We had a fairly good day yesterday and thanks to Joshua I got to take several naps so I can stay awake to take care of our Carebear!

Headed home!

Big brothers enjoying her

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Few pictures

Caris's blog

Caris's daddy is keeping a daily blog on her progress!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carisgardner

Monday, January 21, 2013

January 16, 2013

After my scare early in the morning January 15, I realized that I hadn't felt baby girl move all day. Around 8 pm, we went back to the hospital and they hooked me up to the non stress test. Baby had a very fast heart rate so the oncall doctor made some calls to see what others thought. Blank Children's Hospital doctors thought it would be best to get her out. I am only 32 week pregnant!!   They got me prepped and took me downstairs. Some NICU nurses came via helicopter to assist with baby when she was born. I was put to sleep to make the process faster, I of course was scared, all I could think was it's only January! Caris Jenika was born January 16 at 1:04 am. She was 4lbs 5 oz and 17 in long, After she was born they took via helicopter to Blanks.
     Later that day we got a call saying she was on oxygen and possibly had brain damage. I was having problems also my heart rate was high and hemoglobin was low. At one point when they tried to have me walk around I almost passed out again!? By the end of it all I was given 4 bags of blood, I was discharged on January 18 and finally got to head to see my baby girl!
    She is already off oxygen, has a feeding tube and I have gotten to hold her a few times! She has an MRI today to check into brain function but Dr. is positive, all her organs are working and she is looking around. Her eyes are starting to dilate but she is having some problems with swallowing her mucas.

WE LOVE YOU CARIS JENIKA and can not wait until you are home with us! We know you are in a very good place but it is hard on Mommy and Daddy not being able to see you daily.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

My Knight in cotton underwear strikes again!

I wasn't feeling well when I went to bed, I got up every hour for 3 hours (throwing up and what not). I ended taking a stool softener because of my iron pill (TMI, Sorry) But started having cramping in my stomach so I figured it was just horrible gas. A little before 3 I hollared for Josh because I felt light headed. I guess I passed out about 10/15 minutes later. He called 911 because he couldn't get me awake or to even respond. (Keep in mind I was in the bathroom on the toilet) I could hear Josh talking to me and then suddenly there were more voices, I got confused, but they were talking to, not sure what was being said other than I had dark polish so my blood oxygen levels wouldn't read with the finger thing and then they asked me if I could stand? I couldn't talk but I could grunt something like yes and no. So I grunted no, my legs had gone to sleep sitting there. They couldn't get me to stand to sit in the chair so they had to get the board. I slowly came too as I was being carried throught the maze of furnature and walls, I remember my arms hitting the door frames, my feet sliding off and almost being dropped. I got 1 eye open and realised I was on the porch wrapped in 2 blankets and only in under ware around my knees. (BRRR and embarassing!!)I got picked up again and was being taken off the porch, where they had problems again, they were still talking to me and I got my voice back, I could see KTM and focused more...my DAD was there, outside with me! I said HI Dad several times but I don't think he heard me. I closed my eyes again, it was 3 something in the morning and I was tired, I was then put in the back of an ambulance and headed up to Iowa Falls. She kept calling me Brittany LOL She then got an IV in, didn't hurt from what I recall, while going down the road and checked my vitals. She called ahead to EMH, told them I was coming in and out and my blood pressure was low and blood sugar was 200. The ambulance pulled over so they could roll me over onto my left side (my back was killing me by this point!) I was in the ER where I finally pulled my under ware up and was covered with 2 warm blankets and a heater hose put under the blankets. Had more tests done and it ended up being my potassium levels were low, blood pressure was low and blood sugar was 190! I spent 3 1/2 hours in the ER. I was even given some grippy socks, sweat pants AND a gown so I could be covered up while I walked the halls and went home.

My dad ended up staying at my house with 3 sleeping boys and 1 scared Tayeshun! Josh called my Mom on the way home to see if the boys were up and ready for school. I talked to Taye to let him know I was ok.

I am sure there are things being left out of this story and Joshua would have more to add. But I have had 2 naps already today, feel "normal" from time to time. Joshua and I have cried time to time about this because it's not the first time it happened and it doesn't get any easier. I want to thank everyone that came to my rescue early this morning!