Merry Christmas

Isaiah 9:6

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

This year Christmas has even more significance to us. As we think upon what God has done for us in sending his one and only Son to be our Savior from sin. We look at our little girls and praise God for his amazing grace. Praise the Lord for his kindness, mercy, and grace in sending undeserving sinners Jesus to save us from our sins!

It has been a very busy 11 days with Adelain and McKinley. We have stayed with them in the NICU since they have been here. We are currently staying in the same room as them which makes for little sleep with all the beeping machines. We feel blessed to be able to stay with them though. They are in the "growing and eating" stage which means they need to continue to gain weight and do all their feedings without the feeding tube. Adelain started out as our eater and was very good at sucking. Now McKinley has taken over the eating and has been doing really well and almost eating all her meals without the tube. Adelain doesn't seem to be as hungry and eats only half her bottle before she is exhausted. She then gets the rest fed through her tube. She is still a lot smaller however she has moved to the 4 pound club with her sister!

Clay and I continue to learn how to care for our girls. Clayton has mastered the diapering and continues to enjoy them laying on his chest after they eat. Besides diapering, we get their bottles ready, bathe them, comfort them when they cry, and ask the nurses a lot of questions.

We have enjoyed getting to know our girls and their personalities. They continue to amaze us and we can't wait to bring them home! Home..... it has been 4 weeks since we have slept at our place! The doctors say that this is the boring stage- waiting for them as they "grow and eat." We think that they will be going home some time next week.

We are so thankful for our families and how they blessed us this Christmas. Grandma Mankin, Sara, Micah, Rylan, and Madisyn came to the hospital on Christmas eve. We enjoyed our traditional meal of soups in the lobby. Christmas day we traveled to Aurora for the Christmas dinner with 24 of the Mankins. We enjoyed our time even though it was short. Christmas eve supper consisted of peanut butter toast and popcorn as we watched a movie in our hospital room. Sunday, Grandma and Grandpa Jones, Zach, Megan, Conrad, Izzy, Amelia (born 6 hrs after our girls), Michala, Jared, Kai, and Julia came to Grand Island. We hung out at the Holiday Inn down the street in between feedings. We had a great time with them and look forward to being able to enjoy family more when we can take our girls with us places.

Clay had his holiday basketball tournament in Dodge where they went 1-1. He has been busy traveling back and forth but we are so thankful that it is Christmas break and he isn't as busy as he could be. He starts teaching again on Tuesday and we are really hoping that we can be home soon after that.

Please continue to pray for all of us. It has been really overwhelming but we know that each day we must trust in God for the strength for that day.

Clay, Erin, Adelain, McKinley Mankin

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to our sweet little girls! (December 20th)

It has been a really long last couple of days. Monday morning (December 20th) at 2:50 am I got up to use the restroom and got back into bed. At 3 am my water broke and things started to get busy. We got a nurse in, she called the doctor and got us ready for surgery. Our baby A was really low and breech so we knew that if she didn't turn around we would have a c-section. By 4:11 am we had Adelain Lynn and at 4:12 am we had McKinley Jane. Everything went by really fast and smoothly. Clay enjoyed following the girls as they got measured. Adelain- baby A was 3 lbs 14 oz and 17 1/4 inches long and McKinely was 4 lbs 8 oz and 17 inches long. They showed the babies to me and then took them to the NICU where Clay followed and took pictures. I was unable to see them until I could feel my legs and get into a wheel chair which was 4 hours after we had them. They are absolutely beautiful and precious and we thank God for the gift that they are!

Adelain, although smaller has had no big problems besides being early and little. McKinley, the larger of the 2 was breathing really fast and had to have oxygen given to her through her nose. They thought she may need to go on the ventilator but never did. Tuesday early afternoon they took out the oxygen and she has gone without it since- praise the Lord! We are also waiting to find out about McKinley's right hand which appears to be smaller than her left. It is hard to tell right now because of an IV in her right hand.
Clay and I have enjoyed every minute of being parents. It is still hard to believe that they are here and ours! The doctors have been surprised at how well they are doing and think that they will be able to go home in a couple of weeks. Until that time, Clay and I are living in a room next door to them in the NICU. We are so thankful that the hospital offers parents this room. We are currently trying to nurse which the doctors didn't think would be possible for awhile.

We are enjoying holding and cuddling with our girls. Clay especially loves when they lay on him as he reclines on a chair. Clay is also really excited to have a bed to sleep in tonight- the first bed in 20 days! We are taking on more parenting duties such as diapering- tonight will be Clay's first diaper that he has changed.... ever!

We have been blessed with many visitors. They have helped the time go by especially when I couldn't get out my room before the girls came. We are excited to have our families come for Christmas. Clay's mom, sister Sara's family- Micah, Rylan, and Madisyn come up for Christmas eve. We will be eating our traditional dinner of soup in the lobby! My family is coming on Sunday where Clay and I will meet them at the Holiday Inn through out the day. We look forward to seeing my sister Michala who is due in March and her husband and twins from Dallas, my brother Zach, parents, and sister Megan, Conrad and their 2 girls Izzy and Amelia. Amelia was born 6 hours after our little girls!!

We thank you for the many people who have been praying for us and the girls and would ask that you continue to pray for them! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas. What a wonderful time to celebrate not only our girls birth but especially the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Clay, Erin, Adelain, and McKinley Mankin

1 week and a day

We have been in the hospital for a week and a day. What an emotional roller coaster! Actually every day there are times that I find myself being reminded that I am not in control and desperately clinging to God.
There have been good days and bad days. Monday was one of the bad days: I was told to be prepared for the babies to come that night. After an ultrasound showed that the babies were doing good they just kept monitoring them. Tuesday wasn't much better- Baby A had a deceleration and then the nurses couldn't' find her to monitor her. The nurses looked for about 1.5 hrs before they got really nervous and had the ultrasound guy- Doug come back. Again it showed the girls were doing well and moving A LOT! They found Baby A for a while and then spent the next 3 hours trying to find her and keep her monitored. They then had to have the ultrasound come back just so they could find her. The girls were good for the rest of the night.
Today I had another ultrasound which went really well. I think I was getting a little cocky because this afternoon Baby A has had more declines then she ever has in one day. It was one of the very scary times for me. During the ultrasound, Doug showed me that Baby A has a little bit of hair and my favorite mommy moment yet was when Baby B had a 5 second yawn. It was amazing! I feel like I have had the opportunity to get to know the girls better since being here. Baby A is ornery like her mother. She is usually the one that the nurses have a hard time finding. If she doesn't want to be monitored she will play hide and seek for hours! She is sitting very low and breech. Baby B is more like her dad- seems to be more laid back and more compliant. She is head down with bottom really high in the center of my stomach. The last week the girls have been nose to nose!
Clay has been really busy as he has traveled back and forth as he has stayed with us every night. He had a game last night in which they won and has another one tonight. I am excited because the game will be on the radio. I thank God for such a wonderful husband and friend.
The doctors have said that right now our biggest goal is to get to 34 weeks which is Tuesday. If the girls are still doing good then we will take it a day at a time. We are looking forward to Monday when our doctor will be back from her vacation.
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by, sent cards, called, and who have prayed. It means so much to us!

Hospital Stay

Psalm 112:6-8b "For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid."
This verse has been close to our heart these last few days. I am so thankful for a God who is completely good, trustworthy, and in control.

Wanted to give a detailed update:

Friday morning I went to Grand Island for a couple of appointments. I went and got my weekly shot and then I went to the hospital for my first non-stress test. During the test there was a time where baby B's heart rate dropped which proved to be concerning. I went from the hospital to see the specialist from Creighton. The girls looked good- Baby A was 3 11 and Baby B was 3 15. There was only a 8% difference between them-which was really good. Before I left, the doctor took a look at my stress test and then did some tests on Baby B and her placenta. She was really concerned and told me to go back to the hospital to get monitored. I asked her how long it would take because Clay had his first game and I didn't want to be late. She said, "No, you won't be going home. You will stay at the hospital until they come." I was pretty shocked, scared... I then went back to the hospital where I have been since. I am monitored 24/7 and can't get out of bed unless I have to go to the bathroom, and even then the nurses have to unplug me.
Clay was ready to come to the hospital right away but I finally convinced him to stay until his JV basketball scrimmage and varsity games were over- which his team won- Great job sweetheart!
I thank God for such a great husband. He got here on Friday night and has been with me since. He will be staying at the hospital with me as much as he can while also teaching and coaching- please be praying for him! I am so thankful for everything he has been doing.
The girls have been doing pretty good. Only a couple of drops each day by Baby B. I continue to have contractions but not nearly as many as I did on Friday. The staff have been preparing us for delivery at any moment-which is scary. Our room is right by the ICU- which they have set up for us and we are right by the operating room. We have many doctors and nurses who aren't as optimistic as we are. I keep reminding them that we and many others are praying that I will be here for a LONG time. My doctor left for a week and a half on vacation- I would really like her to be here when we deliver.
As of today we are 32 weeks and 6 days.
Thank you so much for all the prayers, thoughts, and encouragement.

We have been Super blessed by people calling, praying and visiting.

Visitors:
Mother Mankin- Clay's mom
Gib and Jim
Tonya and Cailyn
Kadi
Women from our church- brought Christmas tree and decorations!
Julie, Neil, Kara Ostrand, Jessica, Tristan, Sophie, and Jordan from Anlsey
Mark, Kate, Alexis, and Emily Perrey
Adrian
My mom, dad, Zach and Jake S


Please continue to pray for us!
Erin, Clay, and girls

Praise the Lord for another day!

Praise the Lord for another day that the girls haven't come! We have been so grateful for each day that God keeps our little girls growing. However, they don't feel like little girls anymore! We are praying that God would keep them growing as they have about 56 left till due date.

November 5th I had a doctor appointment with a specialist from Creighton. The girls were measuring well at 2.6 lbs and 2.9 lbs and there hearts and everything looked good. The doctor did have some concerns though and I am taking shots every week to help prevent pre-term labor. The doctor didn't put me on bed rest but told me to really slow down and keep my feet up and rest. I was really nervous as I left and still am! I have been taking it easy- working more from home and resting more.

November 7th Clay and I went to Lexington for a baby shower that my mom and sister Megan held. We were really surprised to walk in and see not only Megans little girl Izzy but also my other sister Michala's little girl, Julia! I couldn't figure everything out for a while but was so surprised that Michala had come from Tulsa with her twins. What a great surprise to have both my sisters and their kids home! It was so much fun having them there and my mom was very excited to get all 3 of the pregnant sisters together in some pictures! I ended up going back to Lexington on Tuesday evening thru Wednesday evening to spend some extra time with Michala and my family including my grandparents in Lex. It was a blessing!

Clay is busy as basketball has officially started. He has 25 guys out and is excited about the new season. We have been trying to figure out the best way of communicating when/IF something happens and I need to get a hold of him ASAP. Clay has also been very busy putting our 2nd crib together, shelving, blinds, and an ice maker in our freezer. He has been such a great husband and doesn't make me feel bad for just "sitting there!"

Last week I called my mom as I sat in the nursery and told her that I was really overwhelmed and needed her help! She was able to come yesterday and we are so thankful she did! What a difference.... we can now walk in the room and it actually looks like a nursery! We have been given so much clothes and items and we are thankful for the generosity of people.

Clay is speaking at the UNK FCA tomorrow which will also be my last time at FCA at UNK. It is really hard to believe that I will be done working in a week! I will really miss seeing the athletes, coaches, and students each week.

I have a doctor appointment tomorrow and we are praying for good news! We appreciate the many people and their prayers and would ask for you to continue them!

Megan, Me, Michala

Megan, Zach, Me and Michala

My friends from Kearney

75 days!!!

Every day that God gives us with our 2 little girls is a blessing to us!

Clay had his last football game last week and will have a couple of weeks off until basketball starts. The football team was plagued with injuries and their 2 and 6 record doesn't show the big improvements from last year. Their record could have easily been 6 and 2 with a lot of really close games! Clay is still pretty busy with school but has been working really hard on getting done early so he can spend extra time at home. I have put him to work as I start to get anxious over all the stuff we have to do before they get here! Clay has started putting up window blinds in our living room and his next project is putting our crib together!
Our volleyball season is still going as we have districts on Monday. If we win our first game, which we should, we will play the #1 team in the state. I will miss coaching the girls as I won't be able to help with basketball this year but my body is starting to slow down so the break will be nice. I have also kept very busy with recruiting huddle leaders for our FCA weekend of champions on Nov 6-7th. Both Clay and I will be their for the event and we are looking forward to the great speakers that are coming!
The girls have been moving a lot more! Clay really enjoys this and tries to get them to move/kick more. He tells them that they are playing hide and seek and he waits till they move so that he can find them!! I told Clay that I wish he could have the experience like I do with the babies. He said that he likes them in me and doesn't want them in him!
We have been spending most of our weekends in the NE Christian dorm as substitute dorm parents. The boys love it when we stay with them and they get Clay involved in a lot of basketball and ping pong games! We will be staying in the girls dorm this weekend. Clay let me know that during the Husker game we will be taking them to GI for a shopping trip. We will have to camp out at Best Buy!
We also had a great time celebrating our niece Izzy's 2nd birthday. Megan and Conrad had a party for her and rented a huge jumping house which Izzy loved!
I had another good doctor appointment on Monday.
I have a big appointment next Friday in GI- please be praying that everything looks good! We have experienced so many blessings from family and friends and are thankful for all the generosity and support! We also treasure your prayers!

Erin and Clay






Clay playing basketball with the International students






Me and Izzy at her birthday party

27 weeks

Rejoice in the good from the Lord!

Deuteronomy 26: 11a " And you shall rejoice in the good that the Lord your God has given to you and your house"

Yes! We are rejoicing in all the good that the Lord our God has given to us!

Clay and I were both able to go to my doctors appointment last Monday (September 27th). This was one of the big appointments where they do ultrasounds to look at every part of the babies. This was the first time Clay has been able to go with me to one of these- he loved it! He kept asking questions to find out what we were looking at. Baby A was moving around a lot so the doctor had a hard time getting all her measurements. Baby B was more cooperative even though I feel her moving more than Baby A most of the time! The doctor said everything looks good. Their heart rates were good and they were growing at the right rate for twins! I couldn't believe it when they told us that the babies were 1 lb. 1 oz.-the size of an apple or pear! I feel AND look like they are a lot bigger! They have started moving around more, kicking some, but mainly making themselves VERY known! Clay loves to feel when they do this and keeps trying to get them to kick for daddy! I came home from being gone for a night and found 2 notes from Clay. One was to me and the other note he wrote was to the girls- he is such a great dad already!

Clay and I have both been really busy this last month. Clay is enjoying school more and more- we thank God for his grace in this! He is also busy every Friday and most Mondays with football games. They have had some really close games lately and have been disappointed when they haven't been able to pull them out. They have 3 more games and are hoping to make playoffs! We are also hosting the Central City FCA at our house. Clay has done all the lessons so far but we have a couple other great friends that are also helping. He is going to Grand Island Saturday and helping with a junior high FCA event where he will be helping coach football.

I have also been busy with FCA and volleyball. We have games at least twice a week and sometimes up to four times per week. This week we played Monday (JV), Tuesday (varisity triangular), Thursday (varisty triangular), Saturday (varsity quad.). We have played 14 games before this week and this week alone we are playing 7- which doesn't include our JV game! We also had our FCA Fields of Faith event on Wednesday night. It was a great night! We had a main speaker who did a great job of sharing the gospel and 2 athletes share as well. I am trying to take it easier and have been praying that God would give me wisdom in what I should and shouldn't be doing. I met with my FCA supervisor and we decided that I would work through Thanksgiving- with the Lords protection!

I have started getting a little anxious with getting things ready! We don't have much of anything right now however, Clay and his mom, Kathy, painted the babies room on Monday. We will be getting our 2 cribs in a couple of weeks and I hope we can get some other projects done!

We are so thankful for all the support and help that has already been given! Our friends and family have been such great blessings to us!

Please pray for the girls- that God would protect them, nourish them, and that they would continue to grow and be healthy! I am currently at 24 weeks, 3 days.

I have been asked and asked to put pictures up on the blog! I had the excuse that I didn't know how for a while- but I figured it out! It seems like every day, especially the last 2 weeks, the girls are growing so much!

22.5 weeks

24 weeks