Thursday, February 26, 2009
No change!
Thankfully my doctor's appt went well. I figured there were 3 things that could have happened: 1-no change and I get to go back home, 2-little change and she would admit me to the hospital to be monitored, or 3-lot of change and the boys would have made their arrival today. I will still have my standard weekly monitoring tomorrow and the monthly ultrasound is tomorrow also. I don't have to see my ob again until next Wed. Of course I'm under strict orders to go immediately to the hospital (Do not pass GO, do not collect $200) if anything on this long preterm labor list happens (which I've heard so many times now that I have it memorized). And I get to go back to the pool tomorrow. I've been missing swimming so much! It also looks like I'll make it to my own baby shower on Sunday too. Yea! Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Short day at the hospital!
Thankfully, today we only spent 2 hrs at the hospital. The boys cooperated with the monitors and didn't try to run away, although they continued to kick them for the duration. No change in my status and no contractions so I was able to go home. I received my second steriod shot so that can only help the boys, even if they don't come early. I was just told to take it easy, and I go back to my ob on Wednesday. Now it will just be a day at a time. As long as I'm not having contractions, I don't think the dr is in any rush either. After all, I was even further dilated and effaced with S at least a month before her birth and still had to be induced! Thank you all for your prayers, we'll keep you posted!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
31 weeks and counting
Or at least hoping to keep counting. Today I spent a few hours hanging out at the hospital labor and delivery triage. I was monitored for contractions. The babies heart rate monitors were fine, size wise they are actually measuring a few days ahead of their gestational age, and I wasn't having any contractions. All good things.
However, I've already started to dilate and efface (which is why I was sent to the hospital in the first place). Not good things. Baby A is breech and baby B is horizontal. I was given the first of two doses of corticosteriods to help their lungs develop if they are born sooner rather than later. I go back to the hospital tomorrow for the second dose. I've obviously been instructed to take it easy, but full bed rest would actually cause problems with the varicose veins and might cause a blood clot in my legs (I had one with my pregnancy with S). How could I have full bed rest with these other 3 at home anyways?! My dr must realize that too b/c she said rest in quotes :) So, please keep praying with us that these boys will hang out on the inside for a few more weeks. God's timing is perfect and we have to trust that. Honestly the stress of constantly wondering if that was a contraction, do I call the dr, am I doing too much, going back and forth to drs appts, and figuring out what to do with the kids is exhausting. 36 wks is the ultimate goal, 34 wks would be okay too - just a week or two in the NICU. Besides, we still have decided on names! Thank you for your prayers!
However, I've already started to dilate and efface (which is why I was sent to the hospital in the first place). Not good things. Baby A is breech and baby B is horizontal. I was given the first of two doses of corticosteriods to help their lungs develop if they are born sooner rather than later. I go back to the hospital tomorrow for the second dose. I've obviously been instructed to take it easy, but full bed rest would actually cause problems with the varicose veins and might cause a blood clot in my legs (I had one with my pregnancy with S). How could I have full bed rest with these other 3 at home anyways?! My dr must realize that too b/c she said rest in quotes :) So, please keep praying with us that these boys will hang out on the inside for a few more weeks. God's timing is perfect and we have to trust that. Honestly the stress of constantly wondering if that was a contraction, do I call the dr, am I doing too much, going back and forth to drs appts, and figuring out what to do with the kids is exhausting. 36 wks is the ultimate goal, 34 wks would be okay too - just a week or two in the NICU. Besides, we still have decided on names! Thank you for your prayers!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Annual New Year's update
Dear Family and Friends,
Happy 2009! 2008 was a busy year for us. Actually, it was a pretty ordinary year until about June when the movers showed up at our house and packed everything we owned into wood crates. We left San Diego only a few days after H finished kindergarten and headed off on almost a month of traveling before setting foot in Honolulu, Hawaii in mid-July. Here are a few of the highlights from our year…
In May, B finally had the opportunity to visit the Embry-Riddle campus in Daytona Beach, FL when she walked across the stage and accepted her Master’s Degree. It was a moment she’ll never forget! We also got to visit lots of family in south Georgia and relax a little. H learned how to kneeboard on Uncle R’s boat, and the kids even got to sit in a real fire truck at Meme and Grandaddy’s. C’s favorite part was riding on and driving (with Daddy’s help of course) Grandaddy’s tractor. It was a great trip!
In June, we flew to Alabama to visit Grandma and Papa, B’s parents. We drove all over the state to see lots of old friends and even went up to Indiana for our B's family reunion. It was wonderful to see and meet so many from her family. We also went to the Creation Museum in Cincinnati (awesome – check it out!) and to A Day Out with Thomas where we rode on a train pulled by Thomas!
Then in July we flew to Hawaii with three kids and two cats, and spent the next 11 days in 3 hotels (actually we couldn’t count if we wanted to the number of different places we stayed during the year!). Thankfully we moved into housing on day 12 and finally had a bed to sleep on about 2 weeks later when those same wood crates showed up at our new driveway (unfortunately many things didn’t look the same as they did when they were packed in San Diego)! D began his new job at the Chapel. Five months later his job keeps him very busy, but he gets to be home most nights to tuck the kids in bed. Such a blessing compared to the few nights he was home in 2007!
So then in September, our “baby” S turned two! She blows us away with her silly jokes and laughter. Her favorite thing to do is balance on Daddy’s hands as he lifts her high in the air (I can’t believe I don’t have a picture of this!). She seems to love the look of shock and fear on people’s faces. About the time she turned two, we discovered that we were having two more! An 8 week ultrasound confirmed what my friend Stacy already knew – we were having twins (she has twins too)! Talk about shock! Now at 26 weeks, we know they are fraternal boys and both are growing well. We’ve also learned that God is serious when He says He will bless you beyond all that you can ask or imagine! Now we just have to decide on names!
The next couple of months were spent trying to find a fit here in Hawaii, finish unpacking, homeschool H and try to make it through the day without a migraine or vomiting – all which proved to be challenging! H loves homeschooling, and it really has been a blessing to us. Sure, some days are harder than others, but I love the relationships that have developed between the kids as well as getting to spend quality time with her myself. The years are slipping by so fast. Sometimes I think if I blink she’ll be headed off to college.
We just finished December. C turned 4 and looks like such a big boy now. It’s funny to watch him turning into a small version of D – complete with scrapes from jumping off things and his sense of humor. B’s parents as well as her sister and brother-in-law came for a visit too. We did so much around the island, but by far the favorites were the kids’ presents from Aunt H and Uncle P. Aunt H took H on a dolphin encounter, and P took C for a helicopter ride! They both are still talking about it!
We had been planning a trip back to San Diego (H desperately wants to go snowboarding!) in January, but the doctor put an end to B’s overseas travel. We don’t have too many plans for next year. The twins will probably arrive around the beginning of April (hopefully no sooner or no later!) and traveling with 3 kids and 2 babies just sounds overwhelming now. I’m sure we’ll get the hang of it before too long! And while we don’t have much room, we do have a sofa sleeper (as well as the floor and sleeping bags!) and would welcome any of you for a visit. We wish you all a wonderful new year!
In May, B finally had the opportunity to visit the Embry-Riddle campus in Daytona Beach, FL when she walked across the stage and accepted her Master’s Degree. It was a moment she’ll never forget! We also got to visit lots of family in south Georgia and relax a little. H learned how to kneeboard on Uncle R’s boat, and the kids even got to sit in a real fire truck at Meme and Grandaddy’s. C’s favorite part was riding on and driving (with Daddy’s help of course) Grandaddy’s tractor. It was a great trip!
In June, we flew to Alabama to visit Grandma and Papa, B’s parents. We drove all over the state to see lots of old friends and even went up to Indiana for our B's family reunion. It was wonderful to see and meet so many from her family. We also went to the Creation Museum in Cincinnati (awesome – check it out!) and to A Day Out with Thomas where we rode on a train pulled by Thomas!
Then in July we flew to Hawaii with three kids and two cats, and spent the next 11 days in 3 hotels (actually we couldn’t count if we wanted to the number of different places we stayed during the year!). Thankfully we moved into housing on day 12 and finally had a bed to sleep on about 2 weeks later when those same wood crates showed up at our new driveway (unfortunately many things didn’t look the same as they did when they were packed in San Diego)! D began his new job at the Chapel. Five months later his job keeps him very busy, but he gets to be home most nights to tuck the kids in bed. Such a blessing compared to the few nights he was home in 2007!
So then in September, our “baby” S turned two! She blows us away with her silly jokes and laughter. Her favorite thing to do is balance on Daddy’s hands as he lifts her high in the air (I can’t believe I don’t have a picture of this!). She seems to love the look of shock and fear on people’s faces. About the time she turned two, we discovered that we were having two more! An 8 week ultrasound confirmed what my friend Stacy already knew – we were having twins (she has twins too)! Talk about shock! Now at 26 weeks, we know they are fraternal boys and both are growing well. We’ve also learned that God is serious when He says He will bless you beyond all that you can ask or imagine! Now we just have to decide on names!
The next couple of months were spent trying to find a fit here in Hawaii, finish unpacking, homeschool H and try to make it through the day without a migraine or vomiting – all which proved to be challenging! H loves homeschooling, and it really has been a blessing to us. Sure, some days are harder than others, but I love the relationships that have developed between the kids as well as getting to spend quality time with her myself. The years are slipping by so fast. Sometimes I think if I blink she’ll be headed off to college.
We just finished December. C turned 4 and looks like such a big boy now. It’s funny to watch him turning into a small version of D – complete with scrapes from jumping off things and his sense of humor. B’s parents as well as her sister and brother-in-law came for a visit too. We did so much around the island, but by far the favorites were the kids’ presents from Aunt H and Uncle P. Aunt H took H on a dolphin encounter, and P took C for a helicopter ride! They both are still talking about it!
We had been planning a trip back to San Diego (H desperately wants to go snowboarding!) in January, but the doctor put an end to B’s overseas travel. We don’t have too many plans for next year. The twins will probably arrive around the beginning of April (hopefully no sooner or no later!) and traveling with 3 kids and 2 babies just sounds overwhelming now. I’m sure we’ll get the hang of it before too long! And while we don’t have much room, we do have a sofa sleeper (as well as the floor and sleeping bags!) and would welcome any of you for a visit. We wish you all a wonderful new year!
January 08 - Building a fort
H snowboarding at Big Bear in January
H and C camping with Daddy in April
Spring pics by our friend Susie - we miss you Susie!
B's graduation in May
C and D riding a tractor at Meme and Grandaddy's in May
A Day out with Thomas in June
4 generations taken at our family reunion in June (left to right - B's Grandpa with S, B's Dad with C, and B with H)
Twins at 25 weeks
The boys are looking good! I'm now 26 weeks (these pics are from last week). Besides the fact that both were breech at the ultrasound, they are growing well. Baby A is measuring just over 2 lbs and Baby B is just under 2 lbs. Actually Baby B is measuring where he should be and A is just an overachiever! Please pray with us that these boys will turn head down. If they are breech and a c-section is required they will most likely make their appearance earlier than if they wait on their own timing.
It's hard to tell from all the arms, legs, umbilical cords, and the membrane separating the two, but it looks like you can see Baby B's face in this last picture with Baby A. Just out from A's nose and mouth it looks like another face staring straight at you. Drs said the next ultrasound won't be near as clear since it's starting to get crowded in there. Starting to get crowded?! It's felt crowded to me for weeks!
Just for fun!
I heard this song before and thought it was pretty funny. D came across it last week and I thought I'd post it for other moms to enjoy too!
Christmas morning pics
Our yearly tradition of the kids under the tree in their Christmas pajamas. S loved being a candy cane, C's had trucks carrying Christmas trees, and H's said "I love presents." 
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