Arrival of Our Twins & Departure of Our Sweet Baby Girl Alexis

As most of you know, we went in for our routine 35 week ultrasound Friday. Everything looked great for our son, Nathan. He measured big and had a great heartbeat. When we went to check our daughter, Alexis, she was measuring smaller than we expected and we didn't measure a heartbeat. We thought that was strange but the ultrasound technician sent us to a room without telling us anything (they have to wait for the doctor to do that).

As we waited I had this overwhelming feeling that something wasn't right as we have always seen and heard a heartbeat. I immediately prayed that whatever news we heard, God would be there to comfort us. I really just thought that maybe she wasn't growing as good and that we might have to have them early since we had discussed possible things that can warrant earlier delivery. When the doctor came in, she said, "I have some bad news." Immediately my heart sank. She said, "Baby B doesn't have a heartbeat and has passed away." At first they said it was Nathan, but I knew Baby B was Alexis. We were in limbo for a minute, but we found out it was definitely Alexis.

I immediately cried uncontrollably. I was completely overwhelmed with grief. I have to say that in the 9 years I have known Lee, I have maybe seen him shed a few tears a handful of times. To say he was overcome with grief is an understatement. We discussed going ahead and delivering Nathan. I will say that even though I was overwhelmed and my heart ached, I knew that God had His hands on Nathan and that everything would be great with him. Lee and I called our family and wept in the room until we could compose ourselves enough to leave and head home to get our stuff so we could head to the hospital.

We got to the hospital and they monitored Nathan and he was doing great - great heartbeat, very active. They scheduled my c-section for roughly 5:00pm since I had something to eat at 9:00am. The c-section went beautifully. I kept focusing on Scriptures that were encouraging. It took a while since I have had a c-section before and had a good amount of scar tissue, but at 5:45pm I heard the greatest sound in the world, Nathan crying. Immediately came the tears. At that point I was still hoping and praying that maybe the tech was wrong and I would hear my precious Alexis cry. Needless to say, I didn't. The nurse came and told me that Alexis was beautiful and looked just like Nathan. Lee brought Nathan over to me and I got to love and kiss on him. He is so beautiful and I believe he looks just like Daddy's baby pictures. I opted not to see Alexis at that time as I knew that would be too much to handle while still finishing up my c-section.

We got everything finished up and I went to my room under the impression that Nathan would be in the NICU until 10:00pm (4 hours for observation). Well, he was doing so great that he came out in about an hour. I was thrilled. I couldn't wait to hold and kiss him. Lee and I had some time with him and then Luke came in and then family came in in groups. It was amazing having this precious heathy baby boy and enjoying him with our family.

Lee and I wanted to see Alexis and hold her and let our family have some time with her before we sent her to the morgue, but she didn't look good and it was too much for me to take, so I only saw her for a quick second and they went ahead and took her. I want to remember her from the sweet ultrasound pictures and active kicks in my belly for the past 35 weeks. They did give us a box with her footprints and some of her special items (blanket, hat, bracelets). I know we will cherish it forever.

That night went really well. We had Nathan go to the nursery for a few hours so we could sleep and he could be well taken care of. He was eating about every 3 hours (he was taking formula). We are working on nursing, pumping, making bottles, and giving him formula. He is doing really well. He had an APGAR of 9 and the only thing he has had a tough time with was his body temperature regulation, but we got that under control. He is so beautiful. I can't stop looking at him.

I am doing great. This c-section is nothing compared to the last one I had with Luke (I think not laboring for 26 hours might be part of that). I have been able to get up and sit in a chair. I got all the hospitally stuff off (IVs, etc). I was on a liquid diet until last night, but I got to have a yummy dinner tonight.

We are just so thankful for our God, our family, and our friends. God is everpresent and will take us through this. Our family is amazing and is always here for us. Our friends are incredible and their messages have been so encouraging. We appreciate all the prayers, comments, and support. We can't express it enough.

Here is the Scripture I've been meditating on (thanks Krisanne!)

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." - Isaiah 43:2

Gift Bags for Luke

I really want to make the babies' arrival exciting and fun for Luke, but most importantly don't want him to feel left out or forgotten. I decided to make gift bags for Luke for each day we are in the hospital when the babies are born. I think it is a two-fold plan: 1) he has a special bag of treats when he comes and 2) he has stuff to keep him occupied and snacks to keep his belly full.

I put 2 juice boxes, a baggie of cheez-its, a baggie of goldfish, a baggie of pretzels, a baggie of cereal, a fruit snack, a baggie of M&Ms, and a baggie of Reese cups in each bag.


I also wanted to add some toys to the bags to keep him occupied and give him something fun to enjoy. We got a few coloring books, packs of crayons, an Elmo stamp, a couple of animal figurines, a new CARS car, and a Viking hat and weapon. I also pre-ordered a Veggie Tales movie and got a couple for free, so when they come in, I'll be adding those.

Here are the bags:

Like I said, each bag has the same snacks.

Bag #1 has the Viking dress up stuff.

Bag #2 has a coloring book, crayons, and animal figurine.
Bag #3 has a coloring/sticker book, crayons, an Elmo stamp, and animal figurine.

Bag #4 has a coloring book, crayons, and the CARS car.

I'll probably put the movies in Bags #2 and #3 since he will be there the longest those days.

1 Month from the Babies' Birthday

Well, if the babies and I can hold out until my 38 week c-section date, October 22nd, 2010, then that makes today 1 month from their birthday. Either way it means that I have no more than 30 days until I get to meet my precious baby boy and girl. In some ways it seems like it has gone fast (like when I think I only have at most 4 weeks to go), but in some ways it has seemed slow (waiting for check-ups and ultrasounds, not being able to do as much so the days go slower).

Either way, I know that everything is on God's timetable. He gave us these babies at the right time, He gave us two babies for a reason, and He has a perfect plan for me and the babies. Whether they come in the next couple of weeks (before term), they come after term (36 weeks), or they come on their c-section date, I know God has His hands on them and will make everything work together for the good (Romans 8:28). I am so thankful to have made it this far with virtually no problems. He has given me a peace the whole time that I would make it full-term and have healthy, hearty babies. I know that many have been praying and I believe with all my heart that God not only hears, but answers our prayers.

Please just continue to pray for my health and safety during the pregnancy, for the babies to grow perfectly, for full-term healthy, hearty babies, for a safe delivery and smooth recovery, and for a smooth transition once we get the babies home. To God be all the glory, honor, and praise for these blessings!

Our 2nd Trip to Labor and Delivery

Well today the contractions started back up. I had a few throughout the day, but around 3:00pm, I started having them every 5-10 minutes along with some cramping and light back pain. I let them go on for a couple of hours and then decided to call my doctor. I felt like an annoyance having to call when I was just in L&D a few days ago, but she said, "You never know if you are starting to thin out or dialate so you have to come in."

I had Luke pack a bag just in case, called Lee to meet me, and called Lee's mom to come get Luke. We got to the hospital and I was admitted. My mother-in-law showed up just in time. The nurse checked my cervix - long, thick, closed, and the babies aren't in my pelvis yet. YAY! They decided since I had had 15+ glasses of water that I didn't need IV fluids. I just had to drink a pitcher of water so I could get the contraction stopping medicine. I got it and they tracked the babies and my contractions for a few hours. They slowed down and eventually stopped. I had an irritable uterus still (of course it is iritated - it's trying to carry two big babies).

My doctor said that I am probably fine, minus the annoying contractions and the irritable uterus. She put me on Procardia (a contraction reducing medicine) for the next 4 weeks (until I hit 37 weeks). After that it won't matter if I go into labor, even though I am hoping to make it to my 38 week c-section. I am also supposed to make sure I keep my fluid intake high (12 or more glasses of water each day) and rest as much as possible. I don't have to be on any form of bedrest. HALLELUJAH! I just have to listen to my body and make sure I do what I think it needs (drink more, rest more, lay down). If I do get hard contractions or they have a pattern, I am supposed to call because my body could still override the medicine.

I am praying that this medicine helps so that I don't have pre-term labor and I can be as comfortable as possible the last few weeks. I truly want the babies to stay in until 38 weeks. I know that God is in control and He will be there no matter what happens. I greatly appreciate the continued prayers. :)

32 Week Doctor's Appointment

I had my 32 week doctor's appointment today and it went great. I gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks for 28 total which I am very happy with since I have 5 1/2 weeks to go (if I make it to my 38 week c-section) and am aiming to gain 30-35 pounds. My blood pressure was great. I got the flu shot. I measured 40 weeks so I grew 2 weeks in 2 weeks. I am glad I am not measuring more than 8 weeks ahead. I guess that means if I get to 38 weeks, I'll look 46 weeks pregnant. ;) The babies heartbeats were great - don't know the exact numbers, but Alexis' heartbeat was faster than Nathan's.

We talked about what happened on Saturday and she said she really thinks I was just dehydrated since I responded to the medicine and fluids and have been fine Sunday. I am not on modified bedrest anymore (PRAISE THE LORD!) I will be taking it easier and definitely hydrating so I don't have another incident. She seems confident I will make it since my cervix is as good as it can be even for a non-pregnant woman. I really hope so.

That being said, we talked about my scheduled c-section. I asked for her input and we went through all the scenarios. Both babies are head down so I could attempt a VBAC if they stay that way. She gave me all of the possibilities - 1) I could labor and have a successful VBAC, 2) I could labor and have no progress, 3) I could have one baby vaginally and one c-section if they both didn't cooperate, or 4) I could just go ahead and have the c-section. Since I was in labor with Luke for 26 hours and was jacked up on pitocin and never dialated past 5cm (even though that doesn't mean I couldn't labor easily this time) and I've had a c-section and know what to expect, I am going to go ahead with a c-section (even if I do go in labor on my own). I am not down with being in labor for a day, having a c-section anyways, or having both a vaginal delivery and c-section. She seemed to think that was a good choice.

My next checkup will be in 2 1/2 weeks on October 1st (Friday). I will be having another growth ultrasound that day. I can't wait to see the babies again. It's crazy to think that the next time I go, I will be 3 weeks from my scheduled c-section date. It's going faster now even though some days (and nights) feel really long.

Our 1st Trip to Labor & Delivery

Last night I woke up throughout the night with a pain in my lower right side. It didn't feel good but I didn't think a lot about it until it continued today and came with some strong contractions. Not knowing what it was but knowing whatever it was wasn't right, I called the paging system. My doctor called me back and said she wanted me to get to Labor and Delivery ASAP. We quickly packed Luke a backpack of entertainment and snacks and were on our way expecting at most to be there a couple of hours.

I got there and it really freaked me out that they basically admitted me like I was in labor. Being that I am only 32 weeks I seriously hoped and prayed that I wasn't. They took me into a real L&D room which brought back a lot of memories from when Luke was born. It was surreal. Luckily they had comfy chairs and a TV with cable so Lee and Luke were occupied.

The doctor wanted me and the babies to be monitored for contractions and to watch their heartbeats. She also wanted me to have a catheter urine check for infection. She did the catheter check which I have to say was probably one of the most painful things I've ever had done (including a 26 hour labor and C-section with Luke, multiple surgeries for my cleft palate/lip, 2 jaw breaking and re-structuring surgeries, and 2 rhinoplasties).

Then they hooked me up to monitors. Since there are two wildly active babies in there, they had a rough time keeping up with both of their heartbeats and my contractions for a consistent period of time. It took a long time. That turned out to be a good thing because my contractions weren't showing up much, but once they just checked the contractions and had me drink a couple of pitchers of water (they thought I was just dehydrated), my contractions were showing up as every 3-4 minutes.

With that the doctor decided to give me some medicine to slow/stop the contractions. She also ordered an IV of fluids and had me keep up the pitchers of water. She also decided to check my cervix and run a test to see if pre-term labor was coming in the next 14 days. The test and cervix check were not so much fun, but it was worth it to find out what we needed to know. My cervix was still closed, thick, and long (YAY!).

She had me monitored for a couple more hours while the drugs and fluids were going through me and we waited for the test. The contractions slowed down and decreased in intensity (which is what she wanted to happen). The test came back negative (YAY!) All of that meant that I could go home tonight. She said that most likely I did get dehydrated so she ordered me to drink, drink, drink (which I do a lot) and that I couldn't overdrink. She said that of course the contractions could come back since my body thinks I am overterm and if they do, I am to call and more than likely come in. She also put me on modified bedrest (bathroom, kitchen, shower, food only) for Sunday and until I come into the office on Monday. On Monday they will check everything out and let me know my marching orders from then on.

So I am at home, resting, drinking, and letting Lee wait on me (not a bad arrangement). I am hoping and praying that I don't have to make another visit to the hospital until I am 38 weeks and coming in for my scheduled C-section. It was a rather overwhelming ordeal today but I knew that God has His hands on me and the babies and that everyone has been praying for us, so I knew it would all be okay no matter what. I will just be resting, relaxing, and drinking until time for the babies (hopefully 38 weeks). Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We greatly appreciate it!

Eviction Date is Set

My OB's office called today and let me know that they've scheduled my C-Section date. It will be October 22nd (Friday) at 1:30pm. I will be exactly 38 weeks that day. I am praying the babies stay in until that date, but who knows. It's just nice to know that I will be having them no later than that date.