To my 4 month olds...

Who would have thought you'd change my life in so many incredible ways in just 4 months?  You both are smiling and talking, and you make me feel like a movie star when I peek at you first thing in the morning :)

Lena, you are independent and amazing.  You aren't much for cuddling, you'd rather look out at the world!  Yesterday, you made a funny face when your uncle held up a piece of celery to you, I can't wait to try new foods with you!  Your expressions are priceless, everyone loves you!  You're trying to laugh, you are so close!

Liam, you are Mommy's little guy!  You love to be held and snuggled.  You kick your legs like you are trying to get up and run in place!  Always moving!  Such a flirt :)  You make people smile.  You love when I sing, even when I make up those ridiculous songs, you think they are the best!

I love you both!  I can't believe the past 4 months have flown by so quickly! :)  You have blessed my life in so many ways already!  I'm looking forward to all of your milestones. You will make the holidays fun this year!!

Love, Mom

Where in the world has the past four months gone?!

Now that the babes are almost FOUR MONTHS OLD!  Yes, it's been that long since I've taken the time to write in this, I thought I'd try to start again, marking milestones and memories along the way!

The past four months has been a complete whirlwind of emotions, pure bliss, extreme exhaustion, joy, frustration, laughter, and tears.  All 100% worth being the mother of these two amazing kids of course!  Liam and Lena are doing fantastic, they are weighing in at almost 13 and 14 lbs.  They are smiling, talking, and becoming two completely different people!!  We are still waiting for them to belly laugh!!  Liam has rolled from tummy to back, but does it in the privacy of his crib, b/c I've yet to see him actually do it!! They are almost sleeping through the night! THANK GOD!!  We have some nights where we are up, but I think I can handle that.  Now that they are sleeping more, I need to train myself to sleep more!!  Even when they sleep, I get up anticipating them awakening!

Past three months in a nutshell!! Look at how much they have changed!!  

Their 4 months photos will be taken on the 17th! :)

 Em and I are doing great, parenting is a whole new ballpark for the both of us!  He is working hard!!!  But he loves his kids :)  That's a quick update, and the past 4 months deserves a book of updates, but I gotta get back in the groove of writing, AND I need to shower!  Mommy Rule: Shower while they sleep!!!!!!

I have a minute!

Okay, I have a few minutes, thanks to my hands free pumping thing, thank God for that since I've been spending 3 hours a day minimum making sure my babes have something to eat while they are up in the NICU.  Anyways!

Day 11 in the NICU.  The babies are feeder/growers, meaning the only reason they are there is to take their feedings out of a bottle.  They both have a feeding tube in, b/c they inconsistently take their bottles.  Liam will take about half of his 47 cc's if we are lucky and the rest gets "gavaged" or goes down his tube.  Lena did very well yesterday, took most of her bottles and breastfed like a pro.  The doctor even lowered her feeding since she had such a huge gain (40 grams) the night before to 40-45 cc's.  Liam had lost 5 grams, so he is still at the 47 cc's.  I have a gut feeling she will be ready to come home before he will, she is just so far ahead of him on some days.  The nurses have reassured me that boys take so much longer than girls.  Liam also had a much rougher start than Lena, he came out with a lower heart rate, needing oxygen.  I'm impatiently awaiting their arrival home and we have been blessed enough to be able to stay in the hospital hotel room, which makes pumping and breastfeeding much easier.  Although, I think our time is running out here b/c there are some other mom's who will be discharged soon that may want it.  We'll see.  Please pray that they are home by this weekend or early next week.  I'd love to have them both home for the 4th of July.

I am doing well, recovery wise.  Feet and legs are very swollen and I have to go back to the doctor for a blood pressure check as it was a little elevated at today's appointment.  I'm trying to wean myself off pain meds so that I can drive.  I've been getting a little sleep, if you call two to three hour increments, enough sleep.  Even though I don't have the babies, I still have to wake up to pump for them.  I'm just very, very anxious to have them home!!!

They're here! Quick update

Lena Marie (5 lbs 4oz, 19 inches) was born at 1:56 p.m and Liam Joseph (5 lbs 4oz, 18 inches) was born by c-section at 1:57 p.m. on June 17, 2011.  It was their Auntie Sarah and Auntie Rachel's 22nd birthday, along with a few other special people :)

They are in the NICU, with standard preemie issues.  Liam was on oxygen for about an hour after delivery but that's about it.  They are both working on feedings.  Lena is a champion, she's mostly nursing now and not taking as much from a bottle.  He is giving the nursing thing a go, but he's much slower at it than she is.  She never had any feedings issues, he was pretty slow to start.  Their jaundice levels were about nine this morning, although the normal level is around one, this is pretty standard for preemies of this age, and so far they are not under any lights.  Lena's warmer is turned off, and once the jaundice is under control, they should be able to put her in an open crib!  Liam's warmer is still on, but it's on very low, so he won't be far behind.  Since Lena's sac had ruptured (the reason I went to the hospital on Thursday night), she is still on antibiotics until tomorrow.  Once she is off those and the fluids, her IV will be taken out.  She also made the decision to take her feeding tube out two days ago (clearly, she'll be a doctor), they left it out b/c she wasn't really using it anyway.  Liam is not on antibiotics anymore, and is on very low IV fluids, so, he'll probably have his IV out first :)  They are doing so well, all these details are just standard in premature babies.  They aren't even far from getting back to their birth weight, and they were exactly the same weight again last night, which is surprising to even the nurses, b/c it's rare to see.  I'm not sure when they will be home yet, I'm thinking like maybe a week?  We just have to get them eating more, on their own, especially Mr. Liam.

Em and I are doing great.  We're exhausted as to be expected, having two babies in the NICU is a lot of work, once you're finished with one, you start the other and have to be back in an hour and a half.  It'll be a lot easier once you take all the cords away, and just have babies to worry about :)  Em's a great dad, changing diapers and tshirts already.  They calm when they hear him.  Lena thinks I'm Mrs. Food, :)  They are so amazing, it makes the pain, the swelling, the exhaustion all worth it.  I couldn't ask for more.

My last weekend pregnant?

It's lookin' like this could be our last weekend as a family of two.  My BP is a tad elevated, has been since Monday, nothing dangerous, just a little bit high.  Today, we had our normal appointment.  Had our ultrasound first, babies are doing well.  Liam has smooshed his head much lower than it was Monday, and is taking up more than his share of the room.  Ellen, the tech, says they are so low, she's shocked to see me walking so well.  I told Em this morning, the pressure is almost unbearable.  Well, that would be why.  After the ultrasound, they hooked me up to the monitors, where I was having some pretty good, regular contractions, even after I took my meds.  Dr. says she's not too concerned with that b/c I'm 35 weeks with twins, nothing unusual.  They are more painful than braxton hicks, cramping and lower back ache and all.  

While, I was hooked onto monitors, we overheard the nurse telling Ellen that the doctor wanted to do the growth scan today.  When Stacey, the nurse, came in, we asked her what was up.  She told us that Liam has much more fluid than Lena, so they wanted to make sure they were growing okay.  If there was a significant difference, they would deliver them.  We went back for the ultrasound, Lena is measuring 5.1 lbs and Liam at 5.3, which is a good thing that they are still so close in weight.  Means the nutrients are being distributed evenly among them.  Lena's little body is measuring a little bit behind her head size, which is the first sign that she is starting to get cut off from the nutrients through the placenta.  They did a scan to make sure the flow was still going strong through her cord, and it was, so that's great.  Doc is trying to get me closer to 36 weeks.  Basically, Mr. Liam is taking up so much room, he's putting a lot of pressure on his sister.  When baby A has too much pressure put on them by B, they'll stop making fluid in response. 

 Doctor says we are definitely not making it til our scheduled date, she thinks probably next week.  They are going to reevaluate Lena on Monday, if there is any difference in her development or nutrient flow, they will deliver them.  So, we'll see! I'm ready for them, when they are ready for me.  Looks like we'll be parents next week, I mean, my fortune cookie did say the 23rd.... ;)

Big, Important Events...

...I've missed out on a lot of them in the three months of pregnancy prison.  It's all been worth it obviously, to make it this far, but it's been kind of emotional for me too.  Today marks the day that my best friend, who was my maid of honor, and is Lena's godmother, gets married.  I was not only supposed to be a bridesmaid on her big day, but now I am not even going to make it.  I hope she has a wonderful day, I wish more than anything Em and I could have been there.  Love ya, Julie! :)

My grandma is in the hospital, it's a long, drawn out story, but I wish she would remember that this year, she will have three great grandchildren to meet.  I reminded her of that yesterday, when she didn't want to take more than two bites of jell-o, well, I reminded her that she needs strength to hold my babies.  She said she wouldn't be able to hold them anyway, I don't know what kind of crazy talk that is, but it's on my mind and I am praying she gets better soon.

The weather outside is gorgeous today, and I am trying to concoct a plan to be able to get out an enjoy it.  Don't have a wheelchair, there goes my chance of a "walk."  Sometimes, I wish I could fit into the little red wagon the twins got at our shower, "fat" chance of that happening!  Maybe a drive with the windows down, but who will drive?  I don't have a reclining chair for my deck, so it gets a bit uncomfortable...  I miss friends and family.  I just wish the twins were here, that I was recovered, and I could pack them up in the car and drive to the park or something.  Everyone keeps telling me soon, but today, "soon" isn't a word that's going to cut it.

PS:  I apologize for the rant.  Bear with me.

"Kiddos are getting comfortable"

Yes, that's what the doctor said.  They are getting comfortable!  Of course they are, b/c I am most certainly not!

34 weeks today, the last huge milestone we needed to hit!  Check, complete!  We made it, we are here.  =)  It feels good, but it is also making me crazy to still sit here on the couch.  Hopefully only one more week of that, although at 35 weeks, I still have to take it easy until the cerclage is out at 36 weeks.  Then, after that, I can do what I want!

Nothing really happened at the doctor's office yesterday, Liam was having none of it.  He did not want to be monitored, he did not want to make it easy on the ultrasound tech, he was just not going to play along.  I'm feeling a lot less movement from the both of them, but they are also running out of room very quickly as babies should be putting on an oz. a day.  They are both head down, and using my bladder as a trampoline and my sciatic nerve as a pillow.  25 more days of this, 25 more days of this... let's just continue with that chant...

A whole lotta nothin'!

Had our first of two doctor's appointments this week.  No contractions, just two naughty babies who didn't want to be monitored! :)  Everything looks great, holding strong, doctor is excited, almost 34 weeks, she says!  Both of them are head down, locked and loaded, ready to go.  Dr. made a comment about how she doesn't know how Liam went from breech to head down, considering the limited space in their current quarters.  I do have to go get fitted for those beautiful support stockings for my legs, thanks to my beautiful veins, wonderful genetics,  and horrible circulation from lack of movement for almost three months!

We put the car seats in the car yesterday, that's exciting :)  A little bit of a tight fit, if we would have known a year ago we were having two babies in one shot, we probably would have gone with a van or a third row, but our Edge will have to do for now!!  Saturday, we went out and did all of our shopping for the hospital necessities!  Washed it all, including their outfits.  Packed their diaper bag today, newborn diapers are adorable (when they're clean, haha).  Just gotta organize my things, so it's ready to go also.  Again, a whole lotta nothin' but I'm okay with that!

Got a twin carrier off Ebay :)  Em's request.  

Workin' on getting my itzbeen baby care timers! :)  We decided on a pink and green one for each of them.

Also made my care charts for when they come home, especially if they are preemie, I guess documenting feedings and diaper changes is important.  We're ready!!  Can ya tell?

One month from today!

....(and I like to say, if not sooner) our bouncin' babes will be here at around 7:30 a.m.!!!  One month from today, I will be somebody's mother, and Em, their father.  A month from today, life will no longer be simple, but wonderfully challenging.  One month from today, our lives will revolve around feedings, changings, and naps.  We'll wake up to the alarm of a baby crying instead of from a cell phone.  A month from today, Em will officially change his first diaper (one of thousands!)  A month from today, will be the day we have been dreaming of for years.  Life will somehow be more complete in a single instant :)

A month from today, we will meet the most beautiful babies in the world.  

"Babe, maybe we should pack the bags, just in case!"

Ahh!  Okay, so I'm 33 weeks tomorrow.  :)  That's so exciting!!  I'm so excited, we're so excited!!  I can't wait to meet these babies, I'm not even scared.  I'm just ready!!!  Appointment went great!  Here's the summary! I'm smiling as I write this!!

My mom came to the appointment today, which was very exciting, b/c she hasn't been able to come to very many.  And we got a little bit of extra time to look at the babies, the ultrasound tech is pretty good about that!  Heart rates are great!  Lena, is still head down, and I got to see that hair again!!!  Haha, almost looks like daddy's, little spikes! ;)  Mr. Liam, well, we was my mover today!  He went from a transverse position (horizontal under my ribs) to breech!  We got some great shots of them too, and saw Liam's face for the first time, in weeks, maybe months?  He's a little camera shy.  At one point, he had his little face smooshed up against where the probe was and we got a perfect little view of his pouty lips and his nose (that looks a lot like daddy's!)  They were both suckling, and Lena was sticking her tongue out and yawning.  Just thinking about meeting them, makes me grin from ear to ear.  Here are their ultrasound pics from today! Finally, some good ones where you actually know what you're looking at!

Lena Bean :)

 Mr. Liam

Okay, so in other news!  Today was my last cervical length!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOO!!! I am clearly ecstatic about this, b/c I've been having them done weekly since 17 weeks, and you don't know what a pain that has been, unless you've been through that everrrrrrrrry siinnnngle week!  It is holding out at a little lower than one, so it is starting to shorten, but give me a break, I have 9+ lbs of baby in there!  When I was hooked up to the monitors, I was contracting, stronger before I took my meds, but even still after I took them.  They were about 20-30 seconds long, not anything to be overly excited about.  However, the dr. says she expects that at this point, my uterus is distended past the 40 week point.  She also says, get excited, that if they get stronger and/or longer, to stop eating and drinking, becauuuuuuuuuse, she is going to deliver them from this point on!  No more IV drips or shots to stop labor, no if these babies want to come! They are comin'!!!!  So, with that being said.....

Hubby and I have some things to get ready, hospital bag, car seats, ect!  He's taking me out for a quick outing this week to get some stuff that I'll need, and a few odds and ends that we still need for babies!!  I am so ready, recovery doesn't even scare me like it did days ago!   Part of the my end to the anxiety is the fact that my twin momma, Beth, had her boys, and had a c-section and she is handling it like a champ.  It's so reassuring to have a close friend that has basically been through almost an identical experience.  That's helped A LOT!  I've really been blessed with a lot of close friends that I can talk to about anything with :)

So, next week, we go twice a week!  Monday at 8:45!! I'm sure I'll blog about some random nonsense this weekend!!!!!

Babies' Room, random pregnancy rant, and baby update

I feel the need to write, it's been awhile.  It's been a pretty uneventful few weeks, except for what I've already filled you in on!  Almost 33 weeks (AHHH, if time could speed up, juuuuuuust a notch, that'd be fantastic!)  As an update on the babies, they are doing well.. hiccuping numerous times a day, as I think I've mentioned.  They aren't moving around quite as much, as I'm assuming they are running out of room quickly these days.

As far as how I feel (even if you're not interested, you're going to hear it!), I'm feeling like a bit of a beached whale.  I know that's a pregnancy cliche, but now I see why!  I have a difficult time getting off the couch without Em's help to "hoist" me up.  Rolling over in bed takes about 5 minutes, I have to readjust all 7 pillows, you know.  And since I can only lay on one side for about an hour, that's how often I wake up, if I'm not awake already.  Between the heartburn, hip and back pain, and two kids in my ribs and bladder, it's nearly impossible to get a good night's sleep anymore!!!  Oh, and did I mention that by the time I fall asleep around 2 am if I'm lucky, my alarm is going to go off at 4 am to take my contraction meds?  So the whole thing starts back over!!  I will be happy to be off those!  Should I be complaining?  I mean, after all in a month and four days, I'll have two babies keeping me up at all hours of the night, right?  I'm sure that's what you are thinking, as most people remind me.  But, I won't have two babies taking up most of my midsection, and once I heal from my c-section, up at night, or not, at least my body will be more of my own again!  Ahh! I feel like I leased my body over to Liam and Lena M.  Well, they're lease is almost up!!!  Because I've about had it!  Being an immobile human incubator is only fun for so long!

Our next appointment is at 8:30 on Thursday.  I only have two more weeks of cervical measurements! Praise the Lord!  I am lucky to be saying that, we've definitely come so far.  Each day is a miracle!!  And I'm so thankful for it!  After this week, we start going to the doctor twice a week until they are born for monitoring.  Bed rest is almost over!  Getting anxious about the cerclage removal, ewww, if you want to know why, you're on your own to look it up b/c just typing it will give me the heebee jeebees!

As promised here, are the completed nursery pictures.  It's done, it's ready for a little boy and little girl, two babies I am dying to meet!!  Two babies who are completely, 100% all mine!  And besides with their daddy, babies I don't have to share if I don't want!

I also want to wish Beth (my twin momma) and Tony congrats on the birth of their twin boys, Drew and Trey, today!  Can't wait til all four of our babes are in the same room!  That'll be a perfect picture!  

Q&A from strangers to parents of twins!

My friend Beth (who is also having twins VERY SOON) and I have been sharing funny responses to silly questions people often ask parents of twins.  I have also been reading a book, Juggling Twins, and she discusses getting out of the house with your babies and being questioned by strangers.  Thought this was good for a laugh!

Q:  Oh! Twins?
A:  "No, one of them is mine, but I found the other one out in the parking lot.  Is it yours?"
A:  "Nope, they're clones actually.  We have six more at home just like them."
A:  "What are you talking about?  Do you see two?"
A:  "No, I bought one off Ebay."

Q:  Did you use drugs?
A:  "No, but I do now!"

Q:  Are they natural?
A:  What's an artificial twin anyway?

Q:  (To the parents of B/G twins)  Are they identical?
A:  "Yeah, except for the penis and the vagina part"  (Hahaha)

Q:  Are they "paternal" twins?"
A:  Yes, they have a father.  There was only one virgin birth.

Maybe you have to be a mother of twins to enjoy some of these, but I think it's pretty amusing!!! :)

The author of my book, Meghan Regan-Loomis, also posted a checklist for parents to look at the end of the day.  She reminds the reader to lighten up, and laugh about the little things.  After all,  raising twins will be stressful!!

• Is everyone still alive?
• Has anyone wandered off, or are we all still accounted for?
• Has everyone bathed this month? (Okay, has anyone?)
• Did food pass over everybody's lips at some point today?
• Has anyone seen or heard from the dog today?
• Are there any clean(ish) clothes ready for tomorrow?
• Are we up to date on paying bills to the point that we will have heat and electricity tomorrow?
• Have we laughed today?
• No, seriously, guys.  Where's the dog?

Very, very good dr's appointment!

Okay!  So, this is the most exciting dr's appointment we've had since we found out what the babies were!  I'm am 32 weeks tomorrow! The biggest milestone yet!!  So that's awesome!!  Measurements are remaining the same around 1 cm, (faantastic!)

Last night, Em came to bed and asked me what I thought the babies weighed.  He rattled off his guess at 4 lbs 3 oz and 4 lbs 4 oz, in that order.  Well, lady's and gentlemen, my husband, the fortune teller, was dead on!!  Lena was 4.3 and Liam was 4.4!  I'll do that math for you that is 8 lbs 7 oz of baby :)  They are growing right on time!!  Got some better pictures too, I'll update the blog with them a little later.   Only a few contractions on the monitor, b/c I forgot my medicine and was due for it.  My bad!

Okay, so the super exciting news!!  She is taking me off bed rest at 35 weeks, THANK THE LORD!!  So that means I have three more weeks to lay here and then I can get off the couch and out of the house.  Then, she's removing my cerclage at 36 weeks.  And then!  The babies are scheduled to be delivered by c-section on July 5 (37 wks and 4 days) at 7:30 a.m.  Assuming, I don't go into labor before then :) :) :) :)  Doctor is excited, we are excited, nurses are excited!  Can't flippin' wait!!

Nothing exciting, don't even have an exciting title for this post!

Haven't posted for awhile, I've been catching up on Army Wives, started at season one, episode one, and am now in the 4th episode of Season 5!  18 episodes per season, can you tell I've been on Netflix quite a bit this week! Ha!  I should probably do the math, haha, 50 hours of Army Wives.. wow.. sad? or accomplished?

As fas as babies go, they are doing good, we get to see them tomorrow and find out what their weights are.  I'm guessing a little over 4 lbs each. :)  They hiccup all the time, several times a day actually.  They take turns of course, my children are already very polite.  Outfits come tomorrow, and hopefully we'll get the UPS man when he delivers our monitors!

Hubby is off this weekend, yay, we are probably going to have some people over and do a cookout.  One of the days, we're (by that I mean, him) going to install car seats!  37 days max left!  I'm hoping she'll give me a delivery date tomorrow!!  Anyways, pointless post.  I'll post after tomorrow's doctor's appointment of course with more!

31 Week Doctor's Visit

Just woke up a bit ago from a two hour nap, I'm not sleeping at night.  I think I might need to take up permanent residence on my couch because I don't sleep well in my bed anymore.  Great.  Between back pain, hip pain, cramps, and heartburn, it's hopeless.  It hurts to move when I am in bed.  Went to doctor at 8:30 this morning, which apparently is our special time slot now.  Babies are good, heart rates are good.  It was very exciting to see that Lena already has a head full of hair, (is that why I've had all this damn heartburn keeping me up all night? Yes.)  You could see it waving around in the ultrasound.  Very exciting.  Liam wouldn't quite cooperate and actually started the ultrasound out in a complete ball until we woke him up.  Measurements are holding out about the same, .9 cm.  So that's good.  Not much contraction action in the past few weeks, which I'm grateful for.  Doctor is pleased, says she wants to get at least one more month out of me, but is very excited we are so close to 32 weeks!  As am I, thank goodness.  The idea of living on my couch another month sounds awful, but not much of a choice.  My circulation is getting pretty bad, and she wants me to wear support hose (my mom will be pleased to hear this).  Oh joy!  Next week, we get to see how big the babies are again with the growth ultrasound, I'm thinking they have to be, if not bigger, about 4lbs.  I went three weeks without gaining a thing, and in the past two weeks I've gained about 7.5 lbs.  So.. babies have to have gotten much bigger b/c my clothes are still fitting the same. :)  Happy 31 weeks tomorrow!

Em is getting my mamaroo on Saturday :)  Coming home outfits have been ordered and shipped.  Hoping to get car seats put in this weekend as well.  I really should start packing a bag.  Down to the wire.  If all goes according to my fortune cookie, "A refreshing change is in your future" with the first two lucky numbers 6 and 23, maybe they'll be here June 23rd! :)

Woo hoo! I'm getting a Mamaroo! :) And a nursery update!!

Haven't blogged for a few days, babies are doing good.  As I always report, they move around A LOT.  Cool thing is, is that they know Daddy's voice.  He can talk to them at any time of day, and they usually start to squirm.  It's very cool, and we are getting soooo excited that they will be here in the next 3-5 weeks!!!  We went into their nursery last night, and stood at the crib that are going to sleep in, turned the mobile on, and just smiled!  It's sooooooo close!!!!  It's getting to that surreal point, and I'm feeling pretty at ease about their arrival. I've accepted that I will have a c-section, but after the spinal with my cerclage, I'm not as nervous.  I'm a little anxious about recovery, but we are soo ready to meet theses little babes!  Doctor's appointment Thursday at 8:30!!  31 weeks on Friday!!!

In other news!  I found a mamaroo seat on Craiglist, and the guy is going to sell it to us for $100!  They retail for $200, and it is in mint condition.  Em is going to drive to Madison, hopefully this weekend to pick it up!!  

This is what it looks like! It's black :)  Has an MP3 player plug-in, no batteries necessary!

Check out all the cool things it does!!

Nursery Update!  It's pretty much done!!!!!!!  Signs need to go up and we have a shelf we are going to put over the changer.  We also need to hang curtains, think I'm going to go with dark brown to match the little deer :)  There are some things in the room that will come out once the babes are born, so ignore them!  I took some pictures because I promised I would!!!!  Here ya go!

When you peak into the room, this is how it looks from the doorway :)

Liam's crib, far wall

Lena's crib, on the inside wall.  Babies will sleep here together for awhile.

Our changer has an option to add labels to the drawers! So I did!  

Big Brother Wesson showing us the changing table/dresser!

Closer look at Liam's crib with his police bear and his reindeer!

Buddy was my "love toy" when I was a child, obviously very loved.  He only has one original eye and his antlers were chewed on when I was a baby.  My mom wanted the twins' to have their own lovey with antlers!  So cute!

Close up of Lena's crib with her ballerina bear.  Cute projection mobile with remote!! Fisher Price Little Planet Mobile.

My Summer Plans.. :) And a question for seasoned momma's!

Okay, so I'm bored.  So, while I'm stuck here in pregnancy prison, I'm mentally making a list of my plans for this summer.  And though some of you may think I'm crazy for making plans because you think I'm going to be incredibly sleep deprived, and yes, I agree, we will be incredibly sleep deprived, I will tell you this, I'm not going to be stuck in the house.  After I recover from my c-section and as long as my babies are home and healthy, I am not going to be a mother that stays in her house for weeks at a time, especially since my whole pregnancy has been spent practically on the couch.  There will be days where I'm sure I won't leave the house, where plans will fall through, and I just won't have the energy or the drive to leave.  So, keep your negative opinions to yourself please, b/c whether or not these plans happen, there is nothing wrong with me making a list of things I hope to do this summer.

1.  Ha, have two healthy babies!! :)  Obviously, that is the first and most important plan of my summer!
2.  Recover from my c-section, and try to get some type of game plan down when it comes to the care of Liam and Lena.
3.  WALK!!!!!!  I'm going to put these babies in the double stroller, Wesson on a leash, and walk, walk, walk.  I'm losing strength and circulation in my legs and I will get it back!  I'm going to waste no time!  I also haven't put on a whole lot of weight, so I'm hoping between having the twins, breastfeeding, and being active, I can lose the pregnancy weight and then some while the weather is nice this summer.
4.  Go to the fair!  My twin momma, me, and Em are going to take our twins to the fair and walk around and EAT :)  No rides this year though, haha.
5.  Spend a lot of time outdoors, can't wait for those warm, summer nights.  The babies won't get too hot and neither will I.  Maybe go see my Indiana family for a day trip in WI.
6.  To to Indiana to see my family out there. :)

Time is dwindling before the twins are here.  I have things to do, like pack a bag.  Any of you mom's have suggestions on what to pack?  Especially if you were a c-section momma.  I've already found a nursing gown and robe I want to pack for after my surgery, b/c I hate hospital gowns.  But, what about those little things that you wouldn't think of unless you've actually been through it?  Please leave suggestions in my comment box, preferably, or if you can't post a comment, on my facebook.  I'm hoping the babes come home with us, so what do I pack for them too??

Feels good to say thirty ____ weeks! So long twenties!

Blogger is finally back up!  It was down for awhile, but it's back, so I'll do an update :)  Oh, and today!  30 week mark!  Woo hoo!  Very exciting!

Yesterday, we went to the doctor and let me say, 8:30 for a two hour appointment is WAAY to early for my pregnant self!  They had the ultrasound tech come in early just for me, b/c they couldn't fit me in otherwise.  How special are we?  Lena is head down, hence me feeling a lot more discomfort.  To top that off, Mr. Liam is on his way to the head down position also, the first time he's moved out of the transverse position in months.  Now, instead of a baby up in my ribs, I have four sets of footies!  The tech says between 30 and 32 weeks is about the time they choose what position they will stay in until the end.  To be honest, I was hoping she'd stay breech and he'd stay high, b/c it's less pressure on my cervix, but with two heads pushing down on it, I don't know how long it'll hold!!!  It is measuring at a steady 1 cm.  No change in measurements, and only one contraction on the monitors.  So, again, she says "keep doing what you're doing" and she'll see me at 8:30 again next Thursday!  Oh, and I had a feeling the babies grew quite a bit, and well, I gained 4 lbs in a week, my first weight gain in about a month.  So, I can't wait til 32 weeks when we can see how big they are!

Babies are good, but I'm suuuper uncomfortable!  I had heartburn all day yesterday.  It was miserable, everything says that I shouldn't eat and then lay down, however, the doctor says, you can sit for a long period of time.  So, that's a problem.  Doesn't help me out much.  Tums and pepcid do not work, so I'm gonna have to try prilosec, or something.  I'm not sleeping well, turning from side to side is a huge chore.  I'm sure it drives Em nuts too :(  I had some uterine irritability last night, and Lena was kicking me so hard it brought me to tears.  I'm sooooo ready for them to be here, I know they aren't, so I will try to be patient, but regardless, I'm soooo ready.  Most women are ready to give birth when they have this much baby in them, I still have 4-6 weeks.  Oh well, there is my rant, which I am allowed to do every once and awhile!

Chose a Pediatrician ☑

Just a quick update on how our appointment with our pediatrician went.  We decided on Dr. Hutt after a few recommendations from people we know and then I found out my OB uses him for her nine month old.  We met with him to today for a meet and greet, very, very nice guy.  He was very informative and friendly, seemed very laid back also, which I like, especially for a pediatrician.  He's practiced for several years, and many people tell me he is great.  I'm looking forward to him being the twins' doctor.  He said he'll see them within the first week after birth, as opposed to two weeks because twins are usually smaller.

Baby Update: I am very uncomfortable today, and I have a nervous feeling about tomorrow (dr. appointment at 8:30) for some reason.  Hopefully it'll go better than what my gut tells me.  I'm feeling a lot more pressure (sorry if that's an overshare) when I get up for a few minutes, which makes me wonder if Lena decided she'd switch back to the head down position.  I'm also pretty tired, but hopefully it'll be a normal appointment.

Happy Momma's Day (to me too!)

Happy Mom's Day to all the Momma's in my life.  I'm blessed with a great mother, and today reminded me of how lucky I am to have her!

I woke up this morning to roses and a card from Em and my babies. :)  He's the best!

Love you babe!

Since I'm on living on the couch these days, my mom, Sarah and Rachel, Aunt Adrienne, and Grandma all came over!  It was really fun, Sarah (who was an incredible help this weekend around my house) made spaghetti and Rach brought over yummy carrot cake (she helped a lot too on Saturday!)  My dad gave me a card, and Sarah gave Rachel and I our first Mother's Day gifts.  A book and stuffed Momma bear to go with the book, in which she wrote a note on the inside.  That was exciting!  Anyways, I'll keep the summation of my Mother's Day short!  Here are a few highlights of the day!!

Probably the best picture of all of us in years!

Aunt Adrienne, Grandma, my mom

Rachel (and lil' baby), me (and twins), and Sarah :)

Had to throw this in here, the company exhausted Wesson!

Looking very much forward to next year's Mother's Day!!!  It'll be a whole different ball game!  Three babies in the family, lots to celebrate!!  Hope all of you had a great one too!

Baby Update:  MOVING LIKE CRAZY :) :) :)

Happy Doctor, Crazy Babies, Another Week!

Doctor's appointment went well!  Only a few contractions, not a lot of change measurement wise.  :)  My babies went insane on the monitors!  We're pretty sure Liam did a somersault, we had to turn it down they were so loud!  Sounded like cannons going off!  His heart rate even went up!  Lena is soo stubborn, she had the nurses and the ultrasound tech talking about her!  She hates being monitored, and it's like she hears the nurses coming, and she "floats" away!  We're in for a treat! :)  Can't wait!

I talked to the doctor about how I'm going a little crazy inside the house, how some days are really hard emotionally.  She told me that it was okay to get out of the house a few times a week, to go for a ride, just get a little sunlight.  I also harassed her a little about setting an official c-section date!  She laughed at me and told me she doesn't think I'm going to get to 37 weeks, that twins usually come around around 35 or 36 and that she also thinks the babies are going to go on their own schedule.  I told her I know that, but when can we set a date?  I need an end point, after another laugh, she assured me we'd set one at about 32 weeks.  In about 3 weeks, I'll have another day to countdown to!  I enjoy going to the doctor's office, I get along with the nurses really well, it's a trip out of the house, and I really like my doctor.  It'll be weird not going there as often when the babies are here, it's been my way of life for 7 months now!  Not that I'll be that devastated, but I enjoy chatting with the nurses. :)

We are meeting with our pediatrician next Wednesday, we decided on Dr. Hutt.  He happens to be my doctor's pediatrician for her 9 month old, so that was kind of the deciding factor.  I was pretty positive before I asked, but that made me even more positive :)

Pizza night with the hubby :)  Hanging out with my sister tomorrow! And my mom, gramma, and sisters are coming over here on Mother's Day! Should be a pretty good weekend!

A Mom on a budget, that's me!!!

Now that I'm not working, we're a one income family.  I'm blessed with a husband who has been working his butt off at working, trying to pick up extra hours and shifts.  But in all my spare time, I have found many things that I want to order for the twins, but I'm being financially responsible, and pacing myself, researching for the best deals, and doing lots of research.  :)  Here are some things that I plan on buying, after it goes on sale of course! :)

Lena's Coming Home Outfit

(Minus the socks and blanket)

Liam's Coming Home Outfit

(Minus the Socks and Blanket)

I have a 30% off coupon, and they already marked these down a bit, but I'm going to wait to see if they continue to mark them down! But, I love them!  :)  I know, I know, I work at the Children's Place, kind of feels wrong buying from their competitor, but I love these outfits!!

My friend Stephanie also suggested these cute little paci holders, called wubbanubs.  I love them, and I want one for each of my babies :)  I may not need it, but I want it, and if you ask me I've done well holding back on random purchases!!  The reviews are especially popular among parents with children who have spent some time in the NICU, preemies, and multiples.

How cute are these guys?

Check them out!

Nursery Update:  The changing table is here, waiting to be assembled.  The second crib is set up and waiting for a mattress, bedding is washed.  Can't wait for it to be DONE!  

Baby Update:  They're a little crazy these days!! Movin' a ton!!!  Liam spent most of his day yesterday moving in and out of my lower right ribcage area.  Doctor's appointment tomorrow at 1.  Hopefully it won't be another two hour one, but I have a feeling that's what we're in for! 29 weeks in 2 days!  58 days left max of this pregnancy, I'm getting more and more anxious to hold them and spend hours staring at them :)

Uneventful is a good thing!

Went to the doctor, babies are good, a little bit of sibling rivalry in the womb apparently!  Watched Liam nail poor Lena in the face, although I'm not too sure she's quite so innocent herself! ;)

Measurements are holding out at 1 cm, so that's good :)  Had a few contractions, but nothing to worry about.  She is also starting to measure my fluid twice a week, that looks good also.  I'm feeling pretty good, the weekend went pretty well, not many contractions or anything to be alarmed about.  Third trimester hunger is starting to kick in as well as a little bit of exhaustion.  I wish I could nap!

Next appointment is Thursday at 1:00 where we'll do the same thing all over again.

Baby or Contraction? Bah, Another thing to add to the mix!

*Sigh*  Remember the movie Father of the Bride II, where Steve Martin rushes his daughter to the hospital, then you see them coming back home, then back, then home.  Okay, well last night I had one of those ridiculous moments.  Although I shouldn't feel bad, this is a high risk pregnancy, and my doctor has constantly told me to err on the side of caution, no matter what, I still feel like a bit of a spaz after last night.  I never know if I should call, or if I should just wait it out... so yesterday, I did what I was told and called.

Call Number One:  I called around 2, because I had been having what felt like pretty steady contractions that started at 1 o'clock.  I took my Procardia at noon, so I really shouldn't have had any.  So, I called the doctor's office.  Ha, it was slightly comical.  For the sake of humor, here is kind of how the call went.
Receptionist: blah blah, what is your name?
Me: Amber Marquez
Receptionist: Oh, it's you again, *sigh* those babies need to settle down a bit, one moment I'll transfer you to Patti.  (Sidenote: Patti is a nurse I've never seen, and I do not like.  She is the one that deals with all phone call concerns.)
So, some random nurse picks up.  And tells me that she'd try to track down Stacy (one of my fav. nurses) and I tell her that that would be great b/c I had just talked to Stacy earlier that morning about my glucose results.
Stacy:  Hey Amber, What's going on?  Oh wait, hang on.. Dr. Sesslar wants to to talk to you...
Blah blah, Dr. Sesslar gets on the phone.  Now hey, that's service, I've never gotten to talk to the doctor on the phone before.  She tells me to lay on my left side, drink water, take my pill at 4 instead of 6 and call her in an hour to let her know.

Call Number Two:  Contractions settled down, I had three in an hour.  She was okay with that.  Told her I didn't want to talk to her anymore tonight, jokingly, but serious of course.

Call Number Three:  I did not want to make this call, but my dad who was here "babysitting" me last night told me, again, better safe than sorry.  I started having contractions around 6:30.  Then I started feeling some pressure, and wasn't sure if I was leaking amniotic fluid or not.  Called Dr. Sesslar, b/c thank God, she was on call, and she of course, told me to head in to L&D.  Em was working, of course, so my dad took me.  Get there, nurses were waiting for me. They hook me up to monitors.  Dr. Sesslar came in herself shortly after, she wanted to be the one to do all the tests.  I didn't seem to be having contractions on the monitor, but I felt like I was having them.  This is because my stubborn little girl was balling up and then stretching, which can make you feel like you are having a contraction, when really it's all baby, just moving and rolling.  And since they are obviously getting bigger, I will feel this more often and that I will figure out the difference soon enough.  When babies move that way, it can also cause uterine irratability, so I could have been feeling that also.  My daughter is grounded!  How confusing!!

 She did an exam and took some tests.  She also took a Fetal Fibronectin test (a swab that tells you whether or not you are at risk for preterm labor in the next two weeks).  She also said I was not leaking amniotic fluid, and that baby a (my nearly 3 lb daughter) was not pressing down.  She said that if the FF test came back negative, she'd let me go home, but if it came back positive, I would be admitted to RMH for the long haul.  In fact, she said that if I get admitted one more time period, I will be at RMH for the long haul. And yes, that means weeks on end, until these babies get here.  She also checked my cervix and it was softer than it was at my appointment the day before, faaaaaantastic.  The FF test came back negative (a very good sign), so she let me go home, and I see her again Monday, at 9:45.  Of course, with the instructions to call her with any concerns this weekend.  Hopefully I won't be posting again, until Monday!  I want an uneventful weekend!

Happy, Happy Third Trimester Day to Us!!!

Woo hoo!!!  We made it!!  We have successfully made it through the second trimester, got a little tricky there for awhile, and we are moving into our third!! Thank God!! :)  28 weeks today, next goal is 30!!  The even bigger week will be 32, but I'm taking baby steps.  Came across a chart that shows gestational age with average NICU time, you can see that between 28 and 29 weeks, average time in the NICU drops like 15 days! And from there each week is a significant drop in the average time.  Makin' each day count! Like my doctor said to me two weeks ago, each day is a victory :)

ANND.. I passed my glucose test!!!  Woo hoo!! That was a hurdle I was very concerned about since I was diagnosed with PCOS, let alone finding out I was having twins.  I had a few people tell me to take cinnamon, as it helps maintain a healthy sugar metabolism, so for the past month, I have been taking it, and hm! Seemed to have helped!! So yay!!!  That stress is gone, out of my life!  I feel like a small celebration is in order, maybe I'll eat something with sugar and not feel guilty about it! =)  Weather looks beautiful, maybe I'll open some windows.  Can't wait til I can load our babies up in their stroller and go for a nice loooooong walk with Daddy and Wesson :)

"And the doctor says.."

Doctor's Update:  My appointment started at 8:30, after my first (out of four) blood draw, I had to drink that disgusting stuff that tastes and makes you feel worse than the one hour glucose test.  It's 100 g as opposed to the one hour's 50.  So yuck, I was immediately nauseated.  Blood pressure good, haven't gained weight for over a week, stayin' about the same, which is fine with me right now.  So, to cover the glucose test, I'll know my results tomorrow and will post them then.

Had another cervical length ultrasound, unfortunately, my cervix is right back down to about 1 cm.  It was about .9 cm with pressure, soooo.. yeah.. that could have been better.  I told the doctor about the contractions I was having yesterday, and how I definitely feel the weight of the babies.  Basically the past two days, have been rough ones.  However, it is shorter, yes, but it's still posterior, which is good.  I guess the closer to delivery, it begins to move to the anterior position. When I went to RMH, it was more anterior.  So, that's good.  So, good and bad, it's shorter, yes, but still posterior.  If you are confused as to what that means, google it, haha, b/c all I know is that posterior is good.  After she checked me, she monitored me for about an hour, for contractions.  I only had one, so with that, she said, I could go home and wants me back in the office on Monday for annnnnnnnnoooother cervical length and check, and NST (monitoring for contractions, ect).  So, I go back Monday at 9:45.  If I start having more regular contractions or if it gets any shorter, she said she'd probably put me back at RMH (for I'm assuming the long haul) on the magnesium drip.  But for this weekend at least I am home, and she is the on call doctor if I need anything.  Thank goodness.

Baby Update:  I told you I knew they were much bigger!!  At our 24 week growth check, Miss Lena was 1 lb 8 oz and Liam was 1 lb 7 oz.  Today, at our 28 week growth, my daughter is 2lb 13 oz (Almost 3 lbs!) and Liam is a tad smaller at 2 lb 7 oz, gaining exactly a pound.  Their weight is measuring a week ahead of the game (29 weekers) which is great news in case they do decide to premiere earlier than planned!  I am sad to report that my ultrasound pictures were crummy, I don't know if it had to do with me drinking that sugar stuff, or if it was the machine.  The babies were sleepy through most of the ultrasound, they had to be woken up.  I was too after that horrible drink!  Who can blame them? So!  That's great news, they're growing right on track :)  

Em goes back to work today, so it's another 5 day stretch of finding as I like to call them, babysitters.  I've been very lucky this far.  I have great family and friends who have come over and helped me around the house, who have brought me meals, who have watched tv with me, and just visited so that I don't need to get up for anything.  Thanks guys :)  For anyone else, feel free to text me or call, and if you'd like to drop in, I live for visitors when Em is at work!  Even if we just chat on Facebook!

"I've seen better days"

Wasn't going to post, but thought I'd fill you in.  Yesterday, I was very uncomfortable, hurt to move from one side to the other, and we actually felt somebody's tiny, little body pushing up against my right side.  Lena's kicking was low and painful.  Liam's was high and continuous.  They're definitely getting bigger!!! Fast, too.  Which is a good thing.

Today, I woke up, my sciatic nerve is killing me no matter what position I am in at this point, whereas before it was when I laid down in bed.  I've been having contractions on and off, especially the closer I get to taking my meds.  Took a shower, and thought I was going to end up calling the doctor b/c they were so close.  I just got out, and am now laying down, timing contractions,  they are 15-30 minutes apart at this point.  Meds seem to be working.  Calling the on call doctor is a one trip ticket to RMH and my doctor's appointment is 12 flippin' hours away.  I want to see my doctor and most of all I want to see my babies' in their ultrasound tomorrow..  It's a big one.

I start fasting tonight, probably about nine, for my 3 hours test... yuuuuuuuuuuck

Friday is such a big day, we've made it to the third trimester (was a little nervous that we wouldn't for awhile) and at 28 weeks, babies have a 90% chance of no long term complications if they decide to make an early appearance.  

Another first =)

I woke up this morning at about 6, well I wake up every morning at 6 to take my meds, and I laid there for a couple minutes because the babies usually wake up with me.  Em came into bed about that time too because he had fallen asleep on the couch.  Anyways, I put his hand on my tummy so he could feel them movin' around.  And!  We felt hiccups for the first time :)  Coolest thing, a constant little jerk movement for about 2 minutes.  Each of them had taken turns hiccuping on the monitors the other day, but I couldn't feel it.  Very exciting, b/c I got to feel it and so did Em.  =)

Yesterday, my sisters took me to Target and I got out of the house for about an hour.  Now, don't worry, I did no walking! As I told my mom, I did more walking at my doctor's appointment Friday than I did yesterday.  The perinatal specialist said it'd be okay every once in awhile, as long as I do no walking.  And I was feelin' pretty good, so I thought yesterday was a good day to try to get out.  Rachel ran in and grabbed a wheelchair and Sarah parked the car.  I had some returns, not many, but some, and we ended up buying the mobile (Fisher Price Precious Planet Projection Mobile) Em and I wanted for the babies' crib.  I also bought 50 more hangers (yes, 50 MORE) and a load of batteries.  Holy smokes, the price of batteries.  Yikes!  When we came home, we finished the baby's laundry, organized onesies according to size and baby.  Sarah cleaned out the babies' closet, and organized it.

Nursery Update:  It's ALMOST DONE!  Woo hoo!  We have one more crib to set up, it's here and waiting. My dad is going to get us our mattress for it.  My mom and I are on the hunt for a crib/changer combo.  I ordered the matching valances for the windows, and name signs (something like this, with their names obviously) to go over their cribs.

Doctor's appointment 8:30 on Thursday.  It will be 3 hours long.  And I'm pretty nervous about my gestational diabetes testing, b/c I have double the wammy with twins and PCOS.  Trying not to think about it much.  I'm also going to see if we can get a 4-D picture of each baby again.  I'll update after my appointment.

This time next year...

I woke up thinking (and maybe feeling a little bummed) about how this Easter, Em is working (nothing new, he works most holidays, oh the life of a police family) and I'm stuck on the couch.  The sun is shining and looks pretty nice out.  Most of my family is going over to my Aunt's house for Easter dinner and I'm here on the couch, incubating children. I was very excited to find out that my dad is going to come over and spend Easter here with me, hanging out, watching t.v. and eating food.  Maybe I'll challenge him to a game of scrabble.  But, back to what I woke up thinking about..

I always said when I have my own family, I want traditions.  Something the same every year that my children can look forward to.  So, I'm not going to sit here today and feel all bummed, instead, I'm going to look forward to next year when my babies will be about ten months old, and in their first Easter outfits.  Saturday may be spent with Aunt Chas and Uncle Pablo, an Easter egg hunt with their cousins, and a cookout.  Sunday, with my family, going to church, and maybe another Easter egg hunt (obviously not old enough to walk and find eggs on their own, but with the help of mom or dad, of course) with their cousin (Rachel's baby), and a huge Easter dinner.  Sure, traditions are going to be difficult to make since their daddy will be working most holiday's, but Em and I have agreed in full that we will pull off something!  That's my thought of the day, this year may not be as eventful as planned, but next year, will be a first of many Easter family traditions for my own family of four.

As for an update on the babes, I can't wait to find out how big they are.  Their kicks are getting stronger by the day, and I definitely am getting used to their sleep cycles.  Friday marks another huge milestone in this pregnancy , so thanks for all the prayers and thoughts sent our way.

Up until now...

Okay, we'll see how long I can keep a blog going...  I have a lot of time on my hands in the next few months, so I apologize if some rambling occurs in advance.  I have a lot of family and friends that text and call me, my husband, and my family wondering about the twins.  So here goes, :)

Today, I am 27 weeks pregnant.  With twins, the normal gestational pregnancy is 37 weeks which means, it would be fantastic if these babies decided to stay put until July 1st, 2011.  The first three months of pregnancy were normal, but rough, and most of you who are close to me know that I spent most of the winter very sick.  In February I went in for a cervical check, (for those of you who have no idea what that means, just keep in mind that a normal cervical length is between 3 and 3.5 cm up until close to delivery.)  My cervical length in February was a 2.8, short, but not a huge concern.  The doctors don't tend to worry until about a 2.5.  I was told to take it easy, I could still work, I just couldn't go walk the mall or do anything overly strenuous.  Not a problem.  Well, that held out until March 21st.  

March 21st, I went in for a cervical length check and found that in two weeks my cervix had shortened over a centimeter, it was now 1.87 cm.  My doctor sent me straight to Rockford Memorial to be monitored for contractions and the next day I had a cerclage (a surgical procedure in which a band of strong thread is stitched around the cervix and then tightened to hold the cervix closed) put into place.  I was then ordered that for the rest of the pregnancy, I was to be on modified bed rest and off work.  Later that week, I also found out that I needed to take my three hour glucose test, to check for gestational diabetes.  Ugh, yuck.  One good thing did happen that week, I got to see my lil' babes in a 4-D ultrasound which was amazing.  It's a toss up of who Lena looks like, Liam was a lil' bit stubborn and we only got a sideshot of his face.

The following week, I took my three hour glucose test (God awful in case you're wondering, not only do you get to drink stuff that tastes like crap after fasting for 12 hours, you get poked with a needle FOUR times! Ugh!)  I passed it very borderline, with a 144 (cut off is 140, crap!)  Not only is there an elevated risk for gestational diabetes with twins, I also have polycystic ovary syndrome which doubles your risk of it also.  

Okay, so now that you are up to speed, if you are still with me that is! Sunday was my baby shower, it was great and we got a lot of great stuff (so thanks to all those who came to support me and our babies!)  Afterwards, I started feeling some contractions.  I went into RMH and left a couple hours later with contractions under control.  I was also given my first round of steroids for the babies' lungs as a precaution in case they do some early.  Monday, I went in to be checked and get the booster shot of the steroids and my cervix had shortened drastically.  With pressure, I had 1 cm left, NOT GOOD.  I was also having contractions every 3-6 minutes.  *Sigh* The doctor sent me straight back to RMH and told me I would be there a couple days.  Monday was the day from hell, poked, prodded, examined, it was horrible.  I was put on a magnesium sulfate IV drip to get the contractions to stop.  Tuesday, they took me off of it because I wasn't handling it well and put me back on my contraction meds at a higher dose.  Wednesday, I showed some signs of improvement and was sent home on my meds, but told that I was only to get off the couch or out of bed to use the bathroom and for a quick shower.  But I got to go home.  

Today, I went back in for a follow up, and my doctor was happy with today.  My cervix got a little bit of length back, now about 1.4 cm with pressure and in the posterior position.  She sent me back home with the direction of doing what I'm doing (which is a whole lot of nothing) and call if anything changes.  I go back next  Thursday for a three hour appointment for my redo of my 3 hr glucose test, my 28 week growth ultrasound (yay!  Can't wait to see how big the little buggers have gotten in the past month), to be monitored for contractions, and for a cervical check (not fun).  

So!  There we are, you are up to speed!  I appreciate all the calls and texts from family and friends, and prayers you all have sent our way.  Our next goal is 28 weeks, then 30, then 32, then 34.. My lil' kickers just need to keep cookin'!!