Monday, 9-29-08

Just checking in.. Yep, still in bed, watching Bonnie Hunt show and keeping up with work stuff. Ben and I are working on getting a couple more things done/organized before the babies come. He built some much-needed shelves in the garage for clothes storage this weekend and I wiped down the car seats and got the breast pump stuff organized. (yes, all while sitting down, no lectures!!!!)

I have spent the weekend getting used to lots of hip/pelvis/back pain.. feeling about 3 times my age.. I am still having contractions, much like I was in the month before I went to the hospital. I am taking my procardia and keeping the fluids down.

Couple of cute stories of Wyatt.. he got a new shirt from "aunt Cole" (Nicole) and it says only child which is scratched through, then has Big Brother under that. He wore it to bed the night she gave it to him and tried to wear it to school today.. He says that he will wear it when Daddy, Mommy and he goes to the hospital and wait for the babies to "pop" out... but he is sure to tell you that they will give me medicine. The other night the babies were very active as Wyatt was feeling my belly.. He said I think they are kicking me b/c they like me! I said that is definitely why they are kicking you!!!!

When you come to our house and look at the ultrsound book, Wyatt will be sure to show you the picture of the "dukus" - Hudson's boy part... he says that he will hold the brother, anyone else can hold the sister... and... he will get the diapers but he will not change the babies, b/c they will poop and it will stink and that will be gross....

9-25-08 appt - 32 1/2 weeks

My appt went good!!! No measurements of the babies.. I was sad to hear that they only do that once a month. The ultrasounds are getting harder to read for us, b/c the babies are getting bigger and not so easy to pick out the body parts! The picture here is of Hudson sitting on Hattie's head.. You can see his leg profile and under his cheek you can see the white circle.. yep, that is Hattie.. They were both active... their fluid looked great around them. My cervix has changed, now measures approx 2.7. Dr. Floyd says that is fine, even though it was 3.7 last week. He said anything above a 2 is good. Next we went for the stress test. As usual, Hattie was SUPER wild. They could not get monitor to stay on her, actually had to hold the deal on her for the test.. she is going to need lots of spankings I think... she is lacking cooperation!!! She is still head down, actually really down.. Hudson still breach. I had lots of contractions while I was there.. he asked me questions about those.. stressing to come in if they get close and consistent.. I think Hattie was making me have them though.. b/c she would go crazy, then I would have one.. he said worst case scenario, if babies came that night, they would be fine.. no long term trouble.. wouldn't be able to come home right away, but they would be okay.. that was good to hear. Dr. Floyd did say that I need to take procardia for 15 more days, then I could stop.. so, that means at 34 1/2 weeks I won't have to take them. One more thing, he said at 34 weeks, I could go to a restaurant once a week for a nice dinner.. I was telling him I was really craving a good restaurant meal, so that is what he told me back. I am always negotiating...

Babies' Room - Half pink, half blue (ish) accents

Bedrest - Not as Bad as I thought..

I have been able to work from home, which is really helping my days fly by.. I really feel like I am at work... Keeping my computer in front of me keeps me in bed. I would have a much greater tendency to break the rules if I couldn't continue working... I am doing my best to stay down.. you all know me and know how hard that is!!!!

And I have had lots of visitors as well!!!! Of course both of our families have came by, but also some of the bunko girls (Tricia, Roselyn, Christina, Kelly and Terri), Christina and Marcus came over and brought dinner, Deann brought magazines and chocolate, Traci, Mike and the girls came over and brought magazines, chocolate and other goodies... and Lesli, Deann, Kim and Jen came over last Saturday evening... I am so lucky to have you all... Thanks for being there...

I am looking forward to my visit tomorrow and will update when I return... I am having one of my coworkers pick me up so I can attend a meeting before my appt.. We are going by McDonalds first... I NEED some GREASY FRIES. Hot fudge sunday won't hurt either....

9-16-08 appt - 31 weeks

The first ultrasound was done while I was admitted to the hospital on 9-12. It shows Hudson's boy parts, right in poor Hattie's face! Second picture was taken on 9-16 and you can see Hattie's face in the background on the right side. the lower left is Hudson's body.

9-16-08 I had another appt today. Everything was great!!! Hattie is still baby a and head down.. Hudson is still b and breech. The crazy thing is the doctor says that does not matter, as long as Hattie is first and head down... once she is out he will reach in and get Hudson, and he will come out whichever way he is, possibly feet first.. he does not suspect that I will have a c section! that is, unless Hattie decides to flip.. the ultrasound tech said her head is really down there.. They are growing fast! Hudson weighs approx 3 lbs 13 oz, Hattie weighs 3 lb 9 oz. Big!!! They are both right on track, measuring right at or a little over 31 weeks, which is what I am officially today..

If you haven't heard, I am on bed rest and will remain there for quite some time, possibly the whole time. I was admitted to the hospital last Thursday with contractions 3 to 7 minutes apart and released on Saturday. Contractions have slowed, I am only having one or so every hour, which he feels is fine. I am on a medicine to stop the contractions. My cervix has not shortened (a good thing he says) although at the hospital I was 70% effaced and dilated just a little, no more than a 1. He said for the next 3 weeks there will be no changes. I am to be home in bed besides to go to the bathroom or fix a sandwich, not to lift over 5 lbs, and no driving.. at 34 weeks, I can travel to someone else's house and lay down, not sure about driving then.... At 36 weeks, I may be able to negotiate small errands, but no work.. I don't know why, but he stressed that to me several times.. Oh well, I will see what else I can talk him into at my next appt! Yes, I will do whatever is best for the babies!!!!!

They did a stress test again and everything seemed to be okay. Hattie is always a little shy and doesn't perform as they want her to. But, then they use this noisy vibrating thing and that makes her kick.. that is what they want to see.. they are both "practice breathing", Hudson more than Hattie today. They need to have this down pat so they are ready when they do come out. I did get the steroid shots in the hospital to help develop their lungs, just in case we can't keep them in there as long as they are supposed to.

9-2-08 appointment

9-2-08 The appt went well! I measured 40 cm, or full term with one baby... with 11 weeks to go!!! Ouch! I start going weekly on the 16th for stress tests and ultrasounds. I gained 5 lbs in two weeks... man, do I like to eat! I had a contraction as he was measuring me. he is not concerned about them, as long as they don't get close AND consistent. he approved me going to st louis for training on the 30 for the 3 days, at least for now... and thinks I will be just fine.

both babies are moving like crazy right now.. must be having a big BATTLE. Hattie seems to move/kick a lot more than Hudson. I think she has had enough of his foot being in her face!

8-19-08 visit, 3D ultrasound

okay, yes! I have been terrible about putting anything in here... going to play a litte catch up with some old news...

8-19-08 The babies are doing great! Hudson Brooks weighs 2 lbs 5 oz, Hattie Lynn weighs 2lbs even.. Hattie is still Baby A (down further) and is head down.. Hudson has flipped and considered breech... but, he still has time to flip again.. Dr. Floyd says as long as the first baby, whoever is considered A, is head down, vaginal delivery is still possible.. Both babies are actually ahead on size then their actual age.. both were moving like crazy.... not cooperative for many pictures!!!! Still very sure of sex... Ben was happy to see that Hattie was keeping her legs closed for the most part... Hudson was happy to show his stuff off still...

I have now surpassed my weight and belly size of the day I had Wyatt... I begged/pleaded with the doctor to tell me he would induce at 36 weeks.. not happening... at all... he says I will be just fine and will surprise myself... whatever.. I will be stretched beyond repair..... I obviously don't want them too early, but I don't want them to be born at 40 weeks either (which he claims I could..) He feels they will each be 6 and 1/2 lbs when they are born... He asked me if I was a lawyer with all of the negotiating I was doing... He said, after I asked 100 times, that at 36 weeks, if I am still pregnant, I could pick up my activity and see if I can induce myself...

contractions every once in a while/swelling issues are all okay..just make sure I rest and leave the housecleaning for Ben..

My uterus measured 34 cm, meaning it is the size of single baby uterus at 34 weeks. I am 27 weeks now.. I have gained 32 lbs by my home scales.

The ultrasound was so cool.... we got the same tech as we have had before.. she is so nice, shows us anything I want to see.. She even did the 3D ultrasound.. I am going to scan some of them in tonight so I can share them.. They are awesome.. not as good as seeing on the screen of course, but still pretty clear... THEY BOTH LOOK LIKE WYATT!! It was so strange.. we could see them opening/closing their eyes, Hudson sucking his thumb, Hudson's foot right in Hattie's face.. They both have my turned up nose too... I feel like I know them already now!

I start going every two weeks for the next month, then will probably start weekly. no ultrasound/blood work at my next visit.