Thursday, June 30, 2011

Ultrasound Surprise!

June 22nd, today was the day the couple would see their daughters for the first time. They were so excited for my ultrasound appointment, and I was excited for them...I took pride in showing off these babies who have taken over my body!
  The tech would point out the bladders, the thigh bones and their full tummies, but due to the language barrier they didn't pick up much. Then in a second baby A turned her face giving everyone a clear view of just how beautiful she was. Both men hopped out of their sets and shouted "her face" in French...with a smile ear to ear it was hard to fight back tears. 
  The ultrasound was great, so we thought. At the end the tech whispered to me "baby A is a half pound smaller then B and I see no fluid around her, I have to make a note of that for the doctor to see." I then relayed the message to the dads, and the smile that took over was now a look of worry.
  As we waited and waited for the doctors arrival time seemed to slow down. We kept good conversation so at least we had each other to take our minds off of the worry and anxiety. Finally in scrubs the doctor came in (I think he may have just got done performing surgery).
  He explained that baby A weighed 3 pounds 11 ounces and baby B  weighed 4 pounds 9 ounces. The slow growth of baby A was due to fluid being low. In cases like this, it's best to deliver asap. With wide eyes all 3 of us looked at each other wondering what that may mean. The Doctor chimed in saying "I think it best if we do the CSection this Friday!" I should have been excited, I was ready...but only 1 1/2 day to prepare was not enough and my nerves took over. The men seemed scared, yet excited all at once, we all had so much to do! In just a few hours this pregnancy would end with two baby girls being held in their fathers arms...were we ready?

Stay tuned to find out what happened next, I promise it will touch your hearts to the point of pure happiness!

More to come...
  

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Part 2: Reunited and it Feels so good!

Hey everyone,
  Here is the much anticipated part 2 of my blog...and just the thought of writing it makes me want to sing "Reunited and it feels so good..." 

  They are here! The daddies...they are finally with us, and I have never felt more complete! For the first time during this pregnancy I feel relieved...everything is in place for the birth of these girls, no wondering what will happen if the guys don't make it in time, no more feeling like they will miss out, just the simple satisfaction of having everyone together for the joyous occasion we have ALL been waiting for.

The guys flew in to Chicago Thursday and on Saturday they were settled in to their hotel in Avon Indiana! I couldn't believe it...after months of being a world apart they were only minutes away! We planned on meeting at 6 and enjoying dinner together and I assure you, 6:00 couldn't have came fast enough. I waited and waited (and napped) and waited more. It came time to leave and between these crazy pregnancy hormones and my excitement I will admit I was literally pushing Chris and the girls out the door! 

We arrived at the hotel to be greeted by one of the dads. The expression on his face will forever stick with me. This was the first time he was able to see his daughters. The feeling was strange...all this time, I have felt them kick, seen them on ultrasounds, and heard their heartbeats...and here their father stands, seeing my growing stomach which holds his daughters for the first time. 

We went upstairs for a drink ( caffeine free DT coke) and to meet up with dad number 2. Again, when walking in the door I received the same look...immediately after, the couple exchanged a quick conversation in french, I was a little insecure not being able to understand but they were anxious to fill me in. They couldn't believe it, for the first time this was all real, and my extra large tummy was proof!

We met up with my best friend Erica (who met the guys in Portland) and did a lot of catching up at the dinner table. They were curious to know how I was feeling, and asked time and time again if I was okay, or tired. Once again they proved to be such wonderful people, so considerate, so humble and appreciative.  And again I thought...we are matched with the most perfect couple, which left me feeling so excited about this long bumpy journey we have been traveling down for the past year!

 Time flew by and conversation came easy, but the night came to a very unwanted end, but it wouldn't be for long. The next day was Sunday, Father's Day...how fitting:) we invited them to a cook out in Spencer, Indiana at Chris' brothers house. They gladly accepted and had a terrific time. They kept asking if living in a cabin, in the woods, eating outside on the porch was "normal" because they have only seen such a scene in the movies. They enjoyed corn on the cob for the first time, and wore IU hats...listened to folk music and laughed it up when jokes were told. They fit right in and instantly Chris' family saw what we saw all those months ago, they loved the couple and embraced them with hugs and the kindest words. 

Once again our evening came to an end, and once again we planned to meet the next evening...this time for shopping!!! Unfortunately the shopping trip was exchanged for a hospital trip due to me being under the weather. It wasn't a lost cause though...they got to see the hospital, they were complete impressed! But the highlight of this hospital trip was, for the first time the guys got to hear their babies heart beats...all you mommies and daddies know what a magical moment that is. Typically it happens around 10 weeks...they waited 8 months to hear that amazing gallop of racing heart beats. At the moment, their smiles said it all, my heart was full I felt at that moment all the pain, all the scares, all the hospital visits were worth it! I can't even imagine how overwhelmingly happy I will be to see then united with their girls...and I can't wait to share that experience with you, so again...stay tuned only 10 days at the most:)

Also if anyone is interested in joining us for a welcoming cookout we will host one in honor or the twins and the dads July 10th plea send your addresses and I will get a formal invite out asap:)

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Part 1: In Labor/ Out of Labor?

Hey Everyone,
  Holy WOW! so much has gone on since my last blog...and once I explain I am sure you all will accept my apologies for not posting as often as I promised.

  For the past month these dramatic little twins have been trying their hardest to make an early debut. I have been spending many days and nights in the hospital trying to maintain this pregnancy as long as possible with the help of many many medications. At least 1 night has been spent at the hospital per week plus I have a routine doctors appointment once a week. So here lately I'm feeling very much at home laying in a hospital bed with the hum of IV machines to keep me company. 

2 weeks ago was our biggest "labor" scare. At my weekly doctors visit i mentioned to my doctor that I was still experiencing regular contractions (which I assumed were Braxton Hicks) every 6 minutes along with some cramping...after a cervical check he determined that I was dilated to 2 cm which isn't a big deal but a huge change from the week before. He sent me to the hospital for monitoring and things turned for the worst.

The contractions got worse even with medication. And by the end of the night I was dilated to 4 cm. I was in full fledged labor. It was much to early for delivery so things got very tense. Chris had already gone for the night so needless to say I was pretty nervous. I was swarmed my 6 nurses, and the doctor. They were rushing me to St Vincent Women's center via ambulance. I was given a drug called magnesium to stop labor to ensure the babies would not be delivered on the ambulance. 

Chris was already in Indianapolis at a small concert I was sad to miss, getting me an autograph as a surprise so it was very easy for him to meet me at the hospital. Once there the neonatal specialist prepared me for what would happen if the babies were born, I also talked to the doctor who would preform the CSection if necessary. By the end of the night and on into the early morning I was on so many pain meds and so exhausted from excruciating contractions I was able to get some sleep and by morning I was sore but active labor had  stopped. I stayed for 2 nights to make sure I wasn't actively dilating anymore. I wasn't...so I was homeward bound!

Every since that evening my doctor has kept very close eye on me and the changes my body is currently going through. The goal was to keep me pregnant until at least 35 weeks so that I am able to stay with our local hospital....here I am, 35 weeks and 3 days, so now I can say "We made it!"

On average twins are born at 35 weeks so we are anticipating their birth any day, but at the latest they will be here July 1st. I am still experiencing contractions, and I am wore out. My body feels 38 weeks pregnant which means I lay in bed a lot. Everyday tasks, like doing my make up or even showering has become more of a chore. I find myself very temperamental and testy as well as emotional...all I can say is my poor poor husband lol!  Luckily he will only have to deal with these crazy hormones for a few more days!

Now that your updated on my medical condition...part 2 is to come! The daddies are here and I can not wait to fill you all in on our reunion:) stay tuned!!