THE BOYS ARE HERE!!!!

Sunday morning, at 33 weeks and 1 day, I woke up feeling "blah."  I ate breakfast at 9:30 then my snack at 11:30.  I noticed that the fetal movement of Baby A wasn't as much as it usually was.  I decided to lay down for a little bit to see if that would help.  I also drank some water because maybe I was just tired and dehydrated.

When I woke up about 30 minutes later, I was having back pain and cramping in addition to the lack of fetal movement.  I called Kaiser and they told me to go get examined at Holy Cross Hospital.  We arrived at Holy Cross just before 2 p.m.  When we got there, I started to have a few contractions in the waiting room, but nothing of any significance.  They took me back to triage, and hooked me up to the fetal monitors.  Both heart beats looked great, but the doctor became concerned because contractions were appearing on the monitor, and I was having more than 4 in one hour.  The doctor decided to order a bag of fluids, thinking that would help get rid of the contractions.  I was so dehydrated that my veins had collapsed.  They had to poke me 4 times before they were able to finally find a vein. 

The fluids started, but the contractions did not go away.  Infact, they intensified.  The doctor came down to check my cervix to see if I was dilated.  He said I was dilated 2 cm.  As he was checking my cervix, he accidentally broke the water of Baby A.  He said the head was right there, and the water breaking couldn't have been prevented.

They gave me antibiotics and a steroid shot to help mature the lungs of the babies.  They were hoping to have me go another 12 hours so I could get a second steroid shot.  So they packed me up, and transferred me to a Labor and Delivery room.  The contractions intensified, and the anesthesiologist came in to give me my epidural. 

After the epidural was inserted, I wound up having to hit the "button" a few times to give me more medicine as the initial dose wasn't working.  About 1 hour after I was transferred from triage to L&D, the doctor decided to check my cervix.  I was dilated to a 9!  It was go time!  They quickly prepped the operating room and got me ready for my c-section.

At 8:55 and 8:56 p.m. the boys were born!  They are beautiful and seem to be doing well.  It wasn't what we expected, but obviously there was another plan for them!  We were hoping to get to at least 35 weeks....but they have a mind of their own!

Feeling.....Uggghhhh!

I will be 33 weeks tomorrow.  I had some contractions this past week, and boy did they ever hurt!  These were definitely the real thing - NOT Braxton Hicks.  I found that the contractions occur if I don't get enough rest.  Since we have been moving our stuff into my parents over the last week, I haven't been able to get enough rest, hence the contractions.  I've made it a point the last couple of days to be extra "lazy", and all seems to be well, at least as far as contractions go.

This morning I woke up feeling extra groggy, and just not feeling well.  I am extremely congested, have a headache, and am super sleepy.  Apparently 1 in 3 women will get "sinus congestion" not related to the nasal sinuses.  The hormones and extra blood flow cause congestion, and I'm just always the lucky one to experience many of the pregnancy symptoms.

On the bright side, I only have 1 month to go!  Yep....ONE MORE MONTH!!!  :)

Two More Great Appointments

Today at 31 weeks 3 days I had an appointment with my high risk doctor.  Everything looks great according to the doctor!  The boys have really done some growing since the last appointment.  Baby A is now 3 pounds 12 ounces.  Baby B is now 4 pounds 7 ounces.  They both have really long leg and arm bones, which means they are going to be long babies!  Heart rates were 136 and 139....both very strong heartbeats!  Baby A is smaller than Baby B because he has less room than baby B does, but they both have enough room to continue to grow healthy and strong!  :)

Troy also had a physical therapy appointment today.  The physical therapist is amazed at how quickly he is recovering!  I'm pretty pleased with his progress as well.  It's nice to see him walk again, and I know he's really enjoying being able to walk.....without crutches, or with just one crutch if his leg gets too sore!  He's been driving too so I'm sure he feels a sense of freedom again!

Two good appointments in one day.....I'd say we're both happy!

30 Week Appointment

Had another great appointment today.  It was with my regular OB/GYN, not the high risk doctor (that's next week).  We went over my glucose numbers, and the dr. said he was very pleased and that the numbers look fantastic.  He was very happy that I understood how serious Gestational Diabetes is and that I took it seriously.  Nice to hear that the dr. thinks you are doing a great job!

We discussed my c-section as well.  Looks like it will be January 21st!  We took a look at the babies, and both are currently positioned head down.  That explains all the pelvic pressure I have been feeling.  He asked if I had been having contractions, but I told him at this point I can't tell because my uterus is so large and always hard.  I said nothing hurt in that area, which is good because if I was having contractions, they would hurt. 

Both babies look great.  We'll get updated information next week (weight, length, etc.).  I'll start doing weekly monitoring as well.  Apparently when I go in for appointments they'll hook me up to monitors and watch their heart rates for about 30 minutes. 

It's definitely reassuring to know that such great care is being taken to look out for the safety and health of my little boys!  :)

7 More Weeks!!!!

Today I hit my 30 week mark, which means for us, we have 7 weeks to go!  There's something about leaving the "20's" and entering the "30's".  It just sounds like you are so much further along!  Because we have twins, we will deliver at 37 weeks because after that point, there is no room in the uterus for the babies.  I'm feeling excited, nervous, anxious, and I can't wait to meet my little boys!  I sometimes doubt my abilities to take care of two babies, and question whether or not I will be a good mom.  This is where Troy comes into play, and reassures me that not only will I be a good mom, but I will be a great mom!

We still have so much to do that I wonder whether or not I will be able to get it all done.  As far as baby things go, that's all done.  I'm talking about packing up, moving, etc.  It all seems so overwhelming and it has to be done within the next few weeks.  I'm trying to do what I can, and still take it easy.  I guess all I can do is take it one day at a time!

How am I feeling?  I feel huge!  I am uncomfortable 24/7.  I have a lot of pelvic pressure (comes from carrying multiples). I am frequently tired. I have to pee all the time (mostly from the pelvic pressure).  My fingers are swollen and stiff.  I get headaches about every other day. I have a hard time bending down.  I am unable to carry things.  It is extremely difficult to drive.  Getting out of bed is an adventure.  Getting out of a chair is comical.  My emotions are starting to kick into overdrive.  I'm frequently congested......but other than that, I'm great!  Lol!  :)

Oh, and today, I made the HUGE mistake of watching a video on circumcision.  HUGE, HUGE, HUGE mistake!  The waterworks really started then!  Troy had to come over and hold my hand, and I think even he teared up a bit.  That poor little baby in the video was just crying, and crying, and crying.....and that was after they numbed it.  Why I watch things like this....I don't know!  I guess as a woman who is carrying two little boys, you want to know what's going to happen to them, or what they have to go through.  I'm hoping the little baby in the video was just crying as a result of the injection and that it didn't really hurt him that badly.  Poor little guy!

Identical????

This afternoon we had an elective ultrasound done.....the 3D!  Although our doctor did a few images a couple of weeks ago, they were only able to get images of Baby B, as Baby A wasn't cooperating. 

Today, the baby that was cooperating for the doctor two weeks ago (Baby B) wasn't cooperating for us!  Stubborn little fella he is!  (they're both quite stubborn actually!).  Finally towards the end of the appointment Baby B cooperated enough to get some pictures.  They are pretty cool. 

When comparing the picture of Baby B from two weeks ago to the picture of Baby A today, they look the same!  Makes both of us wonder whether or not they are identical (which we found out there is a possibility!)

Troy is thrilled because he thinks both of the boys look like him.  And after taking a look, I would definitely say they both have his lips and nose!  The ultrasound technician also said they were both incredibly long babies (she said that at 16 weeks too when we did our gender reveal ultrasound).  They also have large feet and long fingers.  Looks like these "little" guys may not be so little after all!  We may have some 6 foot boys!

The 3D images of both Babies.  Going from left to right, Baby A is pictures 1 - 5 and Baby B is pictures 6 - 9.

2D images of Baby A

2D images of Baby B

Name Change.....WHAT??????????

So as I'm sitting here watching the show Property Brothers on HGTV, and Troy tells me that he wants to change the name of one of the boys.  He has decided that it wouldn't be "fair" to the other baby if one were named after him.  He mostly doesn't want the other baby to feel bad and wonder why his brother was named after daddy, and not him.  Fair enough.

Soooooo, we're sitting here brainstorming baby names.  I never thought that at this point of my pregnancy that I would be sitting here trying to come up with another name for one of our boys!  After about 45 minutes, Troy and I have come up with a name for the baby we were going to name Troy Jr.  However, we have decided to keep it quiet until both boys are here!

Stay tuned......January 19th (ish) is when the names will be revealed!  :)

Troy's Update

Troy's leg seems to be healing pretty well.  The orthopedic doctor said he can start putting weight on his leg now.  Before the doctor told him he could put weight on his leg, he wanted nothing more than to be able to do that.  However, now that he has the go ahead, he is rather scared.  I guess he thinks he's going to break something else.  The doctor reassured him that he can't do anything to his leg.  Nothing (short of being hit by a car - her words, not mine) will damage his leg.  So now it's just a mental game!  He started bearing weight utilizing both crutches (before he was on both crutches but always had his leg up).  When that went well, he went to one crutch.  He's slow as I don't know what right now, but at least he's building up his let strength again!  I guess it's good that he's slow.....now I can keep up with him!  Lol!


Here are a few updated pictures of his leg:  (staples are gone, and wounds are healing!)

The Buddha Belly updates......

It's AMAZING how quickly your belly grows!  Just a few months ago, I wasn't even showing - and now I'm huge! 

I went from this on August 2nd, 2012:

 

 

TO:

On November 24, 2012 (29 Weeks)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put a fork in me........

So it's official.....I am TIRED of being pregnant!  I'll be 29 weeks tomorrow (Saturday) and I'm done!   The third trimester is awful!  I know many pregnant women are tired of being pregnant at some point, however, they usually make it to week 30 something before they get tired!  I'm huge, uncomfortable 24/7, and feel crazy pains all over!  Have you ever tried rolling out of bed being this huge?  It's not easy!  And by rolling, I really do mean rolling.  You have to roll over to the correct side, then somehow push yourself up.  It's a daily struggle!  And it's not just rolling out of bed.  It's getting out of a chair, off the couch, off the toilet....it's an effort!  (often times a joint effort!)

The boys are constantly pushing on my bladder, so it feels like I have to pee all the time....even after I just get done peeing!  Sleep?  What is that?  Every hour I wind up "waking up" to switch the side I am laying on because my hip hurts.  Then in the morning, it feels like somebody just took my legs and pulled, yanked, and stretched them out of my hip socket!  I seriously think I will get more sleep once the babies are here.  Many people say no, no, no, but they just don't KNOW how LITTLE sleep I get now.  At least when the babies are here there will be about 2 hours in between feedings, changings, etc.  That 2 hours equals sleep!  Plus, Troy and I will be taking turns sleeping, so I definitely think I will get more sleep!

I definitely want the boys to go to 37 weeks......and I hope and pray every day that they do.  I just want those 37 weeks to be here.....yesterday!  :)  On a positive note....at least my gestational diabetes is under control!  My numbers are right where they should be - under 120 two hours after meals!  :)

FAILED.......booooo

My nurse in my OB/GYN's office just called me.  She said I failed my glucose tolerance test so I do have gestational diabetes.  Boooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!  However, it is extremely common with multiples.  The placenta produces hormones that block natural insulin production, so with TWO placentas, that's twice the hormones, and twice the blockage.  I go in tomorrow for an appointment with the nurse to learn what I need to eat, to get my glucose monitoring machine, and to learn how to use it.  I'm glad they caught it, and that I am able to get in ASAP to get it under control!  (I still don't know the number for the third hour....I just know I failed).

The results are in.....well, at least 2/3 of the results!

I am sitting here anxiously awaiting the results of the glucose tolerance test for my 3rd hour.  Here are my results so far:

Fasting:  83 (normal range 70-109) = 
1 Hour Post Dose:   160 (normal range 70-189) = PASS  :)
2 Hours Post Dose:  176 (normal range 70-164) = FAIL  :(
3 Hours Post Dose:  ???????


Still waiting for that third hour.  If I pass the third hour, I don't have gestational diabetes.  Either way I will more than likely be placed on a special diet.  If I pass, I will wind up having to be re-tested later in pregnancy just to make sure my body is able to break down the glucose.  I'm hoping and praying that the third number comes back within the normal range!!!

Hospital....High Risk Doctor....Urgent Care....Broken Toe....Physical Therapy....I'm EXHAUSTED!!!

So I just sent my sister an email with updates from us.  After sending the email, I decided that I needed to update our blog but I didn't feel like typing anything because my fingers are so stiff and swollen.  So I decided that I could just copy and paste what I sent her with a few minor changes.  So Jessica, if you are reading this post and are wondering why the content sounds so familiar......now you know!  :)

 

Monday night I wound up going to Holy Cross Hospital. I hadn't felt the babies move, so I had to call Kaiser. They told me to go in for monitoring. Both are fine! The doctor was kind of strange though. He went to turn the light switch off to do an ultrasound, and almost fell on me. The switch was on the other side of the bed, and instead of going around the bed, he reached over me. Pretty frightening!

Tuesday I went to the high risk doctor. He said that since I failed my 1 hour glucose test, that I have gestational diabetes. If I was pregnant with only 1 baby, then there is a chance that I would pass the next test. But with twins, nearly all women with multiples develop GD. I was really upset about it because I'm worried how it will impact the boys. He said it won't impact them at all and that they are fine. He still wants me to do my 3 hour glucose tolerance test. I have to "carb load" for the next three days, then I will have the test Saturday morning. GD also increases my chances of pre-eclampsia, so they will be watching me very closely.  They took lots of pictures at the appointment.  Some were 4D.  They were only able to get one 4D picture of "Baby A." He wasn't cooperating! And the picture they did get isn't that clear. The pictures are labeled. AA is Baby A. BB is Baby B. Troy thinks they both look like him. I definitely think Baby B looks like him!

Babies have each gained 1/2 pound in 1 week! They are now 2.8 and 2.11. If they continue at that rate, they will be over 6 pound babies at delivery. We will have a c-section at 37 weeks. Doctor doesn't see any reason why I can't make it to 37. My cervix looks good right now. It is short compared to a singleton pregnancy so they will watch that closely as well to make sure it doesn't open. My weight gain is about 2 pounds every 2 weeks....but half of that lately has been the babies! :)

After my appointment yesterday, we went to urgent care (in the same building as my appointment) for Troy. He thought he broke his left baby toe the other day. And he did! So his right leg is broken, and he's hopping around on his "good" foot with a broken toe! His toe got caught up with the crutches and the crutches won.

Wednesday Troy had physical therapy.  He said it was rather painful, but can already start to feel the benefits.  His range of motion is very limited, so I'm hoping this helps quickly!  It will help boost his spirits if he can get back up and moving a bit!

It's rather comical when we walk into Kaiser.  Troy is in the wheel chair, and here I am looking like I'm going to pop at any second, and I'm pushing him in the wheel chair!  We get so many comments and laughs.  It has been nice though because everybody has offered to help us.  The staff at Kaiser have been wonderful!  We have been to several different departments.....Radiology, Ultrasound, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Urgent Care, Physical Therapy, Laboratory, Pharmacy - did I miss any?  Everybody in each department has been wonderful!  Normally you only have a few people in one or two departments who are awesome, but they have ALL been awesome!  I'm thankful for that because that eliminates stress!

The past several weeks have been crazy.....several appointments each week! Needless to say, I'm tired now!

 

 

Gestational Diabetes???? Yikes!

Well, there's a huge possibility that I may have gestational diabetes.  I did my glucose one hour test this past Friday and just got the results back.  Before I get into the results, I have to say the liquid they use for the test isn't that bad.  It tastes like an orange soda without the carbonation.  Ok, so the normal range for your glucose levels after one hour is anywhere between 70-140.  My number was 189.  This now means that I have to do the three hour glucose tolerance test.  I have to follow a special diet for three days before the actual exam.  Then I have to fast beginning the night before the exam.  From there, I have to have my blood taken I think every hour for three hours.  I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I will get the directions tomorrow when I go in for my appointment with the high risk doctor.

Speaking of high risk doctor, Troy and I decided to change our OB/GYN.  The first several years Dr. V treated me, he seemed fine.  Lately, every time I go in, it always seems like he is pre-occupied with other things.  I even asked him early on if I would need to see a high risk doctor, and he said no.  I was rather uncomfortable with that.  Then, he never even mentioned to me about having the glucose test done.  I knew it was coming up because I have been reading about high risk pregnancies like mine. 

So my last appointment we went to another doctor, Dr. T.  He's the one who saw me early on in pregnancy when I was diagnosed with hyperemesis.  We both like him.  He sat down with us, talked to us for a bit, explained things thoroughly, didn't rush through the appointment, asked us if we had any questions, then he checked the babies.  He even did the fundal measurements, which my other doctor never did.  That's how we knew that at 26 weeks I was measuring at 36 weeks.  He ordered blood work, including the glucose test.  We were both unsure why it wasn't done earlier.  He also set me up with an appointment with the high risk doctor.  Troy and I both feel a lot better now that we have switched to Dr. T.  We feel that we are now getting the care that we need!

Baby Shower....Part 2 (with pictures)

There are too many pictures to even attempt to write captions for all of them.....maybe over the next several days I will be able to get some captions. 

 

 

 

Me and my honey

Troy opening swaddle blankets

Two little pajamas

This was our shower theme

The most adorable balloons I have ever seen!  Mom did a good job picking these out!

Yummy food!  And plenty to go around!

More yummy food

Part of the "spread"

Shower guests (Liz and Rachael in the far back).  We were trying to get a game going here, but we had a tough crowd!

Don't know what was said....must have been pretty funny!  That's Talya next to me.

My niece playing the game (the one where the crowd was being party poopers)

Troy and his "Dad" Woodie

Hmmm.....not a flattering view of my backside.  Lol.

Let's EAT!

A view from above

Another view from above

I think Jennifer or my niece Emily said something to me in order for me to make this face

A much better face!

How cute is she??!!  My niece Annie

Little monsters for OUR little monsters!!

What a HUGE box of diaper!

Troy chillin with his monsters!

Emily is helping with the presents.  She was such a good delivery girl!

Troy opening the car seat toys

I LOVE this bag!  This is from Rachael!  She also made the trike (pictures below)

 

Poor Troy was stuck in that chair all night.  At least it was comfortable and he was a trooper about it!  Guess that's what happens when you break a leg!

Opening the little hats E.J. Storrs made for the boys

Liz in lala land!  Lol!

Talya and my mom picking up some trash.....and Emily eating the delicious cake!!

How funny is this?  I'm trying to reach the bag and I can't reach it.  Talya had to get it for me.  My stomach kind of got in the way!

The quilt Jane Lindsey got for us.  Such a nice quilt!

Up close of the quilt

The cutest little jeans!

Mittens, nurisng pads, and a nasal aspirator from Liz

This is the play gym from one of my co-workers.  Annie was helping me open it.

The cutest little trike I've ever seen!  Handmade by Rachael!

Here she is!  She's helping Aunt Zee open the gift.  She thought it was for her though and she got so upset when she couldn't take it out and play with it.

A little ducky robe and bathtub

Troy is wiped!