OUR BUNCH

OUR BUNCH

Friday, January 28, 2011

Hospital

Ok...so yes, hospital bed rest is awful! No doubt,it's hard for me but also very hard for Luke, Hannah, and grandparents. Plus I know everyone is on the edge of their chair (bed) waiting on a midnight phone call. Do I think these babies are coming soon? No, probably not. I feel a lot more comfortable than last week, physically. Contractions are under control and I have don't have much pain. Blood pressure is perfect and babies move all the time.
What's next? Just wait!

Hannah came to visit me and she likes the room...glad she is only 5. Things like the electric bed and Pink wheel chairs are super cool. Plus the nurses bring her choc milk on request. She is going to Dallas Zoo on Sat and she's so excited! She is not too worried about mommy.

This past week, We have been able to see lots of buddies that live in Dallas! It has been so great to visit and catch up. Thank you all for stopping by! Luv you!

If you have called lately, I probably didn't answer. I only talk on the phone to Luke and the person keeping Hannah. It is hard to talk for two reasons...I am breathless and my bad cell service. I'm so sorry!

Oh and one last thing...the Super Bowl is in Arlington next weekend. I watch a lot of Dallas news and that is ALL they report. Nevermind the suspicious package they found in downtown. They decided to discuss the Lombardi trophy delivery 1 million times. So, what a wild time to be in Dallas! Maybe the babies wanted to be close to the action...

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

32 weeks

I've made it to 32 weeks! I am still in the hospital on bed rest. The babies will be in good hands when I deliver because of the NICU. Every day in the belly, saves 2 days in the NICU. We have saved 12 days since Friday. Even though the bed rest is torture, I just remember that we will be able to bring the babies home sooner.

Truly, the doctors can't explain why I didn't deliver on Friday. (Luke has his theories and it makes since). The docs are kinda just assuming that i might deliver soon, but who knows? They are managing my contractions and stopping labor, if they can. I still have contractions but I take nifedipine every 6 hours which really helps. The longer i can remain pregnant the better.


I am not on any IV meds. I have bathroom privileges. Every morning and evening, they hook me up to a monitor to chart babies heartbeats and my contractions. The babies always look awesome and very active!

Luke has been here with me since Friday. He is sleeping at Joe and Dets apt which has been a huge lifesaver! He will be going home today until Friday. Janjan is coming to stay with me. Luke and Hannah plan to come to Dallas for the weekend. They will stay at apt.

Thank you everyone for the prayers and support! It's just a waiting game...

Sunday, January 23, 2011

On friday, I went into Dr Masons office with bleeding. Dr mason was out of town so Dr Slovak checked me, she was worried the cerclage was moving. She said I was dilated to a 1. I was having contractions 5 min apart. I went to L&D for magnesium and doc decided to transfer me to Baylor Dallas for babies' safety. The ambulance ride was awful but the babies and I made it safely. They checked me in quickly and sonogramed the babies. Both babies are doing great! Then checked my cervix, I was dilated to 4 cm; 100% effaced. They decided to give me an epidural and remove cerclage within hours. We made a few phone calls and sent texts. Lots of folks came straight to the hospital. Two Drs and I thought the babies would be here by 10 pm. However, the babies decided they were not ready. The last cervix check, I was dilated to a 5. The magnesium and epidural slowed the process. My contractions had slowed down to about 6 an hour.

Med list: magnesium, epidural, antibiotics

On mag, you have to be closely monitored- blood pressure cuff, baby monitors, contraction monitor, vitals every 2 hrs, plus no food. Also, the epidural made my legs tingly all night...needless to say I didn't sleep a wink. We limited visitors on Saturday bc I was grumpy and Luke and I needed to mentally prepare...you know we are planners. This pregnancy is continuing to be everything but predictable!

Saturday- no change. Mom, dad, carol were here most of the day just in case anything changed. We made plans for Hannahs week, etc. Katie, keres, Gram pam, daddy george, and cary had Hannah, Ava and George. Sarah Dudley sat with me Sat night. Luke, JD, Jake went to have a burger.

January 23, Sunday at 7:00am
I still haven't delivered. They haven't checked my cervix since Friday night. They took out cerclage on friday night and nothing changed. Now, I am stable, still in L&D room. Yesterday, they took me off mag, took off monitors, turned off epi. Now, I am taking 30 mg of a drug similar to procardia every 6 hours. This drug just smooths uterine contractions. I am still feeling a few sporadic contractions. Other than that I feel good. They are transferring me to an antepartum room today with close monitoring. Still on bed rest with bathroom privileges. Dr might do growth scan on the babies today.

I think Hannah may visit today. We want to get her used to where the babies will be born. I am hoping to have a nurse talk to her about nicu. My gestational diabetes is questionable. All my blood sugar tests are low. They may change my diet plan today to ensure the babies are getting enough calories.

Thank you to everyone who sat in the waiting room on Friday night! Sorry for the false alarm! Thank you to everyone that has called, emailed, texted, face booked. We appreciate your prayers, love and support. We are taking life day by day...I feel very comfortable being in Dallas! Much love, tasa

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Gestational diabetes

Flat bed rest-check
diabetic diet-check
Achy body-check
baby punching my hip bone-check
baby kicking my rib bone-check
No more than 7 weeks to go-PRICELESS!!

Yes, I have gestational diabetes. I don't have to take insulin, only monitor with diet. So...my diet consists of high protein and veggies, low carb, no sugars. Luke and I normally eat a similar diet when I am not preggo, but we gave it up at the beginning of this pregnancy. I really haven't had a big appetite or any cravings so It shouldn't be too bad for 5-7 weeks.
I am a little skeptical of the diet plan bc it says diet drinks, artificial sweeteners are safe But monitor the milk and fruit intake. In my opinion, sweeteners aren't safe for anyone especially not big preggo women and limit milk, really? I will do my best with the diet but I am not gonna starve.

I will now go to doctor every Monday for blood sugar check and cervical check. Should be fun!
Only 5-7 more weeks! Only 5-7 more weeks... I am clicking my heels!

Over the weekend, Sarah Dudley was here! It was so fun to see her! She worked around the house, helped with 'chatty' Hannah, cooked, worked in nursery, and kept me company. It went by too fast and I was sad to see her go. Luke was able to enjoy some 'cabin' time on Friday with no kids or mommy. He was thankful and he deserved it!

Monday, January 17th- first blood sugar check. Doc will be out of town this week so I will only have lab work.

Thank you to:

Janjan-chick and dumplings, groceries, laundry
Gram Pam & Daddy George-letting Ava and Hannah have a sleep over. She loved it!
Sara C- watching movies and keeping me company, grocery shopping for my new diet plan, cooking
Katie & cita-taking old baby stuff to consign
Audra &Meli-helping in nursery, visiting
Anne abston-chick spaghetti

Thursday, January 13, 2011

30 week check-up and Sonogram

I had an abnormal result on my Glucose/gestational diabetes test last week.(I am sure you are thinking, Really? How can one pregnancy be so difficult?  I don't have an answer, of course.  However, these babies are more than worth it, I have no doubt they will be perfect!)  

So, When the glucose test is abnormal, they have to do a second test.  It requires fasting then four blood tests, three hours apart.  I will know the results Friday morning, hopefully.   If it is positive then I have gestational diabetes.  We will simply regulate with diet and has no effect on the babies.  However, it can lead to larger babies at birth, which doc says, is not a bad thing.  If negative, I van continue to eat my sweets! 

Cervical length is 1.7cm.  Still in the safe range!  I am still home on flat bed rest.  Baby brother is laying on my cervix. If we can get him to move, we will be home free!  Luke's answer is laying 'upside down' in recliner  ;) sounds so fun!

Sonogram showed:
Baby girl-estimated at 2 lbs. 14 oz; measuring 29 weeks, 1 day
Baby boy-estimated at 2 lbs. 13 oz; measuring 29 weeks 2 days

They are growing at the same pace which is so important! 

Next appt: Monday, January 24th 8:30. 

Hannah update-

I have to brag on my 5 year old.  She took math midterm benchmark tests yesterday and scored PERFECT/Established on all five tests! AND last night, she read every word in a second grade book!   She continues to amaze me!  Report cards go out this week and she will be getting a reward!  Thank you, Mrs Fite,for your hard work in your classroom.  It does not go unnoticed!  You are a blessing to each child in your class!  We love you!         



God is great!  Continue to pray for two healthy babies, a happy big sister, a stress free daddy and at least 5 more weeks for mama!      

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

30 WEEKS

I am 'jumping' my 3rd hurdle.... 30 weeks.  Really, I have had a lot of hurdles and obstacles this pregnancy which makes the anticipation so much greater (OR that's just one way to look at it).  I am excited about my growth sonogram on Wednesday then Dr. appt on Thursday.  Hope all goes smoothly at Open Imaging.  I am not sure if we are their favorite patients, but I bet we will be tomorrow. 

This week has been exciting for me... baby shower, snow, mom stayed over, no school.  No school for two days has kinda thrown us for loop but Janjan, Papaw, and Aunt Katie have helped tremendously.  I think daddy is about as sick of bed rest as I am.  He is truly doing everything while trying to work 40+hours a week.  Its really not fun anymore.  Pat him on the back if you see him. 

This past weekend, Katie planned a small family shower.  Katie and Carol came to decorate and helped finish the nursery.  The shower was Sunday afternoon and it snowed all day.  The roads were so bad, my out of town guests were unable to be here.  It was still a lot of fun !  Here are the pics of the day! 
Thank you, Katie, Cita, janjan, Gran, Aunt Sally!





Note: Hannah has road rash from gettin bucked off a 'pony' on Friday.  It was a plastic pony, but she fell on concrete.  She still is a beautiful big sis!


I straightened her hair and it looked so pretty! My snow princess!

Baby carriage cookies

Diaper Cake...but cute enough to eat


Me and my girl...first time to straighten my hair in 3 months


I got Hannah a baby sling for her babies

I couldn't resist! She was beggin to join the shower and get out of the snow

My two favorites!
Sarah Dudley is coming from Dallas this weekend to hang with us...I couldnt be happier.  YAY ! We promised Luke some time away to play.  Hannah and I will love having Sarah here!

A big thank you to...

Amy Mccraw-Mexican chicken,delish PB cookies
Sara and Shane- big steaks and sweet potatoes, company to watch the Aggies
Peggy and Charles wright-beef pilaf, broc cheese casserole, fruit salad, cheesecake
Ashley Fisher-lasagna(I need recipe), salad, bread
Patricia Saunderlin- cheesy macaroni casserole
Papaw-Herschel's lunch

I will give an update and hopefully some pics soon!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

29 week check-up!

I had my 29 week check-up today and there were no changes in cervical length. My cervical length is still holding steady at 1.9 cm. I have lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks which is interesting! Flat bed rest doesn't necessarily make me gain weight bc i have to eat while laying flat. It is such a pain! I miss eating at a 45 degree angle! I did the routine, 'yummy' glucose test for gestational diabetes and I will find out results tomorrow. Also, my belly is measuring 34cm which I think is 34 weeks. He said this was normal with twins! Belly is getting so big!

Most of you know I was not super excited about the appointment simply bc of the news we got last week. Actually, I had mom pack my bag and I made an additional packing list. However, the doc was pleased with no changes and I am home for at least one more week! One week at a time...baby steps!

Mom and I had a great time on Wednesday as she continued to work in the nursery. She washed all the bitty preemie clothes with dreft, picked up house, made lunch, laundry, grocery shopped, picked up Han from school and took her to get a hair cut. Ms. Lori cut 2 inches off Hannahs hair. She straightened it to make sure the cut was even. Hannah looked so different
and grown up with straight hair....she LOVED it, my little Diva! Also, she got to show of her new do for Papaws bday! He brought over Lees China and we visited!

Bed rest update

11 weeks ! Its pretty unbelievable when I think about it! This has been my greatest challenge ever, no doubt! I've always said that being a mommy was my greatest challenge (with an unmeasurable reward)! Now, I get to be a mommy of 3 which will come with countless challenges, of course, but...it will be the best feeling in the world! Luke and I will be the most blessed parents on the planet! If we can make it through 4 total pregnancies in 5 years, 3 of which high risk pregnancies, infertility, 12 plus weeks of bed rest with a 5 year old...we can do anything! I Can't wait to say "Cheers to us!" and yes, Luke, I expect champagne! ;)


As I lay flat...I think about one million things that I would love to do like go out eat, wash laundry, cook, pick Hannah up from school, walk around Target or even Walmart, go to the
gym, go to watch the Aggies tomorrow night in the cotton bowl, take a walk with Hannah, sit on my porch, clean my bathrooms, go on a date with my husband.....the list goes on and on! However, I think of Jamie and Jojo's fave joke, "what did the monkey say when he got his tail
cut off? It won't be long now!" ;0)

I am very much looking forward to a small, family shower this Sunday in my home! I have told the ' big sis' that she is responsible for opening gifts as I lay flat in the recliner! Thank you all for making this possible! The guests will also get to see the nursery which is almost complete. ;)

Muchas gracias for meals to:
Beth Price and Mollie Means- yummy meatballs, mashed taters, pintos, and delish choc sheet cake....I ate every drop and only shared a little!
Jojo-chicken stew and cornbread! And for buying a cute car from Sandlin motors!
Mr and Mrs. Sinclair- roast and all trimmings, banana pudding
Papaw- Lees china, chicken fried steak lunch, subway lunch
Janjan- thank u for being my hands and feet around my house and nursery! I know I am a little neurotic!
Judi Howell-chicken pot pie lunch and great visit! ;)

Big thank you to my precious Aggie gals Lara, Julie, Laura, Sarah,Monte, Shelley: for sending
Luke such nice words of encouragement and the biggo gift card to Bass Pro ! He has done unbelievably well with all the stress from me, Hannah, and work! You are so sweet to think of us and reward him, too!


Thank you for your endless prayers and happy thoughts! It's all in Gods hands and His precious timing!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Bed rest update

Happy New Year! I am doing well. However, on Wednesday night, I woke up several times with a backache and just uncomfortable pains. I had a hard time resting. By morning, I told Luke and we decided to call Dr. Mason to check in. I went into his office about 10am to find that my cervix length shortened from 2.6cm to 1.9 in less than a week. I was placed on a contraction monitor for contractions, and luckily I didn't have any at that time. I took the first baby steroid shot on Thursday with the booster yesterday. The steroid shot is for the babies to help their lungs develop a little quicker. I am now on Procardia to slow down minor contractions. Fun stuff! I feel like a pen cushion these days, heparin shots, hydroxyprogesterone shots, steroid shots....uggg. Also, I am now on complete flat bed rest AT HOME with only bathroom privileges.

Just a heads up! When my cervix length goes below 1.5 cm, I will be hospitalized in Dallas. This could be as early as next week or  4-5 weeks when I am placed in the hospital for monitoring.  This does not mean the babies will come any time soon, but we are getting ready for the last leg of the journey. Since I am only 28/29 weeks, the babies still need to cook, but I may need to be in a hospital with a NICU to protect these precious babies. 

Whew..I have been a nervous nelly and a little negative. But, I finally got my thoughts in order. I am ready for the 'final countdown.' Also, I had great company on NYE. Jamie, Jojo, Chloe, Janjan, Hannah. We had so much fun and it cheered me up! Papaw and Hannah did our grocery shopping for the weekend! Jojo brought stew for lunch. Janjan let me open an early shower gift of baby bottles, bottle sterilizer, cute grass drying rack, and baby boy mobile with sports balls. :)  In November, a baby shower was cancelled due to my bed rest, however, my sweet friends and fam bought me two new Graco carseats as the hostess gift!  (I have not even said THANK YOU! I hope you know how thankful I am for the new carseats and your friendship.) Papa and Gran surprised us,too, with a special, early shower gift of a jog stroller and car seat stroller! Plus, Cita and Capt gave us two precious carseat covers (early shower gift). I couldn't wait to get the strollers and covers on the seats! Jamie and Janjan put together two strollers and two carseats. Much thanks to Jamie and Janjan for the man-labor! ;) Check them out!




Marley and Andy in the seats with their mommy, Hannah, and aunt, Chloe. 

Hannah getting her muscles in shape to haul at least one carseat

Wasn't as easy as it looked...but they DID IT! 

so cute !

I LOVE MY FANCY JOG STROLLER!

So do the big girls...notice my 'new' thumb sucker.  (Never sucked her thumb in her life.)


Then we got out the pacis.
 Please continue to pray for strong babies and quick growth!  Praise be to GOD !