33 weeks

I am still in hospital on bed rest. I am taking nifedipine for contractions every 6 hours and it seems to make a huge difference. I don't have many contractions which is good, I guess! The only reason they are keeping me here on bed rest is bc of the dilation. I personally don't think I am dilated to a 5 but who knows. On Friday, I will have a growth sonogram. They will measure the babies' and we should know an estimate weight. This will be super helpful! My belly has grown over the past two weeks. I know they are growing babies. I am monitored twice a day for babies' heartbeats and contractions. It is very difficult to get a good reading of two heart beats without one of them moving! They move all the time! On average, I am supposed to stay on the monitor for 20 min in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening. However, we normally get half way through and baby girl will have hiccups or baby boy will get sick of being "tied" down. The nurses have learned to balance the monitor on baby boy and he does much better. He will probably not like to be swaddled, buckled in carseat...similar to Hannah. I am usually on monitor (3 belts around the belly, no moving) for about 40 minutes or more. I don't mind it if I can watch the Bachelor or American Idol.

I still have gestational diabetes. My blood sugars are always low, though. (they should be high if I had full blown gd). It took about 8 days to get menu in order and I think they have
it right now, finally. Also, luke or my visitors can bring me meals. I have had Cheesecake Factory, Campisis, Snuffers, chick fil a, and Pappadeux. I have probably gained 5 pounds just this week...which is OK as long as the babies have too.

We have a very tentative plan for the next few weeks. First, I want to get good results on the growth sonogram, then the docs will reevaluate me at 34 weeks which is next week. You never know which day they will reevaluate. They are on their own schedule here....for sure! In my opinion, once I am past 35 weeks, there is no reason to be in Dallas. I really want to come home. So, we will see if I get my wish. Term pregnancy for twins is 37 weeks. I cant imagine being pregnant for 4 more weeks.

We finally got me a mommy car. The cute white Cadillac sold to Cita! We contemplated between a suburban, tahoe or traverse...only Chevys! I chose traverse, for it's size. The inside is similar to a minivan set up with two bucket seats (for babies) plus a third row bench that folds flat for Hannah. We still have a DVD player and 2 sunroofs so Hannah was thrilled Its also really cute! I haven't driven since Oct 19th...kinda scary huh?

My bday was Monday and luke was here with me all day. We had pappadeux for dinner...yummy! Sarah, JD and Lara brought me goodies and a yummy bday bundt cake!

Hannah is coming for the weekend. I think they are going to medieval times on Saturday. She will love it!

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for the calls, emails, texts, visits, bday cards, and Facebook msgs. We feel all your love and it wont be much longer. Please plan to celebrate with us in MArch (spring break?) when we are home and back to 'normal' with two babies at home!

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...

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...

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

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

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!      

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!