cross stitch

The most surprising thing to many has been that I work on cross stitch.  (Well, no, the most surprising thing to many is that I very rarely turn on the tv.)  My mom really loves doing cross stitch and taught me as a young child to enjoy this art.  Well, sometime around high school my mom started making Christmas stockings for each of her kids.  Since I enjoyed hanging with my mom while she did this and enjoyed stitching myself, I started on the one she got for me.  Mom has since finished numerous stockings and various other projects, but mine has been stagnant for years.  Every 5 years or so, Mom would ask how my stocking was coming along and I always was pretty impressed with myself that it had survived the latest move and I knew that it still existed.  So, when I was relegated to bed rest, I told Mom, maybe I can finish my stocking!!  This is a great bed rest activity because it's very relaxing, fairly easy to do lying down, and very satisfying in that I can look and see that I've accomplished something during my time in bed.  I should have taken a true "before" picture to show where I left off sometime in the early 90s, but didn't think about it, so here's what the stocking looks like after a few weeks of working on it.  Hopefully, I can post an "after" picture when I finish before I'm consumed by two crying babies with no time or energy to complete this project.

"activities"

I am often asked if I get bored being on bed rest.  I haven't really gotten bored, there are just too many things I enjoy doing, even horizontally.  I get uncomfortable and want to be more active, but that's not really the same thing as being bored.  My typical schedule has been something like this:

6am - wake up, check email, read news

7am - breakfast in bed

8am - morning exercises

9am - read in bed, continue checking email and start responding to and delegating work responsibilities

10 am - prepare for big move

11 am - go downstairs to sofa bed for change of scenery

noon - work, read, cross stitch, crossword puzzles

1pm - lunch

2pm - more work, reading, cross stitch, crossword puzzles

6pm - hang out with the hubby and chat about his day

7pm - dinner 

8pm - watch baseball with the hubby

9pm - prepare to go upstairs

10pm - go upstairs and evening exercises

3am - read news, emails, facebook, preggo people daily updates, daily devotional, check news again in case something new broke, count backwards from 300 by 3s trying to go back to sleep

[repeat]

Bear in mind that these are the main, everyday things.  Numerous visitors have come to bring lunch or dinner or just to chat and catch up, which is wonderful.  I've also had to go to a few doctor's appointments and tests, which gets me out of the house!!  Most of those activities don't fill each hour, either, just a guideline.  I have very frequent bathroom breaks and also rest and listen to music quite often in between all of those activities throughout the day. 

Below is where I spend my days.  I have permission to go up and down the stairs once a day, so I spend a few hours in the morning upstairs in a our bedroom and a couple more in the evenings.

sneak peek

We got a couple sonogram pics from our last visit.  So, these are from the beginning of the 30th week.

Baby B's face hiding behind the hammer looking thing.  You should be able to see his left eye, nose and mouth.

Baby A - hand over her ear (we think) like she's talking on the phone and facing right.

She has always been shy.  First, she didn't want to show her goods so we would know if she were a she or a he, now she's hiding her face from the camera.  I'm not sure how I would produce a shy girl, although I suppose it took me many years to come out of my shell.  Just seems strange considering how not shy I am now...

Pretty amazing to think that they are recognizable babies at this point.  Even more remarkable that we have "photos" from inside my belly. 

I'm feeling really good these days.  Don't know if it's because I'm less stressed about bed rest, so I'm also physically feeling better or if I'm getting used to it or what, but I'm generally optimistic about carrying these kiddos for awhile and adjusting well to the life horizontal.

h20

One of the biggest factors in keeping contractions at bay seems to be hydration.  For those that know me well, they know that one of my quirks is that I do not like water.  People always seemed shocked by this revelation and say, "but it doesn't taste like anything!"  Well, to me, that's the point!  That's why I don't like it.  There's nothing to like.

Ever since my sis-in-law was on bedrest, everyone kept telling me to drink water.  Drink lots of water.  Have you been drinking water?  I really thought I had been drinking enough.  I had all signs that I was perfectly hydrated.  Well, perfectly hydrated for any normal human being, just not for a mom of multiples, it turns out.

In the hospital, I was gifted with my new bff:

It's with me constantly.  I'm supposed to fill it at least 3-4 times a day.  So, apparently a perfectly hydrated gestator needs restroom breaks at least once an hour, but closer to once every 30-45 minutes.  It is the one thing I'm allowed to get up for while on bed rest, so that might inspire my newfound love of water.  OK, love might be a bit strong, but I do find myself thirsting for water more than I ever have.  Cold, flavorless water.

29 weeks!

We hit 29 weeks on Monday--woo hoo!! 

The good news, babies are still growing, they are now both over 3 lbs!  Also, my body has essentially stopped progressing in labor and has held steady since the measurements that were done 2 weeks ago in the hospital, so bed rest is working.  That means that the most important things are moving along nicely.

The not so good news, I had some tests done that came back with not ideal results.  And to top it all off, my doc is out of town this week.  So, I took the test results to a couple other docs to give recs on what to do next.  The two issues were elevated glucose and problems with my thyroid hormone.  In 2008, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (hypothyroid, so slow metabolism).  Fortunately, my fertility doc who is a reproductive endocrinologist offered to help monitor that if my OB wanted and he increased my meds to take care of the thyroid issue. 

As for the glucose test, I sort of fell apart.  I just did a short 1-hour screening test.  The high for normal is somewhere between 135 and 145 depending on how conservative the doctor is.  My results came back at 146.  Which means that I need to go through more testing to see if I have gestational diabetes.  This is typically done through a 3-hour diagnostic test.  Problem for me is that I did this test when I was first diagnosed with PCOS (which likely caused my fertility issues) and it made me really ill.  Plus, I was told that you're not supposed to drink any water for those 3 hours, which could cause more contractions.  So, I was a little terrified of the 3-hour test and ending up in the hospital again for contractions.  My MFM doc told me not to worry about a transient condition (if I do have gestational diabetes, it will go away when the babies are born) and to save my worries for more important things, like the Middle East.  :)  She said rather than the 3-hour test, I can just prick my finger and check my blood sugar 3-4 times a day for 3 days.  Well, I've also always been pretty terrible with shots and needles.  Fortunately, I've had to give myself lots of shots related to the fertility treatments, so I'm a little better, but I know the finger pricks are more painful.  I have watched my nearly 13-year old niece prick her finger without batting an eyelash, so it's time for me to grow up! 

All in all, these are not major issues, just things that need to be managed.  I also asked the MFM if I can sit up a little and she said that would be okay for eating and from time to time.  So, I think I'm somewhere in between strict bed rest and modified bed rest.  In any case, it made me feel much better about how things are going even if I don't change my routine much.

It was a little bit of an eventful day, but at the end of it, I'm very optimistic about how things are going.

getting some z's

Friday night was not a good night.  I awoke with a stomach ache, which also contributed to a series of contractions, which then made me worry we'd end up in the hospital again...  Fortunately, after a few crackers and some serious attempts at putting all that out of my head and just relaxing, the contractions dissipated.  I slept a little more, but probably not what my body needed.

Fortunately, the contractions weren't bad yesterday, but unfortunately, either because of the wear and tear on my body from the contractions or from not sleeping well, yesterday was not a good day.  I ached all over and couldn't get comfortable most of the day.  Which made me a grouch and just generally unpleasant.  Fortunately, last night was back to normal (waking every 2 hours or so for a bathroom break), but otherwise sleeping well.  Today's not over, but I feel a MILLION times better.  Physically, emotionally, everything.  Whereas yesterday I felt selfish for having moments of not wanting to suffer much longer, today I feel like I can make it through the next 42 days.

Hubby seems to be hanging in fairly well, too.  Yesterday was a big day of running errands and comforting his grouchy wife.  He's still happily fetching refills of water (hydration is key to keeping contractions at bay) and whatever whims or needs I might have.  He might even try his hand at baking today!  I wonder if there might be any lingering effects of all of this after the babies arrive...  :)

thumbs up

Doc appointment today.  Kiddos still looking good.  Doc pleased with progress.  And I got to get out of the house.  Yay! 

bed rest and gestating are hard work!

Whoda thunk that lying around all day could be so stinking exhausting?  I anticipated that I would be really antsy to be out of bed and struggle with not having much physical activity.  I have been very shocked to discover that I actually have very little energy and even the simplest things leave me winded and exhausted.  Like talking.  It has always come so naturally and even energized me, yet now, carrying on long conversations leaves me needing a nap!  Not that I'm going to stop having them, of course, I just have to be sure I rest before and after a fun visit with friends and family.  Or perhaps it's God's way of trying to teach me to be a better listener...


Contractions have been really infrequent yesterday and today.  Yay!!

28 weeks!!

Today is a big milestone.  Hooray!  I'm doing a little dance in my head.

Some info on why it's such a big milestone from the book: When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads - Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy by Dr. Barbara Luke and Tamara Eberlein:

The duration of stay for newborns who gestated 25 - 27 weeks is 71 days on average.  From 28 - 30 weeks of gestation, 39 days.  This is similar to what the on call doc in the hospital meant when he said that each day I keep the babies in my belly, it's one week less (fewer? since you can count it? but sounds funny. grammar dork, I know...) in NICU.  Luke and Eberlein describe Weeks 25 - 28 as "very early preterm for mlutiples: The odds of survival are better, but babies born during this period must still spend weeks or months in the NICU.  They are at substantial risk for long-term medical consequences."  Whereas Weeks 29 to 32 is considered "early preterm for multiples: ...Although the babies typically remain in the hospital for several weeks or more, depending on their medical condition, the outlook is generally good.  If the mother received steroids to hasten the babies' lung development prior to delivery [I did], the infants have a distinct advantage."  Of course, I hope we'll deliver in the preterm or term for twins time zone, but I'm pretty happy to be where we are.

I haven't read many pregnancy books, but I do highly recommend this book for anyone preggo with multiples.

one week in

Slight correction to the last post.  That was one day of bed rest at home down. 

It's now been over a week since I first checked into the hospital and began my horizontal life.  Woo hoo!!  I decided I needed to set a goal and start counting down.  Since it's a little arbitrary on how far we need to cook these little guys (developmental milestone at 32 weeks, "term" for twins at 36 weeks), I more or less arbitrarily chose September 5 as my goal.  When we first discovered we were having twins, my fertility doctor said that if we make it to Labor Day, everything would be good.  So, Labor Day has sort of always been in my mind, anyway and not just because of the fun of the pun.

So, 7 days of bed rest finished!  49 more to go!

bed rest

one day of bed rest down.  whew.  i think the lifesaver is that i asked for a physical therapist to come train me on exercises i can do while out for the count.  my body is really having a difficult time adjusting to inactivity.  i've never been much of a tv or movie watcher.  mostly because i get restless and it makes me feel like a slug.  well, that's pretty much where i am now.  so, the exercises at least get my blood flowing in most of my body and should also help with backaches and other irritants.  now my head just needs to get used to the different blood flow from being level with my body almost all day.

i'm incredibly grateful to be able to spend a few days at my parents' house while the hubby is out of the country.  they have been phenomenal taking care of me.  given what's going on, i am incredibly comforted knowing that i'm in the hands of some of the best doctors in the city in one of the best medical centers in the world and with spectacular family here to help and wonderful friends.

1 day down...hopefully around 50 more to go...

cleared for release

Good news: going home.  Bad news (which isn't really news at this point): bedrest from here on out.  At least 7 more weeks.  At that point, they're not worried if I deliver.

Babies are big for this point, one is 2 lb. 3 oz. and the other is 2 lb. 6 oz.  So that's also good.  They are growing and moving around well.  Doctors both think what I'm going through is very common for people with twins and they're very optimistic of my making it far, so long as I follow the rules.  My contractions are fairly under control, but since my body is preparing for delivery, bedrest will hopefully trick it into thinking that it's not as imminent as my body thinks and hopefully stop it or slow it from trying to deliver.

So, just waiting on a physical therapy appointment to help me learn what to do and not to do while in bed for the next 2 months and then we're off to the next bed. 

one more night

So, still in the hospital...  But, this was our choice.  Doc would have released me since the contractions are relatively under control with the meds and the rest of my body isn't progressing towards labor.  But, since I am scheduled to see Doc 2 tomorrow to do the intensive scan, rather than shuttling home and back again, we're hoping she can just come see me here.  Plus, we discussed getting steroid shots in honor of The Rocket's trial and to help the kiddos develop their lungs faster (and these won't get picked up by any doping agency).  Since one side effect--other than being a pain in the rear, literally--is increased contractions, I decided to go ahead and do them while I'm here.  So, staying one more night accomplishes all of that.  Hopefully, after Doc 2 does the scans tomorrow, I'll get the clearance to go home and spend the next two months learning to do everything from lying on my left side.  Seems like an iPad would be really useful... 

Once home, I think my rule will probably be that I can only get up for bathroom breaks. We’ll see tomorrow. My doc did seem optimistic that I would make it to 36 weeks (which is 9-10 weeks away depending on how you count the week you're in, which I haven't figured out) He said my chances are excellent. Whether he’s just lying to get me to be positive and stay relaxed or really believes it, I’m glad that’s what he told me! 

For those that have offered help, prayers and positive thoughts are most useful at this point (and always, let's be real).  Once we figure out what this will look like and what will be useful, we'll let you know.  We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love from so many generous friends that have already done more for us than we could ever ask. 

Definitely getting yet another lesson in humbly trusting God's will.  He's one determined teacher!  Which is what I need...

too early, kids!!

Yesterday was my niece/nephew twins' baptism and red egg party.  For the festivities, my nephew, Alex, has also been visiting from Mexico.  There have been lots of fun times with Bella, Andrew, Juliana, and Alex this past week.  So, either my body thinks my belly is too big or the kids are anxious to join their cousins.

During the red egg party (Chinese celebration of new life of new baby), I started feeling more frequent tightening of my belly than I had before.  Also, when I'd felt it in the past, it felt like it was only on one side, which could have just been one of the kiddos stretching me to the limits.  This time it was all over.  We went home and I lay down.  My doc has always said a contraction here or there is no problem (so long as there isn't bleeding or other problems).  But, if I have 4 in an hour, give him a call.  So, when I got to the fourth I called.  Told the doc on call that it's my first pregnancy and I don't know exactly what a contraction feels like, but I think I'm having them.  He said, "It's really easy to tell, you come into the hospital and we'll montior you.  How soon can you be here?"  And away we went.


Yup, definitely having contractions.  I'll spare you all the gory hospital details.  For those that speak hospitalese, let me know if you want more and I'll try to fill you in to the best of my ability.  Long story short, my body is preparing for labor.  But we're just shy of 27 weeks...  Much too early.  Of course, given the size of my belly, I can understand why by body is confused.  Really need to make it to at least 32 weeks.  I'm on meds to help stop the contractions and stayed the night in the hospital.  My contractions have slowed to about one or two an hour, so that's good.  The meds cause my heart to race, though, so they're trying to figure out that balance.  Little person needs lower dosage.  I think once they get that under control, they'll let me go home (of course assuming the contractions continue to be very irregular/infrequent), but on bedrest for the rest of my pregnancy, which will hopefully be a LONG time.  Not that I've ever hoped for bedrest, but it is far superior to the alternative.

The doc on call said one day in my belly is developmentally equivalent to one week in the NICU.  So, stay put little guys!!!

Somewhere in there is my belly.  These are the monitors, one for each heartbeat and one for contractions.

Moved from labor and delivery (aka LnD, kinda sounds like a drug....) to antepartum, where I don't have to have the monitors on constantly.  Yay! 

Prayers and positive thoughts for more cooking of the kiddos and my sanity while on bedrest are greatly appreciated!!  Oh, and pray for the hubby who has to take care of all of us!!

just for fun

I have been sent this link numerous times and decided to share.  These guys are having an animated and entertaining conversation in their own language.  Right now our twins are doing less talking and more dancing... 

Enjoy!

and so the laundry begins...

Since I'm moving much more slowly and with much less energy, we're trying to start getting things done to prepare for the kiddos.  Tonight was laundry.  2 loads of teeninsy outfits makes for lots of folding.  This is just a sign of the next 18 years, I suppose...  I'm not a fashionista and not one to get overly excited over baby clothes, but I had a really good time going through all the gifts and hand-me-downs of adorable outfits.  THANK YOU everyone who has contributed to our stash!  The clothes really struck a nerve and thrilled me about the kiddos, perhaps even more than anything else I've experienced so far.  Funny that.  It made me want the kiddos to be here right now (in a very different way than my aching back makes me not be able to wait for their arrival...).

Hopefully, later this week we'll finish getting the nursery organized and decorated.  I am very excited to see it when it's done.  And very hopeful that it will look as good in person as it does in my head.