Homeward Bound!

Despite the falling rain and the fact that we were leaving Hope and Jack behind in the NICU, it was hard to wipe the smile off my face as I waved goodbye to Bryn Mawr Hospital room 2006, climbed into our new mini-van, and drove home to Havertown (as a passenger, of course). Everything was so green and the azalea bushes are in bloom so there was color everywhere --- a rainy beautiful drive!!!!

Emma has doubled in size in my absence! Addy has spent the evening letting me know that she was not happy about the fact that I've been gone for a month. I hope to repair our relationship before the babies come home and I throw another wrench into things.

The babies' room is gorgeous. I hope to take some pictures tomorrow to post. I've set up a breast milk pumping station by our new glider chair so I can think of the babies during my pumping sessions. It is exhausting work and they have me on a pretty crazy schedule so that I produce enough milk to feed both babies, but things seem to be working and it gives me a lot of happiness to hand over my bottles to the NICU nurses and have them use that to feed the babies in my absence instead of formula.

We found Hope dressed in a purple sleeper today which was exciting. I guess she is regulating her temperature good enough that she can start wearing clothes inside her igloo (that is what Kevin and I call the incubators). She is a pretty good eater and hopefully with a little more time, she will do a better job at remembering to breathe while eating.

Jack is also doing well. Because of his smaller size, he is not as interested in eating as his sister and is more content sprawled out sleeping in his house getting his breast milk or formula through a feeding tube. As he gains weight, the doctors and nurses assure us that he will take a more active role in eating. He had been spending time under a UV light being treated for jaundice, but they stopped that last night and his bloodwork looks good so far - thus no more sunglasses and tanning for our little boy. Jack and I did kangaroo care today where he laid on my chest skin to skin snuggling (they have screens in the NICU for some privacy during such sessions and breast feeding). Kevin joined us and I passed Jack over to him where my sleepy boy suddenly woke up and was quite interactive with his dad.

Due to my c-section recovery, I am not allowed to drive for another week, so we are working on arranging rides for me to visit the NICU. I plan to make it in time for Hope's noon feeding (both babies are on a 3 hour feeding schedule, with Jack's staggered 1 hour after Hope) and hang out there all afternoon until Kevin comes after school.

Here is Hope's igloo with its festive cover down to give her some privacy to nap.

Jack and his sunglasses. Not sure why he wasn't happy in this shot, most of the time he seemed to enjoy the tanning sessions. Jack sprawled out comfy last night.
Hope - being cute
Hope - content after a feeding

Hope and Jack are here!

We got word at 9 am on Thursday April 22 that they were ready for me downstairs.

and by 10:20 am, I was all stitched up and on my way back to recovery - now a mother. I was a little scared about the surgery and the first few moments in the operating room sprawled out on the table with 13 people moving busily about the room as my legs faded away were nerve-wracking. But soon they brought in Kevin, all gowned up and telling jokes, and I was fine.

Seconds later, Hope was out.

and immediately followed by Jack.

Kevin got to cut both of their cords and take some photos. It was great. Despite his smaller size, Jack came out screaming immediately showing his tough guy personality. Hope had a harder time initially with her breathing and required some oxygen, but luckily is doing much better with that now.

The last 48 hours have been wonderful, busy, emotional, exhausting, -- really a lot of different emotions. The babies are doing pretty well. Kevin has spent a lot of time in the NICU escorting grandparents in/out, learning about diaper changing and burping, and helping with their feedings. He is already an amazing over-achieving father. I haven't been able to spend as much time down there, but have gotten in a few quality visits with multiple holding and feeding opportunities with both kids. Yesterday I think I did a little too much and ended the night in a lot of pain and a bit of an emotional mess (apparently normal for post-delivery moms and esp. those with NICU babies). Today I am hoping to stay on top of my pain meds and be a little more realistic of what I am up for. But until the babies are both home with us, my life will consists of a combination of time spent visiting the NICU and time spent hooked up to hospital grade breast pump with naps and meals worked in somewhere in between. I am sure I will find a balance and a schedule that works, and hopefully my hormones will calm down.

There are really no words to describe what it feels like to have Jack and Hope here.

In a lot of ways, it still does not even seem real. Having them in the NICU is both wonderful and difficult. I want to be with them all the time, but they are small and I feel completely clueless in terms of how to care for them. I am jealous the NICU nurses who get to be with them all the time and for the fact that they have the experience to know how to care for them. But as Kevin reminded me last night, we are new parents and feeling clueless is to be expected.

83 days down! Final post before BABIES!!!!

It is less than 24 hours until the twins are here. I really cannot believe it. I am feeling excited, ready, and nervous all at the same time. The c-section is scheduled for tomorrow - we still do not know the time and now they are saying we may not know the time until tomorrow - driving me nuts not knowing. They claim the babies will be out 5 minutes after they start and then it will take another 30-40 to sew me back up. Crazy!

As this is my final day on bed rest, I feel the need for a little reflection and a lot of gratitude. I can't believe that it has been 83 days and that I made it 12 weeks. Overall, it was not so bad and really the time did fly by. Though, as you all know, there were more than a few bumps along the way and I really haven't enjoyed living in the hospital for the last month. I am ready for the babies to be here, for bed rest to be behind me, and to get to go home. There is no question that things will be totally different than they were before bed rest, but I cannot wait to be home, hug my cats, and get to sleep (whatever small amount I will get) in my bed beside Kevin again.

Now on to the gratitude . . .

First and foremost, I have to thank Kevin as my being on bed rest was really a sentence to him just as much to me. I could write for days on all that he has done and sacrificed during this time, but you all already know how great he is and how hard he has worked to keep our lives running, to get us ready for the babies, and to keep me in some sort of a happy stable emotional state. Thank you for all of those amazing meals when I was home on bed rest, for putting up with the fact that I seemed to have a new list of things I needed every day in the hospital, for taking such good care of Addy and Emma and putting up with the fact that I asked daily if you'd remembered to feed and pet them, and of course for getting the babies room all set up and stocked on your own. I am so excited to become parents together tomorrow and to start this next adventure as a new family.

I'd also like to thank our parents for all of their help and support throughout the entire pregnancy. Whether it was doing load after load of our laundry, scrubbing the bathtub, painting, spreading fertilizer, or just visiting with us, it was a huge help and we are so lucky to have you all by our sides. I cannot wait to for the twins to meet their Grandmom, Pop, and Granddad. They are very lucky kiddos.

Thanks to all of our extended family and all of our friends. All of the phone calls, baby showers, weekly post cards, care packages, house and hospital visits, emails, blog comments, baby gifts - it all has made a difference and I wish I could acknowledge each of you individually, but please know I am grateful.

To all the nurses at Bryn Mawr Hospital - especially Kerry, Jen, Karen, Chris, and Helene - thank you so much for the encouragement and positivity that you have provided me for the last 4 weeks. It has been amazing and very very needed.

Finally, to Baby A and Baby B, I cannot wait to meet you both tomorrow. It is so hard to believe that the day is here and that we will get to see you so soon. We are so so so blessed to have you both.

Bedrest day 83
33wks5dy
Less than 1 day until getting to meet Baby A & B!!!!

The date is set!

Thursday April 22 will be the twins' birthday unless something happens before then. The c-section has been scheduled (or at least I've been told that it will be scheduled for Thursday)! No word yet on the time or any other details, but we are excited (obviously).

Kevin had a big weekend! Not only did he coach three basketball games, attend his basketball banquet, visit me in the hospital every day, but he was the guest of honor at his side - family baby shower thrown by Kevin's mom. Originally, we had planned that I would be attending the shower or that we would tag team it together, but once I moved into Bryn Mawr Hospital, the task fell onto Kevin's shoulders. From all accounts so far (his parents, Aunt Johannah sister-in-law Sarah, and cousin Maureen), Kevin did a great job overall, and especially with the gifts, taking the time to stand up and tell everyone what each gift was and who it was from. :-)

I was disappointed to not be able to attend the party, but thankful that the celebration went on despite our current situation. There are a lot of family out there in the Philly area very excited for these babies' arrival! Kevin and his parents came to the hospital after the shower with a delicious eggplant parm and multiple pieces of cake! They also brought flowers from the shower - pink and blue, of course - which have decorated up my room. Thanks to Kevin's mom for all her hard work throwing the fantastic party, to Kevin for being such a good sport about attending in lieu of me, and to all the family for all of our many gifts - we are well stocked for these babies!

Stay tuned -- more details on Thursday once we know them. Eeee!

Bed rest day 80
33wks 2 days
4 days until C-section date!

No babies today!

Just got back from my ultrasound. The perinatologist was very thorough in checking on the blood flow to/from Baby B's placenta and it does not appear to have changed since my last check. So no c-section yet! The doctor did agree with my OB doctors that I should not be allowed to go past 34 weeks - which is one week away. Part of me is disappointed as I think I was mentally prepared for today to be the day. I am not going to lie - bed rest is getting old, especially here in the hospital and I am ready for something different. I just got a very well intentioned "lecture" from my nurse on how each day the babies get to stay inside (even with a sub-par placenta in the case of Baby B) is beneficial. So at least we know it is max one more week before the twins will be here. I cannot wait to meet them and find out what they are!!! The suspense is killing me.

BR day 77
32wks6d
8 days until 34 weeks

32 week photos

Kevin took these last night. Not the greatest shots of me, but I don't get very dolled up in my hospital room. My belly is getting bigger and bigger by the day! Baby B has taken up residence in my diaphragm/ribs region which has made me the most uncomfortable I have felt overall in this pregnancy, but so far, he/she continues to look healthy on the monitor and by ultrasound, which is all we really care about. Today, I got to watch both babies "practice breathing" by ultrasound as they moved their small chest walls in and out. They are not actually breathing air as they are immersed in fluid in the womb, but this practice breathing is a good sign they are getting enough oxygen and working on getting ready for the real world. YAY!


BR day 74
32wks3d
11 days until 34 weeks

Ultrasound Update - New countdown

Hey all,

I was taken on Thursday for an ultrasound finally. They made me go by stretcher which made me feel like quite the invalid and transport left me parked in the hallway of the perinatal testing center. I didn't enjoy watching all the "healthy" pregnant women walk by for their outpatient visits while I had to lay there on display. Luckily the timing worked perfectly with Kevin's planned visit so he was able to join me for the ultrasound. They did measurements to determine the growth profiles of both babies in the last month. Baby A is measuring almost 4 pounds (3 lbs 14 oz) whereas Baby B is still under 3 pounds (2 lbs 12oz, I think). The difference in weight and rate of growth is concerning and the doctors are now closely monitoring Baby B and the blood flow from its placenta. This is common with multiple pregnancies where one baby doesn't grow as well as the other due to difference with their placentas. It could be because of the initial placement of each placenta and sac or because one baby is infringing on the other's space. Based on the description of where each baby is laying, it seems like Baby A is spread out comfortable occupying most of my belly and Baby B is squished over on my right side. Perhaps that is why I often feel his/her bum pushing out underneath my ribs as if trying to carve out more territory!

So, what all this means is that they have taken me off the medication to stop the contractions and have told me that if I do go into labor, they will not stop it. Sometimes if one baby is not getting enough nutrients, hormonal signals are sent to trigger labor. Thus, it may be better to deliver Baby B so that he/she can get adequate nutrients to continue growing and Baby A will just have to come along for the ride. We have gotten different predictions from the doctors, but the consensus is that the twins will be here in the next 1-2 weeks!

Kevin and I took a tour of the NICU last night as our babies (if born between 32-34 weeks) will indeed have to move in there for a visit. I am really happy we went down as it doesn't seem as scary of a place now that we've checked it out and met some of the people. The nurse practitioner pointed out one baby that she thought would be similar to what a 32 week baby would be size-wise and he wasn't as small as I've been imaging (hard to picture that there are TWO of them in my belly!). We won't know until they are here how long they might have to stay or what kinds of support they will need. Luckily, some of the scariest stuff (brain bleeds, eye problems) usually occur when babies are born before 32 weeks and more than likely we will be facing issues with temperature regulation, breathing, and feeding.

So my plan of going home at 34 weeks and delivering closer to full term is not going to happen. Kevin and I are excited about the fact that the end is in sight and that we will soon get to meet Baby A and Baby B. I am worried about the c-section, the recovery from it and of course about the NICU experience, but I am trying to not focus on any of that too much. It will be nice to be able to go home and get a little more organized before we bring these babies home. Kevin has done a great job getting the house ready, but as you all know me, I am itching to get my hands involved in setting things up.

So stay tuned . . . and we will keep you posted on any updates and the big arrival whenever that will be. Eeee!

XOXO

BR day 72
32wks 1day
13 days until 34 weeks

Lots of visitors!

The past few days have been kinda busy with visitors here at the hospital. On top of my regulars, Kevin and Dad Davies I have been treated to visits from an old Colby friend Sandra, one of my oldest friends ever Sharon, and my cousin Roxanne. Thanks ladies! It was great to catch up with all of you and a wonderful change to the repetitive tedium of my hospital days. I wish all of my blog readers lived closer and could come hang out with me here.

Not too much else to report. Things continue to be stable and under control with my medication. Each doctor tells me a different day for when I will have another ultrasound so I do not have any update on their positions or weights or even a clue as to when I might get to find those things out. I am thankful that the medicine is working and for each day I go without delivering. As ready as I am to meet these two buggers and especially to find out what they are, I know that it is not quite time yet and that I must continue to be patient.

BR day 69
31wks5d
16 days until 34 weeks!

10 thoughts from week 1

1) My sleep schedule is adjustable! My set in stone sleep schedule of 10 pm to 6-7am has been adjusted to an 11:30/midnight – 8 am schedule. Kevin doesn’t understand why I was never able to stay up later and sleep in more at home, but that I am able to here in the hospital.
2) I love rice krispies and wonder why I do not eat them on a more regular basis in my "normal" life.
3) Not having access to my bathroom scale is not such a bad thing when you are 30/31 weeks pregnant with twins.
4) My twins are on completely opposite sleep/activity schedules from each other. This will need to be fixed once they get to Havertown.
5) Dropping a lap top off a hospital rolling table can destroy a hard drive completely.
6) A hot shower can really make my day.
7) Being forced to sit during said shower is kinda nice.
8) Most of the nurses at Bryn Mawr Hospital are great. Some of them get frustrated when I cannot tell them exactly where my babies are lying at any given period of time so their heart rates can be monitored. I am not sure why they think I can predict these things.
9) Chick-ful-A nuggets/waffle fries and L&M bakery cupcakes taste even better in the hospital.
10) Buying a mini van, even one that I’ve never seen or test driven, is not the end of the world – especially if it comes complete with all the fancy bells and whistles. The Grugan babies will be riding in style!

BR day 64
31wks
21 days until 34 weeks!!!!!!