A (VERY) Long Update

Please note that I started this post on Friday, but became very busy and didn't publish until now... obviously! =)

Luckily, I have been fortunate enough not to remain on bed rest - Yay! In some sense bed rest sounds somewhat appealing... you get to lay around in bed, watch t.v., eat in bed, have people wait on you... but, really, it truly stinks. As I've said before, I don't like having to depend on people and it's SO uncomfortable having to tell people how to help you (laundry, meals, giving medication). Not to mention all the aches and pains you accumulate by laying on your big butt days on end. My hips and back just ached and to top it all off I seem to have added restless legs and extreme heartburn to the ever-growing list of discomforts. Let's just pray that I don't have any more bouts of those bed rest periods!

Last Thursday I went in for my 1-hour glucose test. I got horribly sick during the test, but was glad to have it done. As luck would have it, I got a call Monday night to inform me that I failed (I like how they make it sound like you did something wrong) the test and needed to come in for the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. Nice. I was informed that they like to see glucose levels under 139 and I had a result of 147. I decided that it was probably better to get it over with so that I wouldn't be thinking about it all week and stressing. Tuesday morning Greg dropped me off at the lab before he headed off to work. My mom was going to join me to waste the 3 hours away. I did my first of four blood draws and then proceeded to drink the nasty, flat lemon-lime drink. I try my best not to have sugary snacks and this just put me over the edge. I almost threw-up about 5 times during the process of downing it in the 5 minutes they allow. I went into the waiting room feeling tremendously ill, but was trying my best not to allow it all to come back up as they would cancel the test and I'd have to come back another day. I sat there in agony getting sicker and sicker. Finally, I quickly walked up to the receptionist and told her I needed to lay down right then. They took me to a little bed in a small room off the laboratory. As time went on a got even more ill; I was feeling nauseous, clammy, shaky, and light-headed. And as luck would have it I couldn't lay down well because apparently glucose gives me incredible heartburn, too. The technicians would come in and ask me if I was okay and I would say that I wasn't feeling well, but that I'd be okay. The head supervisor then came in and told me that I didn't look good at all; She said that I was all clammy and as white as a ghost. She told me that if I was feeling all those symptoms then they needed to stop the test. This was right before I was due for my second blood draw and did NOT want to stop the test seeing how I had to do the yuckiest part of all already. After monitoring me, she called out to someone else saying to call in "special teams". WHAT?! I was so out of it by then, but I remember thinking "what in the world is special teams???" Within 30 seconds that small room was filled with nurses who were asking me a bazillion questions and taking my vitals. It sounds kind of scary, but I was in a thick fog. I remember just telling them that I was pregnant with twins and always have protein in the morning after I wake up. The drama went on and on, but eventually the sugar started to wear off and I gained a little more composure. I convinced them to let me continue. After they learned I had been on bed rest and was being treated for a UTI, they called up to my doctor, who said he wanted to see me right after. They took me up in a wheel chair where I waited to see my doctor. During that time in the waiting room I started having sharp pains and tightening in my middle abdomen. They hurt so bad and continued for the 10 minutes prior to them bringing me in. I was really scared and started to cry as they walked me back to the room to monitor the babies. Now, of course, all the pain went away once they hooked me up to monitors, which is best anyway... didn't want that pain. The babies were fine, but looked very lethargic. :( They were probably just as hungry as I was. The nurse said that I still had a lot of uterine irritability. That makes sense seeing how they wouldn't let me drink anything during the fasting and testing period. The doctor did an ultrasound again and checked my cervix, which was long and tightly closed. He assured me that everything was fine, but to take it easy. Phew... what a day!

Today I had my regular appointment with my doctor. We got to see baby boy and baby girl who are now blinking their eyes. It was so cute! Baby girl's heart rate was 142 and baby boy's was 138. Usually his is higher than hers so that was a change. I was told that in 2 weeks I need to start coming in twice a week for NST's (non-stress tests). They'll put monitors on the babies just to make sure everything is okay. I also go back into radiology for a follow up fetal growth appointment. This is where they measure the babies and we can find out approximate weights for each of them. I'm really looking forward to that, but hoping we don't get the same evil technician.

My baby shower is tomorrow and I'm SO excited about it. It will actually be at my house, which sounds crazy to most people, but I love to entertain and have parties/events at our house. Just from planning other showers for friends, I've been able to see what I would have wanted for my own shower one day. I've really enjoyed working on it with family and a few friends. Plus, I figured it would be easier this way (at my house) seeing how the gifts would already be here and we wouldn't have to pack them all up and unload them. My mom and grandma are coming over this morning to help with last minute clean-up and family friend, Cindy, is driving me over to the party rental store to pick up the tables/chairs/linens this afternoon. I know the day is going to fly by! I'm hoping I can squeeze in a pedicure before tomorrow. I used to get them all the time, but seeing how I'm not working anymore I've been trying to be good and space them out a bit and save money. This seems like a good time to pamper myself! =)

I keep saying I'll post pictures of the nursery, but I had decided to wait because I thought that I'd like to show it in person to those that will be attending the shower... as oppose to snapshots online. I'll post pictures FOR SURE on Sunday or Monday after the shower.

Bed Rest

Well, you really didn't think that we could go a few weeks without some more drama, did you? Unfortunately, that's exactly what has happened. I'm sitting in bed right now because I'm being forced to; I'm officially on bed rest until Monday (hopefully no more than that!).

It was midweek when I realized that I wasn't feeling too well and felt a lot of crampiness. Since I'm repeatedly told (or made to feel like) I'm over-reacting, I kind of dismissed it as normal growing or stretching of the uterus. The pain continued for a couple of days and progressively got worse so I decided to call in and check to see if it was normal. Labor & Delivery told me that I should come in and have it all checked out. By this point I was convinced that it was the best option as fluids weren't reducing any of the pain or cramping.

They put monitors on the babies and they seemed to be just fine. They were moving all around, which made it very difficult for the nurses to keep them hooked up. One nurse actually had Greg hold down the monitor on baby girl so that she could track down baby boy. Baby girl kept kicking the monitor; this is pretty typical for her as she kicks me any time I place any kind of pressure on the area she's in. Stinker. The monitor showed that I had a lot of uterine irritability and despite the fact that I had been drinking extra fluids, they gave me two huge glasses of water to get down. The cramping wasn't going away so they hooked me up to an IV and gave me two bags of fluids. In the meantime though, I had a few contractions, one of which I felt pretty bad. It really scared me. I just kept thinking that they can't come now... I'm only 25 weeks... my precious babies are too tiny and aren't ready. People like to tell you not to stress, but how can you not in this situation?

My doctor gave me some vistrol (sp?), which was supposed to relax the uterine muscles. It was then that he told me to be on bed rest Friday-Sunday. I kept being told that cramping was a normal thing for multiples, but my doctor said that it is not wanted. He told me to come back if I have more of these symptoms. I was examined and my cervix was long and closed tightly, so that was a relief. As I we were being discharged, I was informed that I had a UTI. Supposedly, this can cause uterine irritability as well. I haven't ever had this type of infection so I didn't really know what to expect and I still don't think I have the obvious symptoms. I was prescribed antibiotics so hopefully this will clear up any issues and I can be off bed rest on Monday.

This has been very scary for us. Please pray for my health and, in turn, the health of our babies. The thought of going on an extended bed rest scares me half to death, but I'd do it in a heart beat to keep these little ones safe inside me.

Oh, and to nephew Grady, Paige, and Levi... sorry we're missing your milestone birthdays this weekend; it makes me so sad to miss them. I get really emotional everytime I think of it.

Secret Verse

I don't have a lot of pictures of the nursery to share, but here are a few that are extra special to Greg and I. We wanted to make sure the room had some scripture in it; something that only we knew was there when you walked into the room. We pray everyday for protection of our little babies. The scripture is written on the primed wall of the wainscoting before we painted it. Every time I walk in the room I'm reminded of God's presence and how much He has blessed us.

I ran downstairs at one point and came up to find this written on another section of the wall... Greg wanted to write something, too, even though we did the other together! =)

What a week!

It seems like forever since I've posted anything, but this past week has been such a hectic, stressful week. Two trips to Dameron's Labor & Delivery isn't an ideal week for me. So here's the story...



Last weekend I was having a hard time feeling baby boy. Even though I have only been able to feel the babies for a few weeks or so, it had become almost predictable as to when I'd feel the babies and where each would move. Pretty much all last weekend I couldn't feel him move so I emailed my doctor Monday morning informing him of the situation and asking if it was something to be concerned over. He emailed me back that evening and said that I should make an appointment for the next day (Tuesday) just to make sure things were okay. I called the appointment line and after patching me through to the advice nurse and then hospital (Labor & Delivery), I was told that I needed to come in that night and have the babies monitored. Supposedly, if there is no fetal movement for a 24 hour period, you are to come in (good to know!). At that point, I was really freaked out and started bawling my eyes out. I called Greg at work and he rushed home to take me in. They were able to get the heart rates and view them on an ultrasound. Baby boy had a strong heart rate but he was just laying there. After being discharged, Greg and I both decided that we were unsatisfied with their assessment of the babies (can you tell we're new at this?). We decided that I would call the clinic during regular hours on Tuesday and get in to see someone (my doctor would not be in until Thursday). I called the next day and believe it or not, they would NOT make an appointment for me and instructed me to go BACK to Labor & Delivery if I was still not feeling baby boy. Crazy! Again, stressed out to the max, Greg came home from work and we made the drive back to the hospital. This time we wanted to ask more questions (was his cord in the right place? was he sleeping?, etc.). All checked out well this round, too. This time the doctor commented that he is right next to the placenta (which we already knew) and that serves as a cushion between him and I, perhaps drowning out kicks and other movements. He was moving during this visit though. I felt him move one time, but it was comforting to see him move and not be able to feel him. I like knowing that I don't need to feel him in order to know he's okay. We also noticed that he is much higher now than he was a couple of weeks ago. Our babies like to grow! Since those stressful visits, I have been able to feel the babies regularly, which I like! =)



As for the nursery, we are still working on it. I got the window coverings up, but not much else has been completed. My parents picked up the cribs, mattresses, and my chair last weekend for us and Greg and I should be assembling them this weekend-- Yay! I feel like the rest of the house has gone to pot since we've begun the whole nursery project. Oops. Oh, well. I might as well get used to that one, huh?



As of yesterday, I am 24 weeks along. My niece, Kayli, will be super excited to hear that the babies may be able to taste now. Taste buds have been the topic of many conversations with her. She seemed to think it was weird that the babies weren't able to taste was I tasted all along.



Here's a good picture of what the babies should look like right now in my tummy. I have some pictures of the nursery that I will post this weekend hopefully. I'm exhausted and think we'll head up to bed now.

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

The Sweetest Thing!

Okay, so I'm sure everyone thinks that their babies are the most beautiful, precious things ever, but I am SO in love! We had our Womb With a View appointment on Saturday and it was wonderful. Grandma and Papa Folstrom, Grandma and Papa Pryor, Auntie Kristi, Uncle Ian, Kayli, and Kevin (cousins) came along with Greg and I to see our sweet babies. I was so worried that they wouldn't be able to make out the pictures very well seeing how they're still so little and don't have a lot of fatty tissue on them yet... but, I was pleasantly surprised! They looked like real babies, as oppose to the skeletons we usually see on the screen. It was so amazing!


Baby girl was the first to get pictured and boy is she fun! She is such a crack-up! The first set of pictures we have of her is with her legs up over her head completely. We had to come back to her because we couldn't see her face very well. Later on she decided to show off her cute little face and then there was no more shyness! She was such a ham... giving us all these poses and profile pictures. My friend Amanda said she's going to let me borrow her daughter's (little Paige) "America's Next Top Model" onesie... so appropriate! Also, when it was time to picture her brother, she decided (once again) that she wanted to be in the picture as well. For almost all of baby boy's shots, her little bottom was right up in his face! She is so naughty. The funny thing is that he didn't do much about it. He would just move his head all around trying to dodge her bottom. It's so funny because I think that these babies already have mine and Greg's personalities! He's so mellow and calm, while I'm a little more... well... maybe high-maintenance. =)


Baby boy's pictures are not as clear again because his head was right next to the placenta, clouding his face some. The owner was trying to get better pictures, but she said that it was hard because they always wanted to be so close to each other. That just melted my heart to know that they have each other to be close to.


We were able to get their heart beats recorded to stick on the back of the frames we have for them. It'll be so neat for them to hear how fast their hearts would beat while inside mommy's tummy. I'll want to remember it always, too.


The babies move quite a bit now... especially after I eat. Yesterday I was down quite a bit because my ankles and feet are swelling up something bad... seriously, I've never seen them get so big. I'm scolded constantly to take it easy, but it's so hard! Anyway, yesterday I did and I read a lot to the babies. I didn't feel anything while reading to them, but as soon as I stopped they started up again. It's probably just coincidence, but I like to think that they were just laying there listening to mommy read to them. =)


I forgot to mention a couple of things in my last post about my doctor's visit. He said that I was measuring at 30 weeks (if I had a single baby) and I was 22 weeks at the appointment. He said that I was right where I should be. He also informed me that I now have a 10 lb. weight limit to lift. You have no idea how hard that is, seeing how everything seems to be heavier than that! A gallon of milk weighs 8 lbs. so you can see how limited I am now. It's really tough to rely on people to help me out, but it's SO worth it! I had no idea I would love these babies as much as I do and I haven't even met them yet.


The nursery is coming along. We worked all weekend (and then some) on it. Greg is so incredible! The wainscoting on the wall is complete and the crown moulding is too. I just need to get someone to paint the two for me. Hopefully Greg can do that tonight, but I don't want to push him too much. He's been working crazy hours lately. This week he works 9-5, but that schedule rotates. For those that don't know already, Greg has been working a new job the past 6 months. He is a pharmacist for DVI (prison) in Tracy... no longer one for long term care facilities (although he's been working part-time with that job too! That will end this month, thank goodness!) He's been really excited to work on these projects though. It's his way of contributing to the nursery and making it nice for our little monkeys!


I'll post pictures of the progress with the nursery soon, but here are some pictures that are much cuter to look at! =)


Our Precious Boy!


... with his mouth open!




Our Sweet Little Girl!


... with her hand over her face like it's a
hard life in there!

... and her cute little feet and

chunky thighs!