tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24704560219040303692024-03-19T14:21:15.536-04:00Mommies Making MiraclesMakin' babies is hard work...Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-7543692905746336062011-11-22T12:27:00.001-05:002011-11-22T12:28:04.791-05:00Packing up.I have to move my blog to wordpress, please follow me there. <br />
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We will explain later... I just want to get all of my content under password protection. <br />
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If you'd like the password and new URL please E-mail me at <a href="mailto:heathernorwood84@yahoo.com">heathernorwood84@yahoo.com</a>. <br />
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Thanks!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-89586502895970470962011-11-08T19:33:00.001-05:002011-11-08T23:58:02.264-05:00Pictures.Pictures, just for fun. =)<br />
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This blanket is from the ladies (& kiddies) over at An Offering of Love. We love it. Zachary loves it. We've gotten so many compliments on it! Thanks!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFnkx5x9iBLKD-9OFOlGXGrXNTUTCncn2pZtmw-do-vj6RrUJRXmbIaeYEDER0C4PM5bAgXTRNku2jfpe5rlIZRnb2CM04TiPPyAVgUPtsH4clEXSTDHWvufM-dPclNPeND3uzyZ7zqpl/s1600/zachary+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFnkx5x9iBLKD-9OFOlGXGrXNTUTCncn2pZtmw-do-vj6RrUJRXmbIaeYEDER0C4PM5bAgXTRNku2jfpe5rlIZRnb2CM04TiPPyAVgUPtsH4clEXSTDHWvufM-dPclNPeND3uzyZ7zqpl/s320/zachary+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I can't believe how big he has gotten since birth. He looks like a totally different baby! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngIz77qqfMI-SBwF6q-tRZ1ltN8_JRzym4GiCObrCSRZ4I_RYtQNXqAbCpLaFMm9o4vTGTPf4GewE_pGs1UjtEzFhLCoZnDtSKQ-trr5Sa5f4mjiUVKYtSoe3AcBBBz_wBqYDOwEA_kH3/s1600/zachary+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngIz77qqfMI-SBwF6q-tRZ1ltN8_JRzym4GiCObrCSRZ4I_RYtQNXqAbCpLaFMm9o4vTGTPf4GewE_pGs1UjtEzFhLCoZnDtSKQ-trr5Sa5f4mjiUVKYtSoe3AcBBBz_wBqYDOwEA_kH3/s320/zachary+7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoying his Mama's milk</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Zachary's "I want to sleep not eat face".</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You guys are right. Ryan and Zachary look a lot alike. Here is a picture of Ryan when he was a itty bitty baby.... A lot of the time Zachary looks like Ryan with dark features. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxaB1lv5EwjOvuq71OeiwbHMAhuKDXOoy6WjxZHKH0ydQoNmhpAS6ZVTlEWeFfIm4Dzelq7q9PCIv7w3F_z7fCD7I-NT7Zz7bGNeGskHiUIJoswl9-wcVDRLdbcj-X0I2xkYoqe6MVtXF/s1600/r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxaB1lv5EwjOvuq71OeiwbHMAhuKDXOoy6WjxZHKH0ydQoNmhpAS6ZVTlEWeFfIm4Dzelq7q9PCIv7w3F_z7fCD7I-NT7Zz7bGNeGskHiUIJoswl9-wcVDRLdbcj-X0I2xkYoqe6MVtXF/s320/r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-29439566227899402272011-11-07T23:31:00.000-05:002011-11-07T23:31:10.264-05:00Two steps back..<span style="color: #6aa84f;">We're down 2 ounces. Bummer. Zachary will now be supplemented after each breastfeeding session with 2 ounces of fortified (with EnfaCare for preemies) breast milk. Also, his feeds will go from max every 4.5 hours to every 3 hours. He is too little to loose weight!! Hopefully, this overhaul of his feedings will help him gain some weight. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">His caloric demand is just more than what I can give him right now. I'm okay with the supplements. I don't think I have much of a choice. As much as I want to breastfeed him exclusively, I want him to thrive. He is getting my milk either way, which to me is the most important thing. And, when I go back to work at the end of the month, he'll be getting bottles of breast milk anyways. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">I'm hoping that as he gains weight, we can cut back some of the extra bottles. Like, maybe only bottle him after his day feeds and leave the night feeds to just breast. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. He has a weight check on Thursday, to make sure he is not loosing more weight. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Otherwise, he checked out perfect. =) </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-5518303139627321832011-11-06T15:24:00.002-05:002011-11-06T15:36:50.539-05:00Making strides<span style="color: magenta;">It seems that since I've written my last post things have turned a corner. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">Nursing has been getting better and better. Of course there are still times that we struggle, but we're finding our way. We're using the shield as needed when he decides that he forgot how to latch. Nursing sessions tend to run anywhere from 10 (just a snack) to 60 (little piggy!) minutes. And, he's only had maybe one or two bottles in the last few days. One was because I was so tried and the other was because I just pumped and he woke up to eat. So, we're doing good! It is a much better experience when the wrinkles started to iron out. I'm happy I stuck with it. I can't wait to get him weighted tomorrow at the Dr. I feel like it will really make me feel better to know that he is gaining. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">This week (Thursday) we are leaving to go and visit </span><a href="http://jdzblogs.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Sadie, and her mommies</span></a><span style="color: magenta;"> in Canada! Some people might say that we are crazy for taking Zachary on such a long car ride (about 9 hours). But, there isn't many opportunities that we have to go on a road trip. And, that we're both off together and don't have a trillion things to do. Being that we're already off, might as well take advantage of it!! Going now, we'll only have to entertain one toddler (Zachary will sleep) and hopefully that toddler will sleep too! Wishful thinking. And, Ryan is going to be a guest in Sadie's music class! How fun!! They are so cute together. Of course we're excited to see J and D too. =) </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"> </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-75995587445946488152011-11-04T12:02:00.001-04:002011-11-04T12:04:12.115-04:00Preemie Nursling<span style="color: #741b47;">Nursing a preemie has been a challenge. I challenge I really thought I was up for. But, sometimes I find myself wanting to give up. Those give up moments come after 45 minute battles of trying to get Zachary latched (and staying) on the breast. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Sometimes he will latch on great, and nurse all his feedings all day. Other times, he <strike>cries </strike>screams and refuses to latch on. Oh, and there are the times he just wont wake up even after 4.5 hours of sleeping. Pedi does not want him going more than 4.5 hours without eating. He is little and needs to eat and gain his weight so he can get bigger and stronger. I think he could sleep the day away if we'd let him.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">During the night is when we have the most trouble. Maybe because I'm exhausted and fighting a screaming baby who could potentially activate 2 year old screaming toddler at 3am. It all just gets so frustrating. When I've had enough of trying to get him to latch, he gets a bottle of expressed breast milk. Then, I feel like a failure. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">There are a few problems going on here.... 1. I have one flat nipple, didn't know that until I tried to breastfeed. 2. My good nipple (his favorite side) hurts like fucking hell!!! Not bleeding or cracked, but OH MY GOD, when he does latch on I could cry. I have milk, I pump and I get plenty of milk for him. Somehow, someway this has to get better. I want it to work, I don't want for both of us to get so stressed out during our nursing time. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Laurie went out and got me a </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Contact-Nipple-Shield-Standard/dp/B000067PQ0"><span style="color: #a64d79;">nipple shield</span></a><span style="color: #741b47;">. Who ever invented this thing is a freakin' genius. I put it on, and he latches on with little fuss onto the flat side, and it helps with the pain on the other. Only problem is, it's so easy to use, I want to always use it. It is for temporary use, but it works so well!!! For right now, my during the day plan is to work with him latching without the shield and only using it when it's really needed, and at night, using it because it's amazing and he nurses without having that battle at 3am. When he latches on, I love it! I love being able to provide his food for him and to hear him gulp the milk, and the milk drunk sleepy baby I get afterwards. But, I just wish it came easier. I hope that this is all just because he is small, and has had mostly bottles for all of his feeds in the NICU. This is new to him, and new to me. We were only able to nurse one feeding in the NICU and I really wish I took advantage of the LC there. Hopefully, we'll find our groove.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">I use lanolin after each feed, beast shield, I try many different positions, anyone have any other tricks of the breastfeeding trade? If you had to wake your baby to feed, how'd you do it? </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-1151054529383141622011-11-01T22:39:00.001-04:002011-11-01T22:46:33.874-04:00Welcome Home, Zachary!<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Zachary is home! Zachary is home! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">It is absolutely amazing to have him here, in his house, with his mommies and brother. Sitting right here on the couch. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! We are in newborn bliss. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">This newborn bliss is much different that the newborn bliss that we experienced with Ryan. It is much different to have a newborn and a toddler. Everything in Ryan's room makes some sort of noise, much of the time he is running around screaming, dancing and ya know...being a 2 year old. So far, Zachary is adjusting to the noise level and doesn't seem to be too bothered by it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">It is a little nerve racking to have him here without any machines making sure he is still breathing, and all that NICU stuff. We feed him, change him, bathe him, he is ours. For the first 2 months of his life, we have not been the sole providers of his care, it is very surreal to have him here now. We love it. We love that now we can hold him without any wires, we can feed him when we want, I can nurse him as long as he wants to (In the NICU he was only allowed to nurse/bottle feed within 30 minutes), we change him and just be us. I love being his mama and providing <strong>all</strong> of his care. On our own. I find myself worrying about him, is he still breathing, is he eating enough, is the noise too much, is he too cold. Although we have raised Ryan this little newborn just seems much more fragile than Ryan was. And, in some ways he is. Today he weighed 5lbs 12oz. and is 18 inches long. He is a little teeny peanut! He has grown out of most of his preemie clothes and is now sporting clothes that Ryan once wore. It is pretty crazy to see these little outfits that he once was small enough to fit in now on Zachary. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Ryan loves to hold Zachary. He will often be heard saying, " I hold it?!" He'll hold him for a minute and then say, "Mommy hold it?!" and wants you to take him away. And then once you do, he wants to hold him again. He loves to "do nice" and pet Zachary like a he pets Peanut, our aunt's dog. He has named all of Zachary's body parts, from his hair to his toes. So far, very little to no jealousy issues. He is a very proud big brother! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Tomorrow he has a opthamology appointment for his eyes. Because of his prematurity he could have some complications with his eyes called, Retinopathy of prematurity. It involves the development of the blood vessels attached to the retina. In the NICU his eyes went to stage 2, which at stage 3 he would need laser surgery to correct it. His last check up, some of the vessels looked like they were getting better, and some looked the same. Tomorrow we will know more about what path this could take. If he needs the surgery, it fixes the problem fast. And, because it is caught so early, usually the only thing that it would change is that he could need glasses down the road. Which is totally doable. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Nursing a preemie is hard. But, we're sticking to it. I want it to work. At times I feel like he is not getting enough milk, and other times I feel like my milk is enough to satisfy him. Sometimes, I nurse him and then he will take about 1.5-2oz. of pumped milk. There is a lot of nipple action going on around here, thank god for Lanolin! Between this little nursling and pumping, ouch! I'm hoping that once he gets a little stronger at the breast, I can feel more confident and his expressed milk bottles will be less. At least for the month that I'll be home with him. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">I'll leave you with a picture of our boys metting for the first time....</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">A very proud Big Brother!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTkXZea6m7B4mkWIj7Aq9g_J-j-g-Lhyphenhyphenal6WAXB3CTcrdXMTiJtrRvtwI5M2niVrJ0oAqRrlD4Jo8z-O80vz2RPsEE1PriVdimzUnK9ciipaOzpA7zihkn50RBdmODZpRabhc6kWrm9zd/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTkXZea6m7B4mkWIj7Aq9g_J-j-g-Lhyphenhyphenal6WAXB3CTcrdXMTiJtrRvtwI5M2niVrJ0oAqRrlD4Jo8z-O80vz2RPsEE1PriVdimzUnK9ciipaOzpA7zihkn50RBdmODZpRabhc6kWrm9zd/s320/IMG_0036.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Our shy little boy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SFIAD2QeYazuV18zsJiKAz7E33A3S4lCqyFavWzCYhiv4rU7LFK4YRAjcWDzRYRp0WI3bz91109i-El0sXZ5NWdmuzNbFMUSz4RaP40KoaKwCPhwAzodKwywt3nM0n1IorCH42H0Orgh/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SFIAD2QeYazuV18zsJiKAz7E33A3S4lCqyFavWzCYhiv4rU7LFK4YRAjcWDzRYRp0WI3bz91109i-El0sXZ5NWdmuzNbFMUSz4RaP40KoaKwCPhwAzodKwywt3nM0n1IorCH42H0Orgh/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;">He is unsure of Zachary for about 2.2 seconds</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenDwANqEc3a8QTYeR31nMmMKCCcSEufp7VHdSoNDC2VHZKpONWxTgEk_yqWXztu5_3LUObPuvQrM37j1fr32G1Lm4N0ppJvcbQ2u8FiJMj1lgYQ-ZruxtnUxfuPLCic9d1NGK-TiK-slE/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenDwANqEc3a8QTYeR31nMmMKCCcSEufp7VHdSoNDC2VHZKpONWxTgEk_yqWXztu5_3LUObPuvQrM37j1fr32G1Lm4N0ppJvcbQ2u8FiJMj1lgYQ-ZruxtnUxfuPLCic9d1NGK-TiK-slE/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Zachary's first car ride! This little dude has a set of lungs!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPqmWfH7U5FadBNfVWQxKd_F6Mb2Yd9DNEP0EMyoAJ3Y9KDOAergCFDU4J7fiT930bACfJthWRO1H0D8exopCU3ItkhXPO89zIVFYDre7Gr5ooYsQVDzr3ckBcjq-kCaoe_XJQn_hit_1/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPqmWfH7U5FadBNfVWQxKd_F6Mb2Yd9DNEP0EMyoAJ3Y9KDOAergCFDU4J7fiT930bACfJthWRO1H0D8exopCU3ItkhXPO89zIVFYDre7Gr5ooYsQVDzr3ckBcjq-kCaoe_XJQn_hit_1/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-14512699089836243322011-10-20T14:00:00.000-04:002011-10-20T14:00:54.211-04:00On the go...Life has been so crazy here lately. I feel like I'm always running somewhere. Now that I'm back to work (boo!) I spend a little bit of time with Laurie and Ryan in the morning and then I'm off to see Zachary for his 11:30 feed so I can nurse him. Then, I'm home by 12:30-1, each lunch, pump, and I'm off to work at 2:15. It is going to be so nice having Zachary home, my mornings wont be so hectic! <br />
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My blood pressures have not gone down since I delivered. They were running 140-150s over 90-100. No good. I was put on blood pressure meds, and I've been feeling worse on them than not. I had a bout of blurry vision, and headaches. I hope that it's just my body getting adjusted to the meds, because I was feeling find without them.(minus my blood pressure being sky high!)<br />
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Zachary is doing wonderful! He is 5 pounds and growing rapidly out of his preemie clothes. He is taking 6 out of 8 feeds though a bottle or breastfeeding, and holding his temp stable. He still has the nasal cannuals in, but they have been trying to ween him off, so hopefully he'll loose them soon too. Within the next few days they will be putting him into a open crib, and weening him off the caffeine. He has to stay a week after the ween him off the caffeine, and if he is able to not have any episodes of stopping breaking or heart rate dropping, then they will send him home. So, we could be looking at a little over a week to two weeks and he'll be home!!! I can't wait. I want Ryan to meet his little brother, and I just want our family all in one place! <br />
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Here are some recent pictures of Zachary...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35OHnkWJ34Z2cTaN_5LJx3P7o9kMoV6_ery1kn1Z7S-7JLpx48dT4T-QMmXTSSePE-ZU-U6svV1xaW_DXIrhp3XQI-gRMXS8ERzshjewsnSRqmWPWrSxAnizucx4m_KrFILS3RSEU_PYX/s1600/zachary+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35OHnkWJ34Z2cTaN_5LJx3P7o9kMoV6_ery1kn1Z7S-7JLpx48dT4T-QMmXTSSePE-ZU-U6svV1xaW_DXIrhp3XQI-gRMXS8ERzshjewsnSRqmWPWrSxAnizucx4m_KrFILS3RSEU_PYX/s320/zachary+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-51527912253620899112011-09-30T22:24:00.001-04:002011-09-30T22:24:16.674-04:00Today.<span style="color: #0b5394;">Today, we cut off our bracelets. Prior to..well, last night I was attached to them. I wanted to keep them on. I don't need to explain how I felt about them you, you've read that before... While visiting with Zachary last night Laurie asked his nurse what she thought. Her response is what made us take them off. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">She said, take them off. After being on your wrist going through showers and hand washings the moister starts to grow bacteria. Bacteria bracelets are not good for Zachary. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">So, we waited until this morning and before I went to visit him, we cut them off. It felt weird, but right. Anything that we can do that is best for Zachary, we are going to do. There is no way that we could forgive ourselves if he got sick from them, just because we couldn't part with them. It was really anticlimactic, and we saved Parker's in his box. We need Zachary's to get into the unit and to ID us when we take him home.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Thank you for all of the ideas, I do love the jewelry ideas. That certainly is not out of the question being that jewelry is always nice! I want to get a tattoo for Parker's name on my foot, but that's not going to happen until Zachary is done nursing and we can afford it. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span id="s_5_1_26_0" style="color: #0b5394;">Speaking of nursing... Today, Zachary latched on for the first time! It was...AMAZING! My heart was (and still is) bursting with love and excitement for this milestone! And, 2 weeks ahead of schedule. We were told to let him practice at the breast so it wont be foreign to him once he starts to nipple his feeds. His nurse today was all about getting him some milk in his mouth and really getting him to latch on. He sucked a little from both sides right away! When the milk started to dribble out he started licking like crazy! Licking the milk right off the nipple, he loved it! They say that a baby does not develop the "suck and swallow" skill until 34 weeks, that's when they will start to nipple his feeds instead of the tube in his nose. Right now it is so exhausting for him to nurse. He slept so hard afterwards! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTXU8i2rcBk3nTC4smPftVSBxAflINsiiJUYrb93KbKSCd1PlMODdDTYQCFcTvBXi2ks9JJR2DEDyQeSYiT2z0E3lExeFWdkXc8ToCquNO8NhTeyjnVci69B4X1OlXKrb3LkGrc0AglC4/s1600/Photo0835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTXU8i2rcBk3nTC4smPftVSBxAflINsiiJUYrb93KbKSCd1PlMODdDTYQCFcTvBXi2ks9JJR2DEDyQeSYiT2z0E3lExeFWdkXc8ToCquNO8NhTeyjnVci69B4X1OlXKrb3LkGrc0AglC4/s320/Photo0835.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-11721092805308644162011-09-28T20:44:00.000-04:002011-09-28T20:44:57.665-04:00To cut or not to cut...<span style="color: #134f5c;">So, as I mentioned before... I'm returning to work on October 5th. That is in SIX days! Tragic, really. However, saving my time until Zachary comes home is priceless to me right now. I want to soak up as much mama and Zachary time as I can while he is home (hopefully, late October/early November). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">There is one thing that I just can't get a grip on. Our baby bracelets. Like most hospitals we were given baby bracelets to identify that we are the parents. One for Parker and one for Zachary. The hospital that I work at uses the very same bracelets, and it doesn't help that I work on the post partum floor.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">I really, really do not want to cut off Parker's bracelet. Like, really don't want to. I feel like it is the last thing I have that connects me to him, physically. However, If I keep his bracelet on, people are going to ask questions and have comments. I'm absolutely dreading the, "Ohhhh, You had twins???" question. I know that each time someone asks me, it will be a constant reminder about Parker. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">If I take his off, I feel like I'm leaving him out. People will only notice that I have one baby and only ask about that one baby. Never knowing that twins even ever existed. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">I feel like these bracelets are the last "twin" thing I have. Not only did I we loose our son, we lost our "twins". </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">I don't know what to do. I'm hoping that someone in blogland can shed some light either way. Do I keep them on? What kind of response do I give people who ask about them? Or, do I cut his off and not mention him?? I don't know...Help! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">I've tried to put Zachary's bracelet on top of Parker's, so it looks like only one... It doesn't fit. I've thought about wearing long sleeves, too hot. I could cover them up with a sweat band, but I wash my hands a lot and it will get all gross....any other ideas?</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-86636607270057188512011-09-22T22:15:00.001-04:002011-09-22T23:05:09.418-04:00updatepalooza!<span style="color: #741b47;">I've been quiet around here..</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">There is so much to say and so much to document, but I haven't been able to gather my thoughts into a post. Between the grieving, the joyful bliss of a newborn, and raising a toddler my head is spinning. Life is not the same around these parts. I'm ready to have our boys home together getting to know each other. I'm done traveling back and fourth to see Zachary. I want our baby boy home! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">There are several things to touch on here, so I'll do a bullet post. </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: #741b47;">Yesterday was Parker's Memorial. It has beautiful. I could not ask for anything better to celebrate his life with. The service was touching, the slide show was an amazing tribute, and the love and support though friends and family was unbelievable. I never thought so many people would come. I was wrong, people love us, people love Parker. He has touched so many lives. In the beginning of the service I just sat and cried. I sat next to the table of this things and cried. Sometimes I still can't believe he is gone. As people started to arrive one by one they would come up to me, give me a hug and each hug made me cry more. I was able to get myself together for the service... I wanted to be present. I wanted to listen to everything the Reverend had to say. I wanted to remember those moments forever.</span></li>
</ul><span style="color: #741b47;"><br />
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<ul><li><span style="color: #741b47;">I want to thank everyone who has donated money for Parker and Zachary. Planning a memorial/funeral is not easy or cheap. There are so many things to pay for and it adds up...fast! Parker aside, having a baby in the NICU cost money too. Your donations have helped lessen the financial blow this is call costing. Things like our monthly parking pass for the hospital, gas, and all of the hospital bills that have started to roll in. We have received over $30,000 in bills, and that's just the start of it! Thank goodness for insurance, but they don't pay for everything. So, Thank you very much for your donations, we really <em>really </em>appreciate it. </span></li>
</ul><span style="color: #741b47;"><br />
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<ul><li><span style="color: #741b47;">Zachary is doing really well. He is a month old already, I can't believe it. Last week he had a really hard week. Where he was again intubated and put on a ventilator after needing CPR. He had an infection that was caught early, and he is doing much better. The infection was causing him to have big globs of phlegm that he wasn't able to swallow or cough out, they were obstructing his airway, that's where the CPR and intubation came in. However, since then he has been on a upward climb. He weighs 2lbs. 10oz, is up to 25cc's of fortified breast milk, and is back on the nasal cannula after taking the tube out himself. Apparently, he knew he was ready and he wasn't waiting for the doctors to make that decision. Having a baby in the NICU is defiantly a roller coaster. </span></li>
</ul><span style="color: #741b47;"><br />
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<ul><li><span style="color: #741b47;">I'm dreading going back to work. I hate the fact that I even have to. I go back October 4th and when Zachary comes home from the hospital, I'll take another 6 weeks off. Laurie is on leave now, so that will help with me being able to go and see Zachary before I have to go to work...(and take care of other people's babies while mine lays in the NICU. Just sayin'...). I don't know how I'm going to react when I see a crack head mother and her perfectly healthy baby. I'm scared of that...</span></li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: #741b47;"> You really find out who your true friends are when your in need of them. I have a friend who has not said a word about the boys birth, Parker's death, and even just to call to see how I'm doing until today. She texted with a slew of reasons (read: excuses) for not coming to Parker's Memorial... This changes our relationship, forever. In the hardest time in our life she was no where to be found. Nice, real nice. On the other hand, we are so very lucky to have the friends who have been there for us. Through the thick of it, they have never left our side. We love them for that.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: #741b47;">I've been pumping every 2 hours during waking hours. It has been hard, and I've had to overcome some nipple pain, thank you makers of Lanolin but I'm doing it! I have over 200 ounces in the freezer waiting for him. Right now he takes 25cc, which is almost one ounce (30cc=1oz). I'm pumping about 2-3 ounces each session. My morning pumping is the most (because I havnt pumped all night) and thats about 7-8oz. The manual pump has really saved me from having to always find a outlet to plug into. The manual pump gives me freedom to pump while Laurie is driving down the highway, or at the park, or in numerous parking lots... Oh, the fun!</span></li>
</ul><span style="color: #741b47;">Super long post, sorry! I should post more often! =) </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"> </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-72229944318053348722011-09-11T21:00:00.000-04:002011-09-11T21:00:12.958-04:00I love you, forever.<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I don't even know what to say... I miss Parker.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">This weekend he was cremated and knowing that I'll never get to see his little face again is just devastating. It was different having him in the hospital where if I really wanted to see him again, I could. But now, he's gone. Never again will I lay eyes on him, or touch his little hands. I can't hold him. I can't kiss his forehead... I can't do any of it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I think about him, and all the things we wont be able to do. We'll never get to see his smile, or hear him talk, walk or even just breathe. Why did my baby have to go? I tried to hard to make him stay. I held him and told him that I'd be the best mommy he could ever ask for, and I told him that I would take such good care of him, but none of that worked. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I heard him cry at 10:05am on August 24th, and I'll never hear it again. I'm afraid I'm going to forget what he sounded like and what he felt like. His head was so fuzzy and his skin was so soft. His head fit perfectly in the palm of my hand. In my hands is where he took his last breaths and his heart beat it's last beats. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Parker, Mama misses you so much. I love you, forever. </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-67991654636533093102011-09-04T18:06:00.000-04:002011-09-04T18:06:30.632-04:00Birth Story<span style="color: #134f5c;">Let me bring you to Wednesday, in the middle of the night in my hospital room. I was having some contractions, that I have been having all along. I told my nurse who came in to check on me, and she hooked me up to the contraction monitor. Nothing. I pressed the button when they happened (every 7 minutes), but nothing came up on the monitor. After a few hours of me trying to get some sleep, and waking up from contractions, I called the nurse in because I was in so much pain. Not pain from the contractions, pain from having to pee, and I couldn't. I tried and tried, but nothing would come out. At this point it was about 6am, and I called Laurie to tell her what was going on. She talked me though my contractions and waited for a sitter to come stay with Ryan. Not knowing what was going to happen next, she needed to be with me. The nurse told the doctor about my lack of being able to pee and I was in an exam room "just to check things out" within 10 minutes or so. </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Being that my water was broke, nothing could go inside the vag for risk of infection. All they were able to do was put a speculum in (no manual exams) to visually check to see if my cervix has changed, sure enough.....it has. I was 3-4cm, and scared out of my mind. The doctor made a comment to the nurse about "you know baby A is head down, lets check baby B", that's when I said, " oh my god, you saw the head??!?" My nurse looked at me and shook her head yes. I was scared. I was so afraid to deliver these babies knowing they were not ready to come out yet. They did a sono to check on baby B who was also head down, perfect!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">Now, it's about 7am. Being that I had my IV taken out the day prior, I had to have another one put in. Third time was a charm with that one. I was being transferred to Labor and Delivery, all I had to do was wait for a wheelchair. I was swaying back and fourth with each contraction and trying to relax the best I could. I think I did better relaxing with the contractions when I didn't know I was in labor! I guess because I was nervous that it was actually happening. Transport was taking way too long, so in comes the charge nurse in a dress to come take me to L&D. She was my nurse 2 days prior so I knew who she was. I sat in the wheelchair...Ouch! I wanted to stand back up for the contraction to pass. Nope, she said, "I'm really sorry, but we have to get you to labor and delivery before you have these babies here!" She was pretty much running with me in a wheelchair (in her dress and heals) yelling at people "excuse me, I have someone in labor!" "excuse me, coming through someone in labor!" Embarrassing much?! </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">It's now about 7:15am and I arrive in Labor and Delivery. Laurie is there waiting for me as they whisk me into a labor room and start hooking me up to monitors and IVs. Not exactly what I had in plan for the twins birth. Trying to get a 20 minute strip on two all over the place 27 week twins is not 20 minutes at all. More like 40. As they were trying to find the heartbeats, run some antibiotics ( I was on antibiotics since I was admitted because of my preterm rupture of membranes). They couldn't find baby B's heartbeat, but we heard them bouncing around we we knew they were okay. While we waited for the sono machine I tried to pee again, no go. I told now a different nurse that I had to pee so bad, and couldn't go. Urinary retention, people!!!! Going on 8 hours without being able to pee!! Help!! In comes the sono to check on baby B's heart rate. "Wow, that's a big bladder!!! Do you have to pee?!" Seriously, I couldn't of kicked the doctor! Ughh, YEAH I DO!! My bladder was huge, and I was having a foley catheter placed within seconds. I never wanted a tube in my urethra so bad in my life! It was instant relief! They got 1 LITER of urine out, I told them I had to pee. Apparently, little baby Parker was cutting off my urine flow... The doctor decided to check me manually, being that I was in labor anyways. 9cm's and Parker's head was RIGHT THERE. Mind you it's now about 8am, less than a hour ago they told me I was 3-4. Holy moly, things are happening fast.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">After the urine fiasco, in walks the anaesthesiologist. I didn't want the epidural, but the other side was to be put under general anesthesia if I needed a cesarean for Zachary (Baby B) who is now breech. I talked with Laurie for a few minutes, about what we wanted to do. I was scared to be put under, and be intabated, and not be able to see the twins being born, or Laurie because she wouldn't be able to be in the room if I had to be put under. Epidural it is. This way, in case I did need the cesarean, I already had some meds on board. They said, if needed it would happen within seconds. Fantastic. I had to lay on my side to get the epidural because Parker's head was so far down they didn't want me to sit up. In it went and it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. Didn't even hurt. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Now at about 8:45-9am I was being wheeled back into the OR to have some babies. Even though I was delivering vaginally, I had to be in the OR just in case. I was put on the OR table, cleaned and prepped with my legs in stirrups (again, not the way I thought I'd be giving birth). I was prepped for a vaginal and cesarean at the same time. People started to come in to get everything ready. There was a team for each baby, about 5 or 6 people each, the high risk doctor manning the ultrasound machine who was going to try and get Zachary to come out without having to cut me open, the anaesthesiologist(s), my L&D nurse, one of the midwives ( I was so happy she came in to be with us!), a student who was shadowing someone, a team for vaginal and a team for cesarean who was setting up all the shiny silver scissors and knifes and blue tarp paper. There was about 20-25 people in the room not including Laurie, the boys and myself. At times someone will come up to me and say that they attended the birth. So. Many. People. They have all said it was an amazing thing to watch. I'm glad I could entertain them. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">Everything is all set up, I'm ready to push. They wait for Laurie to come in because they had to get everything ready first, and she had to get dressed in her c/s suit and mask. She's here. I can push. I can't feel my contractions because my epidural was pretty strong (even though he said he only put the loading dose) I must be a cheap date! The nurse and doctor told me when to push, so I did. After a few pushes, out comes.....PARKER! I could hear his little voice. He was perfect. Parker was the easy one. The midwife was able to snap some pictures of him coming out, so neat! Laurie went over to see him while they tried to flip Zachary. It was not happening. They were pushing on my belly so hard. A lot of manipulation went into getting Zachary into the birth canal. The high risk doctor had the ultra sound prob jabbed into my belly and his hand blocking Zachary from going back up and out of the birth canal. They were born 1 hour and 16 minutes apart, I was told that they wouldn't let me go past 30 minutes apart. The high risk doctor was determined to get Zachary out, even if it meant him being breech. Finally, with his bag of waters still attached Zachary was peeking out into the world. At just about that time I heard a big splash. His water broke all over everyone. It was like someone threw a huge water balloon out of my body. Right after that one more push and Zachary was born butt first! He also cried immediately, he sounded like a cute little mouse! They were both perfect, I couldn't be happier. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">I got all stitched up, 2nd degree tear. Both babies were intabated and taken to the NICU after I got a quick glance at them. I was moved into the recovery room, where I was put on Magnesium. My blood pressure was high, and my 24 hour urine that I completed the day before came back elevated. Protien in urine should be less than 300 mine was 733. Mild pre-eclampsia. Laurie went down to let our family know that all was well and that we had TWO BOYS! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">My birth experience was absolutely different than what I had wanted for myself. It was the biggest surprise of my life. But, I wouldn't want it any other way. The nurses and doctors were wonderful. Laurie was a awesome coach (even coaching me on the phone at times) and wife. Their birth went as good as it could go. I vaginally delivered twins with one being breech and they were over an hour apart. Wow.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Here is a picture of their 2 room condo aka twin placents. I have a bunch of pictures of the babies coming out, but yeah, maybe thats too much vag for a online blog. haha. =)</span> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvgoQGIZNZ7v0-1d_0JivxYcrfjvQn_Ag3MdF9TAjlcH4SeSZLkQAYP7c5KszUPdv69B4x38OLdG-lCDk93PQ4v5GoXtovv9fDb9yGDKfWQB-Vchsc0MCHgm8aRGy1NQ4HGr3Dm2oonXi/s1600/IMG_9745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvgoQGIZNZ7v0-1d_0JivxYcrfjvQn_Ag3MdF9TAjlcH4SeSZLkQAYP7c5KszUPdv69B4x38OLdG-lCDk93PQ4v5GoXtovv9fDb9yGDKfWQB-Vchsc0MCHgm8aRGy1NQ4HGr3Dm2oonXi/s320/IMG_9745.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-63165992055032096562011-09-03T13:19:00.000-04:002011-09-03T13:19:44.813-04:00Update<span style="color: #38761d;">Thank You. Thank you for your support, prayers and well wishes to our boys, and our family. It really does help to know so many people are thinking of us. </span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Zachary is continuing to do well in the NICU. He has really come a long way in his 12 days. He has transitioned off all breathing machines, and only has a nasal cannula with room air and moisture. His labs have been coming back good and he is eating like a piggy (...he gets that from his big brother, Ryan!) Yesterday, we were able to get him some of his own blankets for his isolette, so he can have a more personalized space, we also added some pictures of our family. </span></div><span style="color: #38761d;"></span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBgwrxEIMHgDbCMEf_jxRJOUTuInd9vxdqW5RXuNgytc9gi8cH3Z5MusSp7wIzDaPoZtgNJU401buwZ8vKe424b7__wWT5MuBJ6xoPywBe0q2CFa7F_79muXI3OYoNZEOBftvHr_HuFe0/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBgwrxEIMHgDbCMEf_jxRJOUTuInd9vxdqW5RXuNgytc9gi8cH3Z5MusSp7wIzDaPoZtgNJU401buwZ8vKe424b7__wWT5MuBJ6xoPywBe0q2CFa7F_79muXI3OYoNZEOBftvHr_HuFe0/s320/IMG_0170.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Zach's new diggs =) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #38761d;"></span> <br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">We like being able to care for him. We are able to change his (teeny tiny!) diapers, take his tempature, clean out his mouth (he likes to hold lots of mucus and loogies in there, yuck!), and of course hold him until we can't sit still anymore. I can't wait until he comes home! And, for Ryan to be able to meet his new baby brother. He says, "Zachy" and "brother" when we show him pictures. They are going to be so cute together.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">As far as I go, I'm doing and healing (all healed!) good. I was able to deliever them both vaginally, so there wasnt much down time. Thank goodness! Zachary was frank breech (butt first), so I pushed and was pushed on very hard. There was a lot of minipulation going on to try and get Zach to stay in the birth canal. He wanted no part in coming out, Parker was the one ready to fly the coop. He wanted to come and meet his mommies! Really, I became pre-eclamtic and my body was taking care of itself. The boys got evicted. I went from 3-4cms to fully and ready to push in about an hour. It was all very fast. I wont give away too much because I still have to write their birth story!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">I'll leave you with a couple pictures....</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;">I can just stare at him all day long <3</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9q5nqpdIVb-pT81VWImE58wb4j_b_bAAr6JQS7TXKHHAwZcYVuiEefRAjpeXDrq4oXlGf57OriLWbibmEW3ui-ximWnbzHoCvFhaN5D02qBCkcnTbMERuz-rHG0oGfqIKX9mXY_WRWiu/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9q5nqpdIVb-pT81VWImE58wb4j_b_bAAr6JQS7TXKHHAwZcYVuiEefRAjpeXDrq4oXlGf57OriLWbibmEW3ui-ximWnbzHoCvFhaN5D02qBCkcnTbMERuz-rHG0oGfqIKX9mXY_WRWiu/s320/IMG_0006.JPG" width="240" xaa="true" /></span></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"> This boy LOVES his binkie</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrv5Rb2KkPMkAgAreRuuD1I2v1Oq18GYr9cNnLZfnC_JWQfl6fiB1CfkqJKJUqAFSbC90cee0AHDION8KSNgovdyTwcQU2D4TAta2d6WKGa7AdJVEAqjvop4oAM3yOwqvvCDHBsOftIHk/s1600/IMG_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrv5Rb2KkPMkAgAreRuuD1I2v1Oq18GYr9cNnLZfnC_JWQfl6fiB1CfkqJKJUqAFSbC90cee0AHDION8KSNgovdyTwcQU2D4TAta2d6WKGa7AdJVEAqjvop4oAM3yOwqvvCDHBsOftIHk/s320/IMG_0065.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></span></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"> Kangaroo care</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Qoh6iaQxuIa_2qFPkawe_aPszOzSbIxrWB7Z-wMqGvsownoFUfc_u6QS70WfJghXm_bOomXEfG4vlnf_sysKw4Fcr0HzDdJjDllNMzCxsagpuLeUgqqOG2BA9c-cGASnvZ-v3qaiAq4E/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Qoh6iaQxuIa_2qFPkawe_aPszOzSbIxrWB7Z-wMqGvsownoFUfc_u6QS70WfJghXm_bOomXEfG4vlnf_sysKw4Fcr0HzDdJjDllNMzCxsagpuLeUgqqOG2BA9c-cGASnvZ-v3qaiAq4E/s320/IMG_0150.JPG" width="240" xaa="true" /></span></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"> His arms and legs are REALLY long. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNuTw-6y2ovrfaHKFpb05qy8Gbih1odNkv4uOQV2xYDa5rTARF5j17SPm7e7B0R6VoWoZZhF6QAZq-5wQHTypeUxQw3EMzCDk3rBxlr2Z61-AnZ0DiCSsBHp8vEtHemrTdz6AsfH5X_TO/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNuTw-6y2ovrfaHKFpb05qy8Gbih1odNkv4uOQV2xYDa5rTARF5j17SPm7e7B0R6VoWoZZhF6QAZq-5wQHTypeUxQw3EMzCDk3rBxlr2Z61-AnZ0DiCSsBHp8vEtHemrTdz6AsfH5X_TO/s320/IMG_0151.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-84694150869439578782011-08-27T20:57:00.001-04:002011-08-27T21:03:22.434-04:00at peace...<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Today our sweet baby boy Parker became our guardian angel.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">He went peacefully in our arms after spending his last mintues next to his brother.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Today, was by far the hardest day of our lives. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRCw0AEQoLBjZ2Vr_I0AsY5XLXhevfyzirDoaIae2UL5ZFe8KlPA7uBk9iJbucgf9-sfyyM3FBh8AKDl9_6Cxc_fQ47eXyZPc2pBAskNortT6jy0kMDAv91JbZdF3CJgwuWZgEenDf6kz/s1600/IMG_9968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRCw0AEQoLBjZ2Vr_I0AsY5XLXhevfyzirDoaIae2UL5ZFe8KlPA7uBk9iJbucgf9-sfyyM3FBh8AKDl9_6Cxc_fQ47eXyZPc2pBAskNortT6jy0kMDAv91JbZdF3CJgwuWZgEenDf6kz/s320/IMG_9968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-66305929438972129962011-08-27T10:50:00.000-04:002011-08-27T10:50:10.317-04:00Update on our boys...<span style="color: #351c75;">So much has happened in the last few days, I don't even know where to start. First, our twins have names. Baby A is Parker and B is Zachary. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">I have been discharged from the hospital and now we will begin the daily commute back and fourth until they come home. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">However, not all is good. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">In the wee hours of the morning on the 26th, Parker suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage. This kind of event is catastrophic to anyone, let alone a teeny 27 week baby. He had very little oxygen and his heart was not working very well. They gave him lots of medication, a blood transfusion, and many, many other things. We were told that he wouldn't make it another 2 hours. Our sweet baby boy was dieing. I have never felt so much heartache in my life.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">We were able to hold him, and a photographer came to take pictures of him and Zachary. We held him for nearly 8 hours, we didn't want to move him as he was stable and not in pain. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Once it was time to put him back into his bed, the doctors wanted us to go back to our room and talk about decisions that we would have to make. Do we take him off the breathing machine and let him go? Do we do nothing and see how long he lasts? Do we continue care and try and bring him back if he goes? It's so much to think about, and way too much to think about at the same time. We went to our room and cried. A lot. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">As it stood when we left, Parker could (will) have some major developmental delays. He was without oxygen and his acid levels were very high for way too long. Will he ever be able to walk, talk, think? What kind of life would he have? Neither Laurie or I want Parker to suffer or have a life that he will not be able to even open his eyes. We went back with a decision, if his test results came back that he has multi system failure then we knew that it was time to let him go. However, that was not the case. When we went back in the NICU after a few hours of rest, talk and a meal, Parker has improved slightly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Before we spent hours holding him, he had NEC, which this early is not good at all, and is a sign that there are other problems. However, when we went back, somehow it has sealed itself up and there was no air or hole in the bowel or abdominal wall. His heart was working strong, his kidneys were making urine, and he was stable. They assume that being that other systems are starting to recover from the event that his brain has started to recover too. If nothing else happens, the damage has already been done. And, we wont know how much or how little until he gets older and shows us. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">So, as of now, Parker is a very sick little boy. We did not have to make a decision to take him off the breathing machine yesterday, but it is possible that today, tomorrow or a week from now that time could come. If he faces any major complications from here on out it could take his life. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Please send Parker all the good vibes and love you can send. He needs it. He really needs it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Zachary on the other hand is doing well. He is hanging out under the bili lights with his sunglasses on. When he gets stressed out and I put my hands on him, he calms down immediately. Mama's boy he is, and I love it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Those of you who we are connected through Face book, please do not post anything on my page. I'm not ready for the world to know that Parker may not make it.... </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-34060859591215954502011-08-24T23:17:00.000-04:002011-08-24T23:17:36.230-04:00Happy Birthday, Boys!<div style="color: #0b5394;">August 24, 2011 at 10:05am and 11:21am our twin BOYS came into the world.</div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394;">They are tiny but perfect and holding their own in the NICU. </div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394;"> Baby A is 2lbs 5oz </div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79MJsHNPULPSbTxBbX-JKzn_HYA7CTDEAxCR-pCXxYyrTsq9MzHSX7s88VGtFZB62AdJBAqno77dqujn1kc-I-R8Ozfsrv3i9VPjvomXOnbaLHf8OG1k_tDBx31uycGA-ZfgEEOW_zTzL/s1600/IMG_9755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79MJsHNPULPSbTxBbX-JKzn_HYA7CTDEAxCR-pCXxYyrTsq9MzHSX7s88VGtFZB62AdJBAqno77dqujn1kc-I-R8Ozfsrv3i9VPjvomXOnbaLHf8OG1k_tDBx31uycGA-ZfgEEOW_zTzL/s320/IMG_9755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #0b5394;"> Baby B 2lbs 6oz.</div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnkPMfUk881kZV7nwccl5blvo-6iOl-FSablM2QRgaNqLVJNm_X2x2VqkHEN-Xh1cTEjDPH7Vu66uSW7YdNpsnQDBmEdOs6E7uRPKPq3dJygjgLxTiwuzQ7TPvYCDXAn19-p3-ozsGdOG/s1600/IMG_9750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnkPMfUk881kZV7nwccl5blvo-6iOl-FSablM2QRgaNqLVJNm_X2x2VqkHEN-Xh1cTEjDPH7Vu66uSW7YdNpsnQDBmEdOs6E7uRPKPq3dJygjgLxTiwuzQ7TPvYCDXAn19-p3-ozsGdOG/s320/IMG_9750.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394;">We have not chosen names yet, we only had girl names picked out!! Figures! Today was a whirlwind and I'll write a birth story when I'm not so exhausted!</div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394;">Happy Birthday boys!</div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-77622904274128457172011-08-22T20:59:00.000-04:002011-08-22T20:59:16.189-04:00The good with the bad: BR Day 2<div style="color: #134f5c;">Most of today went smoothly...</div><div style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c;">I had a biophysical profile done for the babies today, they looked great. Baby A's sac has sealed up a bit and the fluid has started to collect again. The tech said that if I didn't tell him that I had ruptured, he wouldn't know it. The fluid is in within normal limits. This is amazing because on Saturday, there was hardly any fluid around baby A. Miracle I tell ya, miracle. Both babies were doing really good practice breathing and bouncing around as they should. Also, both babies are measuring a little over 2lbs. each. Grow babies, grow!</div><div style="color: #134f5c;"> </div><div style="color: #134f5c;"> But, you know with a bunch of good stuff, bad has to come too... My blood pressure has started to make a climb today. This bought me a 24 hour urine and blood work to check for pre-e. The worst part is that for the urine collection I had to get a foley catheter. I could of really done without that. It is something I'd never like to experience again. It was just..... yeah, no fun. Getting up to pee was the one of the highlights of my day! It only has to stay in for 24 hours, so I guess I should enjoy not getting up tonight to go to the bathroom. </div><div style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c;">Last night I began having some contractions that were pretty painful. At one point they were 7 minutes apart but then they started to space themselves out. So, no magnesium for me! whoohoo! I'm still having the contractions proballly about 2-3 a hour, sometimes a bit longer in between. It seems like I get them more at night when I am laying down or changing my position. I hope that tonight I am mostly contraction free and I'm able to get some rest. It certainly isn't easy getting sleep at night in a hospital with people coming in to check my blood pressure, take my temp and check up on the babies. </div><div style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c;">Today, I'm so very grateful that I'm still pregnant and these babies are doing great and growing like weeds inside. </div><div style="color: #741b47;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #741b47;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47;"> </div><br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-5531650540546744462011-08-21T20:49:00.000-04:002011-08-21T20:49:07.527-04:00Hospital BR: Day 1<div style="color: #674ea7;">My first day of my hopefully very long and boring hospital stay has been just that. Long and boring. However, in the wee hours of the morning I started to have some pretty painful contractions. It felt more like period cramping that would start off light and get stronger and stronger and then get light again before totally going away. This happened several times, and more times than the doctors want. They were going to put me on magnesium to try and stop the contractions, but they have pretty much stopped on their own. I only have one every few hours which is okay. Other than that, my day has been pretty much just sitting here getting continuous fluids and antibiotics every 6 hours. I got my second betamthasone steroid shot to help mature the babies' lungs and that should be in full effect by the next 48 hours. </div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7;">The Neonatologist came today for a consult. She let me know all the things that could go wrong, and all the things that could happen, and some outcomes, we talked about blood transfusions for the babies, brain bleeds, eye problems (including blindness), having the babies intubated, skin to skin, and other scary as hell things that made me break down and cry for the millionth time since I've been here. Pregnancy hormones and bed rest are not real good friends, lets just say that. </div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7;">On a good note, the majority of the food here is pretty darn good. I have a nice little menu I can pick all of my meals from. This hospital has room service, you call the number give them your order and you're food is on your tray within the hour. Its marvelous really. And, all of the nurses and staff that I have come into contact with have been super nice. I haven't had a problem with anyone. Which is good being that I've only been here for one day..lol. </div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7;">I'm going to leave you with some pictures from today. Pictures of my food! What else do I have to take pictures of?? </div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7;">Plan for tomorrow is a possible biophysical for the babies to make sure everything is still okay in there, and more waiting, TV, naps and getting up every 20 minutes to go to the bathroom. </div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"> Stay pregnant. Nuff said.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZnQ6wmmdJP_OjH0YVXAD6EN_z3IarmXfXgcW5VNggBQND7btgwfV-iJpJ8m48dshrrbyVflmexrD7oxrv-Gcx8al4W3kY66lbCWXF2FCxnBulldHSRkNNAk7f6IGXjoNkHLXgeeI6W8Y/s1600/Photo0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZnQ6wmmdJP_OjH0YVXAD6EN_z3IarmXfXgcW5VNggBQND7btgwfV-iJpJ8m48dshrrbyVflmexrD7oxrv-Gcx8al4W3kY66lbCWXF2FCxnBulldHSRkNNAk7f6IGXjoNkHLXgeeI6W8Y/s320/Photo0678.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">Breakfast: Egg, sausage and cheese on a croissant and home fries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP_36Fv6SRKsgYIBuj5i6T9QCZloEjpCUvIIuRe3c3guCrj2cPOqtQGFCreWMDXwCLv2vpY5zUMG3zNPYfMp5cIszDPJMMLuHmAgGh-TSfzp4qI7leGbzK8FoFMjctF8B4-am85bUKLSe/s1600/Photo0676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP_36Fv6SRKsgYIBuj5i6T9QCZloEjpCUvIIuRe3c3guCrj2cPOqtQGFCreWMDXwCLv2vpY5zUMG3zNPYfMp5cIszDPJMMLuHmAgGh-TSfzp4qI7leGbzK8FoFMjctF8B4-am85bUKLSe/s320/Photo0676.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">Dinner: Chicken Frances, pasta and broccoli with rice pudding </div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQTNPY_vKznApfYqr3TuYjjDajPYoIu826TxdRWX39DyK941HG3R_uEtzpBGuWhZmdkA0xkP10FYL0c4EpnT2_56jY1n2Z3XQT24jK6RMRg5_6Zr6En54_zSFdOx8xyHt5PYIhvrE5S32/s1600/Photo0679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQTNPY_vKznApfYqr3TuYjjDajPYoIu826TxdRWX39DyK941HG3R_uEtzpBGuWhZmdkA0xkP10FYL0c4EpnT2_56jY1n2Z3XQT24jK6RMRg5_6Zr6En54_zSFdOx8xyHt5PYIhvrE5S32/s320/Photo0679.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #674ea7;">...here to is to many uneventful days!</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-57787690740268410852011-08-20T22:25:00.000-04:002011-08-20T22:25:04.507-04:00Here to stay...<span style="color: #38761d;">In the hospital that is.... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Around 1:45pm, my water broke. At first I thought it was just urine, but after standing up and it gushing out several times, I knew there was something wrong. We put in a call to the midwives, who of course wanted us to come in right away. We had to wait for our friends who where on their way to come over and be with Ryan. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Laurie made the seat waterproof (with a garbage bag, a t shirt, and towel) and we were on our way. We got up to L&D and they took me back right away. The babies look perfect on the monitor heart rates both in the 140s-150s. No contractions. I haven't felt pain through this entire thing, just a lot of fluid leaking every time I move around. That makes getting up to go potty just a big ole mess! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">I had some lab work done, which so far has all come back okay. The plan right now is to wait. Being that I'm having no contractions the babies could stay in there for some time. If I start showing signs of infection or having contractions then I think they will move towards delivering. Lets hope that delivery does not happen for at least 8 weeks or so. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Send me all the babies-stay-inside vibes you can muster up. I'll need them!!</span> Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-5526102321964839632011-08-15T12:08:00.000-04:002011-08-15T12:08:16.558-04:0026 weeks!!<span style="color: #741b47;">This weekends midwife appointment went very well! Finally! Something good!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">I passed my 1hr. glucose (yayy!!) my sugar was 81. My blood pressure is still slightly elevated at 130/90, so they are keeping an eye on that. I actually lost 1.5lbs this appointment... I don't know how I managed to do that!! And, there was no ketones in my urine, double yay! In addition, I haven't really had very many contractions since that evening I went to the L&D. I've had maybe 5 or 6 total since then. So, all in all I'm doing pretty good. My uterus is measuring 40 weeks, which she said they are going to stop measuring my uterus because at this point it dosen't matter because before you know it I'm going to be measuring 50 weeks. haha. They will measure the babies with ultrasound.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Next Monday I have my first cervical check via sono & growth scan. I'm more nervous about the cervical check just because of all the issues that other people have had. Of course the fact that I'm terrified of bed rest doesn't help! I now have midwife appointments every 2 weeks, but I'm not sure how often they are going to be checking cervical length, maybe every 3 weeks? I guess I'll find out next week depending on what the results are.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">I'm having some sleeping issues. The issue is... I....can't....sleep!! Once I (finally) get comfortable I wake up to pee and I can't fall back asleep for a good 30 min. Tossing and turning back and fourth fixing all of my pillows each time I turn around. And, when I lay on my left side baby B kicks the bed like a mad man, baby A does the same thing when I lay on my right side. I'm guessing they are unhappy being squished between the bed and having a sibling laying on top of them. Their middle of the night acrobatics does not help because they either keep me awake or wake me up from finally falling asleep. I think I spend more time getting up to pee and getting comfortable again than sleeping! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Speaking of movements, We've started to SEE where the babies are kicking. If I put something on my belly they go nuts and you can see big jumps in my belly with them trying to get it away. It's really awesome to see it. This morning baby B gave me a huge, GIANT kick that made my entire body move. I've got some strong little kiddies in there!! </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-74144998300241930802011-08-03T10:01:00.001-04:002011-08-03T10:08:13.626-04:00My first trip to L&D at 24w2d<span style="color: #38761d;">Today, I'm glad that these babies are still inside baking away! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Here's what happened...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Starting on Monday I was having some braxton hicks contractions on and off. Some were coming every 15 min for a little bit and then they would stop. They would start again in a few hours and so on and I'd have one or two and then stop again. I was drinking water like a maniac because I knew that if I didn't drink that could cause contractions. I made it though work and counted a total of about 8-9 contractions in that 8 hour period. Not bad, about one a hour. I came home layed down and they completely stopped. When I woke up Tuesday morning, I got up to get Ryan from his crib and that's when they started for the day. In the morning I had them on and off again, some every 10 min apart and then nothing for 30 min and then I'd get one and then nothing. Sporadic indeed. I thought about calling the midwives but I wanted to start writing them down so I could have a better idea of how often they were coming. Once I got to work they started up again, but this time they were coming every ten minutes on the dot ( I was writing them down) and after an hour of this I decided that I should call the midwives. Of course, they wanted me to come in for monitoring. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Once we got to L&D things were moving along. They attempted to put the babies on the monitor, but the babes had other plans. They were flipping and moving and kicking to get away from that thing. Between 2 nurses trying to get their heartbeats to record, they gave up. I was put on the contraction monitor which of course recorded NOTHING because all contractions have stopped by this point. They brought in the sono machine to find the babies heartbeats ( we knew they were okay because I could feel them going bonkers in there trying to get away from those probes!) They are both head down, both heartbeats sounded great. So, babies are perfect. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">I gave a urine sample and I had most PAINFUL speculum exam of my life. Ouch. I cried. They usually don't bother me..ouch, ouch, ouch!!!! She were in there doing a fFN test and a manual exam to check my cervix, long and closed. Perfect. The fFN test is of course is another one of those tests where if it is negative, it's definitely negative but if it's positive it could be false, or it could be true. If positive it's inconclusive. It is a test done to try and predict weather or not you will go into labor in the next 1-2 weeks. Mine was positive. Great. Knowing that this could just be positive for a unknown false reason, or because it's twins or because it's a true positive is pretty unsettling. It's one of those, we'll just have to wait and see kinda things. Also, my urine came back with a large amount of ketones. This is caused by my body going into emergency mode and looking for sugar/carbs to digest for energy. At my last appointment I was told to watch my carbs and sugar, and I have been. I cut out my vitamin water (because it has carbs) and juice and eating little bits of carbs with my meals. Well, apparently my body didn't like this too much. The midwife that I saw said to drink other things that just water. Apparently, It's not good to drink ONLY water. Things like, watered down Gatorade, juice cut with water things that can add sugar to my beverages. If they took my glucose it would of probably been low. I'm sure that the long gap between meals yesterday didn't help that situation. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">So, in the end. I was sent home to "see what happens". I feel fine. So, hopefully nothing. These babies need to bake a bit longer!! Oy, what a night....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Oh! Just for fun I added a poll to vote for what you think the sexes are... =) Go, vote!</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-85637070791865636142011-07-25T13:54:00.000-04:002011-07-25T13:54:03.810-04:0023 weeks!<span style="color: #741b47;">We had a midwife appointment over the weekend. Everything is going fairly smooth. In about a week and a half I got for my glucose test. YUCK! Totally not looking forward to that. I don't do good with things I'm forced to drink. I just hope I don't get sick and have to do it again. That would just really suck! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">My pressure was slightly elevated (132/80) not terrible, but they don't want to see it getting any worse. And, I've gained nearly 10 lbs. since I was last there ( a month ago). The babies (and mama!) like carbs. It makes the <span style="background-color: white;">vomiting </span>go away (yup, still getting sick but a lot less often. About every other week now instead of everyday).... So, low carb high protein meals are in taking over. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">The babies are doing great. I'm measuring 39 weeks, so they are growing like weeds in there! Their heart rates were good and I feel them moving ALL THE TIME. I love it. I feel them bouncing and kicking and doing whatever it is that they do in there... they are kicking like crazy as I type right now. It's hard to concentrate when they go bananas in there. I can't wait to see their little faces and hold their little hands! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">We are finally getting things ready for them babies to arrive. We've switched rooms giving the kids the bigger room for cribs, toys and gear. We went to get our cribs, but they were put on recall from IKEA to get longer bolts. I'd like to have them here and set up before the twins get here, but they said they probably wont be back in stock until November. We really don't need them probably until Jan/Feb/March or maybe even longer because the babies will be sleeping in our room for the first few months. I'd just like to have them set up to be prepared. All 3 car seats fit in both of our cars, so we're holding off on the minivan purchase as long as we can. We want one, but they are just so expensive, and we are just about finished paying off the truck so getting right back into a car payment wouldn't be fun. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">What else is there? At 26 weeks I start going for cervical checks to make sure my cervix is holding the twins nicely. So far, I feel fine. No contractions, some aches and pains but not terrible. I can do with out the vomiting and massive heartburn, oh and the leaking pee. That's just splendid. =) </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-65177131482060474522011-07-22T11:24:00.000-04:002011-07-22T11:24:21.966-04:00A bit of bragging...<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can I just tell you all how beautiful and amazing my pregnant wife is? She is doing such a perfect and wonderful job growing these little babies and I don't think I could possibly love her more right now than I do. She is <strike>happily</strike> eating veggies she wouldn't normally eat, is making a concious effort to eat more protein and drink lots of water. She sits on the exercise ball, takes it as easy as she can, and sleeps on her left side. Some things are starting to get uncomfortable for her, but she takes it in stride and still manages to be a wonderful Mama to our always-running-and-exploring toddler. Rockstar? Yes, she is.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">:o)</span>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12963208052643730490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-12219504950095256272011-07-11T12:42:00.000-04:002011-07-11T12:42:17.985-04:00A little swollen...<span style="color: #741b47;">I'm 21 weeks! How did I get to be 21 weeks already? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Everything has pretty much been going smoothly. I had to put a call into the midwives today because of some concerns I've been having. It seems to be that I've gained 10lbs in a week. I knew I was a little swollen, but not THAT swollen! I have a hard time fitting my feet into 2 of the 3 pairs of shoes I wear to work, and if you stick your finger near my shins it leaves a print. I figured the little bit of leg swelling was due to the fact that its hot out, and hot on my floor ( I swear the AC does not work!!). And, my blood pressure has been....boarder line. It was taken at work which I don't think is a good place to take it because I'm walking around a lot of dealing with patients/new parents who are just clueless...which of course makes me want to shake them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">The midwife that I talked to seemed to be not too worried about it. She said to make sure I drink lots and lots of water(makes the kidneys work harder to get rid of excess water), and lay on my left side when possible ( for better blood flow), also to wear support socks to try and reduce some of the swelling. So, overall she wasn't too concerned, but she did say if it continues to get worse I may have be on bed rest as I get more pregnant. That is enough to scare me into eating as much protein as I can pack into a day. Protein = less chances of preeclampsia. So, protein I will eat. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">In other news, I've been feeling the babies more often. Pretty much everyday now. I love it! I can certainly feel when one of them is using my bladder has a trampoline or a pillow.</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470456021904030369.post-84101877823158565402011-06-27T22:32:00.000-04:002011-06-27T22:32:34.272-04:0019 weeks!<span style="color: #0b5394;">Okay, I have a lot to report on. Sorry in advance for the multi-topic long post...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">First, lets start with the good... Our anatomy scan went perfect! Here are some stats...</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Baby A</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Measuring: 20 weeks (a week ahead!!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Approx. weight: 12 oz.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">HR: 140bpm</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">10 fingers and 10 toes: check!</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">All organs, vessels, heart chambers, brain hemispheres were accounted for and working.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Baby B</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Measuring: 20 Weeks </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Approx. weight: 12 oz. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">HR: 141</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">10 fingers and 10 toes: check!</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">All organs, vessels, heart chambers, brain hemispheres were accounted for and working.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">We actually had the same sono tech as last time, only this time she was much better. She didn't rush it though or make weird faces and rude comments. She was very pleasant, oddly enough. She must of had a bad day when we were there last. Who knows. We also had a appointment with the high risk Dr. that the midwives consult with. That also went perfectly well. He said it was perfectly fine that I stay with the midwives, but he is going to suggest that I get cervical checks starting at 24-26 weeks. Right now, my cervix is perfectly fine, and I hope it stays that way. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Now, for the not so good. Friday awhile I was at work I had a little episode of "pregnancy induced palpitations". I was eating cornflakes ( i know... exciting!) and all of a sudden I could feel my heart beating in my toes. My heart rate was in the 160's and blood pressure was 180/110. Not good! Not good at all. I was rushed to the ER (good thing I work in a hospital) and was giving an EKG (came back perfect), blood work and other tests to rule out PE (pulmonary embolism/ blood clot in the lungs). I had a bilateral leg sonogram and chest cat scan. Thank goodness everything came back completely normal. The only abnormal thing was my magnesium and potassium were low. I was given supplements for both and after 7 hours of being in the ER was sent home. The next morning I had met with the midwives and everything again checked out perfect. Blood pressure was 117/74 (back to normal! yay!). They are marking the entire thing up as pregnancy induced palpitations. I'm just glad it was not a PE or anything bad that could harm the babies. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Well, that is all the exciting news around here. Mama and babies are doing perfectly well right now. I am going to leave you with some pictures of the kiddies...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Baby B Profile</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5i3Od64VE8FS0GJGTE7X-AZSGyRMXlqxhac5aS2LovMWJChWLHZMsqP7_-t5iTncCeboFkRUC3I9d3RxQuvpN3OE0LaNKUzSQ1hMfstTy2q12wimPPqcx5AoWqB2Vog9Dr7SHBt-3h3o/s1600/IMG_9465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5i3Od64VE8FS0GJGTE7X-AZSGyRMXlqxhac5aS2LovMWJChWLHZMsqP7_-t5iTncCeboFkRUC3I9d3RxQuvpN3OE0LaNKUzSQ1hMfstTy2q12wimPPqcx5AoWqB2Vog9Dr7SHBt-3h3o/s320/IMG_9465.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Baby A profile</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi442gPiwEtwjb_DokM7khvF7q5RtAM0yFRUcsJKXfg9Uljpfll3VfMkl6QbMqk6zwbZbx9lJK2pvwGdm1eX0dT2FdbtY1o0hFlZmQ-112V2GaiDPwsx7yKKcMXSATN7bcbVpHxO_6VBkr1/s1600/IMG_9469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi442gPiwEtwjb_DokM7khvF7q5RtAM0yFRUcsJKXfg9Uljpfll3VfMkl6QbMqk6zwbZbx9lJK2pvwGdm1eX0dT2FdbtY1o0hFlZmQ-112V2GaiDPwsx7yKKcMXSATN7bcbVpHxO_6VBkr1/s320/IMG_9469.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Just as a funny side note: At one point during the sono baby B had his/her butt in baby A's face. Sounds like something boys would do... (No, we did not find out!)</span></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750989479156376961noreply@blogger.com4