It's been quite some time since my last post.  I'll start with my 36 week picture update:

 Gavin took these pictures Tuesday morning just like we always did on even weeks.  I had been to my regular OB appointment the day before....I was dilated to a 1 and maybe 75% effaced.  Dr. Grafa said to go home and take it easy because he had to go to a meeting in Houston and would be gone for only 24 hours.  No problem...things have gone so smoothly and I was dilated to a 2 or 3 for weeks with Gavin.  I was 36 weeks exactly.  I went home to do nothing as instructed.  That night, the contractions began...nothing new...I have had contractions with this pregnancy since very early on.  However, they seemed to be close...I began timing them and they were every 2 to 6 minutes apart from 1:30 am until Taylor and Gavin got up at 6am.  I told Taylor I needed to call the doctor's office when they open and I just wanted the nurse to check and make sure I'm not dilating more since Grafa was out of town.  We dropped Gavin at school and went to Sams for a couple of things to wait until the office opened.  While at sams, the highway patrol officer called to check the car seats for us.  This officer is the ONLY person I could find within 60 miles to check the car seats without charging us.  He was so helpful...he came to sams parking lot and not only checked the seats, he taught us how to make sure everything is installed properly.

The doctor's office called and said to go to the hospital to be checked...dang it...I really didn't want to go through a check in at the hospital....but better safe than sorry.  We went to WNJ and I was dilated to a 2 and effaced more and a couple of hours later I was dilated a little more so they decided I was in active labor and they wouldn't give the meds to stop the labor.  Dr. Sandman came in since he was on call and let me know we would have to have a c-section.  I explained that Dr. Grafa and I had a different plan and that Baby B had finally cooperated and turned head down so Grafa was going to try a vaginal birth.  Sandman wasn't comfortable vaginally delivering twins and refused.  I asked to let me labor without pitocin since Grafa should be back by 6ish and then he would be there in plenty of time.  Sandman kept saying how dangerous it is to deliver twins vaginally....I was so upset and just couldn't believe that the 24 hours my doctor is gone is the day my babies decide to show up.  Taylor and I prayed and asked God to bring our babies into the world in His timing and His perfect delivery...and I let it go.

A few hours later, Sandman came in with an ultrasound machine and said that if Baby B was still head down, he would let me labor until Grafa got back...they were still trying to get in touch with him to find out his return time.  Baby B was still down...so labor away.

A few more hours pass and Sandman came back to let us know he had gotten in touch with Grafa and it was going to be 10 or 11 pm before he would be back...we couldn't wait that long.  We had to do a c-section....I was at peace with this....I had turned it over to God and this was His plan.  That doesn't mean I wasn't scared out of my mind.  I guess it's the unknown...I have had two vaginal births so I know I can do it...major abdominal surgery just seemed so scary.

At about 5:30 Dr. Sandman delivered two precious baby boys.  I could hear Beckem screaming like crazy....finally I heard Adler's cries....I could see the doctors and nurses working with the babies and I could tell something was going on with one of the babies....I could only see the doctor and nurses' eyes due to the masks and their eyes revealed a bit of worry and urgency.  They showed me Adler, then showed me Beckem and whisked them away.

Adler gulped some amniotic fluid during the birth and needed oxygen, Beckem's heart rate dropped to 90 right after birth.  They put both babies on oxygen, and iv fluids.  I didn't get to see them until late that night....I remember a nurse asking if I had seen them and I was crying telling her no and she wheeled my bed to the nicu to see them.  None of this was what I had planned...certainly not what I expected.  I was devastated to see my babies hooked to so many tubes and I couldn't even hold them much less nurse them as I had planned to do soon after birth.  I only got to see them a few minutes.

 I think it was day 2 that I finally got to hold them...things were a little blury...

Three days later, Dr. Rue came into my room to tell us Beckem needed to go to Dallas....she could hear a heart murmur.  I type through tears to relive this moment.  The helicopter was already on the way.  We went to the nicu as the team arrived....the flight nurses began prepping him for his trip.  One asked me if we had gotten a picture of them together yet...we hadn't....so she held Beckem over Adler's bed and let us take a picture....my heart just broke....I thought she was probably letting us do that because they didn't think Beckem would make it and she wanted me to have at least one picture of them together.

Taylor left as soon as the flight left so he would be there when Beckem arrived.  I obviously stayed behind since I wasn't discharged from the hospital yet.  Those next couple of nights were horrible...I was alone...Adler was still in the WNJ nicu, Beckem in Dallas, Taylor trying to work then be with Beckem after work.  I remember laying in my hospital bed at night and I could hear the mom in the room across the hall...actually I could hear her baby crying...and I cried...I felt completely sorry for myself and cried because I had TWO babies and not one of them were with me. 

A couple of days later, they decided Adler could leave the NICU and room with me like a normal baby...I was actually discharged but since he still needed hospital care, I was allowed to room in with him until his release....thank God!!  I was so grateful to have him with me and couldn't wait to be released so I could be with Beckem. 

Beckem saw a team of doctors...the cardiologist saw two holes in his heart...one ASD and one VSD.  Sometimes these close as the baby grows but one of his was so large they didn't expect it would close and surgery would be necessary in the future.  They also decided to do genetic/chromosome testing due to his large head, ear dips, long fingers and the VSD.  The poor little guy also had a grade 2 brain bleed. 

I finally got to Medical City so I could see Beckem.  He was so tiny, so pale, and hooked up to so many things...and the machine was beeping red and loud every time his oxygen dropped which was often.  I didn't know what to do...I tried to sing to him, but i couldn't stop crying....tried to talk to him but couldn't stop crying....the nurse that night, Mae, was so sweet...she came over and tried to comfort me.  The next several visits all I could do was hold him and cry...I would try to hold back the tears....but my dear friend Holly told me..."don't you dare hold back one tear of concern and love for that baby"...so I didn't. 

Our friends and family rallied around us with prayers, support, supplies, love, concern....We have never felt so covered in prayer by God's children.  I saw God like I have never seen Him before....he provided a place for us to stay near Beckem, the Ronald McDonald House, protected us while traveling to and from the hospital, allowed my mom to be there with us for a week to care for Adler while I was with Beckem...I could go on and on....He poured blessings upon us.  But most of all, He began healing Beckem in ways the doctors couldn't explain....He provided wonderful doctors, nurses, and therapists to work with Beckem.  Beckem's genetic testing came back completely normal...praise GOD!!!!  Finally, after 3 weeks, Beckem was going to come home!! 

We are now home adjusting to this crazy wonderful life with TWO babies!!  I truly love every single second...even at 2 am.  Beckem has lots of doctor appointments and requires some extra care at home with his feedings and meds.  He is a little weak due to his heart...he rarely cries but whimpers instead.  I feed him first to prevent him being stressed...poor Adler has to wait at times and he's very vocal about it!  Beckem can only drink a small amount due to some of the medicine he takes so his milk is fortified to have extra calories.  He never seems to mind that it's such a small amount and he eats voraciously!  Adler loves to eat too...he nurses some and sometimes it's easier to give him my milk in a bottle since I'm pumping anyway.  The only problem is that he spits up quite a bit with the bottle.

They are both growing so well and are absolutely precious.....I'm blessed beyond what I deserve...we serve a gracious God. 

Baby boys are here

They are both in the level 2 nursery. Beckem is doing best....Adler is having respiratory issues. He may have to go to Dallas....we will know in the am. They are on Iv fluids...I will update as soon as I can.


How crazy that Beckem was the one doing the best in the beginning!  

Nursery and 35.5 week update

 

Here I am at 35 1/2 weeks

The swelling in my ankles and feet is down right ridiculous.  They return to a somewhat normal state by morning, but as soon as I get up and move around for a few minutes, they blimp back out....and it's uncomfortable!  They throb and hurt and nothing seems to bring relief.  I am only working half days this week so I come straight home and sit in the recliner.  The swelling still doesn't improve much.  

Dr. Gore update this week: Baby A weighs about 5 pounds 12 ounces and Baby B is about 6 pounds 6 ounces....and Baby B made the turn and is now head down!!!  On Monday he was still breech, on Thursday, he had turned.  Every doctor and nurse told me that there's no way this baby had room to turn this late.  I told them that I'm still having late night prayers and conversations with this baby and I'm certain God can handle turning a tiny little baby since he spoke our entire universe into existence....Glory be to God!! 

I realize there are still a zillion things that can require a c-section, but with both babies in position, I can at least try for a vaginal delivery.  I have complete faith that God knows the best way for these babies to enter the world and I have fantastic doctors who are watching everything so closely.  

How about some nursery pics??

Rocking chair from my sweet friend Tori

Crocheted quilts made by my mom--Grammy 

Crocheted blankie on chair made by my sweet former student Carly's grandmother   

Cribs from Baby Depot

Mobiles from Target

stuffed animal turtles made by Grammy

Quilts and bed skirts made by me

Shelves and letters from Hobby Lobby

Letters mod podged with scrap book paper by me

The glass turtle was a mother's day gift from Gavin when he was 4 years old

 The changing table is our wine shelf thingie...who would've thought I'd trade in my wine storage to change baby diapers! ;-)

 Close up of their quilts I made this summer

 Their pillows I made--embroidered by Carol Hosman.

 

I just realized I forgot a picture of the window and their closet....and going back up the stairs right now to take more pictures just isn't happening! 

 

Have a great weekend!!!

Angela

 

34 weeks pregnant twin boys

34 weeks

This was last week...I'll be 35 weeks in 2 days...but who's counting?!  A week ago Baby A was weighing about 4 pounds 6 ounces and Baby B about 4 pounds 12 ounces.  

This week has been one of the most difficult weeks I have had.  We received the shocking, tragic news that our beloved principal suddenly passed away Wednesday morning.  We were told about 9 am that morning, and had to carry on as normally as possible so that the kiddos didn't know...truly one of the hardest days. The memorial service was yesterday and somehow it still doesn't feel real that she's gone.  

On Friday, I noticed severe swelling in my feet and ankles after lunch...had the school nurse check my blood pressure which was elevated so I went to check everything out....of course my doc is closed on Friday afternoons so I went to WNJ.  They hooked up the monitors....the babies looked perfect but I was contracting every 2-3 minutes.  The cervix was still closed but was soft.  My doc is out of town, so doc on call felt like I was dehydrated.  They ran 2 bags of IV fluids and the contractions slowed to 11 minutes apart.  At this point, I was released to go home but instructed to return if the contractions were 10 minutes apart or less for an hour....didn't sound like much wiggle room to me!  

My contractions continued throughout Friday night, Saturday morning I timed and they were 6-8 minutes apart.  I prayed that I could just make it to Sheryl's funeral at 2 and God allowed that to happen.  We ran one errand after the funeral then home to relax...but the contractions were constant and painful.  Finally, about 7 pm, after talking to the labor and delivery nurses, back I go to WNJ.  

They checked my urine and said I'm severely dehydrated.  I just don't understand how after receiving iv fluids the day before and drinking like crazy all day saturday.  The cervix was still closed so all the contractions weren't changing things.  The doctor on call decided I needed to stay overnight to run more iv fluids and monitor the babies.  

This morning, my urine still shows ketones, but they certainly don't feel I'm dehydrated....they don't know why I still have ketones.  They let me come home and I'll see Dr. Grafa tomorrow.  I'm so dang happy to be home...I have so much trouble getting comfortable at home....that horrible hospital bed was torture!!!  I think I slept a total of an hour last night, so I've been napping today.  So I'm home, with my little family, in my recliner, with my two boys bringing me water, snacks...anything I need.  

Taylor certainly deserves some kind of medal....he leaves for work at 6 am every morning and doesn't get home until 7 or 8 pm most nights.  He is doing laundry, making meals, cleaning, grocery shopping, yard work....and putting up with me!  I am so grateful for such a wonderful husband.  

It's hard to believe that we will be meeting these baby boys very soon!  All of your prayers and help mean so much to us....much love!!!

 

 

32 weeks pregnant twins

32 weeks

 I think my  belly grows by the day!  The babies are both about 4 pounds.  Baby A was 3 pounds 14 ounces and Baby B was 4 pounds 1 ounce.  Cervix is still long and closed.  I was thinking that at this point it should think about making some sort of changes!  These babies may stay in until 38 weeks, but I just don't know how I could teach that long.  I'm still teaching full time...maybe a couple more weeks and I'll start half days.  Just trying to hang on as long as I can.  I could probably get more teaching accomplished if I didn't have to make 90 bathroom trips a day...one of the things I have in common with 6 year olds is that they have tiny bladders so they go quite a bit as well!  

 

Gavin's cast definitely comes off on October 4th...Yay!!  That's my next Dr. Gore appointment as well so I'll have updated weights.  

 

I was reading something that had things you can do to prepare for an easier labor....one was to do squats...that's the funniest thing I've heard in awhile! The only squat this gal is doing anytime soon is to lower myself to the potty 90 times a day and hope and pray I have the strength to get myself back off of the potty!! 

 

Have a great rest of the week!  

30 weeks pregnant twins and Names

30 weeks

 

I'm actually 31 weeks but I'm always behind with my pictures.  We don't see Dr. Gore again until this Friday, so I will have updated weights then.  I am blessed to be able to still be working.  I have contractions constantly, but they aren't regular and aren't changing the cervix so they are definitely braxton hicks.  They still hurt though and it wears me out just dealing with contractions all day and night.  

I'm hardly ever hungry and it's a struggle sometimes to force myself to eat something.  We have been blessed by girls from our bible study group who are bringing food each week.  God certainly knows our needs and provides.  

I'm huge...I've gained over 50 pounds...I hurt everywhere...my back, hips, thighs, ankles, feet, joints....everywhere!!  It's very difficult to get comfortable especially at night.  

The nursery is finished (I'll post pics soon) they have some diapers, clothes, car seats and a place to sleep....We still have things to get for them but they have the essentials.  We have a registry at target and at www.myregistry.com:-)

Now for their names...

We let Gavin choose their middle names....he wanted one to be Jace which I thought was really sweet...he loves his big brother Jacek.  I suggested that if we are naming one after Jacek that we use Gavin's middle name for the other.  Gavin thought about it for a couple of days and agreed.  So we will name them:

 Beckem Jace

&

Adler Trask 

I can hardly believe we are getting so close to meeting them!  I'll update this weekend after Dr. Gore appointment.  Have a great week! 

 

 

28 weeks pregnant with twin boys

28 weeks

I was 28 weeks last Tuesday.  The babies were weighing about 2 pounds 6 ounces and 2 pounds 4 ounces.  They are constantly on the move and it seems they are karate chopping each other most of the time.  I am officially back at work and have the sweetest group of first graders.  I'm not gonna lie....it's HARD and I am just going to take things one week at a time.  Right now I'm resting up over this holiday weekend and I'm ready for another week.  There's no way I could do it if it weren't for fantastic people I work with and Gavin is a HUGE help as well.  

Dr. Gore predicts I'll make it 38 weeks....he says everything is going so perfectly and he doesn't see any reason I won't. I sure hope so...I'm praying the babies will be born healthy and able to come home when I do.  

I still have so many contractions but nothing regular and they aren't changing the cervix so no worries.  I drink water like crazy which is supposed to help but all it seems to do is give me a permanent hangout spot in the bathroom.  

Taylor put together cribs and we got so many clothes, diapers, high chair, etc at our sweet baby shower last Saturday.  Today we went to buy car seats and a pack n play.  They have so much stuff and I can't believe there's still so much more they need!  

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend....I'm planning to RELAX!