Yesterday I saw the specialist, and he said that I am stable enough to not have to see him next week! I have seen him every week for the last 11 weeks, so it will be weird not to, but I think the great feast of turkey will help out. Honestly, I am a little freaked out to not go in to the doctor. It has been reassuring every week to see the babies on sonogram and to know that they are okay. I will need to work on patience and trust, I guess.
Kevin is coming on Wednesday, but can only stay for a while on Thursday. My mom and Grandma Theisen are going to come on Friday for the weekend. I always feel like we won a big competition when Grandma comes to us for a holiday. Having 11 kids of her own and 12 step kids can sure keep that woman busy! I think we are going to do some Christmas baking, so I am trying to come up with a way that I can make pumpkin cream cheese bread from the recliner....any ideas, let me know.
And a special comment for my fellow Grey's Anatomy fans....I am glad the Hahn/Callie thing is over. I never really bought into that story line-it seemed forced. Now I am not too excited about this Izzy thing. But I am really excited to see where this new Sgt. Kick Ass is going in the ER. I like that actor. And he kinda scares me.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
23 Weeks Today
I feel so good that we have made it this far, and we have only 11 weeks to go (as long as the babies stay where they are supposed to!) It was two weeks ago today that my doctor told me to change my plans and to go to Omaha right away for monitoring and the surgery. While the time hasn't gone too slowly, it hasn't flown by, either.
During the day I am working for the diocese as much a s possible. Today has been a very productive day in that regard. I have many summer camp items that I must take care of before the baby world hits. Therefore, I make it a point not to turn on the TV except during lunch. Which, by the way, is very hard, as my brother has a super sweet 40 inch high def TV. Colin Firth never looked so good.
It is weird to think that I won't be at home for three months. But I sure don't miss doing the housework! That will be hard to get back into.
My sisters, Sarah and Renee, made me a "bed rest kit" to help me occupy my time. It included puzzle books, novels, cards, and much more fun stuff. The best was the pocket Tetris. Man that is a good game.
The babies are moving more and more. I would have to say that Baby D (the one on top) is the most active. He just kicked right now...must have known I was talking about him. Baby C is always trying to steal the camera time during ultrasounds (like aunt Sarah), Baby B is a modest little girl, but she fights back when Baby D kicks her. Baby A, however, is the lowest, and therefore the last to get food and is smallest. But I am pretty sure that Baby A knows that he will be born first, and is waiting to receive redemption in "He who is last shall be first."
Kevin is coming to visit tonight and will stay through Thursday. I can't wait to see him.
Well, back to work! Love and peace to you.
During the day I am working for the diocese as much a s possible. Today has been a very productive day in that regard. I have many summer camp items that I must take care of before the baby world hits. Therefore, I make it a point not to turn on the TV except during lunch. Which, by the way, is very hard, as my brother has a super sweet 40 inch high def TV. Colin Firth never looked so good.
It is weird to think that I won't be at home for three months. But I sure don't miss doing the housework! That will be hard to get back into.
My sisters, Sarah and Renee, made me a "bed rest kit" to help me occupy my time. It included puzzle books, novels, cards, and much more fun stuff. The best was the pocket Tetris. Man that is a good game.
The babies are moving more and more. I would have to say that Baby D (the one on top) is the most active. He just kicked right now...must have known I was talking about him. Baby C is always trying to steal the camera time during ultrasounds (like aunt Sarah), Baby B is a modest little girl, but she fights back when Baby D kicks her. Baby A, however, is the lowest, and therefore the last to get food and is smallest. But I am pretty sure that Baby A knows that he will be born first, and is waiting to receive redemption in "He who is last shall be first."
Kevin is coming to visit tonight and will stay through Thursday. I can't wait to see him.
Well, back to work! Love and peace to you.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
How lucky we are
I would never have guessed it, but I have to say that Kevin and I are truly blessed with this pregnancy. Sure, it is high risk from many angles, I am totally hormonal most of the time, and we don't know how we are going to afford to live as a family of six so quickly, but even so, we are lucky.
I have met many other women who are in a high risk pregnancy as well, and they have all gone through so much trouble...from getting pregnant, to maintaining the pregnancy, to severe complications. Though it seemed like that first year of our marriage would never lead to a baby, we didn't need to go through any evasive procedures to get pregnant. It only took one treatment for my issue, and bam! We had quads. I still remember hyperventilating in the ultrasound room, and Kevin trying to calm me down. That shock will never go away, but I see that shock as being a sign of the blessing to come now.
We are further blessed with an awesome brother, Phillip, and sister-in-law, Kelly, who have taken me into their home. Being so close to the hospital is awesome, and a great comfort. Philip hasn't gotten bored, yet, with filling my pitcher with ice water or making my meals. I try to keep out of their way, and Kevin and I hope to give them some time alone when he comes to visit once a week.
Today we had our weekly visit with the specialist. they measured every body part of every baby, and we are thrilled to say that they all look good! Their organs are functioning perfectly, and boy are they growing! Babies A, B, and C are 1.1 pounds, and D is 1.2 pounds. Their heartbeats are right where they should be, too.
At today's appointment, they measured my cervix, and it is up to 3.3 cm. (That's good news.)Before my surgery, it was 2.5 cm, so the cerclage was a success. My doctor also said I must be following my bed rest rules, too, in order for it to be that good.
The most exciting thing for me is that I can finally feel the babies move! It seems like it took forever to feel them , and now they are kicking me really good. The other night I had the phone to my belly so that Kevin could talk to them, and Baby C got all excited and kicked hard! Kevin was here Wednesday and today, and he had a number of opportunities to feel them move, too.
I hook up to a monitor for an hour every morning and an hour every evening. So far, I haven't had too many contractions. At least, nothing to worry about. One night I did have 4 in one hour, but I monitored again, and all was good. I had two this morning, too, but I can't really feel them yet...thank goodnesss.
Well, Philip is home, and I better harass him a little.
Have a great day!
I have met many other women who are in a high risk pregnancy as well, and they have all gone through so much trouble...from getting pregnant, to maintaining the pregnancy, to severe complications. Though it seemed like that first year of our marriage would never lead to a baby, we didn't need to go through any evasive procedures to get pregnant. It only took one treatment for my issue, and bam! We had quads. I still remember hyperventilating in the ultrasound room, and Kevin trying to calm me down. That shock will never go away, but I see that shock as being a sign of the blessing to come now.
We are further blessed with an awesome brother, Phillip, and sister-in-law, Kelly, who have taken me into their home. Being so close to the hospital is awesome, and a great comfort. Philip hasn't gotten bored, yet, with filling my pitcher with ice water or making my meals. I try to keep out of their way, and Kevin and I hope to give them some time alone when he comes to visit once a week.
Today we had our weekly visit with the specialist. they measured every body part of every baby, and we are thrilled to say that they all look good! Their organs are functioning perfectly, and boy are they growing! Babies A, B, and C are 1.1 pounds, and D is 1.2 pounds. Their heartbeats are right where they should be, too.
At today's appointment, they measured my cervix, and it is up to 3.3 cm. (That's good news.)Before my surgery, it was 2.5 cm, so the cerclage was a success. My doctor also said I must be following my bed rest rules, too, in order for it to be that good.
The most exciting thing for me is that I can finally feel the babies move! It seems like it took forever to feel them , and now they are kicking me really good. The other night I had the phone to my belly so that Kevin could talk to them, and Baby C got all excited and kicked hard! Kevin was here Wednesday and today, and he had a number of opportunities to feel them move, too.
I hook up to a monitor for an hour every morning and an hour every evening. So far, I haven't had too many contractions. At least, nothing to worry about. One night I did have 4 in one hour, but I monitored again, and all was good. I had two this morning, too, but I can't really feel them yet...thank goodnesss.
Well, Philip is home, and I better harass him a little.
Have a great day!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Ready or not, here we come!
Today I am 21 weeks and 3 days pregnant. While I think that adding the days is bit much, I know that it makes me feel as though we have accomplished something every 24 hours. I am reminded of Bill Murray's character in What about Bob? when he is always taking baby steps...little goals so he doesn't get overwhelmed by the world. In his case, it was germs. In our case, it is getting to 34 weeks, the best time for our babies to be born.
Tuesday I went in for my regular weekly ultrasound, and unfortunately my cervix had shortened and there was "funneling." The official condition is incompetent cervix. Nice. Just what a woman wants to hear. So, the doctor sent me to Omaha right away, I checked into Creighton Med Center, and they started to monitor for contractions. I wasn't having that many ....nothing to really worry about, anyway. The next morning, I was headed for surgery. I have heard that you lose all your modesty when you are pregnant, but I had NO IDEA of the extent.
Anyway, the surgery went very well. They put a stitch (like a pull string purse) on my cervix to keep the babies in. My favorite part was at the beginning, as they were giving me the spinal, they had me sitting facing a wall with a LONG table of instruments on it. None of the instruments were anything I ever had seen before, nor did I like to think that they would be anywhere near my body. Then my doctor goes to the table, picks one up, and says, "Let's try to do this without the instructions today! What do you think?" I like it that he has a sense of humor.
They followed with an ultrasound of the babies, and they still are doing great. Excellent heartbeats and everything.
They kept me in the hospital for another night, and I was released yesterday to my brother's house in Council Bluffs. I was very glad for Aunt Patty, Cousin Mandy, and the twins making a visit after Kevin had to return to Sioux City.
Kevin will come to visit us on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but I will be missing him the rest of the time.
My favorite part about Creighton's hospital: It is a Catholic institution, right? There was a crucifix on the wall and everything. Then, on the side table, there was a Bible. A Gideon's Bible. They aren't Catholic! It's the total wrong translation! You'd think the diocese could spring for a good ol' New American Bible. Someone's going to hear about this!
Well, that's all for now. I am still working for the diocese as long as I can, and I need to get caught up with our summer camp registration website!
Peace to you all.
Tuesday I went in for my regular weekly ultrasound, and unfortunately my cervix had shortened and there was "funneling." The official condition is incompetent cervix. Nice. Just what a woman wants to hear. So, the doctor sent me to Omaha right away, I checked into Creighton Med Center, and they started to monitor for contractions. I wasn't having that many ....nothing to really worry about, anyway. The next morning, I was headed for surgery. I have heard that you lose all your modesty when you are pregnant, but I had NO IDEA of the extent.
Anyway, the surgery went very well. They put a stitch (like a pull string purse) on my cervix to keep the babies in. My favorite part was at the beginning, as they were giving me the spinal, they had me sitting facing a wall with a LONG table of instruments on it. None of the instruments were anything I ever had seen before, nor did I like to think that they would be anywhere near my body. Then my doctor goes to the table, picks one up, and says, "Let's try to do this without the instructions today! What do you think?" I like it that he has a sense of humor.
They followed with an ultrasound of the babies, and they still are doing great. Excellent heartbeats and everything.
They kept me in the hospital for another night, and I was released yesterday to my brother's house in Council Bluffs. I was very glad for Aunt Patty, Cousin Mandy, and the twins making a visit after Kevin had to return to Sioux City.
Kevin will come to visit us on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but I will be missing him the rest of the time.
My favorite part about Creighton's hospital: It is a Catholic institution, right? There was a crucifix on the wall and everything. Then, on the side table, there was a Bible. A Gideon's Bible. They aren't Catholic! It's the total wrong translation! You'd think the diocese could spring for a good ol' New American Bible. Someone's going to hear about this!
Well, that's all for now. I am still working for the diocese as long as I can, and I need to get caught up with our summer camp registration website!
Peace to you all.
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