Merry Christmas Eve Eve

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. It is before the official "holiday," but you can still act like it is the real deal. In school you slacked off and made the teachers totally nuts, in college you were on break and were at home hanging with the family, and in real life you spend your day chatting with coworkers about holiday plans, eat holiday treats, and leave work early (if you aren't on bed rest, that is). I love it.

The greatest thing about this year, for me, is that I can eat all I want, GUILT FREE! Sure, I get full fast, but there is always more food when it settles!

Today we have officially made it to 28 Weeks. Totally awesome. I had an appointment today where they do a biophysical exam. In this they look for practice breathing, movement, and tone. All four babies passed, so we are good to go. However, my UA showed 2+ protein (at 4+ I will be in the hospital until the end). They sent me to the lab to run a few more tests just to make sure all is good. Apparently, in high order multiple pregnancies, pre eclampsia shows up in lab work before the blood pressure rises. (Interesting useless fact for you all).

I am having about 2 contractions an hour, so the meds are doing their job. We want to make it four more weeks, baby!

Kevin will be here for Christmas Eve and Day, and then he has to go back to Sioux City for work. My family is coming to Omaha this weekend for our Christmas. I can't wait to see my adorable nieces! I am looking forward to cheesy potatoes the most.

The picture at the top are of my cousins, the Schultes. They all came over to visit last night, and brought their little toddlers. There were three total, and I am not sure how I will handle four after seeing these kids. I am sure God knows something that I don't. Well, He better, anyway.

Merry Christmas!

Big & Getting Bigger

I have been getting requests for an updated picture, so here you go!

Tomorrow is the big 28 Weeks mark. Tomorrow I have an appointment where they do something called a biophysical. Normal pregnancies would have a nonstress test, but because there are so many babies in there, that test would be impossible. So, we are doing this one instead. I have no idea what it will be like, but starting next week I will have two a week. Awesome.

Take care, and enjoy the new pics!

It's a sunshine day!

Well, the sun is shining now, anyway. We might get a storm or something later, but I doubt it.

Anyway, I had another doctor's visit today, and we are all doing great! Baby A weighs 2'4, Baby B weighs 2'1, Baby C weighs 2'5, and Baby C weighs 2'6. Dr. Barsoom said things are looking really really good. Even though Baby B is a little smaller, she is still in a good range. They are all moving tons, too, which is good. The more they move the more prepared they will be for the outside world.

As I have said before, our first goal is 28 weeks, which will be on Dec 23. Our second goal, then, is 32 weeks. After that, Dr. Barsoom says everything is gravy. Those were his words, too.

I haven't slept well the last few nights...there is just too much going on inside me head! Now that we've got more good news, I am going to try and take a good nap today.

Love to you all, and thank you soooo much for your prayers. Every night as Kevin and I pray for our babies, we thank God for such wonderful friends, family, and coworkers.

Four Ring Circus

I don't know what has gotten into these kids of mine, but today they think that they have free reign of my belly. This morning they weren't moving a lot, and so I decided to lay down for a bit and stretch out. That was the beginning...They haven't stopped moving since. Even as I type, I can see four parts of my belly moving at once. They aren't just kicking, either, they are flipping, turning, and doing whatever else it is they are doing!

The terbutaline pump thing they gave me is doing it's job. I was having 3 contractions an hour when I monitored in the morning and afternoon. Now I am having 0 to one, which is awesome. The only real issue I have been having is accidentally ripping out the catheter from my thigh. I even super tape it up, so I don't know what I am doing wrong! I am slowing getting used to poking myself to hook up the site. I didn't realize that I would see so many needles in pregnancy!

We finally got some snow here in Council Bluffs, and it is pretty. However, I hope that it doesn't affect the roads. My in-laws are coming this weekend, and I want to see them!!

Today we are 27 weeks....my second major goal for the babies is to make it to 28 Weeks. Babies tend to have less major problems after that mark. My doctor told me the other day that every day the babies are in the uterus is equal to 3 days in the NICU. That makes every day feel like a triumph.

At Home...Or Philip and Kelly's anyway

The doctors decided that the babies and I are good to go, and so Kevin picked me up and we are now at Philip and Kelly's. I will soooooo not miss the hospital bed or the extra monitors. I am, however, going to miss the awesome pancakes and bacon I had every morning.

I guess there isn't too much new here. I am just glad to be back here.

And for those who keep up with "The Office," I would have held out for the copier.

Back again...

Well, today I am blogging from my wonderful room at Creighton Medical Center. Sunday I had too many contractions, and wasn't feeling so hot, so the doc told me to come in. So Baby Brother and Kelly packed me up and off to the hospital we went. Originally I was just going to stay the night, but when I woke up, they told me I would be staying for two more nights!

My ultrasound showed some more cervical change, and so they changed the plan. They gave me one of two steroid shots (to help the babies' lungs grow quicker) and put me on a terbutaline pump (like an insulin pump only bigger and less cool) to give me medicine slowly through the day to stop contractions. I haven't had another contraction since they started me on meds, but this pump thing makes me shaky as all get out (what does that phrase even mean?). I can't say I'm fond of it, but it's all for the babies.

I am sorry that I missed my cousin Michael's Confirmation on Sunday. I was his sponsor, so here's a little Holy Spirit shout out to you, Michael! :)

Hopefully my next blog will be from Philip and Kelly's, and my hands won't be so darn shaky!!!
Love to you all.

Latest Photos

This first picture is of me today, at 25 Weeks and 2 days. The picture below is from 23 Weeks.

Today's doctor appointment went well. The babies are doing great, but my blood pressure was a *little* higher than usual. Nothing to worry about yet, I guess.

The other exciting news is that we finally bought a minivan! It isn't the fanciest or newest of vans, but it will work out perfect for us and our family. It has a VCR player in it, which is awesome. I don't know that I have too many VCR tapes anymore, but I know I have Swiss Family Robinson on VHS. My step dad, Rick, mentioned our "situation" to a friend of his, and he offered to sell us his van at a really, really good price. I am glad that mini van thing is taken care of now! Kevin brought it down to Council Bluffs for me to see yesterday, and it is in really great condition. It will be awhile before I drive it, of course!

The babies will be born in 9 weeks at the most. I can't believe it. Any of it. That we are having four babies OR that they will be here in two months. Am I ready? Ready to be not pregnant, yes. Ready to be a mom, yet. Ready for four at once, not sure....

Never Alone

Sure, I spend my days not seeing another face until around 4pm, but I am certainly never alone.

Saturday night I woke up at like 3am with some severe acid reflux. I sat up in bed and waited for it to subside, and after a few minutes laid back down. I was afraid to go back to sleep, lest it return, so I just laid there, awake. You might think I would get restless, but the babies were moving so much that it kept me entertained until I felt like the stomach upset was gone.

Maybe there will come a time when I get sick of all the movement, but for right now, it is keeping me company while I am in hiding--or on bed rest; you pick. It is fun trying to figure out which one is moving and noticing when the other babies move to fight back (in a loving way, of course).

Thanksgiving was nice. My in-laws came and spent the day here on Wednesday, and Kevin was able to stay until about 3pm on Thursday. We went to my sister-in-law's mom's house for dinner, and of course it was delicious. Then Mom and Rick came on Friday and stayed until Sunday. Kelly and mom did some hard core Christmas baking with my supervision from the recliner. I dipped the peanut butter balls in the chocolate, so I felt like I contributed. We played some Monopoly, too, which was awesome. I totally lost, but it was super fun anyway!

The best part of the holiday was waking up to the first snow on Sunday morning. I love snow. It makes everything look beautiful.

Good News

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.

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.

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!

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.