29 weeks!!!! - Follow up, a rocking chair, presents & visitors!

Hooray hooray hooray!!! Another week has gone by with the twinnies still in my belly! There's another two to three weeks shaved off of their NICU stay! We've now made it to 29 weeks, what a blessing! I am getting bigger and much more uncomfortable, but it's SOO worth it. And, that's just kind of what happens when you've got TWO babies in your tummy anyways, ha ha. I didn't think we would be able to make it this long, here's to another week! Last night I was having some pains, but it just turns out that Cameron decided to turn head down. The burning sensation in my cervix still comes and goes, but not nearly as often as it was. I had a scary experience Monday before last though...woke up and my back was killlling me. Pain was just awful, could hardly breathe or move. And my entire abdomen area was burning but not contracting. I felt like I had been hit by a bus and lit on fire. Texted my doctor and he said to not stress because it was just a bad back spasm. I was like what?! But, they're very common for mommies on bed rest. They can be quite painful and feel similar to back labor pains. Within several minutes the burning stopped and my back was back to normal by twenty or thirty mins or so. Sooo glad that hasn't happened again! I for sure thought I was in labor, kept thinking nooo, they can't come yet!! Luckily all has been fine since. Just normal aches, pains and ligaments stretching. Oh, my second glucose test came back perfect! Woo hoo!

Bed rest is really hard on your body, and mind sometimes. Besides the aches and pains from only being able to lay on your sides, you also lose muscle and get weak which causes painful muscle strains and spasms. You can also feel very cooped up and have a lot of time to dwell, but it really hasn't been that terrible! Luckily I have my mom and Slinky for company during the day while Blake's at work. My poor back though, sometimes I start to tip forward when getting up because my back and abs aren't used to my belly weight since I'm not allowed to be up and walking around, ha ha. So it all just feels extra heavy to me. And showering has become quite the task, my legs are wobbly by the time I'm done. So sad because they are not long showers by any means! I do what few exercises I can in bed, but nothing is as good as being up and mobile. I told mom and Blake that I'm just going to be a big blob of goo with a belly by the time these babies get here, ha ha. Especially if we can make it several more weeks. So grateful that bed rest and these very unpleasant pills have kept our sweet babies in there though! And it really hasn't been that terrible, I don't mean to complain. It really doesn’t feel like almost five weeks. So happy to have my mom here to chat with, otherwise I'm sure I would have totally gone insane by now, lol.

We had a follow up ultrasound today to check on my cervix. We found out that it actually lengthened some again! Everyone's amazed I haven't had these babies yet. It only lengthened a tiny bit, but we will take it! Up to 2cm now, scariest was 1.1. Both babies look fantastic, are measuring big, and are both head down for the second time ever. Cameron weighed in at 2 lbs 13 ounces and Claire is 2 lbs 8 ounces. Both babies have almost exactly doubled their weights since their last weight check 4 weeks ago! His heart rate was 145 today and hers was 158. Of course they were fighting again lol, but we are glad they're so active. Cameron is laying over her, so you can't blame her for being fiesty ;) My high risk specialist was "just tickled" with how well things are going. I can even quit my pills that make me feel horrible if I want. I think I will wean myself off though, too chicken to quit them cold turkey. I will now be seen weekly by my ob for BPPs (stress test that monitors babies' hearts to see if they're in any distress and also contraction monitoring). And I will still see my high risk doctor weekly for ultrasounds to check on the babies' cords, fluid, hearts, etc. But no more cervical ultrasounds, yay! They said I have graduated, he he. How cute is Cameron's 4d face shot?!?!? :) There aren't words for how I felt when I saw this sweet little face today. I wanted to bawl but was just too happy and mesmorized!  I can only imagine what it's going to be like when we get to actually meet them! For not being mine or Blake's DNA, he's totally got my nose, he he :) Wish Claire was more visible, extremely curious to see if they look a ton alike or nothing at all, ha ha. They are full blood siblings. 

At 29 weeks the babies are growing like weeds! They're approximately 17 inches long this coming week, and all of their organs are fully formed and working. Their eyes are open and blinking, etc. We got to see Cameron blink today! Claire was hiding/squished underneath him though, so not many pics of her. But they just need to chub up now! Blake is insisting that I will go full term and that they'll be 6 or 7 pounders, lol. But we will see what happens. My doctor said the biggest twins he's ever delivered were 7.5 pounds each! I already look and feel like I may pop, but I'm curious to see how huge my belly will get before this is all over :) Keep growing babies, we love you and are sooo excited to meet you...when you've cooked longer that is!! ;)

These last two weeks have been great! My granny, sister, and her insanely cute baby girl came to visit, along with my daddio! Was sooo nice to have them to visit with. Totally made my days brighter! Dad got us tons of yummy Rudy's BBQ, and we watched lots of movies while he was here. Very relaxing. It took him til the very last minute he was here before he felt one of the babies move though, ha ha. I was getting so frustrated he couldn't feel them because they're so wild usually, ha ha. Blake got to take my sister and gma to a great Mexican place for some yummy food when they came. They got giant burritos, Sonoran style hot dogs and tortas. Wish I didn't have food allergies, sounded soo yummy! And of course it was a blast for me and mom to get to play with the baby. Cutest little bed rest buddy EVER! She got to break in the twins crib, walker and bouncer while she was here. Couldn't think of a cuter little person to do it! Granny also brought the beautiful quilts she made for Cameron and Claire! Such a talented lady, she did such a beautiful job! All hand stitched. Mom also crocheted Claire a beautiful afghan, is working on Cameron's now, made them adorable beanies for the hospital & got me the Twin Z Pillow and wall decor I wanted so badly. My sisters also got me the car seat I wanted for Claire! I have had lots of fun lately,and feel so spoiled! It makes us so much more excited for the babies' arrival!! Here's some pics :) Oh! And the rocking chair/recliner I ordered for the babies' room came too! Yay for awesome deals online! Soo squishy and soft, can't wait to rock our two beautiful little ones in it! Still can't believe we are finally getting babies after so many years of heartache...and twins to boot!! Feeling so blessed, grateful, and a little nervous... ;)

 
 

 
 
 

 

You might be on bed rest, if...

Here's my bed rest version of "You might be a redneck, if..." :)

YOU MIGHT BE ON BED REST, IF... 

(Bed rest: noun - confinement of an invalid to bed as part of treatment)...ha ha, I definitely feel like an invalid. It's hard for me to accept help, I love being the helper instead! :(

1. Your husband spends his entire lunch (usually consisting of weird and random things because you're out of commission) break upstairs eating by your bedside just so he can still see you! 

2. Your night stand looks like something from Hoarders! 

3. You look this happy (and want to cry tears of joy!) after taking just a three minute shower and getting clean sheets!

 4. You can no longer see your legs or toes over your growing belly!

 5. Your poor dog thinks you're dying and checks on you a dozen times a day!

6. Your bed has 9 different pillows on it and they ALL have a specific purpose!

7. Going downstairs + blow up mattress + a sonic slush + redbox movies = a super fun vacation! 

8. You sound, feel and look like a giant, bloated walrus while struggling to turn to your other side in bed!

9. You hear water, or finally get super comfortable...and you suddenly have to pee, AGAIN...

10. You rub your legs together like a cricket because you know that there's no point in trying to scratch what itches on your leg...it's just not possible anymore! 

11. You have become a pro at finding people, shapes and animals on your walls and ceiling!

12. Your idea of a hot date these days is your hubby shaving your prickly legs in bed with his Norelco while you sip ginger ale! It's the small things...

13. You hobble around and hang onto walls like an ancient old woman because you're stiff and dizzy from laying on your sides in bed 24/7!

I keep saying this, but it's true!! So grateful for my Mom! We just know these babies would have already come without her help! Yay for bed rest and awesome help!!! Keep cookin teenies! 

Photocredits: Google images

28 weeks!!! - Second goal reached, Glucose test & Belly jelly!

We are SOO thrilled and grateful to say that we have made it to our SECOND goal!!! 28 weeks! I was hopeful that we might but wasn't sure we would actually make it because my cervix were so short. But because we have been able to keep our sweet babies in my belly for FOUR more weeks, their chance of survival went from just 30% to 90!! A huge blessing, and less for us to worry about! I hate to think what could have happened should my cervix have insisted on them coming at 24 weeks. We could have lost one or both of them and it just makes me sick to think about. Our hearts couldn't have handled that!! So lucky to be so blessed by great bed rest results, my wonderful slave/babysitter/food & drink fairy (my Momma!), and these not so fun pills (still giving me migraines from heck and insane hot flashes!). We are hopeful that the twinnies may keep cooking for four more weeks though! Next goal is 30 weeks! My doctor will lift some of my restrictions at 32 because bed rest isn't nearly as effective at that point. I'm sure I've already said that before but oh well. I'm tired, ha ha. He said I could go to Wet n' Wild if I'm still pregnant at 34 weeks ;) Made me laugh.

Growing belly, babies are definitely getting bigger!

I had my first appointment today with Dr. O since being on bed rest. He didn't want me venturing out of the house more than absolutely necessary, so I haven't seen him since the hospital. He high fived me and mom today at my appointment and said he is so proud of us and appreciates how hard and uncomfortable strict bed rest is! :) I didn't have a cervical recheck at the high risk office today because there was an appointment and insurance coverage mixup, but we go back next week. Today's funny...Dr. O got out the belly jelly for my ultrasound and didn't know the lid wasn't on tight. He shook it super hard and it flew all over his pant leg and globs of it was all over on the floor. His face was flaming red cause he thought he got it on mom too, ha ha. It was quite entertaining, we all laughed quite hard. Definitely needed it! He said he was happy to provide entertainment since bed rest is boring, lol.

I had my second glucose drink test done today at Dr. O's office also. Fruit punch flavored, yummy!! We should know my results by tomorrow or Monday. Hopefully it comes back perfect again! I think it will because mom took my blood sugar last night and it was great. I have been craving meats and sweets since my last test. So, I am hoping all of the peeps, ginger ale, and yummy banana cupcakes I've been having lately won't effect my levels too badly ;)

The babies heart rates sounded great today. Claire is still head down (cephalic) right on my cervix. And Cameron is still sideways (transverse) facing downward. So all of their legs and feetsies are still in one area, my right side. It's a very active spot, ha ha. With how they're positioned now, if I deliver soon or even later at 32 weeks, it'll require a csection. Just because once Claire is out doesn't mean that Cameron will cooperate and turn head down. He may turn breech. But we will see what happens over the next few weeks. Nothing scheduled for now.

Baby heart beats!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!

Peeps!! - Nothing better than presents in the mail while on bed rest!

Peeps!! I LOVE peeps, always have. And thanks to family friend, Kay Dell, I now have lots :) And cute stuffed peep toys! I have never tried bubble gum peeps, they taste like bazooka bubble gum! Hubby bought me some mystery flavor peeps also. I'm so excited! There's nothing better than receiving gifts in the mail while on bed rest. Totally brightened my day!

Follow up cervical ultrasound tomorrow, praying I get to return home to my own bed. Will be 28 weeks this weekend!!! Our SECOND goal, woo!

Laying down pictures just aren't flattering ha ha, but that's ok...I'm going to enjoy a peep and take a nap soon :)

27 weeks - Hello 3rd trimester, Cervix recheck & A baby foot with a face!

Hooray hooray!! Had my weekly cervical ultrasound yesterday and I'm still at 1.8cm! Still scarily short, BUT so grateful to be able to return home and that it hasn't shortened. My worst measurement so far is 1.1cm. Anything below 1cm (that's only 1/3 of an inch!! Really?! That's all that's holding in my poor babies!!) and we go back to the hospital. We packed our hospital bags again yesterday morning before the appointment just in case, I think that's our good luck charm, ha ha. If we don't pack them we will jinx ourselves ;) Jk, it's totally everyone's prayers and faith that's making this miracle possible. Thank you for all of the love and concern! Well, both babies, their fluid, and cords, still look marvelous! My app says they're 15 inches long now and over 2 lbs! They also drink over a pint of amniotic fluid everyday. Their kidneys are fully functional as well as their bladders. Their fluid is traded out every three hours! Hopefully next ultrasound or the one after we can see how much they weigh and how long they are. I'm DYING to know since they start measuring the babies from head to toe starting this next week! Are they short and chubby? Or long and skinny? So fun to wonder! Cameron hasn't been very active the last day or so, I was starting to worry. But he must have just tuckered himself out by being a crazy little ninja baby allll the time because he definitely checked out fine today. He is a total womb hog! He has most of the middle and all of the top to himself. He also loves his picture taken, the tech thought he was pretty funny today. He would hold nice and still for all of the face shots, ha ha. Poor Claire is still squished down at the bottom, so her profile picture isn't as good. But, she's still adorable and waved to us while standing on her head. Cameron is sideways again. His heart rate was 147 and Claire's was 163. Both in the normal range. So extremely grateful they are healthy and growing well! It's so reassuring to see them doing well every week, as much as I don't like how many ultrasounds the poor things have to have :(

Dr. O called me today and said I'm doing fantastic! He is thrilled with the bed rest and meds results and said to keep doing exactly what I'm doing. He said now is not the time to decide to go for a walk, ha ha. I was like um nooo definitely not, I promise!! I see him next week for another glucose test and to touch base. He said he thinks we need to have a party for reaching our 28 week goal next weekend! I agree, ha ha. 95% survival rate, yay! Once I'm 28 weeks we also won't have to go to the further away hospital. We can go to the one closer that I was recently admitted to. Lovvved them! That would be such a drive to see the babies everyday if we had to go to the other hospital (it's better equipped for babies born under 28 weeks but is twice as far away), and their NICU stay is still likely to be one or two months if they're born in the next few weeks. So, crossing our fingers for another week and for the closer hospital! We will go wherever we need to though of course.

My belly is definitely getting bigger, it's so fun to see it grow. I thought I would be much wider and bigger at 6 months, but I'm growing more outward/forward. My ribs are aching more now along with my ab muscles, but that's ok! Keep growing little piglets! I still have to remain on strict bed rest even though my cervix hasn't changed. Realistically, I could go into labor at any time. So, Mom is still washing my hair over the side of the bed in a plastic bin, and I only am allowed to get up to potty and wash off my body in the shower when I can't stand myself anymore. Bed rest actually hasn't been that bad! My back and neck get quite sore (especially my neck!) from only laying on my sides, and the contraction medication that I take every 6 hrs gives me horrible headaches and hot flashes...but it will all be sooo worth it! I am willing to put up with whatever for our little bebes. Just want them here safely and as chubby as we can possibly get them!

Mom has been making me all sorts of yummy treats now that food is the highlight of my day, ha ha. Can't believe I haven't gained any weight, babies are still sucking it all out of me. Which is good! We're so grateful mom is here! I know I keep saying that but it's true! We lived far away from home for a few years and didn't see each other a ton, so it has been fun! Besides the two redboxes we rented, we haven't watched any tv cause we have so much fun visiting and giggling. We are hysterical at least once a day, ha ha. I'm sometimes afraid I'm gonna laugh the babies out of their home, ha ha. But we definitely need some laughter during this scary time! My sister and Granny are also coming to visit for a couple days and I am sooo stinkin excited! I almost started bawling when I found out. Company is going to be so fun! Cannot wait to see them and my cute little chubby baby niecey!! 

Here's a shot of my belly, Cameron's adorable face and poochy little lips (I just want to kiss them!), new profile of Claire waving, and apparently Cameron's foot comes with a face on it? lol ;) Funny how you can often find shapes and silly things on sonogram pictures. One of our very first sonogram pics we got after finding out it was twins, my uterus looked just like a fish swimming, with a gaping mouth off to the side and everything, so funny.

Babies bellaay! 

 Claire waving :)

 Foot with a face! Lol

 Handsome wittle guy!

2 weeks! - Here's to 2 more!

Well it was TWO WEEKS ago yesterday that I was admitted to the hospital. So grateful to have only been there for five days and that I've been able to rest at home! My doctor thought I was going to deliver, so glad to have been a rare case where the cervix actually lengthened a little after getting down so low. The twinnies are still right where we want them, keep cooking babies! I will be 27 weeks this weekend, once we hit 28 weeks their survival rate goes from 80% to 90+. I know I've already said that but it's such great news!! Praying I can last at least until then if they HAVE to arrive early. Otherwise we are hoping for 32 weeks or more! So grateful for my mom, she's here to stay until the babies are born and I'm recouped from having them. What an angel! Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers, we can feel them! I'm pretty sure it's the only reason these babies are still in my belly :) Follow up cervical ultrasound on Thursday! 

I love that I can't see my belly anymore when laying down, he he. My belly has grown an inch in the last three days!

26 weeks - Hip hip hooray!

Happy happy day!!! We got GOOD news at the ultrasound today. It's rare but my cervix actually lengthened some! We prayed soo hard that we wouldn't have to return to the hospital and were staying positive, but realistically weren't expecting good news given my recent dilation progress. My strict bedrest is working though, good job Mom!! She is taking SUCH good care of me. My cervix went from a 1.1 to 1.84! It is still funneled some but is contracting less. So that's great! Claire has also stayed head down, so that has helped with the pain. Her tiny bum bouncing off of and getting down into the funneling was painful. It feels like your cervix is on fire. We hope she says puts. Here's to hoping the twinnies can stay put for a couple more weeks at least! Next goal is 28 weeks. So proud and grateful that we reached our first goal, 26 weeks! The babies chance of survival has gone from 50% to 80. Another week or two and it goes up to 90!

So grateful for all of your thoughts and prayers, we literally can feel them! Keep em comin :) The babies fluid and heart rates are still great. I forgot to ask how much they weigh :( Claire's heart was 155bpm and Cameron's was 152. She's still head down and he has flipped breech again. He's our biggest wiggle worm. Just glad she is right by my cervix and not him, lol. She is more calm and likes to curl up. He's allll over the place. I love that they're so different. Had mom take a quick belly picture this morning when we got back. For some reason my belly doesn't look as big in this shirt, but it has definitely grown! My ribs have started aching.

This week the twins are approximately the size of an eggplant. That's over 9 inches long (head to bum, doesn’t count leggies!), and weighin in over two pounds. Their cute little eyelids are starting to open if they haven't already and they're continuing to pack on the weight. My app says their brains have become much more sophisticated this week, so they now react to light and sounds. But I have noticed them reacting to stuff for like two weeks now. So exciting!! 

Thanks for your prayers!! Follow up ultrasound in a week.

Pancakes in bed, a cheesecake & world's fastest hair cut!

Mom made pancakes and bacon for me when I woke up, so yummy! I'm definitely getting spoiled on bedrest. She also made us a gluten-free/dairy-free chocolate chip cheesecake, and gave me the world's fastest haircut, ha ha. The burning sensation in my cervix has unfortunately increased (more funneling), so we are doing everything we can to keep me on my sides and in bed. I've gotta be the best bedrest patient ever! So, she washed my hair in a plastic bin over the side of the bed, and then I stood up for about 20 seconds while she chopped 6-7 inches off the back of my hair for me. My hair was so long that it was making me extra hot while laying here. And it was also making my head sore from having it pulled up so much. My head feels ten pounds lighter now! I also listened to some Clay Walker today and read about bedrest exercises in my multiples book. Its been a good day, praying these littles stay in there til Saturday! Have another ultrasound tomorrow morning, we shall see if it's back to the hospital or not. Babies are still as wild as ever, least the hospital stay got them on a day schedule :)

My belly makes a pretty good table now a days! 

 Goodbye luscious locks..

 Hello deliciousness!

25 weeks - Bedrest, Peeps & Taking it one day at a time!

We had a follow up ultrasound today, unfortunately my cervix has shortened some more. When I'm contracting, my cervical length went from 1.9cm last Monday to 1.1 today (not good), and when I'm not contracting it went from a 2.5 to 2.7cm (tiny improvement but not common, wish it'd stay closed!). The cervix definitely has a mind of its own! Both babies have turned head down now, for the first time ever, so we are hoping it'll help ease some of the contractions and low burning pains without Claire's little buttcheeks being wedged down in the funneling (cervical dilation at top of cervix). Thankfully they didn't send us straight back over to the hospital, I was able to come back home and rest. Soo grateful! Waiting to hear from my doctor, and we have another cervical ultrasound on Thursday morning. Praying so hard that these babies can stay in there another few weeks. 26 weeks is our next goal, then 28. I'm currently 25.5. It's verrry scary to be having contractions and not able to feel them, AT ALL! I keep having nightmares that I'm going into labor and don't know it and then all of the sudden the babies are here. Today was the first time I have felt a cervical contraction and that's only because she was using the ultrasound probe. Apparently only my cervix are contracting and not my uterus? :o

So grateful for my Momma and all her help! Blake and I are trying to not be a big mess, but her help and positive attitude is taking such a burden off. She will never know how much this means to us. She's such a good Grammy, already doing anything she can to help her little grandbabies! And my awesome Granny is watching my sister's sweet little pumpkin so that my mom can be here with me. I am so lucky to have such awesome women in my family!

On the bright side, (besides the babies still looking perfect and big!!) we finalllly got a good bum bum picture of Claire today, ha ha. She's been such a little hider. We would catch a quick glimpse here and there, but never could get a good picture. Yay for an awesome ultrasound tech! Teri is my favorite tech at the high risk office. Even though the last couple of ultrasounds have been bad news, she still is funny, kind and takes her time so we can enjoy seeing the babies. Today Claire was beating upon her brother, last time he was getting her. Their little personalities are already so funny. She's super sneaky and he's not shy at all. Their little legs and feetsies are the cutest, and getting so strong! Their heads have grown as well, so their movements are quite crazy. I'm not sure how much they're loving me laying on my sides day and night (because they're more wiggly), but we thank Heavenly Father for everyday that goes by that they're still in there! Their chance of survival goes way up at 26 weeks. It's 80% at 26 weeks vs 30% at 24 weeks. So, keep cooking little pumpkins!!

It's a girl!

It's a boy!

Baby legs everywhere,  ha ha!

At 25 weeks the babies' nostrils that have been sealed off are opening if they haven't already, along with their eyes! They're approximately 1.7 lbs this week according to my app, but Cameron was already that last week if the ultrasound is accurate. They're packing on more fat and developing more blood vessels under the skin. Their little lungs and vocal cords are also getting ready for prime time. I got two shots at the hospital to help their lungs, so hopefully their surfactant levels are super charged now. That's what helps the lungs expand when they're born so they can breathe. I am craving meats big time! So funny cause I hated them the rest of the pregnancy. I all of the sudden love eggs again, and am enjoying some ginger ale and occasional sweets now. Mom brought me some Peeps back from the store tonight!! Highlight of my day! The third trimester has definitely brought on some major changes. My belly gets bigger by the day too and I love it!! At least what little weight gain I have had is all babies. Bed rest is not fun. My back is beyond killing me, my neck is a mess, the progesterone makes me break out in a nasty cold sweat nightly, contraction meds give you heartburn like no other, my shoulders and hips already hurt, and I can definitely feel more pressure down there when I get up since I'm down all the time now. But, bring on the misery!! We are sooo blessed by this pregnancy. Although our situation is stressful, it could be much, much worse. So glad they didn't decide to come last week!! We will do WHATEVER it takes to get these babies here safely. Taking it one day at a time...small victories are awesome too!

A quick Peeps pic after a super quick bathroom run! Yummy!

Thanks for all of your prayers, comments and concern! We appreciate it oodles! 

Home glorious home!

Fantastic news!! My cervix hasn't continued to shorten and the contractions have stayed stopped with the meds! So lucky, we were really terrified. My doctor and specialist are really pleased with how well I'm responding to the medications, so I was able to come home this afternoon to my own bed! It surprised us all. Was already in so much pain from that dang hospital bed, my bed feels like a cloud! Here's to getting more than 9 hours of sleep over the next five days, ha ha! Exhausted doesn't even remotely describe how we feel. I'm seriously delirious. I will have to post all about the hospital stay later, currently don't have the energy. Sooo grateful for my mom and hubby and all of their help! My sweet momma is here to help for two weeks, maybe more. We're soo lucky! It's strict bedrest for several weeks, and a follow up cervical ultrasound on Monday. Please say a prayer for the babies, we really hope my cervix doesn't continue to thin out! Stay in there sweet babies, you're exactly where we want you!

Finally home, hoping it stays that way!

Hospital pics...
 Caught Claire sucking on her thumb!!! Melts our hearts!

Beautiful flowers from our hometeacher and wife!

 Belly monitors GALORE! Sooo sore from all of the monitoring, pushing and prodding.

 Bombed on magnesium sulfate drip, ha ha. Such brutal stuff but a definite lifesaver!! Grateful for modern technology and medicine.

 Profile pic of Cameron!! So cute!

Scary!!! Claire's heart re-check turns into hospital stay - shortening cervix & contractions

On Monday we had Claire's heart re-check at the high risk office. Everything on her, as well as Cameron, came back fantastic! She already weighs in at 1.4 lbs and Cameron is 1.7 lbs. As we were getting ready to leave, I was really impressed upon that I should have the tech measure my cervix, just to be safe. It had shortened from a 4.4 to a 3 over the recent months. So grateful that I had them check, total blessing!! My cervix had shortened again Monday, went from a 3.03 last month to a 1.9 when contracting. And to a 2.23 when not contracting. I had no idea I was even having contractions, but they were 5-6 mins apart! When arriving at the hospital, I was immediately given steroid shots for the babies lungs, put on a magnesium sulfate drip and another med to stop the contractions and relax the uterus. It has done its job thank goodness! It made me extremely ill and dizzy but so very grateful for it. We are now just worried about my funneling /partially dilating cervix at the top. And Claire is sitting right on it with her cute little buttcheeks. Praying it stops shortening, these little babies need to stay put for at least two to three more weeks before we are out of the "very scary zone". We are terrified but staying hopeful! Both babies look and measure great, and aren't under any stress. In fact they're giving the nurses heck, ha ha. They were so wiggly that it took four nurses almost THREE hours to locate their heart beats Monday night. SUCH wiggly babies!!! Cameron is such a stinker. But that's good, active is best.

I will update when we know more, waiting to hear back from my doc and a specialist as to if hospital bedrest is still best route for now, or if strict bedrest at home with same meds will be ok. Thanks for your love and support! We are so grateful for this amazing high risk labor and delivery dept, this hospital, great doctors, and our adorably funny and amazing nursing staff! Makes hard times so much more doable! I've held it together so far, I know a break down is inevitable but we are hanging in there :) Here's some pictures. Just missing some with my doc and my favorite nurses Katie and Christina. I was so goofy and sick on the magnesium that I forgot to remember to take more pictures, ha ha.

 Hanging out in the world's MOST uncomfortable hospital bed, but staying positive! Stay away contractions!

24 weeks (viability week!)- Adorable faces, meat & babies that already keep me up!

I will be 24 weeks tomorrow...the week of viability!! That means if the babies were born this early on that they could possibly have a chance of surviving. It's not a great chance because their little lungs aren't ready for prime time yet, but what a milestone and a relief to make it to this point! We have never gotten this far! But, we definitely want them to stay put. Being born this early would mean they would spend months in the NICU and very possibly have long term health problems :( I will be able to breathe easier once I hit 34 weeks, since 36 is full term. So glad my doctor delivers at and that our insurance covers us at the hospital near us with a Level 3 maternity ward. We should be in good hands should the babies come earlier than expected!

The twinnies are now the size of a corn cob! Babies grow at different rates of course, but that's anywhere from 8.5 to 12 inches long. So cool! They also each weigh at least 1.5 pounds now. Both of these stats definitely explain why I can feel them SO much more now. I am absolutely loving life right now, this is SUCH a fun stage in pregnancy!! I am constantly giggling, saying "woah!", and smiling at their crazy little twists and punches. I may not be able to get out of bed very easily anymore ha ha, but it is so comforting to feel these little piglets move around so much. The first part of pregnancy is scary, you have no idea if they're still ok in there! But when they start moving it's so neat and reassuring. Their precious little faces are now fully formed...complete with eyebrows, eyelashes and head hair! Though their lovely locks (or bald peach fuzz, he he) are most likely white since there's no pigment yet, it's still SO fun to think of them having hair on their tiny heads! Cameron and Claire should be gaining a steady 6 ounces per week now. Their somewhat baggy and red skin will start to plump up more as they pack on those fat deposits and as their little bones and muscles continue to grow. I LOVE my multiples book. Below are pictures of the approx sizes of the babies' heads and little tootsies right now. How adorable!! Head circumference is approx 9 inches (a tangerine), and abdominal circumference is approx 8 inches. The pictures really make it neat and easier to visualize, they have much larger heads than I was expecting for 24 weeks! And our babies haven't been measuring smaller than normal, so I bet these stats are pretty accurate for them.

Remember, click on the pictures if you can't see them well.

I never thought this day would come, but I am loving meat again!! So crazy! The sight, smell, taste and even the mere thought of preparing it over the last few months made me ill. That started to slowly change about 3-4 weeks ago. But now I am realllly craving burgers, tuna more often, steaks, chicken, more lunch meats, etc. I even ate a hot dog with sauerkraut and mustard on it for dinner last night (hot dogs are ok as long as they're cooked very well)! For Valentine's Day weekend we went and ate at our favorite bbq place, Rudy's. I was so full of brisket, sausage, yummy coleslaw and potato salad by the time we left that I could have popped. Soo yummy! I read in my multiples book awhile back that in the 1st trimester it's important to get your folic acid of course, 2nd trimester is calcium, and the 3rd is protein. So it makes sense, the babies need lots of protein to grow strong right now. My intense love for green salad has definitely lessened, though I still eat them :) Still constantly craving juices, bananas, potatoes, and apples though. Last week I went to Fry's and bought 2 big jugs of apple juice, 2 things of orange juice, and some V8 vegetable juice. The cashier said, "Wow, that's a lot of juice! Do you have little kids at home?" I replied, "Nope, pregnant with twins and I go through juice like it's water." She said, "That explains it!" Ha ha. But seriously, I am a juice monster...

I know I already mentioned how much I love feeling these two verrry wiggly little babies, but it is seriously just plain crazy sometimes, ha ha. I have been woken up several times lately, or not able to go back to sleep for hours because of their little belly parties, ha ha. I don't care at all and think it's so cute, but it still just amazes me that I can feel them SO well. There are parts of my uterus that I have never been consciously aware of until now that's for sure, lol. Cameron is very active late at night still and Claire in the very early mornings. Both wiggle about an hour after meals as well, food time! Anyways, my belly is quite the party zone. I read that you feel your baby move the most between weeks 24 and 28. But, I have a feeling that it's going to last longer than that with twins because it started much sooner, ha ha. Or maybe it'll end sooner? Who knows. Granted they will be more squished than a single baby because there are still 2 heads, 4 legs and 4 arms in there to wiggle around after all, ha ha. We can't wait to kiss those little feet, hands and heads that are banging around in there!! And, after another few weeks, the babies' chances of survival outside the womb go way up. We hope they decide to cook until 36 weeks though, that's full term. Not far away at all! Yay May 15th!! However, we are aware that 60% of women deliver twins before that. The average is 34 weeks.

 We have another appointment with the high risk office on Monday! We are so excited to see them again. So glad Blakey gets to come with me again. The babies both weighed about 12 ounces last time we were there (1/25), so we are curious to see what Monday's scan results will bring :) We are having to go back in because we weren't able to see Claire's heart very well last time. She refused to quit standing on her head, so the tech couldn't get the pictures and measurements she needed. Hoping they both cooperate this time around since they have both switched positions since then. And maybe even have moved again ha ha, been feeling lots of twisting in there! We love you little ninja babies!!

The best LDS infertility article I've ever read! - "Learning to cope with infertility." by Carolynn Spencer

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/06/learning-to-cope-with-infertility?lang=eng

"Each person’s story is unique, but I have a testimony that miracles do happen—even if they don’t happen in the way we hope for or expect. I know that we can find peace in the scriptures, in prayer, in the temple, and in the words of the prophets. We have a loving Heavenly Father who will help us. He will strengthen us to meet our challenges if we put our trust in Him and in His timing."
Carolynn Spencer

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
Joseph B. Wirthlin

SO many great things were mentioned in this article, but the two above quotes were my absolute favorites. Everyones story IS different, and that is a good thing. We can learn a lot from others trials. And, the second quote is so true and really spoke to me. Our first baby Cannon was called back home way too soon, and the miscarriage broke our hearts. But, the Lord did bless us a hundredfold with precious twins afterward, and an even stronger marriage. Twins were more than we ever dared hope for.

So many people suffer with infertility, and unfortunately most avoid seeking support out of fear or embarrassment. I hope that this article may comfort even just one person, because I felt so impressed upon to share it. I cried like a baby while reading it and felt the spirit strongly. So many similar things to our own infertility story. We were told we would never be able to have children after our failed IVF cycle in 2008. It took me many years as well to finally put my faith COMPLETELY in the Lord's hands and his timing. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but we were greatly blessed for it. It's human nature to want to control things, and we feel so helpless when we can't. We were beyond devastated after losing Cannon, our souls literally hurt. But, we remained faithful (by some miracle! - not really a miracle, the Lord was right by our side, as was family!) and are expecting healthy twins in May! If you would have told me nine years ago, or even last March when we lost Cannon, that this is how things were going to turn out for us, you could have knocked me over with a feather. And, I would have probably laughed hysterically at you in disbelief.

I am so grateful for the wonderful examples in my life, that I decided to start a blog (shockingly therapeutic and fun!), for the support system that Blake and I have, for our amazingly selfless donor couple, and especially for our a God, our Heavenly Father. Though I cried many nights, and thought & cursed many things that I am not proud of...I am so grateful that he didn't give up on us and that we didn't give up on him. There aren't words for how thrilled we are to be expecting a sweet baby girl AND baby boy in 3 short months. We have been through SO much. There were times when we thought that we just couldn't go on and didn't know where to turn. Having hope seemed pointless and wasted. Now, we feel unbelievably blessed. 

I know I've said this a million times, but even though things didn't turn out how we had originally planned, it all worked out. I think all this pain will feel worth it when we lay eyes on these precious babies! Every tear and heartache is leading up to this miraculous event, our very own and special plan from God! I now cry tears of gratitude, and often. Goodbye tears of utter heartbreak! Hang in there fellow infertile-ites...cry, pray, yell, go to the temple, start an infertility blog or support group on facebook, find comfort in the scriptures, stay home on Mother's Day Sunday, serve others, get a pet, find fun and new date night ideas, take time to grieve, take a vacation, get a new hair cut or color, or be brave and tell someone about your struggle with infertility (you can do it!)...whatever will ease your pain and help cope with this trial. You never know who else is suffering and also needs a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to JUST listen! 

The Lord has not forgotten you, I promise. Things WILL happen when and how they're supposed to. Though those words used to absolutely INFURIATE me (because I wanted "our time" to have been like several stinkin' years ago!), they are very true. And unfortunately, it takes awhile to fully accept it. Because we didn't give up, because we finally leaned COMPLETELY on the Lord, and because of the amazing prompting that I received from the Lord (the dream that started this whole adventure), we now have the below picture to happily and gratefully share. Not trying to sound holier than thou, just want to express how blessed we are by not giving up. I NEVER thought this could be ME you guys! I couldn't even picture myself pregnant. Don't lose hope friends. Yay for Embryo Adoption and for great blessings from the Lord when the time is right!!! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

So grateful for my two handsome Valentine's, and for the two little loves on the way! I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Blake, Blake loved his truffles and cologne, and Slinky is obsessed with the little lovebug I got him at Dollar Tree :) He has only chewed off an antenna and four legs so far, can't believe it isn't shredded yet, ha ha! Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend filled with those you love. Can't wait to dress the twinnies up in adorable valentine outfits next year!!

23 weeks - Gender recheck, check up & baby kicks!

I had a check up with Dr. O today, the twinnies still look absolutely perfect!! Their hearts sounded great and both are still very active. Especially baby boy Cameron. We were able to see well on the portable room monitor today, yay! The babies are now big enough to see better on it...Cameron is defffinitely a Cameron, ha ha! Dr. O said, "Wow, he's not shy at all is he?! Definitely a boy, as you can see." Lol. And, we were able to tell that Claire is still a Claire! Baby A is the one we weren't really sure on because of the cord between the legs and bad positioning, but she's definitely a baby girl. So, we are for sure getting one of each! :) I have a follow up appointment with the high risk office in 11 days, so they can triple confirm. But Dr. O was quite sure on their genders today!

Still can't believe these cute balloons are OURS!!

They have both switched positions again! They're back to making a T...T is for twins, ha ha! Cameron went from breech (head up) to transverse (sideways), and she went from head down to breech. So she completely flipped around. Would explain the new twisty and weird feelings that I had earlier this week :) He said the reason that I've felt so much movement at the top of my belly this week is because of their new positions. I've got Cameron full body up there, plus Claire's little noggin and arms now. Not sure which way he is turned, so they could be bonking noggins, or he could be kicking her in the head, ha ha. Dr. O said if they don't move much from now on to plan on a c-section. But, we are still rooting for them to both turn head down so I can deliver naturally. He's really wanting me to have a quicker and more pleasant recovery so that I can better care for the babies. But we shall see how things turn out :)

Tiny heartbeats!

I do another glucose test at my visit next month. It's fruit punch flavored this time instead of orange. Hoping my levels come back good again, still eating healthy. I am feeling pretty dang good even though I'm getting bigger quickly. So grateful that the round ligament pain is rare now a days! I tire easy, but that's normal. I've only gained 10 lbs total so far, 20-25 is normal for twins. But I've got some extra "fluff", ha ha, so weight gain isn't as quick usually? Twins definitely suck the food out of you faster than you can eat it, ha ha. But Dr. O said I'm looking great. He said my 5 month twin belly is equivalent to a woman (with one baby) at 7 months. He said I will look full term in about 3 weeks, and then "it's into twin belly territory after that." Ha ha! Made me laugh. He also said to not worry about my cervix shortening a little, for now. We aren't going to worry unless it gets down to a 2. He said fluctuation is normal because of the extra pressure from a twin pregnancy. There is an extra baby, extra placenta and twice the amniotic fluid in there after all. Explains my early back pain also. Love my growing belly and wiggly wiggly babies!! Sorry for all the selfies in bathrooms, Blake works the late shift...

A bigger belly!

Monday night was very exciting!! After our date at Red Robin (yay for gift cards for Christmas!), baby boy was verrry active. He had never kicked that hard before, he must have enjoyed the insanely delicious chicken sandwich and fries as much as I did, he he. Blake and I had redboxed Goosebumps afterwards and were watching it when he started bouncing around, so I paused the movie really quick and put Blake's hand on my belly. Cameron kicked super hard several times, Blake's face was priceless! I wish I could have gotten a picture SOO bad. I think he is finally 100% convinced that there are in fact little babies in there, ha ha. It's still very surreal for me sometimes too, but our men don't get to experience everything like we do, so it's a different experience for them. He said with a huge smile on his face, "Holy crap, there's a little monster in there! It feels like he's doing alligator rolls!" I think it made this pregnancy much more fun for him, was so cute to see him feeling my belly. It's so fun to be able to feel Cameron kick outside my belly now. Felt baby girl outside my belly for the first time yesterday as well! I can feel Claire move mostly at night, but her movements aren't as crazy. Some of what I thought was him was actually her because of their new positions though. It's hard to tell with twins sometimes. He's more active during the day it seems. But both are verrry wiggly from about 7pm to 11pm lately though, probably because of dinnertime. Cameron was so wiggly the other night that it woke me up! I was so surprised. But definitely a pleasant wake up! It's so exciting for me to be able to feel them moving so much everyday, it makes me randomly cry happy tears, ha ha. I still can't believe we are so lucky! YAY FOR HEALTHY BABIES!!!

22 weeks - Eyelashes, a picture frame & new clothes!

This week the twins are the size of a spaghetti squash, and weigh approximately a pound each! Maybe a little more. They now can perceive light even though their eyelids are still sealed. The twins now have a developed sense of touch, and are also growing adorable eyelashes, eyebrows, and possibly even some head hair! Even though I am carrying these sweet babies, they're technically adopted. So, it's very exciting for us to imagine what they're going to look like...hair, eyes, facial features, tootsies, everything...we have no clue! The day they're born is going to be sooo exciting in so many ways! Thinking of them having little eyelashes now just makes my day though, I think that's so cute! Their sense of hearing is definitely in place, they were wiggling away to some Gary Alan and Sammy Kershaw on Pandora while I showered this morning, he he! They're atleast 8 inches long now, and their mostly red skin will start to turn normal colored after they pack on some fat deposits over the next several weeks. I'm excited for our next appointment even though it's just a check up with my regular OB, because I love to hear their little heartbeats. 

I'm starting to have a really hard time getting up off the couch after laying down. I grunt and swing my legs and arms to the side to get momentum. Blake gets a kick out of it, ha ha, and helps me when he's home. I need a rope attached to my ceiling though I think, lol. But I lovvve my growing belly! I didn't realize how big it has gotten lately until I sent the below pics to my sisters, ha ha. The babies are very active, which I love. So, that's reassuring on days when I'm like are you guys still ok in there?! :) I can't help but still worry that something may go wrong. I'm absolutely terrrrified of going into premature labor because they wouldn't survive outside the womb at this age. But, the babies are doing great and my cervix measured 3.03 at my last high risk visit. So nothing to worry about for now, even though it was 4.4 in November. They said fluctuations are normal. If it measured a 1, then we can all freak the heck out, ha ha. Dr. O says a lot of women pregnant with twins end up on bedrest the last two months of pregnancy, so we are hoping I'm not one of them. That's just over a month away, yikes! Going by so fast! Anyways, other than getting over being sick with a nasty cold and extra tired, I'm feeling pretty decent. I'm back to not sleeping great, and eating really small meals though. My growing uterus is squishing my stomach upward, it's weird how you can totally feel it. I eat small amounts and feel extremely full, but I'm still hungry. My multiples book says I will experience things like this about 2 months sooner than women pregnant with one baby. So the horrible back pain is right on time also, lol. Oh how I love my Sunbeam heat pad!! It has become a nightly routine now, sometimes I use it a few times a day if I overdo it with house work or laundry.

Babies belly at 22 weeks! I love how more round it's getting. I look like I'm just about due, lol.

My sweet parents bought me some cute maternity clothes, thanks Mom and Dad!! So, I decided to model some for you since Jcpenney didn't mind me trying them on before I left the store with my online order. Soo nice that I didn't have to waddle back incase something didn't fit :) I haven't documented my growing belly as much as I would have liked, so I guess you get a belly overload this post :) Hooray for Planet Motherhood! They're one of the few brands that make affordable plus sized maternity clothes. 

Lastly, I finally bought a baby sonogram frame! I've been waiting 9 long years to have one of these sitting on my end table! It may seem silly, but it's very special to me to finally have one of these. This is the only shot I have with both babies in it. It's from October so you can't see them well but that's ok :) Baby A (girl) is full body in the front with her foot sticking up, and Baby B (boy) is in the sac behind her. All you can see is his little foot sticking up, he he. It's one of my favorite sonograms. I'm thinking that I'm going to look as big as the mommy in the frame by the time these two get here, ha ha :) Yay for big twin bellies!

21 weeks - Lively babies and meat!

The twinners are each the size of a large banana this week! They are moving A LOT more, it's soo fun! I can most often feel baby boy at the top, he's QUITE lively :) I swear he enjoys headbutting my belly button, he he. I felt him outside my tummy for the first time the other night! Now everytime I have Blake try to feel, Cameron immediately stops, ha ha. Little stinker. He especially wiggles after I eat bananas, have an occasional rootbeer (just barely able to tolerate carbonation), or chug some apple juice. Did you know that the babies have been swallowing amniotic fluid for awhile now, and that their newly developed taste buds can now taste things that I eat via their fluid? So cool! Guess he likes what I'm eating. I can feel baby girl's lighter movements way down low in the center and off to the side but not as often. He's more active during the day and I can feel her better at night. Already on opposite schedules...great. Just kidding! Babies at this stage sleep 12 to 14 hours a day, much like a newborn. They still wiggle and twitch while sleeping, so most people don't know that they sleep that much. 

I've finally gained a few pounds, 4 total. Still under my pre-treatment weight though. Thinking it's water weight because my face looks a little more full but that's the only difference. Or maybe I'm just able to get more of my own food nutrients now? Twins really suck it out of you. So happy they're healthy! I'm almost able to eat 3 medium sized meals plus a couple snacks now. Can't overdue it or indigestion strikes and stays for HOURS though. Yuck. One of the many joys of having way slower digestion during pregnancy...and double the hormones from two placentas. All misery is welcomed though, so grateful for these little babies!! Meats are finally starting to sound somewhat appetizing...which is amazing because they've completely disgusted me until now. Smell, sight, taste, etc. Big time gross! Breakfast sausage still makes me feel yucky usually so I avoid it, but I can now stand burger sometimes and was able to eat some delicious brisket, turkey and sausage at our favorite bbq place last week. It was sooooooooooooooo delicious! Still shocked that I was able to eat brisket!

Sadly I've got my first cold since being pregnant. First cold in a long while actually. Not fun. Allergies have gone bonkers. Missing being able to take Nyquil for sure, ha ha! But for now it's saline nose spray, warm showers, lots of sleep (if I can stop coughing), and salt water gargling...gotta keep our little piglets safe! Blake got over it pretty quick, so hopefully I will too. I sound like a chain smoking frog though :'(

We can't wait for our next appointments on the 11th and 22nd! Really hoping baby girl will cooperate this time! Especially on the 22nd, so that we know she's for sure a girl before my baby shower, ha ha. The tech was pretty sure, but it never hurts to be realllly sure...

I feel too cruddy for pictures and have been living in jammies even more since I've been sick, so I will have to post a fun belly picture later and be a bum for now.