"With children, Feb. 27, 2009"
2.27.2009
With children @ 31.75 weeks
I took Sarah outside this evening for a quick documentation of her and the twins. If the doctor asks, she was just taking a round-about route to the bathroom... since Sarah only has "bathroom privileges!"
"With children, Feb. 27, 2009"
"With children, Feb. 27, 2009"
2.26.2009
Terbutaline
Tuesday evening Sarah started timing contractions again. At 6 p.m. she had counted 7 in an hour, and they were getting closer together... from 8 minutes to 6 minutes apart. This is not desirable nor comfortable. I decided that we needed to call Dr. Schaus for advice. I got her answering service since it was after 5 p.m. In a few minutes she called me back, and I told her about Sarah's situation. She recommended that Sarah begin taking Terbutaline. (Terbutaline relaxes bronchial tubes and eases asthma symptoms. It also is thought to relax the muscles of the uterus.) Sarah and I hate all of these drugs. This is not the kind of pregnancy we wanted to have. So far, the Terbutaline is working, but the side effects are obviously no fun! There's jitteriness like Sarah's hopped up on 10 cups of coffee, and her heart rate increases. I have to take her pulse from time to time making sure she's under 120 bpm.
Now she's on both Terbutaline and Procardia. We HAVE TO make it to 34 weeks, at the very least, in order for the twins to be developed well enough for birth here in Nac. Our primary care doctor, Dr. Schaus, and all of our research tells us that an arrival before 34 weeks will necessitate a trip to Shreveport or Houston for the more advanced prenatal care available at hospitals in those cities.
I cannot wait to meet these little guys. I just want them to bake a little longer!
Now she's on both Terbutaline and Procardia. We HAVE TO make it to 34 weeks, at the very least, in order for the twins to be developed well enough for birth here in Nac. Our primary care doctor, Dr. Schaus, and all of our research tells us that an arrival before 34 weeks will necessitate a trip to Shreveport or Houston for the more advanced prenatal care available at hospitals in those cities.
I cannot wait to meet these little guys. I just want them to bake a little longer!
2.22.2009
A good Saturday
After a rough week for the both of us, Sarah and I had a really great Saturday. I did break my rule of no-work-on-weekends, but it was just for an hour because management was needed downtown.
Saturday afternoon Sarah received a visit from her favorite stylist, Brian Boone, at Oasis Spalon. I stopped by the salon earlier in the week to see if Brian would be willing to make a house call. He agreed, and Sarah was thrilled to get a new 'do' in the kitchen.
House call from Brian
We also received a visit from our friend Karon Gillespie. Karen "wowed" us with a care package of food and flowers! Ham, veggies, soup, salad, quiche, and cookies... oh my! This was unexpected and WONDERFUL!
2.18.2009
Week 30
Yesterday's doctor's appointment went well and marked the end of week 30. Finally, we're in the 30s! My belly is now the size of a full-term singleton pregnancy, and the babies likely weigh between 2.5 and 3 pounds each. Dr. Schaus doesn't seem to think I will make it to 37 weeks, which is considered full term for twins. I'm still going to try, though! If labor begins before 34 or 35 weeks, there's a good chance we'll be sent to Shreveport or Houston to deliver. We definitely don't want that!
Registry
Some have asked so...
Sarah and I have been working on our registry for the boys. It's a work in progress, so we still haven't added a lot of the "essentials." We'll hopefully get around to that within the next week or so. Also, if anyone has suggestions for things to add, we'd love to hear them. We're using MyRegistry.com, Babies"R"Us, and Target.com. MyRegistry.com is kinda cool because you can shop anywhere and still mark an item as purchased from the registry. We've tried to find the best prices on items listed on our registry, but it still might be worth it to shop around. And remember, handmade gifts or gently used items are welcome, too!
Sarah and I have been working on our registry for the boys. It's a work in progress, so we still haven't added a lot of the "essentials." We'll hopefully get around to that within the next week or so. Also, if anyone has suggestions for things to add, we'd love to hear them. We're using MyRegistry.com, Babies"R"Us, and Target.com. MyRegistry.com is kinda cool because you can shop anywhere and still mark an item as purchased from the registry. We've tried to find the best prices on items listed on our registry, but it still might be worth it to shop around. And remember, handmade gifts or gently used items are welcome, too!
2.16.2009
Pain in my $#%^@#
Well, Sarah's got a pain in her... rib (her left lower rib area, to be exact). The boys are getting bigger (a good thing), but her body can only expand outward, which includes pressure on the ribs. This is common during pregnancy, especially with twins. In some cases the rib(s) can be moved out of place and chiropractic adjustment is often recommended. Sarah's been in pain for days. We have our weekly doctor's appointment on Tuesday afternoon and will get Dr. Schaus' advice then. For now, Sarah's trying to resist movement and is reluctantly taking a Tylenol once or twice a day.
Thank you to Michelle and Neal Cox for the wonderful dinner last night! Spinach linguini, a hearty salad, rolls and apple pie. Thanks to the meals from friends, I was able to get a bit more organized around the house this weekend, do some yard work, clean a bathroom, clean 2 1/2 loads of laundry and work a few hours for the gallery on Saturday and Sunday. I gotta cut that last duty out of my weekends!!
No working on weekends!
Thank you to Michelle and Neal Cox for the wonderful dinner last night! Spinach linguini, a hearty salad, rolls and apple pie. Thanks to the meals from friends, I was able to get a bit more organized around the house this weekend, do some yard work, clean a bathroom, clean 2 1/2 loads of laundry and work a few hours for the gallery on Saturday and Sunday. I gotta cut that last duty out of my weekends!!
No working on weekends!
2.13.2009
Mysterious package!
A mysterious package from some place in NY arrived in the mail yesterday! It was a foam container labeled with warnings about the 'dry ice' contents. Sarah called me at work about it, and I immediately asked myself, "Who has it out for me?" "Is it a bomb?" I thought. When I got home, I carefully opened the foam case and discovered W.M.D.s!... Wonderful Microwaveable Dinners!! My preschool friend Laura Tuggle-Anderson and her husband, Ned, sent a care package of food to Sarah and me! Gourmet chicken pot pie, mac and cheese, and chocolate torte! We ate well on Thursday night, and I was able to get a few tidying projects done around the house.
Today was a long day at work, but Sarah was well provided for. Our arty friends Chad and Pam provided a beautiful veggie soup for lunch, and Kathie Robinson (my department chair's wife) brought by dinner: gumbo and cornbread for dinner and an apple cardamom galette for dessert.
Now, I know that I've blogged a lot about food, but we are so thankful to our friends and family for the meals brought to our door every day (and I'm a guy, and I love food). Before the pregnancy complications, Sarah and I would spend time together in the kitchen prepping dinner together. It is one of our 'together activities' that we have lost to bed rest.
The last bit of news... we got the boys' car seats in the mail today:
Graco Platinum Snug Ride Car Seat
A mysterious package from some place in NY arrived in the mail yesterday! It was a foam container labeled with warnings about the 'dry ice' contents. Sarah called me at work about it, and I immediately asked myself, "Who has it out for me?" "Is it a bomb?" I thought. When I got home, I carefully opened the foam case and discovered W.M.D.s!... Wonderful Microwaveable Dinners!! My preschool friend Laura Tuggle-Anderson and her husband, Ned, sent a care package of food to Sarah and me! Gourmet chicken pot pie, mac and cheese, and chocolate torte! We ate well on Thursday night, and I was able to get a few tidying projects done around the house.
Today was a long day at work, but Sarah was well provided for. Our arty friends Chad and Pam provided a beautiful veggie soup for lunch, and Kathie Robinson (my department chair's wife) brought by dinner: gumbo and cornbread for dinner and an apple cardamom galette for dessert.
Now, I know that I've blogged a lot about food, but we are so thankful to our friends and family for the meals brought to our door every day (and I'm a guy, and I love food). Before the pregnancy complications, Sarah and I would spend time together in the kitchen prepping dinner together. It is one of our 'together activities' that we have lost to bed rest.
The last bit of news... we got the boys' car seats in the mail today:
Graco Platinum Snug Ride Car Seat
2.10.2009
February 10, 2009
Yesterday I was able to break my bed rest rules and venture out into the world for a doctor's appointment. We learned that both babies are in the head-down (vertex) position (at least for now), and Dr. Schaus thinks that their neurological development is a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. All good news!
First drawing of the boys, by Dr. Schaus
First drawing of the boys, by Dr. Schaus
2.08.2009
Sunday
dinner menu
Today was a full day and so was Saturday. I ended up working 8 1/2 hours on Saturday readying for the opening and film (which were great successes and an article in the Daily Sentinel really brought the community through the doors). This warranted a late dinner of the best vegetarian chili and rice we've ever had... served with Asian pears. Thank you Sonnie and Kreg!
Sunday was filled with sleeping-in, grocery shopping, vacuuming, finishing paint work on the antique guest bed, installing the guest bed, and tidying around the house. My Aunt Leslie dropped off some stew for freezing, and Marty Prince brought by a casserole, sweets, and some extras. Dinner was graciously provided by Tracy and Merci. It came with a menu and cat treats! Orion LOVES edamame!
if it's green, he eats it
Needless to say, the meals are a HUGE help to us. Words cannot sufficiently express our gratitude to friends and family!
Today was a full day and so was Saturday. I ended up working 8 1/2 hours on Saturday readying for the opening and film (which were great successes and an article in the Daily Sentinel really brought the community through the doors). This warranted a late dinner of the best vegetarian chili and rice we've ever had... served with Asian pears. Thank you Sonnie and Kreg!
Sunday was filled with sleeping-in, grocery shopping, vacuuming, finishing paint work on the antique guest bed, installing the guest bed, and tidying around the house. My Aunt Leslie dropped off some stew for freezing, and Marty Prince brought by a casserole, sweets, and some extras. Dinner was graciously provided by Tracy and Merci. It came with a menu and cat treats! Orion LOVES edamame!
if it's green, he eats it
Needless to say, the meals are a HUGE help to us. Words cannot sufficiently express our gratitude to friends and family!
2.05.2009
Home again
After being admitted to the hospital on Sunday evening and spending three nights there, it is such a relief to be home. I missed Christian (though he visited me every chance he had), our comfy bed, and good food.
chicken tortilla soup from the Dolans
Speaking of good food, our friends have been delivering wonderful meals daily to our doorstep. Since Christian has to do everything around the house, the meals have been extremely helpful. He doesn't have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking and cleaning, which frees up time to get other things done around the house. These daily gifts make a huge difference. We can't thank our friends enough.
Shortly after Christian brought me home from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon, our friend Corinne dropped off a delicious stew along with some red tulips (one of my favorite flowers). Every time I look at them they brighten my day!
Tulips from Corinne
2.04.2009
Tuesday Arrivals
Today a package was waiting at the front door when I returned to the house for Sarah's phone charger. My sister sent a Horizontal-Fun-Pack to help cure Sarah's bedrest boredom. Inside were some cool magazines (Brain, Child; ReadyMade...), a fun book of letters to President Obama from school children, and these two little organic "sprouts!" Simone welcomed them into our home almost immediately.
Sprouts meet Simone
And once again, our Nac friends made the day so much easier with meals. Vietnamese food was delivered to the hospital via Michelle Rozic's Super Supper Delivery Service, Inc!
Sprouts meet Simone
And once again, our Nac friends made the day so much easier with meals. Vietnamese food was delivered to the hospital via Michelle Rozic's Super Supper Delivery Service, Inc!
2.03.2009
Update
After a day of tests including an MRI, a glucose level test, and the hardest test of all... hospital food eating. Sarah is more than ready to return home! The Procardia seems to be helping a great deal with the contractions. Sarah is not having any side effects from the drug and the babies are fine. The terbutaline gave her the jitters and altered her mood. Stupid terbutaline!
Our primary care physician, Doctor George Hugman, came by this evening and was his usual reassuring and warm-hearted self. The guy has a down to earth approach that seems hard to find in a doctor. He gave us some good and honest information about Sarah and the babies' health. Sarah's release from he hospital should now come on Wednesday morning.
Today's ultrasound supplied us with a good picture of Baby A's face. I've turned it vertically for better viewing.
Our primary care physician, Doctor George Hugman, came by this evening and was his usual reassuring and warm-hearted self. The guy has a down to earth approach that seems hard to find in a doctor. He gave us some good and honest information about Sarah and the babies' health. Sarah's release from he hospital should now come on Wednesday morning.
Today's ultrasound supplied us with a good picture of Baby A's face. I've turned it vertically for better viewing.
2.02.2009
Thank you Chay and Scott...
the drop zone
Thank you Chay and Scott... and the team of cooks looking out for us! We now have a cooler located outside of our front door for food deliveries. We cannot believe this outpouring of support! We appreciate this so much and it really is going to make things a bit easier for us both! Today our lunch and dinner was one less thing to worry about thanks to Donna Lipschutz' homemade chicken noodle soup, sweet potato pie, and cole slaw! Fab Donna! Thank you!
Thank you Chay and Scott... and the team of cooks looking out for us! We now have a cooler located outside of our front door for food deliveries. We cannot believe this outpouring of support! We appreciate this so much and it really is going to make things a bit easier for us both! Today our lunch and dinner was one less thing to worry about thanks to Donna Lipschutz' homemade chicken noodle soup, sweet potato pie, and cole slaw! Fab Donna! Thank you!
Hospital Visit Numero Dos
trying to keep spirits high
So... Sarah's back in the hospital. Sunday she and I decided her stomach-centered contractions were too close together (8-12 min apart) and that we needed to call the doctor. The doctor recommended another visit to the hospital. Tonight is her second night there. They have tried ritodrine/terbutaline and nifedipine to slow the contractions. She's reacting 'ok' to these drugs (to the nifedipine/Procardia better I think) but if they stop working, the doctor wants to use magnesium sulfate for preterm labor. From my reading, magnesium sulfate is more risky than beneficial.
Sarah is only 27 1/2 weeks... always eating healthy foods, always drinking water (hydrated), and taking prenatal vitamins. We know she is more prone to preterm labor because of her carrying twins and her body size. We want to keep the boys developing for AS LONG AS POSSIBLE but don't want to harm mother or children. Keep your fingers crossed for us. With these hospital visits, I think we're both in sleep depravation training. I'm sure we can put our training to use after the births!
monitoring
So... Sarah's back in the hospital. Sunday she and I decided her stomach-centered contractions were too close together (8-12 min apart) and that we needed to call the doctor. The doctor recommended another visit to the hospital. Tonight is her second night there. They have tried ritodrine/terbutaline and nifedipine to slow the contractions. She's reacting 'ok' to these drugs (to the nifedipine/Procardia better I think) but if they stop working, the doctor wants to use magnesium sulfate for preterm labor. From my reading, magnesium sulfate is more risky than beneficial.
Sarah is only 27 1/2 weeks... always eating healthy foods, always drinking water (hydrated), and taking prenatal vitamins. We know she is more prone to preterm labor because of her carrying twins and her body size. We want to keep the boys developing for AS LONG AS POSSIBLE but don't want to harm mother or children. Keep your fingers crossed for us. With these hospital visits, I think we're both in sleep depravation training. I'm sure we can put our training to use after the births!
monitoring
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