Boys, Boys, Boys!

Boys will be boys!  I cannot believe almost a month has passed since my last update!  My is time flying fast!  They continue to keep my busy with multiple diaper changes, feedings, baths, bottle washing, pumping, etc!  At times I feel ultimately overwhelmed and under-matched with they 'gang' up on mom!  However, there are 2 second moments that bring me back to earth - one of them smiling, snoring, or looking around with their wide awake eyes! 

We've had a couple of firsts around here!  Mom and I took the boys out to the mall for the first time so I could get a hair cut.  I took the boys to get a couple 'newborn' pictures taken.  Both times I was quite tentative to go out in public with two kiddos!  However, they were champs at their first mall visit being very good for mom... maybe it's because she took them to Victoria's Secret?  The photo session was fun yet stressful to get two kiddos ready for the camera!  I can't wait to see the photos as I know they'll be amazing!

Well I have about 5 weeks left before I have to return to work and I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that!  As I said before, being home alone during the day with the two kiddos can be overwhelming.  However, I do enjoy being able to pick them up to snuggle them at any time I want!  I will also have to start changing my routine in order to get to work on time!  Sure is nice to not have a schedule at the moment!  Getting ready to go places sure does take quite a bit more time than I ever imagined!

Here's some updated photos:

Alex - Left, Brodie - Right

Alex with Grandpa Kail

Brodie with his WubbaNub

Time Flies When You're Having F-U-N!

Time sure flies when you're having fun!  I totally have slacked on updating my blog - but I guess I've been side tracked by two beautiful baby boys!

Thursday the 22nd, Corey and I went in for our 2 week ultrasound to check on the boys.  I was at the 34 week and 5 day mark.  The ultrasound went well and next we went to talk to the Perinatologist.  The nurses took my blood pressure and checked my urine for protein.  The previous week 8/16 at the OB office my BP was the highest it had been throughout the pregnancy and I had 1+ protein in my urine.  Both of which were not too concerning to the doctor at that point, but they would be monitoring closely!  Well... on the 22nd my BP was ~180/90 and I now had 2+ protein in my urine.  Both of which were very concerning and the Perinatologist immediately sent C and I over to the hospital for monitoring and blood work.  They decided to admit me in the maternity center for the night to do a 24 hour urine test for protein.  Well... I managed to fail that miserably thus earning the diagnosis of preeclampsia.  I wouldn't be going anywhere from that hospital bed until I delivered the boys!

While bed rest in the hospital was tough, I managed to pass the time with plenty of visitors and joking around with the nursing staff.  I spent time on bed rest from 8/22 until 8/30.  Around 11:15 pm on 8/29 my water broke and the party started!  The boys were delivered on 8/30 at 10:25 and 10:28 am.  I was super excited that the boys were delivered by Dr. Lehman, the doctor I had been seeing throughout my entire pregnancy, as she was the doctor on call that Friday!  Everything went well besides the fact that I had to have magnesium for 24 hours before / after birth due to my blood pressures.  The magnesium gave me such an out of body experience that I would never wish upon anyone else to ever experience!!  I definitely was excited when the anesthesiologist showed up to give me my epidural... more power to you all who can deliver without assistance, but I was happy to not feel any contractions after that!!

The boys did very well in the delivery room (which was the operating room as they automatically put ladies in the operating room who have twins for a just in case emergency c-section scenario).  Alexander Dean was baby A weighing 6 lbs 2.5 oz and Brodie Lee was baby B weighing 4 lbs 11 oz.  Brodie had to be admitted to the NICU on Saturday as his blood sugar levels were spiking and he wasn't eating very well.  He had everything fully developed and didn't need any assistance beyond eating.  We are very fortunate to have him home now after spending time in the NICU from 8/31 to 9/20.  He is such a trooper now and is making up ground quickly on his 'bigger' brother!  We're adjusting to life at home with two babies!

Thank goodness for my mom being able to help me out for the past 4+ weeks.  She visited me in the hospital and kept me sane!  She helped me pack up Alex at home and get us to the hospital to see Brodie every day.  Last but not least she's helped with both boys being at home - bottle making for Brodie, diaper changes times 2, middle of the night feedings and keeping me sane during any of my minor melt downs!!  Love her to pieces!!

Proud papa!! Brodie (L) & Alex (R)

Crib party in the NICU!!  Alex (L) & Brodie (R)

Both boys are coming home!!!  Alex (L) & Brodie (R)

Room!!

We had quite a busy weekend!!!  Things started on Friday for our dr. appointment.  Things went well at the appointment.  My blood pressure is still looking good, and I packed on another ~9 lbs - bringing the total to ~ 34 lbs!  My hemoglobin level was still low... so I'll be taking more iron supplements!  I'm now taking my prenatal vitamin with iron and 2 extra iron pills spread out during the day!  Hoping to hear good news at my next appointment.  I'm now scheduled up to meet with the dr. once a week and ultrasounds every two weeks.  My next 3 appointments will be on Fridays - what a great way to start the weekend!

Saturday brought the last of the baby showers.  This one was hosted by my sisters... (sister-in-laws)!  They had prepped a couple fun games to play, a nice table full of goodies to munch on, and so much fun was had by all!  Saturday night mom, dad, Brett, Corey, and I went out for supper to celebrate mom's b-day (actually Sunday).  We finished off the night by watching an oldie - Trading Places.

Sunday brought lots and lots of progress!!!!  We had our ritual Sunday morning breakfast at the Waveland West Cafe and then it was go time.  We got all of the furniture into the boy's room, sorted out more clothing and gifts, and got crazy on laundry. 

Ultrasound on Tuesday - excited to see the boys again!!!!

Here's recent growth photos and bedroom progress:

31 Weeks

Officially 31 weeks today!

We saw the boys on Tuesday at our ultrasound visit.  I was a little bit surprised to hear that both boys were head down.  Baby A is now on my left side - he's been hanging on the right up until now - and is in a very low head down position.  His little butt is to the left side of my belly button, which explains massive lump that appears at times.  Baby B is on the right side with his little butt in my right ribs - little turd.  Both sets of feet seemed to be hanging out in the middle. 

Everything looked good on the ultrasound.  The tech measured out Baby A to be ~ 3 lbs 7 oz and Baby B to be ~ 2 lbs 12 oz.  We did get to see a very up close look at Baby A's foot - so cute!  Now that I'm over the 30 week mark, they would like to see us for ultrasounds every 2 weeks now.  Our next appointment is Tuesday, August 6th in the morning.

Next up is the appointment with my doctor on Friday, August 2nd.  I'm interested in the weight gain category and what she has to say about the most recent ultrasound!

Love,
Amber & The Boys

Movin' and a Groovin'

The boys have been a movin' and a groovin' lately!  I am lop sided at times when they decide to pull a full on stretch out.  Just to the left side of my belly button bulges out and on my right side just below my ribs.  I'm pretty sure that there is a head there bulging by the ribs and that has become a tad bit uncomfortable!  I often find myself pushing on my ribs, which helps with the pressure!  Our next ultrasound is on Tuesday!  Super excited to see the boys again and I'm also curious about their positioning!  Our next Dr. appt. is on August 2nd.

I passed my glucose test at my last dr. appointment.  The drink wasn't terrible but also wasn't super delicious!  The worst part was the extreme sugar 'high' and the extreme sugar 'low'!  I found myself seeing the clock 'spin' at about 30 minutes into the test, sweating at about 45 minutes, and at about the 1 hour mark I was on the down hill slide! 

Today officially brings us to the 30 week mark and time is flying by!  C is making some progress on the boy's bedroom!  We now have 3 of 4 walls done with all new outlets and a light switch.  One wall left to finish up and then we'll start working on the angled parts of the ceiling.  Things are starting to come together which is good considering we only have 8 weeks left (38 weeks is the latest they'll let me go!).  I'm hoping that the boys brew for as long as possible as they will be healthier! 

The 4th Annual Jamison Fish Fry is still scheduled for August 31st!  Hope to see you all there!

Until next time,
Love Amber & "The Boys"

Chunkers!

Today brought the two dr. appointments!  First appointment was at the Perinatal Center for an ultrasound.  This time around the appointment only took 20 minutes!  I couldn't believe when we were done!  All previous appointments have taken an hour and a half to an hour and forty-five minutes!  Today was just a general check up and one extra shot of Baby B's heart that they couldn't get on the previous appointment.  The boys were allll sorts of sprawled out today!  Baby A's head was positioned near my right hip bone with his feet angled up towards my left rib cage.  Baby B's head was positioned near my right rib cage and his legs angled towards my left hip bone!  This makes sense as I've been feeling a majority of the movements on the left side of my belly - where both of their legs are positioned! Baby A measured out as a little chunker at 2.6 lbs and Baby B measured out to be 2.0 lbs.  Next ultrasound will be at week 30, on June 23rd, in three weeks!

The next appointment was in the afternoon with my dr.  I packed on an additional 9 lbs from the last appointment to take my count up to 24 lbs.  My blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature were all looking fantastic!  Today was the day that I had the pleasure of drinking the glucose drink to test for gestational diabetes.  I went with the lemon-lime flavor.  The drink didn't taste terrible, and I managed to gulp 'er down.  I'm glad that the bottle wasn't any bigger...

The dr. didn't have much to talk about and I didn't have much to ask so the appointment was pretty short again.  She mentioned next time around we'd talk about delivery stuff.  Next appointment with her is on August 3rd.  She said she wanted to be able to review the ultrasound information before meeting with me.  Went down to the lab for my blood draw.  I had to wait ~ 30 minutes before they took my blood.  Holy cow did that glucose drink give me one heck of a sugar high and one heck of a low.  I definitely felt the effects of all that sugar.  I didn't get a call back on my results, so I hope to hear from them tomorrow.  Fingers crossed that I passed... of all tests, nobody wants to fail that one!

Baby B's head was resting on Baby A's chest near his heart... such sweeties!

Profile shot of Baby A - lil' guy was moving his jaw - 'sucking' - probably trying to find his hands! Super cute!

6 months!

Well I'm officially 6 months along today!  My oh my has so much happened since my last post!  C and I went on our annual fishing trip to Canada.  We enjoyed our stay and enjoyed the fishing!  The trip is such a nice break from 'reality', as there really are no time schedules, no cell phones, and no computers which all lead to a relaxing time.  Along the way we had to stop and get this little gem:

This is our Week 22 Photo (Papayas) as we were up in Canada!

On Tuesday June 4th I had an appointment with Dr. Lehman at the OB office.  Everything is going well, so the appointment was quick.  The next appointment will bring the glucose test, which I asked if I could skip out on and got denied!  Darn...  After the appointment at the OB office, I drove downtown to the Perinatal Center where I met up with C.  We had an ultrasound to check out Baby B's heart and do a general growth check on both.  Baby A weighed a whopping 1.6 pounds and was head down.  Baby B weighed slightly less at 1.2 pounds and was transverse across the top of my belly.  Baby B was a little stinker and wouldn't budge at all during the ultrasound.  The little guy's heart was almost directly below my belly button, which caused the ultrasound tech to struggle to get good shots of his heart.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, the tech got as many pictures as she could!  

Once the ultrasound tech had compiled the pictures, we then met with Dr. Drake.  Dr. Drake checked over the ultrasounds on both boys and mentioned that they looked great, including both hearts!  She asked us if we knew why we were doing such an extensive check on the hearts, which we responded yes - IVF.  She made mention that there is a possibility that there are heart defects with IVF babies, but in her entire years at the Perinatal center, she has yet to see an IVF baby with a heart defect.  We were very much excited to hear the good news!

Next appointments for both the OB office and Perinatal center fall on July 2nd.  Ultrasounds in the morning and glucose test in the afternoon.

Here's some of the most recent photos:

This was while I was in Wahpeton, ND for work... I felt like I had popped - 6/5/2013

Until next time,
Love Amber & the Boys (C, Max, & Babies)