my babies

well, I have about 15 min...so here we go. On Friday January 9th my water broke at 2:30am!! The babies were scheduled to arrive Monday, so they decided to come just a little early. I called my Dr, but didn't think I had contractions yet so she said it was ok to go back to sleep and come in the morning. Of course I DID NOT SLEEP! But I took a shower and got ready b/c I knew something was happening.

We got to the hospital at 7:45am, I was in active labor and luckily my OB was on call that day!

We were in the OR by 9am, and Gracie Christina was born at 9:29 am weighing 6lb 5oz, then Gavin Thomas at 9:30am weighing 7lb 14oz!!! I carried over 14 lb of baby (+ 2 placentas and fluid!) I could feel the difference on my lungs as soon as they took out Gracie.

Gavin had a little difficulty breathing and was taken to the special care nursery, but after a few hours on Oxygen was able to join us that afternoon.

They are both just perfect now, and I am adjusting slowly. They are more work that I could have ever imagined, but also so perfect.

Here are a few photos...more as soon as I can!

Gavin

&

Gracie

Gracie & Gavin

MONDAY!

This is me one day shy of 37 weeks. I went to see my Dr today and we are set to deliver them Monday morning, YEA!!! 38 weeks on the nose. My belly is stretched and itchy, I don't think I would be able to keep them in much longer anyway.

What a long, amazing and truly wonderful pregnancy it has been. We are blessed to have made it to this point and are so happy to welcome our babies into the world. I can't wait for them to meet you all. They are still kicking and moving like crazy in there, I am pretty sure if we put our Baby Girl on the floor when she comes out she will take off running!

More soon

-Louise

update

Onto week 36:)
My back pain was relentless for two days, and then out of no where it let up yesterday afternoon. Today we went to see the MFM Dr for an ultraosund. Baby A is just over 5 lbs, and my "meatball" is 6lb 11 oz (ish)!!! Then I ran some errands with my mom and I am still hanging in there today.
So maybe they will last until the 12th, who knows.
On a brighter note I am SO HAPPY the snow is melting:) 8 1/2 months pregnant lady married to a quadriplegic does not make for easy snow removal.

ugh day

After a slightly busy Christmas Eve and Christmas, Rob accompanied me to my non-stress test this morning at 10:30 with plans to hit the mall and Babies R Us following. After laying in the hospital bed for 40 min, baby A was fine, but Baby B would not move and I had THE most intense back pain I have ever had. I mean NOTHING would let it up.
So they sent us for an ultrasound where we waited for another 1/2 hr, and I walked, sat and tried my best to get the pain to go away. Finally we had the ultrasound and the words from the tech "they're having a party in there." Yup, both just fine and mom still miserable. So 3 1/2 hrs later we headed home. I did find some Tylenol in Rob's van and I laid on the couch for the past few hours and the pain is now better.
For a while there we thought they were coming today. No such luck:(
hopefully the back pain does not make a return! 2 weeks from Monday is as far as I have to go.

34 weeks

I hit 34 weeks Monday, and according to my OB, if I go into labor now, they can come out!!! (and I am more than ready). My hands and feet are swollen, but other than that I am fine. I only work until Friday, and only part time for those days, so I can hang in there!!!
I am hoping the babies don't come until after Christmas, but I have a feeling they won't make it until their scheduled arrival date of January 12th!

baby updates:)

I am 33 weeks pregnant today, the photos below were taken last week. I also was very busy with appointments last week and here are the results: the babies weight about 4 and 4 1/2 lbs, and baby B is breech. So I am scheduled for a c-section on January 12th! My OB also said that as long as I carry the babies until 34 weeks (next Monday) that if I go into labor, then they can come out!!! If Baby B is still breech they will be delivered via c-section, if he has flipped, then I can try a vaginal birth. OK babies, one more week and then we are ready for you!!!
I am getting uncomfortable, I sleep with 50o pillows supporting me and my belly. My belly pulls in almost every position (except sitting, when it rests on my legs).

Yesterday was also Rob's 31st birthday!! I can't believe he is "in his 30's". I think him turning 31 is harder for me than him. (although I am not far behind!). We went out to dinner with his family and mine Sat night, and yesterday Heidi cooked a turkey dinner. It was awesome:)

Heidi also worked on the upstairs bathroom. I really wish we did a before and after photo...it looks SO MUCH better than the ugly 50 yr old wall paper that was up there! It now is a very pretty shade of yellow and we are going to decorate with duckies for the kids:)

belly and shower updates

I am so slow at getting this blog updated! The photo below is me at 30 weeks. I am just shy of 32 now, if you can believe it I am bigger now than in the photo. I measured my belly when I woke up this morning (like the OB does) and I got 50cm. Now I know I am not a Dr, but that must mean I am like he size of someone who is a million weeks pregnant. I told Rob that I am past the "cute" part of being pregnant. My belly is in my way, my hands are numb and swollen and my feet are swollen all the time. Oh woe is me! Life could be so much worse, I know. I have at least 6 more weeks to go, so suck it up!



Here are photos from my shower two weeks ago. It was awesome. These babies are so blessed to be loved by so many wonderful people. Not only did we have friends and family from Mass here, but two of my friends from Maine, one from NH, two from CT, one from PA and one from CA!!! It was so great to see everyone. I made Rob come with me, and he ended up being the life of the party (as always). He was given a microphone to announce the gifts as I opened them, and of course he hammed it up for all of the women. I married the "class flirt" and he still is;)




These are my college girlfriends (all physical therapists) who made the trip:
Josie from PA, Laura from the South shore (also pregnant and it was her birthday), me, Jen from CA and Heather from NH.

In the last photo you can see how big my belly was at that point!

We really are so blessed to have such a wonderful network of friends and family. Our babies are going to be very well taken care of when they arrive. I have had so many people tell me they wish they had twins, so I am signing them all up for babysitting!!! I think the month of January is covered now;)

We also had a great Thanksgiving yesterday. My family drove to upstate NY (6.5 hr drive is too far away for me right now), so we went to Rob's sister's house in Beverly. She is an AMAZING cook. There were 12 of us all together, and no one went hungry! I was so tired, but very happy to share the day with family. They are an interesting bunch!!! My babies weren't moving much until we got home...I think they may have been in shock at the loudness of the family. Once we got settled at home and it was quiet, they were on the move as usual. Get ready kids...you have a loud and exciting family!

I am going to try to go shopping today! For as long as my feet will carry me.