Birth and Babies Journal-----------------------------

C-Section: May 20, 2008

BIRTH- Our boys were born May 20, 2008 via c-section. Baby Boy A was born at 8:45am. He weighed 6lbs. 14oz. and was 48cm. long. Baby Boy B was born at 8:46am. He weighed 7lbs. 11oz. and was 49cm. long. Our Dr. thought it was one placenta, but he had it sent in to confirm if they are identical or not.

June 10, 2008 - So the boys are already three weeks old. Amazing where does the time go? Yesterday, we had them weighed by the health nurse. I soley breastfeed right now. Creed who was the smallest put on over a pound. He's now 8lbs. Laud hasn't gained that much. I'm a little concerned, but the nurse is coming again next week to weigh them again. Then we'll make a decision for him. He weighed in at 8lbs 2.5oz. So now that they are that close in weight, my husband is having a hard time telling who is who. I'm still good probably cause I'm the mama :) We are still waiting to see if they are identical or not. I'm hoping when my Dr. is in next week we'll get the results.

June 20, 2008- I had an appointment with my OB about my c-section incision. He wasn't sure it was an infection, but blood build up. I am on antibiotics though cause the Emerg. Dr. prescribed them. We also found out the pathology report of the placenta. Instead of there being only one placenta it was actually two fused together. That means our twin boys were di/di. So now only a 20-30% chance of them being identical. We'll have to get their DNA tested to know forsure. We will...just not sure when. I'm still thinking they are identical, but recently we've noticed more differences...especially their head shapes. However, their features are so similar: ears, nose, eyes are the most alike. We decided to not get them circumsized. Big decision for us since DH, DS1, DS2 all are. We couldn't get the twins done when they were born cause the only Dr. that does them was out-of-town. He came back and was willing to perform it on them even though they were 4 weeks old. BUT he wouldn't use any sort of pain medication. I cringed at the thought and after much debate with my DH we both decided that no we wouldn't put them through it. If at some point it becomes necessary then we'll deal with it then.

--------------------Pregnancy Journal--------------------------------

May 16, 2008 - 37 weeks 3 days- I had a quick u/s to check their positions. Boys are still breech and transverse. So looks like May 20th, unless I go before then. I'm nervous about the c-section, but am more excited to see the boys. Only 4 more days to go YEA!!!! And in Canada we have a long weekend. So my husband is off for 3 days in a row. Good I can get some much needed sleep before Tuesday. However I still have to finish getting stuff ready for the twins.

May 8, 2008- 36 weeks 2 days-

I went into the hospital yesterday for a NST. The boys are doing great. I was having contractions, but wasn't even feeling them all. My Dr. did a cervix check and well I still have a cervix of steel. No effacement or dialation. I found out my c-section is scheduled for May 20. It's nice to have a date, but I tell ya I sure would be happy to get this done sooner. My groin area is in so much pain, and I don't even know why. My Dr. isn't planning on doing another u/s to check positons. I guess he thinks they don't have room to change at this point. So I'm preparing for the c-section mentally and emotionally. I would have liked a natural birth. I think it would be easier to push out two 6lb. babies vs. my last two who were 9lbs. each.

May 2, 2008 - 35 weeks 3 days-

Yesterday I had my 35 week scan of the boys. And we confirmed that yes they are both definitely boys. It had been hard to get a good view of Baby A, but yesterday he showed off his privates. Baby A measured 5lbs. 8oz. with a 153 heartrate. Baby B weighed 5lbs. 3oz. with a 140 heartrate. Baby A is breech bum down near my cervix. Baby B is transverse. So a 99% chance of a c-section. My Dr. is looking at two dates May 16 or 20. I should know more next week at my appointment. I feel like my skin and uterus is stretched as far as it can go. I often get sharp burning pains under the skin. I assume it's just from the stretching. I'm barely moving around the house now. I try and only go downstairs once or twice a day. I've had alot of contractions, but nothing to change my cervix. I'm not sure I would know if I was actually in labor unless my water breaks. Well if I hang on they will be here in less than 3 weeks.

April 22, 2008 - 34 weeks

I went to Emergency tonight to check up on the babies. I had some activity throughout the day, but only on the right side. I suppose they could be in different positions, but I'm so use to feeling kicks and movements on both sides. They did a NST and everything was fine. Good movement and heartrates. I'm still glad I went in otherwise I would have worried all night and that's not good for the babies either. Oh and this past Sunday we celebrated our son's 2nd birthday. He seems so little, but he's actually going to be huge when we bring these babies home.

April 11, 2008 - 32 weeks 3 days pregnant-

I am now getting an u/s every two weeks. Today I had another one. The u/s tech had a hard time figuring out which boy was which. The boys are both now head up (breech), but she really thinks they switched sides. I'm not sure that is possible. Anyways even though they are breech it sure was great to know they can still move after being in the same positions for over 12 weeks. Baby A measured 4lbs 2oz. heartrate 143 and Baby B weighed in at 4lbs 3oz heartrate 143. I am still having alot of contractions and the tech couldn't get a shot of my cervix. Hopefully everything is as it's suppose to be. Not much longer now!!! YEA!!!

April 3, 2008 - 31 weeks 2 days pregnant

I had a Drs. appointment today. He finally changed my due date to June 3, 2008. Course that is what I have been going by since my first U/S. Then he tells me he is planning on going to Scotland sometime in the end of May. Geez whiz, why not. I have only had the same Dr. during a pregnancy as with the labor, ONCE. So I'm use to not getting my own Dr. for the delivery. Last U/S was March 27. Baby A was 3lbs. 8oz measuring 30w4d. Baby B was 3lbs. 11oz. measuring 31 weeks. Both are still in a transverse position. Please pray for them to turn head down. My husband's parents have been kind enough to make dinner for us a couple times a week. And my neighbor across the street has been taking my 3 youngest for a walk a few times a week. Today the weather here finally felt like spring. It's 48F!!! And the snow is starting to melt. AHHH spring!!!

March 17, 2008 - 28 weeks 6 days pregnant.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I obviously can't have my favorite Guinness with a Tootsie Roll today. My mom's maiden name is O'Shea so I can wear green anyday :) Last week was a rough week for me. My two oldest kids were on their March break. My husband had to work 6 days instead of 5. I don't mind my kids home, but they do interrupt the normal day I have with my 3 and almost 2 year old. Plus my oldest son wasn't super happy about not having anything to do on the break...because of his pregnant mother. Well on Monday I went to the hospital for contractions. I had a fetal fibernectin test done which was negative. Praise God, I wasn't in preterm labor. They did admit me overnight because the contractions were every 4 minutes. I had IV fluids, bit of a pain medication, and a sleeping pill. It was actually nice to have a quiet space. Oh also Monday morning my Dr. found protein 2+ in my urine. Thursday I did the Gestational Diabetes test (results pending). Sat. I was back in Emerg. with contractions. They did blood work to check for infection...all negative. So I went back home feeling some relief, but was also told to come back in if they became 5 minutes apart. I sure hope week 29 is much better than week 28.

February 29, 2008-

Well my Dr. really wanted me to get the scan. Since we had spoken to the U/S tech last week, she was already aware of my desires for quick scans. She honored that without me even having to remind her. She scanned the twins in 20 minutes. Baby A is weighing in at 2 lbs. 1 oz. and Baby B is 1 lb. 15 oz. So right on for 26 weeks pregnant. My cervix is long and closed and the placenta isn't near it. The babies are both in transverse positions. Their heads are located next to each other right by my belly button. Baby A's body then scoops down my lower abdomen with his feet in my lower left area. Baby B's body goes up and over Baby A's head in my upper stomach area. His little feet are in my right rib area. I sure hope they go head down. They still have many weeks to get that right.

February 22, 2008-

Gary and I were not exactly sure about all the ultrasounds that are recommended for twins. We just didn't have peace about it. I know it sounds weird and maybe not that logical, but to be honest there are just too many pros and cons to weed through and we didn't know what to do. What we wanted was to hear from the Lord concerning this issue. I want to trust Him completely with all of my children and my faith seemed lacking in that area, but we continued to ask for wisdom. The appointment was scheduled for today at 1pm. and we still hadn't heard. So we decided to go and talk with the U/S tech. She was very sweet and seemed to understand our concerns. She asked, 'Are you feeling good and feeling the babies move?' Yes was my answer. Then she looked at us and said, 'You are not putting your babies at risk by waiting until your next scheduled U/S.' I'm not sure she is suppose to say that...ultimately it's our decision...but it sure helped to hear that. I'm sure some people are wondering what are we doing. All I can say is I have to trust God with my decisions and my children as you have to with yours. Your faith walk will look different than mine. So anyways, that's where I am at today. "Today" is the keyword, why worry about tomorrow when I've got today. Blessings to you!

January 25, 2008- 20w6d

We had our routine ultrasound today. Baby A was 14oz. and measured 21 weeks 1 day with a 158 heart rate. Baby B was 15oz. and measured 21 weeks 3 days with a 158 heart rate. They are in two seperate sacs, but the tech was unable to see if there was only one placenta or two really close together. So at this point it is still unclear if the babies are fraternal or identical and will need to have the placenta sent in for DNA testing after the birth. So I suppose you are wondering what the sexes are...they are both boys!!!
Quite a few people guessed correctly, but not Gary or me :) They were so cute at one point they turned and put their heads together...sharing a secret. And Baby A covered Baby B so we couldn't get a good profile shot of Baby B. Protective, I guess.

January 18, 2008 -

Last Sunday Jan. 13, I was admitted into our hospital for a pain just below my right rib area. It was so painful and would come and go in waves. Since I was pregnant, they decided to bring in an U/S tech. to check out my gallbladder, kidneys, appendix etc. My white blood count was also up. My husband was with me and we waited over an hour for the tech. to come in. Finally I was wheeled in. He started checking the organs. And then he asked, 'have you had an U/S for you pregnancy yet?' I replied, 'no, not until Jan. 25.' Then he said, 'well you are in for a surprise!' So I said, 'Is it twins?' He asked my husband and I if we wanted to know now or wait until our official U/S. Of course we wanted to know NOW!!! So yes, he confirmed we are having TWINS!!! I was 19 weeks 2 days when we found out about the babies. The only comment he made about the babies was that they are in different sacs. We briefly saw both of them. I am completely excited to see them on Jan. 25 and to find out anymore information about them that we can...like the sexes.

I totally admit I am overwhelmed, but also completely or doubly blessed. Children are a blessing from the Lord. And we are super excited to open up our lives to the little ones God blesses us with. I am confident in His love and care for me and the babies. He's a big God, so I expect big miracles!!!

Oh and yes the pain is gone. I was on antibiotics the whole time I was in the hospital and also sent home with the remaining pills. They never did figure out the source of infection.

January 11, 2008

Little baby has been moving alot now. I actually felt the baby from the outside. Not a very strong kick but a ever so slight one. When I pushed back the baby responded. This happened 3 times. FUN!!!! I go for my gender U/S on Jan 25, just two more weeks. I'm so huge already. Everyone keeps asking when I am due, and they are overly surprised when I say the beginning of June. My 12 year old son thinks it's twins, because our Pastor's wife and her father both said before I was pregnant 'Twins next time!' I think the baby is a girl, my husband does too. He's been right with all the pregnancies so far.

January 2, 2008 - I just read the most amazing book. I normally don't pick up fiction, but was highly recommended the book and I thought I'd take a chance. The book is called "The Shack" by William P. Young. Although it definitely deals with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, it's not at all how you expect God to be, unless you've come to the revelation knowledge of God as Daddy, Papa, and Father God, and even if you have you'll still be amazed. It's a thriller! I was completely convinced it was real, which is hard to believe now that I think about it, but it doesn't matter, because the effect on me and my husband was REAL. I do not want to give the plot away, just want you to know that if you are disillusioned by the church, happy with the church, hurt or not even religious consider picking up this book. Sweet surprises of grace await you along with healing, laughter, and awe.

"The Shack" by William P. Young http://theshackbook.com/, http://amazon.com/Shack-William-P-Young/dp/0964729237/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199295131&sr=8-2

14w4d- Dec. 11, 2007

This week has been less stressful! I feel like I am finally letting myself enjoy the thought (and fact) of having another baby. On Dec. 3 the Dr. couldn't find a heartbeat. I had two really rough, anxious days...he wanted me to wait two weeks for another try. However, I called and told them how anxious I was, so they saw me on Dec. 6. He found the heartbeat immediately. He never did say how fast the heartbeat was. I was just thrilled to hear it. When I got home, I finally told my dad. My mom knew about a month earlier because she opened an eBay package of mine that was shipped to her house...it had maternity shirts in it...she has never opened my mail before, and the one time she did it led to her knowing our Christmas surprise to everyone early. I actually don't think I could have waited until Christmas to tell, because I'm already in my former pregnancy clothes and looking pregnant.

I love babies and I can't imagine the time in my life when I won't have a baby to hold in my arms. My husband and I have always wanted 6. I'm the oldest of 5 and only one of my siblings has children. I'm not competitive, but I know when my younger siblings (my youngest sister is only 16) start having babies I will want another one, but due to age difference (there's 15 years between me and my youngest sister) it probably won't happen. Maybe there will come a day when I just know that I am finished having kids. And then the desire to have more will be gone...and I'll be able to enjoy my last baby as my "baby".

Anyways, just wanted to add to my Vip page.