25 weeks & counting... Friday - October 26, 2007.

25 weeks – hooray! But, we’re still hoping for 11 more weeks until we meet the boys.

We had another growth ultrasound on Thursday and found out both boys are doing very well. The current stats are:
Baby A: 1lb 14oz (63%)
Baby B: 1lb 13 oz (62%)

The percentage is where they stand comparatively in growth with the average singleton pregnancy. Apparently, this is impressive for twins as both my MD’s commented on how pleased they were with the babies’ growth. Obviously great news, as we already know they’ll arrive early and that every ounce of weight will be important from this point forward.

My cervix is still measuring short at 1.5 – 2 cm. But, thankfully it’s still closed. They also did another FFN test and that came back negative again. So, while it’s not as accurate for twin pregnancies… the results are “supposed” to somewhat reassure me that I won’t go into labor within 14 days of the test. The FFN test is more accurate for singleton pregnancies… but I figure they probably do it for a reason. Whether it’s just to reassure me or give us all warning of the possible early onset of labor – right now we’re happy with the test results.

I’m still having contractions and my MD’s said those will most likely continue throughout the pregnancy. I was told that if I have contractions like last Wednesday again (7 min’s apart for 2 hours), that I need to call my MD’s cell and go into L&D.

I’ve now gained 30lbs – the same amount of weight I had gained with Gabby @ 40 weeks and 3 days! FREAKY! Oh well… I know it’s important to gain extra with the twin pregnancy. The MD’s ideal weight gain for me by 28 weeks is 38lbs. Not sure 8lbs in 3 weeks is possible…

I have the MD’s approval to continue working for now – which is great! But, I am still required to stay off my feet as much as possible. And, I need to continue with my current work schedule of working in the office 2 days/week and from home 3 days/week. It’s a bit of a bummer… as I get a little stir crazy spending most of my days trying to lay and sit down, interacting with coworkers only through email, YM and cell. Not to mention the fact that we’re still in the rental house until the end of November… so I’m also pent up in a house that doesn’t feel like “home”. I’m SO EAGER to move back home!

Dan continues to be SO wonderful and helpful. What would I do without him & Gabby!? I can’t even begin to imagine…

World’s GREATEST Husband! Friday - October 19, 2007

I’ve now hit 24 weeks. And after the past week and a half, I feel like we should have a small celebration every Friday that we’re able to check off another week in this pregnancy. To be safe - the boys REALLY need to wait another 12 weeks to arrive.

It was unfortunately another crazy week for the babies and me. It started out good… I was glued to the sofa all weekend (doctor’s orders). However, I did sneak out of the house on Sunday with Dan & Gabby to visit a very cool pumpkin patch with the little neighbor boy, Trent, (and his aunt) from across the street while his mom & dad were up at the hospital with twin sister Sophie. This pumpkin patch is not like any pumpkin patch I have ever been too… we’re talking train rides, a pumpkin mountain, food stands, endless pumpkins and fall colored flowers, the best scarecrows I have ever seen and a spooky corn maze.

On another note, Sophie, Gabby’s friend (Trent’s twin sister), still needs lots of prayers. So, send all the positive thoughts and prayers you can to little Miss Sophie when you have a moment today. She’s gone through 3 major surgeries in the past 3 weeks and is having a really tough time. The neighborhood is hoping to see Sophie come home VERY soon. She has amazingly strong and thoughtful parents. And actually, the neighbors in our rental neighborhood ALL seem to be amazing and so thoughtful. There seems to be a group of 5 houses/families that literally treat each other like family and have adopted us into their close knit circle. One family brought us dinner last Saturday after hearing I was craving pasta. They hadn’t even heard about the week’s drama. One mom will send emails while I am working from home saying “Hey Jodi, I’m running out… do you need me to get you anything?” I’ve never before experienced anything like it and we hope to continue these friendships after we move back home.

I digress… where was I… oh yeah.

So, Monday and Tuesday I was glued to the sofa again, working from home (doctor’s orders). Wednesday and Thursday I planned to work in the office. Well, on Wednesday, I started getting contractions in the afternoon hours. They were consistent enough that I decided to leave work around 4:30 and head home to lie down. Well, Wednesday night – there were 2 hours where I was having contractions every 7 minutes. I chugged as much water as I could and went to bed hoping this was not going to be a 911 night.

Thursday’s MD appointment went well. We looked at the babies and their heart beats are great. My cervix is still fully closed and didn’t get any shorter which is also good. Bad news is that my cervix is still short enough to cause concern (between 1.5 – 2 cm). And after alerting my MD to Wednesday night’s consistent contractions, she said I have to call her on her cell and call or go in to Labor & Delivery if that happens again. Great.

Over the past week, I’ve read message boards and googled my symptoms. It seems as though a lot of other women with these symptoms are on strict bed rest, if not hospital bed rest. Great again. My doctor is not a fan of strict bed rest (it’s known to cause blood clots). But, she is a fan of restrictions. So, she said she wants me to repeat my work from home/office schedule that I did this past week. Then I’ll see my MD again next Thursday, along with having another growth ultrasound. And if things get worse, she threatened to pull me from work. Not sure if she just meant to only work from home or to discontinue working all together. But, either way… hopefully, I won’t find out.

Oh, and I’ve decided Dan is truly the WORLD’S GREATEST HUSBAND!! While he’s always proven to step-up when needed, over the past week and a half he’s been an all around over achiever. Not only has he been doing most of the Gabby care (lifting, diaper changes, etc.), he’s been doing all the grocery store trips, the cooking, etc. He has also become Gabby’s total playtime buddy… as they’ll spend at least an hour at the park together every day, play chase & run, etc. She’ll even say “Dada, wanna go to the park with me?” as if her daddy always just goes along with her to have some fun. Not only has Dan been helpful to us over the past two weeks, but tonight he made a huge Italian dinner for Sophie’s family, and he’s been bringing Gabby over there every day to spend playtime with Trent (because Trent misses his sister so much). Dan truly ROCKS!!

23 weeks… When it Rains it Pours. Friday - October 12, 2007

People always say “When it rains it pours.” Well, after this week, I believe it. Week 23 will certainly be a memorable one. The week started out with major IT issues at work on Monday and Tuesday. Annoying, but whatever. Then, on Wednesday we decided to fire our nanny. Thursday was an emergency OB appointment (due to Wednesday's stress), and Friday Dan ended up having to cancel his 5-day business trip to Boston due to the events on Wednesday & Thursday. Oh – and we really did get pouring rain on Tuesday and Friday.

On Wednesday afternoon, I had constant contractions and the babies were moving like CRAZY – almost like they both ate a pound of sugar. I have never felt so much activity for such a long time. It was scary. Then, I could only sleep for 3 hours Wednesday night because my mind could not stop racing about everything gonig on and the fact that I was having contractions and might be hurting the babies. So there I was at 2:45am, camped out on the sofa watching TV, surfing the net and monitoring contractions… heart racing and blood boiling. So, I ended up having to make a 911 appointment with my OB on Thursday afternoon.

At my OB appointment we peaked in on the babies again to check their heart beats (both were good). And, I of course was happy to see the boys again too after the crazy 24 hours. The MD commented “My, these are busy boys!”. True. Lord help me if they are that busy when they come out. Good news is also that my cervix is fully closed, but the bad news is that the length shortened (I’m sure due to the stress) from 3.3 cm two weeks ago to between 1.5 - 2 cm. This was somewhat concerning, as they don’t want the cervical length to fall below 2.5cm. The MD also took a FFN test, and it came back negative. Not sure of the accuracy of this test – but a positive result would mean that you’d be expected to go into labor within 14 days. I was given some restrictions so I’m now trying to stay off my feet, lay down as much as possible, and keep hydrated. I’ll be working from home 2 or 3 days/week unless my cervix elongates (which I guess is possible). Anyway, we’ll recheck everything again next week.

Yes, friends… it’s been a crazy week. But, in reality – our week was nothing. We are reminded of this when I think of Gabby’s friend, Sophie, 2.5 yrs old, from across the street who is at the hospital right now recovering from her second major surgery in two weeks to do a full shunt replacement. Her twin brother Trent is torn up, parents are obviously worried and beside themselves, and I am amazed at how this family is able to cope. I can’t even imagine…

Please say a prayer for Gabby’s friend, Sophie, and continue to keep the twins in your thoughts and prayers! They need to stay safe inside me for another 13 weeks!