O's BIRTHDAY!!!!

I neglected to mention earlier that it is O's 8th birthday today!! I took this picture in April 2008 at Hogle Zoo. She's a super photogenic girl and I love her to pieces!! Happy Birthday Oli!!!!!!

FHR Tracing Category I

This is one of the images from the MRI I got at University Hospital on June 10th; Danielle's on the left and Alexandra is stretched out luxuriously on the right. So I'm plugged into these monitors day and night and I find myself watching them a good portion of the time - making sure that the babies are both on good and watching to see what their little heartbeats are doing. Sometimes it's eventful and one of their heartbeats will really soar for a while; other times it's uneventful and their heartbeats go along within their normal range of about 120 -150 beats per minute. We haven't had anything dramatic happen with their heartbeats since that first week. The only drama now is whether or not the babies are Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) Category I or II. I want them to be in Category I because that's really good/normal. Category II means that there are some concerns and that we better keep watching them closely. For the past few days (since Friday), the babies have been mostly in Category I. Talk about reassuring. Not only that, but they've stayed on the monitors really well (for the most part) in about the same spots. My doctor was just telling me that in third world countries, the best predictor of a healthy baby is movement. Therefore, if I were in a third world country.... yeah, I don't know exactly where he was going with that either except for the fact that the babies are moving a lot and, apparently, that's great. Valarie's been staying with me at the hospital for the past week and a half (except for a little bit of time on the 24th). My nurse, Tammy, from my ward in Payson took her home last night after her shift. It's been fun to have her here but I'm glad that she's home. Bobby and Val have a lot to do to get her bedroom ready to be the "girls' room."

28 WEEKS on Pioneer Day

The girls and I have made it to 28 weeks!

I asked my doctor the other day how long he thought I'd be able to keep these beebies in the oven. He said that if I would have asked him that the first week I was here, he would have said maybe another day; now, though, with how good the babies have done since that first week, he thinks we'll make it to 32 weeks!! at least! He doesn't want to go much beyond 32 weeks because he doesn't feel it buys us much - he also said it's up to the other doctors too (like the perinatologists and the neonatologists). He said that we'll probably have an extended stay in the NICU anyway - because of premature issues...

I forgot to mention that my fantastic brother Dave sent me an awesome book about a week and a half ago. I'm such a looloo. Thanks DAVE!! It's a way cool book. I'll have to let you know when I'm done. Also, it was his little girl's birthday yesterday; HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!! Aunt Catherine loves you!

Little Katie last year when they came out to visit us in Provo

The babies are kicking my arm as I straddle my left arm across my belly to type. It's cute. I guess they want to be a part of it too.

Keep it boring

This picture says it all - that's how I feel...We took Tripp with us down to Utah Lake and had to tie him up to the Jeep so he wouldn't run off all of the time and get into trouble. Now, I'm Tripp. The doctor says to keep it boring, no excitement. I have had excitement though: Kim sent me a package that arrived last Tuesday but didn't make it to my room until today. It was a couple of adorable little outfits for the babies. She's a sweetheart. Tino and her kids made me the most adorable cards. They arrived in the mail today - my brother-in-law's 34th birthday. I love them and they meant the world to me. Thanks again Tine and Melanie and Joshua and Seth!! Lia, Brad, Chloe and Evan came by to visit me yesterday. Evan brought me some of his birthday cake from Saturday. It was wonderful to see them and visit with them. Evan kept asking how I got a baby in me. It was the best. Cass and Holland surprised me with a visit today. Cass brought in Holland's blessing gown to show me - it was gorgeous. Holland was adorable and kept asking me why the babies haven't come out yet. On Saturday, I turned into Mr. Hyde because of the incredible heat in the room I was occupying - it faced West/NorthWest. Understand, of course, that the room was beautiful. I'm not complaining about that at all. It's just that it was never below 80 degrees the whole time I was in there. So, long story short, I'm in a new room now, 501 - it faces north and has a lovely view of Mt. Timp. I like the sound of that number. It sounds cool and it is cool! I even need a blanket on my bed at night! The babies are really active. So far, no real worries though - just enough worry to keep me hooked up non-stop. Whatever it takes, though, you know?

27 Weeks

Alexandra is Baby B and Danielle is Baby A in this ultrasound image.

Today marks 27 weeks pregnant!

Everything's gone well for the past couple of days - I've just been really tired.

On Tuesday, Heather from Angel Watch came to see me. She's super sweet. Bryan from work came after her and we got to talk about work for a while. :o) My sisters and Mom tried to have a pizza and movie night on Tuesday but it didn't work out.... On Wednesday, Bobby and Val came over - and brought beautiful roses and a couple of books to read that they chose for me. Jer, Clysti, Deionne, Olivia and Cael visited with me. They brought me a Clive Cussler book - I love that guy. Btw, it's Jer & Clysti's 10th anniversary today; Happy Anniversary!! Gonzo came over and spent most of the day with me yesterday. Lynne from work came over too. That was a nice surprise as I totally didn't expect to see her. It was fun to visit with her. Valarie came later in the day with my Mom and Bay. Mom brought me some Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey!! It was delicious. Val stayed with me last night - it was fun. I'm not sure when she went to sleep but it was after midnight. She was playing a game that she loves on the computer. She has now mastered the wheelchair and the building of forts with a roll-away bed and the recliner. Alexandra has the hiccups right now. It's super cute. By the way, on Monday, during the perinatology exam, Danielle gave us the 'hang loose' sign. It was adorable and comforting. She and her sister are having a lot of fun right now moving all around inside me and playing together. This morning their heads were right next to each other - like most times when I see them - I think they must be discussing things, you know, twin things. :o)

I'm a lucky girl

WOW - I've got a lot of thanks to give today!!

Kim Jones - my aforementioned bff - wrote a wonderful note last night calling for prayers for the girls and I. There's no words to express how much she means and has meant to me through the years. I'll just say that I don't know what I'd do without her. Love you Kim!!

Marla Raff stopped by again and gave me a wonderful book. She's a true sweetheart for caring as much as she does. Thank you Marla!

Brit - my aforementioned best neighbor ever - came by and delivered the most beautiful blankets for Alexandra and Danielle. Val has my camera so I'll have to post a picture of them later. She also brought me the most delicious shake, that's right folks, Arctic Circle's Nutter Butter shake. It was perfect! Slightly melted and totally what I needed. And that's not all, that's right, there's more. Remember my mention about Reese's? I'm currently stocked! Not only that, but she brought me my other guilty pleasure, Sudoku puzzles!! What a gem she is!! She's definitely got my vote for one of the greatest friends ever. Thanks Britney!

It was so much fun to see Marla and Britney today. You'd think that would be enough, but, no, I got another visitor, my little baby sister, Gonzo. As many of you know, I love to laugh. I've got to tell you though, not many people can make me laugh as much as Gonzo does. It's really funny when I laugh too because I'm a belly laugher and, with the monitor on the babies 24x7, the monitors make my laugh sound like a really large helium balloon rubbing on the carpet or similar (Britney was here and also made me laugh - she can tell you what it sounded like). It tends to make me laugh even more. Good times.

By the way, great news on the babies from the perinatologist today. Alexandra is weighing in at a healthy 2 lbs. 1 oz. and Danielle is at 2 lbs. 3 oz. Isn't that wonderful?

I'm just lucky - :o)

Two of my favorite things: Friends and Sleep

Yesterday, my old friend Suzi came by for a visit. We haven't seen each other for 10+ years. She is as funny and beautiful as ever. I am so grateful for having such a wonderful friend as her.

We had a lovely visit. She even brought me some delicious suckers from Sundance. Did I mention that she's a terrific friend?

The girls are proving difficult to monitor. They like to hide for long periods of time and make the nurses and I sweat it out. The nurses often have to bring in an ultrasound machine to try and locate the two of them. I think they just have way too much room to play.

The doctor came this morning and said that the girls are looking the best he's seen them! I'm 26+1 weeks today. I need to make it to 34. Here's hoping the girls aren't too anxious to make their debut.

I'm crocheting away - the best I know how. It's fun to accomplish something.

My Mom and two of my sisters, Bay and Gonzo, took me on a wild wheelchair ride last night. It was fun to get out, even if it was only for half an hour. Thank goodness for them and their daily visits.

Craving: One thing I love is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I love them to a fault. If I had a bag of those, I don't think I'd ever be able to remove my bum from this hospital bed. It would become permanently fused!

The past two nights, I've been able to get the best sleep I've had so far at the hospital. It's been luxurious to totally fall asleep and not even remember when I went out. Morning always comes early (between 4 and 6) but sometimes I catch a few more winks after I wake up. I've got a really pretty view of the west in my room. In the morning, birds like to perch themselves on the tops of the tree across the road from the hospital. I think they're adorable and I love to watch them.

No news is good news

Today has been uneventful!!

The babies are behaving and they've taken the IV out of my hand (YAY - I can use my left hand again!). I was super tired last night and missed Bobby's phone call at 10:30. Bobby and Val have gone camping for a few days. Valarie has the camera and is in charge of bringing me back beautiful pictures like the one above which she took the other day in our yard (I know, run-on sentence; I'm the Queen of run-on sentences).

They called this morning and told me about the lovely campsite they were able to get. Yes, I'm jealous. I'm so glad that they are taking advantage of the summer and having some fun together.

You know, I was thinking of what I thought would be fun today and, imagine my surprise when I realized that I missed these three.

How fun it would be to see these guys and pet them. Alas, it cannot be.

Here's Lefty

This is especially ironic coming from me as Jaxton had been driving me nuts with near non-stop barking during the nights while I was still home. This is his gangstah look.

And here's Tripp - always photogenic and ever the real life stuffed animal.

To blog or not to blog - that was the question

I have struggled with whether or not I should start a blog. I thought of the positives and I thought of the negatives and in the end, the positives weighed out.

Here's part of the reason why: I've got a lot on my mind and I want you, you wonderful reader, to have to suffer through it. I guess it doesn't hurt that I'm currently glued to a hospital bed either.

The love of my life has come and visited with me every day.

On the second day, he brought me beautiful flowers and arranged them himself.

I tried to thank him for bringing me flowers, telling him how sweet he is to me and he simply replied that I was the one who was sweet to him. Ahhhhh :o)

My gorgeous mother has also been here every single day to check on me and keep me in good spirits.

She brought me these lovely lilies.

And where or where would I be without my adorable 11-year old, Valarie.

She stayed with me Tuesday night and almost all of Wednesday - poor thing. I'm pretty sure I drove her a little batty. She puts up with a lot from me, just ask her.

Bethany and Emily have been here too - I just didn't get cutey pictures of them to show here...yet!

Last night, I nearly had to have an emergency c-section. My doctor was called in and arrived shortly after midnight. Thankfully, however, prayers were answered and Danielle and Alexandra are doing just fine today.

Special thanks to Britney who encouraged me to write; Kim, my bff, who I love more than I can say; Marla Raff for coming by because she's wonderful; Tino for being there for me in the middle of the night last night; all of you who I know have been praying for the girls and I - if it weren't for you, I just don't know what I'd do.