thebabieslussier

The Girls are Here

2009-02-16T10:53:00.007-06:00

Azy is on the left, Zoe is on the right.

Azy at the hospital, Robb has more pictures of her on his camara as he spent most of the time at the hospital with her while I was home with Zoe.

Zoe right after birth.

Then you have Papa's goth outfits that he bought the girls for Christmas. Notice the pirate and skulls.

Ok.. I am super tired so I will make it brief. I can regale you all with the story later.

The girls were born via c-section, by choice, on Feb 6th. Zoe was born at 3:02 pm at 5lb 2.7 oz and Azy was born at 3:04pm at 5lb 7.9 oz.

Zoe came home with me just this last Tuesday. In a car seat stress test it was found that Azy would forget to breath. Not good. She stayed an extra couple days and came home Friday. Her treatment is 20mg of caffeine daily and she has a little Velcro band across her chest holding on monitors hooked up to a machine. That way if she forgets to breath an alarm will sound and we can go check on her. Nothing scary, they would not have let us bring her home if they were worried. It is just a precaution for a few weeks until she is bigger.

I am off to feed the babies then for a much needed nap.

I am feeling very blessed these days.

Love to you all,

Elizabeth

36 weeks....are we there yet?

2009-02-03T09:53:00.002-06:00

Yep..36 weeks as of yesterday...and still pregnant. My girls are still a moving and back pain is constant now. I pray all the pain means that my visions of babies head down for a natural birth are ahead of me.

I rallied the troops on Saturday and they heard my call. Nicole, Bhavna and Kyria all made it to my house on Saturday for the final act of cleaning and nesting for the sake of my sanity. Janell and Huyen made the offer for Sunday but we were able to get it all done...so they got the day off. For many of the other beloved friends and family.... I was simply asking at too short a notice for the help they had been offering all along. So to every single one of you... thank you.

Of particular note I must praise the extra love and attention of my sister-in-law Kyria. I am lucky because she lives less than 5 minutes away from me and up to this point has been a stay at home mom with some freedom (best of luck on the job hunting). She sat with me at the hospital one particularly scary night early on when Robb was out of town. She has cooked extra food to bring over. Invited our family over for multiple dinners. Taken Dylan off my hands for the day. And was at my house Saturday from 9-5:30 in a flurry of cleaning. Choose the not so fun stuff like the kitchen and bathroom, so my friends could do the fun stuff like fold and organize baby things. Then to top that off Dylan and I spent Sunday afternoon with her and her kids at the YMCA so I could float in the pool and get some relief from all the back pain. She has offered to help in so many ways that I have to wonder what I ever did to deserve such love and loyalty. I love you Kyria... and I won't forget all the kindness you have shown me.

I am very heavy with children at this point and am praying for delivery sometime Thursday on. Heather is flying in from Charlotte to stay from Thursday to Tuesday and we hope the babies will cooperate and be born while she is here. While I was whiny before from aches and pains I am now in that silent grin and bare it phase. Which is freaking out Robb because he knows how much pain I have to feel to actually not talk about it. My last day at work is Wednesday. I simply can't haul this body around the office and not cry.

I know I have been horrible with pictures. But I promise...there will be numerous pictures of the girls when they arrive (because I can take those). And honestly who's picture would you rather see anyway? Me looking tired, huge and uncomfortable. Or pictures of my little angel babies.

Back to work.
Love, Blessings and Good Juju,
Elizabeth

Babies are turning..

2009-01-30T13:46:00.002-06:00

For those who don't know I had a lot of back pain on Wednesday and went home early with contractions 20 minutes apart. Instead of going to the Dr right away they want you to drink a big glass of water, lie on your side for an hour and see if things increase or decrease. For me...it decreased. So what the heck was all the back pain for?

Babies are turning......Plan A didn't happen but Plan B is so much better. Azy is still breech but turned from facing my spine to facing front. A head down baby facing the spine causes a lot of back pain during labor (don't really know why). But our miracle is Zoe moved!! She is actually head down. She is still much higher up in my tummy and Azy is still the baby most engaged in my pelvis. But I honestly had no hope of Zoe moving from her sideways position until Azy was out. So here is plan B... I have a week to help gravity move my heaver Zoe down and hopefully push Azy out of the way and engage first in the pelvis. That way I have the bigger baby, head down and first to come out. They will only allow a breech if it is the second and smaller of the two. And that is if we can't get Azy to turn.

I have more chiropractic appointments scheduled to keep things moving. Now I am going to try all the other suggestions for moving babies. Like swimming, different yoga positions and the like.
My next OB appointment is next Friday (if I last that long). Besides the normal stuff they are going to do a more detailed ultra sound to gage size, weight and placement. And if things are not as we like I have scheduled an external version. Where they give me drugs to relax my muscles and try and turn the babies head down from the outside. So let's all keep our fingers crossed I can get my girls to turn without all the intervention and drugs.

I'll write more later...gotta get back to work.
Elizabeth :)

35 weeks plus

2009-01-27T22:15:00.002-06:00

ok no new pictures. Robb is busy nesting...or his version of it. Which is clean the garage, put in a new hot water heater, install a new bathroom vent/fan. And last but not least... purchase a home beer brew kit and proceed to brew a 5 gallon batch of beer. Really... I say? But he has been very sweet and attentive to all my needs. Baking cookies and telling me "the babies want them".

I am in the process of packing my hospital bag. Gathering the baby stuff I want to take, like their books to put footprints in and going home clothes. Getting the car seats ready, which in MN includes a snow suit, extra blankets and the neet fleece covers that go over the car seat like a blanket but more fitted. Then their is my required stuff. My pillow and Koala bear are a must for my comfort. Go a head and laugh... but I NEED my FRIEND when I am scared. My exercise/birthing ball and pump and my huge breastfeeding pillow. So I can use it right from the start. Then add the IPOD docking station and my musical play list that Robb kindly put together for me with weekend. I think the staff at the Hospital is going to freak as my hubby comes in carrying all my stuff in a laundry basket, as is my way.

Dylan and I went through baby toys and cloth diapers this weekend. Both Robb and he looked totally lost when I tried to explain the difference between one brand of wrap vs another. Dylan had lots of good questions about powder (a no-no according to our baby class) and diaper creams (only used if needed). I also asked him if he would wear a baby in a carrier when we went out. He actually sat down and read the manual for one of the snugglie carriers you can either wear on your chest or back. He sounded really excited about the idea of getting to wear one of his sisters out shopping. I think I am going to have a wonderful helper. Dylan is already checking in on me with "can I get you anything" which is a big help when I want water and Robb is downstairs.

As for me I am huge beyond belief and in a lot of gravity related pain. With all my ligaments loosened up my knees are starting to hurt and I am getting carpel tunnel in my hands and arms. But the Dr. keep say....you are fine...keep on working.... I am now seeing a chiropractor (Heather's roommate from fashion school who changed careers) who is manipulating me with a method called the Webster Technique. The philosophy is that a baby will stay and grow where it feels most safe and in balance with your body. The fact that Zoe has yet to move anywhere other than sideways means she is happy where she is. Anyway....the idea is to get your pelvic bones, supporting ligaments and sacrum into a more advantageous and appropriate alignment for birth. With the hope that balancing the body will push they baby out of the comfort zone and into a head down position for a more natural child birth.

I have had 3 adjustments now and Lynn is going to continue to see me twice a week until the babies show up. Even if we are not successful in getting Azy to turn head down, the adjustments are well worth the effort as there is much pain relief for a day or two afterwards. The good news is I am starting to see and feel things that are telling me the babies are about a week away from being born. I won't gross you all with the details...but those of you with children may know what I am talking about. Lynn also felt a significant loosening of my pelvic ligaments which in her education also concludes that my body is getting ready for it's marathon event in the near future.
My energy levels are up, my sleep (what 3-4 hour chunks I get) are more restful and my need to get everything in order are all good indicators that delivery is indeed on the horizon.

I will try to keep you all more updated. And get some picture of my now cute and round belly. It is almost 11 pm and I am sure to regret that I stayed up so late. Oh well....it is just practice for those night time feedings.

Love, Blessings and Good Juju,
Elizabeth and the girls

Another photo

2009-01-20T14:21:00.002-06:00

Here is me and Dylan just this last Saturday. Can you believe my 16 year old is taller than me? If you look next to the red ribbon at my belly you can see it sticks out farther than you think. Now that I look pregnant I am going to take more pictures. Robb promised he would. So hopefully there will be more in the next few days.

Happy Obama Day....

Elizabeth :)

2009-01-18T18:28:00.002-06:00

Here is a picture of my belly. I went to visit Naomi in southern MN the weekend after Thanksgiving for our Birthday's. See what I mean... I look more fat than pregnant. She was giving my belly a kiss. But then again I am already too big for the largest maternity shirts avalible so I am wearing a plus sized shirt two sizes larger than I usually wear.

End of week 33

2009-01-18T17:52:00.003-06:00

I am huge and tired and all that comes with the last few weeks of a pregnancy. I know...I need to get pictures added. Maybe with downtime at work tomorrow I will get some scanning done.

My girls are huge! As of two weeks ago Zoe was 4lb 7oz and Azy was 3lb 6oz. Then I gained 3 pounds the following week and a half pound last week. So I am sure they are both over 5 pounds already. The Doctors are happy with their growth and as of tomorrow they will not stop any labor that starts. So now it is just wait and grow even larger until they arrive. And hope I can get Azy to go head down.

I am still working, which is why I haven't written much. I am so tired by the time I get home that I put on my jammies and crawl into bed. I am full of aches and pains but honestly I have nothing really to complain about. No diabetes, No high blood pressure, No swelling. I look like I am about to pop with only one baby, so I am carrying the two really well. I don't look anywhere near as huge as Krista did at the end of her pregnancy, but I am still 3 weeks away from where she ended at 37 weeks.

My shower was lovely and just as I hoped. All five of the "mothers" in my life were able to make it. Add that to 3 sisters and a large number of girlfriends. I was "showered" with many gifts for which I am very grateful. And I got a chance to tell them all just how important they are to me. For those of you out of towners that still wish to get me something. May I suggest my registry at www.babiesrus.com under Elizabeth Lussier. Most of my Target stuff I received and there are a few things at Babies R Us that I will need to purchase once the girls arrive. So go for it, if you are so inclined.

I plan to have Robb post hospital pictures here for me once the girls arrive. So my guess is this will be the first place most of you see their beautiful faces. I am still hoping for a natural childbirth. However Azy is still breech and Zoe is still sideways. So I have some work to do in the next few weeks to try and get Azy turned. If all I have to whine about is a C-section than that is a small price to pay for a relatively quiet and healthy pregnancy and my girls in the end.

I am off to rest. Blessings and good Juju to you all.
Elizabeth :)

30 weeks already

2008-12-16T12:00:00.003-06:00

Hello All,
I can't believe I let my blog linger for so long...sorry about that. Everyone is very well, I have been increasingly tired and busy with the holiday season.

First a note to my East Coast Family. Congrats to Susan on her marriage and baby due sometime around my girls. My thoughts and love go out to all of you! I heard a great story recently about talk of my girls' names around the table at a family gathering and it made me so happy to know ya'll were thinking of me :) I am truly a lucky girl!

The second note is the shower is Dec 27th 1-4. The original evite that went out mid November only went to work addresses. So everyone that had yahoo or hotmail accounts didn't get one. So...paper invites are going in the mail this week I am told. I didn't send out invitations to all those far and wide. While I would love any part of my "east coast family" to be a part of my shower I don't think any of you have plans to fly up the weekend after Christmas... so please don't feel slighted that you didn't get an invite. The love and support of everyone is so overwhelming.... how do I even begin...

The girls are amazing! I am at 30 weeks as of this Monday with anywhere from 6-8 weeks left to go. The last long ultra sound we had on 12-12 put Azy at 2lb 2 oz and breech in the middle of my pelvis. Zoe is 2lb 7 oz and still sideways above her sister. She is our little acrobat and had her feet up by her face during the ultra sound. Both are growing like weeds and moving a lot when not sleeping. By now I should have over 5lb of baby in me. I am relieved to be pass the 30 week mark and overjoyed at how big they are already. At this point they can arrive safely and take a few extra weeks in the NICU growing. I am still hoping they will stay and grow until early February.

I am continuing to work and crawl into bed as soon as I get home. Trying to eat for 3 people is a challenge and I feel like I am eating all the time. My ligaments are stretching to get ready for delivery and my lower half aches all the time. I have been very lucky compared to many. The list of complications and sever pains that I could have are long and I am blessed to have almost none of them. So I really have no complaints.

I will add new pictures later today or tomorrow. I can still tell the girls apart by noses. I told Robb that it may be a few days before I know who is who depending on what kind of swelling birth has in store for their faces. Azy has my bridge and Robb's tip and Zoe is the opposite with Robb's bridge and my tip. I can't wait to see how these features play out on their faces. But I can already tell they are beautiful.....or is that motherly bias?

We have most of baby central put together with a few things left to get taken care of. I need to reupholster the rocker, get the cribs assembled and pack my hospital bag. I plan to bring the girls home in the layette that was knitted for me by my Nana Margaret. A yellow cardigan, booties and hat with a puff on the top. I also found another knit set at a garage sale that is pink and similarly made with love by someones Grandma. I also have fleece blankets by Grandma Twila and knit afghans by Great Grandma Bama (that my sister in laws held on for me in the hopes that "someday" a baby would come my way). So treasured keepsakes are being packed along with whatever new memories we will make.

I must get back to work,
Love and Blessings to you All this Holiday Season!
Elizabeth :)

6 Months and counting

2008-11-12T11:32:00.003-06:00

I have reached another mile stone...the 24 week mark. I don't have any new pictures. We didn't make it to the Halloween party because I had some bleeding and sat at the hospital for a few hours making sure everything was ok (which it was). Heather was in town last weekend and was able to make it to my Friday appointment. I gained 2 pounds, blood pressure is still in the normal range and I passed my second diabetes test. We got a quick look at the girls which was the reason I wanted Heather to come. We got to see baby legs and toes, heads and heartbeats. Both girls were quiet, most likely sleeping.

We did come up with another name. I can't remember if I have mentioned it yet or not. Here was the thought process. It started with "I have to come up with a cute middle name since Zoe's is Darling". So I thought Precious might pass. Robb thought it would be clever to find a name starting with an A so we could say "we did it all from A to Z". So baby name search engine here I come. I plugged in Girl names starting with A, two syllables. At the very end I found it.
Azy (like Daisy without the D) meaning Precious in Afrikaan. Unique enough to match Zoe, but not too hard to pronounce, your choice would be two different sounds for the A. Then there was the middle name. There is some Dutch tradition (at least in my Mom's family) for girls to be named for aunts or cousins. Robb and I sat a Famous Dave's eating dinner and settled on her name. So presenting our baby names.....
Azy Joy Lussier & Zoe Darling Lussier
Darling to honor my Best Friend Heather...who I gave the pet name Darling to around Jr. High.
Joy to honor my sister Krista who's name sounds like Christmas Joy for her arrival on December 23rd.

I must say naming a human being has been an interesting journey. Do the initial mean something? Does the name make a rhyme that other children can tease with? Is that name one that would be accepted in a professional world, if that is the route my child chooses to go? Zoey will always be Zoey to me...but she can be more professional with Zoe if she wants. Azy can go by A.J. if she finds her name too unique. Now the trick is making sure the name stays with each baby as they tumble around in my belly and perhaps enter the world in a different order than the baby A on the bottom (Azy) and baby B on top (Zoe)

I am home today not feeling too well. I am very tired and achy. I am starting to get the aches and pains that are normal for the 8th-9th month early because there are two. I am hoping to continue being able to work at least through the end of December. The official due date is March 2nd, but that is the 40 week mark. Twins come early.....so my goal is beginning to mid February around 36-37 weeks.

Shower plans have already begun with a date of December 27th. (so Heather can be home) I am so very lucky to have so many people who love me and want to be involved! Some of you will hear more from Heather and Bhavna (the ring leaders) as to how you can help. The rest will hear more details about the fun. My goal is to register in the next 2 weeks to give ideas about things we will need. But please know, I don't expect any gifts.... times are hard .... and the Holiday's at hand.

For me this shower is a celebration of dreams coming true. I wanted to invite everyone who has supported my ups and downs over the last 5 years. There was a time of grief in my life when it seemed I had no family or friends to care for me. Robb and Heather were my life preservers in a sea of sadness. But now.... there are so many of you that I love ... the new family I created and surrounded myself with. I am humbled and honored to realize just how many of you have added your love to my life. This party is for you too.... a chance for me to tell you all just how important you are and how grateful I am for your presence in my life!

Ok.... enough of the tears, crazy pregnant lady...
Love and Blessing to you all,
Elizabeth :)

11 week belly

2008-10-29T19:57:00.005-05:00

Ok... Here is a picture of me visiting Heather in Charlotte. If you can believe I am only 11 weeks in this picture! I did start out my pregnancy between 230 & 240 but I can honestly say I swelled pretty quickly. Ginormous boobs and a stomach shoved up with babies underneath. It was 102 heat index that day in the shade...so if you look closely I am glistening.

As soon as Robb takes a picture of my current cute belly I will post it, maybe this Friday. We are going to a Halloween party and we are going as Ashley Simpson and Pete Wentz.

Blessing and Love to you all...
and please....don't forget to vote!
Elizabeth :)

2 Girls...

2008-10-25T15:35:00.002-05:00

The wait is now over. It was confirmed on Friday that we are going to be blessed with 2 girls.
Robb is still walking around like a deer in headlights. "What am I going to do with 2 girls?" I think he is worried about all the boys he will have to deal with down the road.
Me.... I am not as disappointed as I thought I would be. I am so excited ... now we just have to come up with an equally cool name as Zoe for her sister.

Babies are growing well. Baby A (formerly known as Chance) is around 15 oz and Zoe is 14. On track for week 21. Both placentas are out of the way making it possible to dream for a natural birth.

I have been pretty tired. But feeling a million times better. I feel like I have been eating constantly, however I am still losing weight. The Dr isn't worried and neither am I. I know I have sufficient "reserves" for us all to get the calories we need to be healthy. I also am confident that the healthy way I have been taking care of my body the last few years has built up some healthy nutrient reserves as well. I just have to concentrate on making sure I get the vitamins that don't store well ( like vitamin C) and getting enough protein, iron and calcium.

I just can't believe I am getting two girls. I got to spend a good hour or so watching them yesterday as the ultra sound tech checked over everything. They are not something I dreamed up...they are really there...growing and moving and learning already. Two little pieces mixed of all the hopes and love my hubby and I could make. I am elated and terrified all at the same time. I just pray that all ups and downs will bring me to the healthy, happy babies I have been dreaming of my whole life.

Love to you all,
Elizabeth :)

Week 19

2008-10-06T20:51:00.002-05:00

I had felt better last week..then have felt yucky most of the weekend and today. Perhaps I am just going to be one of those women who are sick most of their pregnancy.

The babies while quiet most of last week have been kicking up a storm today. I think I am starting to sound like a crazy woman at work. One can hear at random times of the day "Ouch, stop kicking me". What I am really thinking is "damn it kid, stop head butting me!" Head butting is a guy thing on Robb's side of the family. Robb did it as a little kid, Dylan did it too. One of the more distinctive pains I can recognize is a head slamming against the wall of muscle.
And that would be baby A, the lower one, who I think is my boy, Chance. I have no cute, fluttery feelings of baby movements. The only thing I recognize is that pain usually means someone is moving.

I didn't purchase much at the Mother of Multiples sale over the weekend. Just a few small odds and ends. However I am feeling very blessed in all the things coming my way. Between my sister-in-law Kyria (who had the last baby, Cici) and my best friend, Dina (who has the 6 month twin boys) I now have everything I need furniture wise for the first 6 months! 2 Cribs, 2 car seats, 2 swings & 2 bouncy seats! And to top that off, we raided Dina's closet again on Sunday and found more maternity shirts for work and weekends. And I get to borrow a really nice black cocktail dress that should work for the Holidays. I am so lucky to have their kindness and love!

My next appointment is on Friday, so I am sure I will have more Dr. news over the weekend. I will be interested to see if I have gained any weight in the last 2 weeks. While I feel that the babies are growing I know I am still not getting enough calories for us all. My face is starting to look less chubby. For those of you that knew her, or have seen pictures of her, I have the bull dog jowls of Oma deWolff (not Marie our Oma, but Opa's mother from Holland, who was my Mom's Oma). Heather insists that I get her pictures of my belly.... and there was an anonymous post by some kind soul who thinks I look pregnant...so I will put pictures up this weekend for you all to laugh at and enjoy.

I can't tell if I am really this bad at bouncing from topic to topic with really bad paragraphs. Or if it is baby brain. Maybe it is a little of both. I ramble ...it is quite common. I am off to bed.

Love and Blessings to you all,
Elizabeth :)

Week 18 Half way there....

2008-09-30T20:57:00.002-05:00

I am starting to feel better...finally. I have my good days and bad...but mostly now I am just really hungry. Hungry for fruit and carbs and soda. Basically lots of calories. I don't have that "cute pregnant look" yet so I am sorry to those who want to see pictures of my belly...ain't gonna happen. I still look like I have 2 big fat rolls with a crease at the waist. My belly button is getting shallower by the day so hopefully the waist will disappear and I will look rounder and more pregnant. Then I will post some pictures. Here I am wishing for roundness....I am sure in another 8-10 weeks I will be so uncomfortable!

I do look pregnant in my maternity shirts and waddle when I walk so most people get it, specially if I hold my tummy. Right now the tightest part of my tummy is the top roll. Baby A on the bottom (Chance) is constantly moving and jostling Baby B (Zoe). So Baby B is trying to get away from Baby A by crawling up under my stomach. I can still breath well but eating is a whole other story. And Yes, those are names we have picked out, if I haven't mentioned them here before. And No, the genders are not confirmed yet. I have my level 2 ultrasound scheduled at 21 weeks and hopefully the babies will cooperate and we will get some sort of idea. I will let you all know what we find out.

I am starting to accumulate baby stuff already. Being the thrifty person I am, there are lots of hand me downs coming my way. I already have one pack and play (a small portable crib and what my babies will be sleeping in) one infant car seat (still being used by my niece Cecelia) two boppie pillows and covers, one bouncy seat, one swing, one backpack style carrier and a great baby monitor. I have an antique dry sink that with a handy me down changing pad will be the changing station. I have chosen an antique dresser that I picked special from Bama's house for their clothes. (Robb's beloved Grandma who is no longer with us). Oh and I have heard about two new fleece blankets lovingly made by the babies Grandma Twila...but I haven't seen them yet. :)

I have a garbage bag and laundry basket full of new born - 9 months clothes from my sisters in law. I did a good job of grabbing all the neutral stuff I could. Which was really hard because the last 3 born on Robb's side of the family were girls, the first, second and third girl after 4 boys! So there was a TON of cute girl stuff....so I took some of that too. So now I need to unpack the clothes and take inventory of what I need. This weekend is the annual garage sale for my Mothers of Multiples Group. So I am trying to get Robb to go with me to pick out more of the larger ticket items at a good second hand price. Keeping it out of the landfill...that's what I am all about!!

I am half way through my pregnancy. Twins are usually born at 36-37 weeks instead of the normal 40 week for a singleton. Most of the time there is simply no more growing room and the placenta's start to deteriorate triggering delivery. If that doesn't happen I have heard it is pretty common for Dr. intervention around 37 weeks. I am determined to have as natural a birth as is healthy for me and the babies. So we will just have to see how things go.

I hope my update finds you all happy and healthy. Blessings and good Karma all around!
Elizabeth :)

Week 17 Dr. Appointment

2008-09-24T18:48:00.002-05:00

Greeting to you All,
I am feeling much better this week. The nausea and yacking seem to be done, thank goodness!
I gained a whole pound in three weeks, I guess it is better than losing. Hopefully I can starting adding some healthy weight in the next 2 weeks. I am excited because it is Apple Season. My favorite are Honeycrisps and I am getting some in my fruit and veggie box from the community farm I am a member of, tomorrow.
I did get more clarification from my Dr. about what happened a week and a half ago. Here I was thinking I tore my uterine muscle. When I mentioned it that way today the nurse corrected me. I guess I have slight placenta previa, which is a small bit of placenta over my cervix. That was what caused the bleeding. The Dr. is not worried because as my uterus grows it should pull the placenta up and out of the way. I was also told there may be more bleeding as this adjusting takes place and to keep them updated.
What a relief to know that was the issue. Here I was starting to worry that my vision of a natural birthing would be effected by a torn muscle. Needless to say I feel better knowing it wasn't as bad as I thought. And getting the heads up about more bleeding will make me feel less panicky if it should happen again.

Hubby wants to go shopping...so I am off to Lowes.
Blessing and good wishes for health and happiness!
Elizabeth :)

Week 16

2008-09-21T14:45:00.002-05:00

Well it has been an up and down week.
Last Friday after a little romance with the hubby in the morning I felt what I would call a charlie horse of the uterus. The pain was sharp enough to have me calling in sick to rest. Later around 4:30 I got up from napping to find I was bleeding. A quick trip to the local Dr's office sent me racing to the emergency room. Robb was already half way to Indiana for a paintball trip and most of the people I thought to call right away were on the other side of town and an hour or more away in rush hour traffic. As I sat waiting and trying to remain calm I remembered my sister in law, Kyria, lives 15 minutes from my house. A quick call to her and she was sitting next to me keeping things light and humorous, offering me snacks from the vending machine and keeping me calm. A BIG thanks Kyria for being there!!

The Doctor in the emergency room was able to see that the babies were fine but with the their limited equipment were not able to tell me the cause. Just "rest over the weekend and call your Dr. on Monday". I called Robb on the way home from the hospital. He decided to leave right away Saturday morning to be home with us, which I found very sweet. I was surprised when I called my Dr. Monday morning on my way in to work that they were not worried at all and didn't see any reason to see me until my following appointment. A week and a half away!! I tried to remain calm and figured if I got scared again I would make them see me.

Well I got scared Tuesday morning and was able to be seen by an ultra sound tech later that afternoon. I had a sugary soda in the morning and a little while after that had lots of varying pain in my uterus. As a new Mom I still was unsure if I could feel the babies yet or not. Well....now I know... after giving the babies so much sugar they were having a disco in my belly and what I was feeling was them bouncing off the walls. It is funny to think of now.

The tech was able to tell me that I had a nice sized blood clot from a tear to my uterus. It is already healing and not interfering with the babies in any way. Baby A likes to kick the healing spot...so I feel that quite often. The babies are 5 oz, each about the size of a burrito and already up under my belly button. They are drinking amniotic fluid (which is normal) and have a healthy amount of fluid around them. So far they are healthy and growing just fine. I am on uterine rest for a few weeks to allow the tear to heal. In layman's terms...that means no more getting laid! A small price to pay for healthy kids. :)

I would say the best part about my week is now I can feel the babies. I can tell the difference between simple moving and active kicking. If I sit quiet and watch, I can actually see the movement from the outside which matches all the activity I feel inside. My extra padding keeps the movements to only visual right now. I would guess in another week or two Robb should be able to feel them moving around too.

So after last week's adventure I am content with all my aches and pains, knowing the babies are growing well and are just fine. I hope everyone who is reading is happy and healthy as well.
Love to you all,
Elizabeth

Week 15 Dr. Appointment

2008-09-11T20:38:00.003-05:00

OK...I know...3 posts in one night....but I like nice clear cut reading.

I get to the clinic and wait 15 minutes alone in the waiting room. (I am sure I will complain about this a lot) I lost 5 pounds for which there was lots of "concern". Whatever...lots of people lose weight in the first trimester when morning sickness is the worst. The babies are still little parasites. They take everything I eat first. I had noticed that after a week of eating for less than one I was feeling weak and malnourished. But hey...that goes with the territory. Plus I started out with "extra padding" which is nature's way of making sure I have enough calories for all of us to live on.

The best part was getting a quick peak at the babies. They are now almost spooning with one right on top of the other. I had a new nurse to the clinic who grabbed a Sr. nurse to help her with the equipment. The Sr. Nurse couldn't stop laughing. "I just haven't seen two babies stacked up like that in a long time." They were both sleeping until all the jostling woke them up. Then Baby A on the bottom started to kick and poor Baby B would fly "up in the air". Then we watched as Baby B tried to squirm away from the offending kicks. It was so adorable.

I am sure some of you have wondered how my Multiple Sclerosis plays out during the pregnancy. The good news is that it should have no effects at all. For women who have more reoccurring symptoms they often find a reprieve during pregnancy with no symptoms at all. There are actually studies going on trying to pin point what it is about pregnancy that keeps symptoms at bay (which reminds me I need to call my Dr.) The only down side is there is an 80% chance of some sort of flair up, episode or "symptom" within 6 months of delivery. I am praying that if and when that happens to me it will again, be mild, and I can continue with out daily meds until I have weaned the babies.

That is all for now. We still don't know the babies true genders. I may be able to find out in two weeks at another appointment. But the two hour ultra sound is scheduled for 21weeks and by then we should be able to confirm genders. That is unless one of the babies is shy...but for those of you who know my husband...could any of his children ever be labeled as "shy"?

My Love and Best Wishes for Health and Happiness to you all,
Elizabeth :)

Weeks 14-15

2008-09-11T20:10:00.002-05:00

Time is a flying.... week 14 had me feeling better. I was able to keep most food down but still not enough for 3 people. I also had to make a trip to my local Motherhood Maternity store to look for clothes.
Thankfully the store by my house does carry plus sizes. Two pair of work pants, 2 tops, a sweater, a tank top and various undergarments later I racked up quite a bill. An FYI to those of you who may end up shopping there...they run quite the racket!! I heard the sales lady say "all sales are final" and something about "returns within 10 days" which I took to mean the two summer tops I was getting on sale would not be returnable. But to my dismay, I had some buyer remorse and decided to return a few things. I was so excited I didn't even pay attention to how much I was spending! So I go back within "10 day" only to find out they will not give me cash or credit, even WITH the receipt! Instead I get a gift card for in store credit. I am still angry about it!! I am in the largest size they have now and by the end of my pregnancy I am sure it will be Mu Mu's from the Lane Bryant Catalog in size 30. So my friends be wary of how you spend in their store....

Week 15 is not going as smoothly as I had hoped. I have been sick again. Mostly heaving all morning again until around noon. I eat...get sick an hour later...lose half...eat some more...get sick an hour later...and repeat the cycle until the food finally stays down, which it eventually does. All the while sipping on cold water.

My sister in law, Kyria, asked about cravings in a comment. My first trimester it was mostly sour stuff. Sour lemonade, sour candy, limes in my water. It all tasted good but I don't think the acid helped my stomach much. The last few weeks it has been carbs. My guess would be since I am only getting enough food for one person, my body is demanding high calorie, dense carbs. Pasta and Rice is what sounds good right now. A major aversion is meat. It makes me queasy to see it raw. When I try to eat it, it just tastes yucky. Fish and Crab (my favorite) have not been a problem. And this last weekend Robb made his first "official trip to the store" to get me what I was craving. French Silk Pie

Baby Noses

2008-09-11T19:57:00.003-05:00

OK here are the nose pictures I was talking about. Baby B is on the left and is the one on top. Her (because I think that is my girl) forehead slopes with a slight brow ridge (Robb's side) into a straight nose and a bit of upper lip can be seen. While Baby A on the right is on the bottom. He (because I think that is my boy) you can see a much more distinct profile with no brow ridge a button nose and lips. We will have to see if their faces change more as the pictures get better.

Weeks 12-13

2008-08-28T19:33:00.002-05:00

I have been sick again...my placentas must be kicking out the hormones like nobodies business.
Nothing horrific, just a constant upset tummy and the ability to eat, oh I would say 1/3 of a cup of food at one time. As my sister-in-laws have commented "its like being hung over all the time". I know my calorie and water intake have just barely been enough for one person let alone 3! I talked to the nurse on Wednesday and she assured me that the babies will be fine because they take everything first.

I had my first "official " baby appointment around 11 weeks with my regular OB. We got to see the babies first thing (he was the one to tell us last time our baby didn't make it) so we jumped at the chance to see them right away. It was really cute, one was sleeping and the other looked like it was dancing. Pretty basic appointment.

I was excited to learn later that week that I was able to get into the high risk clinic I was hoping for. I was accepted based on my previous miscarriage, my MS, my multiples and advanced maternal age. Advanced What? you say. For a singleton age 35 puts you into the "higher risk" category. I guess with twins that drops to 33, which I am. Our first appointment there was in the middle of my 12th week.

We saw a genetics councilor that went over our ethnicities to see if there were any red flags and to talk about testings. She didn't see anything major to worry about. The only two she mentioned was Downs Syndrome and Cystic Fibrosis. Both are common in white folks and when the mother is older. We decided to run a first trimester screen which is blood work and specific neck measurements during an ultra sound.

I am trying to avoid any invasive testing like an amniocentesis, unless the Dr's think it is needed. Since a needle actually punctures the bag of water there is a slight risk of miscarriage. And I want to avoid that at all costs! The good news is I have already heard back from the clinic for Downs. I went from a risk group of 1 in 250 to 1-950. We are still waiting to hear back on the CF. Honestly, I think I can deal with something medical that has a plan action. The thing I have struggled with the most, is when it comes to Dylan, none of his specialist can give me a clear answer. Does he have a true disability with his brain functioning or is he being a normal annoying teen ager?

I am hoping to get access to a scanner soon so I can add my ultra sound pictures. I have four sets already. The most recent ones were amazing and Robb and Dylan were with to see everything. Good strong heartbeats, we actually got to hear each of them. Both babies were sleeping and the technician spent a lot of time jiggling my stomach to wake them up so she could get the measurements she needed.

Baby A is the smaller of the two and the furthest down. We have 2 theories. He (because we hope for one of each) could either be 4 days younger or simply smaller. Krista's daughter Flora takes after our Nana on my Dad's side. Both are very petite. On Robb's side all the men are short. Robb is the tallest over his Dad, cousins and numerous uncles, and he is 5'11''. Plus our nephew Jack on that side is also measuring smaller than most for his age. Robb says "that's the Lussier baby"

Baby B is the bigger one and higher up. We think that one's the girl. She's the one always moving in the ultrasounds and the one making me sick I think. The technician told me they are bunkbed style on the exact opposites of the bed. So basically they are taking up the maximum space in my uterus. Which would explain why my stomach is already shoved up under my lungs and I can barely eat anything. The other neat thing we can see is they have two distinct noses. Baby B looks to have what our family calls " the de Wolff nose". A long, very classic, Roman looking bridge and tip. Baby B looks to have a shorter bridge with more of a button on the end. Maybe it is my own wishful thinking and seeing noses that aren't even there yet. Hopefully you will be able to judge for yourself soon.

Blessing and Good Ju Ju to you all,
Elizabeth :)

Weeks 8-11

2008-08-26T19:42:00.003-05:00

Well between weeks 8-11 I went on two trips.
Week 9 was spent in Charlotte, NC with my Oldest and Dearest Friend, Heather. While I enjoyed every moment spent with her, the kids had a different plan. I was sick most of the time, forcing myself to eat and trying to keep it down. The heat and humidity were not my friend. Plus an all day concert out in a heat index of 116 may not have been the best choice. Linkin Park was awesome.....but I had to hold my bag in front of the babies most of the time trying to keep the vibrations to a minimum.
Week 10-11 saw me in WI at yet another Linkin Park concert (can you tell I am a big fan?) This trip was with Robb and Dylan. The venue had steep hills and I had to stop quite often because my heart rate would shoot up and that is not the best for the babies. The weather was nice and I was less sick. I did have to spend most of the concert out of my expensive seats and up in the grass because the vibrations were just way too strong and I thought....that can't be good. Another 2 days were spent at The Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells. Water slides are limited to non pregnant people. So I got a pedicure at the Spa and spent most of my time in a tube on the Lazy River.

More interesting Dr. stuff to come.
Elizabeth

We Have Two Babies

2008-08-22T21:38:00.002-05:00

Blessing and Best Wishes to All,

We have just entered our second trimester and the time to spread the news has arrived.

The first few weeks were very bumpy. My HCG levels were low on my first test date. My first ultra sound at 6 weeks wasn't any better. The Dr. was surprised to see two sacks since my hormone levels only indicated one baby, and neither one with a heartbeat. "Maybe we are too early" I hoped. He just patted my back sadly and said...come back next week and we will look again. So I cried a lot and numbly waited out the days until the next week. At the next appointment the Dr. says with surprise "There really are two in there....and look...heartbeats this week". One was significantly smaller than the other so we talked about the possibility of that one disappearing and with luck I would get to keep one. "Come back next week, and we will look again" So at 8 weeks I head back in and the Dr. is confident that I have two strong heartbeats and he thinks the twins are here to stay.