Update on Me

I had a follow up appointment this morning with my doctor to see if I had made anymore negative process with my cervical length, etc. We were very happy to find that nothing had changed this morning. The cervix was still closed, and still plenty long in the opinion of my doctor. They did do one test to help predict the future. Apparently, the cervix excretes a certain chemical shortly before you go into labor. So, they swabbed for that chemical, and said we'd know the results today or tomorrow. Apparently, if you get a negative test (which is preferred), this means the chances of me going into labor in the next 2 weeks are slim, so we'll hope to see a negative result. If you get a positive, he said 10-15% of those are false positves, so not as usueful.

With that said, I have also been ordered confined to home and off my feet for two weeks until my next appointment (October 13th). I am really not hopeful the status will change after that point, but he said we'd re-evaluate then. I am really happy they are being cautious. Every day counts so much with progress for the twins, so we want to keep them in there as long as possible. With that said, I know bedrest is going to be hard for me. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who is doing WAY more than his part! :)

The boys were fine this morning too, good strong heartbeats and moving and kicking alot, so we continue to be happy with their progress, we just want me to be able to hold them in there a little longer.

Thanks to everyone for checking in on me and all your nice thoughts. I really have such wonderful friends, and please know all your emails and calls are so appreciated!

Very Long Day......

This morning, I was scheduled for my ultrasound. At this point, we look at the babies first (boys are great, both weigh 1 pound 4 ounces, doubling in size from last time, both sucking their thumbs and fluid levels are very good), then they always check my cervical length by vaginal ultrasound. Last time it was measuring very long, which is good, but today it had shortened quite a bit. Obviously, that is a concern considering I am only 23 weeks along. After talking about it for a while, and him asking about symptoms of labor, etc, he actually felt a contraction, and immediately sent us to Labor and Delivery (completely freaked out!).

When they hooked me up to the monitor, I was having contractions, but I couldn't even feel them, and the triage nurse and my regular OB kept referring to it as uterus irritability. They gave me a shot of one drug, and everything calmed down, but then started back up an hour later. Then they gave me an oral medication, and things calmed again. My OB examined me, and he said while we needed to monitor me more closely, he thought these contractions were just the result of the fact that my uterus is so big (measuring 34 weeks, remember from Tuesday). As of now, my cervix is tightly closed, and I don't think he was quite as concerned as my ultrasound doctor. One of the doctors Marty and I both really like was on call, so that was comforting. We were discharged at 3pm, about six hours after we got there.

For now, I am out of work until Tuesday. I have a follow up appointment then where he is going to check my cervix and see if it has shortened anymore. We're really hoping that what I am going through is somewhat normal, and that the medication I am on will keep contractions to a minimum. I guess only time will tell.

Going through this all today made me realize how totally in love I already am with these two little boys, and we are going to do anything we can to make sure they get here ready to rule the world!! I just ask that everyone keep me and Marty in your thoughts. I have a feeling the weeks ahead are going to be trying for us.

Match.com For Dogs?

After posting Mollie's picture last week, apparently, a male suitor wants her phone number! Jaxon Cash Barron, Amy's dog, would like a date! Maybe Mollie will say yes......

Maybe not!

A Beautiful Sight...

Our irrigation works!!



No more words needed....

Update After Doctor's Appointment

Everything went well this morning at my doctors appointment. I will be 23 weeks along on Friday. I did get a surprise though, my doctor said I was measuring 34 weeks, meaning that if I were carrying a normal single pregnancy, I am already the size of a woman at 34 weeks. That really surprised me!

I have gained 14 pounds, and she did tell me that based on the babies position at the last ultrasound, I would definitely be having a c-section unless the babies moved quite significantly. They have been “transverse” the entire time, but I didn’t think that guaranteed a c-section. She said my weight gain was fine, maybe a tad under what they’d like to see, but since all the ultrasounds have indicated good growth rates on the babies, she was comfortable with the gain.

The doctor I saw today was a woman doctor and she spent a lot more time with me. She pressed me a lot about my job, and coming out early. She said by 30 weeks, I would definitely be in a position where I would probably need to at least work from home. She said I’d be able to work, but the stress of getting up, getting ready and driving into work would be exhausting. I told her I hoped to make it to at least 30 weeks before I came out of work because that is when my quarter end work will be over. She just said we’d keep an eye on it. I have my next appointment on October 21st, so still every four weeks for now.

Both boys at least cooperated on their heartbeat checks today. Baby B had a sad case of the hiccups though!! We also have another ultrasound at Presbyterian Hospital on Friday, so looking forward to seeing the boys development and their estimated size.

A Wedding on a Cool September Day

Marty and I, along with Jonathan headed to a wedding on Sunday in Statesville. Our friend John Eidson got married at a cool little farm called "The Hitching Post". The weather was perfect, and the setting was under a big oak tree next to an old farm house. We had a really nice time, and wish the happy new couple all our best.

Here is a good shot of me and my handsome husband in his pink tie! It only took me two and a hlaf years to get him to realize how good he looks in pink!

A shot of all the men!

A picture of the happy couple, John and Jennifer! I wish I had a shot of Jennifer's daughter Madeline, who was the absolute cutest flower girl ever!

And, of course, a belly shot of me! I am growing quickly! No hiding the pregnancy now! I will say though that the print dress is good for a little camoflauge!

Saturday Football

Kristi and Matt invited Kevin and Marty and I to their house on Saturday evening to watch Wake Forest and Florida State play. Rowdy, of course, decided to come along as well. Marty had spent the day working in the yard, so I was anxious to get out and do something. When we got there, Rowdy had already made himself at home, and apparently had managed to stick his nose through every single set of Kristi's blinds. The game was brutal, but at least Wake came out with a win!

Kristi and Rowdy also had a pre-game nap! How cute is this?!

Mollie's Turn

Since I have introduced most of the dogs in our family since I started the blog, I figured I better give Mollie her time to shine! Mollie is Jonathan's basset hound, well Jonathan is her Dad, but her Nana and Poppy have primary custody. I took this quick shot while she was napping with her Dad on Sunday. She is a really good girl, and I guarantee she eats better than anyone reading this post!!!

Mini-Van Retraction

Marty asked me to put a disclaimer on the blog that he thought the mini-van was "ok", and that he didn't "really" like it as I had noted in my earlier post about mini-van shopping. Oh well, he doesn't have to drive it!

Happy Birthday to Marty!

Today is Marty's 35th birthday! He is now on his downhill slide to 40 as well! But, all kidding aside, I just want to tell him how much I love him and that this has been the absolute best year of my life, and I know we both agree, the year is only going to get better after we welcome these two little guys we're both so eager to meet!

So, Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband!

P.S. Honey, I knew you'd love this picture because it reminds you of the music card you loved so much on Sunday!

Saturday Shopping

Marty and I headed out early this morning to look at baby furniture. USA Baby was having a Saturday sale, and we had been told by many friends that this was the best place to shop for cribs and such. Well, this was our biggest purchase so far, two cribs, a dresser and hutch, two mattresses and two conversion kits. Both cribs will convert to double beds in the future. Big purchase, but they did give us an extra 10% off since we were having twins!

We also went by the Honda dealership and test drive a mini-van. Yes, Marty has had to give into the Mini-Van! Actually, we both really liked it, but I am going to be sad to give up my cool little BMW! Oh well, I am sure the boys will be happier in the mini-van.

Now, Marty is back in the yard working on the irrigation system. But, at least I got his time for most of the day. Now I think I am going to take a nap!

First Gift - Guess Who?

We received our first gift by mail this week for the boys! I am sure all of you can guess who it is! Our thoughtful and cherished friends, Chris and Dale-Manning Chesson! They sent us two cute little hats with matching booties. I never expect any less from these two wonderful people! They have been so good to me over the almost ten years that I have known them!

Here is a picture of the cute little gift! I have also included a picture of the boys closet! I haven't been able to resist hitting some of the clearance racks and picking up some clothes for next summer! See that beautiful Christening dress in the right corner? I wore that for my baptism! I guess we're going to have to try again if I ever want one of my offspring to wear that. Marty has suggested I may need to try another sperm donor! It is clear his X chromosomes don't stand a chance against his Y's!!

Virtual Tour - Kitchen and Breakfast Area

Here is the virtual tour of the kitchen. We are about to get through the entire house! Of all the rooms in the house, we are both very pleased with our choices in the kitchen. We went out on a limb somewhat with the colors, but they could not be more perfect! Our cabinets are maple, and the color is "wheat". Marty really wanted cherry cabinets, and while I liked the cherry cabinets, I was really drawn to this color. I thought it was a little different, and since we had decided on darker hardwood floors, I thought the lighter cabinets would be a nice contrast. Luckily for me, he went out on the limb with me. I will have to say he did defer to me on most final decor choices which was very nice. The granite color is "peacock". At first glance, it looks black, but it is actually a dark green with black and gold highlights. And of course, I got my seeded glass in one set of the cabinets. Seeded glass looks beautiful in the kitchen!

20 Weeks and a Shoutout to My Carolina Panthers!

After more requests for pregnancy shots, here we go. I was 20 weeks on Friday! I decided to pay tribute to my Carolina Panthers who pulled off an unbelieveable win today in San Diego! In case you are wondering, my jersey is a youth large, so I have grown out of it, but I didn't look pregnant in Marty's jersey, and that was the point of this picture!



I am still doing pretty well, other than not getting much sleep. I have a really hard time getting comfortable and staying asleep (numerous trips to bathroom). The boys are starting to move around quite a bit more, and are beginning to kick hard enough that I can actually feel the movement from the outside. Marty actually felt one of them kick today at lunch. I didn't have breakfast, so I think they were reminding me to eat!

Virtual Tour - 2nd Floor

As promised, here is the virtual tour for another section of the house, our upstairs. In order you'll see our bonus room, guest bedroom one, guest bathroom one, guest bedroom two and guest bathrooom two. There is one additional bedroom upstairs that has not been finished, wink, wink! There will be a special unveiling when that room is complete!

We Love Weekends!

Thank goodness the weekend is finally here! It has been a long week! We have a busy weekend planned as usual. I am taking a half day of vacation this afternoon to go to Kevin's apartment and stay with Rowdy. Kevin called this morning and asked if I would. He said he was still pretty sad, and he "needed a friend". How can you say no to that?! I am not busy at work, so anything for my little nephew!

Marty and I are headed to Verizon Wireless tonight to see Brooks and Dunn. This will be the sixth concert my boys have been to now! Surely they will be music lovers. We have now seen, Tim McGraw, James Taylor (Mommy's favorite), Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, and now Brooks and Dunn! Martina McBride will be the final show on our summer MegaPass.

After the show, we're going to drive to Lexington and get Marty some parental visitation with his children who he has not seen in weeks. Apparently, Jessy needs a bath as well! We hope the rain goes in another direction, and Marty is going to head to the lake, and me and Mom are going to look at baby stuff! Then we're going to spend some time on Saturday with some of our friends...

It should be a fun weekend!

Update on Rowdy

Kevin was able to pick Rowdy up this evening after work. We invited him to come down for dinner since the hospital ws not too far from us. Rowdy seemed happy to be with Kevin, but he was in pretty bad shape. You could tell he was still groggy from all the drugs and trauma his body had gone through. Kevin was not able to identify what the foreign object was. He had an enormous Elizabethan collar on, and he looked like a little blue flower! His belly was stapled up, and his incision site was what I'd call severe, not to mention they cut through his stomach too. The object was lodged between his stomach and the entrance to his intestines. My heart just broke for him tonight. He was so pitiful! If you don't already know, I love this dog to pieces!

He felt he needed to help Uncle Marty install our new bedroom blinds!

And, he wasn't letting his Dad out of his sight after his night at the vet!

Rowdy is in the Hospital

Rowdy has had an eventful two weeks since he moved to Charlotte. Kevin told me yesterday that he had already escaped the apartment once after seeing a bunny outside. Kevin found him about ten minutes later wrapped around a bunch of trees! Luckily, he had his leash on which finally slowed him up. I think it was a scary moment though!

Then, yesterday, I stopped by Kevin's before Marty's softball game. We were going to go together, and take Rowdy with us. He loves the park and seeing other people and dogs. But, Kevin said he had vomited about ten times during the day. Bless his roomate Cole who had to clean it up all day. We decided to call my vet, who said to wait it out, take up his water and food and see if he improved. We went on to the game, and he seemed to be getting better. But, Kevin called after they got home and said he had taken a turn for the worse, and wouldn't even come out of his crate for a treat. So, I found him an emergency vet, and he decided to take him on. It was a good call. He had a foreign object obstructing his digestive system, and apparently it was very large. They told Kevin if he had waited much longer, there could have been serious damage. So, Rowdy had emergency surgery last night to remove the object. The vet had no idea what it was, but they saved it so Kevin can hopefully identify it, and keep him away from it in the future. Needless to say, we are all breathing a sigh of relief this morning that Rowdy came through the surgery well, and that he is recovering. Kevin should be able to pick him up this evening.

Room 1 of Virtual House Tour - Master Bedroom and Bathroom

Many of you have asked for pictures of the new house. We are slowly getting things in good enough order to actually post. This weekend, I completed a virtual tour of the master bedroom and bathroom. I'll post more rooms in the days to come.

The master bedroom is definitely my favorite room in the house. It is very roomy! If only our blind order would come in! The sunrise is beautiful, but not on weekends!

Keep in mind this is not professional photography, and any motion sickness this video causes is not my responsibility!! :)