Weekend Snoozing

Elizabeth 7/29/2006

Thomas 7/29/06

Together Again

Thomas and Elizabeth 7/26/2006

After thirteen long days of separation, Thomas and Elizabeth are together again. Both are now home and sleeping quietly side by side. My beautiful daughter arrived home today and joined her brother in the crib.

Many thanks to all who have prayed, all that have called, all that have written, and all that have had us in their thoughts. Today is a joyous one and we are thankful.

Company coming!

I know I haven't posted in awhile -- busy as you can imagine-- between taking care of Thomas and trying to get to the hospital to visit Elizabeth. My dad and sister Callie should be landing in Columbia in about one hour, and I am so excited! From there we are headed to the hospital for a carseat test for Elizabeth where they will monitor her in the carseat. If she passes she may get to come home tomorrow! I was definitely not expecting to hear those words when the NICU nurse called this morning! I would like to try to nurse her today as well.

Gotta run! Thomas is hungry!

Smile?

Thomas 07/23/06

Kind of looks like he's smiling; he must like his carseat :)

First Dr. Appt.

Thomas wearing one of his premie outfits from Nana - 7/22/06

Yesterday was a busy day, we took Thomas to the pediatrician for his first appt. They wanted to check his bilirubin and we had the Dr. look at his little circumcised penis. All is well, we have another one scheduled for Monday but we're going to try to reschedule that one for later in the week.

From the pediatrician's office, we headed to the hospital to visit with Elizabeth. I fed her a bottle while Ashley fed Thomas in the car. Then Ashley visited Elizabeth while I took care of Thomas. Last night Elizabeth had her iv removed and also the pulse ox monitor on her foot. She also "graduated" to NICU III, which means she is doing better than the other babies in NICU II. We're hopeful she'll be home very soon.

Our good friends Tim & Helen stopped by yesterday to visit for a few hours. They're vacationing in Hilton Head this week. I haven't seen them in years so it was great to see them and for them to be able to visit with Thomas.

I seem to be getting another summer cold so I won't be visiting Elizabeth today. We're getting ready to go to the hospital though so Ashley can deliver some milk and spend some time with our little girl.

Last but not least, I'm adding a link to Google Calendar to the right hand side of the blog. I thought it might work well to schedule visitors.


Helen, Thomas, and Ashley - 07/22/06


Helen, Tim, and Thomas - 7/22/06

Thomas is Home

Thomas came home today. We sure are glad to have him here, now we just need to get Elizabeth home. Elizabeth continues to improve, she's up to about 33 ccs per feeding and they're increasing it by 3 ccs every 12 hours. She eats by bottle once a day and by feeding tube the rest of the time to ensure she conserves her energy while getting plenty of calories. She's on her last drip of antibiotics and hopefully the iv can be removed soon.

Welcome home Thomas and come home soon Elizabeth!

One Week Already!

Elizabeth 7/19/06

Thomas 07/20/06

First Video of Thomas

I finally got the first video of Thomas uploaded to Google Video. You can watch it by pressing the "play" button on the video screen. This video was taken Sunday, July 16th and I haven't had much time to edit it so we'll have more polished versions in the future. We'll have more pics and maybe a video of Elizabeth soon also. We haven't been able to take as many pictures of Elizabeth because from the moment she was born she's had a lot of medical staff around her and then went to the incubator soon after. To those who have asked for more pics of her, I promise we're not neglecting her! :)

Five Days New

The twins are doing well. Thomas has "graduated" to NICU II and is eating more and more everyday. He's up to almost 50 ccs each time he eats and Ashley has been able to breast feed him some too. The nurse said they may be able to stop his IV today.

Elizabeth is also eating more, she's up to 14 ccs today. She's currently under 2 uv lights to help with the jaundice but otherwise is doing fine. Ashley is planning on bottle feeding her today at her 3pm feeding.

We'll keep you posted.

-David

One Day New

Thomas 7/13/06 5:51pm

Everyone is doing well. Ashley is feeling much better and walked around a good bit today. If we can get to rest some more that would be good but there are so many interruptions today in the hospital. Lactation specialist, doctors, nurses, photographers, record-keepers, etc. all day long...

They have moved Thomas into the NICU with Elizabeth. He wasn't keeping any food down and his blood sugar level was staying low. Both are doing well in the NICU, Elizabeth's blood sugar level is normal now and hasn't had any apnea episodes today. Everyone at the hospital assures us the things affecting the babies are normal for preemies and nothing to worry about. We'll just be glad when we can have them in the room with us. It's hard to keep seeing their little bodies with all kinds of tubes and wires attached but we know they're taking good care of them in the NICU. Unfortunately the little incubators (or whatever they're called) that they're in are on opposite sides of the unit so they're not close to each other. I'm sure they miss each other after being in the womb together for so long. We got to hold Elizabeth for awhile tonight after she ate. It was great to see Ashley holding her, she really hasn't seen Elizabeth much at all yet.

Thanks for all the comments, e-mails, and phone calls. I still have a bunch of calls to make so don't feel left out if I haven't had a chance to call you yet.:)

Surprise!

They're here! Elizabeth Frances born on July 13th, 2006 at 6:04 pm and Thomas Cullom born at 6:05 pm.

Elizabeth weighed in at 3 lbs., 15 oz. and her big brother weighed in at 4 lbs., 13 oz. Elizabeth is 17 1/2 inches long and Thomas is 18 1/4 inches long.

Both babies and Mom are doing well. Ashley did great and up until a short while ago was feeling pretty good. She's been a little sick to her stomach since leaving recovery but I'm sure she'll come around soon. Both Elizabeth and Thomas have a good suck reflex. However, Elizabeth hasn't figured out that she has to breathe while sucking... Both have low blood sugar so they want to get some food in them as soon as possible. Elizabeth also forgets to breathe when she dozes off so they've transferred her to the NICU to monitor her better. The doctor seems to think once they get her blood sugar up, the breathing issue may correct itself in a day or two.

That's all for now, more updates to come!

36 weeks

We have made it to 36 weeks! All is well. No contractions today. Amy left this morning, and I miss her already. We had such a good visit! She totally spoiled me with good company, good food, pedicures, foot rubs and hand rubs. She made so many tasty dishes and put them in the freezer for us to eat later. What a great gift! I think she is planning on coming back in the fall to see the twins.

The longer I thought about my doctor's appointment yesterday the more I realized I was unhappy with it. Each time I had a question he cut me off, and he seemed to assume I wanted him to go ahead and schedule to take the twins early. My fear is/has been that I will go into labor, and they won't be able to stop it in time for the c-section. Because of my colorectal history I have been advised not to go through a vaginal delivery because it could damage the repairs I had in November 2001. Anyway, I didn't get to convey those fears to the doctor yesterday. After talking to Jo today I decided to call my primary OB/GYN's nurse and discuss my worries with her. I felt much better after talking with her. Of course, she couldn't make me any promises, but at the same time she was very reassuring and told me to call anytime I wasn't feeling right and they would check me out.

My next appointment is this Thursday at 8:30. I am going in for a non-stress test and to have my cervix checked.

35 weeks and 6 days....

We had our weekly doctor's appointment today. I have dilated 2 cm and am 80% effaced. Dr. Guidice said to continue taking the brethine which will help me distinguish between real labor and just normal uterine contractions. He said I did not have to stay in bed at this point but could engage in "moderate activity." Amy and I had a discussion about what moderate activity would consist of (a quick errand here and there). I am to go back to the doctor this Thursday for either a stress test or a non-stress test ( I can't remember which one he said) and will continue going to the office twice a week until my c-section date. The doctor did say he did not think I would make it to the 26th, and we will basically play it by ear until then.

I will be 36 weeks tomorrow and am extremely happy about making it this far. My bag is packed, and we are taking things one day at a time.

Hospital trip number 4

David and I went to the hospital Friday night because I was having contractions -- again! I was having them every two to three minutes apart for a little over one hour. I called the doctor, and he said to head to Labor and Delivery. Of course, once we got in the vehicle the contractions stopped, but we went ahead and made the trip to the hospital. The nurse, who was fabulous, hooked me up to the monitors and said the babies' heartrates looked great. By then my contractions were irregular, and I wasn't able to feel them. She checked my cervix and said I was dilated to one. I had some other issues but won't go into detail. Anyway, she sent us home and told me to keep taking my brethine and not to skip the night time dosage as I had been doing before. We got home a little after midnight and went to bed.

I did fine yesterday with not contractions. I had some around 6 this morning, but they went away. Amy is taking me to the doctor tomorrow for my weekly checkup. We will see what happens. I have no idea what to expect. I'm assuming if I have dilated more they will reschedule my c-section, and if I haven't dilated they will send me back home to bed. We will see.

Amy's Here!

Amy arrived later than scheduled Wednesday night thanks to a flight delay in Atlanta. I don't think I have ever left Atlanta on time ever! Thank goodness she arrived safely. We had such a great time yesterday! I was afraid of talking her ears off. It was so nice to have another human to talk to that talks back. We spent the morning looking at Fine Cooking magazines and talking about recipes. She made me lunch, and showed me how to play a new game on the computer. It was fun and stimulated my brain. I haven't had much brain stimulation lately so it will be a good exercise for me until the twins arrive. Amy was headed to the grocery store when we received a wonderful surprise. My doorbell rang, and when I opened the door there stood Uncle Jimmy! I love surprises! He stayed and kept me company while Amy went to the store. He is always so easy to talk to.

Amy made us a wonderful supper consisting of pork tenderloin marintated with honey, dijon mustard, olive oil, and rosemary. Along with the tenderloin we had baked potatoes and steamed broccoli. It was all so delicious! Amy is such a wonderful cook. I was and am still impressed at how quickly she got the whole meal prepared and ready for the table. The company was great as well. We talked Uncle Jimmy into staying for supper and tried to get him to spend the night. He declined and said he really needed to make it to Atlanta. He is headed to Orange Beach today for a couple of weeks.

We are having such a good time I am already dreading when she has to leave. Oops! I almost forgot...she made some sugar cookies too. David is really happy to have his sister here. We both are!

Last shot

I had my last hydroxy-progesterone shot this afternoon. I have been receiving progesterone shots in some form or fashion since November 2005 -- that is 8 months! Initially, David gave me nightly injections of progesterone in olive oil which were supposed to help with embryo implantation. Typically one would stop taking these shots between 6-8 weeks, but my first OB/GYN wanted me to keep taking them until I was 12 weeks. Of course we did what we were told. I was off the shots for a few weeks and was then hospitalized for heavy contractions at 16 weeks (I was admitted on my birthday) At that point Dr. Salley (my current OB/GYN) recommended I receive weekly injections of hydroxy-progesterone shots to keep the contractions away. I wonder how my body will react to not getting a dose of progesterone. We shall see...

I am going to miss seeing my nurse weekly. She was always so nice and cheerful. I would love to keep in touch with her and have added her to our phone list of people to call when the twins are born. I hate I didn't have a gift for her today, but it is hard to shop in bed. I'm not really sure what to get her but plan on getting her something once I am out and about again.

David is picking Amy up from the airport this evening. Her flight is supposed to arrive at 6:30 our time. The airport is only 15 minutes from our house so it won't be long now. We are both so excited about her visit!

35 weeks today!

Happy Independence Day!

I am 35 weeks pregnant today and definitely feeling it. We need to take some updated belly pics. I am SO big that it is comical to look down at my belly or to see a profile in the mirror. I have grown out of my wedding band. I haven't been able to wear my engagement ring in over a month now. I am down to two skirts that I can still fit into. I save those for the doctor's office and the rest of the time wear boxers or pajama bottoms. I would REALLY love to go swimming right now. I imagine it would feel wonderful to feel weightless for awhile, and the cold water would feel amazing. I wouldn't have to swim -- if I could just float in the water I would be happy. I'm guessing the doctor would say no, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. I'm sure to see myself in a swimsuit will make me laugh as well :)

I think David is feeling a little better today. He has gone to get us some barbeque for lunch. Yumm! I love barbeque! I'm glad he has not had to go into work today. He needs the rest, and I love the company.

My sister-in-law Amy is flying in tomorrow. I am so excited!

This will be our last 4th of July without children...

More foot rubs....doctor's orders!

David and I went to the doctor today, and all is well. I had the beta strep test and should get the results in the next few days. Over the weekend, I thought I might be leaking amniotic fluid so I let Dr. Stands know today. He ran a test, and it came back negative so no leakage so far. Blood sugar was good, blood pressure was good, and heartbeats were good. No cervical changes either. So, it is back to bed for me. Dr. Stands told David I needed more foot rubs since I was staying in bed :)

Babies are moving a lot. Baby girl has recently started going over to her brother's side. I guess she is getting him back for squishing her.

David has a summer cold and is feeling pretty bad. He needs to rest. Amy will be here in two days, and I know he is excited about her visit. We both are! Maybe that will help him feel better.