Day 2 of our Celebration

Family came to celebrate. John's parents are watching Gianna while Charissa and I stay at the hospital. Both babies are holding their temperature and doing very well. Even started to nurse a little bit. Though we are not sure, we think we will go home on Friday. The babies may go home with us if they continue to stay warm. So please be in prayer for that.

Gianna loves to hold the babies, or as she tells us " Hold it, want to hold it"

Charissa is doing so well and is showing great strength. Keeping busy healing and holding her two babies at the same time.

Bedrest was a trying season for many reasons, now a new season begins. We could not have done it without the Lord, family and our great friends. Thank you for the comments, emails, phone calls and visits. We are blessed to have you in our lives.

Elizabeth and Cosette

Born April 29th at 8:07 and 8:14

Elizabeth 5 lbs 8 oz and 18 inches
Cosette 5 lbs 4 oz and 17 3/4

Charissa did vaginal birth for both and is doing well. Girls are healhty and doing well.

Pictures of our new little girls are here in our photos.

More to come as the days go by. Celebrate with us and keep praying for our little ones.

Why I want a VBAC

So it has come to my attention that a few of you are thinking that I'm crazy for wanting to do a VBAC and well I just thought that I would share some of my personal reasons and thoughts for wanting one here. After all, it is my blog and what I usually write are my thoughts and ideas! :)

*Disclaimer*
These are MY thoughts and ideas. They are in NO way- ABSOLUTELY NONE- meant to guilt, shame or make anyone feel bad.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2

So in saying this- please read this entry as a look into me and not as a judgement on what your choices are or were.

WHY I want a VBAC:
First off, if you have been reading my blog for any amount of time you know that I'm pretty granola or crunchy. That being said I also was not raised in a culture of doctors and medicine. I grew up pretty natural and actually did not get sick very often at all. I only missed the perfect attendance award in Kindergarten when I got chicken pox for a week and in the 4th grade when we went to Disney World for two days before Christmas break. Well, that was in grade school. I missed a few more days in high school, but by then folks I had earned it!
Fast forward to my married days and the struggle with infertility. I cannot tell you how many drugs have passed through my body and what the side effects are. After researching a few I preferred not to know anymore. With Gianna and this pregnancy, John and I felt lead to do InVitro. So in choosing that, we chose to take drugs- LOTS and LOTS of drugs. I took oral pills, suppositories, SHOTS lots and lots of SHOTS. All for the hope of my dear children.
We were blessed both times to have IVF work for us.
With Gianna I had wanted a natural delivery. I felt that if I had to have so many drugs to have this baby then I would try to not introduce any more into her system. But God and Gianna had different plans. My water broke at 34 weeks- still really early for most babies. AND she was foot first in the birth canal. Just one foot. So the doctors decided the safest way out for our little girl was a c-section. I readily agreed. I was nervous and wanted her to be safe. I also should mention that I have a degree in special education. I spent more than one class discussing potential problems in birth related the children with special needs. So my concern factor was probably greater than just plain not knowing. I also was a little sad. I had wanted a natural birth. No drugs and here I was with MAJOR surgery. It did take some prayer and letting go to move one.
Now with this pregnancy, I discussed with the doctor that I wanted to do a VBAC but I totally understood the risks with twins and that I was willing to just do another C-section. He agreed with me and we set off with the whole idea of just doing a c-section this time around too. If you recall- I had the placenta privia scare, and the whole early labor, thinning cervix, bed rest issues too. But those have passed and HE brought up the idea of doing a VBAC to me. I could not have been more shocked! It took me a while to process because I had given up the issue LONG ago to God and come to terms with doing another C-section. So John and I both prayed about it, and I of course blogged about it, and that leads us to today where I am still willing to go either way. (at this particular moment I want a c-section as I am READY for the girls to come!)
And honestly- part of me does want the super mommy award for no drugs and a natural delivery, But it really is something that I have wanted for a long time. Long even before I met John. I just had the idea in my head that I wanted a natural delivery.
I am a little scared. I haven't done it before. But these girls were a miracles long before I knew I wanted to be a mommy. So I know whatever happens, and how ever it happens, God has a perfect plan. I just need to follow it.

34 weeks- The Last Compare

I went to church and then latter on that evening my water broke and I had Gianna at 12:02!
Big Surprise!

I went to church today so we will see what happens! But this time we both feel we've been ready for seven weeks. We were trying to emotionally prepare for early babies, and now we are looking at going "full term" for twins!
God is so good!
We thank you for your prayers.

Why I'm feeling so big

Well for starters, I have TWO babies! But the doctor told me today that I'm measuring at 43 weeks!!!!!!! (tomorrow I'm actually at 34 weeks)
AND he said that next week we would have a serious talk about inducing. So different from last week when he said I would deliver in April!!!!!!

Still I would not change my bed rest time at all. I do feel good knowing that the girls are so much farther along now than when I first got put on bed rest. It is still VERY nice to not be on bed rest anymore!

I'll keep you in suspense one more day for the "then and now" pictures.

Mid week report

I forgot to tell you that I posted more of these great pictures on our photo links on the right.

Gianna is in Temple with cousin Julie and her Great Aunt Judy and Great Uncle Mike. We are enjoying the "free" time. We had a Barnes and Noble date tonight and we have another romantic date for tomorrow. We have to get in our "US" time in now before it becomes all about the babies!

Confessions of a Pregnant Lady Part 2

I'll admit it. I think that by having the babies that I will have more energy, and be able to move around more.

I also think that because my first "labor" went really fast that this one will too.

I think that I'm not sure what "real" labor will feel like since I didn't have a very long first one and my water broke BEFORE I started contractions.

I dream about being able to get up off a chair by myself.
And sleeping on my back or even laying down on my back and being able to breathe.

I dream about the girls and wonder what kind of personality they will have. I dream of that sweet pretty new baby smell that new babies have. And the feeling of pure joy that you get when you hold one and they fall asleep on your chest.

Our house is ready. Car seats are in, bed is set up, clothes are washed and diaper station is ready.
So maybe it won't be long until I can smell that sweet new baby smell!

Week 33

We made it one more week! Hurray!
I've been having some contractions, but nothing that lasts a long time.
I've also be enjoying my one outing a day. Today I got to go to a baby shower for a dear friend and her sweet baby.
But taking a shower and blow drying my hair nearly wiped me out before I got there!
Tomorrow's activity is church. I'll be sitting the whole time.
I still haven't driven the new car yet. But really, with my own personal lack of spatial awareness these days- I'm not sure I even want to drive the new mini!


Just a couple of weeks left in April- Will I make it to May?
Tune in tomorrow to find out!

"I do it"

That's the phrase we've been hearing the most around our house lately. Mostly it's cute...
Sometimes the tantrum that comes along with it because we are too fast and do it without consulting her is not fun.

Some other fun phrases include:
"I get me." She squealed this after her daddy "Got" her in a tickle fest.

"Come on mommy." This is all the time. Usually because I'm laying down and she wants me to "come on" somewhere.

"YUP"

Saying "bless you" when we sneeze.

"Man." This one always cracks me up. She is identifying exactly who is what gender and likes to point them out to us. I did start off telling her man and woman. Now we are graduating to more descriptive words like: waiter, check out lady, and such. Those have not caught on so for now she just points and says, "Man." And if I don't acknowledge it she says it again- louder.

When we pray every night, we pray for the babies in mommy's tummy. Gianna prays for her babies in her tummy too. I tell her not yet, but one day. She used to pray for Daddy's babies too. But after lots of talks and convincing her. Now she points to daddy's tummy and says, "Daddy no babies."

Behold the Tax Man Commeth

Tax Day was yesterday and I was remembering the last time I did taxes.

When we first got married John and I decided that he would do the money in our family. At first this took me by surprise- because my mom did the money in my house growing up. So I just thought I would do them in our life. But as John so obviously pointed out- He did have a business degree. So I consented and let him do the money. This continued on for a few years until one day John got VERY frustrated doing our taxes. John was great at doing our money, he just did it differently than I do. For instance in our budget John had three categories- House, car and miscellaneous.
Details and filling in boxes not his favorite thing.
So as I watched him struggle through taxes, I told him I would love him the next year and do taxes for the family. So I did them for a few years.

That is until the one year.

It's referred to in our house as "the tax incident."
So what happened was: I filled out all the little forms that you have to fill out in RoboTax. I saved it and was tired from looking at the little boxes so I took a break for a few days. I had to do the taxes on John's computer because mine was from the school. One day John told me- "I'm cleaning up the desktop it's too cluttered and I can't find what I need." OK I said. I didn't really use it that much so my care factor was pretty low on what he did to his computer.
Well it was tax day- the day of "the tax incident." I was going to finish the taxes. All I had to do was run a final check and print out the form.
Can you guess what happened? That's right gang- the "saved" taxes got thrown away from the desktop. Could we find it? NO Was it in the trash folder- NO Was it anywhere?!?!?!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
So I called John (who was on the golf course) and he had no idea. AAAAAAGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!
I tried praying, chanting, and almost went to blood sacrifice (John's!), but John volunteered to do the taxes that year. Good thing.
I've tried to volunteer to do the taxes since- "the tax incident," but John has always said no he will do them. This year, John started his own business and decided to go to a CPA. Now we will never have another "tax incident!"

Doctor Doctor

Today's visit is brought to you by the month of April and the number 1
I watch Sesame Street every day with Giana- it's our snuggle time.

April-
So the doctor said he does not think I'll make it to MAY!!!

YIKES!!!!!!

It's just a new thing to wrap our minds around.

1-
And the reason why is because I'm already dilated to a one!
I still need to take it easy but I can go on little outings and see the outside world!!!!!
He also gave me some encouraging words about a VBAC and he is totally fine with me doing one.


So we will see what happens! I promise to keep you posted. Well, if not me John.

32 Weeks

Here it is folks, your biweekly comparison of then and now:


Here- no idea that I would deliver in just 2 weeks!


No idea of when I'll deliver, but I know that I feel MASSIVE just MASSIVE.

He is Risen!

He is Risen indeed!
It was very very nice to be able to be in public again. I really enjoyed being able to be at church- especially on Easter.
I sang to Gianna at breakfast the hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today. And they sang it at church too!
It's amazing how we take our ability to worship together in public for granted. When you don't get to do it for even just one month- I appreciate it so much more.
Happy Easter!

Good Friday Egg Hunt

We had a great time on Good Friday collecting eggs with friends.
Gianna is in the slow and steady category when collecting eggs. She likes to evaluate and admire each one before going on to the next egg. (and even eating a few!) That's OK with us, because one of our favorite jokes about Easter is that no other time do we encourage our kids- "Go get more. Find the next one. Get Get Get!" than we do at Easter!

Doctor

Today was another appointment with the dr. Thank goodness we only have to go once a week from now on.
Sad news is that my cervix is still getting smaller, and that if I were to go into labor he would not stop it.
But the good news is that he said I can get around and do more. We decided that I can go to church, but have to sit down. No housework or cooking (how sad!), but also no picking up Gianna (really sad) and to lay down and rest a lot.
No sure about driving. John and I are still "in discussion."
I don't want to go into labor yet. I know that the best chance for the girls is for them to be where they are for as long as possible. I more than likely not do as much as the doctor has given me permission for, but it is nice to be able to see the outside world!

I made it four whole weeks on bed rest! I got Gianna's pictures all organized. All 7 Harry Potters read. Tons of magazines looked through, a few movies, and lots of computer time!
I still have a few projects to do, but thanks from the help of friends, Big Event, and my own dear husband, I have everything essential ready for the girls to come.

And just for curiosity sake- Did any one else see the "I didn't know I was pregnant" special on TLC on Sunday? I still don't believe those ladies. I know I'm big and uncomfortable and I feel all kinds of movement. Thoughts?

Jane Day

Gianna is at the Grandparents again so I indulged in a few girl flicks. I had a whole day of Jane Austen.

Emma
Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice

I recently watched Becoming Jane. I think it was a good movie too. Ah the Victorians. They knew how to do manners and romance.
So join in the fun and try this quiz:

Take the Quiz here!

Tradition

Just in case you were wondering.....

Question: What's Different About a Twin Pregnancy?

Get the answers to frequently asked questions about pregnancy with twins and multiples. Have a question that isn't answered here?

Answer:

Obviously, the main difference between a twin pregnancy and a regular pregnancy is the presence of two fetuses. At the end of a twin pregnancy, a mother will give birth to two babies, rather than just one.

I found this on a web site. There was a whole article dedicated to it. Seriously.

I got a lot of helpful information from it too. Like My hair is yellow- Does this mean it's blond?

And the popular questions that's on everyone's mind- If I'm breathing does this mean I'm alive?

Ah, such joys!

11 years and 31 weeks

It was 11 years ago today that I woke up and had a pain in my cheeks. My jaw hurt and my finger had a new throb to have to get used to.
You see it was the night before on April 3 that a young man got down on one knee and told me that I was his Proverbs 31 woman and if I would be so kind as to say yes to marry him and love him forever.
Well I said yes of course and what did it get me? Throbing cheeks that hurt from smiling so much. Chapped lips from kissing him (not really- we didn't kiss ever-at all-still don't ;), and a beautiful ring that symbolized his promise to love me forever.
Not a bad trade. I think I would do it again.

31 weeks today!!!!!!

What happens at the Doctors office....

Usually ends up on my blog!
Today we went again and he said that we only need to come once a week now. We are out of the "really scary if they are born now stage." I'm still planning on going to 34 weeks, as the cervix is holding on around a 2! So we will see.

AND.........
He said that if I got tired of resting so much I could do some things!!!!!!!!
I took it to mean I don't have to lay down all the time and can actually get up and do.
John took it as everything will stay the same!

Baby B is weighing 4 pounds even. And baby A is at 3 lbs and 14 oz!!!! PRAISE the LORD! This is great- because the more they weigh- the better it is for them and their health.

We also got to see baby b kicking her sister in the stomach! Already wrestling.

Some folks asked about the actual color of Blue that we ended up with and here it is-
SLATE Blue

3 weeks

Well I have to tell you- I am amazed how much love keeps pouring out onto us by nearby friends and encouraging notes from far away ones. Thank you.
I keep getting asked- or rather told- I don't know how you do it. I couldn't stand it.
I usually respond with a it's better than having the babies now. Or maybe- I don't know I just have to accept it.
It hit me today in the shower ( I get to stand for those!) that it isn't me. It really is the Lord. He brought this scripture to mind:

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


Of course it's been God. HE has given me peace. IT passes all of our understanding (though I will be WAY more sympathetic to others on bed rest) and he has kept my heart and mind busy and filled with Him and love of friends and overflowing from John through Christ.

I got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart Where?
Down in my heart. Where?
Down in my heart. Where?
Down in my heart to STAY!

How great is our God?