We'd Hoped to Avoid it, But...

...I'm on bedrest now. Friday night I was having contractions that didn't go away even when I laid down so I headed off to the hospital, again. I was expecting to be monitored overnight and let go in the morning but I ended up staying til today. Long, long 36 hours. Despite the fact that my cervix is still unchanged and the fetal fibronectin test (which would detect impending labor) was negative, the doctor decided to administer Betamethasone, a steroid to mature the babies' lungs, just in case I do go into labor really soon. It's given in two doses 24 hours apart so I had to stay in the hospital. And then when he discharged me he told I was now on bedrest.

It's kind of frustrating, because the contractions that sent me to the hospital Friday were not really much different than what I've had for weeks. And all the clinical signs show that I'm not having preterm labor. But he used the phrase "err on the side of caution" several times so here we are. I am limited to the bed and couch from here on out; thank goodness I at least have "bathroom privileges!" Funny, our care group has been reading a book about contentment so I have lots of convicting thoughts floating around in my head. This doctor-ordered bedrest is really a God-ordained circumstance for our good. It is not easy to accept but I know it is part of His plan for these twins and the rest of our family. I am praying for increased contentment.

Before I even thought of heading to the hospital, Thursday was a hard day with the kids that made me realize I needed to cut back my activity even more. So Zach started cutting back his schedule to the bare essentials and I made arrangements for friends to watch my kids several mornings. Now we are in the process of expanding our pleas for help to cover all of the time he is at work. It is so humbling to have to ask for help and rely on others to do so much. I am endlessly thankful to have such a wonderful group of friends here--so many have already stepped up with offers to help.

So what am I going to do with myself? The day and a half I spent in the hospital got a little boring at times, even with lots of TV channels to choose from. (We don't have cable or satellite at home so channel-surfing is a rare experience these days.) And all that downtime was just the tip of the iceberg! Hmm. I've ordered some prints that I'll need to put in albums when they arrive. I realized a few weeks ago that there are some gaps I need to fill in to finish Esther's baby book. I never made a 2011 family video compilation. And I'm sure I'll read a lot. Any cool suggestions for other ways to fill my time?

Pigtails!

27 Week Pictures

I don't want to get all complain-ey, but I gotta say it, this pregnancy is getting hard.  Physically hard, emotionally hard. Random headaches, little pains from my joints loosening up, contractions, plus near-constant worry about whether the contractions are sending me into preterm labor...I just try to focus on getting through one day at a time. And try not to think too much about how many days are (hopefully) left.

Everything looks good right now, though, so much so that my MFM thinks the danger of TTTS is largely past and doesn't want to do another ultrasound for a month.  He also told me yesterday that he thinks the chances of making it to 36 weeks, and therefore delivering at Indiana, are good. Now, I'm a bit skeptical about that. After delivering my last (single) baby prior to 36 weeks, it's just hard for me to believe my body would hang on that long.  I know it would be best for the babies but I'm far from convinced it will happen.  And I really really don't want to deliver in Indiana, then discover one or both babies has a problem and needs to be sent to the NICU and hence away from me.  Been there, done that, trying to avoid a repeat. So that's something I may have to push with my doctors. I toured the maternity center and NICU in Johnstown yesterday, by the way, and really liked them. I would feel very comfortable delivering there and I really like the way the NICU is set up, should we need it.

Babies weigh about 2 1/2 pounds each right now, give or take 5 ounces each.  So I'm carrying a total of 4 to 5 pounds of baby. Goodness.  Feels like a lot more.

3 out of 4 pictures I was given this week were of Baby A's
profile.

And then I got this picture of Baby B's foot!  It was funny
how it appeared several times on the screen so clearly. At one point
this little one was kicking his brother in the behind.  Troublemaker
already. :)

Big Boy (Bed)

(Hey look, a post that's not about pregnant Courtney!)

After spending about two years in a crib and about two years in a toddler bed, Austin finally grew up to a real big boy bed today. We ordered it at the end of January and weren't expecting its delivery for a few more weeks but got a happy surprise this week. The look on Austin's face while it was being assembled in his room was priceless.  He eagerly brought me his pajamas, socks, underwear, etc. to put in the drawers and he couldn't wait to pick out some books and animals to put on the shelves. All through lunch he asked if he could go upstairs for his nap. (Which is especially funny because he only falls asleep once or twice a week these days.) Most days his rest time is on the couch downstairs but how could I refuse him the chance to take a nap in his brand new bed?  And he fell asleep--bonus time for Mommy!

Sorry, I think this is a bit blurry.

Bonus picture of Esther!
(taken by Daddy last night)