6/30/2011

Pre-Term Labor Update

This will be brief as I'm not suppose to sit up in the bed and typing is hard with so many things attached to me.

Tuesday I called the doctor b/c I was having contractions that were about 15 mins apart but not painful. They had me come in for a check and found I was 2.5 cm dilated and almost totally effaced. The next stop was the hospital. So here I am. It's been up and down since I was admitted. First they put me on magnesium and it seemed to control the contractions. I did ok off of the medicine the first 8 hours and then contractions picked up again and were 5 mins apart and painful. So the latest was a shot of something that would stop the contractions. It's been 1.5 hours and I've only had a few. The doctor said she doesn't want to give up and just let me deliver. It's just trading one problem for another. I would rather be the one being poked and prodded than the little boys. At this point we are just taking it a day at a time. If I had nine lives at holding off delivery then I feel like I've used up 6 or 7 of them.

The doctors will just keep tackling the problems as they come and take it one day at a time. Everyone keeps asking me what the goal is. The goal is always going to be full term but at this point that's probably not going to happen. People also keep asking me how far I think I will make it. That is a good question and it is literally changing by the hour.

It is very hard to send updates and one of the reasons is because things are literally changing every hour. Nothing is certain and this doesn't really have a text book you can follow. I appreciate all the love and support. Everyones kind words on Facebook, prayers, text, and emails are uplifting. I wish I could respond to everyone and send individual updates. But if you have ever been hospitalized you know that there is never a dull moment. It's also hard to type or text with some of the machines I am hooked up to.

Ivy is doing great and just jumping around to different friends and family. That is a def praise! Knowing that she is being well loved and happy makes my job easier. I think she's getting a lot of ice cream and thinks she is on a vacation. Please pray her little heart stays content and continues to enjoy where she is and who she is with. We appreciate those helping us with her and are truly grateful.

I am at Greenville Memorial and will be 31 weeks on Saturday.

I will try to update this as much as possible. Maybe I'll even teach Josh how to blog for me.

Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" The Lord has been good and carrying us through this time. He's never let us down before and I don't think he will start now. Praise be to Him who brings new life.

6/12/2011

Home Again Home Again!

We were released on Thursday then went back on Friday due to contractions. Thankfully we were released Friday night and just in time. I was starting to really miss Ivy and wanting to be with my little buddy. She has really been a trooper through all of this. She seems to understand what's going on and has just gone with the flow. She is even helping Josh around the house in small ways. I'm also thankful for my sweet husband who has been serving me non-stop since Tuesday.

Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement and your prayers! Josh and I feel so blessed by every text, facebook message, and phone call. It's nice to be near family and such good friends who are more than willing to wrap their arms around us and help us get through this time.

I've often thought about bed rest and how terrible that would be. Sounds like a nightmare to be on your back all the time. However, there are two very motivating babies in my belly that are making this a lot easier. Knowing the outcome of this will be my boys helps me to lay down and relax. It is neat how your body and mind can rise to the occasion when needed.

Josh and I continue to draw our peace and faith from the Lord and have NO doubt He is in control.

Many of you have asked how you can help. The biggest thing is prayer and probably meals. If you live local then we have a care calendar being created. You can email Sandra Garrett GARRETT@clemson.edu to be added to the list.


6/08/2011

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

Funny that a children's worship song can bring such comfort to Josh and myself. The lyrics that truly spoke to our hearts were..."He's got the little bitty babies, in His hands". I can't image not having the Lord as your rock to lean on and trust when you go in for a regular OB check up only to find your next destination is the hospital.

So yesterday I was admitted to the hospital and also saw a high risk doctor. I'm 27 weeks 3 days pregnant with TWO boys and found that my cervix was
dangerously thin. I should be like a 4 or 5 but my cervix was measuring 1.7 and that was very concerning to the doctors. The good news is
that the babies were measuring perfect and almost exactly the same size. They are 2.10 oz and 2.7 oz and healthy as can be! Praise be to the Lord for that.

I also praise Him that my appointment was Tuesday and not Wednesday or Thursday. Josh and Ivy were suppose to be on a plane today heading to Texas for Scott Marks wedding. But now they are hear with me and waiting on some more test results. After arriving to the hospital we found out that I also was dilated 1cm and I had a few contractions last night. That was unexpected! The doctors are being very proactive to do everything they can to keep these
babies baking for as long as possible. The doctors along with Josh and I are very optimistic that this will be successful.

So the next steps were to give me a steriod shot that will help
the babies lungs develop if I should go into labor. They are also putting me on strict bed rest and giving me medicine to keep my body from having contractions. For now I will stay in the hospital until they feel ok with sending me home. But regardless they told us to call in the troops to help b/c I'm on bed rest until these little guys show up.

So I'll give you another frequently asked questions list with the answers.

#1 - How are Josh and I doing?
To be honest..We're great! No anxiety or worries. Of course I wish this wasn't happening but since there is nothing I can do then why worry. I have to give the credit for this to the Lord. I feel like he prepared me the night before I went to the doctor for some big news. I was totally
nesting and getting the nursery ready b/c I felt like something was going to happen. I have already know that the Lord is the one who gives and sustains life and I know that He is good and His ways are perfect..... So really... why would that change just by getting this news. Phil 4:6 "Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your request be made known to God, and the peace that surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus." I have been claiming that verse and feel that the Lord has given me supernatural strength and is guarding my heart and mind. Knowing and believing that the Lord is sovereign helps a l
ot too. This is not a surprise to Him and it's nothing that He
can't handle. So we give these babies to Him in faith that He will protect them and bring them into this world when the time is right.

# 2 - How is Ivy?
She is actually doing fine. I am trying not to take that for granted. It would be so hard for me to be here if I didn't think she was doing ok. My mom jumped right in the car when we called her and has been taking care of her during the day. We asked Ivy if she would rather stay with us or go with Mimi. Of course she picked Mimi. Then my brother and sister in-law have stepped up to take care of her in the evenings. She LOVES being with them too and has a blast. She did tell Carrie that she thought the babies were making me sick. She is slowly understanding as best she can. This morning she was a little uncertain in the hospital room. She didn't want to sit with me in the bed or get too close. So there is some apprehension but over all she is doing good. And PRAISE the Lord for having family close by who is really stepping up and helping us out. Below is a picture of my brother and sister in-law.



















#3 - When will I go home?
Good question! We are taking it one day at a time. There is a chance it will be tomorrow but also a chance I could be here for the long haul.

#4 - How can I help?
That depends on where you live. If you are far then please pray for me and the babies. My prayer is that I will make it to 35 or 36 weeks. That would actually put them being born on my mom's Birthday. (Which she would love.) If you live local then I will
keep you posted on how you can help. Not sure what we need or when we will need it.

Prayer Request

- To stay pregnant as long as possible. Goal = August

- Getting ready for these little ones to come home. As most of you know the last few months have been a bit busy with buying and remodeling a house. I have put getting my baby gear on the back burner. I've been thinking I had a few more months (Which I still might). But I'm honestly not prepared to bring them home from an equipment stand point. I'm sure I have time to get it all together but I do need to get on it.

- To continue to trust the Lord and remain at peace. Always being optimistic and no anxiety.

- That Ivy would be taken care of and this would not stress her out or have a negative affect. May she be given understanding and remain laid back about this. Also to prepare her little heart for the change that will take place when it's no longer just the three of us.

- Wisdom for my doctors and hospital staff (BTW- everyone is great!)

We covet your prayers and appreciate all the love and support from family and friends. Thank you for your text, emails and phone calls. We consider ourselves blessed by you. We could not do this with out you! I will keep this blog updated as I have more information.

And here is my most recent preggo pic. For those who keep requesting one. I'm at a lake party with the youth group. Kristy is also in the pic and she is actually 3 months ahead of me and due June 20th. But you would guess I was the one further along.