Snuggle Time

Irene, Mike and the trio fly in tomorrow! Can't wait to see everyone and to see how big the twins have gotten in the past two months. I also can't wait to snuggle!!

The twins birth story!

The five precious miracles that I have given life to!

Wow, what a crazy ending to a already bumpy journey this time around. Everything that could go wrong seemed to.

Wednesday Oct 6th, I hadn't felt well all day. I felt off. My head felt dizzy, so I told Felix that after dinner I wanted to go on in and just be checked. We arrived at the hospital about 8pm. I had no idea what it could be, I briefly mentioned something about my blood pressure. My sugars had been good all day. I had laid around on the couch all day (my usual), so I knew I hadn't overdone anything. I had been eating semi decently and drinking my water.

We get to the hospital which I should mention I hadn't been seen by the Naval Hospital since I was 31 weeks pregnant. I was 35 weeks at this point.

They had me give urine, started hooking me up to the monitors for each baby, contractions, blood pressure and took some blood. My blood pressure was well up there. The nurse tells me the doctor on call from the Naval Hospital (who just happened to be my favorite) said to call him with the results of the blood and urine. Well, 15 minutes pass and the nurse comes back in and says the Dr is at the Naval Hospital (looking at my records I assume) and he would be there asap. I knew at this point something more was going on... it went from waiting for results to he was on his way right then. I had had very high blood pressures every time the machine would take it... the nurse did a cervical check and found I was three centimeters dilated, which surprised us all.

The Dr arrived, came in and started asking me about how I felt all day. After telling him about my day, he said he was worried about preeclampsia and the babies lung maturity. He had the nurses start an IV with magnesium sulfate (the drug from hell) to keep me from having a seizure, and to stop any small contractions I was now having from time to time as well as a lovely catheter. He went and called one of his colleagues and the hospital in Savannah to get another opinion. He decided to have me transported by ambulance to the hospital in Savannah that was better equipped to handle the babies and I.

The ride to Savannah (about 50 minutes) was an uncomfortable one. It's about midnight at this point. I began having contractions that were coming from 3-4 minutes and that were getting more uncomfortable. After arriving at the hospital, I was asked questions for admission, a bunch of them. It's now a little after 1 am. Felix hadn't arrived with me yet, as he had to go by the house and try to figure out the kids situation. Thank goodness for our exchange student who was able to watch them until someone else could get to us.

The contractions felt like they were coming on top of each other and so painful. I was asking for some relief (which after having three natural pain med free deliveries was new for me), but why lay in this bed and hurt to dilate when I was having a c-section with these breech babies anyway. Felix had arrived at this point. Nurses and doctors were in and out of the room. Still not sure if we were delivering or not, I didn't know to tell Irene and Mike to leave NJ or not. The doctors here came in and said they would monitor me for a hour or so to see if I was progressing and at the point we would deliver... if not, we would have an amnio in the morning to check lung maturity. They gave me a med for the pain (maybe 2:30am), which helped for just over a hour, which I started feeling them again. I was given an Ambien (around 4am), and was able to catch some rest. By morning, I had a whole slew of people coming in and out... taking blood all early morning, checking the babies by ultrasound... I was now told the amnios were off (at 10:35 am), and we were delivering in 25 minutes. Oh my word!!! I immediately called Irene, and they set off for GA.

My blood pressure was still high. My liver enzymes were elevated. I had protein in my urine. I had low platelet count. My hemoglobin had dropped drastically. I had developed HELLP syndrome which is a life-threatening obstetric complication usually considered to be a variant of pre-eclampsia. Among other things... which I didn't find any of this out until discharge. I never knew the seriousness of how sick I had become. My life was in jeopardy. I am so thankful to have been in good hands.

At 11am, I was being wheeled in to OR for an emergency c-section. It all happened so fast, it is kind of a blur to me and I don't think the ambien had time to wear off. I remember vaguely being moved from my bed to the OR table. Being cleaned off for the spinal... I remember the deep jab of the needle numbing me... I remember closing my eyes for a second, and opening them to find, I was all in position with the famous blue sheet/cloth drapped up in front of me. I remember a nurse wiping a cold alcohol swab on my neck and arm which was cold, and then on my belly and I couldn't feel it. I remember Felix finally coming in and being by my side just before little Shawn Nolan arrived into the world at 11:42am at 4 pounds 9 ounces followed by his sister, Gwendolyn Rosemarie at 11:43am at 5 pounds 10 ounces. I remember hearing the word meconium as little Gwendolyn arrived. And a fear came over me.

Gwendolyn was wheeled away as she was having trouble breathing and grunting. Shawn I believe if I remember correctly was brought over for me to see him. I remember Felix being asked to leave with the babies as they finished up with me. I asked for him to stay with me, but was told he couldn't... next I remember is being in recovery and baby Shawn being brought in for me to nurse him. He wasn't dressed... which later became the problem of why he was sent to the NICU because his body temperature had dropped. Gwendolyn was on oxygen for about 12 hours and stayed in the NICU for observation. I am assuming b/c of the meconium, but no one ever told us. Shawn was in the NICU for his temperature, which he was able to maintain on his own very well... I know its from them bringing him to me with just a diaper on to nurse.

I had to stay on the magnesium sulfate for 24 hours after delivery... awful awful awful. Because of the risk of seizuring with my high blood pressure. I was able to get a nurse to wheel me down to nurse Shawn for his 11pm feed instead of another bottle of formula.

Irene and Mike arrived about 1 am, and Irene was there for Shawn's 2 am feed.

I had started having some slight edema about a week before delivery, after delivering I swelled up much much worse. Every part of me from the waist down was swollen and so fat. It definitely felt strange to walk around on Michelin man feet. I continued to drink lots of water and use the potty A LOT (which the nurse said was the only way to help it), and a few days after coming home, my legs are chicken legs again. It was very uncomfortable the first few days in the hospital from the surgery. Hard to get in and out of bed. Hard to sit down on their low toilet and get up. Hurt to laugh, cough, sneeze, which I tried to do none of. My appetite was definitely back in full force! I was just eating and eating! I guess making up for all the time I spent nauseous this pregnancy (which was right up to delivery :( )

I remember everyone complaining of how cold my room was, but it sure felt hot to me, thanks magnesium sulfate. I had such wonderful sweet nurses every day of the stay at the hospital... until the day of discharge. I was discharged at pain med time with no pain meds. :( I asked the nurse to take my blood pressure cause I felt it was high, which she did, and sure enough it was up there, but they still let me go home. I have had my share of tears this go around. Coming out of the hospital with both babies in tow headed for their carseats, I was a ball of tears. The ride home which Mike tried very hard to make smooth, was painful. They really need to re-pave the roads between SC and GA for those of us who are unlucky and have to have c-sections. :)

Irene and Mike stayed with us until the babies were eight days old this time. The plan was for much longer, but I didn't want to be away from Felix and he was headed to FL to visit his sick Mother for the weekend. So, as hard as it was to say goodbye this time, I had to let these two precious babies head home with their big sister and parents.

A group shot just minutes before Irene and Mike + 3 headed home.

I feel almost normal again. Healing slowly, have one spot not healing properly on my incision causing me yet more trouble :( C-sections are definitely different than vaginally, which I would prefer vaginally any day. Blood pressure is trying to work itself out. Feeling really good with the weight I have lost already, and the size clothes I am fitting in. It feels great not to be tied down to the couch or my bed everyday. Slowly getting around more and more. Being able to do things for myself has been nice and not having to rely on everyone else. Which not being able to lift anything over five pounds and not being able to drive stinks, but soon enough it will be over as well!

I am so happy that I was given the opportunity to help start a family almost four years ago, and now have completed this family with two more precious angels. I hope the F family realizes how happy I am for them, of my sacrifices, and how thankful I am to have been able to help!

34 weeks 5 days

Taken Monday October 4, 2010.

31.5 weeks

Taken Friday 10 Sept 2010.

26 weeks 4 days

08/08/2010

I am becoming massive...

Taken Tuesday July 13th at 22 weeks 6 days.

Felix says I am already bigger than this pic, LOL... thanks honey!

Almost ready for introductions.....

Why didn't anyone ever tell me that naming children was such a tough task??? Wait, actually, lots of people told me this, but I just haven't listened. See, with Celeste, it was super easy: I chose the name when I was 13, and then just waited patiently for her to be born (some 16 years later, but who's counting?). Sure, Mike resisted my "chosen" name, but in the end, he was a perfect gentleman about it. This time around, it's a whole other ball game!

Being Jewish, we need to name our children in honor of family members that have passed. Once again, with Celeste, it worked out as Mike's grandfather's name was "Samuel", and "Celeste" and "Samuel" start with the same sound (I know, I'm reaching a bit, but go with me on this). This time around, we need to utilize my grandmother's letter, "G", and Mike's grandmother's letter, "S", for the first names. Moreover, even the middle names are being utilized to the fullest, to honor my mom's grandmother and my dad's aunt & close family friend. No easy task, huh?

For now, I can tell you that our baby boy's names are finalized (thanks to Alicia, actually, who came up with the perfect middle name this past Friday, as Mike & I simply could not find one we liked!!!). The baby girl's name is still being discussed, I think I'm winning, so I'll let you know once we agree. For now, all I can say is that our son's initials will be "SNF", and younger daughter's will hopefully be "GRF".

The ultrasound says...

I will let Irene introduce her duo, but just wanted to let you followers know they are expecting one baby boy and one baby girl! Mike is thrilled he will have some boy power in the house!

And a 19 week belly shot... taken Wednesday, Jun 16th. A bit blurry taken by Gabriel from my cell phone.

A stranger here...

Hi everyone.

Just a quick update. It's been busy around here. I am surely getting my share of sickness and migraines this go around. I am gonna go with the doc and blame it on all the hormones, I mean there are a lot of them circulating in there. Not to mention how awfully sore my breasts are, OUCH!!!

My belly has definitely expanded at a very rapid rate this time which is to be expected with both lil S and lil G in there. I will get a recent belly pic uploaded this week for you all to see.

Yesterday I had a visit to the ER for a migraine that I had had since the day before. I was out of meds and the only way to get any relief was to head for the ER. I asked for an IV for fluids and the meds. I didn't think the fluids could be anything but helpful. After being there just under four hours, I came home, and laid down. The boys went off to the pool with Daddy. Once my headache was completely gone, I had a craving for some peas, cornbread, mac and cheese and ham, so off I went to Walmart... came home and whipped it up. It was so yummy! I won't mention I ate it today for breakfast and lunch. Mmmm! The headache returned later yesterday evening, so I took another dose of my meds, and crashed. The best sleep I've had in weeks. Yet today, I have been so sleepy. I have wanted to lay around and sleep all day. I have that yucky taste in my mouth constantly and feeling a little ill. I am scared of the Zofran, but definitely thinking about sparing me the misery and taking one.

After talking to our exchange student over messenger for 1.5 hours (she will arrive in August) about cooking and food, I now am hungry for all sorts of things! Think I am going to send Felix to the store for the freshest pasta he can find, with some parmesan cheese and olive oil. Maybe some italian sausage in there. I love when I have cravings, it sure makes deciding what to eat when you are feeling ill so much easier!!

Thursday is our big Level 2 ultrasound in Savannah where hopefully they will confirm for Irene that she has one boy and one girl growing in here.

Will post the update from that appt and a pic later this week.

We've been slacking!

Hello.... anyone still there? Sorry, we've been slacking. At least Alicia has a very valid excuse: the twins have been REALLY tough on her, making her feel miserable round the clock. I've been trying to discipline my children, asking them to behave, but surprise, surprise, they're not listening to mom already!

As far as the dynamic duo is concerned, they're both doing well, measuring right on schedule. Our Estimated Due Date is November 10, 2010, just 3 days after Celeste's 3rd birthday (hope she won't expect babies as a present for every subsequent birthday....), however, most sites say that twins are expected to arrive around the 37-week mark, which means around October 20th. I'm personally rooting for October 22nd, as that was my grandmother's birthday.

Our other exciting piece of news is that we're going to be spending Mother's day all together, as Mike, Celeste and I are going to visit Alicia and her family! Really looking forward to seeing everyone, it's been entirely too long.

I'll end the post with a recent photo of "Princess Celeste" -- her Highness acquiesced to being photographed in a studio this past Sunday.

Two of them...

Ultrasound shows two babies. Strong heartbeats and growing right on target.

The F twins are not being very nice to me! :(

I got home from the ultrasound and from picking the boys up from school and came home to find these waiting on me.

Third Beta

We had our third and final beta today...

17dp5dt and it is 17,869.

Oh, I sure hope we just have early implanters....

After a looong wait, all day... and lots of phone calls and lots of messages... and lots of going around and around... we finally have our second beta number...

11dp5dt -















1605!!!

Is it one, two, maybe three or four?

Well, we are definitely pregnant!!

Beta is in for 9 days past a 5 day transfer (14dpo) and our number is 570!

I go back on Friday for our second beta.


Celeste's beta's were 132 at 7dp5dt and 900 at 11dp5dt.

Big sister in the making!

Hello everyone! I've been meaning to update the blog as to how the egg retrieval and transfer went, but it seems kinda silly to do that now -- as you may have guessed, everything went well! We made some good embryos, and two of them were selected for immediate action!

I can't tell you how thrilled we are with the results! When I heard from Alicia that she tested positive yesterday, I simply couldn't believe it. 3 days past a 5 day transfer is not a time you expect to receive a positive test. With the lines getting darker, and the digital test spelling out "Pregnant" in big letters, we are more excited than words can ever express!

Hopefully, this year, our princess will receive an unforgettable birthday present, one she can enjoy for the rest of her life!

The words say it all...

4dp5dt @ 6:50pm

Do you see what I see?

Wanted to share some sticks with all you who are joining us on this journey... for those that don't know, 3dp5dt means 3 days past 5 day transfer. Be sure to leave us a comment and tell us what you see!

For those who are confused, I will try to help explain...

The day of "ovulation" would have been the day of the egg retrieval... 5 days after "ovulation" (egg retrieval) they placed two back in my uterus, so today is day 4 since they put the embryos back in.

So, from normal pregnancy terms... it is like 9 days past ovulation today. I hope I didn't lose any more of you. :)


Any of the pictures can be clicked out to enlarge to get a better view!

3dp5dt

4dp5dt

Same test inverted 4dp5dt

Til next time.

Irene, Mike and Celeste headed home this morning. Now, my Mom is left to "put up" with me today! Tomorrow I will get up and resume life!

I have been feeling some nice crampiness and twinges! Sure hope it is a baby or babies getting very comfortable!

Transfer was successful!!!!

Yesterday (2-22) one perfect grade 4AA and one almost 5AA blastocysts were placed in my nice fluffy uterus! I am enjoying relaxing in my bed for the next three days. I have my Mom, Irene and Mike here taking very good care of me!!

Hopefully we are on our way to making Celeste become a big sister!

Plan to test for the first time on this Friday!!

First beta is 3/3!

Owie.

Can you believe in just 10 days Irene, Mike and Miss C will be here? Wow!! I am so excited to get the main part of this journey underway!! I was coming right along with giving myself the injections, but the last 1.5 weeks I have been having a hard time again. Every shot just seems to hurt now, and I am really hesitating giving them to myself. I am glad Felix has been home to do them lately, but that will soon come to an end, so I need to muster up the courage to do them again myself. The nurse said after doing the shots for awhile, your body just has had enough and they start to hurt more... well that is what has happened. :( But it is all for a good cause right?!?

I can't wait to see everyone and see how big Miss C has gotten. As well as hear her speak both Russian and English to me!! I hope she doesn't take long to warm up to all of us.

Felix won't be around much during the visit and he is pretty bummed about it. But as a Drill Instructor duty calls and he just happens to get a new platoon of recruits just two days before they will arrive. Bummer!

As for lunch, hmmm, thats a good question.... love me some Hibatchi and Greek, what else is there?