Moving on....

Please join us!

I'll be chronicling our journey with our lovely barnacles. http://fortheloveofbarnacles.blogspot.com/

The final post! (for now)

Maren and Beckett arrived by c-section on March 6th. We were home 5 days later, and have spent the past 3 weeks getting to know our new little family. Maeve is a great big sister, and we're having so much fun with our 3 kids.

I hope to get a new blog going in the next few months, so stay tuned!

And, the verdict is in.

I do indeed have pre-eclampsia. I'm here until the twins are born, which will be no later than 2 weeks from now (37 weeks). My OB is hoping to get me to 36 weeks, but we'll take what we can get.

It's very hard being away from home, especially Maeve. It's amazing how much you long for the routine monotony of day-to-day life when it's taken away from you. I guess my post from February 22nd was a bit prophetic.

So, that's that. But, the good news is that the twins are doing great, showing no signs of distress.

Blip.

Remember that 32 week line in the sand I was so happy to cross? Well, it really was just a line in the sand, because here I find myself in the hospital with PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) and proteinuria (protein in my urine). The babies are doing well, and we're hoping there's a chance I can go home on bedrest and homecare.

The PIH won't resolve until they are delivered (and hopefully doesn't progress to full blown pre-eclampsia), but we're hopeful that it's stable enough for the time being allow me to rest at home, which will be much more restful than being in hospital.

The twins are doing well, seemingly oblivious to all of this. And, Maeve is faring relatively well with the adjustment, happy to have Nanny at home with her. It's a lot of running back and forth for Brent though.

That's all for now, hopefully good news to come later today.

P.S. - The 34 week belly picture.

Top = 34 weeks with the twins.
Bottom = 36 weeks with Maeve.

Oy.

34 Week Update.

Guess who is still breech? You guessed it - both of them! So, that means we also have a planned "birthday" (aka planned c-section) - March 30th. Yes, that is 34 days away. I'm both encouraged and discouraged by this.

I'm now 34 weeks, and if I make it to March 30th, I'll be 2 days shy of 39 weeks. Considering the fact that I'm already measuring 45 weeks, I dread the discomfort I'll be in by then. Don't get me wrong, I want them in as long as they need to be, and actually prefer the idea of the later date as it allows time for my body to start the labour process itself. But, come on! Can I really stand to be pregnant for another 34 days?!?!? Oy.

But, the good news is that both babies are doing fabulously. They're estimated to weigh about 5 lbs each and continue to score 8/8 on their biophysical profiles. Physiologically, my body is doing well, but physically I'm in hell. My list of complaints is growing daily, so think twice about asking how I'm feeling, you may be in for a rant of epic proportions.

I also now have to start coming to terms with the reality that my VBAC dreams are fading. It's not for lack of trying, that's for sure. And, there's still a small part of me that's holding onto hope that twin A (girl) defies predictions and turns around. So, let the countdown begin.

My very normal day.

This quote, borrowed from another blog, inspired this post:

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

Today was a beautiful, normal, boring day. Brent and Maeve left around 7:30 am, I got to go back to bed and have a 3 hour nap. My leisurely lunch was followed by a few hours of Olympic watching and cuddling with cats. A very normal day.

I doubt there are many more of those in my future...

The 'brothersister'.

We've been doing our best to prepare Maeve for her role as big sister. We thought we'd gotten the point across that there are TWO babies on the way, but something went wrong along the way.

We were in the Bay the other day when Maeve spied a double stroller. She pointed to the seat in the front as "Maeve's seat" and the seat in the back as the "brothersisters". Oops.

Out of the mouth of babes...

Most of Halifax was shut down today due to a snow storm (including schools and daycares), so Maeve got to come with us to my weekly biophysical profile. While she enjoyed seeing the twins on the monitor, she was most concerned about my "scratches" on my belly.

"Mommy, where did you get those scratches?"

"Um, those aren't scratches Maeve, they're stretch marks."

The countdown is on.

So, tomorrow marks a big milestone in a twin pregnancy - 32 weeks. It seems everyone holds their breath until you reach this line in the sand. Medically, it means that babies born after 32 weeks usually do very well, with minimal NICU time compared to babies born before 32 weeks. Yay for us!

It also marks the beginning of "appointment-0-mania". Weekly biophysical profiles, weekly prenatal appointments, biweekly growth scans, etc. It's times like this I wish we could teleport around the city. I'm getting used to driving the minivan, but it's still a bit awkward to maneuver, especially in the IWK parking structure, which is always full.

The twins passed their BPP with flying colours, scoring 8/8. They are both breech though, so still need 'head down' thoughts, mainly for our girl, who is 'Twin A' and first to the gate. Don't think I've been sitting around waiting for them to turn. In fact, I've been spending lots of time doing things like this:



This is easily the most unflattering picture ever taken of me, but you get a sense of my dedication.

I've also taught my Mom how to use Moxa on UB 67 (a Chinese Medicine technique for turning breech babies), am taking homeopathic pulsatilla 30C, am seeing my chiropractor for the Webster technique, trying to avoid leaning back, etc. You get the idea.

So, my guess is that a c-section will be scheduled for somewhere around 37 weeks. I won't know for certain until I see my OB at 34 weeks, but that's my guess.

Finally, here's a cute picture of the twins. The profile is of our girl (A) and our shy boy (B) would only give us a thumbs up.

The Ginormous 32 week Belly.

So, I'm just a little bit bigger than I was with Maeve. Just a little.


32 weeks with Maeve.

The not-so-glamorous side of a twin pregnancy.

Everyone always comments how lucky and blessed we are. And they're right; we feel very lucky to be expecting these babies.

But, that doesn't mean it's easy, especially on my body. I've been measuring full-term (compared to a singleton) for the past 2 weeks, and I feel every minute of it. All of the symptoms that come will being full-term are hitting me hard now, and I still have 6-8 weeks to go (if I go to term).

So, just to whine a little bit....

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - I hate you. I hate the constant tingling and numbness, and the disruption to my sleep. Thankfully, my RMT and chiro are great helps in bringing some relief.

2. Tree trunks and cankles - AKA my calves and ankles. At least, that's what they used to be. They're now just a swollen mess. I'm now the proud (?) owner of compression stockings.

3. Stretch marks - The hallmark of many a pregnancy, I now have many "battle scars" to wear with pride.

4. The minivan - see previous post.

5. Shortness of breath - I look forward to being able to climb a set of stairs without sounding like I've run a marathon. Actually, just putting on my shoes is "exercise" these days.

I think I'll stop there for now, although I'm sure there are more.

Like I said, I wouldn't trade this pregnancy for the world, but I can't wait to NOT be pregnant anymore.

30 weeks - part II

The picture to the left is a profile shot of A (girl), and since B (boy ) wouldn't cooperate, we got a shot of both heads, which is on the right.

Both babies are doing fantastically well - measuring roughly 3.5 lbs each. They're both breech though, which I'm going to try very hard to change. I really, really, really want a chance at a VBAC, but we may be running out of time.

So, think head down thoughts for me please!

30 Weeks.

Here's my 30 week twin belly in all its glory.



And, as always, my 30 week picture with Maeve:



We have an ultrasound on Wednesday, so I'll be back with another update!

Submission.

Remember how adamant we were NOT to get a minivan? Well, after much debate and consideration, we gave in. While we could get 3 carseats into our sedan, there wouldn't have been room for much else when all the gear was loaded in. Not to mention how hard it would be to get a kid into the middle seat...

So...we bought this today - a 2005 Honda Odyssey.



It's nothing fancy, a true base model. But, we'll be able to fit the kids and a whole lot more. I have to admit, I still can't quite wrap my head around the fact that I'll now drive a minivan. Sigh...I'll learn to love it, right?

The Tortoise and the Hare - 27/28 week update.

Well, here I am, heading into the 3rd trimester. I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has flown by. As the pregnancy progresses, I get little glimpses into their little personalities, and I've recently nicknamed them 'tortoise' and 'hare' based on how different their movements are in utero, and their heartbeats.

'Tortoise' is the boy, only because he's so quiet, and always has been. He's a lot like Maeve in that regard. He moves just enough to let me know that things are ok, but his heartrate rarely goes above 140 these days, and he never seems in a rush. His movements are always slow and gentle. 'Hare' on the other hand, is getting ready to run a marathon. She moves enough for 3 babies, and is literally making me nauseas with her movements these days. She seems to love to move between 10 pm and 2 am, which can make falling asleep a challenge. Sometimes, she literally goes for hours. You can imagine that I'm a little worried about what life will be like when she's on the outside! And, today, her heartbeat was up to 170 as she kicked away during my exam.

I had my GP checkup today and all is well. I'm measuring 37 weeks, so 9-10 weeks ahead of a singleton pregnancy. I honestly can't tell where my uterus ends these days, it just feel like it's everywhere. I'm in to see her every 2 weeks now, so time will really start flying by now.

There's lots to do this month in preparation for our family of 5. A minivan is in our future, a reality that took us awhile to accept. So, hopefully we'll get that in place soon. Brent has also made arrangements through work to be home from February 12th-May 18th, which is great. He'll have to spend some of that time working in the office in Halifax, but at least he won't be a helicopter ride away! We also have a few more baby things to pick up (extra swing, carseat, playpen) but it's coming along. I've starting putting little newborn clothing into Maeve's old dresser, but I still can't quite believe they'll be here in just a couple of months.

2010 - The year that chaos will rule the Huber household.

Happy New Year!

We had a great Christmas this year. Maeve was really into 'Santa', and we enjoyed having a nice morning with her and her Nanny and Grammy. Next year will be very different, with two 8-9 month olds crawling around. Is it bad that I hope they're slower than their sister in getting mobile?

Maeve also moved to her "big girl" room with a twin bed, which she completely adores. She's adjusted really well, which is great. It also means that I can start filling her old room and closet with things the twins will need. It's hard to believe that they'll be here in a couple of months!

I suspect that 2010 will be a year to remember for all of us, but I'm looking forward to the next decade and all the chaos it will bring. It's just a good thing that Brent and I know how to make wine.