Babies AND Mama update

I had a very eventful long weekend to say the least. I had grand plans to update everyone Friday afternoon about a great ~26 week appt. Well, apparently, plans change and we are reminded that we are not the ones in control!

I had my routine Dr's appt. Thursday afternoon (Almost 26 weeks). I always get an ultrasound of the babies and my cervix each time(every two weeks). Well my cervix had shortened 0.6 cm- down from 3.2 to 2.6- in 2.5 weeks! And I had been having braxton hicks contractions quite a bit the last few weeks. Apparently these were regular enough and strong enough to cause the cervical change. So after an NST that confirmed the mild contractions, they whisked me over to the hospital and put me on meds-Niphedimine/Procardia- to calm my "irritable uterus" and IV fluids in case I was dehydrated. I stayed until Monday afternoon and was treated for preterm labor so they could monitor me, run more tests, and do a follow up ultrasound to check my cervix again after the bedrest. Well, I passed the FFN and the ultrasound and was sent home on strict bedrest for the rest of our time. I am pretty much restricted to the first floor. I can get up to go to the bathroom, grab a bite to eat-AKA frig. or microwave reheat (no cooking, or baking), shower- and get back in bed. I did plead to scoot up the stairs for a shower every other day since we don't have one on the first floor. They OK'ed it :)

Through all of this the girls have looked great! They monitored them pretty closely in the hospital and they performed like champs. There heart rates are fantastic, fluid looks great, and they are a bunch of jumping beans! This time around it isn't the babies, it's the mama-go figure! We just can't win can we? No, we have won because we are so thankful that we are all OK and able to be at home. The nurses were fantastic but that hospital bed and room left a little to be desired along with not being able to see Todd, Lucas, and our furry kids. New hospital restrictions went into effect this week that no visitors under 18 are allowed due to the swine flu. That means that if I was on hospital bedrest OR when these little girls do arrive- NO Lucas in the hospital! That breaks my heart...I am praying that we get to remain home for the duration of the pregnancy and that maybe the hospital restrictions are re-evaluated. Time will tell!

That is far more excitement then I would like and hope to lay low for the next few months. We were directed to take baby step goals- 28, 32, 34 weeks and every week from there is FANTASTIC :) We will shoot for the stars and would like to get to 34-36. So here I lay and will continue to do so in hopes for a quick 8-10 weeks to fly by! Lots to do but I know we will get there will the fantastic support of our amazing family and friends. I'll keep you all posted I'm sure since the TV, computer, books, and magazines are my daytime friends :) Looks like the nursery setup will be up to Todd and family/friends and the baby showers are coming here!

Fall Fun

We took advantage of the last sunny weekend this month and visited one of my favorite places- The Pumpkin Patch! As you well know, I LOVE fall and all of the fun and beauty it brings and couldn't think of a better way to enjoy our Sunday afternoon then taking a trip out to Ashland Berry Farm. There are actually LOTS of things I can think of to do this time of the year since it is by far the most superior season (ahem..I sense a slight bias there?). But, this one fit perfectly in our schedule and we were in need of our festive fall friends to prepare for Halloween! So off we went, after nap time of course :)

Lucas LOVED it this year, last year was fun but this year was GREAT! It certainly helped that he got to indulge his large machinery affection and go for rides on the tractor. That was of course the highlight of his day BY FAR...

I'm not sure what was more fun- riding in the hay wagon or playing with the straw? Regardless we had a blast!

As for the actual patch...Well I would have loved to have gotten more cute pictures but this little boy hit the dirt RUNNING! And we were chasing him all over the place! He ran up and down the dirt paths, cut through the pumpkin vines- albeit, occasionally (well really quite often) tripping over the tangled web of vines and pumpkins. Laughing hysterically the whole way and loving every minute of it! I should have got a picture of the aftermath with the red clay all over this little boy but, like I said, he was a handful-especially when I'm not supposed to be picking him up and Todd was manning our collection of pumpkins. We had a great time in the end and brought home four big pumpkins to celebrate Halloween this year. One for each of us and one for the "munchkins" :)

Trudging through the vines was a feat!

Helping pick out his pumpkin...

And he's off again!

A quick break to pose with Daddy
What trip to the Pumpkin Patch would be complete without a little look at how much Lucas has changed over this past year? ;)

2009:
2008:

What a difference a year makes! ;)


Now all I need are some yummy apples and hot cider- Did I mention that I LOVE fall?

For those that are chomping at the bit ;) I will give a twin update at the end of the week! I go to the Docs again tomorrow. And yes Carrie, I might even give you a glimpse ;)

Celebrating two great years!

Last weekend we celebrated Lucas' 2nd birthday which still manages to blow my mind. It really seems like we just brought him home, changed LOTS of diapers each day, fed a hungry little boy around the clock, swaddled our little babe and tried to figure out this wonderful world of parenting. Now he is a running, jumping, chatting a mile a minute, fiesty two year old!!! What a whirlwind fantastic adventure with such a sweet little boy.

We scaled things back quite a bit this year not to leave anyone out but to manage a smaller get together during our chaos of life! Lucas really seemed to enjoy himself and all of the wonderful company that came to share in his special day. He really understood presents this year and reminded me that he was going to "Open my presents, mommy?" He did good with that part but had a few new hang-ups this time around- he wanted to OPEN each gift from their box, etc. and play with it ASAP, and he also had a few issues with sharing his spotlight during present opening. I guess all in all that wasn't too bad for a two year old, right?

We ate yummy food and enjoyed the fire truck cake. It was a beautiful day so the kids got to run around and play outside and enjoy some of the new toys- all in all a fantastic birthday to remember! Thanks to all who joined us to celebrate our special little man!!!

To Lucas- We love you so much and cannot believe two whole years have flown by. You have brought so much joy and happiness to our lives in those two short years and we are extremely blessed to be your mommy and daddy! We thank God for you each and every day :) May you have a lifetime full of health, faith, happiness, and abounding joy.