Third Trimester Timeline...

THIRD TRIMESTER

Well, the old timeline was getting too long so I decided to start a new one for the last third of this deal! I was told at my last doctor visit March 31st is the latest they will let me go-38 weeks. She seems to think I will have them before then but we will see.




1/17/09-We had our first interview with a babysitter. We really like her and her husband. She is a young stay at home mom. If we go to her it will just be our boys and her little girl, which would be nice. Also, she seems pretty flexible. We are asking around for some other price estimates because she was a little higher than the other babysitters we'd called for price quotes. We will see. We still have a little time because they won't start going to the babysitter until August.

1/18/09-Royals FANFEST 2009 at Overland Park Convention Center! We had a really good time! I took the Royals quilt we bought the boys for Christmas and got it autographed. Of course, Jason got a bunch of autographs on baseballs to put in his cases. We got some free hats, watched interviews with players, and checked out the new stadium pics. Also, we got to see what the legacy bricks look like. The boys got one for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Price so we are excited to see it at the K!

DeJesus, Gordon and Bloomquist

Jason and hall of famer Denny Matthews

01/21/09-Jason went with me today. First, we had to go to Overland Park Regional to pre-register, pick a pediatrician, and start the paperwork for the birth certificates. We are a little sad that our kids will have Kansas birth certificates. :( The nurse gave us a quick tour of the birthing center and then we headed a few blocks away for the doctors appointment. Jason finally got to meet Dr. Newby and everything still looks good. Next week I start the non-stress tests 2x/week. We got it worked out to do them in Clinton which is wonderful! I go back for a regular check up in two weeks. Then I will be at 30 weeks and start coming once a week. AURGG...that is a lot of doctors visits.

01/23/09-NOTE TO THE WORLD, GRANDMA LINDA TURNED 49! WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!

01/27/09-We officially have a babysitter! Yay. Glad to have that out of the way. It was a snow day today so Jason was home from school. He gave her a call and she was willing to meet in the middle as far as cost goes. The plan is to do a few trial runs this summer when we need a break and she will officially start watching them in August.

01/31/09-Well, our first excitement. Had a stress test done on Monday and Thursday. For some reason 24 hours after the Thursday test the clinic in KC called and said I should come up for monitoring because of an inconclusive test. I find the nonstress tests very frustrating because they are labelled as passing or failing. But failing does not necessarily mean there is anything wrong. Hesitant, but not really wanting to take any risks we headed up to Overland Park Regional labor and delivery. They hooked me up to monitoring for about 3 hours. The babies' heartrates were fine. They were more concerned that I was having mild contractions (which I couldn't even feel.) I was not dialated and my bloodpressure was fine. They gave me shot and then sent me home

02/02/09-Super Bowl Party at our house. We had a few friends over including the Petersens, the Ritters, Jon, and Shannon. Good food and an exciting game at the end. We were rooting for the Cardinals but ohh well.

02/06/09-This weekend was a little crazy. When I went to the doctor Thursday she put me on bedrest because I was dialated 1 cm. This seemed extreme to me but.... Then on Friday I went to get a non-stress tests done in Clinton and one baby did not pass. This has happenend every time I have had the test done except one. It may be because the equipment here is ancient and not usually used for twins, but I always end up getting sent up to KC to be monitored. On Friday, the same thing happened. When we got to OP Regional their monitoring was also inconclusive. So they admitted me to the hospital for continuous monitoring. There were a few decellerations of one of the babies heartrates, which could have signified distress or the baby could just be laying on the cord. They did an ultrasound and everything looked okay, but I was dialtated to 2.5. They said this is all fairly normal at this stage for twins but they are extra cautious. So they gave me steroid shot Friday night and another 24 hours later Saturday night to help speed up lung growth just in case the babies decide to come early. After the shots I had to be monitored for 12 more hours and then I got to come home Sunday. All night Friday until Saturday afternoon I was hooked up to these monitors and had to lay flat in bed. Then, Saturday afternoon they switched it to intermittent monitoring so I was able to sit up and lay on my side and get some sleep! I am really glad to be out of there but afraid it is all going to happen again Tuesday when I go to get my next nonstress test. They told me if I was admitted again they would probably keep me until the babies are born. Might make me totally crazy. It's pretty much all up in the air right now. The good thing is my Mom and Megan came to Clinton on Thursday night. They took care of the dogs, cleaned the house, did laundry, put carseats in the car, etc. Guess we just have to be ready. As a big planner, I am not a fan of this but what can you do?

ALSO-I feel fine which is weird to me. And, Jason got me a new laptop so if I do get sent to the hospital again I will still have access to the world.

Two babies at 31 weeks -30 pounds gained so far...

02/10/09-Just as suspected, after the nonstress test I was sent to the hospital again for overnight monitoring. The good news, though, no IV. In the morning the doctor said there were still some occassional dips in the heartrate and she was not sure why. She wanted me to see the specialist and warned me I could either be sent home or may be kept at the hospital on bedrest until the boys are born. I told her I thought I may go crazy if I had to stay in the hospital. So I went downstairs to the Perinatologist for a biophysical profile. This basicly looked at the babies' size, blood flow, and fluid. From the specialist's point of view, everything loooked okay. From Saturday until today (Wednesday) they had gained about half a pound which I thought was amazing. He said each baby weighs about 3 pounds 7 ounces and sent me home on bedrest. I was okay with that. Funny how everything is relative. A few days ago I was really upset about being put on bedrest at home but after a couple hospital stays, home bedrest doesn't seem like a big deal. I go back to the doctor in a week for another biophysical profile. So we will see from there.

This is profile picture of "Blue" (BABY B) He is laying crosswise so they could get a good shot. Royal is laying head down on my right side very low, so they couldn't get his face. You would think I would look really lopsided.

02/13/09-02/16/09-My mom is awesome. Mom and Sadie came down for this 3 day weekend (President's Day) She cooked, vacuumed, did laundry, grocery shopping, you name it. Jason appreciated it too because he has been busy with school, the end of basketball and the start of baseball season. Gary came on Saturday and we just all hung out. Jason and Jon used the Magic Bullet Jason got for Christmas from Elizabeth and Laren to make a bunch of different kinds of smoothies. My favorite is banana mango. Brinkley and Sadie got to hang out. In baby news, I don't have a doctors appointment until Friday.

Sadie keeping me company

Brinkley likes to be close to the boys....Ha Ha.

February 20, 2009-3 different appointments today including: nonstress test, biophysical profile, and doctors appointment. Jason went with me. We were very happy to NOT have to go to the hospital for any more monitoring following the appointments. I saw a different doctor today because I couldn't get in to mine, and I don't think he was quite as conservative....which I appreciate. After we were done we ate at 54th Street with Jim and Rhonda and Elizabeth and Laren to celebrate Jason and Laren's birthday.

February 21, 2009-Dad, Megan and Zach came down for the weekend to hang out and celebrate Jason's birthday. Jason got to use his new turkey fryer for supper on Saturday and it was really good.

February 23, 2009-Jason and Thomas' 27th Birthday! Jason called Thomas at 5:00 our time Sunday on Skype. (Midnight in Kosovo and officially their birthday) Jason, Thomas, and Rhonda talked and played games on the computer. I got Jason Shox for his birthday which he has wanted for 5 years! Here is how we celebrate on bedrest: we ordered steak and shrimp from Applebees carside to go. Jason picked it up and it was delicous.

February 27, 2009-We made it through another afternoon of appointments including: biophysical profile, non-stress test, and doctor visit. We saw doctor Heit again and I really like him. He is straightforward and I appreciate that. He recommends a C-Section especially because of the positions of the babies. Baby A is very low head down and baby B is is straight across the top of my stomach. Like an upsidedown L where A kicks B in the head a lot. He said if I delivered vaginally there is a 50/50 chance baby B will go head down or breech which could lead to a C section for the Baby B. A lot to think about. I really didn't want a C Section. I go back next Friday and they will also do a growth scan so we can find out the weights. The doctor said if we make it to 36 weeks they should be able to leave the hospital so I guess that is the next goal. Dr. Heit also said a C section or induction will be scheduled around 37 weeks if they haven't come by then. Guess it is up to them to decide when they want to make their entrance. Also, Happy Due Date to Sylvia Hall today!

February 28, 2009-This is what we woke up to this morning. Poor Jon had to drive up to Kansas City this morning to get Lasix done to his eyeballs. We ended up getting 5.5 inches of snow.

03/04/09-I never realized how much I like my job until I sat at home for 3 weeks! Sitting at home doing nothing is not really my thing. I am pretty ready for this stint to be over. I know people are trying to be nice but it proves they really don't know me when they say, "You should enjoy bedrest now...." Well...I don't. The good news is not too much longer. I go to the doctor on Friday and again on Tuesday so I will find out more then. Sylvia (Dulaney) Hall is getting induced to have Elias on Thursday so our boys are going to be close!

Just past 34 weeks pics!

03/05/09-Welcome Elias Roy Hall! Sylvia had Elias at 1:19. He weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces and was 18.5 inches long.

03/06/09-Mom went with me to the three appointments and all were good. I saw Dr. Heit again. Since I have seen him the last 3 times and have become comfortable with him I am going to go ahead and officially make him my doctor. He wants to schedule a C-Section with the small chance that BLUE could still turn head down and I could try a vaginal delivery. They will call me this week to schedule a C Section for either March 24th or 26th. An end is in sight! YAY! After that mom and I went over to Shawnee Mission Medical to visit the newest member of Hall family!

03/07/08-I was so excited to get to go wedding dress shopping with Megan! Mom, Megan, Ashley (Lanpher) and her kids and I went to the first store together. Then we went to the second store in Independence and she found THE DRESS! I was really glad to be there!

Megan and Cole dress shopping

03/13/09-We made it through another Friday the 13th (there was one in February too!) with flying colors. I drove myself up to the KC for three rounds of appointments again and all were fine. Although they didn't do a growth scan, the doctor predicted they weigh about 5 pounds each. I have one more round of appointments next Friday before the big day scheduled for March 24th, 2009 at 12:30...unless they decide to come before then. After the appointments I stopped by to see Sylvia, Timmy, and Elias. Elias has changed a lot in one week, and seems much more alert. It is nice to have friends going through the same thing as I am, because I don't have a clue!!

03/17/09-Happy St. Patricks Day! Well, today I am 36 weeks which was our final goal. The doctor said if we made it to this point the babies would probably be able to leave the hospital with us. I am going to try to put up one more pic of the boys "in the incubator" before they arrive

03/18/09-Happy Birthday Gary! 60X older than Royal and Blue!

03/20/09-Last round of appointments! All went fine, we still plan on a C-Section Tuesday at 12:30. The appointments were spread out throughout the day so between them I went to the Hall's and got to visit with Sylvia, Monika and their kids.

Today is the first day of spring! Here is the bradford pear in our backyard.

03/22/09-Jason cleaned the house today, top to bottom. It is spotless! Definately the cleanest it has ever been. We are packed, the bags are in the trunk, and the carseats are in the car. I think we are as ready as we are going to be. Jon came over and we watched the MU vs. Marquette basketball game. MU squeeked it out in the end....ITS GETTING CLOSE...

Fully cooked twins-37 weeks

03/23/09-Well, we have made it. 37 weeks is considered full term, yippe! In some ways it felt like this day would never come. On the other hand I can't believe how much will change TOMORROW! Jason and I will become parents! If you would have told me that this time last year I would have never believed it! Our kids are going to be so spoiled! They will be the first grandkids on both sides, so our parents (and soon to be aunts and uncles) are all super excited as well. I decided to take advantage of my last day of independence. So, this morning I drove to Warrensburg to get a new camera for the event (the one I wanted wasn't in stock in Clinton). We have a great camera, but it is big, bulky with a large zoon lens. So, I got a more portable one, and its purple. How exciting! I plan on posting pics on the blog while we are in the hospital!

Tomorrow we are supposed to be at the hospital at 10:30. We will leave here about 9:00. C-Section is scheduled for 12:30. Jason and Mom get to be in surgery with me, for that I am grateful. The whole process only takes about 45 minutes and most of that time is them stitching me up. Amazing. Dr. Heit said the babies should be able to stay with us right after they are born. I will be in recovery for a few hours and then moved to a regular room until discharge on Friday if all goes as planned. The Prestons are taking care of our pets while we are gone! Thanks guys!

Keep us in your prayers!