31 Weeks Prego-02-23-2011

31 Week Update:


We have completed 31 weeks and I have made it to 32 weeks today---OUR LATEST GOAL!!! 

03-14-2011 is GO TIME! 

We are officially on the schedule to meet our little one's. Unless of course the doctors see distress or if they decide to meet us early on their own. 

This week flew by because I had so many visitors from my close friends. It really means more than you all will ever know. I can't thank you enough for just swinging by and hanging out.  I have been on house arrest for 28 days now. The Warden aka mom is monitoring my every movement. If we make it to 34 weeks which is the scheduled c-section week I will have been on house arrest a total of 6 weeks. 


The babies are doing wonderful, scoring 8 out of 8 on their testing, and kicking up a storm. Their daddy is doing wonderful as well getting more and more excited by the day. Mommy on the other hand is starting to go through that germ phobia phase. I've instructed him to stop drinking after all people, allowing others to drink after him, and to start washing his hands. We have two weeks left to refrain from illness. I don't want either of us to have any inkling of illness or we will not be able to enter NICU. 


Do you wear tampons or pads?
Typically you get the stranger hand rubs, you know a belly pat from a complete stranger. I on the other hand have been very lucky in that area and have not had strangers rub my stomach. I have had complete strangers overhear my conversation with my friends discussing my pregnancy swoop in and ask me the nosey questions regarding my pregnancy. So with that being said after receiving this you tube video I thought it would be perfect to post. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT-lgB_HGEE


What to Expect:
I had a visit from Kristy and AJ today, she is a neonatal care RN so she was giving me the run down of what to expect etc while in NICU. Hand washing, wrist bands, germs, and overall some reassurance of what to be prepared for. One thing that caught me off guard and something that I have not thought about is the fact that the babies will be able to wear clothing in NICU. I had no idea. I was seriously planning to bring nothing for them. Again something a little silly but who wants to be in a diaper not looking good. Good thing they stopped by. 

How your B and D are growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

As always we thank you for your kind words, thoughts, prayers, calls, texts, and visits. Nothing makes bed rest go by when you have a visitor or two. Our goals have changed to make it till 03-14-2011. I'm still in a little shock knowing I have a set date that is only a few weeks away. 

The Hen and The Bull

"Claudia, No Names, B, Jota Be, & Trish"

A momma and her babies daddy

31 Weeks 

30 Weeks Prego 02-16-2011

WEEK 30

Photos by Angel Porch Art and Soul Photography

www.angelporchphotography.com

Sneak Peek of the Maternity Session

WEEK 30
This is a little teaser of whats to come as she is still working on finalizing my proofs. I'm so excited to see the final product. 


Well we made it to week 30 and as usual it's been quite a week. Mr. Dax and Miss Blake love to keep us on our toes. Richard actually started telling them their revised bed time story that goes a little like this. "Once upon a time there was a mommy and daddy that were so excited because they were having twins, a boy and a girl. Their mommy loved them so much that she would stay in bed all day long just so they would stay put and grow. These two twins loved to scare their mommy and daddy and loved to send them to labor and delivery. All their mommy and daddy wanted for them was to be healthy, happy, and to stay inside their mommy just a little longer."  


So why would he start reading his revised bed time story? It's because I had began bleeding that night; however we were watching it to see if it would stop which it did not. After calling the nurse the following morning we were sent to L and D for monitoring. At L and D we learned that I was actually having contractions. Fours hours later, a missed baby shower, a shot, and a prescription we were sent home to lay. The drugs are taken every 6 hours on the dot so I've set my alarm to remind me. 5:05pm, 11:05pm, 5:05am and so forth. Yes these two little ones really want to meet us. My dear friends stopped by after the shower and brought all the gifts, showed me the pictures, and told me all about it. (This was a double shower with Meredith) As usual the babies got so many cute clothes and books to start their library. I'm so thankful for the wonderful friends that I have, people traveled from Texas and even Chicago for our shower. I was really sad that B and D decided to stir things up. 


Drama at the Doc:
Monday I went back for my stress test and this was seriously the highlight of bed rest that day. I was in the waiting room and couple sitting across from me caught my attention because they were fighting. You have to remember there was no volume control or any kind of concern for those around. I had my phone out from the beginning playing what game?!?! Yes Words With Friends. Since they caught my attention I noticed something on the husbands neck. At first I thought it was a huge hickey, then I noticed it was lips. She had bright red lipstick on and it was Valentine's day so I assumed she had kissed him earlier. I was actually wrong because this was a tattoo of red lips on his neck. Once this was discovered I just knew I needed a picture of this to send to Richard. (Keep in mind the prior visit we watched a couple make out for an hour while waiting to be seen.) Next thing I know they have left the building and decided to come back in the waiting room to stir up a fight with an innocent couple stating they were discriminating against them. As soon as they left I told the couple that they should have been chewing me out because I was the one who discriminated against them by taking the picture. This was truly my entertainment for the day. After telling the nurses who were dying laughing they told me they were not surprised and that they get all walks of life. I must admit after the make out session we witnessed I changed all of my apts back to the early ones because even the bed is better than watching that for an hour while you wait. 


The Waddle:
Both babies have gained weight and are doing great. They are kicking up a storm and Blake is still wedged in between my pelvic bone very very low. Last week I mentioned the inner thigh aches that you get after a good work out. This ache really likes to creep up in the mornings after getting out of bed; therefor I have officially mastered the waddle as a result and I'm sure it is only going to continue as she grows and stays lodged in my pelvic area. 


As always we thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. Our goal is still 32 weeks and for these little ones to stay healthy, grow, and arrive safely. 


The Hen and The Bull

How B and D are growing:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs 

almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of 

amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as 

she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her 

eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even

after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part

of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to 

changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means 

she can only make out objects a few inches from her face.

(Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

29 Weeks Prego 02-09-11

We made it through week 29 and it sure has been a fun filled week. I posted the updates from my doctor appointment on Blake which was wonderful news. (reason blog was a day late last week) 


Baby Shower:
Sunday I had a baby shower that was given by mom's friends. They of course went above and beyond and made it so special. I had a wonderful time getting out of the house for two hours. Riley helped open gifts and I just enjoyed the change of scenery and talking to everyone. It was the fastest two hours I've had in the past two weeks and when I say quick it flew by and I felt like a kid in a candy store not wanting to leave. The amount of generosity was unbelievable; people are so kind and I'm so thankful for all that everyone gave. The babies received the cutest clothes and so many things that will help us get started. I've been sneaking out of my chair for bathroom breaks and each time I go into the game room to take a peak at all their goods. I then rearrange and display everything on the pool table. Then I hear "you need to get that weight off the cervix" which then ends my little party with myself adoring all the cute things they got. Attached: a picture of my display:)

Health Update:
So officially I'm going to the Dr. (perinatologist) every Monday and Thursday. Monday's are stress tests and Thursdays are ultrasounds, stress tests, and whatever else they need to do. The stress tests are monitors that are attached to my bump for about 30 minutes. They turn on a machine that checks for movement and heartbeats which then prints off on a piece of paper. The nurse reads it and says I'm good or bad and I leave. So at my appointment on Monday everything was great and I was sent on my way. 


Tuesday I saw my obgyn for the glucose testing and the dreaded cervix check. Good news is I'm still closed up. Blake has chosen her new home to be between my pelvic bones sideways and very low. So you know that feeling you get when you've had a great work out where your inner thighs ache because you did so good, that's exactly what it feels like except you know you are not going to get that relief in the next few days and your thighs are not a bit tighter. Doc determined that our new goal has been moved from 36 weeks to 32 weeks. They are closely monitoring the stress on Miss Blake and making sure that she is able to handle the pregnancy from Mr. Dax who is lying on top of her. I was also advised to be prepared for the possibility of being placed on hospital bed rest so they can further watch my little ones more closely instead of twice a week which would allow for updates every shift change. I was also advised that due to stress they will more than likely take them at or around 34 weeks if we make it that far. 


Bed Rest:
So what does one do on bed rest week two? Well I've been using my imagination and thinking a lot. So I was thinking their actual due date is 04-20-11....4:20. In the Cheech and Chong world 4:20 is very significant. I then moved on to ponder okay so what if they are born on 03-16-11 (35 weeks) That's my dearest friend Paige's birthday- how fun would that be? Then I remember our Spring Break/Birthday/St. Patty Day celebrations and I think uttoh I will worry about them in college every year. Then I ponder to myself as they become teenagers, I've got two minds working against us and scheming up little plans....not my sweet babies. Then I just think to myself, I really just want them to be happy children and be able to accomplish anything their hearts desire. I'm just really excited to meet them and a little nervous about the possibility of meeting them in two weeks. 

As always we thank you for your kind words, calls, thoughts, and prayers. NEW GOALS: 32 weeks and preferably 34 if we can get there, no hospital bed rest, and healthy little ones.


The Hen and The Bull

How Miss Blake and Mr. Dax are growing:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). (oh the dreaded milk, can you say gag reflexes?) This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

29 Weeks

The wonderful hostesses

My little helper Riley (she was showing off her boots)

28 Weeks Prego 02-02-2011

Week 28

On Thursday Jan 27th I went to the doctor as usual and learned that Blake is not growing. She weighed in at 1.13 and Dax was 2.14 so with that being said they believe she is not getting the nutrients from the placenta. I was given 12.5ml of steroids, hooked up to some monitors, and advised to come back on Friday for more roids, oh and that I was officially on bed rest. Friday I went back for another 12.5ml of juice and went home to lay. So what does all of this mean? The juice is to get both babies lungs ready for birth in case they have to take them early. If they are taken early they will be given the nutrients and will do better outside. I’m following orders and hoping my sweet little Blake grows while we wait till Thursday. Dax is one limber little man, he had his legs over his head and Blake was doing the same thing.

Monday Jan. 31st  I woke up with some strange fluid I ignored it but it happened again. After my scare on Thursday and being told that you call no matter what anything that is not the following this, this, or this, you call. So I did just that and was told to head up to labor and delivery and that we might have a birthday. We checked into Mercy only to find that I might have peed myself not once but twice. The entire time I kept thinking about the bill that I had just created because I am so cheap.

7 days of bed rest later:

Thursday Feb. 3rd I just got back from the doctor today and Blake has put some lb’s on, she now weighs 2.3 and Dax is 3.3. Both babies scored an 8 out of 8 for all the things they are looking at to make further determinations. The cervix that I once thought was made of steel is not exactly that. Last Thursday it was 2.75 and today it is 2.0 meaning it is thinning out and I will more than likely go into labor on my own. (Watch out recliner that water breaking could actually happen in it) When scheduling my future doctor appointments I told them to pick because I know that these appointments can be really long if they are not the first one of the morning. I told the receptionists that it’s my freedom from the bed so just pick the times for me. My plan worked because each one is in the afternoon and everyone knows that you are going to wait for a while which equals freedom from house arrest. Dax now has his bum in his sisters face and Blake has some hair on her head that we could see. Both of my children look just like their father at the time being. Unfortunately I don't have a scanner to show my pics from today. 

What does one do while on house arrest?

Facebook, Words with Friends, Surf the Net, Movies, and Crochet...Cro what? Yes I learned to crochet and I’m currently working on a purple blanket that will be trimmed in turquoise. I’m not nesting I’m just really really bored. Thanks Brenda for teaching me to do this.

Nursery: I attached pictures of the ottoman and rocker that will be in the nursery. I’m so excited for it and can’t wait to see the final results. Thank you mom and Kathy. 

Waists: I had some backlash from the waist reports on week 27 so here’s the correction. I measured stomachs not waists and was given the definitions of what waists are. 

As always thank you for all the kind words, phone calls, emails, and prayers that have been sent towards us. It made a huge difference this week while we waited for today.  Every day in the belly equals 3 days the babies are not in NICU so our goal this week is to keep them in as long as we can and for their mother to not go into complete craziness. 


Shanna and Richard

How The Foster's are Growing:By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

The Chair

The ottoman that I plan to have the newborn pics made on.

28 Weeks Prego Bump

In my uniform and 28 weeks Prego

27 Weeks Prego-01-26-2011

Week 27:

Goodbye 2^nd trimester and helloooooooo 3^rd! This is the last week in the second trimester which means we are now looking at the home stretch, winding 3^rd, and our 4 fingers are up as we enter the 4^th quarter…..hells yah! We are now that much closer to safety and meeting our little blessings. So with that being said I thought it would be interesting to measure my waste….any takers? Yes I’m officially 41 inches around, The Bull is officially 36 inches, and Big Boy (old gramps Preble) is officially 44 inches. I really believe the men were more distracted by their numbers than I; so of course I found this to be quite entertaining. If I can remember I’m going to re visit the waists prior to labor.

We attended our breast feeding class last night and I’m sure you are thinking that was a typo. Yes WE attended the class, not I. Our enrollment form highly suggested the fathers be present for the class. It was interesting and we came out knowing a lot more about nipples than ever expected. I did become a bit overwhelmed with the idea of how in the world am I going to do this at the same time. Where there is a will there is a way and I’m bound and determined to make this work.

This morning we had our maternity session with Angel Porch Photography. I’m on pins and needles already with anticipation to see what the final product is going to be. Two weeks is going to feel like that two week period we waited to find out if we were prego.  I took some risks this morning and bared all. If these photos turn out the way I’m hoping my new name will be Demi (a joke of course-thank you photo shop) I just feel that this is a one time deal and what is more natural than the woman’s body during this time period….fingers crossed!

As always thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. Doctor’s appointment tomorrow so fingers crossed that the cervix of steel is still in force and I’m not put on bed rest. I must admit I’m slowing down a bit. Goal: 36 weeks, healthy pregnancy, and healthy little monkeys.

The Hen and The Bull

How the Foster's are growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

26 Weeks Prego 01-19-11

Week 26

This week we attended the C-section class, toured the hospital, and had a doctor appointment so it was pretty busy to say the least. At the C-section class we learned that there is a smell during the surgery (something I had already been told; however decided not to open my mouth), nausea during the surgery, and that your hands are strapped down. It all makes sense; however I know that being awake, cut on and having my hands strapped may just freak me out. This obviously is to prevent movement while cutting but the thought just freaks me out.  We discussed pain management, again something I’m very freaked out about since the 2008 surgery pain management was bad. Obviously I’m going to get over it and just need time to do so. The pimped out suites are on the 6^th floor and the NICU unit is on the 5^th floor so we will be bypassing the pimped out suites and headed to the small boxes. At Mercy every time a baby is born music is played over the intercom, something I thought was cute.

The doctor gave me freedom of another week of no bed rest and confirmed that the placenta has 100% moved off of my cervix-yay! We will go back next Thursday to the perinatal specialists so we will have the good ultra sound pictures again. Fingers crossed that there is no bed rest suggestions at that visit.

I started reading Jenny McCarthy’s Belly Laughs and it's seriously one of the funniest books. I literally almost finished it in two settings. The nerd that I am outlined the key points to book called The Happiest Baby on the Block. My thought in doing this was that in a situation where I’m lost I will be prepared to look at my note on the refrigerator of what to do if step a, b, and c have not worked.  When I told Richard about it normally he would have laughed at me; however he thought it was a great idea. As you can tell we are starting to get a little nervous about the change that is upon us.

Blake and Dax are still kicking up a storm, moving like crazy, and making my tummy look like it has aliens inside. As always thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. Goal: 36 weeks, no bed rest, and a healthy B and D.

How the little Monkey's are growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.



No button left



Where did my feet go?



26 Weeks




Celebrating Grandma Foster's 65th




Big Sister Bella





26 Weeks



25 Weeks Prego- 01-12-2011

Week 25

This has been a fun week and like I said last week I would have a lot more to report as we have now been to the doctor and had two classes. Wednesday night we had our first class at Mercy called Baby Care Class. This was very interesting and a little scary at the same time. We watched a video on how to properly install a car seat, learned how to swaddle, change a diaper, bathe a newborn, and the best but scariest was the pictures of what newborns look like. They were showing us some pretty gross stuff. For instance we learned that a newborn girl has a period and we saw a freshly circumcised penis, and a nasty umbilical cord. I was gagging looking at some of the pictures and TB along with all the other men were cringing on the circumcision pictures. We took infant CPR class on Monday night (yes the night of the National Championship game) TB survived and came out with more knowledge than before and was able to catch up his dvr to see the last quarter live.

About two weeks ago I was driving to work listening to the radio (I always listen to Bob FM and rarely change the station but this time I did).  The song called The River by Garth Brooks came on the radio. I was listening to the words and just started crying in the car. This song truly touched me as I was thinking about our journey with infertility and how we never gave up on this dream, how family members have not given up with their health fight, and how my goal is to teach Blake and Dax to never give up on what they truly want in life. So with that being said you can only imagine what the person on the highway must have been thinking at 8 in the morning on their drive to work. I came home that night and told Richard that we had to download this song and how it made me cry on my way to work. We downloaded it and have listened to it several times since that morning. I attributed this to pregnancy hormones and went about my business until Sunday (01-09-11) morning at church. Our preacher began a new sermon series called “Be the person you were born to be” He talked about going for your goals and dreams and persevering through life when times are tough. At the end of the sermon he told us there was a “special song” he wanted us to listen to. (Normally we stand and sing but this time we were sitting) I usually take this time to use the restroom since I’m not a singer. I leaned over and whispered to Richard that I needed to go to the restroom but figured I would wait through this “special song” since we were not standing. Then at that moment I heard the music and looked over and said it’s the river song, omg that’s it I know it. We were shocked and listened again to this song that popped back into our lives two weeks ago. I of course was tearing up as I realized that Monday morning from two weeks ago had more meaning than I ever knew. I all of a sudden had a sense of peace that this pregnancy is going to stay healthy for the rest of the term.

Health Update:

In the bottom of the uterus lying very low with her head down and feet in her mommy’s ribs weighing in at 1lb 7oz with a heartbeat of 134 we have Blake Evelyn Foster. At the top of the uterus head on the left side and feet in his sister’s face weighing in at 1lb 13oz with a heartbeat of 154 we have Dax Glenn Foster. Both babies are doing well and we have made it far enough to where they could both survive outside the uterus “ring”. I was told to keep walking and I have officially made it past the first week of anticipated bed rest. I have a 26 week appointment this afternoon so fingers crossed that I’m still free of the bed rest.

As always, thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. Goals: 36 weeks, healthy babies, and no bed rest.

Hen and Foxy Father To Be

The song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6A27qm79oQ

How your baby's growing

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

25 WEEKS

A bull and his babies...

A hen and her babies....

The diaper change....

Dax kicking his sister in the face on the left and sleeping like his dad on the right.