12.31.2008

Welcome 2009!

Our visit today went very well. The ultrasound showed that all babies are still doing great! Fluid is normal, heartbeats are normal, cords look fine, and cervix is still long and closed. As Dr. E put it, the kids couldn't be doing any better! We are so thankful to God for this news...as every day that we get through with no complications is a great victory. Dr. E suggested that beginning next week we will go to twice a week office visits. So I have an appointment Tuesday and Friday of next week. Once again to hear the "Quadfather" say how complex this pregnancy is and see him shake his head about certain decisions...reminds us of how we NEED our heavenly Father in every aspect of this pregnancy and in our lives.

Thank you for being faithful in your prayers. Here are some specific prayer requests:

- Please pray that my contractions will not increase in the upcoming weeks
- Please pray for the babies' cords to remain tangle-free
- Please pray for the babies' fluid levels to remain normal
- Please pray for our doctors and decisions they must make with this complicated pregnancy
- Please pray for Nick and my mom as they travel this weekend to "swap" places

This next year will be an exciting year for us and we welcome it with open arms! I can't wait to wrap my arms around our four little miracles and hear their first cry, see their first smile, bite my first baby butt (please don't think I'm weird...I've always wanted to nibble on my own baby's booty!), and have soooo many more firsts. I can't believe this is finally the year! I hope you and your family have a Great 2009!

I will leave you with my 23 week belly shot.

12.25.2008

A Christmas Blessing

Today as we celebrate the birth of Christ, our Savior, I am overwhelmed with joy and hope. This is not our typical family-filled Christmas...and we do miss everyone, but I think we will look back on this Christmas as one of our most special and memorable Christmas celebrations ever. Today is also another reminder of how God has answered our prayers...in only a way that He could! I praise Him that He is allowing me to experience this!

Yesterday we had an ultrasound appointment...ultrasound only, no doctor visit. All the babies are still growing and doing wonderfully! Their fluid is still adequate and cords still look good. Also, my cervix still measured very long, 4.4cm. Here are the measurements from our 22 week 3 day visit.

Sloan - 1lb 2oz - 22wks 4dys
BabyB - 1lb 1oz - 21wks 6dys
BabyC - 15oz - 21wks 5dys
BabyD - 1lb 1oz - 22wks 3dys

As you can see from their measurements, none of the babies are more than 1 week apart. In detecting TTTS, they allow for at least a 2-3 week gap in measuremnets...no sign of TTTS here!!! Thank you Lord!

I've had a few people ask for belly pics. So here is the latest at 22 weeks.

Merry Christmas,

Kami

12.17.2008

All I want for Christmas...

Today was the big day! I say that because when you are on modified bed rest and you only have a doctor's appointment every 2 weeks...it is what you look forward to! So our appointment began with the ultrasound. Oh wait, they did get my vitals first. I learned that I have gained 9 pounds since my last visit 2 weeks ago! I never thought I would be so excited to say that! Dr. Elliott's goal for me is to gain 4pounds a week at least until 26 weeks. Thanks to my mom, I was able to do it!

Back to the ultrasound...unfortunately, I don't have any pictures worthwile of showing. They literally look like blobs. I think its only going to get tougher to get good pictures as the babies get bigger. Today's ultrasound was only to check the babies' heartbeats and their fluid. Both fluid and heartbeats looked really good. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to measure to see how much they have grown, but that will come next week. But, we are so thankful to God that the babies still look good and there is no sign of TTTS.

Then we met with Dr. E for a little while. We decided that I will start to have appointments weekly rather than every 2 weeks just because of the extreme circumstances of the pregnancy. I think weekly visits will just give me a little more comfort and he supported that! Also, since my contractions are still few and far between, I can continue on modified bed rest (rather than going to strict bed rest.) Modified bed rest is just taking it real easy on the couch most of the time, but I am still able to get out every now and then. For instance, I can go to church on Sundays...which is a huge blessing! Of course, I will not be pushing myself too hard, but its nice to know that I can still get out if I feel as if I have a little cabin fever...this may not be a luxury I will have for very long!

After meeting with Dr. E, he had us meet with Dr. Slater Myer, a neonatologist at Good Sam Hospital. The purpose was for her to explain to us the risks and complications that premature babies of different gestational ages face at delivery. Nick was able to be on the phone to listen in as well. At some point, I will have to be hospitalized even if all is going well and there is no sign of preterm labor. The reason for hospitalization is for constant monitoring of our mono/mono boys. They definitely have the biggest risk for cord entanglement which can happen at any moment. The bigger they get, the less room they have and the more likely it is to occur. Please pray that our little guys stay still and will not get tangled up in one another's cords. Once they are safe and in my arms, they can be boys and wrestle all they like! I know we have to hear all the possibilities and be well-informed about decisions and complications that may occur...and I want to be knowledgeable about all of this. But we haven't forgotten Who is in control and that He has a plan for us and the babies. We pray everyday that He will continue to guide us in making decisions about the pregnancy.

Overall, we are very pleased with my appointment. I consider each day that passes with Sloan, Rocco, Madden & Jagger safe in my womb a huge blessing from the Lord above. We give Him all the glory!

P.S. All I want for Christmas is my hubby! 4 more days til I get to see my man! Please pray for Nick and my mom as travel on Sunday!

12.11.2008

Dreaming of a White Christmas...

Of all things...we are here in sunny Arizona and I wake up this morning to pictures of my home that Nick emailed to me. It's snowing in Baton Rouge! I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see the pictures. I have to admit it's a little sad to miss the kids playing in the snow...I can remember as a kid when it snowed how exciting it was. Here are some pictures that Nick took:

Our house - like we have never seen it!

From our front porch

Mom & Dad's house

I hope everyone in BR is enjoying the snow! We miss you all!

On a side note, I started the home contraction monitoring this week. I put on a belt with a sensor for an hour twice a day. After each session, the results are sent to a nurse through a wireless modem who calls me back within 30 minutes to let me know the results. Dr. Elliott likes to see no more than 3.5/hour on average (for a week.) So far, most of mine have been zero, but I have had a couple of sessions with one or two contractions...nothing to be too concerned with. My next appointment with Dr. E is next Wednesday...I can't wait to see how much the babies have grown! Mom is doing a good job of keeping me growing! :)

Kami

12.03.2008

A Busy Day

Today started with a tour of the NICU at the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center. As I walked the halls of the hospital, I couldn't help but to get excited about the near future. The nurses we spoke with were so helpful with answering our questions. During the tour, we were certain that our babies are going to be in the best care possible. Once the tour was over, we made our way over to Dr. Elliott's office in Glendale. Here we spent the rest of the afternoon. The ultrasound took about 2 hours due to the growing and active babies that make it a little more difficult. Another praise...all the babies still are doing great and my cervix measured 5cm long and closed! Here are the babies' measurements from today(19w 3d):

Baby A - 10 ozs - 19w 2d
Baby B - 10 ozs - 19w 5d
Baby C - 9ozs - 19w 0d
Baby D - 90zs - 19w 1d

As you can see, the babies are all still measuring on track. There amniotic fluid is still adequate and there is no sign of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. The babies are at greater risk for developing TTTS in the 2nd trimester. Please pray with us that the babies will all get equal amounts nutrients and bloodflow and that they will continue to grow at the same rate. After the ultrasound, we were sent to a consultation room where we met Dr. Elliott....finally! We have heard such great things about him and were so excited to meet him. He discussed with us the difficulties of our particular pregnancy, a plan of care, what to expect along the way and the decisions that will need to be made. It was so comforting to have a doctor that shares with you your need/desire to have a successful pregnancy with four healthy babies at the end of it all. He has an obvious passion for complex pregnancies. We are so thankful God has put him in our lives. As of now, I am not on bedrest. However, Dr. E thinks I will be in about 2 weeks....which is my next scheduled appointment.

The appointment went a little long and we were pressed for time getting accross town to get Nick and my dad on their flight back to BR. They made it with 7 minutes to spare!!! So tonight is our (me & mom's) first night without the men we love so dearly. Nick will be back here in about 2 1/2 weeks...which is not too long, but it is the longest we have been apart since we were married.

Thank you all for your comments and emails. They are always encouraging and uplifting to read. I have been so amazed by the support of all the quad moms and other HOM moms...thanks to you all! I am hoping that now that I am here and not as distracted with everyday life....I will have more time to respond to emails.

Love and Blessings,
Kami

12.01.2008

We Made It!

Well...we have officially been in Phoenix for 1 day. We flew in yesterday around 5pm. My mom and dad left on Friday (driving) and arrived yesterday morning. We are getting settled in our new 2 bedroom condo...which is very nice. Our condo is actually located in Scottsdale. The area is very nice...lots of cool shopping and restaurants. I don't think it has actually sunk in that this will be my home. I still feel as if I am on vacation and should be going back to BR in a few days. Here are some pics of our humble abode.


The front door - I think it's missing and LSU flag or something?!?

I took this standing at our front door - I won't have to waddle too far to go for a dip!

My dad feeling quite at home!

I had a really good last weekend at home. I was able to say goodbye and deliver Christmas presents to my nephews and niece since I won't be here for Christmas. Also, one of my very good friends was married this weekend. I was able to go to their beautiful wedding on Saturday and enjoy the company of my closest friends. It was a special day for them and I am grateful to have been a part of it! Congratulations Tiffany & Brad! Believe it or not the hardest part of the weekend was leaving my puppies at home. I've had Buddy since I was 17 and Lucy is my little girl. They bring me so much joy at home and I know that they will be fine, but I will really miss them! Here is a pic that Nick took right before we left (L to R: Buddy, me, Lucy.)
All of the goodbye's were difficult but I know they are not forever! The next time I see everyone, I will be one very proud mama of four little miracles. Thanks for your prayers for safe travel. My first appointment with Dr. Elliott is on Wednesday...I'm very excited to meet the QuadFather!

Kami

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