26 weeks and 1 day

Hello everyone.

Today is 26 weeks and 1 day. Went to the ObGyn yesterday and I have been put on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. The real question now is how long until I am admitted for hospital bed rest?

We found out on Friday, May 29th that Julia is measuring small (around 1 lb 3 oz) and Thomas is measuring around 1 lb 11 oz. They ran some additional tests and determined that Julia is not getting enough nutrition from her umblical cord/placenta so we began weekly monitoring via ultrasound.

On Wednesday, June 3rd we went in for another monitoring session and we were told that not only is Julia's umblical cord/placenta not providing her enough, but Thomas' is not providing him enough either. Also they both have low amniotic fluid. With all of this news, the good news is that the placenta/umbilical cord was functioning a little bit better than on Friday, now significantly better, but better, so I got another week at home on bed rest.

Tomorrow we go back in for monitoring again. Depending on how everything looks will determine if I get to stay at home or be admitted.

Also, in the meantime I started to notice this itching. At first it started on my palms of my hands and the soles of my feet. I didnt' think much of it, but did mention it on May 28th to a Dr at my appt. Finally this past Saturday it was completely out of control and so I called my Dr's exchange when I couldn't sleep. He thinks it may be Cholestasis of Pregnancy. So I had blood work drawn yesterday and should know something on Thursday this week. Cholestasis of Pregnancy is an impairment of the bile secretion in the liver where the bile backs up in the liver and therefore the bile acids in the bloodstream increase. These acids are then deposited in the skin causing intense itching. If that is what it is there is a medication they can give me to help control my liver function.

So that is what is going on in my world.

Please keep saying lots of prayers for Julia and for Thomas. We love them so much and can't wait to meet them.

Kandi

Week 23 - Still on bed rest!

Hello everyone!

We are now in Week 23 and the twins are still doing good. We had an eventful weekend and most of Saturday night was spent at Labor & Delivery. Apparently the Braxton Hicks Contractions are becomming more painful and the round ligaments continue to stretch! But for now, we are all okay!

My next appointment is June 1. At that appointment the Dr. will determine if I will go back to work or spend the next 2-3 weeks on bed rest.

Sorry that I don't have any new pictures! Our next ultrasound is Friday, May 29th and I can't wait to see Thomas & Julia again.

Kandi

Week 20 - almost Week 21

Good morning all!

So we are now almost through our 20th week of pregnancy! We had our "big" ultrasound yesterday and they determined that we do have a Thomas and a Julia on board! :) They are both doing well and both have strong heartbeats! We go back to the perinatal center in 4 weeks for another ultrasound. Both had heart rates in the high 140s during their ultrasounds, which is awesome!!

I am currently on bed rest and will remain here until the Dr. releases me. It may be as soon as 5-11-2009 that I get released or it may not be until the babies are here. Due to my many factors during pregnancy, heart problems, multiples, high blood pressure, etc. he thinks the safest thing for me and the babies is for mom to be resting right now.

So that is our update for now. (pictures below of Thomas (baby A) then Julia (baby B))

Kandi

Week 16, 17, & 18....

Hello everyone!

Sorry I have been such a slacker the past few weeks. I have been really tired and have been sleeping alot!!! I suppose that is because I have two wonderful little babies growing inside of me. :) As I write this I am beginning week 19, but thought I should update everyone, since I have not been so good at that! We went in for an ultrasound on 4-9-2009 and both babies looked great! The Dr. said that right now, the babies look wonderful! That is always good to hear!! Baby A (they think is a boy) heart rate was 138 bpm and Baby B (they think is a girl) heart rate was 150. We went to the High Risk Dr. about a week after our ultrasound and Baby A's heart rate was in the 140s and Baby B's in the 150s. So all is going well in the womb right now! We go back to the regular OB on 4/27 and to the Perinatal Center for our "BIG" ultrasound on 5/1. All very exciting. Below are two pictures from the latest ultrasound. (Baby A is the first picture, Baby B the second) Both of the pictures are profile pictures, so enjoy!!! I will try to do better about updating the blog, but I may wait until I have more pictures.

Kandi

Week 14 & beginning of Week 15!

So week 14 was pretty uneventful! Still VERY tired and exhausted all the time. Things went pretty good in Week 14. On Saturday, my sister, Katy, had a baby shower for her daughter Reagan who is due end of April and that was fun. My mom wasn't able to come it town - but it was a very nice shower. On Saturday night Brandon and I went to the Symphony. It too was a lot of fun and the music was great! (There is NO leg space though - so if you are taller than 5 ft you will be very uncomfortable!) On Saturday night I started to get some cramping in my lower abdominal area. I called the Dr. on Monday morning when it hadn't gone away any --- and had actually got worse. They instructed me to go the the Woman's Evaluation Unit at the hospital. I did and the tested me for a bladder infection and appendicitis which are the two things that we didn't want it to be. Fortunately it wasn't either of those two things causing the cramping - it was round ligament pain. So I get to wear a Maternity Support Belt now. Super fun!! Today, 3/25/2009 we did get to go in for another ultrasound. The babies are both doing great even though we were not able to find out gender. Baby A had a heartrate of 150 and baby B of 160, both are very good strong heartbeats! Below are pictures from today. The first is of Baby B and the second of Baby A. (I don't want them to think I am choosing favorites - so I am switching things up!) Anyways they are still doing great and we are thanking God everyday for these 2 wonderful marvelous miracles!

Kandi

Baby B 3/25/2009

Baby A - 3/25/2009

Week 13 - Still going strong!

This week was very exciting. We got to have another ultrasound and both babies are still strong and doing wonderful! Baby A's heartbeat was 160 and Baby B's heartbeat was 163. So only good news to report. Kandi's mom came in town and it was so great for her to spend time with her. Our next big trip isn't until April, we are going to Des Moines to see Brandon's family for Easter. Kandi is still really tired, but has started to show signs of energy. :) Our next ultrasound is on March 25th. Below are the latest pictures of the babies. Baby A is first, and its tongue is sticking out. Baby B's photo is second.

Pregnancy Weeks 6-12

Week 12 - On Monday Brandon and I shared our big news with our co-workers and friends. (our familes already knew!!) The were super excited that we are pregnant and then to find out with twins - most people were very excited!!! We went to our OB this week (Monday, March 2) and my blood pressure was doing great and we got more pictures of the babies. They both look great and Dr. P said they are both healthy. AWESOME NEWS!!! We go back to see Dr. P on April 2nd. The first picture is Baby A and the second is Baby B. (Latest & greatest pictures!!!)

Week 11 - GREAT NEWS!!! On Wednesday, February 25th, we had an appointment at the Perinatal Center to check out the the growth of Baby A. After our big scare it was VERY reassuring to see that Baby A has almost caught up with Baby B. Our high risk OB said that both the sacks are tense & full of fluid and the placentas are plush and fluffy. He said at this point he is comfortable with us telling the whole world the big news, but we are still waiting until Week 12. It is kind of nice to have a secret. :)
Week 10 - Overall I am feeling good --- just really tired! I love hamburgers...especially cheese burgers! I flew home to Texas this week which was so nice! I miss my mom so much and it was fun to be able to share this time with her!! It also was a good distraction from the ultrasound next week. I have been praying a whole lot --- and I am just anxious/scared/worried to see what awaits us!!!

Week 9 - On Wednesday, February 11 we went to the Perinatal Center for our first ultrasound with the High Risk OB. Things I thought were going good minus a cyst they discovered when our Dr. came in the room and said that Baby A was smaller than Baby B and Baby A's sack was much smaller. He was worried that Baby A wasn't getting enough nutrition. Pretty much to wait and see what happends - but he wouldn't be suprised if Baby A survived or not. Really rough news to hear - and I can tell you that I left that place in tears. I don't know how to describe the feeling, but the entire way back to work (yes, I went back to work....stupid, stupid, stupid!) I prayed and prayed and prayed. The following day we had a follow up appointment at the high risk OB's office. He explained things better there and sent us on our way. So now we get to wait...

Week 8 - We had our first appointment with Dr. P (our OB) this week. It was so nice to see him and he was so excited for us!!! He answered alot of questions and then did an ultrasound. It was so nice to see the babies again! They are looking so different than they did just 2 weeks ago! I can tell you that each time I see the heartbeats I cry. Tears of joy of course. It is just such a miracle to think that 2 babies are growing inside of me. We go back to see him in 4 weeks.
Week 7 - This week we met with the Reproductive Endocrinologist and had our final ultrasound with him. Again we saw two babies with two heartbeats. He said they both look good and that we were released from his care. It was kind of sad - but at the same time it was nice! Everyone there was so wonderful and so patient and understanding. They made this process so much less scary than it could have been and really took GREAT care of me!!!
Week 6 - We went in for our first ultrasound this week at our Reproductive Endocrinologist office. I prayed the whole way there that there was a heart beat! So when he started the ultrasound he right away found the baby. He said "Kandi & Brandon I want you to meet your baby." I started crying and he showed us the heart beat. WOW! It was amazing! Such a releif. Then he said "Now I want you to meet your other baby!" HOLY SMOKES!!! I was so amazed/excited/ thankful - then he showed us that heartbeat too! It was so exciting and wonderful! We left there and called our families and shared the BIG news! They were all super excited and we were thankful to see not just one heartbeat - but 2!!!

Week 5 - Went in for my 2nd beta count. It needed to be over 1,000 and it was 1,280. WOOO HOOO!!! We have an ultrasound scheduled next week. I am just so excited!

Week 4 - I got my first EVER positive pregnancy test on Monday, January 5. I called the dr. office as soon as they opened because I was super excited and wanted them to verify it. So I went in for my beta count and it was 131. I AM PREGNANT!!! So, I had to tell Brandon of course! I made a little certificate for him and put it in the mailbox. When he got home from work he picked up the mail and came inside. He was opening mail and I was like what is this? So he opened it and it was a "Future World's BEST Dad!" It took a minute to click - but when it did he was so excited! We have waited so long for this and it has finally happend!!!