A Husband's Perspective

What better time to make my first post on our blog! I've been threatening now for weeks, but here it is. Rebeca is in the hospital on bed rest and by the time you read this will be 33 weeks pregnant. I can't begin to tell you how brave, how determined, and how grateful she has been through it all.

Most of you know our story, but to think back a couple years and trace everything that has happened to this point...it has been quite a journey. And with every end there is a new beginning. The pregnancy will end and being parents of twins will begin. Of course, Rebeca will be a natural. I don't know anyone who is more suited, prepared, and excited to be a great mother.

As for me, I have a lot to learn but expect to pick it up quickly. When we tell people that we're having twin boys, we get this kind of sympathetic, "you're really in for it" kinda look. Having absolutely zero experience with babies, I really won't know the difference, will I? I used to say that it would be "fun" to have twins, not having any idea what I was talking about. Soon I'll get my wish!

Back to the hospital now...I just want to say how great all the nurses have treated Rebeca and I. I've always had great respect for teachers, and now I have great respect for nurses as well. Not just for their care, but for their emotional support, their smiles, their anecdotes and stories. They really make as nice of an environment as possible, and it truly makes a difference for Rebeca's comfort.

While we're on the subject of how great people have been, I want to thank our parents, Teresa, Allison, Darlene, and the Lorimers. They all helped in various ways while Rebeca was here at home on bed rest for three months and in general with keeping us sane. So many people have been so generous, including some of Rebeca's students who saved up their allowances to pitch in on some gifts!

So at this point, we get through each day, we hope that the contractions aren't too bad, and we hope that people want to hire me to take their picture. I am spending the days at home working and with the animals, and the evenings at the hospital. If you want to visit Rebeca, she loves the company! You can imagine the challenges of living without HDTV and Tivo/DVR...although she does have her computer and Facebook!

Rebeca has been doing so well, taking a myriad of medications and shots, eating most of the hospital food that is given her, being monitored with three contraptions over her big belly most of the day and night, tolerating an IV, and in general being pleasant when she is so uncomfortable. I don't know how she does it, but she has already exceeded our doctor's expectations.

We don't know how long she'll be there and when she'll deliver, but we do know that she has the best care available, and we cherish every day that Nicolas and Blake get to keep growing inside her lopsided belly. Thanks to everyone for your love, support, and prayers! Soon you'll get to see more twin baby pictures than you ever wanted to...but I won't be able to help it.

Love,
Jeff

32 weeks 4 days

Hi All-
We are still here and still pregnant. I was admitted to the hospital yesterday, so it's been a rough couple of days. My contractions were getting worse and I was experiencing a decrease in fetal movement so my High Risk OB admitted me. They are taking VERY good care of me here, but it is hard being away from home. Just talking about it is making me cry, so I'll stop.

The babies look good on the monitors and the meds are slowing down the contractions. We'll post more later.

Love, Rebeca

31 weeks and getting tired of playing musical couches

Hi All!

Yes, I'm getting HUGE and every couch in our house has a sink hole from my mid- section. My friend Allison snapped these photos so you all can see.

In this picture, A stands for Baby A (Nicolas) and B for Baby B (Blake). As you can tell my stomach is sooooooooo not symmetrical. Nico's head is where our fingers are and he is spread out along the bottom of my belly. Blake, on the other hand, is all scrunched up in a ball on the other side.

Not much has changed in terms of my condition over the last week. Cervix is holding up and we are trying to keep cooking these babies!

Some good news:

1. I passed my glucose test!!!
2. We have the nursery mostly set up. My dear friend Tami spent Sunday with me. Not only did she give me her son's entire bedroom set ( crib, dresser, bookshelf), but she gave me 7 bins of clothes. She washed all of the newborn sizes and the dresser is FILLED with clothes. So at this point, we are not in any need of clothing.
3. I found the double stroller I wanted and ordered it. (Thank you Nancy and Jim!)
4. I gained another 2 pounds last week.
5. Off topic- Bella was brave and got her teeth cleaned. Now her mouth will be nice and clean when she kisses the boys! Oh, and Guapo finally learned how to do something other than sit- High five!!!! There is hope for him!

Jeff has his first wedding of the year on Saturday. I'm pretty nervous about him being gone all day, but I have my "babysitters" lined up and hopefully it will be another uneventful day. He does have a backup photographer ready to go just in case......................

Tomorrow will be day 80 of bed rest.....................(but who's counting, right?)

Hope you are all well!

Love,

Rebeca

30 weeks and still surreal!

Today we are having a "30" party in our house. Not sure what it's going to look like, but Jeff assures me it will be a special celebration!

I was telling Jeff last night that every time I go to the bathroom and look in the mirror, I am still shocked that I have 2 babies growing inside me. You would think that with all of the ultrasounds, movements, etc, that it would seem more real, but sometimes it doesn't. He agreed that it also seems surreal to him, even more so since he's not the incubator.

Our dr.'s appointment yesterday was mostly uneventful, other than the blazing hot office where I almost fainted on the ultrasound chair! My cerclage continues to hold strong and the boys looked good. Nico is estimated to weigh 3 pounds and Blake 2 and a half. Nico is now in the breech position and at this point he most likely will not turn head down due to the crowded environment. They are head to head up in my rib cage. No wonder I have a hard time getting a deep breath!

My friend Allison came over last night with some yummy treats from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. She took some belly pics that I will post later.

Hope you are all doing well!
Love,
Rebeca

2009 is FINALLY here- Woohoo!!

Happy New Year! I just wanted to let everyone know that we did get the steroid shots for the boys and I am still at home. We had to go to the hospital to get the shots. I got the first shot in my hip on Tuesday evening and the second one Wednesday evening (New Years Eve). As Jeff wheeled me up to the nurse's station, they were in the midst of changing shifts. They saw my big belly and I heard one of them say "Oh, here's our midnight delivery!" "Hah, hah" I thought to myself. Sally, a delightful Irish nurse, gave me the second shot. She told us that the first baby born in the new year gets a prize basket. Intriguing, but not quite time yet!

This nurse teaches a prenatal yoga class and she spent quite a bit of time showing me some stretches that I can do from the couch. She admired my belly and told me that I was about the size of a full term pregnancy! No wonder I am so uncomfortable! We haven't taken many belly pics since I've been on bed rest, mostly because I am usually in PJs and I can't remember the last time I put on some makeup! Sally encouraged us to do some belly pics anyways. So Jeff is thinking about setting up his stuff in the family room and, if nothing else, we'll get some shots of the belly only.

We hope you all enjoyed the New Years festivities and we hope 2009 is a wonderful year for everybody. Personally, I've never been more excited to start a new year!!

Lots of love,
Rebeca