Well, they say that there are those defining moments in life, the one's you'll never forget...and needless to say the birth of your children is one of those moments! I am proud to announce that Rebeca delivered Nicolas Riley and Blake Taylor tonight at 5:58 and 5:59, respectively. Nicolas tipped the scales at 4 pounds 12 ounces, while Blake was a more modest 3 pounds 3 ounces.
Rebeca is recovering and will hopefully sleep a bit tonight. Self administered morphine ought to help that quest. The Fassett twins are in the NICU and are doing well. Nicolas has some help breathing, but Blake, ironically enough, is breathing fine. We'll know more tomorrow about their condition, but everyone is upbeat.
They look great...but you wouldnt know that because I forgot my flash card reader and so you can't see any of the million pictures I've taken so far. Sorry, I'll fix that problem tomorrow!
I imagined nonstop screaming. After all, thats quite a life change going from the womb to the air. But they are so peaceful, it's really amazing. Maybe they will be quiet, happy babies? I am no fan of crying, but that first cry of Nico's was the best sound I've ever heard!
What an amazing day! And what a miracle to have two baby boys. I just wish that Rebeca could be enjoying this moment more, but soon enough. She'll be able to see the babies tomorrow.
More later...stay tuned for amusing stories about checking out of the hospital today (only to check back in 45 mins later), me waiting in the hallway with my camera before the c-section, and funny things that doctors say.
Thanks to everyone for their love and support and prayers! The fruits of our labor (so to speak) are the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.
Jeff
P.S. We'd love to see you at the hospital, please call first!
P.P.S. I want to send a shout out to the Baldies!!! Thanks so much for your support of Rebeca through it all...you really made a difference and helped her get to this day.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Is it really February????
Hello Friends!!
Before I update you with my status, I have to just tell you all how lucky I am to have such an amazing husband. I didn't know he was going to write a post on the blog and when I woke up and read what he had written, I was in tears!! Most of you know Jeff, but for those of you who don't, I don't think I could have married a more patient, tolerant, kind-hearted man. As some of you know, I am not the easiest person to please, and that's when I am not pregnant. Then you add in pregnancy hormones and things get a little difficult. He waited on me for 3 months at home and he never complained about all of my very particular requests, whether it be more ice in my water or having my socks straightened. (No one likes crooked socks, right?) The stress of this pregnancy could really harm a marriage, but luckily it has made us stronger as a couple and soon to be parents. He's my security blanket and he will be an amazing father!
As for me, I am excited to announce that I am 34 weeks today!! I never thought I would be able to say that. Being in the hospital is not fun. I take meds around the clock (which includes the middle of the night) and am trying to eat as much of the "yummy" hospital food as possible. My contractions are more constant and starting to get stronger. When I have more than 6 big ones in an hour I get a shot that calms them down almost immediately. Unfortunately the shot makes me feel very jittery and like I just had 10 cups of coffee. This can make it a little hard to sleep when I have them in the middle of the night, which is generally when my contractions like to act up.
The nurses hook up the babies to the monitors a few times a day to see how they are doing. They always comment on what good babies they are and are able to be traced fairly easily. I never realized how important the job of a nurse was until being in a hospital. They have all been competent, but some are more compassionate than others and, boy, what a difference that makes in my day. For those of you who were at our wedding, you might remember our belly dancer friend Paris. Well, it just so happens that she is a Labor and Delivery nurse here at the hospital that I am at. She has been taking care of me on the days that she is working and has made this experience a little easier. Thank you Paris for taking such good care of me and being my shoulder to cry on!!
So our target now is to make it to somewhere between 35 and 37 weeks. 35 seems doable, but 37 seems insane. But then I remind myself that I never thought I would see February!
Oh, Jeff forgot to thank our good friends Tami and Craig. Even though they don't live nearby, they have been a huge support system for us and have gone out of their way to see us when they can. We would not have a dresser full of clothes and a room full of baby furniture if it wasn't for them.
Some good things about being in the hospital:
Before I update you with my status, I have to just tell you all how lucky I am to have such an amazing husband. I didn't know he was going to write a post on the blog and when I woke up and read what he had written, I was in tears!! Most of you know Jeff, but for those of you who don't, I don't think I could have married a more patient, tolerant, kind-hearted man. As some of you know, I am not the easiest person to please, and that's when I am not pregnant. Then you add in pregnancy hormones and things get a little difficult. He waited on me for 3 months at home and he never complained about all of my very particular requests, whether it be more ice in my water or having my socks straightened. (No one likes crooked socks, right?) The stress of this pregnancy could really harm a marriage, but luckily it has made us stronger as a couple and soon to be parents. He's my security blanket and he will be an amazing father!
As for me, I am excited to announce that I am 34 weeks today!! I never thought I would be able to say that. Being in the hospital is not fun. I take meds around the clock (which includes the middle of the night) and am trying to eat as much of the "yummy" hospital food as possible. My contractions are more constant and starting to get stronger. When I have more than 6 big ones in an hour I get a shot that calms them down almost immediately. Unfortunately the shot makes me feel very jittery and like I just had 10 cups of coffee. This can make it a little hard to sleep when I have them in the middle of the night, which is generally when my contractions like to act up.
The nurses hook up the babies to the monitors a few times a day to see how they are doing. They always comment on what good babies they are and are able to be traced fairly easily. I never realized how important the job of a nurse was until being in a hospital. They have all been competent, but some are more compassionate than others and, boy, what a difference that makes in my day. For those of you who were at our wedding, you might remember our belly dancer friend Paris. Well, it just so happens that she is a Labor and Delivery nurse here at the hospital that I am at. She has been taking care of me on the days that she is working and has made this experience a little easier. Thank you Paris for taking such good care of me and being my shoulder to cry on!!
So our target now is to make it to somewhere between 35 and 37 weeks. 35 seems doable, but 37 seems insane. But then I remind myself that I never thought I would see February!
Oh, Jeff forgot to thank our good friends Tami and Craig. Even though they don't live nearby, they have been a huge support system for us and have gone out of their way to see us when they can. We would not have a dresser full of clothes and a room full of baby furniture if it wasn't for them.
Some good things about being in the hospital:
- unlimited supply of crushed ice
- I get to listen to the babies' hearts beating at any time of the day.
- someone makes my bed and gives me fresh sheets every day!
- well, I guess that's all I can come up with for now!!!
Thanks to those of you who have called, visited, emailed, etc. I am hanging in there and can honestly say that once these babies are here I can say that this is by far the biggest accomplishment of my life.
We'll keep you posted!
Love,
Rebeca
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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
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
Saturday, January 24, 2009
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
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
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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:
- I passed my glucose test!!!
- 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.
- I found the double stroller I wanted and ordered it. (Thank you Nancy and Jim!)
- I gained another 2 pounds last week.
- 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
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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
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
Friday, January 2, 2009
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
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
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