Who Needs Sl...zzzzzzzz...eep?

Steph and I are running on empty. We're learning what it takes to survive and take care of twins and a toddler on about 4 - 5 hours of sleep / night. We're hoping the twins find a good sleep/eat routine at night real soon. Steph's mom has been a huge blessing ... to the point we want to keep her.

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Everyone is doing well - thank you all for your support and prayers. And please, anytime you want to hold babies, we have plenty to go around! Just come visit us.

We're Home

We're home and everyone is doing well ... mom, twins, Carter, and dad (with the exception of a little bit of lost sleep). Camden and Harper have their first doctor's visit tomorrow ... hope all is well. They both look a jaundiced, but hopefully it's just a little bit. This is the anxiety filled visit (are they getting enough to eat, pooping / peeing enough, too much sleep / not enough sleep, the list goes on and on). We'll be sure to keep you updated.

Big Bubby

Lots of folks have asked us how Carter is doing with the new additions to the family. Well, even though these pics don't quite tell the "whole" story, he is really doing quite well. Of course he doesn't understand the concept of light touches, so we have to watch so he doesn't squash the twins. But he loves to give them kisses and checks up on them often. He has an independent spirit, so he's usually off somewhere in the house doing his own things (mostly playing with his tractors or riding his bike). We still have hopes that he's going to be a wonderful brother and he's definitely heading that way.

They're Here!

Camden Bek and Harper Mae joined us all in the world outside of the comfortable confines of their mother's womb today, August 20. Camden came first at 6:42pm and weighed 5lbs.11oz. and Harper made it about a half hour later at 7:07pm and weighed 6lbs.0oz. They both measured 18.5" long.

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A fast labor ... Steph's water broke this afternoon at about 3:00pm ... we made it to the hospital at about 4:00pm (she measured 5 cm.) ... and both babies were born within three hours. Thank God!

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Camden is on the left side of the picture and Harper is on the right.

Powdered Donuts

Steph really hasn't had any strange cravings during this pregnancy ... but she does have a "pregnancy vice" ... powdered donuts. And just like this picture shows ... Carter hasn't just discovered powdered donuts, he likes them too.

No Place Like Home

Steph's doc let her come home earlier this evening, without too long a stay in the hospital. She is still on continued watch and we're hoping the contractions stay under control. Doc still says that he isn't going to stop labor, just trying to slow it down. We're just hoping to make it 7 more days - that should put us in the clear on the development of the babies' lungs. Thanks for all your support.

Another Round of Contractions

Steph has been battling another round of contractions. She is currently at the hospital undergoing one of her scheduled non-stress tests, but has continued to contract, so they're keeping her a little longer to see if they can control the contractions. She has dilated a little more, but not enough to have the doctor thinking she is going into labor. Hopefully we'll be able to watch Big Brother from the comfort of our home tonight instead of the hospital room.

Looks Like We're on Our Way

Steph and I got to come home today after about 30 hours in the hospital. Her doctor came in to check on her this afternoon and said that everything looked good - all of the contractions don't seem to be labor producing. He did say that we shouldn't be surprised if the babies come in the next week, but that it could still be two or three more too. He put Steph on "Stage 3" bedrest (in bed or on the couch except for bathroom privileges), and still has her watching those contractions.

Pictures

Here are some pictures our friend took last week. Click on any of the pics to see a bigger picture.

In the Hospital

Steph started having some more contractions very early this morning (Thursday), so we came to Labor and Delivery at the hospital. After a few check-ups the doc decided to admit her for at least 24 hours for monitoring. She is dilated 3 cm, which doesn't mean a whole lot - but could mean that we're heading towards delivery. She has continued to have contractions throughout the day, sometimes are better than others. The doc is going to check in on her in the morning to see if it's okay to go home. She is 34 weeks pregnant, today, and we're hoping to make it to 36 weeks. Let's pray for the best.

Prego Pics

One of our really good friends is a professional photographer. Steph asked her if today she'd take some pregnancy photos. So we're really excited to see these after she gets them worked up. Carter actually cooperated for a couple of them too! We waited too long and didn't take any prego pics with Carter, so Steph wanted to make sure to get this done with the twins. As soon as we get these back, I'll be sure to post some on here and surely you all will be getting some emailed to you as well.

Still Good

Since my post on Friday, Steph has had two scheduled appointments ... one to the OB and one of her biweekly non-stress tests (NST). I'm happy to say that all is good. She is continuing to have contractions, but the medicine she's taking for these is working wonderfully in slowing them down. The doc told us today that he will have her stop medication at 36 weeks (2 weeks away) and let the rest fall into place. The doc has vacation scheduled right at 36 weeks, which is a little stressful since we switched doctors to our current doctor about halfway through the pregnancy because we wanted him to do the delivery (add this to your prayers please - that the babies keep brewing until the doc gets back from vacation). We do know that all is in God's plan, however.
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We've lined up a few folks to help with Carter while I'm at work during the week. We are seeing already that he is going to grow even more spoiled through this than he already is. He loves the little extra attention he gets, as well as his little visits into momma's bedroom to lie in bed with her (of course it's at this point she has to turn the television to what he wants to watch).

No Hospital, but Bedrest

No surprise trips to the hospital or doctor since Tuesday! Steph is still having some contractions, but the medicine she's taking is definitely helping to calm them down. During her scheduled trip to Labor and Delivery yesterday, she did receive another shot of Bretheen for contractions, but didn't have to stay.
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Steph is officially on bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy. Those of you who know her know how much she does not and is not going to like this. It's only been three days and she's not happy about it at all. Lots of friends have offered to help us out with Carter, which is going to be a big help. We're just trying to figure out scheduling so we can make all of this work. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.