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.

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.

Another Trip to the Hospital

Steph spent another few hours this afternoon and evening in the hospital. Everything is okay ... her uterus is quite jumpy these days, however. She continued to feel contractions last night and this morning and decided to call the doctor - who had her come in to his office for an ultrasound to check her cervix. The great news is that she is not dilating ... but she was having minor contractions about every 2 minutes. After a lot of monitoring, a couple more shots of medicine in the arm(s) and a prescription for some "uterus relaxing" medicine, we were able to finally come home.
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As of right now, Camden is winning the race to be the first born. During the ultrasound we could see his head bumping his momma's cervix. I'm "not-so-secretly" hoping he's born first so Harper can have two BIG brothers watching out for her.

Early Contractions

Steph had her first non-stress test (fetal monitoring) this morning. What was routinely, an hour appointment turned into 4 hours as we learned Steph is having minor contractions. She's scheduled to have two stress tests per week and one doctor's visit each week. But if she continues to have contractions (more than 5/hour) she'll be back in Labor and Delivery (L&D) more often. She had early contractions with Carter and had to take a pill to help slow them. The babies are doing fine - just pushing their momma to her limits. Please pray that all goes well.

Ultrasound

We visited the doc this morning and had an ultrasound. Everything looks good. Camden and Harper both weigh (estimate) just over 4 lbs. Harper is actually measuring three days bigger than her brother (must be getting some "girl power" from her mama). It's a little crazy to think that Carter only weighed about 6 1/2 lbs. at birth and today (6 weeks until birth), Steph has almost 9 lbs. of baby inside of her. Things look to be a little crunched in there too, as Harper had a foot positioned up by her head (mama's not the only one who is uncomfortable these days).

Steph is doing good also. Blood pressure was a little higher than normal (but still good). She begins non-stress tests next Monday and will have these twice a week until birth. For all of you pregnancy illiterates - all this means is that she will be hooked up to some fetal monitors for about an hour each visit to monitor her and the babies. This may be a little too much information ... but is an important prayer request ... Steph's cervix measured a little shorter than last time and is getting close to the point where she might have to go on bed rest to prevent premature labor. Please pray that all continue to goes well.

Is Summer Really Almost Over?

Steph visited the doc this morning and checked out okay (no fun baby stuff or anything). Her iron has been testing just below average, so she's been taking vitamins and returning for check-ups every month and today she's above average - so no more testing until, probably, after the babies come.

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Our high school students at church are leaving for camp next week - which is crazy because camp usually signifies the end of summer. And for Carter, Steph, and I the end of this summer means two additions to the family. It's all gone so fast - I can't believe we're only 6 weeks away from seeing the twins. We have an ultrasound next Wednesday, which we're looking forward to (love to see those kids).

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers - this is quite an ordeal for us and we're glad ya'll are taking this journey with us.