What a Day!

What a long day. Here is a summary of the day:
11:30pm- Ben went to the store to get me Crunch n Munch (I have never sent him out for anything before). He's so wonderful.
1:00 am(or so)- Benadryl kicked in and I was out, for a little. Ben was awake a little longer.
5:00am- I woke up because of my rash and made an oatmeal bath for my itchy, burning feet. Ben also woke up to help me. What a wonderful husband.
8:45- Ben woke up late for work (probably because he was helping his wife earlier), which ended up being a good thing.
9:00- I received a phone call from my OB- Dr. Peeden. You know it can't be that good when the doctor calls you. She told me that my liver levels were fine and that was not the cause of the rash. (I had gotten blood drawn yesterday to rule out a liver back up being the cause of my rash). She then proceeded saying that my platelet level was low and she had called the lab to make sure there wasn't a mistake. She had also talked to another OB- Dr. Tsaltas (he delivered Abby) about my levels. She told me they wanted me to be admitted to the Women's Pavilion so I could see a Hematologist quicker. It would have taken a few weeks to get a referral and appt which we did not have.
9:30- My dad came over and got Abby as we packed the rest of my bags and Abby's. Thanks to my parents for coming and getting her and watching her.
10:15-12:00- Admitted to the Women's Pavilion and hooked up to monitors in the triage room. The nurse faxed the request to Dr. Avery(Hematologist). He called and said he couldn't be at the hospital till about 7pm tonight. He then said I could come see him at 3 if I was able. I was able and left. While being monitored, the boys looked good and I had several contractions recorded.
3-5- At the Hematologist office. They took 15 tubes of blood (no exaggeration). Bottomline- I have thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and they are not sure of the cause. I started out at 250,000 count at the beginning of the pregnancy and right now 96,000. You want the range to be about 150,000-350,000. He's not sure of the cause because I have no other symptoms. I go back Thursday morning to check my platelet count and then go to Dr. Peeden's to have the boys monitored. They will go from there. I'm just going to be closely monitored.
Please keep praying for us. Abby was worried all day about her mama and kept asking mom why I was taking so long. Then when we got there she asked why I wasn't spending the night at the hospital. I think she wanted to spend the night with mom and dad. So tomorrow I am putting myself on bedrest!!

33 weeks!

I had another dr appt today. The boys have been extremely active this weekend!!! I figured they had moved a lot, which they had. The heartbeats looked great for both which is wonderful and a relief. We also had an ultrasound and she said they looked great. They were practicing breathing (a big milestone), they were positioned strangely (they have been most of the time anyway), and you could definitely tell they were boys!!!! The dr said these boys have been exceptionally busy the entire pregnancy!!! They are preparing us for when they come out. She is estimating them to be about 4.5 pounds each, still growing like singletons which is awesome. She will measure them next Monday. God is really taking care of these babies!!!
Now for me. I have a horrible rash that is on my feet, between my fingers and toes, on my hands and arms, and my upper legs. It is driving me crazy. I slept about 4-5 hours last night because of it. I asked the dr about it and she said it could be a pregnancy rash. I did not know that existed. She did take some blood to make sure it is not a liver backup, which she doesn't think it is. She said I can take Benadryl which I will tonight. I took 2 this afternoon and was very loopy and drowsy. My blood pressure looks good and my feet are not swelling like they were. Probably because I haven't done all that much!!! I go back to the dr on Thursday to monitor the babies. I thank God for taking care of all of us!!
Abby Story- Abby was talking about Mamaw Kincer on the way home tonight. She really misses her, as we all do. She asked me if God made the rain (which I said yes) and she asked if Mamaw helps. Then she said she wished Mamaw would float down in a rain drop to come see Abby. Abby said that would make her happy. Abby amazes me!!!!

Last Baby Shower!

We had our last baby shower yesterday evening. It was thrown by Ben's work family at Springbrook Park in Alcoa. There was a big turn out and the kids had a blast playing on the playground and playing basketball. It was pretty warm and sticky, but I survived. They planned ahead and had a great box fan and seat ready just for me. It felt great. There was a lot of delicious food- hamburgers, hotdogs, different salads, beans, desserts, etc. It was awesome. We got some great presents and had a wonderful time.
I can't believe we have had 4 showers!! We are so blessed to have wonderful work families, friends, and family!!!! It is amazing at the outpouring of love for these boys and Abby already. We can't thank everyone enough for all they have done so far. We are truly blessed!!!!

8 Year Wedding Anniversary!!!

It's our 8 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has been 8 years. We actually have been friends for 10 years, dated for 9 years, and now have been married for 8 years!!! We went out to Chili's to eat and got a dessert to split with all 3 of us. Not the most exciting anniversary, but it was real nice. I was glad I felt good enough to go out. I love my honey!!!!

32 weeks!!!

I am 32 weeks, which is so hard to believe. I have to go to the doctor twice a week now, every Monday and Thursday. Each Monday I should have an ultrasound, but not on Thursday's unless she feels it is necessary. The babies are monitored for 20 minutes each and then I have a quick ultrasound. The doctor is looking for the heart rate to have peaks (pretty much spike up ever so often). The heart beats would stay around 140's but then spike up to 170's and almost 180. The doctor said it was perfect. One boy was definitely more active than the other, which is normal. Then I had an ultrasound. The doctor said they looked good and they were both head down at the time. We saw their hearts which looked good and everything else looked good. The doctor said they looked gorgeous. She wants me to get to 34 weeks which is when the babies have developed a good swallowing reflex. Then she wants me to get to 36 weeks when their lungs should be mature enough. Then after that she said whenever it happens it happens (I guess). It was a long appointment, which I should get used to. Thanks to mom who went with me and kept me company. I am so glad she went with me, or it would have been very long and boring (but exciting to hear the babies). It was funny to hear it when the babies would move because it would make a loud sound, which one time the doctor came in and said you could hear them through the door and they sounded good from there!
I can't wait to see these boys. I will say they have given me some horrific stretch marks which I didn't get with Abby. They actually hurt and itch real bad. I didn't realize they would hurt so much. Oh well!!! No pain no gain right.

Baby Shower!!!

I had another wonderful baby shower Sunday, July 19th. It was so much fun and had a great turn out. Thanks to Tracy, Becky, Wendy, and Mom for throwing the shower. They had such a cute cake, balloons and awesome food. We played some fun games which had wonderful prizes that went to me and the boys. It was so great seeing so many people I hadn't seen in awhile. It was a great mix of friends and family which means so much to me. It's neat to see how much these little boys are already so loved. We are blessed as a family. We received some great gifts that we really needed which is wonderful. Hopefully we can post some pics when I get them.
Again, thanks to all who were part of the shower. It was a blast!!

Funny Abby Stories

Abby spent the night with Mom Mom (Ben's Mom) Wednesday night. Mom Mom woke up at around 1am and caught Abby watching the Disney Channel. Little sneak. They went shopping on Thursday (which has to be Abby's favorite thing to do, especially shoe shopping which they were doing). They were at Target in the check out line. Abby was sitting in the cart with her legs stretched out. She was looking at her legs and said, 'oh man, I forgot to shave my legs this morning!'. Mom mom was trying not to laugh so was the cashier. That's my girl.

Another story that happened this morning. Abby was asking me about Webkinz. Then she asked if I had Webkinz when I was a little girl. I told her no because they did not have the Internet or fancy computers like they have now. She asked me if I was born when the dinosaurs were alive!!! Thanks Abby!!!!!

She is getting worried about the attention she will not receive when the babies are born. It will be a big change for all of us.

Baby Shower!!!

I had a wonderful baby shower this past Saturday, July 11th. I can't thank everyone enough that helped and attended. The hostesses were Erin McCarty, Dawn Webster, Rebekah Page, and Teri Berger. It was beautifully decorated and also had the coolest letters (A,B,C- for Abby, Blaine, Christian) hanging on the chandelier over the table. They had the most delicious food, muffins, fruit, potato casserole, quiches, and petifores(?). It was a diaper pounding which is so exciting for us. Who knew you could get so excited over diapers and wipes. Not only did people get us diapers, but they also gave us some great gifts which included adorable outfits, sterling silver fish bowl and spoon sets, diaper bag, the nursery decor, and more. I couldn't believe all the stuff we got. I am so blessed to have such a loving and supportive church family. It was an awesome shower and I'm so grateful for everyone. It did wear me out, but it was worth it. Again, thanks to all that attended and their gracious giving.
I still can't believe that it could be 4 weeks from now. It's getting closer and we are getting getting ready. I just hope Abby had at least one week, if not 2 weeks at Kindergarten before the boys come to get that routine down.

30 weeks (almost 31)!!

Abby's cake she made and decorated with Mom Mom.

Nursery!!! Thanks Mom!!!!

Here is the valence with new rod and their names on the wall. The nursery looks awesome. My mom also did a dustruffle with the pennant flags, which you will be able to see more when the bed gets lowered. Thanks to mom and Cassie for working so hard on this. It's perfect.

What a Day!!!

Today has been extremely busy and exhausting. To start the day, I had a dr's appt this morning. Ben dropped Abby off with my parents and came to the appt with me. I am 30 weeks, which I can't believe. The boys looked wonderful as usual. They are still growing like single babies which is terrific. They are both about 3.5 pounds each. The fluid, placenta and everything looks great. I start going every week now where they will just measure and listen to heart beats. She measured my tummy and I'm measuring at 40 which should be like I was due about last week!!! She also said that September 13th was not a factor at all and it will probably be more like August teenth!!! Who knows, maybe about 5 weeks away. Whew!!
So after that, Ben and I went van shopping. Thank you to my parents for watching Abby because she would have been so bored today since we didn't get home from van shopping till 6:30pm. Oh yeah- We got a 'new' minivan. I am now a minivan mom. WOW!!! It is very nice though and we needed it for our growing family. It's an '06 Honda Odyssey. Pics will be up soon I'm sure. Well, we are tired, exhausted, and a little in shock. At least Abby has been having a good time with Mamaw and Papaw.

Busy Weekend!

We had a great fourth of July weekend. Abby was able to go swimming both Friday and Saturday at our cousin Becky's house. Saturday she swam without her floaties with her daddy. She is doing better at that. Getting so big. We had supper at Becky's and then they watched some fireworks. I was worn out by then and stayed inside laying on the couch. I went in the pool Saturday which was great. The weight lifted was nice except for when I got out of the pool. That was difficult.
Sunday we did not make it to church. We overslept and I don't move fast enough to get ready. So, we actually went minivan shopping. Pray for us as we make our decisions, this is so difficult.

I am 30 weeks this week!!!! I can't believe it. I go back to the doctor this Wednesday. I'm not sure if I'll have another ultrasound or not. Counting down the weeks now!!!! Unbelievable.

Drama Mama

Funny Abby story-
Today Abby and I went swimming with my mom at our cousin's house. We saw baby goats (which are so cute, I really wanted to keep one). Anyway, Abby was so excited to swim and she swam hard. She's doing pretty well, but I keep her floaties on since I can't rescue her. We got back to mom's house and were eating sandwiches. I kept getting after Abby to finish her sandwich instead of getting up and down and running around. All of a sudden she said- "OK Drama Mama". Not sure where she got that, she told us she has heard Drama but she already knew Mama. Then she told my mom, "Tell Drama Mama to calm down". What a sweetheart!!
I wish I could record everything she said (sometimes I don't want anyone to know what she says), but she is very witty and cracks me up.
I must say, being pregnant has shorten my patience and Abby-do is realizing it and making sure I know it as well. What a character.

Crib Shot and Abby's Bird

The Vol Mobile!!!! They will be Vol Babies!!!

Mountains!!!

We went to the mountains late Tuesday afternoon. I figured it might be the last time I get to go for awhile. It wore me out, but it was nice and relaxing at the same time. Abby and Ben had fun looking for crawdads in the creek.