What now....

I am back at the hospital in antepartum. I had massive blood clots-- seriously hand-sized-- this morning. Now I am in bed awaiting a D&C late this afternoon, around 5.

Ugh.

Apparently, there is some remaining placenta keeping my uterus from "closing" properly.
Which will keep me bleeding and from having my cervix close.

Bah!

Wish me luck!



-C. Vaughn

Pumpkins...

My Dad used to call me his "little pumpkin". So what does that make these guys???

Christopher...


Michael...



These hats were given to them at our babies' shower on Saturday. They were made by a friend of my MIL.

Don't worry, as soon as I can make room on my computer I will download some shower photos!

-C. Vaughn

Progress...

Today is my first day traveling to the NICU without DH. It's hard to make this adjustment. Ive had him with me since my water broke over a week ago and i never imagined him being gone within days of their birth.

But this is how my whole story has gone, I suppose. Filled with twists and unexpected turns. Whatever plan I seem to make is soon tossed aside as fate ( or something bigger than myself) takes over the wheel.

Despite the sudden detour in our lives, Mason and Christopher continue to make improvements everyday. Today, both Mason and Christopher are gaining weight and being feed breastmilk through their feeding tubes: Mason is on 4-6cc and Christopher getting 2cc's today.
Christopher has had no alarms today (knock on wood) and Mason has only had two, the last at 2am.
They are also both off the bili-lights which help their bodies when their bilirubin levels are too high.

Currently, they are all snugged in tight, looking absolutely adorable. They will hopefully sleep as I continue to pump, anxiously awaiting Daddy's return this afternoon.

Mason... Happy to be wrapped and off the lights.



Christopher...loves sleeping on his tummy!


-C. Vaughn

Happy one-week birthday to you two!

Today my boys turned one week old.

It was our first night away from them. It took us a while to get started this morning since I am pumping every 2-3 hours and we had to worry about basics at home (Cat feedings and meds, washing the pump parts after each use, eating, packing for the day. . . )

After that we drove to finish a few errands we had planned out for last Saturday-- and we all know what happened that day!

DH and I went to Buy Buy Baby where they have the glider we wanted and finally made the purchase. This is basically what it looks like, plus the ottoman.

We also purchased the covers for our carseat carriers in winter.

After running around town for a couple hours, it became a day full of excitement as we found out that Christopher's brain scan (ultrasound) came back perfectly clean and that Mason's was only showing a slight possibility of a bleed, meaning at worst it could be a stage one, but the doctor doesn't think it's a definite. Either way, a stage one bleed resolves itself on its own without harmful effects.

Secondly, I got to hold my boys for the first time!!!

I was able to 'Kangaroo' Chris first, but only for a half an hour since he is still under the bili-lights (u/v). He was/is so precious. He never had any alarms go off and seriously never looked like he was more at rest. I held him on my chest under blankets as DH looked on, pet his little body, kissed him for the very first time and held my hand.

Only a little bit later, it was Mason's turn.

DH was so wonderful. He wanted me to hold them both first because "I'm their Mom and they need their Mommy." *Melt*

So I then held Mason for almost 3 hours. It was wonderful. Even when I had to pee so badly by the end. Mason only had one alarm go off during that time. I sang/hummed "Baby Mine" to both of them, but also played the song on my iphone for Mason. . .and then I played "Lullaby" by Billy Joel--and cried. . . and played "You Are Not Alone" by Michael Jackson . . .and cried again. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life--I cannot wait to do this again and again--but mostly, I cannot wait to see DH kangaroo them both tomorrow.

Meet our new little men!

This is just a quick post (and I apologize to the bump ladies that I can not post on the chat with my iPhone)! Soon, I hope to have a few minutes more to write about my birth story.

But for now, I'd like to introduce you to....

Mason Oscar, aka Baby A, born on 9-10-11 at 3:39 pm. 2 lbs 14 oz and 14 3/4 inches long.


And...

Christopher Michael, aka Baby B, born 9-10-11 at 3:47 pm. 2 lbs 15 oz and 16 inches long.



Both born at 28 weeks, 6 days. They are the most well behaved premier I've ever seen! (But of course, I am biased :)

Today the are both in nasal canulas with a tiny pic-line in their right arms. All umbilical lines have been removed and a tiny feeding tube is in their nasal passage.

So far Mason is tolerating the breast milk and feedings better than his brother, Chris. However, Chris has less alarms going off due to apnea spells. So each of them already has their stronger areas.

One of the next big hurdles we are coming to us their long awaited head ultrasound, which will take place sometime today. The results from this are a serious indicator of how their lives will be. Our hope is that the ultrasounds reveal no bleeding in their brains. We welcome any and all t&p for a clear u/s today. We are very nervous and can't help but be very worried until we hear back.

Thank you all for your love and support so far!!!

Keep growing boys!!!

-C. Vaughn

My boys are here!

The last day and a half have been pretty rough. But dh and I are doing our best to get through it all hoping for the best.

Yesterday, on 9-10-11 our two
baby boys were born at 28 weeks, 6 Days. 2 pounds 14oz and 2 pounds 15oz.

I will give the longer version when we have some more time, but basically, my water broke with baby A at around 7:15am and by 8 we were at the hospital, I had horrid contractions with no breaks-- at all and was already 4-5 cm. It all went so fast after that. I was able to deliver both boys vaginally, but lost several liters of blood and started to hemorrhage after baby B came out and my uterus decided it wasn't going to contract back down.

Both boys are in the NICU and will be until at least November.

They both are having help breathing and poor Baby B is pretty bruised up from delivery since he was born breech.

We are so very insanely in love with them both. It breaks our hearts every time we go in and see them. We are not allowed to hold them until the have a head u/s to check for bleeding next Monday the 19th. But they both have a great grip on my finger (and heart) with their tiny little hands!

Thank you all for the support! We welcome all of your thoughts and prayers. We can use as much love as you are willing to spare! :)

Names are also coming soon!







Comic my nurse shared with us! :)

Oh my.

So as I type, I am on labor at the hospital. My water broke ( baby A) this morning around 7 am. I am already 6+ cm dilated.

28 weeks and 6 days today.

More updates later!





-C. Vaughn

Making poms for the shower and other plans.

The shower for our twin boys will be on Saturday, September 24th at 1pm.

My MIL has been gathering a few ideas for me to do and emailing them to me. She has also offered to pay for cupcakes made by our favorite bakery instead of a cake. It's a bit tricky since she lives farther away.

My Mother is a difficult woman to say the least. She hasn't responded to any emails and insists on arguing over the date I have chosen, insisting that I purposefully chose a date that isn't open for her. Oh, and by the way, "a booked" date to my Mother means there is a baseball game that day-- you know like all of the other 100+ games that happen each year. Apparently, my twins baby shower isn't important enough to her to respond to my emails, skip a game or God forbid try and make this an enjoyable experience for me instead of a constant argument. I shouldn't have put her name on the invite as "someone throwing the shower" along with my cousin and MIL, but I knew if I didn't and my MIL's name was on there-- I wouldn't hear the end about that either-- but clearly, I shouldn't have given her credit when she isn't doing anything but looking for an argument every time I talk to her. . . which today, I have decided, she has raised my blood pressure for the last time. I am going to plan this thing without her-- which I suppose isn't any different than it was before! (Sheesh! Breathe! :)

ANYWAYS. . . On the other end of the spectrum is my cousin (in-law, but really one of my best bud cousins --EVA!!!). She and I have talked over some plans about making tissue poms (so cute!) and certain foods and drinks we can serve.

I am trying to decide on a couple vegetarian main dishes I can make that won't completely freak out the non-meat eaters. Something simple with pasta: Perhaps a baked mac 'n cheese and vegetarian bolognese??? YUM!

I also bought two things for the shower that I just think are too dang cute to pass up!

First!

These cute paper straws--and I can't believe they don't get soggy in water!!!

Then!

Today I ordered a bit of a 'luxury item' in my opinion. But with the purchase of our new house and new kiddos on the way, I think (and hope) we may be having a few more get-togethers!

For the shower I am going to put Citron green iced tea (my favorite!), Lemonade with lemon slices and in the last one I'm going to float sliced lemons, limes and oranges in filtered ice water. I think it will be super cute and so very 'usable' at other parties!

I just hope it can all get pulled together. All I want to do is celebrate the fact that DH and I are finally getting to have the family we have worked so hard for. A shower, without a headache. Is that too much to ask??? :)

Colors. . . .

Trying to decide on a color for the nursery.

I love grey for the walls even though at first I had imagined it being more of a taupe. Oh well.

It has to go with bright apple greens, orange and our expresso nursery furniture. The windows and trim are all white.

27+ weeks and DH is back in school.

Today DH went back to work, teaching the young minds of Wisconsin.

I miss him already. I mean, I actually have to get up and get my own ice and water now??? I have to remember to eat on my own??? What's up with that?!?! I was so spoiled this Summer.

So now I spend my days continuing the never ending task of unpacking boxes. Moving is a massive headache. Once I think I have unpacked everything we own, I find more boxes of stuff I forgot we had-- many things I can get rid of, but other things I can't get rid of, or am not sure yet if we will need. My theory is to keep most of the 'I think we need that' stuff and if I don't end up using it by next Summer-- it's going into out massive stack of Rummage Sale boxes. Seriously, next Spring-- we are going to have one HELL of a garage sale!

In other news-- I PASSED MY ONE HOUR GESTATIONAL DIABETES TEST!!!!

I can't believe it. I had prepared myself and convinced myself that I would just have to deal with the daily poking and testing. Not to mention my biggest fear-- having to cut down on my fruit consumption! After all, I am carrying multiples, I am not super-slim, and I have been told in the past I am IR and had to go on Metformin for over a year! Go figure!

Both boys are also head down and moving A LOT. I've gotten to see my belly come to life from the outside over the last two weeks. Very 'Aliens'.

Here are some 3-D pictures of the boys at 25 weeks 2 days. (8.16.2011)

Baby A

Baby B

WEEK 27!!! Welcome to the THIRD TRIMESTER, BABIES!!!

Weight Gain: About 25 pounds since the FET in March.

Cravings: I still love fruit-- mainly watermelon :D I also drink a TON of ice water every day. It have to be cold--ice cold. I love it, but I don not love the number of bathroom trips I need to take every hour because of it!

Nauseous: I have found some new chewable vitamins and they make the nauseous side effects disappear. I think they are by the same company that makes the 'belly bars'. Dh says they taste like Flinstones vitamins to him.

Belly touches: DH, my cubette, MIL, Aunt, friend. . . the list continues to grow. AT least people ask :)

Feeling: Sad that DH has gone back to work. It's also strange when the babies move. Sometimes the movement gives me this uncomfortable feeling; almost a sad/depressed feeling. I wish I knew a better way to explain it. Perhaps I am just reminded each time how much I still have to do to get ready for them. I'm afraid it won't all get done in time. What if I have to go on bedrest? I haven't even picked out the paint for the nursery yet and the cribs are coming Saturday!

But other than that-- I feel pretty darn good physically. :)

Emotional state: (See above)

Movement: Like I said above, they move a lot, always in random spurts. DH is so surprised by how strongly they can kick and punch my belly. We still can't believe how lucky we are that they are in there!

Maternity clothes: I've got some nice outfits at this point. I especially love hanging out at home in my new nursing gown/PJ set. So comfy!

Nesting: We are almost decided on the paint color for the nursery. The cribs and dressers are coming Saturday. I ordered the mattresses last night (Naturepedic Organic lightweight). Now we wait for the 'Baby Shower' on the 24th until we buy most other items.

Baby purchases: I've decided to 'wrap-up' buying baby clothes until after the shower. I was too addicted to Zulily :) But I did buy a "Moby Wrap" today in 'forest green' and a fancy hospital gown in blue polka dots!

Baby gifts: .... I think the cupcakes my MIL and FIL are ordering for us for the shower count. We went for a tasting on Tuesday. They will match our Shower invites. (See below).

What are the Flavors, you ask???

Red Velvet cake with Cream Cheese Icing.

Chocolate cake with Mocha Buttercream.

Chocolate cake with Peanut Butter Icing.

Carrot Cake (raisin-free) with Vanilla Buttercream. . . YES.