Close To Home!!!

The boys are 1-2 days away from coming home! I'm praying for tomorrow! They will be circumsized in the morning. They have weaned off everything. They are maintaining their own temperature, returned to their birth weight, passed their car seat test. They had to sit in them for 1 1/2 hours today without any complications. 

They have tandem breastfeed twice now and what a miracle to see. Sorry, no photos of that to share! :-). I wish I could because it is so AMAZING to see! They are very good at latching for such small little humans! 

I want to thank everyone for their kind, encouraging words, and for praying for the boys and my recovery. Also, thank you for all the prayers and words of encouragement you have sent my way on this long road of infertility. I have cherished every word and they have helped me through some of my darkest days and have seen me through to my brightest! God is so good, not because of the good days, but carrying you through the deep valleys to see and truly the appreciate the good days. These days are that much sweeter because of the road traveled to get here. 

Harrington

Hewitt

Rocky was tired like his boys! 

My dad told me today that he has many, many photos of me holding babies, but none of me holding babies and wearing a sticker that says, "parent". Blessed and humbled! 

Making Progress!

Well, we have made some progress over the last couple days. 

Hewitt is of mostly everything including his lipids, nasal cannula, and UV light. He only remains on TPN( total parental nutrition). Which provides minerals, vitamins, glucose, and carbohydrates. He was able to come of lipids because he is now getting enough milk. He in up to 2ml per feeding which is every 3 hours. He is mostly maintaining his own body temperature and staying off the radiant warmer. He is able to breastfeed once per day, which started on Tuesday. He latched on almost immediately and has done such an amazing job. He loves to eat and is very cranking when hungry! Like his mamma! 

His Goals: must maintain body temperature above 36.4 C, increase feelings to 40ml every 3 hours, and come off TPN and IV fluids. 

Harrington has really tried to catch up to brother. When I showed up yesterday he was finally off UV light, his lipids, and nasal cannula. His breathing has slowed down which is great. I was so shocked to see him off so many things over night. He is still on TPN, IV fluid, and the radiant warmer. He is not quite controlling his body temperature. He is now able to breast feed once per say and his first time was Wednesday! He also did well for his first time! 

His Goals: Must maintain body temp and stay off the radiant warmer. Even when when hold him in 2 onesies and a very warm sleep sack his temp still drops a tad low. Must tolerate 40ml of milk and wean off TPN and IV fluids. 

Even though I have only been able to breast feed a few times since they arrived, it has been totally amazing! Each time I'm so overwhelmed with these little miracles that God has given to us. I try to just stay focused on all the things I get to do and not on the things I don't get to do with them! It's been over 4 1/2 long years to get to this point, so I'm very much want them to be home with me. For most of their life outside the womb they have been without me, but I must stay focused on the positive. We finally have two babies!!!! I still feel like I'm watching someone else's life. 

I'm still recovery, but doing better each day. I am still being treated for my pre-clamspia with blood pressure medications twice daily. Every time I eat, mid-way through I have to stop because it feels like I'm out about to pass out and I become very weak. My doctor said this can last around 2-3 weeks post-partem. 

These are the signs outside the boys door that the nurses made. 

I read the boys' hospital labels the other morning that they gave me to put on my mill bottles and cried because it has my name and newborn on the same sticker x 2. Surreal! 

We Have Names....Finally!

Baby B has tolerated his time off CPAP and will no longer need it unless something took an unexpected turn. He did not tolerate being on room air only and was placed on high flow nasal cannula. Overall, he is doing well. His hGb increased to 9 and he is now purchased a very expensive tanning package, sporty shades and all. He currently weighs 

Baby A was not ready to come off CPAP yesterday with his brother, but today he has tolerated it well. He is on high flow nasal cannula. He has also purchased a pricey tanning package. 

And he is sporting his birth mark which helps his momma always know he was Baby A! 

Their respiratory rates are still a little high, but they are progressing every day. B's jaundice has improved and will be coming off UV tomorrow. A's worsened slightly and he will stay on a little longer. He has had less breast milk due to toleeance, so hasn't flushed the bilirubin out as quickly. I will likely be able to start breastfeeding baby B tomorrow and I'm beyond excited.

I can usually handle a crying baby, until that crying baby can't be swaddled or held! :-(. But we are very grateful because ours will be going home soon! 

I'm still trying I wrap my head and emotions around the fact that they are mine and we will be taking them home and that I am actually a mother. I know it has not sunk in all the way yet. We still can't believe we have, not one, but two babies. I just love having two! When I walk into their adjoining room I don't even know where to begin. Everything x 2! 

We officially named them tonight. We have had the names picked out for a bit now, but since we couldn't see their faces we couldn't decide who was who. Earlier today I told Rocky to make the final decision and whatever he decided would be great! 

Meet Harrington Winston Heinrich/Baby A:

Meet Hewitt Winston Heinrich/Baby B

Rocky and I with Hewitt!

My sister, mom, and I with Harrigton on my sister's birthday! 

Day 1: Hewitt on his way to the NICU.

Day 1: Harrigton, shortly after birth

My Boys Are Here!!!!

Our boys arrived Friday morning, August 9th at 7:23 and 7:25. Baby B immediately went to the NICU for respiratory issues. Baby A went to nursery, but shortly followed his brother to the NICU for same issues. They are and have been on the CPAP machine to stimulate breathing. They cried immediately upon being born, but shortly thereafter needed assistance an were using to much energy to try to breath. 

Even though I was somewhat out of it during my surgery, there was nothing more sweet than hearing their first cries. I spilled many tears of joy and my cup was overflowing. Even though I knew I knew in wouldn't get to hold them, I was so grateful that we were finally at a place where I was hearing our babies crying! How could I complain?!? 

This is common for c-section babies/twins at 36 weeks. A vaginal delivery helps to squeeze excess fluid out of the lungs and a c-section does not. 

I have only been able to hold them once and see them twice because I have had a very difficult and at times a little dicey 24-36 hours. I will write about the things that happened to me later when have more time. Summary: became pre-eclamptic early this week, hemorrhaging after c-section secondary to uterine atony. This is more common in twin pregnancy because uterus is so much larger. I was bed bound until Saturday late morning. 

They have mostly remained stable, but requiring a good amount of support. Baby B has actually surpassed Baby A, where Baby A is now the one they are watching more. They were both unable to spend much time on their backs because less energy is used to breath when sleeping on belly. They have become a little jaundice. 

As of yesterday, our neonatologist was going to do trial off CPAP. I will find out this morning if this is sill true

As I was writing this and pumping I called down to the NICU and they both are more jaundice, Baby B is getting a new IV, and they had to be back on their bellies most of the night to sleep. They still have high respiratory rates and requiring support. I'm still hopeful that we will be able to remove CPAP and they will tolerate. I started balling when she told me baby B had to get a new IV because his had blown. I think this morning is the first day I have felt well enough to really put my mind around our new babies and getting into full mommy mode. 

First liquid gold. 

Baby A: first visit

Baby B: first visit. 

Don't mind the man hands, I'm literally swollen from head to toe. 

Baby A- opens his eyes a lot and turns to my voice. We got a little glimpse of his face while changing out his CPAP mask. 

Baby B: found his hand to help hold his passy. 

Baby A: with my sister. 

Baby B: with my sister.

Hopefully, when we get to see their faces we can finalize their names. I promise Baby A and Baby B is not their new trendy names! 

Baby B: resting. 

36 Weeks With My Boys!!!

 

Some of our maternity shoot.

36 Weeks!

 

 

August 1st, 2013

Symptoms: Well, we only have one more week. I can hardly believe that all these weeks have come and gone. We are scheduled for August 9th for c-section unless Baby B moves his bum! Right not Baby A is head down, but his brother has his legs in the way. They will check them right up to the last minute. I would love to have a regular delivery that comes on its own, but whatever will be will be. We are just praying for healthy babies and delivery.

I have truly enjoyed every moment that I possibly could. We have take well over 500 photos. Sound ridiculous, but we just couldn't help it. I didn't want to look back and wish I had a photo of me pregnant doing this or that, etc. As uncomfortable as I am, I know that I will miss feeling these babies in my belly. It has never gotten old and truly is a miracle. I always asked my friends if it feels like an alien, it was something I just couldn't grasp. Well, it feels like pure Heaven. I do look forward to meeting them, but do not want to rush these next few precious days. My sister comes to town on Monday and my dad will be back in the country on Monday. I am so glad that the boys have waited on their Papa.

I have definitely noticed a significant decrease in my comfort level. I always have a head and feet in my ribcage which significantly effects my mobility. I can barely touch my feet and I am someone who puts lotion on my feet like a thousands times a day. When I get out of the shower I feel like I have just worked out and find myself resting on the counter. LOL  For the past week I have taken a nap for 30-40 minutes every day. Out of nowhere, I would just pass out. Crazy! This may not sound weird to most of you, but those who know me know that I am not a napper. I haven't napped since I was 18 months old. Who naps in the daytime?!?! That is what I used to think. My sister on the other hand is a professional napper!  My sister could sleep anywhere growing up and this would always leave me bored, especially in the car. My back hurts, but it is also so stiff. Exercise helps with this tremendously. It really allows for a deep stretch to loosen the muscles. I honestly do not know how I would have handle twin pregnancy if I had not stayed working out.

My Braxton Hicks contractions that I have been having for well over two months have become much more uncomfortable. They make it hard to talk, walk, breath, or think. I can feel the outline of my uterus when it contracts and it is funny how it is uneven. Baby B's side is very up and down and what a normal pregnant belly might feel like. Baby A's side is turned more sideways. Hard to explain.

I never knew my feet could hurt so bad and it actually feel as if they have lifted weights nonstop. I guess they do lift my weight all day. When I get up in the middle of the night to go the bathroom..shocking...I walk like I am 90yrs old. My feet are so stiff I almost scoot across the floor. they need a warm up before they start working for the day. I also know that I am retaining some fluid because I can feel it in my hands, feet, and face. I have this fear of my ring getting stuck. Freaky!

Oddly enough, the past few days I have had less indigestion. I cannot figure it out unless the babies have dropped down. They still feel like they are pretty high up in my business, but my mom said it looked like they dropped. Maybe my BFF Aciphex has kicked into high gear. I had to switch to this a couple weeks ago because Pepcid wasn't cutting it.

I hate complaining about the pains of pregnancy, so I always feel guilty when I start listing the pains. However, I do want to document these "joys" because I want to be able to look back if I get to be pregnant again with one. I want to remember everything we go through while bringing life into this world. I do not wish these pains away because the alternative would be to not be pregnant. I think the pains make the joys that much sweeter. I feel so blessed to have experienced the pains because these are conversations that I thought I may never have, experiences I thought I would never live. I feel so very fortunate to be able to be apart of the pregnancy conversation. For so long I sat by in such pain while others talked about the pains and joys of pregnancy. I am also so grateful for that pain because I am very aware of what others around me might be feeling while struggling with infertility. What a blessing to bring life into this world.

We were without power last week from Tuesday night until Friday evening. When I heard my two fans shut off Tuesday night I thought I better fall asleep as soon as possible. So, I put my ear plugs and tried to get to sleep as fast as possible because I knew that every minute it was going to get hotter!. It was eerily quiet. I had not heard wind like that in years. Rocky slept straight through it. Positives are that it wasn't last Summer and/or the twins had not already been born. It could have been much worse and thankfully I had my Aunt's house to go to.
 

Exercise: CrossFit, but haven't been able to go as much as I would like. Maybe 1-2 times per week.

Belly Circ: 39.5 inches. Whoa!

 

Weight Gain: 38lbs

Cravings: Pregnancy eating has been fun other than the indigestion. I have enjoyed me a McDonald's breakfast weekly for the past few weeks, but last week I got over that. Too much indigestion. I had to say goodbye to my sausage biscuit, regular biscuit, hash brown, and small OJ - $4.86 please! Now the thought makes me want to vomit. Still love a cheeseburger and fries. I have also been really loving some Van's Gluten Free Waffles and have been craving cinnamon lately. Oh, and Zoe's spinach rolls with chicken! YUM!!!
 

Ultrasound:  Growth Scan:

Baby A- HR 151 and Weight 5lbs 8oz

Baby B- HR 148 and Weight 5lbs 2oz

 

Baby A is still head down, but Baby B has blocked the exit with his bottom and legs so he is still the presenting twin. If he doesn't move we will still have to have a c-section.

 

I have feet kicking my ribs (Baby A) and feet kicking my cervix (Baby B)! I feel double special!

 

 

  

My mom and I right after hearing that I had power again at 35 weeks!

 



   

36 Weeks!

 



   Our last Saturday night before the boys are here! We had a wonderful date night, sitting on the same side of the booth per Rocky's request, at Red Rock Canyon Grill. You're going to want to go and get this dessert- Something Chocolate! 

    

 

 

Rocky ready to help with my twin nursing pillow! Ha!



34 Weeks With My Boys!!!

The only way we can get photos together sometimes.

34 Weeks!!!

July 18th, 2013

Symptoms: This was my last week of work and thank goodness. I am on my feet running from room to room seeing multiple patients. For example, on Tuesdays I would see anywhere from 25-40 patients. It isn't not only the physical part, but the mental! My brain is slower and I have to use 3 x the energy to answer the same question. It is crazy. It started taking me like 3 days to recover from one day of working. I do wear a maternity support belt that I bought for $34 dollars at Pea in a Pod.  Here is the link if anyone is interested in one.

 http://www.apeainthepod.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=198590113&MasterCategory_Id=MC32&Media=FroogleDataFeed_09_2011&mr:trackingCode=F5B3EDF0-FF29-E211-96D6-BC305BEDEAD8&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=22528134146&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=41985029546&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=PLA%20-%20Support%20Belts%20%26%20Shapers&utm_campaign=Product%20Listing%20Ads%20-%20Search&gclid=CPXR8ovg17gCFYdxQgodMAMAuA

I wear it when I stand for long periods or exercise. It is not comfortable to wear while sitting. Most importantly it is easy to take on and off and it is not HOT! I believe it really does help while exercising as well. When I take the belt off, specifically after exercising, I notice how heavy my uterus actually is. It really provides good back support which is great for obvious reasons. I probably would have never bought one unless my mother told me to. After all these years, she has pretty much been right about everything so I thought I better listen. :)

Me pretending to sleep in my super comfy nursery chair while Rocy works in the nursery. Being a supervisor is just one of the many benefits of being really pregnant! Twins just gives you that much more excuse.

 

Exercise: CrossFit! I actually went to a community wide Girls Night Out that our gym was hosting. Even though I am not my best at 6:30 at night I am glad I went, it was a blast. There were a few other pregnant girls there as well!

Belly Circ: 38.5 inches

Weight Gain: 33.5

Ultrasound: Well, against the odds Baby A has decided to flip back vertex. He is now head down. I was totally shocked. They are both looking to my right. Baby B hasn't moved the entire pregnancy. He is stretched out with his head by my ribs and feet down and to the left in his brother's space. No wonder Baby A can't get comfy. Baby A now has his head down with bottom all the way to my right side and legs up, but he is more in a V shape. My doctor was even surprised that they had turn. So a regular delivery is possible again. We shall see. Baby A profile below. Baby B was hiding his beautiful face....again.





 

 

More belly pics. I hope I don't regret these as I continue to blossom. Blossom just sounds better. 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Pregnant belly just cracks me up!

32 Weeks With My Boys!!!

 

32 Weeks!!! 

July 4th, 2013

Symptoms: Rocky and I spent the entire holiday weekend doing things to get ready for our boys! We have really tried to hang out with each other as much as possible. We have started eating breakfast at Savoy's for the past several Saturdays. So gooooood! I always bring a cinnamon roll home to eat later. They are the best ones that I have ever eaten. We have been eating out a lot because I doubt that will be something we get to do a lot in the beginning after the twins make their debut. I still feel pretty good considering. I have a greater need to rest more, but I can't complain! I do have to take pepcid twice daily because the indigestion is quite a monster and gradually worsening. I also started swelling in my ankles off and on. Mainly when sit in same position and stand for long periods. I sat a restaurant the other night for 3 hours and when I left my ankles felt so swollen. Rocky has started rubbing my feet every night and this really helps. A couple months ago I asked Rocky to please rub my shoulders and he said that he can't because he injured his thumb. I about fell over. Injured your thumbs?!?!?! When???? He said skiing. I told him what a convenient time to have a thumb injury. I told him this will be his physical therapy and it starts now. Ha! Fortunately, the have since healed. :-)

The above photo was taken at my work shower. We were so overwhelmed by their generosity. It was a wonderful day.

Exercise: CrossFit

Belly Circ: 38 inches

Weight Gain: 32lbs
 

Ultrasound: BPP which stands for Biophysical Profile. Mainly they just look for a certain amount of movement in a certain amount of time. They also watch to see that both twins are practicing breathing. They do not do this continually because obviously they do not need to breath in oxygen but they do practice breathing periodically throughout the day. On ultrasound you watch for their diaphragm to move up and down similar to what a spasm would look like. Hiccups count as "practice breathing". When they practice breathing they are actually breathing in amniotic fluid. Life in the womb is so amazing which should not be shocking because we have an amazing Creator! All of the things that occur in the womb do not happen by chance, they happen by Divine Design.

Two heads are better than One.



Singleton vs Twin pregnancy at 32 weeks.
    


My best friend Jenn and my grandmother on the 4th.

    

My 1st two boys.

32 weeks!