Day 55

Well, it all started with Day 1: the traumatic wake up at 1:52 am April 29 2010 by water gushing out of me and me yelling in J's ear "no no no no no!". The boys are only 29 weeks and 3 days old! Too early! We made it to the hospital by 2:20 ~ in a snowstorm ~ onto a bed & in a gown by 2:30 when the contractions started. They quickly jumped to 3 mins apart in the first half hour, and I definitely needed to squeeze J's hand through them but they weren't too bad. I'm glad I got to experience a little bit (weird as that may sound). I was brought to an OR by 3:30 and given a spinal, meaning I was paralyzed from the ribs down but able to feel slight pressure and be awake to hear their cries as they came out. J broke all the rules and stood up during my c-section and watched the doctors remove internal organs and place them on my stomach, followed by quickly yanking out the babies. Then the anesthesiologist insisted he sit down. They were born just 1 min apart ~ 4:18 & 4:19 AM ~ and weighed in at 2lbs 12oz each - just 5 grams apart. And SO bruised, poor little guys!
Just before 7am I was wheeled past their beds in the NICU. Quinn was being worked on so I only got to see him from a distance but I did get to hold Zeke's hand. As I was recovering from a cold, the nurses informed me I wasn't allowed to see them until I was fully recovered - hardest 29 hours ever! They were thankfully (due to tons of prayer!) born without any major issues, just requiring CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) for their lungs. They spent 19 days at the Foothills hospital before they were moved to the Rockyview - a lower risk level NICU. Soon after arriving they were moved into 1 crib together which was so very nice. At the Foothills they were never even in an isollette next to each other, and it only took them about 2 days to be aware of each other again. I would walk in and see them holding hands, sucking on each others fingers and wiggling closer and closer til they were touching, no matter how far apart you laid them down.
Zeke at 3 weeks

Quinn at 3 weeks

They were gradually weaned off the nasal prongs that were providing them with some oxygen help. They've been given caffeine to stimulate their breathing instead, which unfortunately also makes their little hearts race at times. But, I prefer it to the oxygen, which is also used as a stimulant, but fills their bellies with air. AND would be very difficult to come home on compared to the caffeine.
So, we're now at Day 55 in the hospital. Boys are 37 weeks and 2 days old today and weigh in at 5lbs 11oz. In order for them to be released they have to be taking all their feeds without a feeding tube (they bottle and nurse very well and don't need the tube) and be able to sit in a car seat for 90 mins straight while maintaining their oxygen saturation levels above 88%. Today Zeke had his car seat test and didn't pass, he almost made it, but still needs a bit more time to grow them lungs. So they've decided to keep both babies in the hospital over the weekend and try them both in the car seats on Monday. So MAYBE we can go home on day 62! If they're ready.
First time holding them together


Happy Father's Day
Little baby Quinn feet

Grandma snuggles Zeke Day 55
Cutest EVER!
Boys, you've come a long way.

He Drew the Line

So tomorrow marks 28 weeks - 7 months - of this glorious journey called pregnancy. So far it's been an adventure. From exhaustion to nausea, from intense hip pain (so bad I had to hold the wall as I hobbled around at work) to the other inability to walk normally (I think this is know as a waddle) I begin to question the sanity of women who attempt this thing called pregnancy. I suppose it has rewards... feeling the popcorn movements inside, sometimes they tickle me and I laugh out loud. J just looks at me and smiles, not quite sure what's making me laugh but loving me anyway. And the intense feelings of love already there, the feeling that you would do anything to ensure they're born healthy. Well, unless that means giving up ice cream, cookies or chocolate.

Which brings me to my current adventure - the dreaded BED REST. As I have been dilated about 2cm since 23 weeks, at 24 weeks (moving day in fact) the doctor gave me a steroid shot for the babies (to develop their little lungs, just in case) and informed me I wasn't returning to work. In fact, I wasn't to do work of any kind - no dishes, no cooking dinner, no housework, no laundry. Instead, I was to become a couch potato. My first thought was "Sweet, I can work with that". As if. I'm not sure if you know this about me, but I don't really like to be told what I can't do. Even if normally I wouldn't clean my kitchen everyday, or immediately wash the windows upon moving into a new house being told you CAN'T do this just automatically makes me want to do those things. Every day. But I am slowly learning to let go, and let others help me out.

After the giant help of having my parents here to move us and unpack, and having J's mom here to continue that and help get the flower beds ready, the burden has fallen to my lovely husband. He has always helped out around the house, but now finds himself in charge of all the day to day chores, the errands & running around as well as all the little things you find you need to fix when you move into a new house. He is an amazing partner that I feel lucky to have, that does everything I need. Even if he drew the line at updating my blog for me.

It's a Boy! and another boy!

Well, here we are at 20 weeks and 4 days preggo with the twins. Time is flying! As I'm going to deliver early (hopefully not too early) I'm already past the half way mark. I still go to bed between 7:30 and 9, I still throw up if I don't eat / drink often enough (demanding babies already!) and my productive energy levels are still only between when I get to work (7am) until about mid-morning. Then I'm ready for a nap, but unless it's the weekend I'm outta luck. I should learn from my pregnant co-worker who keeps a blanket & pillow in her office and has naps under her desk at lunchtime. Here's a couple of pics:
17 weeks:
19 weeks:
20 weeks 4 days:

Anyone wanna buy a Condo?

Feels really nice to have our house up for sale! Listing probably won't show up on MLS for another week or so, but here's some of the pics the Realtor took. Thanks Jesse for decorating my house, and T for the Norwex happiness to keep it clean ;)
The pretty sconces from Jessegirl :)
That's really a new curved shower rod, he just didn't capture it all. And when you first walk into the bathroom is the new canvas from Jesse (he also didn't take that shot).
Note the lovely framed art above the couch (ok, they're calendar pics from a couple of bdays ago - also courtesy of Jesse)

And the perfect little red strainer from Mom :)

I love my brother

Here's what he sent J in congratulations on our twins:

Congrats on the 2 babies at once man! I made a craft for you to honour the moment.

P

Bus rides & the people you meet.

So, last week I was waiting for the bus and it finally arrived. As i moved down the aisle this VERY LARGE man moved his backpack so I could sit beside him. Being me, I of course smiled brightly and said “thanks!” and sat down. The bus got moving, and a minute later I hear…. growling? Yes, growling. My immediate thought was “what have I done? I should have just stood by the back door like usual OMG what have I done”? As he’s growling, I don’t want to risk actually looking at the man because really, maybe he’s a mental patient and making eye contact will escalate the growling. It took probably 5 more minutes of this thinking to get up the courage to peek at him out of the corner of my eye. I notice he’s wearing headphones, and I realize he’s not really growling, but “singing'” along to whatever music he’s got going on!Teach me to automatically assume everyone riding the bus is probably crazy...

Wow, it's a storm!

My poor deck railing!

So the bedroom's coming along

Bought some pictures and bedding:




Also, picked tile for the bathroom:

We want to put our place up for sale after Christmas, probably around the end of January or so and buy a house in the same or a close neighbourhood. All that's left is the bathroom: tile the bathroom backsplash with the above tile, paint it & replace the fan. Then it's just "dressing" the house to make lots of people really want to move in. We've got plans to hit an art / craft sale downtown next week as well as the Waldorf Faire and hopefully come home with something lovely for above the couch. Then I really need to schedule the couch cleaning as I've tried more than once myself and it's just not coming clean. A couple of new throw pillows, 2 small Billy bookcases in black/brown (one with doors for a media centre) and we're golden.

Well, off to a movie night with friends then a concert in Edmonton tomorrow - happy weekend!

Halloween was fun.

On Oct 30 we had a costume party at our house to celebrate J's bday as well as an excuse to dress up. Most of our friends went along with it being so close to Halloween and the 2 kinds of cupcakes and candy bar didn't hurt. Here's some highlights:

The Fairy & the Fairy Catcher:

The Harlequin Queen:

The Chubby Fairy on a Ball: gotta love fishnet kneehighs - just so versatile!

The Vampire

His Vampiress:

Love the look on her face! Managed to hit the button at just the right time:

Ok, a normal one of the Devil, the Transformer & the Witch:

My favourite neighbour:

Great friends:

Loving:

The Faggy Space Pirate & the Fairy Catcher - J's bro actually put on my sequined pants & top and bought a fibre optic mullet wig & rainbow light sabre. Not shy, that one:

Our friend's 7 year old, wearing the costume that J & said friend worked for months on and involved PVC pipe, heat guns, foam, paint & fur:

So it's been awhile...

We could start with Thanksgiving. This year we went to J's dad's and had a great time. Although, it's been so long now I can hardly remember... I do remember however that we got to see a REAL LIVE EARTHSHIP! Check out the rest of their blog for more pics etc.
An Earthship is a sustainable house built by packing tires full of earth and stacking them in "u" shapes. Which doesn't sound super awesome, but it it is when it's done.
Next up- Halloween party pics! Just gotta move them to the laptop... Speaking of laptops, the most devastating thing happened the other day - my laptop cord died. DIED! How, I ask you, am I supposed to get through a day with no laptop? Well, someone must have prayed as it started working again the next day. Very strange... We are still buying new computers (1 desktop & 1 laptop) but now we've got some time to research & maybe catch a sale. Suggestions?