Bed Rest

Since September, my full time job has been to incubate and care for my unborn babies to the best of my ability.  I basically rest, eat, sleep, and eat some more (these girls are hungry ALL the time)!  Many people have asked what bed rest is like, and depending on the day or stage of my pregnancy, I've had many different responses.  After the surgery in Cincinnati, we came back and had appointments with our doctors in Madison.  At these appointments, I received a book about coping with bed rest written by a woman who was put on bed rest for both of her pregnancies.  I remember sitting on the porch after a few days of being at home by myself, and reading this book.  I cried the entire time I read.  After only a few days of bed rest, I could relate to everything this woman was saying.  I was scared, but I think more than anything it was my way of coping with and saying good-bye to my freedom.  I was no longer able to work, drive, cook, care for my husband and dog, run errands, travel, and many other things.  Being on bed rest is a humbling experience and is something I believe only someone who has been on bed rest can truly understand.  The first few weeks were the hardest, but I am happy to say, that it has gotten easier.

The main reason I have been able to cope with being on bed rest is due to the amazing people in my life. Brett has been so supportive and has really stepped up in taking care of our family.  He is our only source of income over these next few months and has been working so hard to provide for our family, and I am so thankful.  My mom, bless her heart, has driven down to Madison from Green Bay and has spent a few days with me each week!  She cooks, cleans, shops, walks the dog, and keeps me company.  I am so blessed to have a mom that is willing to do this.  I hope some day that I am able to be this kind of a mom to my sweet little girls.  Our good friend, Matt, organized some of our friends to bring us meals a few times per week, and that has also been such a blessing.  I am also so thankful for all of our family and friends that have just stopped over to visit me or have sent us notes/cards saying that you are thinking and praying for us.  I cherish your time and your visits more than you know!

So what have I been doing?  Good question.  The first month of my bed rest was slightly more strict, and I only got up to use the bathroom and grab something to eat.  Most of my days were spent laying on the couch, reading, watching tv/movies, knitting, doing crafty things, writing emails, napping, etc.  Towards the end of September, we had some great appointments and found out that the babies were doing really well!  At 24 weeks, there was only a 1% difference in their weight and our "recipient" baby's heart was continuing to improve.  Their fluid levels were great, and I was feeling really good.  We were given the "ok" to start doing a little bit more.  I still spend most of my days on the couch, but I was able to walk around a little bit more, and the highlight of my day was walking to the mailbox to get the mail.  I know, right?  Yippee!  :)  I have also been able to go out for dinner a few times, which has been really nice to get out of the house.  My doctors just don't want me to stand or walk around for long periods of time.  My sanity is important, but I need to do everything I can to stay pregnant for as long as possible.

My doctors want me to make it to 35-36 weeks.  That would put delivery between December 13-20.  It's amazing how much I love these little girls already and as much as I want to meet them and I want to be done being pregnant, I know that each day they get inside of me is a blessing from God!  I am 28 weeks today and we have some big appointments this Thursday.  We get to find out how big they are and how our recipient's heart is doing.  Oh, and yes, we are working on names, but will most likely not share them until they are born.  Thank you for all of your prayers.  Keep them coming!

Until next time, I will leave you with some pictures.  We have had many weekend visitors that have kept us busy, especially Brett's family.

Brett with his brother, Michael, and his padres

Our sweet niece, Alexis, with Roxy!

27 1/2 weeks