Our college friends can attest to the fact that Andrew and I spent many Friday nights in Fort Sanders, both jointly and before we ever met. We decided to bring that tradition back this weekend, though in a slightly different context. We spent around 3 hours at Ft. Sanders hospital Friday night being monitored for potential contractions.
First and foremost, everything is fine. I had uterine irritability, which is pretty much like mini-contractions that were concerning due to their frequency. Basically, to be a contraction, the uterus must tighten for at least 40 seconds. These "irritations" lasted about 20-30 seconds. I had a few full-blown contractions thrown in, but thankfully those stayed spaced out. Because the uterus shouldn't be this active at this point in our pregnancy, they gave me a shot of smooth muscle relaxer to stop the irritations. Luckily, I only had to take one dose of this lovely medication (it makes you very jittey and causes your heart to race). Things seem to have settled down for the most part now. We will check in with our regular doctor tomorrow and hope that this was just a little blip, not to be repeated.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
mom, j.d.
Today at 11:30 a.m., I walked out the door of Goodwill and indefinitely left the world of the law. It was much more difficult than I anticipated. I never saw myself being a stay-at-home mom. Then again, I never saw myself having twins, or having to do IVF to have children. Life changes, and our roles shift.
I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to stay at home with our twins, and excited to have some time this summer to take it easy and prepare for their birth. But all of my life, I have defined myself by what I did. If someone asked me about myself, my de facto answer began with what I did...a student, then an attorney. Now I'm struggling a bit with exactly "what" I am. I know that I was never just a student, or just an attorney. Likewise, I know I will not be just a mom. Despite my desire to keep interests and activities outside the home in my life, I certainly hope that I can manage to be good at this brand new role.
I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to stay at home with our twins, and excited to have some time this summer to take it easy and prepare for their birth. But all of my life, I have defined myself by what I did. If someone asked me about myself, my de facto answer began with what I did...a student, then an attorney. Now I'm struggling a bit with exactly "what" I am. I know that I was never just a student, or just an attorney. Likewise, I know I will not be just a mom. Despite my desire to keep interests and activities outside the home in my life, I certainly hope that I can manage to be good at this brand new role.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
23 week update
Yesterday we had our second "anatomy scan" to view the areas the babies wouldn't show the first time. Baby boy was very cooperative, so we got everything crossed off his list. Baby girl, however, still didn't want to show her spine, so we have another one in three weeks. Oh, well...no complaints about more baby viewing!
Everything still looks great! Baby girl is very, very high, which explains why I am having a little trouble breathing lately. Most excitingly, they gave us their weights...baby girl weighed in at 1 pound exactly and baby boy is a whopping 1 pound 5 ounces. The sonographers said it's perfectly normal for them to be different in weight, as these two are no more genetically similar that any other siblings. Except these two special siblings will share a birthday!
Everything still looks great! Baby girl is very, very high, which explains why I am having a little trouble breathing lately. Most excitingly, they gave us their weights...baby girl weighed in at 1 pound exactly and baby boy is a whopping 1 pound 5 ounces. The sonographers said it's perfectly normal for them to be different in weight, as these two are no more genetically similar that any other siblings. Except these two special siblings will share a birthday!
baby party!
This weekend we had our first baby shower, hosted by my sweet law school friends Sarah & Trey Tally and Ellen Neese. We were so thankful for this opportunity to see so many of our law school/Nashville friends, and we were overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. It was a wonderful night-- definitely the best baby party I've been to! Here are some highlights:
Law school girls: Rachel, Me, Ellen, Leslie, Sarah & Harriet (who was 38 weeks pregnant with her first little boy)
Some Nashville friends: Brian, Leslie, Andrew, Chris Kuzur, John
Parents to be!
My longtime friend Macy and her precious daughter Caroline (the youngest of two), who stole everyone's heart with her precious personality.
The most delicious cupcakes!
My college friend Jennifer, who was sweet enough to hang out with a bunch of lawyers.
Fully stocked bar...this is standard at every baby shower, right? It definitely is at law school parties.
Delicious watermelon cubes with cheese and a cousin of prosciutto.
Our sweet hostesses, Ellen & Sarah
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
barefoot and pregnant
22 weeks and counting! The babies are moving more and more, which is amazing, and Andrew has gotten to feel them several times. By now, they should be at least a pound each, but three weeks ago they were a couple of ounces ahead so they may have passed the one pound mark. They are around one foot long and growing every day...and my belly can tell!
As you can see, I'm looking very pregnant these days. My most pregnant feature is currently my feet. On Sunday, in a matter of about two hours, my feet went from normal to marshmallows. I'm having trouble fitting into shoes and am afraid I'll be completely barefoot soon. A small price to pay for two healthy babies!
Monday, May 30, 2011
sharing Jesus
Four years ago, I joined the Catholic church. Since I began going to Mass with Andrew, one of the things that drew me most to this place was the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. As Catholics, we believe that communion is more than a symbol. Each week, Jesus allows us to partake in His very Body and Blood. It is no longer a wafer and wine, it is our crucified and risen Lord. At Mass, we are nourished by this holy meal.
While pregnant, the Eucharist is even more miraculous. At around 10 weeks, the placenta is fully formed and begins sharing all the food the mom eats with the baby. So each time I receive the Body of Christ, the very substance is shared with our little ones. In a tangible way, I get to share Jesus with our son and daughter. What a unique privilege! I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to carry these two little miracles, and am humbled to get this opportunity each week to introduce them to our Lord.
While pregnant, the Eucharist is even more miraculous. At around 10 weeks, the placenta is fully formed and begins sharing all the food the mom eats with the baby. So each time I receive the Body of Christ, the very substance is shared with our little ones. In a tangible way, I get to share Jesus with our son and daughter. What a unique privilege! I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to carry these two little miracles, and am humbled to get this opportunity each week to introduce them to our Lord.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
perspective
Several times recently, I've heard pregnant women say that they are nervous to give birth...that once their baby is outside their body they will feel unable to protect him or her. I feel the opposite. I cannot wait until these babies are strong and healthy enough to live outside me, and I am so looking forward to the day when they enter this world. Don't get me wrong--I love being pregnant. It is literally a dream come true. But our prior experiences have changed my perspective.
While I have never been anywhere close to this point before, I have been pregnant previously. Three times we conceived a child, and three times my body failed. No matter how many times people tell you it wasn't your fault, human nature wants to assign blame. Getting past that blame is turning into the biggest obstacle for me in this pregnancy. The anxiety is immense, often overwhelming. Each day feels like a bit of a battle to believe.
I am incredibly thankful for sweet Andrew and the encouragement he provides, and I love love love each little nudge I feel that reminds me that these precious babies are growing. But I am also aware that being pregnant doesn't "heal" infertility, and it definitely doesn't erase the scars from previous battles. Like the scars we get as kids on the playground, these will hopefully fade over time, but they will always be present as reminders of the road we traveled to get to this new place.
While I have never been anywhere close to this point before, I have been pregnant previously. Three times we conceived a child, and three times my body failed. No matter how many times people tell you it wasn't your fault, human nature wants to assign blame. Getting past that blame is turning into the biggest obstacle for me in this pregnancy. The anxiety is immense, often overwhelming. Each day feels like a bit of a battle to believe.
I am incredibly thankful for sweet Andrew and the encouragement he provides, and I love love love each little nudge I feel that reminds me that these precious babies are growing. But I am also aware that being pregnant doesn't "heal" infertility, and it definitely doesn't erase the scars from previous battles. Like the scars we get as kids on the playground, these will hopefully fade over time, but they will always be present as reminders of the road we traveled to get to this new place.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)