2 Hours Traffic

Rubbing my Hands in Glee.....

Some actual scrapbooking news:

Family History Workbook

My last project for Creating Keepsakes is on preorder now.  If you click on the link, it will show you some preview pages.  There are three previews and two of them are mine ! (the first and the last)  Cool!  This was my largest assignment ever from the magazine and it was really fun to do...since I have always had a passion for heritage.

IN BABY NEWS:

Tomorrow is my next ultrasound.  I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping all looks OK with my cervix.  The babes are kicking like crazy now days!

Hopefully my next update will be from home and not the hospital.  Keep your fingers crossed too....will ya?

Our Little Friends

I just had to catch these photos of our Mourning Doves that hang out in our yard.  They don't seem to be scared of me or the dogs. 

I was trying to get Jasmine back in the house while it was misting, and these two were just huddled on the deck and let me get really close.  When they flew away, they didn't go very far and one of them was ready for its close up.

Other than a trip to the Endocrinologist, this was my excitement for the day.

Finally, some good news!

We had our Level II ultrasound today.  First of all, the BOYS (for sure) look great!  We spent over an hour and a half looking at their brains, stomachs, umbilical cords, hearts, size, ETC...  the Perinatologist said they look perfect...that they  couldn't look any better and that they are getting along great (meaning that they are about the same size and one isn't taking any nutrients from the other.)  They are measuring a little ahead and are both about a pound now.

They also looked at my cervix and it has grown!!!!  It went from 1.5 cm 8 days ago to 2cm!!!!  So. that means the bed rest is working.  My cerclage also looked perfect!  He said that things really couldn't look better and that after 23/24 weeks we may be able to even let up on the bed rest a little if things still look good since the babies will start to rest on my pelvis instead of my cervix.  I am not out of the woods yet.  there is still a good chance of ending up at ANW, but it looks like that unless there are any changes in the next two weeks, I get to stay home for a while longer!

The big kicks have started the last few days, so it is kind of fun to feel them moving so much more now.

So, for today...I am celebrating at least a little victory. 

Taking on God?

In these bleak and scary days, I find myself searching out any information I can about my condition and the possible future condition of my children.  I know many will say that this isn't a good thing...that I should just fill my head full of positive things, but those of you who know me know that I crave knowledge.  I don't have the luxury of  innocence...to believe that all will end well; to partake in a normal pregnancy with baby showers and no hospital stays or long long weeks in the NICU. 

SO, in this search, I found an interesting blog called The Preemie Experiment.  This is a blog of a mom who had a preemie daughter who has many many issues because of her prematurity and she believes she needs to speak the truth. She doesn't want to paint things as being perfect.  Now, i have read many many positive blogs and stories too; I am not just surrounding myself with negativity, but I also have an appreciation for honesty and her blog is certainly that. 

BUT...what got me to link to it today is the recent discussion here: The Preemie Experiment about prayer, faith and God.  It does take an off topic turn at the end as most Internet discussions do, but overall, it is one of the most respectful and thought provoking discussions I have read on the web...on all sides.  It also contans raw emotion and pain, just as an FYI.  If you feel up to it, please check it out.

Now, the question for me today is just how honest can I be?  Can I  truthfully answer the question posted on that blog?  Can I take on the topic of God here?  Can I expose myself to you all?  Should I?

Ah, the dangers of spending too much time with one's thoughts

Progression

I didn't have my hands in the same place so I don't think it looks all that different...but believe me....it DOES, and it certainly feels different.  I have a Dr's visit tomorrow and I am interested in finding out how much the fundal height has grown.

Also, I thought I would share some photos I took on Saturday.  The Dr I saw on Thursday said it was OK for me to attend my cousin's shower as long as I took it easy and reclined for the drive and while I was there.  I figured that it would be my last chance at doing something normal for a while...

I decided for myself that today is the first day of strict bed rest.  So, we set up a zero gravity chair in the office and I am able to hang out on my computer for part of the day...it is working pretty slick, but my back is already hurting a little. 

Anyway, this little plan allows me to do some digital scrapbooking...very simple digi though.

One of the babies waves, "Hi."

These latest pics are from Thursday.  (they still have my EDD a week off in the computer....grrrr)

As many of you know, I am officially on bed rest now.  We are not in dire circumstances yet, but we are playing it safe in order to prevent further issues.  The babies look great though!

I will post more on it later since I am not suppose to sit here long.  I am planning on rigging something up so I have full access to my computer and my sanity!