I am in UAMS

I am ok and so are the babies...but it looks as if we may be spending New Years in UAMS hospital in Little Rock.
My blood pressure is high and all night last night I was having contractions. The contractions have stopped, but they are still concerned about the preeclampsia that I have now been diagnosed with. I have high proteins in my urine and the high blood pressure--no swelling as of yet though.
My blood pressure has been good since they gave me the steroids to help the babies lungs develop. But that is why it has been good. The steroids are keeping it down. So, tomorrow morning will be the last dose of steroids and then they are going to wait and see if my blood pressure skyrockets...if it does I may not be going home...they will put me on complete bedrest and try to get everything under control..if the preeclampsia worsens we will have to get the babies here sooner than planned. They are 3.8 and 3.11 pounds right now and that is actually pretty good for twins. This is one of the best places to have preemies--as I am told..so that makes us feel better too.
I am also now taking insulin with my gestational diabetes...I tell u what, the girls are FINE, it is momma who is misbehaving.
I just wanted to let everyone in on what was happening, crazy huh???
Happy New Year to all of u and urs!!!
All My Love
BETH

Christmas 2008

Christmas Eve was spent with Terry, Phyllis, Tyler, and Aunt Judy over @ Jim's Dad's house and we had a great get together and I forget how much I miss just hanging out and talking with my in-laws. Phyllis outdid herself with her snack foods and Mom and Dad both outdid theirselves with the gifts. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve.

That night when we got home, Sebastian was RESTLESS & EXCITED!! It took til almost Midnight to get him to sleep. Jim and I wanted to play Santa so bad that it was a very long night for us.

We went to bed around 1 and to our surprise slept until 7 and that was because of me--not Sebastian. We were all up and dressed before waking Sebastian to tell him that Santa had come.

He hopped right out of bed and ran to the living room. Santa was here and he brought him everything + what he asked for. CJ, Angie, and Ethen came over around 9:30 and opened gifts, Ethen was so overwhelmed with everything and it was hard to get him to focus...lol...He is too cute :) He wasnt feeling very good either and actually went to the DR. today, he is on the road to recovery though.

Christmas afternoon was a different story..after I was satisfied that Christmas dinner was done, Dad, Jim, Sebastian, and I went to the hospital. I had been hurting for days and it had just gotten worse--the pain in my side became unbearable. After some tests, they determined that I was dehydrated and wanted to run a few bags of fluids through me before sending me home. Also, after the unltrasound we figured out that my kidneys were hurting because of the lack of fluid in my system. They went to look at my liver, gall bladder, and kidneys and when the technician was on the spot that hurt, I screamed out and she said--Well that is ur kidneys!!! Surprised me as I thought that it was my gallbladder, because I have had gall stones for years.

ANYWAY, long story short, I am having to double my water intake (which for me IS ALOT!!!, Dad says I am going to turn into a fish drinking that much water and I tell u it is miserable drinking that much). The dr. reassured me that it is easy for a woman carrying twins to become dehydrated and that there is nothing to worry about.

I go to the Dr. Monday and I will find out some more results from some other tests that I had to go back and have run today...I will post again then.

I hope that everyone had a MERRY CHRISTMAS and I feel awful not being able to call anyone and wish them Merry Christmas, but I was in the hospital all day and did not get home until 10:00 that night. Know that I was thinking of u!! ALL MY LOVE, BETH

Sammy (A) and Stacey (B) @ 30 weeks

The girls are growing GREAT!!! They are weighing in @ 3 lbs. 4oz and 3 lbs. 6 oz. (in that order). There is plenty of fluid surrounding Sammy and nothing to be alarmed about anymore :) Boy, am I relieved on that one. Sammy's due date is now 2/27/09 and Stacey's is 2/25/09...We are just ready to get them here!!

Sammy is still smaller than her sister but only by a 4% margin which is wonderful. With only 10 weeks or less to go, they are starting to take their toll on my back and legs as well as it is SO difficult just to roll over in bed at night...I can't even imagine what it is going to be like when they are 5 or 6 lbs. each.

Christmas is only a week away and I am sure that all of u are just as busy as me. The ice this week was nice, I just love it...especially when I don't have to get out on it. HEE HEE. Sebastian had a blast and was sad when it all started to melt yesterday. Having him home 2 days (unplanned) was rough on me...we blew through 2 of our activities that I had planned for his big 16 days off (that starts next week). We made Christmas Magnets and Dough Ornaments..that was REAL FUN!!!


After tomorrow night we will have all of our shopping done and will be ready for the big DAYS next week. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe Christmas!!

Results are in from the 2nd ultrasound....and they did not find a blood clot either!! So, maybe it is not there at all...Jim says that the pain is easing up so this could all be OK!!!
He is still going to be taking his 5 mg. of Coumadin daily and having the INR checks regularly.
We can just hope that this all ends soon and he knows now NEVER to go off his medication without DR. authority :)

Hope this finds everyone well.
Love
BETH

We put up the tree Thur. night (even though neither of us felt up to it).

Sebastian had a BLAST, he is just like me and loves to do that kind of stuff, he gets the biggest kick out of the holidays. I AM SO GLAD!!! He put all of the ornaments on and they looked wonderful (of course I am going to fix them, lol.) He dug through the boxes and paper and had all of the snowmen out and displayed before Jim and I could even get the tree up...and we have one of those that u just shake and plug in...lol..he was just excited and full of the spirit that night :)

We took some pictures with my NEW CAMERA/VIDEO CAMERA that I forgot to brag about. Jim was not going to rest until we had a camera for when the girls get here.

I have finally started my Christmas shopping (after being sick for a week) and it is starting to be FUN (as it always is). The shopping ,the colors, and smells of Christmas that fill the house is always my favorite part..The house smells like oranges, cinammon, and chocolate...LOVE IT!!!!

There isn't going to be a very big Christmas this year, but we are going to make the best out of it for Bash..after all he is all that matters and I am sure that we won't have many more (if any) Christmases with Santa in the mix...have to make these last ones count. I am dreading the day that he is that grown :(

Speaking of the tree...yesterday Jim comes home for lunch and Dad and I were gone shopping. He walks in and notices that the tree is disheveled and goes to investigate...there in the middle of the tree are 3 of the cats (all at different levels, according to size--Little Man on the bottom, Rusty in the middle and little Tiggy near the top). So, there they are and they know they are caught red handed...Jim says that they froze like statues and just looked at him, none of them moving a muscle. I found this hilarious as the thought of them getting IN THE TREE had not even crossed my mind.

For anyone wondering...Jim's doctor had not called with any results and we have no idea if there was anything on the ultrasound, but I will post when we know.

Love to all, write more later

Blood Clot

Another day another scare with Jim....Monday he comes home and is worried because his left leg hurts, and he scares me because he says that it feels just like it did last June when he had the clot in his right leg.
Unbenownst to me Jim had COMPLETELY QUIT taking his blood thinners when his mouth was infected last month (because of the excessive ibuprofen use) and did not start them back.
Tuesday afternoon he was in the E.R. and they ran tests...they did full leg ultrasounds (on both legs) and came up with nothing...told him that the clot could be very small and in a small vein and they could not see it. They know that his major veins are clear, but they sent him home and told him to come back if it gets worse because they can't do anything until it gets bigger. THey also told him to get in touch with his doctor and get back on his Coumadin.
So, the adventure continues...He went to have his blood levels checked this morning by his doctors clinic and his doctor just called him and wants him to have another ultrasound at 11:15 TODAY...so I guess when I know something I will post...Please just keep us in ur thoughts! I have done nothing but cry for days and worry sick...If he is hospitalized it is another financial hardship...no to mention that his life is in jeopardy everytime he has to go through this stuff. I think he has realized that he will most likely be on these blood thinners the rest of his life, I know we would both feel better if we knew what in the world is causing this to happen to him.
Take care. Love to u all

Week after Thanksgiving

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving--after all...:)
Dad and I cooked all day and Jim did not have to work very long at the liquor store!! Sebastian helped Mommy make the Dressing (which is a tradition in this family!! and he enjoyed it) CJ, Angie, and Ethen stopped by and we had a wonderful visit! It was rough not seeing them for 3 or 4 weeks...Ethen is running around after Sebastian now and we all just loved that...Sebastian said--"WHEW!!! he is wearing ME OUT!!" and we told him to wait until there were 2 of them chasing him around...lol...He will be really tired then.

Friday morning I woke up with a bad stomach flu or something, it could not have been the food as I was the only one who was sick in the house. I feel better today and boy am I glad!!

Today was a pretty good day after getting ready to take Scamp to the vet...I realized that the card may have said Monday but the date said the 2nd and his appointment wasnt even until tomorrow--Dad was already warming up the van and I hollered out to him that we didnt have to go anywhere...u should have seen the look on his face...he was confused and it was priceless!! lol

Since we were dressed and ready to go somewhere we made a trip to SONIC!!! Which opened back up TODAY after being closed for 4 months (while they built the new one!!) Boy was I happy..this pregnancy has been pretty miserable without that Sonic cheeseburger in my life, lol.

Scamp goes for his recheck tomorrow, I go to the Dr. Monday (8th) and then to have another Twin scan on the 18th. Cant wait to do it all, besides going to the dr. I havent been going anywhere besides Wal-mart!!!

I will keep everyone posted...bye 4 now :)

P.S. Update on Baby Shower...It will be sometime in January

Thanksgiving/Dr's visit

THANKSGIVING

Well with the holiday just 2 days away I am all nostalgic and missing my Grandparents more than ever...The thought of them not seeing the new babies is bothering me to no end. I miss them all year long it's just that I think of all the memories over the years more on the holidays. It breaks my heart to think that the girls will not know them...at least Sebastian had 4 years with them and remembers things...little things like Nana taught him to cross his fingers and Papa called him Jasper and sat on him when he was in his seat...lol...but he does have memories and talks about them often :) There is a piece of my heart that is missing with them gone and I would do anything to have that filled again. Our lives will never be the same and I know that someday we will have a holiday full of love, laughter, and family again. Last year we had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas... I am just not looking forward to this years, there isnt much going on and I am not up to going out of my way to make things better right now. My brother and I are estranged right now and mom is in St. Louis with no plans to be here for the holidays. I know that we will make the best out of it because Sebastian needs the best memories we can give him right now.

I hope that everyone has a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving...Live, Laugh, and Love

Love to All, BETH

DR.'s VISIT

Moving on...yesterdays visit at the doctor has me concerned...not just with my health but also with the type of treatment that I am receiving.

1. The doctor pointed out that the proteins in my urine are almost to the point where they worry...and we have to watch that more carefully. (Proteins plus high blood pressure equals Toxemia) AND I DONT NEED THAT!!! But my blood pressure is under control with the meds so I guess we will just wait and see what happens.

2. The Doctor hardly answered any questions that I had and did not do anything that I asked of him. Then he tells me to come back in 4 weeks...I was sick of it by then and kinda lost my temper...I told him I was uncomfortable with that...these twins are getting closer and closer to being here and I want to be monitored a little more closely as this is only the 2nd time that a Dr. has even seen me and I have no idea what is going on. I wish there was something that I could do--find a different doctor or something I do not feel that they have mine or the babies best interest at heart and I REALLY do not want to have any of these doctors deliver them. I don't need any more stress on my plate...

3. When I called 2 weeks ago, they put me on bed rest because of all the pain that I was in..when I mentioned that to him he told me to take it easy but to still stay active and eat right and get plenty of exercise...is he joking I cannot even go and get Sebastian from school, I think that I know my limits and I think he doesn't even know what has been going on. (BTW this is the first time that I had met with this Dr.) He then repeated the above about exercise and watching my weight, etc...when I asked him if I had gained weight since the last visit.....They have been on me because I had done nothing but lose weight in the beginning and then not gain any for the last 3 months. I was told that I needed to gain at least 35 lbs. by the last Dr. that I saw...After telling me that I gained 11 pounds since the last visit he then told me to watch it...WTF is going on...I cant take much more of this,,,I don't know if I am coming or going anymore.

4. I told him about the new kittens that we got and that I knew I should be tested for Toxoplasmosis as they are all the time on and around me...he told me not to change the litter box. I told him that I did not do that but I was worried still because I know that pregnant women should be tested so nothing is given to the babies...He said stay away from them until after the babies are born...sure that makes sense but I wasn't talking about the future I was talking about my concerns as of right now...He is a complete dumb ass and if something is wrong with them after they are born then he can account for it. I called the clinic today and told them that I refuse to see this doctor again and they are supposed to get back with me.

Sorry for the rant, I am just extremely upset and needed to vent.

Scamp

The poor baby, Saturday night Jim was walking down the dark hallway and stepped on Scamp's leg...he let out a SCREAM and could not walk!!!! I was worried sick for 2 days wondering if it was broke and what the vet was going to say..(I was terrified at the thought of them wanting to put him to sleep...and I wasn't having that he is my baby...I Love him as much as any of my family members--NO JOKE!!) Monday morning they xrayed and said it was BROKE IN 2 PLACES. They put him on pain meds and sent him home....they did not even splint it but seem to think he will be fine. We just have to keep him confined and off the leg for the next 2-8 weeks...with Scamp this is going to seem like an eternity..he is already miserable and trying to dart out of the closet every time I open the door. I tried walking him with his back legs up and he wasnt having it...so he has all this pent up energy and I am not getting any rest at night staying up and worrying about him....hopefully he will be better soon!! I feel so awful and I am not even the one who stepped on him :( He is almost 18 years old and just doesnt deserve to be going through all this.

Sammy and Stacey @ 25w4d

Went to have another ultrasound today and the girls are doing good. They are measuring in at 25w2d and 25w6d. Sammy (A) weighs 1 lb. 12 oz. and Stacey (B) is 1lb. 15 oz. In 3 weeks they have gained a lb. each...I have a feeling they won't be small babies. The dr. said that they are great size and looking good and to come back in a month. I am so happy as I was worried about Sammy Jo's fluid levels...it has not gotten any smaller which is AWESOME--she is in good shape!! I have been worried sick about her fluid and am glad to have one less thing to worry about this month :) Still can't get over the fact that there are two coming, it gets more and more exciting all the time, I cannot wait for them to get here. I see my regular doctor Monday--until then this is all I have to update everyone on the girls....Take Care. Love, BETH