More Pics!

This is fun, I could do this every day. Right now I'm looking at my two little darlings sleeping the day away. It's time for them to wake up and feed but they are so peaceful...awwwwww




Olivia right after she was born, in mommy's arms.

Picture of Sarah right after she was born

Sarah's tiny little head : )

Olivia warm and cozy.

Sarah under the oxygen.

Olivia in Grandma Wickersham's arms

And in Grandma Benton's arms

And in mommy's arms

Olivia and Daddy's first nap.

Sarah enjoying the phototherapy lights. Nice tan!

Olivia got the phototherapy treatment too. As you can see, it was very stressful.

The moment we've all been waiting for...

Sarah is home safe and sound! So of course, the long awaited pictures! I have TONS, but in the interest of getting them out there for all the world to see here is a preview! Click the pics for a bigger image.




Edit-Oops! I forgot to say tell you which baby was which! Olivia the Active is on the left in the green jumper, and Sarah the Sleeper is on the right in pink. If you click on the pictures it should load the album on picasaweb where I will do my very best to tag the girls with the right name.

Yay! More pics to follow soon!!!!!!

YAY!!!

Well it looks like my baby girl **might** be able to come home tomorrow! The doctor basically said as long as she keeps eating well and gains a little bit by tomorrow she can come home--no guarantees though. So let's just pray really hard that she'll get to come home tomorrow! First thing we'll do is take some pics and post them! Promise :-)

Sarah...

So Sarah is doing so well!! Right now all she has to do to come home is to eat enough. They are taking her out of the special like, bed she is in and putting her in a regular hospital 'crib' which is just one of those clear cases you see babies in. She isn't hooked up to any monitors and they said I can bring her some clothes to put on! She's been naked up until now haha. I am going to go visit her this afternoon and try to feed her myself. I tried yesterday but she didn't really take to it that well, but it's a process and it took Olivia a few tries before she really got it so I'm not worried.

Speaking of Olivia, she still has jaundice. She's having a heck of a time getting rid of it too. It's not like dangerous levels or anything but they'd like to see it go down some and that hasn't happened so far. It's so sad because she has to stay in this little light up 'blanket' that makes her look like an alien because it glows so brightly. It's neon blue. It's a really awkward thing and I basically can't really hold her that much because of the stupid blanket. It has this huge cord coming out of it and the 'tape' they use to keep it on her sucks. Oh well it's worth it if it makes her better.
Other than the jaundice she is doing wonderfully. She is just freaking adorable, and so is Sarah. Let me just tell you also, there is no way they are identical. It was hard to tell at first because we didn't get much time with Sarah, but now that we are seeing her so much more it's quite obvious they are NOT identical. I would've been surprised if they had been identical.

It's been an interesting week to be sure. But a wonderful one. I am excited/scared about Sarah coming home. Excited because I love her and I really want to be home with her and hold her whenever I want without tons of nurses all around me watching my every move. Scared because that is two babies to nurse and take care of. Mainly because I am way tired already and I'm only having to care for one baby so I can only imagine two! Not to mention I really have no clue what I am doing haha. I'm figuring it out as I go.

Oh well. I need to get a shower while I have a chance, and maybe a nap?
Stay tuned.

Long time no blog!

Wow. I am a mommy. That is so so weird to say, but unbelievably amazing at the same time.
Well it all started last Wednesday. We had an appointment with our OB and midwife. They did an ultrasound and the girls looked great! I asked about the possibility of inducing, and the doc said he would be more comfortable waiting another week. So we said OK, but before we left my midwife 'stripped my membranes' which is supposed to help your body get some labor hormones going on. haha. Anyway, almost immediately I started getting some serious serious contractions, I almost couldn't walk kind of contractions. So we all, including our midwife, thought Wednesday was the night but unfortunately my contractions started wearing off after about 5 hours. I had called my midwife and she told me I could go to the hospital or wait at home and I opted to wait. So the next day she calls me in the afternoon and says I can go to the hospital and she would break my water if I wanted. So I said heck yes! She had also talked with my OB who said he was OK with that.

So we went in, and after 19 hours our baby girls were born! It didn't go as I had 'planned' but everything did go the way it needed to. I feel very good about my labor and delivery, and I couldn't have asked for a better OB and Midwife. I am SO glad I chose that practice, Ellen is amazing. Right after they were born she whipped her camera right out and took tons of pictures of us and the babies. Then the next day she had them developed and made up a cute little picture frame up for us. She was just wonderful! The hospital I was at was amazing also! I loved my nurses, they were all amazing and sweet and just what I needed at the time. The facilities were awesome and if we still live in Phoenix I will definitely be using the same hospital and doctor for my next pregnancy. It was a wonderful experience.

Can I tell you also, how in love I am! I am so in love with my baby girls. Olivia and I got to come yesterday and it's been wonderful. Kind of an adjustment, I won't lie. But amazing. I've been away from her twice now, once to go visit Sarah and right now because Chris with her getting some blood work done. I miss her like crazy! She did develop a bit of jaundice but that is being taken care of and isn't really a big deal. She's got this like light up blanket that does the same thing as one of those big ole lights they put babies under. My little Sarah is doing so much better! She has been on oxygen since she was born and today she got to get off of the oxygen. She was having some difficulty breathing and as of today she is doing SO much better. Unfortunately she developed pneumonia so she is on antibiotics for that. It's not a really bad case or anything which is obviously a really good thing. Hopefully today she'll be able to eat real food, she's been on an IV since she was born which was just basically sustaining her, not really helping her to grow. Chris went to see her this morning and he got to hold her! I am so jealous. Neither of us have gotten to hold her since she was born :-( When he gets home I will head down to see her and hopefully I will get to hold her too! It looks like Sunday will be the earliest she can come home, because they want to finish the antibiotics before she comes home and also make sure she eats well.

So that is the update. Things are looking really really good for my lil Sarah and Olivia should be rid of her jaundice in a couple of days which will be good! So pray for my little babies!!

Quick update

Welcome Olivia Mae and Sarah Rose to the world! We came into the hospital on thursday night at about 7pm and after 20 long hours we welcomed our little darlings into the world. We'll update with some pictures when we get home from the hospital. Right now it's looking like mom and Olivia (baby A aka Big Booty) will be coming home monday. Unfortunately, Sarah (baby B aka BB) is progressing a little more slowly. She hasn't been able to clear her lungs completely so she is staying in the nursery and taking a little oxygen. We are able to sit with her but as of now no cuddling :( Hopefully soon she will join us in our room and we'll be one big happy family. Pray for us!

Vitals:
Olivia Mae Wickersham born 2:47pm - 19 inches, 5 lbs 6oz

Sarah Rose Wickersham born 2:57 - 18.5 inches, 4 lbs 13oz

My body is really pissing me off right now.

Ugh, I so thought last night was the night.

First things first, doc appt.
Everything looks great with the girls. Both healthy, head down, good heart beats, good stuff all around. I saw the one sucking her thumb! Very cute. Concerning induction: after next week they will induce me if I still haven't gone into labor on my own. So, that kind of sucks but at least I know it's only another week at the most which is also a great thing. The doc said they are basically 'baked' though, meaning there should be no reason to think they'll have to stay in the hospital or that they aren't developed enough. He can't, at this point, foresee any complications because everything is looking so great. Once you make 36 weeks you are basically good to go, although he wants to wait one more week to induce.
Then my midwife checked me, still 3 cent. dilated, about 80% effaced, very soft, 'ripe' (whatever that means), and she could totally feel like the bag of water 'bulging' lol. She said she could probably break my water with her fingernail. So she stripped my membranes (even more) and from that point on I've had contractions.

Last night I was having really hard intense regular contractions, about 5-7 minutes apart. LIke, cuss worthy, omg my uterus is going to explode inside of me contractions. Called the midwife, she said she would like for them to be a bit closer together and that I could go to the hospital if I wanted or stay home until they got closer. I elected to stay home. I had called her around 830pm and by like 1030 they had slowed down and weren't really consistent at all. And since then they've slowed even more, but I am still having them and they still hurt like a beast but not as much as they did. I just can't seem to get over the hump. It's like my body is RIGHT there, but just can't get over the last hump. It's really frustrating, especially since I went through hours of pain that were basically pointless. No babies as a result. Who knows, maybe today is the day. I can only hope.

Obviously, having contractions all night I didn't sleep well. It's like 550am right now and I've been up for an hour.
I would never have thought that 'early labor' would be so drawn out. It's been 2 weeks that I've been contracting, and dilating, and early laboring. It wouldn't be so bad actually if I didn't have to make arrangements for my foster kids. That has got me so stressed out. I'm taking them back this weekend regardless because they'll have been in respite for over a week. They've missed a week of school plus they just need things back to 'normal'. HOWEVER I know that the very first night they are back I will go into labor and not have anything to do with them. Oh goodness.

Well everyone, just pray that the timing works out and these kiddos can come out sooner than later. Goodness gracious.

9 MONTHS!

So, wow. Today I am 9 months pregnant!!! That is a really long time to be preggo, let me just tell you. At the same time it has just flown by. I really can't express how much I've enjoyed being pregnant. It's a wonderful thing. Miraculous. I can't wait until next time :-)

I have an OB appt today. Not until 4:15 though. I am going to ask about inducing. From the get go I haven't wanted any intervention what so ever, but it seems that my circumstances are not really optimal for that plan. I'm afraid that if I wait Chris' mom will have to go back to Fla, my Mom won't be able to come for a long time, and we will have our foster kids back home with us and we'll go into labor at 3am and have nothing to do with them and then have no support here to help us once we do have the babes. No bueno. Not to mention the fact that I am worried about the babies size inside of me, the fact that my uterus literally hurts, and that 36 weeks is considered full term for twins. So, I am just going to ask about it. If they think it's a terrible idea then I won't do it obviously, but if they see no problem with it then I will probably go ahead with it. I really have no idea what they will say though so I'm just going to throw it out there. See what happens. I might not like what they have to say about how it will go down and all. So who knows. Either way I get to see the babes in the u/s which is always nice :-)

I can't sleep this morning. I've been having some serious insomnia this past week. I'm really anxious for one thing, plus I can't get comfortable! It's quite annoying. I've resorted to getting up, eating some breakfast, watching a bit of TV, and going back to bed until like 11. Lazy...maybe so. BUT, I have nothing else to do plus who knows how long I will have that opportunity. So I am seizing the moment!

Well, not much else to report. I'm sure I'll be blogging later on today. Good day to all and I hope you are getting more sleep than I am!

What I didn't know about pregnancy.

So, here I am 4 days away from officially being 9 months pregnant with twins. It's an absolutely amazing feeling. One I never thought I would experience. Pregnancy has been the best experience of my life. I've enjoy every single minute of it, even when I was unbelievably nauseous, so much so I couldn't get of bed. I'm very sad it's coming to an end. On that note, I've decided to make a list of things I never knew pregnancy would bring...mostly funny/inconvenient things.

So. As of today:

1. I can't put my pants on with out help, either from a person or a counter to put my weight on.
2. I can't walk normally, the waddle is unavoidable.
3. Stretch marks--need I say more.
4. Everyone in the world telling me to have sex in order to induce labor. Even weird people such as the director of your foster child's preschool, old ladies at church, a waitress at a restaurant who is a complete stranger, your mother in law, and lots of people at your husbands work place. By the way--that doesn't work. haha
5. I've resorted to wearing my husband's clothes. None of my shirts actually fit, my belly hangs out.
6. 5 million people touching my belly.
7. I'm utterly shocked at how generous the people in my life are. Honestly, all together we've received at least $1000 worth of gifts/cash/gift cards.
8. How large I actually am. I am huge. HUGE HUGE HUGE
9. The fact that I literally can not control my mood. I really do believe people can control their moods, like not allowing your circumstances dictate your mood or how your day goes. However, I honestly can not control my moods. It's infuriating.
10. I couldn't fit into the booth at the restaurant the other day. haha. Actually I could fit but my belly touched the table and I couldn't move really. It was quite uncomfortable.
11. My belly touches my thighs when I sit. Truly a weird feeling.
12. My pelvis actually hurting. I never knew I could feel my pelvis, but I do and it hurts.
13. My doctor checking my dilation and telling me she could feel the babies' head. Not what I expected to hear. lol.
14. Peeing every time I cough or sneeze or laugh. Not fun.
15. The fact that I am not actually scared about giving birth. Like the pain and stuff. This sounds weird but I am actually looking forward to it, because after it's over I will have two baby girls to love the rest of my life.
16. I'm quite lucky not to have gained tons of weight. Actually most people can't tell I am pregnant from behind. I have to turn around. I grew out towards the front, instead of everywhere else. haha. Thank goodness!
17. Hemorroids. OMG I am so glad I haven't had to experience those things (yet?) I can't tell you how much I was/am not looking forward to that!!!
18. The fact that my modesty pretty much just wore off. I used to get all nervous about the thought of going to the 'girl doctor' and what they do to you there. Even after I had been a dozen times, I still dreaded it. Now I'm just like...oh whatever. Maybe it's because I am super comfortable with my doctor. Either way it's nice not to have that hanging over my head constantly. Especially considering how often I have to go.
19. How much it sucks to be away from my family. I hate the fact that I can't share this experience with them, day to day. I swear that if I could afford to move across the country--I would do it in a heart beat.
20. The joy and love I would feel for these babies. They aren't even born yet and I can't even find the words to express the way I feel about them. It is just such an unbelievable blessing. Praise God.

I thought it time...

To post some new pics. Some are quite cute :-)

Just to let you know...

the game has started and my water has not broken. haha.

I predict...

that the babies will come tonight and that Aimee's water will break 2 minutes before kickoff.  This just the way things happen.  Oh well, the Gators will still win without me!  Thank goodness for Tivo!!!!

Still no baby girls!!

Well. We had a false alarm last night. Started having some intense contractions 2-3 minutes apart for about an hour. Called the midwife who sent me to the hospital, confident we'd give birth. Alas, the contractions slowed down and nothing happened for a good 2 hours. So they sent me home :-(

However, I continued having contractions all day today and even now I am having them. They are more intense for sure, but still spread out and inconsistent. So, I guess I am just kind of waiting for a higher intensity with more regularity.
I did have a previously scheduled office visit with the midwife today which I went ahead and attended since I was still contracting.
I'm dilated to 3, and about 70 percent effaced (except when I am contracting--then I am about 90 percent effaced). She stripped my membranes (if you don't know what it means you should look it up, it's hard to explain) which is different than rupturing them. That would be like breaking my water. Stripping them just helps labor to progress, which it has. I can tell a difference that is for sure. The babies are both right around 6lbs, give or take a few ounces. She had a hard time telling exactly because of their positioning but it's right around there. She said I would probably take off a cool 18-19 pounds at birth. Wow! I can live with that haha!! So, right now it's a waiting game basically. I have another appointment next week with the actual OB, if I make it that long. I doubt it. With the things that are happening, which I won't mention here (a bit personal), I can't see it being much longer.

I went ahead and put our foster girls in respite care (another family takes care of them temporarily) starting tonight because last night sucked trying to figure out what to do. We had some plans but not really for the middle of the night. I've got a good week that I don't have to worry about a. taking care of them b. what to do with them when we are in the hospital. Which I have to say is very comforting. I just hope that everything happens within that week, but I'm not going to worry about that. Whatever happens, happens and we will deal with it when/if the time comes.

We finally got our baby room put together. Chris and his Mom (who is out to help us--THANK GOD!!!) painted it. It's a beautiful shade of yellow. We set everything up, and I got these cute like wall stickers that are flowers, hearts, lady bugs, and dragonflies on the walls. We got some cute little pillows for the couch/bed that is in there, some beautiful curtains that act as closet doors, and all we have to do is hang the window curtains that match the crib bedding. Otherwise I am completely set with everything. I am so excited to have these girls. I think they will be the cutest babies ever!!

They are still just kicking away. Baby A (aka big bootie) plays a little game with me. She'll stick her feet or hands out and get me to chase them. Or she kind of chases my hands as I'm rubbing my belly. It's way cute. She's all lined up and ready to make her exit according the ultra sound today. Baby B (aka BB) is all squished to the side though. It's because baby A has to line up, so BB gets kind of pushed to the side. I could see her face in the ultra sound today and she didn't really look that happy. She was making a fist and had a frown, plus she was all squished with her knees bent up to her head. It was sad :-( Makes me not want to lay on that side because she's already hurting for space. It's pretty awesome that the girls and I have made it to 35 weeks. No complications what so ever. No issues. No high blood pressure, no bleeding, not much edema (swelling), acceptable weight gain. Just healthy mommy and babies. it's really great. You can't really ask for a better pregnancy than this one has been. It's really hard to believe it's coming to an end. it's a bit sad, but REALLY exciting too.

Well, I need to get some rest. I don't have too much time left for that!!!
I will keep you updated!

OK.

So patience is not a virtue of mine. I am not doing too well waiting for these girls to come. I know it's going to be soon, I can feel it. Things are happening and they don't feel very good so I know it's coming. I just want it to happen NOW! lol. I can't sleep well at all, I'm really not that hungry, and I can't think of anything but getting these girls out. I'm way moody all the time, snappy, and just not that pleasant to be around. So ugh...I want to meet my girl faces!!!

Oh well. I should enjoy my time. I know soon I will be full of even more hormones and trying to care for two new born girls and it won't be easy. And I will be tired. Tired tired tired. I care not though--I just want my girls!

Ok. that is all. The carpet man is here cleaning the carpets :-)
See u.

Anytime!!

So, I could go into labor at any time!! Saw the midwife again today, still dilated at 2 and even more effaced. I said, so when do you think things will start to happen? She says--any time! YAY! I can't wait. I am having tons of contractions but they are still sporatic--getting more intense though.

Currently, Chris and Karen are painting the baby room the most amazing color of yellow ever. Which I can't even tell you how thankful I am because that room really needed some paint, and I def didn't think we were going to be able to paint it before the babies were born. So YAY!

Nothing else to report. Just sitting around waiting for babies!!