No Gestational Diabetes!!!

Last Thursday, May 21st, we got the results from Heather's gestational diabetes test and the number was in the normal range! We were glad, especially since Heather has a hard time eating anything with her lack of appetite. We definitely wanted to avoided any further food limitations that we could! The dr. did say that Heather was still slightly anemic, so she must continue taking her iron supplement.

SAS Baby Shower

Yesterday, we had a shower at Craig's work. There was a very nice spread of food and good times there. Check out some of these people. Some people would say that it looks like casual Friday at SAS but actually that is what we usually wear. Craig is very lucky to work at a place where he can dress like that.

The food and punch was very good. We had several people come to the shower as they gave us plenty of very nice gifts. We received a bunch of items that will be used for bath time for the two boys.





Furthermore, we received a high chair, baby monitor, and two homemade sweaters, which are very cute.



Heather enjoyed coming to Craig's work to meet some of his co-workers and having a good time at the shower.

We thank everyone for the gifts and well wishes.

New Work Status

Starting May 11, Heather is on extended leave from Progress Energy. After we had our first scare, the next week (May 7) we went back to the perinatologist to make sure that her cervix length was still at a good length. It was thank goodness. However, in further discussion with the doctor, he suggested that Heather stop working and keep relaxed by walking as little as she can.

This isn't bedrest per se. It is modified bedrest. She can go somewhere for an hour or two as long as she is feeling OK. However, the rest of the day she needs to keep her feet up and relax.

As many of you know, this is not Heather's forte. She has never been one to sit around and relax. She has never been a big fan of TV outside of the news, the Weather Channel, and sports.

The first week she had something to do every day, which is fantastic for her. On Monday, Beth Prichard came by and hung out for a couple of hours. On Tuesday, Heather met Craig and some of his co-workers for a lunch to celebrate some birthdays. On Wednesday, we had a doctor's appointment (Gestational diabetes test...boy that was fun). Thursday came with Jessica Moran bringing her 15 month old daughter Mary Claire over for while. They had lunch and enjoyed watching Mary Claire explore a new place. On Friday, Heather was able to come to SAS for a baby shower.

So the first week went real well. She enjoyed all of the calls and the encouraging emails. Please continue to do this in the upcoming weeks. If anyone wants to stop by, just call and setup a date.

Gastonia Baby Shower

With the events this week, the first baby shower we were going to have moved from Gastonia to Raleigh. Although Heather was saddened that she couldn't be in Gastonia, she was very happy that Eileen and Mama came in with Doug and Papa. In addition, Jenn Crawford and her mom, Myra Black, who were throwing the shower with Shannon McGinnis, brought her daughter Lydia, with her.

Jenn and Myra brought all the food and shower games with them. Eileen and Mama brought some of the gifts that had droped by the house. They also brought all of the party favors and the diaper cake that Shannon had made, which were extremely cute.

We had some good food and good times. We appreciate all of the gifts and the thoughts and prayers. Heather is doing better. She is getting hydrated more and more. She had a good day yesterday and a really good day so far today. Here are some pictures from the shower.

Nursery

Our nursery is almost complete. The walls have been painted (thanks Doug and Eileen). The cribs and dressers were delivered the other day. We are still waiting on the chests to be delivered but they will be delivered in the next few weeks. We thought we would give you all would some pictures of what they look like.

Baby A Room:




Baby B Room:

Our first scare

In the previous three nights (Mon-Wed), Heather had been having a few contractions each night. She was averaging between 4-6 contractions between 5 and 11:30 each night for about one per hour. We figured they were Braxton-Hicks contractions. They weren't too strong and didn't get any more frequent.

However, Thursday morning, the day after our perinatologist visit, Heather had 4 contractions between 11-12 while she was at work. Getting a little worried, she came home and laid down on the couch. We went to the doctor around 1:30. She had 2 more contractions between 12:30 and 1:30. At the doctor's office, a machine was attached to Heather's stomach which measured the contractions. We were there until a little after 5. The doctors determined that she was dehydrated and dehydration can cause contractions. So, we needed to hydrate Heather.

So, we have been more aware of how much water we need to drink. We are doing better now, but are going to be more vigilant about her water intake as well as limiting the number of steps she takes in a day.

Thanks for all the prayers we have received about Thursday's events. Please continue to pray that the contractions subside or decrease to a very small number.

Perinatologist visit

On Wednesday, we visited the perinatologist again. This is the visit for our 25th week of the pregnancy. The boys were checked and measured as usual. We get to see the boys for around 45 to 60 minutes. There isn't too much better than seeing your kids for that long of a time. The boys are looking really good. They both are getting bigger. Baby A went from 1 lb to 1 lb 12 oz in 4 weeks. Baby B grew from 12 oz to 1 lb 7 oz. So Baby A grew 12 oz while Baby B grew 11 oz. When we looked at the charts, we could easily see that the they were both within normal ranges. It was fantastic.

The last time we were there the doctor had 2 concerns:

1. The difference in the weights of the children was on the upper end of the normal range. There was a 21% difference, which is OK. Up to 25% is normal range. This time the difference was 19% and he liked that better, even though we know that the 2% difference is not statistically significant.
2. There was too much amniotic fluid in the sacs of each kid. We thought maybe it was that Heather was drinking too much. So we have not been drinking as much in the past month. Well, this is still an issue as the amniotic sacs are still too large. The biggest risk of this is pre-term labor.

Therefore, he wants Heather to limit the amount of walking that she does. If she can work from home, then that would be ideal. He didn't mention her going to bed rest, which is something we want to hold off as long as possible.

All in all, a very good visit. We go back in 4 weeks.