Week 22: "Getting Closer" - More Ways than One

 So,
   It's been two weeks since our last update.  I just want to let you know that bed rest stinks.  And the only reason that I know this is because I decided to take Danielle on a "jailbreak" from her house arrest on Father's Day afternoon.  Sometime during the day I threw my back out and then...
   Spent the next 3 days lying flat on my back--YUP, no work.  Our house began to accumulate more than its usual amount of mess, as I found washing dishes or pretty much moving anything to cause an enormous amount of pain.  That was last Monday-Wednesday, Danielle and I spent LOTS of time getting closer, laying around in bed.  By Tuesday afternoon, Danielle mentioned a sentiment that I began to understand.  "I'm bored..."  And I was only in bed for 2 days.  She's been on bed rest for more than 90 days...and "looking forward" to another 3-4 months. 
   This last week has been a tough week emotionally for Danielle.  As I returned to work, her having to deal with bed rest once again by herself and other concerns about what will happen in the future have been a source of anxiety.  Thanks for keeping us in your prayers, we know
God is truly our only source of comfort during this time. 
 As for updates on the babies:  When we visited the hospital today, we saw Dr. Suzuki, and after having our ultrasound we learned that Baby A is most probably a girl.  So, she's very healthy with 4cm of fluid in her sack.  She's a spry little one, Danielle feeling her kicks from two weeks ago.   And Danielle has been obsessed with them.  Danielle's recently began to feel some "other" kicks --very uncomfortable --and their source is Baby B, as he/she is resting right on Danielle's cervix. (No cushioning, remember) Baby A's head measured 22weeks 6 days (a full week ahead of schedule). We didn't get a heart rate this week, but last week it was 161bpm. Her heart and brain, lungs and bladder all looked good!
   Last week when we visited the hospital, Dr. Suzuki had told us that when baby A  measured 21 weeks, Baby B only measured about 17 weeks because its head was compressed.  Today, Baby B's head wasn't compressed in the ultrasound.  Its development is about a month behind baby A in terms of its head measurement (being at 19weeks and 3 days)  but Baby B has been moving.  And Dr. Suzuki was able to see that B's lungs were also visible, but very small--which could mean even if he/she makes it to delivery (apart from Divine intervention) there will be a struggle for B to breathe on his/her own.  But considering there is not a lot of water, which makes seeing things on the ultrasound hard, this is all a bit of a guessing game.
   As for blood work, last week, Danielle's CRP test was normal but her White Blood Cell count was still high, so the Dr. put her on more antibiotics (though he's switched the variety to avoid adverse effects from prolonged use).  We've finished the 22nd week and are getting closer to week 24 when hospitals consider babies to be "viable" and are willing to help them fight to survive.  Danielle might be admitted into the hospital as early as next week for continual monitoring for the rest of the pregnancy.  So, Dr. Suzuki is hoping that any and all infections that Danielle's had to fight will be gone, so that he can inject her with the steroids necessary to accelerate the babies lung development. (That's a Prayer Request).
    So, that's really all I can write about, and I apologize that this post seems a little cut and dry.  I do want to say thank you for your prayers and a word of thanks to our family in Christ who've come by and brought food and have even cleaned the dishes.  (You know who you are)  Glad for Family and Friends here and back in the States who are praying and sending us words of encouragement.  
Clifford & Danielle

Little kicks and flutters- week 20

Yep, you read that right! It is official, I am feeling the flutters finally.  So, it is kinda weird. Of course I feel them maybe more often than most would at this point.  I think that is due to being on bed rest. I wondered for a long time if I would reach this milestone, and it feels really great I have got to say.  Mostly, it is only baby A, but sometimes I feel them very low where baby B is.  I think it has done wonders for me mentally, to actually feel movement, it's kinda like little messages- hey Mom I am here!!  I think my spirits have been mostly good the past two weeks. I had one little break down, but I bounced back quickly. I know this has a lot to do with all the prayers being lifted up on our behalf.

Also, I finally decided it was time to buy something for our sweet babies.  If you know me in person, you might be surprised I haven't bought anything.  My guess would be if our pregnancy was "normal" the nursery would be done by now! Anyways, Clifford and I decided no matter what happens every baby deserves a special baby blanket. So, after many days searching online, and even in person at a few places on my jailbreak day, we finally decided on theses sweet blankets, and cute little stuffed toys, made by a lovely lady on Etsy. I can't wait for them to come!




Well on to our baby update!

 Baby A- still doing well, I just can't get enough of seeing that baby on ultrasound.  This week ("she" we still aren't sure) was moving around a lot. Stretching her legs, showing us her hands :)
-Heartbeat was 162- nice and strong.
-Fluid was 3+ cm. :)
-Measuring at 20wks 4 days.  I don't know what the specifies were from the legs and arms, but it all looked on track.
-No weight check this week.
- We did see fluid in the bladder so that is really great.  All in all a GREAT report!

Baby B- we did see some fluid this week- YAY Praise Praise Praise!!!! I pray that somehow there is enough for our baby to practice it's breathing. This is most important! It wasn't really measurable according to Dr. S, but I wonder if he just doesn't want to get our hopes up.
- Heartbeat was 144- a little slower but still in range.
- Measurement was still behind 17 weeks 5 days I think, but really it is just hard to tell.  I think as baby A gets bigger there is less room for baby B, but we are still hopeful!
- Also, there was some movement so that is good!

Me- well we didn't check on my blood work.  Dr. S just ordered more IV antibiotics, I think he is getting more hopeful.  This past week I did have a spell of contractions for about 45 min. Clifford and I were both very scared, but they stopped after about 45 min of laying on my side and a bunch of water. I am still leaking, but from what I have read it is probably baby B, so that is a great sign! Well I have officially gained no weight still- grrr!  The one time in my life I want to gain weight, and I can't seem to do it.  Well I was a bit over weight to begin with, but still this is not good.  Clifford and I read a book by a specialist in America who studies twins and multiples and basically her advice is to eat a lot of protein and gain most of your weight by week 24 I believe.  So that window is quickly closing.  The thing is I just want to give my babies a fighting chance and the heavier they are the better chance as a preemie, which they most likely will be. 

Prayer requests
-That I would continue to stay infection free.
- For both our babies continued growth and fluid.
- No more contractions!!!
-To gain weight!

Thank you for all your prayers friends!  Have a blessed day!