Saving a Heart For Super Ben

Hello friends,
   I know I have not posted since the babies were born, but the past 7 months have been crazy!  Please read our story here: Saving A Heart For SuperBen

If anything, please say prayers for our family. We could really use them!

Love,
Tif

Weeks 28-31

Hi bloggy world!

Sorry I haven't been around much lately, but

it has been an interesting couple of weeks

around here.

Long story short, 

these precious little babes

in my belly tried to make their

grand entrance into this world wayyyy too early!

At 29 weeks to the day,

I was having contractions 2-5 minutes apart. 

I was taken to labor and delivery, 

but I was bound and determined

to not have these kiddos yet.

After 48 hours of magnesium sulfate (yuck!),

2 steroid shots, and a week in the hospital,

I am now home on bed rest. 

Here's a pic where I am hoping and praying that our babies

are happy in my belly for a few weeks longer!

Weeks 26 & 27

Weeks 24 & 25

1 + 1 = Twins

Today my fabulous friends at work threw a baby shower for the twins.

Since I teach math to all of the second graders,

the theme of the shower was,

"1 + 1 = Twins."

I love the theme and my friends' creativity!

Thanks to Jess, Jen, Christina, and Rhonda for all

of the perfect details!

One of my cravings: Fruit!

I spy another craving: Orange Crush!

Canvases made by Jess for the nursery

My math nerdy-ness loved this sign
Tiffany + Keith = Babies squared

Weeks 22 & 23

How far along?:  Weeks 22 & 23
Gender: Surprise! Surprise!

Weight gain: 14 pounds

Maternity clothes: Oh  yes!
Thank you to Aimee for some spring/summer
maternity clothes!

Stretch Marks: I'm shocked that there aren't any yet...
knock on wood!

Belly Button in or out: In, but again, I am completely shocked by this!

Sleep: Getting up 3-4 times a night to go to the bathroom now.
Once I get back in bed, my mind starts wandering.
Best moment this week: Feeling the love and support from
so many friends and family through this difficult time.
Miss anything: Keith recently had a Summer Shandy and
I started missing all of the delicious summer beers!

Movement: Yes! I'm even starting to see my
belly move when they do!
Cravings: Orange crush, and I haven't written this one in awhile,
but eggs and bacon! Yum!

Queasy or sick: Not any more! Still can't eat grilled chicken though....

Looking forward to: Working on the nursery and upcoming baby showers!

"Life's a long and winding ride...

....better have the right one by your side."

~Kip Moore

My last bumpdate mentioned that weeks 20 & 21 were the worst weeks of this pregnancy.

I am a worry wart, I have worried throughout this entire pregnancy.

This week, though, took worrying to a whole new level.

(I know, I know, you are probably thinking, 

"Welcome to Parenthood...

where worrying never ends).

At our week 20 anatomy scan,

the sonographer stated that she could

not get good pictures of Baby B's spine

and heart. She said that since Baby B

was in the breech position,

it was difficult to get the pictures.

The nurse practitioner followed up 

this appointment with the same information,

and gave us no cause for alarm.

At our week 21 ultrasound--March 26th--

(I must say, we have been spoiled getting

to see these two every week!),

a different sonographer was taking our pictures.

She said that she was going to try and get the final

pictures we needed of the spine and heart.

After looking at the babies for a bit, she

told me not to get dressed and said that she

would be right back.

I immediately knew something was not right.

The doctor came in and stated that the sonographer had

some concerns about Baby B's heart and that she wanted

to take a look.

Sure enough, the doctor looked at the ultrasound of Baby B

and was struggling to see a 4 chambered heart.

As she's telling us this information, it was almost too much to bear.

After struggling to get pregnant, to now hear that something was wrong

with the heart of one of our little babes was almost too overwhelming.

In addition to this information,

I had been laying on my back for 30 minutes or more at this point

(which you're not supposed to do when pregnant).

My body decided it could not handle any more,

and I almost passed out!

Once I was able to recover with cold cloths and orange juice,

the doctor informed us that we needed to go to our local hospital

for a Level 2 ultrasound.

This ultrasound takes clearer images and will be able to tell us more.

On Friday, March 28th, Keith and I headed to the hospital,

where the Level 2 ultrasound concluded that Baby A's heart was normal,

but Baby B's did show some defects.

We also learned that Baby B's stomach is on the right side,

and it's liver is on the left side.

We were referred to our local Children's Hospital for a Fetal Echo

of each baby's heart and an MRI.

On April 1st, we went to the fetal echo which showed 3 major things

wrong with Baby B's heart.

Some of the things may be able to fix themselves,

but if not, we are looking at future surgeries for our precious

little baby.

We are to schedule another fetal echo in 6 weeks when Baby B

and its heart are each a little bigger.

On April 10th, Keith and I headed back to Children's Hospital

for my MRI. Due to my VERY ACTIVE bambinos in my belly,

the MRI took 2 hours!

Afterwards, we met with a team of doctors

(pediatric surgeon, high risk doctor, and neonatal doctor)

to talk about plans for Baby B.

First and foremost, the focus is on the heart.

When that is stabilized, then the doctors 

will focus on the issues with the stomach and liver.

We are also currently not seeing a spleen on the images,

but hopefully it's there and just hiding!

After shedding many tears, 

we are keeping our faith in God and letting him lead our way.

The best we can do now is to pray, pray, pray for healing,

guidance, and wisdom.

Thank you to all of you who have expressed concern and have

started prayer chains.

We could not get through this without you.