Bed Rest, Sunshine, Friends, & Easter Eggs

So here is where I was over a week ago.


My first weekend home we got to enjoy the beautiful weather. Me from a lawn chair. Madison had so much fun playing outside an riding her new trike.




And since I have been home on bed rest we have had many visitors come stay with us for several hours at a time to help with Madison. Madison is loving having kids over to play. First was my good friend Tricia (who is also pregnant) and her 2 boys Kaeden & Koleson. Madison loves them and they love her.


This morning was our friends Dena and Baby Lindsay from Mommy 2 Mommy.


Dara and Sydney have also been over several times. She has been an amazing friend organizing people coming in the mornings, bringing meals, and doing cooking and cleaning for me when needed. I don't know what I would do without you.
Dara decided that my bed rest needed to be documented.


This evening Nana and Haley brought us dinner and came to do Easter eggs.

Yes I was up for a few minutes to take part in Madison's first egg dying experience. I promise I am on bed rest and actually obeying Dr's orders most of the day.


And finally here is my most updated belly shot at 32 weeks. Madison wanted to have her belly picture too.
(I know you will all forgive how tired I look and the sweats! :) )



Bed rest is going ok. It is hard not to get up and do normal daily things but if I am up to long I pay for it later with contractions. I will be forever grateful for everyone that is helping me keep up my house and bringing us meals.
I hope these last 2 posts meet the expectations of several requests for an updated blog. Family pregnancy pictures still to come later in the week.

March Update

Somehow the whole month of March has slipped away from me. We have done several fun things including: Haley's 9th birthday, OMSI, and the beach. As well as Madison's 2yr ck and 1st Dentist appt.
Luckily we got in a few good family days in last month before preterm labor hit.

Here are 2 slides- the first is just an overall recap of the month, and the second is our trip to the beach. There are a couple of really cute pics from that trip.

We had a great time in Seaside a few weekends ago with our good friends Jason & Nicole. It rained most of the trip but the guys still managed to try clamming twice in the pouring rain, and we made a trip to the candy store and to get ice cream. The day we were leaving was beautiful and we took Madison down to the beach for a quick play in the sand before we got to cold.

Home Again!

I am finally home again! I was actually discharged Friday night instead of Saturday after being examined and monitored that evening. They were happy with my progress and scheduled me an appointment for Tuesday morning with the high risk pregnancy clinic. I apologize if my last post was a bit scattered. I still had magnesium in my system, terbutaline, and a relaxant. I didn't know at the time how groggy it would make me. Apparently you are supposed to get 8-10hrs of sleep and I had taken it an hour or two before. Lets just say I was a bit out of it as I was typing. I will be only taking that at night from now on if needed.

I have had a few contractions and taken my terbutaline 2 times(prescribed for as needed), but otherwise feeling okay. It is amazing how not walking much since Tuesday can make you so weak. Yesterday I ventured outside to the backyard in a camping chair to watch Madison play. It felt so good to be in the sun. I cannot be upright much more than that or I get pretty crampy.

Matt has been taking excellent care of Madison and I. He is doing great on the house as well. I am so blessed to have such a great husband. Madison is doing great as well. I think she is just glad to have mommy home. She has been very understanding of me not being able to get off the couch much. She was glad to get to play in the sun yesterday. Matt put together her trike for her. She has been talking all morning about riding it again today. We have several play dates lined up in the mornings this week so I will not be alone with her. She is looking forward to having kids come to play.

I will try to post pics of the last few weeks later on. We got back our pregnancy family pictures this week as well. Watch for more to come.
Thank you again for all the prayers!

Hospital Stay News & Update!

Hey everyone,
I know that a good portion of you have probably heard that I was admitted to the hospital Tuesday night. Their are many though that may not have as well. I thought I would let everyone know what has been going on and my most recent update.
I went in for a normal appt Tuesday afternoon. I had been having many contractions in the evenings the last few weeks that were pretty uncomfortable but not more than they were concerned with at that point. I went in expecting everything to be normal as it had been every appt so far. When I was checked at my appt I was 1 1/2cm dialated and 80% efaced. Our Dr told us that I would be sent straight to the hospital for monitoring and probably kept overnight to watch my contractions. At that point I had only had 1 all day. When I arrived I was checked again and closer to 2 - 2 1/2cm. I was instantly put on Magnesium IV to hold off preterm labor and given a shot to mature that babies lungs (the 1st of 2). From that point I had painul contractions all night 3-12min apart.
I have been monitored closely ever since all day and night. The contractions started slowing down Wednesday night to 1-3 every hour. Last night was 24hrs after my second steroid shot (goal for premie babies is to have both shots 24hrs apart plus 24hrs) and my IV meds were taken out at 6am and the babies are now off the fetal monitors. I have had belts around my belly the whole time watching their heart rates. I am now just on an oral terbutaline every 4hrs. As long as this keeps my contractions at rest then I should be able to go home on strict bedrest tomorrow morning. They would like the babies to make it to 34-35weeks. I am 31week and 2days right now. I did have an Ultrasound here on Thursday and the babies were 3lbs 7oz and 3lb 10oz. We had a consult with a NICU Dr. who told us that with their weights and both shots he was very pleased with what their outcome would be even if they came this week. They would have several weeks in the hopsital at this point but would be ok and probably not need much breathing assistance. Each day more inside of me is like 2 days less in the NICU.

I want to say a huge Thank you to all the generosity that has been poured out to our family. Their have been so many offers for meals and help with Madison. I could not do this without all of you. We are so blessed to have such amazing support. We appreciate all of your prayers and will keep you posted on the progress of our little ones. I will try to post again once I have had some more sleep and am settles at home.
Melissa

Baby Shower & Nursery Glimpse

I was thoroughly blessed last weekend by an amazing baby shower given by Dara. She put so much hard work into it. The decorations were amazing and had lots of personal touches just for our family. The centerpieces were vases filled with lots of baby items. Also an adorable diaper cake, Baby A and B hats for the hospital, personalized candles for prizes, personalized M&M's for favors, personalized tea bags, and name banners for the nursery.
It was so fun to be surrounded by so many of my family and friends to celebrate the arrival of Micah and Mason. I received many wonderful gifts, including some adorable outfits and many needed baby essentials. Thank you to everyone who came and those who have sent gifts as well. We appreciate all of your generosity.
Above is my 6mo picture from the shower. I have had a request for a picture in a fitted shirt to show the real shape of my belly. It will be coming next month.
Enjoy a slide show of pictures from the shower.

And to appease many of you here is a picture of the babies bedding and a few pics of the cribs and artwork. Their room is in progress. More pictures will be coming soon.




Last but not least, our most recent shots of the babies.

Micah

Mason- I love that it looks like he is laughing.

Marteney Love Day

Or as some of you may call it Valentine's Day. I know I know it is a month later but I have to blog in chronological order.
Thursday night that week Madison and I went to Nana and Poppy's house to make Valentine's and sugar cookie dough for the next day. Our course we couldnt make dough without making any cookies. Madison had a practice run at cutting them out with Haley.



Friday Dara and Sydney came over to make cookies. 5dozen cookies and a very messy kitchen later both girls took a nap while the mommies iced them. Several family, friends, and neighbors were the recipients of the delicious cookies. Of course I saved several for us as well. It is the best recipe.









Madison and I spent V-Day morning at home while Matt was in Lebanon working on his Chevelle. When Madison woke up from her nap Daddy had just come home with presents. I had bought her a little bag off goodies an Daddy brought her a stuffed lion and Singing Dora card(that she is still playing with). Matt brought me beautiful roses as well. If you ask Madison they were hers though.

That evening Aunt Ally came over to play with Madison while we went on a date to PF Changs and a movie. It was nice to have a night out. Thank you Ally! I am sure next Valentine's Day will be a little different around here. We hope you all had a special day as well.

Babies, Friends, and the Space Needle

Once again I am behind in posting. I will start out with a belly pic update since I have been asked by several people. I am 5months in this pic and even bigger now.
The babies are doing great. The babies weighed 1lb 3oz and 1lb 4oz. Measuring right on track. Both babies are also now head down (for now). I was a bit concerned before our last appt due to many contractions (mostly when I am on my feet to much). I was concerned bed rest may be in my future. The Dr. was not concerned and said with twins they are normal. I just need to keep an eye on the frequency. They did increase my appts to every 3 weeks for the next 2 and then every 2 weeks.

Madison is getting quite protective of my belly and doesn't like it when anyone else tries to feel the babies. She got to feel them move for the first time last weekend. She is normally not patient enough but put her hand on my belly just in time to get 3 good kicks. She pulled her hand off each time with big eyes and then put it back. So sweet.

Madison recently went back to the Dr. for an eye check. Some of you may remember that at her one year appt we had been noticing an eye turn. They decided at her recent appt to give her a pair of loaner glasses to wear for an hour or two a day to see if it relaxed her eyes. We go back for a follow up in the summer. She has done fairly well wearing them. They are way to big. Matt calls her Sally Jesse Raphael in them.

This month Madison has been getting lots of time with friends. Several tea parties/ play dates with Sydney, fun with Brock for Superbowl, playtime with Jillian at the office. She loves any time she gets with kids. Hopefully her brothers will be included.













Our most recent family fun was a trip to Seattle to visit Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty with Papa John and Gma Dolly. We normally go for Memorial Day Weekend but we will have a busy month of May with the arrival of Micah and Mason. We had a great time visiting. We even got to go to the Seattle Science Center. Madison enjoyed the tide pool, Kids climbing and water area, and the Butterfly Gardens. She also got her first glimpse of the Space Needle. Check out the slide show below.

Well this should catch us up for a while. I have some fun pics of Madison making Valentine's Day cookies I will save for another post. Have a Happy Valentine's Day weekend.

Big Girl Room- The Baby is Gone!

Last nap with binky.
January 2nd Madison got rid of all things baby in her life. She had her last day with her binky and last night in her crib. For those of you who are not aware, Madison was very attached to her binkies. They have been her comfort when sad, hurt, sick, for snuggle time, or just because. There was even a period of time where she would fall down just so she could cry and ask for her binky. I think I was probaby just as attached to it. It was an easy solution to a crying girl in the car or public place. We started 3days before by cutting the tips of of her binkies one at a time. She would just look at it and say binky broken and throw it in the bathroom garbage. I was quite stunned at how easy it was. The last one was her prized Fufly(Butterfly) binky. That one she held a second longer, took one last suck and away it went. She talked about her broken binky for a few more days but she never even really cried that night. Mom on the other hand held her over her crib one last time and prayed over her with tears running down my face. It was a bittersweet moment as my baby girl was growing up. That night seemed to mark a big turning point towards 2 new babies joining our family and Madison becoming a big sister.



The next day Madison spent her nap at Nana and Poppy's while we put her new big girl room together. She was so excited when she walked in. She has slept great in her new bed although she has fallen off the bottom 2 times. We have a rail on the long side but somehow she manages to get upside down an roll off. The floor is now padded with pillows.
Below are pictures of her new room. Starting by looking in the door and moving left.

Here are a few more fun pictures of our big girl.

Christmas Morning

She loves to wear sunglasses.

On our first walk of '09. She was so glad to get outside.

Snugglin with Milo.

Favorite hat from Jason and Nicole. She has worn it for a week straight everywhere.

4th Folder, 4th Picture- Kephart Blessings!

Several of my friends have done this so I thought I would join in.
Look through your pictures and open your 4th folder and the 4th picture in that folder is what your blog entry will be about.



I was excited to see the smiling faces of our dear friends Jason and Nicole. This was New Years Eve '05. Just hours before '06. The thing I loved about this night is that this was our last big party before any kids joined our lives. We all had no clue how much our lives would change in the near future.

Madison calls them Uncle Jason and Auntie Cole. They are some of her favorite people. Jason has helped out a bit by bringing her little treats(her fave Chocolate Raisens) when he comes to visit.

This is also a great way to introduce them to the blogging world. They just recently started a blog called Kephart Blessings. Check it out. We love you guys! You are definitely a blessing to us.

We would like to introduce...

Micah John & Mason Russell

Thank you all so much for the overwhelming number of votes. It was fun to see everyone's opinions come through. The names we chose ended up being the first combination we came up with. And one of the top 2 voted on.
Both babies are measuring right on track and weight about 8oz each. I am starting to feel much better but getting a bit more uncomfortable. The fun part is that the babies are both starting to move much more.
This week we bought the babies crib bedding. Madison is moving into a big girl bed tomorrow and the nursery set up can begin. Watch for pictures of both rooms sometime soon.

Here I am at 3months




And looking a bit more exhausted after traveling at 4months.


Just for comparison. With Madison at 4months. Definitely bigger this time. :)