Only 13 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

I can't believe I've been here 4 weeks. I got to see Don and the girls today, my father-in-l​aw came to visit with them. Alexis said to me today "Mommie if you com back home I will take better care of you this time." I think she is really missing me. Olivia was sleeping when they came and I got to hold her next to me for almost an hour. I was given wheel chair privleges and went for a little ride with the girls!!

Then my cousin-in-l​aws surprised me and showed up this evening. They came all the way down from Park Rapids!! Thanks Kim, Ed, Jake and Carly!! You made my night. I was feeling a little down this evening and you brightened my spirits.

Tha​nk-You all for the many prayer that lift up my family.

"Keep The Faith"

26 weeks today!!!! Only 14 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!

HOOOR​AY!! 26 weeks today!!

I had someone from the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) come and talk to me today so I could get an idea of what will happen when they arrive. I talked to them at 22 weeks and at that time the outlook was grim.

At 26 weeks they jump to a survival rate of 85% at 24 it was only 50%. There is a 20-25% chance of a disability. When we get to 28 weeks the survival rate jumps to 90% and disability drops to 10%. Every day the odds are better and better. After 32 weeks the survival and disability rate are almost where a full term baby would be.

The main difference after 32 weeks and before 37 weeks is that in this last (third) trimester the babies are builing up their immune system, babies born prematurly will take about 2 years for their immune system to catch up. That is why we will be very cautious over the first 2 RSV seasons (Oct - Apr) to ensure they have the best possible chance at staying healthy.

I had the best call this morning Don called to tell me that last night Alexis told him "When Mommie comes home I am going to snuggle her forever and ever!!!" I have been on cloud nine all day.

My Friend Tami stopped by and showed me some new pictures of her beautiful twins and I met her hubby. And my friend Kim stopped in and brought me some funnel cakes from the State fair, YUMMY!! Thank-You!!​
My prayer today has been to give my body the strength and ability to carry these babies as long as possible and to bring them into this world healthy.

"Kee​p The Faith"

Only 15 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!

What a fabulous day today!! I asked my Doctor today if I will be able to schedule a C-section at some point or will they just wait to see what happens. She said sure we can schedule it, when do you want it?? I said "Really?" So to make a long story short we "tentatively​" scheduled it for October 21 ( I will be 33 weeks and 4 days). She said that with my positive attitude and the way things have been there is a really good chance I can get that far!!!! Of course there are many things that can happen that would make it be sooner. But it is so encouraging to have a date and to know that I will be holding the babies by that date!!!

I am still counting down to 28 weeks and then we will take it week by week after that!!:)

Tha​nk-You Thank-You for the prayers they are helping!!

"Ke​ep The Faith"

Only 16 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!

Well I had the big growth ultrasound today. I was on my back on a not so soft table for over 2 hours and boy did I get alot of baby viewing time. Baby A is head down and low, she moves and kicks alot. Baby B (the Boy) Is breach (head up), he is on the right side and moves constantly too. baby C is in the middle also breach, she kept kicking Baby B. Baby D is Head down with her feet kicking my lungs and my back.

Here are the estimated weights:
Bab​y A - 2lbs
Baby B - 2lbs 2oz
Baby C - 1lb 13oz
Baby D - 1lb 10oz

The Doctor was very pleased with the sizes of the babies. Don was here for the ultrasound and got to see the babies too!! :)

My new friend Tami came to visit today. She is one of my friends I met while on bedrest her twins were born last week and they are beautiful!! Thanks for coming to visit with me!!

Thank-Y​ou all for all of your prayers and happy thoughts you have been sending our way!!

"Keep The Faith"

Only 17 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

Anot​her good day today!! Tomorrow is the big ultrasound day. I will get an idea of how big each baby is!!!

Some fun facts about my pregnancy :

Days in a full term pregnancy - 280

Days I've been pregnant - 179

Total Days on bedrest - 46

Days on bedrest in hospital - 25

Toal weight gain to date - 43.8 lbs

Today I had visitors. Pastil Phil stopped by and lifted me high in prayer, Thank-You!! Hubby and the girls stopped by for anice visit. Both the girls grin from ear to ear when they come in. Olivia can barely wait to get in bed next to me and let me give her a million kisses. Alexis has to talk a mile a minute to fill me in on all I have missed. Today they entertained me with some fancy dancing around my room!! What a fantastic day!!!

Pleas​e continue to pray.

"Keep The Faith"

Only 18 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

Toda​y was the second day in a row that one of my Doctors thinks there is a good chance I could make it to 30+ weeks!! That is very encouraging!! The average Quads are born at 29.5 weeks.

Thank​s for all of the comments on my giant 25 week Quad belly. I got out a measuring tape and I measure 47.5" around. I am on a chat group with some triplet moms to be, 2 of them said thier bellies are measuring 51" around at 32 weeks!!! I'll post a new picture at 27 weeks.

Today my sister-in-l​aw, Dawn, came to visit. She brought along senior pictures of my niece Elizabeth. She looked amazing, I can't believe that she has grown so fast. It seems like yesterday she was an adorable 7 year old, that's whenI first met her. Thanks Dawn for coming to visit and letting me see the pictures!! Can't wait to get one and have it framed on my wall.

Thank-​You for all of the prayers and well wishes, I look forward to reading the journal entries!!

"Ke​ep The Faith"

Only 19 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

I made it another day YAY!! The babies have been preforming their usual acrobatics inside. It's just crazy how much they move around. Baby A is head down the lowest pushing right on my bladder. Today C & D were sitting with their heads together, plotting there action plan. And Baby B, the boy, was sitiing in the breach position just off to the right all by himself.

The Doctor today was very positive. She told me with my positive attitude I may just make my ultimate goal of 32 weeks for these babies!!! :)

No visitors today, Olivia ran a fever all day so it was best they stayed home. I talked to everyone on the phone. I sure missed my snuggle time.

Please continue to pray.

"Keep The Faith"

Only 20 days to reach the DoctorsGoal!!!

I lay in this room rubbing my tummy picturing these four miracles I have growing inside me. I tell them how much I love them and that Mommie is going to do all I can to keep them growing inside, where it is warm and safe. The longer I am able to fight to keep them inside the less they will have to fight when they arrive.

Toda​y has been a great day!! I Have not had many contraction​s, which is always good. And as of 9PM looks like it will be my first Terbutaline Shot free day in a while. YAY!!

Hubby and the girls came today. Don made fajitas and brought them to me for dinner. My husband is an awesome cook. He keeps telling me how proud he is of me and to just keep growing the babies, not to worry because they are doing just fine. I am so happy I married my best friend. He has been just amazing, I know he must be stressed, but he sure does a good job of hiding it from me.

Everyday I am thankful for my family, friends and kindness of strangers. Thankful to all those lifting my family up in prayer. Thank-You!!​
"Keep The Faith"

25 weeks today!! 21 Days to the Doctors Goal!!!

WOOH​OO!! 25 weeks!! Every week is a huge deal for the babies development!!

Today was day 21 in the hospital and I have 21 days to reach the goal!! I am still hoping to go further than the Doctors goal, but at 28 weeks the future looks very good for these pumpkins.

I have been having more contraction​s, but that is expected with carrying 4 babies. So I am up to 2 Terbutaline shots daily, but this is still the milder treatment. So let's hope I can hold off on heavier meds for a few more weeks.

Pasto​r Phil from my church came. He lifted me high in prayer which I am so Thankful for.

Please continue to pray, each day I carry these babies is a gift.

"Keep The Faith"

Only 22 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

I think the babies are going to be acrobats. They are more and more active everyday, or maybe I just feel them more because they are getting bigger everyday. At the Ultrasound today 2 of the babies (A & D) had flipped completely around from the day before. I knew they were up to something because I could feel it.

We have a Moms on bedrest group that meets every Thursday for an hour at 1:30. I enjoy going because I love to chat, and it is nice to share stories. It's the only time I get out of my room, so nice to see something different too.

My friend Kristin H came and made me a beautiful pillowcase with "Keep The Faith" on it!! Thank-You I love it!!

My hubby and girls came and we got to be together for 2.5 hours. We ordered pizza for dinner. Alexis had her hand on my tummy and one of the babies (baby C) kept kicking her. Well Alexis grinned from ear to ear and started talking to the baby and she decided baby C is going to be named Samantha. The only name we know for sure right now is the boy, so we will see.

Thanks for continued happy thoughts and prayers!!

"Ke​ep The Faith"

Only 23 days to reach the Doctor Goal!!!

Toda​y when the Doctor did the quick ultrasound 2 of the babies are breach and 2 are head down. What was funnie was that all 4 heads were together right in the middle as if they are already conspiring a plan.

Speaki​ng of Ultrasounds the growth ultrasound is now scheduled for next Wednesday at 1:00PM. That will be a fun 2 hours or so laying on a not so soft table while they measure each baby. I will get an idea of how much each baby weighs, I am very excited for this!!

Yeste​rday morning I got to have a quick visit from Don and Olivia. Olivia had a Doctor Appointment at Childrens and they popped over to see me. It was only for 15 minutes, but it felt sooo good to get a little snuggle kiss and " Love You Mommie". I only wish I could have seen Alexis too.

Pastor Paul stopped in for a visit and prayer. It warms my heart everytime, and brings my spirit up. I feel so comforted.

T​hank-You for the prayers and all of the messages I truly feel blessed!!

"Ke​ep The Faith"

Only 24 days to Reach the Doctors Goal!!

Today is my 18th day at the hospital. I can't believe I have been here that long. Every day I am starting to feel more and more like I am pregnant with more than one baby. I am starting to have a hard time getting out of bed. I joke with the nurses that I am being extra nice now because I know in a week I will need to page them every 10 minutes to help roll me over. :)

I felt a little sad today, I called Alexis' preschool to tell them she would not be attending due to having 4 new babies at home and transportat​ion issues. I left the message hung up and bawled like a baby. Alexis adores Peter Pan preschool and her teachers and it broke my heart that she wont go this year. I have some very nice friends who will make sure she gets picked up for playdates so she will still get out once in a while.

God knows when to send someone to me because shortly after I left the message I had a visitor. A Mom from a local Moms of Multiples group, she heard I was here and was at the hospital and came to say "hi" and let me meet her 3 adorable little girls. They all brought my spirits up and seeing the triplets put me back on focus as to why I am here. Thank-You Niki!!

Thank​-You for continued prayers for the babies, My girls, My Husband and me!!

"Keep The Faith"

Only 25 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!

I get a quick ultrasound everyday now just to make sure all of the babies are still doing well. The Doctor does it when he/she comes around. If I had only 1 or 2 babies they would just use a machine to listen to the heartbeats. With 4 babies it's impossible to know if they are getting all 4 when they are this small. I enjoy seeing the babies everyday. 2 weeks ago all of the babies were head down and lined up next to eachother. Well today baby D is way up under my lung on my left side, and A,B & C are all breach (bottom down).

I am finally starting to feel like it is more than 1 baby in my tummy. Still doesn't feel like 4 babies. They are sooo active, especially in the morning.

I had to have 2 shots of the terbutaline today and yesterday. But that is still milder on the treatments to stop contraction​s. So I am happy about that.

I had visitors today. My friend Helen & Jon & Helens' parents came to see me. They brought me Olive Garden, my favorite!! One of my new hospital bedrest friends stopped in to say "hi". It was so nice to meet you face to face today Lisa.

I am still in good spirits. Not too much longer to the Doctors goal.

Please continue to pray that I am able to carry these babies at least to 28 weeks!!

"Keep The Faith"

Only 26 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!

Today was a good day. My Dad and his wonderful girlfriend, Shirley, came to visit. Shirley gave me a lesson on embroidery and 4 bibs to work on. When I am done with them she will bring me more projects. Thank-You so much, I am excited to have a new skill and have something productive to do while here.

My 3 favorite people also came to visit me, hubby & the girls. They brought me Chinese for dinner, I don't usually eat Chinese but have beeen craving sweet and sour chicken. It was sooo good. The best part about the visit was that Olivia had fallen asleep on the way here and she layed in bed with me and I got to just snuggle her for 45 minutes, I could have held her all day. I sure miss my girls!!

We also made a tough decision to keep Alexis out of preschool this year. With having 4 preemies in home we are really concerned about the risks of RSV. For most of us RSV is just a cold but for preemies it can turn into chronic lung disorders or be fatal. So we are going to be very careful this RSV season which lasts from October - April.

Pleas​e continue to pray!!

"Keep The Faith"

Only 27 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!

Today I got my second steroid shot, the affects start 24 hours after the shot is given. Good news no Terbutaline shot today!!!

Her​es a little fact from baby center about babies at 24 weeks: Babies are almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), they have a pretty lean figure at this point, but thier body is filling out proportiona​lly and they'll soon start to plump up.

My next growth scan to estimate weight will be Moday August 25, 2008. Just over a week away!!

Today Hubby and the girls came to visit for just over an hour. It's so nice to get some snuggle time with the girls.

Thank​-You for the prayers!!

"Ke​ep The Faith"

24 Weeks!!!! 28 days to go!!

Toda​y was a huge milestone I am 24 weeks!! Today is the first day the babies are viable, meaning if they arrived they would have a chance. At 24 weeks it's a 50% chance and every day that percentage gets higher.

I also recieved my first of 2 steroid shots. The second is given 24 hours after the first. This helps aid in lung devolpmet in case they arrive. The shot effects are most effective in the first 7 days after both shots are given. However the effectivene​ss just fades as time goes on but the babies still benefit from them. They give them to someone at high risk at 24 weeks just because it's better to have had them, than to miss the oportunity.

I want to say a special thanks to Debbie & Rachel who surprised me tonight. They showed up to celebrate the 24 week milestone. Rachel made a YUMMY homemade, beautiful cake. And they brought some nice gifts. Thank-You!! I love you both!!

Pasto​r Paul ThankYou for coming and lifting my spirits up high!! Thank- You to my new friend Tammy, I love when you are able to pop over for a visit!!

Plea​se continue the prayers!!

"Ke​ep The Faith"

Only 29 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

YAY I’m in the 20’s for days to go. Today was a good day. I did end up with 2 Terbutaline shots today. Must be the up coming full moon on Saturday. At least that’s what the nurses say that things seem to get more active close to the full moon.



Definition: Terbutaline can relax smooth muscles, like the uterus. Terbutaline treatment is effective, its effect typically lasts no more than 48 hours.




The babies are getting bigger and more active. Kicking all of the time. I’m finally starting to feel like it is more than 1 in there. I still can’t believe it’s 4. The boy is on the right side, he is the biggest and most active. He has the 3 girls pushed off to the left side.




I had some visitors today. My friend Stacy J showed up and brought McDonalds, YUMMY!! Thank-You, Thank-You!! My new bed rest buddy and friend Tammy I came over to visit, she has sitting up privleges. It was so niceto visit with her, I am glad to have made a new friend!! And my 3 favorit people came Don, Alexis & Olivia, they brought me take-out from a local Italian restaurant, so YUMMY!! It was very nice to eat dinner with the family!!




Please Pray for healthy babies!!


“Ke​ep The Faith”

Only 30 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

Wow today has been a good day!! Even though those crazy contraction​s came back and I had the dreaded terbutaline shot at 3:00, it was definitely a good day.



I had so many visitors today that lifted my spirits so high, today just flew by. Thank-You for visiting me to Julie J., Jennifer & Brian T., Pastor Paul, My Hubby, Dawn W. and Paul, Kim & Jacob A. It felt so good to have so many caring people take the time to visit me, and it means so much more to me than I can say that you all came to see me. J J



Here are a few tips I have learned from being on Hospital bed rest so far:



1.Always order extra food at breakfast so you can save it for a mid morning snack
2.The gowns they give for nursing Moms are much better than the regular ones. Use 2 safety pins to close up nursing holes. These gowns do not tie in the back so you are not showing off the tushie to the world.
3.The band for monitoring contraction​s makes a nice bra the rest of the day. Pretty comfy too. And no extra laundry for overworked Hubby.
4.Be nice to all of the staff because it’s the right thing to do and it comes back to you times ten!!
5.Be as positive as possible as time goes faster when you are happy. So enjoy the room service.


That’s all I have so far. More tips to come later.



Thank-You all yet again for the many prayers and well wishes, you have lifted my spirits so high.



Please continue to pray for us!!

Keep The Faith”

Only 31 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

Last night was a shot free night so that makes 3 out of 10 nights I did not need one. Today I was not so lucky, I ended up with the Terbutaline shot just before 5:00PM.

I did get a massage today. In fact I got the last one. Unfortunate​ly due to lack of funding the massage therapy program was cancelled here. Which is unfotunate, because it is really benificial to us Moms on bedrest. The program is up and running at Abbott still where Moms get massages 5 days a week. Apparently they have a couple places that donated big bucks for the service.

My Mom-in-Law and her boyfriend Ed, came to visit me today. They brought me a Yummy dinner of homade fried chicken and cheesey potatos. It was soo nice not to have hospital food. I am so blessed with fantastic in-laws. Thank-You!!​
My little Olivia turns 2 on September 16th, I'll be 28 weeks and 4 days pregnant then. I'm still hoping to pass the Doctors goal. I am reserving a room here that Moms on bedrest get to use for baby showers,to have a small party for her. I know she is little and would not remember Mom having a party late, but I'll remember. Plus it gives me something fun to focus on, a Princess themed party!! :)

Thank-You for all of the prayers and well wishes. I check the journal several times a day and it up lifts my spirits to see so many caring messages.

Pl​ease keep us in your prayers!!

"Ke​ep The Faith"

Only 32 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

Well last night I ended up needing the Terbutaline shot, those darn contraction​s came back. One shot seems to work for me and they gave me a pill to help me sleep with it, Vistaril. My uterus has been a bit “irritable” all day. Feels like the babies are all dancing on my bladder, and doing the twist. All in all I’m doing really well, I’m not on the big meds yet, and only minor discomfort. And of course I have a positive attitude!!! J



I had visitors today, which make time go by faster. Thanks Helen and Jon for coming to see me and bringing some nice romantic comedies for me to watch. Also my 3 favorite people surprised me with a visit, Don, Alexis and Olivia!!! The girls really wanted to see mom when they got done with school so they went out to eat and surprised me this evening. They stayed for a half hour, they made my whole day. I’ll sleep good tonight!! J



Thanks for all of the prayers please continue to pray for us to reach 28 weeks!!

“Keep the Faith

Only 33 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

I am happy to report that last night ended up being a terbutalin shot free night, YAY!!



Hubby and girls showed up today for a surprise visit, it really made my day!! This morning while I was sleeping a friend of mine, Kathie, stopped by and dropped of a gift of magazines and candy. Thank-You your thoughtfuln​ess is much appreciated. Definitely gives me other things to do to pass time. Please come visit anytime I love to have company!! J



Some facts from Baby Center about babies at 23 weeks gestation: Babies are more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango).




A few facts I calculated:​



Cost of first year of Raising Quads



Diapers 8-10 diapers per baby per day

Average cost per month for disposables = $288 First year = $3456

I think I will try to use cloth as much as possible



Formula 8 bottles a day per baby

Average cost per month for formula = $420 First year = $5040

I’m going to pump and use as much breast milk as possible



Clothing at least 14 outfits in each size per baby

At least 56 outfits in each size average cost per size = $400

Enough for 1 year NB, 3M, 6M, 9M, 12M = $2000

That’s just the bare minimum

(I love going to garage sales, thank goodness)


WOW!!!



Just the minimum necessities = $10496



Please continue to pray we reach the doctors 28 week goal!!

Only 34 days to reach the Doctors Goal!!!

I got to see my girls today. That is the best medicine ever. They came and ate lunch with me and stayed for about an hour and a half.


I ended up not needing my nightly shot of terbutalin last night, which was a nice change of pace. I wonder if this has anything to do with the hormone injection I got on Thursday. My highly intelligent husband researched some studies done on giving progesteron​e injections to women at high risk for pre-term labor. Now these studies were on singleton and twin pregnancies and the hormones injections seem to prolong the pregnancy. So I asked my Doctor and he said there isn’t any new research on higher order multiples but it will not hurt me or the babies, so he prescribed weekly injections. I figure if it can’t hurt and could possibly help, why not!!??

It has been another good day. I am starting to get full easy, the babies take up so much room. So I will have to start eating many mini meals to keep my nutrients up.

Thank-You for all of the prayers, please continue to pray for 4 healthy babies to arrive no sooner than September 12th.

23 weeks today!! Only 35 days to the Doctors Goal!!

It feels so nice to hit the 23rd week, I can’t believe I am this far. I still can’t believe I am going to have 4 babies at once. Right now I feel like I am 9 months pregnant with 1 active baby. Alexis was sooo active, this is how I felt right before she was born. I do not think it will hit me that there are 4 until they all arrive.



My Doctor said I always seemed so happy and seemed a bit puzzled. I told him that being happy and positive makes happy babies. All is good except these crazy contraction​s, I just say I have perfect babies and a naughty uterus. I know it is only a matter of time and I will be hooked up on Magnesium Sulfate. I hope that can wait a few weeks. That medicine has horrible side effects. My Doctor mentioned that I had lost some weight, and I told him I eat all of the time, and yesterday my hubby brought me my Ensure Plus shakes. So hopefully I’ll be back on the weight gain side soon. I am up 39 pounds so far. The book I am reading suggests being up 60 lbs by 28 weeks. That is my minimum goal, I want to get these babies as big as I can, since they will be born so early.



Today is a good day!! My friend Lisa N was in the area and stopped in for a quick visit this morning. It was so nice to have company. Thanks for taking time to visit me!! And my friend Kristin H stopped by this afternoon for a visit. Thank-you for the necklace the wording on it “Keep the faith” will be my inspiration. I feel so blessed to have such caring friends to take the time to stop in it sure made my day to have both of you visit me!!!



My very wonderful sister-in-l​aw stopped in to cheer me up. Thank-You Dawn. And one of my Pastors from our church came. Thank-You Pastor Phil, I feel so uplifted in prayer and you brought my spirits up. I know we are blessed and hope and pray that Gods plan is for us to have these 4 healthy babies. What a good day!!



Please continue the prayers for our babies to keep growing!!

Admitted to the hospital

As of August 2nd, 2008 at 22 weeks I have been admitted to the hospital.

20 Weeks with Quads

The Dr. Visit: Well today was set up to be a quick OB check up. They checked my cervix with the stitch in it is now 1.4cm, so it went from .48. everything looked good with a quick peek at the babies too.

The Doctor visit got a little long because I have a terrible cold that I caught right when I got home. Yucky coughing fits, so have been avoiding answering the phone so I don’t cough people’s ear off. Hopefully I’ll be better by the weekend. To be safe the doctor put me on antibiotics just to make sure I get no bacteria growing, and some extra strength cough medicine. She does not want me to tear my stitch from coughing so hard.

I also was having cramping, they wanted to monitor me for contractions. So ended up hooked up to a monitor for an hour to see if there were contractions, thankfully there were none. So I got sent back home, YAY!! The Doctor I saw today agrees with the one who released me that I will be back to stay at the hospital for the duration in about 3 – 4 weeks. So I am going to enjoy every moment of bed-rest at home for now!!

Keep the prayers coming!!
My next appointment will be Monday July 28th 2008, they will be doing baby measurements!! :)