Tuesday, July 9, 2013

The BIG day... The Game Changer... The Keel BOYS are here!!


July 8, 2013... the BOYS are here! Well, they've been here for 7 months now. I CANNOT believe how fast the time goes. I have completely neglected my blog since the last few weeks of my pregnancy which ended seamlessly thankfully. I did in fact go full term with the boys. I was induced on December 12th hoping to just sail right in labor and pop those little babies out on the coolest day of the year, 12/12/12... but no, God had different plans. And here is how it all went down...
Our scheduled induction was for 6am on the 12th. The night before, well actually the entire day before, I was a mess. I think cried from the second I got up to the second I fell asleep that night. You see, my pregnancy was one of, if not the best experience of my life. Adam and I tried to get pregnant for 3 years, we would try and try, fail, stop trying out of frustration or because we thought “a break” would help, and then try and try again. Throughout those three years I cannot say it was a miserable or depressing time because of the struggle, it was actually a lot of fun. We took trips and vacations and really just played hard as a couple. Looking back, I am really blessed we had that time and I wouldn't do it any different.

Finding out I was pregnant was a moment I will never forget, I think I peed on like 20 sticks, all different brands just to be certain I was in fact seeing what I was seeing correctly... then TWINS! Stop it right now. If that is not a “God is SO good” and “be still and let God take the reigns” example, I don't know what is.

My entire life I have fought God on control, actually, I still do. I am a perfectionist, anxious, doubtful, insecure, ball of stress most of the time. I fight constantly to stay on top of life and keep all my juggling balls from falling on the ground. Why I exert so much energy to do this when God is right there saying “hello, jame, let me take a load off,” I will never know. Because have been hardwired that way I suppose.

The moment that Dr. Gaiser said, “Jaime, you are going to have twins!” a slide show of all of my efforts to become a Mom just flashed thru my mind. For 3 years I tried to control this miracle I wanted so badly only to find out that letting go and giving it to God would give me my answered prayer times TWO.

Getting back on track here...Dec.11th, the day before the big day. All day I paced, I fretted, I worried that because my 9 months of pregnancy were such a breeze that something just had to go wrong-- isn't that how its supposed to go?-- Mrs. Worrier/Anxious kicking in. I remember just sitting and rubbing my belly crying, thinking I don't want this to go away. I don't want to lose this belly that I prayed for. I don't want to lose the last 9 months of wishing and thinking and dreaming of what is in there.. boys, girls, both. I don't want to face being a Mom, because what if I fail? I can control this belly, its all compact and safe and I have control. Having my babies is out of my control, I have no idea what I'm doing. How do I do it perfectly? How will I look after? Will they be ok? Safe, Healthy? For an entire day I paced and I fretted all these things and thoughts. I cried, ALOT. Bedtime rolled around and I couldn't sleep, I tossed and turned and looked at the clock. I woke up way before the alarm went off and got myself up and ready. Who doesn't want to look beautiful to meet their babies for the first time?

I was told not to eat much, so I ate a banana-- I wasn't even hungry. I was so nervous. I held Adam's hand all the way to the hospital. It was dark out, with some light snow on the ground. Coming to the hospital was surreal... I had basically lived there for the last 9 months. Three times a week getting ultra sounds and check ups in the high risk ward of the maternity wing. Again, more tears. Tears of joy, tears of closing a chapter. I was huge, waddling in my sweats and sweatshirt up to the 3rd floor.
 

 

After admitted I was checked into our room. “Strip down and put on your gown, we will back in a minute to break your water and get you going”... here we go! That was 6am...
 
 

12/12/12 @ 7pm. I had seen women come and go, heard babies cry, seen about 10 different nurses, had my pitocin increased like 30 times, walked, bounced, laid down, sat up, toss and turned, peed like 40 times, ate about two dozen icees, drank a million sprites, but, still had not caved for the epideral. I was no wuss, I could do this, I'm tough as nails, BALLS TO THE FLIPPING WALL people-- watch me!

Both babies were still head down and doing just great, no fluctuations to their heart rate and I was just sailing along with hardly ANY progress. By 7:30pm my doctor came in and told me that her 12 hour shift was over done and she was heading home... her prediction... I was going to have 12/13 babies. Um, excuse me? That's not in my plan actually Doctor, so you need to do whatever you can to make these two come out like 3 hours ago please and thank you. Well, I'm sure the look on my face was “crank that pitocin up now, lets get this show on the road” because before she left she told my nurse, give her more. And that my friends DID THE TRICK.

By 8pm I was like a damn cat crawling up the wall trying to rip the ceiling tiles out begging for my epideral. Well, like us, everyone in Columbus and the surrounding area were planning on having a 12/12/12 baby so we just got on the epideral train and waited...and waited. Basically we waited until my ovaries were kickboxing and the babies were chewing thru my vagina. Yep, that sums the sensation up nicely.

Finally my hero came in the room... Grace. Yes, my anesthesiologist's name was Grace-- is that not the most perfect name ever for a true savior? I am pretty sure I told her that like 12 times as she was ramming a needle in my spine. But Holy hail Mary, what do they put in that spine cocktail. It was like Meth for my cord. I was instantly all smiles. By the time the epideral was in, I was 7cm dialated and 100% effaced. Took about 20 minutes after that for me to have my legs in the stirrups and my mirror all ready to rock and roll. Oh but wait, wait a minute... I don't feel so good. Nope, not good at all. I'm gonna throw up... I need a bucket, hurry!!!!!! 2 dozen icees comin right up, literally. And every 5 minutes after that we were in the “epideral reaction puking death warzone.”

[Isn't this an awesome time so far?]

12/12/12 @ 11pm.

“At the next contraction we need to you push like you are taking a huge poop”... LOL wtf? They didnt tell me THAT in birthing class! Ok, um actually that makes me think I will poop and “aint nobody got time for that!” What's plan B.. I'll take that one. “Jaime plan B is a c-section” ohhhh okay, yaaa lets go ahead and poop our pants then.

Contraction 1... push, bear down, Jaime pushhhhh... and breathe. And here we go again, and again, and again... fast forward to 12/13 @3am. Okay Jaime, Baby A's head is down, we need you to push slowly so we can get him situated. Push slowly... lady I am basically dead here, I've puked my insides out, shit all over the table, can't keep my eyes open, and you want me to try and figure out how to push slowly... Lord help me. Well, the pushing slowly ended up with Baby A's head turning transverse, so guess what they did... PUSHED HIM ALL THE WAY BACK IN. “How about them apples!!!??” “We need a c-section room prepped right now stat!” I heard them say. Adam immediately got on the phone notifying all our family. It was 12/13@ 3:30am at this point. 21 HOURS of labor.

I honestly do not remember most of the prepping for me to get into the surgery room. I remember being wheeled into the cold, SUPER BRIGHT room. I remember being told to cross my arms over my chest so that they could hoist me onto the surgery table and I remember continuing to throw up every 2 minutes, by only being able to turn my head sideways and not lift it up at all – horrible, let me tell you.

Fast forward maybe 5 minutes I think, Baby A is here... A boy! Beautiful, crying his head off... and 3 minutes later, Baby B is here... another BOY!!! Oh my God, God is good!! And mommy was right all along... two beautiful Boys. My whole heart lying in two tiny incubators. A moment I will never forget. A moment I will cherish as long as I live. Adam and I were so tired, and so full of joy and just in tears. They handed Adam both little boys and he was beaming-- his little buddies. And so our new life begins, as Parents, Role Models, Best Friends, and Leaders of two new lives. So blessed, so in love and SO ready to sleep... LOL fat chance!

 

Born 12/13/12 @ 3:45am and 3:48am
A: Weston Maxwell Keel 6lbs 5oz 19 inches long
B: Ryan Jackson Keel 5lbs 11oz 19 inches long 
 


 



Sunday, November 25, 2012

random pics

35weeks

double duty!!

pregnancy carpal tunnel- lovely

NST(non stress tests) tests- three times a week

 

36 weeks!! -- 6 days to FULL TERM!!

I'm just over 36 weeks. 37 weeks is considered "full term" for twins. The last couple weeks I wondered if I'd make it to this week, now I'm praying I make it to Saturday. From there, I'm sure Ill be doing a lot more wishing. After a long couple discussions with my OB and the twins doctor, we have decided to get me to the 37 week mark and then we will just wait and see what happens. For the health of the babies they will induce me if I have made it to 38.5 weeks with no labor signs. I kind of hope I can get to at least 38 weeks, just because I'm not totally thrilled about the inducing part of it. Both babies are head down, so there is no need for a c-section. Can't wait for my first crotch shot after those babies come plowing out... it will look like leftovers :(
How do I feel?
Really, and truthfully I feel really good. I am not anxious to not be pregnant anymore or miserable or anything like that. I feel pressure now, it feels like someone put a bag of heavy marbles in my bladder and I'm being forced to carry them around.  Its not painful really, more annoying. And if I wasn't so close to delivering I may not even think about it-- but because labor signs are always on my mind, its hard to not think about the way that feels.
Labor Signs?
I have been having contractions, although not a ton, maybe 5 a day and they come and release quickly without pain or anything. Just a tightness that subsides.  I am dialated to 3cm and effaced 75%. Because I'm being monitored for contractions during my NST tests three times a week- they are sure that the dialation must be coming from the heaviness of the babies and less from the contractions.  Something I learned is that dialation and effacement dont necessarily mean labor is coming quick- it is more just a sign of my body prepping for labor. So, with that, I say "PREP AWAY!!!!" the less I have to dialate before delivery the better.  I am still going to the gym as many days a week as I can, I feel like it keeps my endurance up, and has definately helped with carrying this heavy load thruout pregnancy.
Anxious, Excited, Nervous?
I am SO excited to meet my babies!! I'm so excited to hear "its a ____!!!" -- and now I couldnt be even more happy I waited to find out the genders of my babies.
I am a little nervous and anxious to just be a new mom of not only 1 but 2 babies-- there are certainly perks to not knowing the difference and being able to only focus on them, but I do wish I had a little insight on what to expect.  I am thankful for my several girlfriends that have twins already to help me.
What's left on the checklist?
Not a whole lot left to check off. I have cleaners coming to tomorrow to scrub my house. We are putting the monitors up tonight, and that completes the babies room. We did a huge Sams Club shop. We have all our gear put together. We are registered at the hospital and have our birth plan. Have all the doctors ready for our call. Adam and I are just enjoying some "us" time before the big day!! I have a hair appt and nail appt next week-- probably my last for a long while. 
Funny enough, we still havent nailed down all 3 name combo's-- guess thats a big one!! HAHA

All in all, I am really in a great place. I've had an awesome pregnancy, praise God-- he's helped me thru the whole process, and we have two healthy babies ready to be here very soon!
Prayers for another week or two left before they arrive.

~~ Jaime

Sunday, November 11, 2012

34 week stats

How far along? 34 weeks


Total weight gain: I've lost a little-- ill take it thank you. 29lbs


Maternity clothes? Thanks to the cooler weather, hoodie sweatshirts, thermal shirts and jeans are my go to. I absolutely hate anything that cuts across my belly, even if its not tight-- it drives me nuts!


Stretch marks? no


Skin, Hair & Nails: Hair great, nails  super, skin is dry but its still ok


Sleep:  I'm sleeping just "ok".. still battling indigestion- can't wait to not have that anymore!


Worst part of the week: Maybe just feeling nervous that these babies are going to charge outta me before they are ready. All in my head, I know, but its a weird nervous feeling  that I have brought upon myself due to what I've seen happen to friends.

Miss anything? honestly I've become to used to being pregnant I can't even remember what its like to not be pregnant. I feel really good. Missing laying on my back and stretching out normally I guess.


Movement: they bulldoze their way around in my belly non-stop... and now its causing me to be in my  non-stress tests longer because we can get them to sit still.


Food cravings:  pudding, rice, whole milk, nutrigrain bars


Anything making you queasy or sick: still the smell of eggs being cooked- gag!!  and talking about food excessively is nauseating-- for example planning thanksgiving menu... please excuse me.


Gender: surprise!! I cannot wait!!


Labor signs: very tolerable contractions. I do feel like my belly is dropping a little but no one agrees with me.


Symptoms: indigestion, contractions, that pigment line that runs down your belly.

Belly button in or out? I think its more out than in now.

Can you see your toes? not a chance,


Happy or moody most of the time: I'm pretty happy most always :)

Looking forward to: My due date!! 12/12/12... but for now, get me to DEC. 1

34+ weeks update...

I CANNOT believe that I am 34 weeks already. I really cannot. However, I really do have a very hard time remembering how it was to be not pregnant. I do miss a lot about not being pregnant, but I can honestly say that this pregnancy has been REALLY REALLY easy and so smooth.  I feel VERY lucky to be able to say that because I know that pregnancy can be tough as hell for some, and especially with multiples. I have prayed everyday throughout the last 8 months for strength and truly believe God has answered my prayers. I would definitely have another baby... BABY as in single child in the future... Adam doesnt know this yet :)  So as of now, I have 4 weeks left until induction. I can TOTALLY do that, I am almost a little scared to not be pregnant anymore. Not so much because of motherhood kicking in full force, but I think it might feel a little confusing after adapting to such a lifestyle for the last almost year. Does that sound weird?  If the doctor told me I need to hang on for a couple more months, I might actually say ok. 

I will admit, I am TERRIFIED, SCARED TO DEATH of going into preterm labor and having my babies be in NICU. It makes me sick to think about it. I have absolutely no reason for this to be crossing my mind. Its my own fault that I google stupid shit freak myself out-- I have to stop that.
Supposedly I am at a great milestone at 34 weeks... I dont know if I agree. I mean, yes, if i were to deliver now they would be totally okay and maybe only be in the NICU for a quick time, but a quick time is still TOO long for me.  I pray that I can chug along to my due date at 38.5 weeks. Both babies are head down and seem to not really move from that position, at least they havent in the last 8 weeks. Thats fabulous, because I'm also hoping I can get this done without a csection.

2 weeks ago I had my two steroid shots. These were prescribed by the baby's doctors as a precautionary measure due to the twins being on the larger side.  Larger is good, but it also means that without knowing what my body can handle, they may come earlier than 38.5wks and they want the babies to be at optimal lung health. So cool, I went and did that...UM HOLY MOTHER OF MARY... could that shot have hurt anymore? Uh,..NO. First of all, its a refrigerated solution, so its ice cold and its the consistency of glue. Furthermore, you have to bend over so your butt is rock hard tight and then they ram that sucker right in your cheek. Whatever it takes right??!!

Now that the steroid shots are done and we are into the homestretch, I am having appts 3 times a week to monitor the babies. Once a week with my OB to do cervical checks and twice with the babies doctors to have scans and Non-Stress Tests.  The stress tests monitor how the babies hearts can regulate to stress and my contractions over an hour time span . So basically if I have a contraction they then look at how the babies heart rates spiked and regulated normally. They do want to see some jump and regulation on the babies but not an obsessive amount, because ideally they would really love to see NO contractions from me. Well, thats not happening, I'm contacting every day randomly. Its not abnormal, I guess... My OB and the specialists are telling me that since this is my first pregnancy, and on top of it carrying twins that are 5+ lbs a piece already my uterus is pretty much pissed off all the time. So its contracting due to the weight and mass getting larger by the day.
I am only dilated 1cm and effaced 50% -- both are great stats considering I'm over 34wks now and the babies are on the large side.

We are still scheduled for induction on 12/12/12, but I am getting mixed feedback from my doctors on whether we can make it there. I would love to at least get to Dec.1, so that is my personal goal. I'd be thrilled to make it to 12/12, but I've decided to take it all in baby steps so it doesnt seem like such a pipe dream.

Overall, I feel really lucky, despite all the rings I've jumped through lately. I have a couple girlfriends here that are really struggling in their pregnancy with their twins and I just feel so helpless that I cant do more for them. I thank God everyday that I make it another day.

On a lighter note, I am completely DONE with my "before twins" checklist. We put together our massive double stroller last night, and set up the monitors. Next up is Thanksgiving, followed by decorating early for Christmas and a cleaning crew to get our house in tip top shape before we bring our little Christmas bundles home. Get me to DECEMBER!!!

~~Jaime

Sunday, October 28, 2012

32 week stats!

How far along? 32 weeks

Total weight gain: 32lbs 

Maternity clothes? I am hating clothes in general lately. I have maternity clothes that fit, but I'm sick of them, and I hate to buy more. So, instead, I pretend to fit into my old clothes and layer about 4 shirts over jeans with boots. done.

Stretch marks? nope, halleluiah!

Skin, Hair & Nails: no complaints there. I feel grateful i havent had to deal with breakouts- id die.

Sleep: I hate sleeping. Actually I shouldnt say I hate it, id love to be able to sleep!!! I would love to sleep on my back, soundly. Instead, I have to sleep sitting up, while wearing wrist splints, and a belly band. The wrist splints are for the lovely carpal tunnel I have gotten and the belly band is to help relieve the round ligament pain I get at night. Its quite a sight.

Worst part of the week: I would say the day of our Baby Basics class. I left excited but totally overwelmed and cried the whole way home. Thank you hormones.

Miss anything? I just want to lay on my back and stretch out and get a regular massage. I dont miss any particular foods or drinks really. I do miss feeling energetic at the gym. I cant wait to ditch the indigestion and carpal tunnel!!

Movement: They never QUIT!  I'm surprised they are still head down, because I swear I feel them flip flop.

Food cravings:  pumpkin anything. pudding. Pears.

bananas. frosted mini wheats.

Anything making you queasy or sick: the smell of eggs being cooked- gag!!  Lately just talking about food makes me sick. I am so over food really, it all make me not feel so hot, so in return I could care less about it.

Gender:  surprise... I cant wait!!!  We are finally finalizing names. Has it taken us long enough!!

Labor signs: I get contractions ALL THE TIME!! They dont worry me, but they arent comfortable!

Symptoms: indigestion, heartburn,braxton hicks, carpal tunnel.

Belly button in or out? i wouldnt say its out, but its not in and its not paper flat anymore. Its not a pretty little button anymore :(

Can you see your toes? HAHA is that joke?

Happy or moody most of the time: I feel pretty good most always. I feel like I  have cried more lately just feeling a little nervous that I am not prepared. The delivery and all that doesnt worry me,its bringing them home I am worried about.

Looking forward to: My due date!! 12/12/12

32 weeks! ... apparently this is a milestone

I'm officially over the 32 week mark by a shade. What can I say about it?... Well, I guess I can be thankful that I still feel awesome for the most part. My belly is huge!! I would even say that huge is an understatement. I swear my belly grows straight out by the second. I have no idea how my stomach muscles are even supporting it. I still am getting to the gym every morning, although I'm taking much longer to get it all done as I move at an incredibly slow pace.  The babies are moving constantly!! It seems like they are taking turns. One day twin B is break dancing all day and the next, twin A is doing summersalts and back flips. Thankfully they are both still head down, so my hopes for NO c-section could be a reality.
Monday we went in for our hospital tour. That was really fun. We got to see the normal labor and delivery rooms, nursery, OR room for c-sec, NICU, and the areas that guests and family can stay. The hospital we will deliver at is called Riverside Methodist. Apparently they had a maternity/L&D reality show filmed there a couple years ago. Its a pretty awesome hospital, #1 in the state for labor and delivery. I do feel really safe there. Only thing I wish I could change about my delivery would be that I would be able to labor and deliver in a normal birthing room rather than an OR room.  No matter the delivery method I have, I will have to be in an OR, just in case of an emergency C-sec.  Its ok, I can deal with a cold sterile room for the health of the twins.
We had our normal weekly doctor appt on Thursday. We got some EXCITING news!!
Induction is on the books and scheduled for Dec.12th !!
If the babies decide to come sooner, the doctor said she hopes they chose to come after Thanksgiving so that they are almost full term. But on the 12th, we will be 2 days away from 39 weeks and ready to get them outta this belly!! I am pretty convinced they wont come on their own. They love it in my big warm belly and have no plans of moving out.  I kind of like having a date to look forward to. 12/12 is a cool birthay. I would never have dreamed my delivery would fall on that day. Very cool!!
Saturday we had another baby prep class. This class was targeted towards dads, but was informative for me too. The class was called Baby Basics. It taught diaper changing, cord care, circumsition care, swaddling, feeding, sleeping, bathing... on and on. Great class, and I know Adam learned alot.
I am still working on getting all the necessities for the twins arrival. I think I have it all, but I think of some random things while I lay usually not sleeping and thinking.
I just finished reading a book called Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins and it has me wondering how this whole breast feeding thing is going to go down. I hope its not rocket science. Back up, Ill pump and supplement with formula. I dont know how some women make so much milk they can freeze it!! WARRIORS!
Look at this badass mama... breastfeeding while holding a machette!! I wonder if she could be my lactation consultant?

What else?? Holidays are coming up! So excited for that. The weather has been PERFECT Fall weather. I love it so much!!!!
Speaking of, my maternity pictures turned out great. I had them done in this gorgeous metro park by our house. The leaves were all different colors and the setting couldnt have been better for the look I wanted. I get the disk next week so I can put a few pictures up.

Tomorrow we have our 1st of 6 anatomy scans at the hospital. I cant wait to see my little peanuts!!
~~Jaime