19 Weeks

Daddy is home! Yeah! He was definitely missed by all of us! Well, I am still battling with my blood pressure going low. Today it got to 83/49 with a pulse of 101. I get light headed, confused, dizzy and bad headaches when it goes low. So, the doctor says I need to increase water again and SALT everything! Yuk! My horoscope today was "A growth spurt is coming in your personal life--you can expect some growing pains." Boy, is that true! Yesterday I was having a bad day with reflux. But, got a package from my sister full of adorable baby girl clothes. It sure made my day easier going through all the cute clothes. Thanks Deb! My maternity pants and shorts have gotten too tight. I have resorted to Josh's boxers and just wearing them VERY low. It makes for an interesting wardrobe now. Thanks everyone for your prayers and support.

18 w 5 d Doctor's Visit

So much to update! Where do I start? How about I get to what everyone has been waiting for...genders!

Baby A - Girl - Makaila Rae
Baby B -Girl - Hannah Lee
Baby C - Girl - Samantha Marie
and last but definately not least............

Baby D - Girl - Sandra Mae

I was literly shaking on the table when it was confirmed that we were having 4 GIRLS!!!! I am still in shock! As is Josh! We already have a bunch of boys clothes. I guess I will have to add lace to them. ha ha I was is such shock and exhausted that I forgot the DVD and pictures of the ultrasound. Sorry, we'll have to wait until Monday so Josh can pick them up and post them for all to see the precious divas!

They all are growing, very active and have very strong heart beats! However, Sandra Mae still needs the extra prayers as she is smaller than her sisters. The doctor thinks she will just be a petite baby but needs extra attention right now. I am having to increase my water (a gallon a day is not enough! ugh!), my fried foods (bring on the grease) and calories (is that possible?). I have been having a horrible time with acid reflux! I finally get over morning sickness and now this! Believe it or not, I think the morning sickness was easier to handle. The doctor has ordered me a hospital bed and special matress for home. I hope that helps! I also need to test my blood sugars 4 times a day for 4 days a week since I am further along and have potential to have higher levels now. I now will be checking blood presure and pulse twice a day instead of once. I will wear stockings to help blood circulation also. I now will be seeing the doctor every 1 1/2 weeks. I will be having to use a wheelchair from now on since the walk is too much for me and raised my blood pressure out of the roof. The doctor was pleased with how I am obeying her and is happy with how I am doing. She wants to keep me home as much as possilbe and out of the hospital. Good thing we are on the same page. She did say that it would be probably due to Samantha Mae that would get me in the hospital and probably even deliver early. So get those prayers going!

It was a long day! Karianne came over and broght Maxine home and then dove us to the appointment. Thanks Karianne! After the 3 1/2 hour appointment the camera crew followed us home and videod me telling Josh over Skype about the 4 princesses! One comment he made was "that is a lot of Easy Bake Ovens!"

Feeling Good!

Our friends Jonathan and Karrieanne came by for another visit and to mow our HUGE yard today. It was great chatting with them and we appreciate their help. They took Maxine with them to play with their Black Lab for a few days. I hope she enjoys her extended play date! I have been feeling pretty good lately. I have had no contractions the last couple days either. The only issue now is that I have grown over my ribs and they hurt! I feel that I gorw every day! My stomach is constantly stretching! But for those who keep asking, still no stretch marks!

18 Weeks

My blood pressure seems to have regulated. What a difference! I feel so much better and apparently look better! For all those who have worried about hurricane Dolly, we are safe. She turned and hit more South than first anticipated. We have been having HEAVY wind and rain lately though. 5 more days until I get to see the kids again. And 7 days until I get to see their Daddy! I am on count down mode. ha ha Maxine has been unruly lately. She recently has eaten two throw rugs and actually even ate the carpet on the stairs today. With Daddy gone, me on bed rest, strangers visiting and the weather her world has been turned upside down. I hope she becomes the good girl she once was when Daddy gets home! Today I had a phone conference with a nutritionist. The mothers have been doing great on the meal planning because the nurse said we are doing great!

Another Scary Night

Yesterday was a difficult day for me. It started with me getting very sick and ended with me still being sick. My blood pressure dropped to 85 over 48. I was seeing stars, had a horrible headache and was dizzy. I ended up having to call my doctor and she took me off my blood pressure medicine. I have always have had low blood pressure but was put on the medicine to help control contractions. We are going to see what happens off the medicine and deal with the contractions when they get more often. My blood pressure is starting to rise back to normal and I feel so much better today!
On the bright side, Jonathan (a co-worker of Josh's) and Karrianne (his wife) came by yesterday. Jonathan was sweet enough to mow our lawn for us since Josh is gone and our yard is huge. The poor guy! The 3 of us played a dice game. I lost, so you know I wasn't feeling good. ha ha Karrianne babysat me while Josh's mom was able to run errends. It was nice to have a change of pace. Thanks Jonathan and Karrianne. It is much appreciated!

Picture Poster to the Rescue

We are at Seventeen weeks and a day now! Teri is really looking great! I wish I could be there to feel the babies move. At least we have been able to see each other via Skype every night. I haven't decided what kind of souvenirs to get for the babies from Florida yet, but I will. I am really excited about the home monitoring service that we have now. It really takes alot of the guesswork out of what is going on with Teri's body. Only thirteen days and I get to go home, I can't wait!

Abdomen Pain and Pressure

Last night I was having some discomfort and pressure in my lower abdomen. So, I put on the monitor for an hour. The nurse called and said it looked good. I talked to her about what I was feeling and she wanted me to do another monitor. The second results showed one contraction and uterine irritability. My pressure was now turning into pain that made me grimace. The nurse then decided to call my doctor and update her. Dr. Palmer said that I was having round ligament pain. Ouch! Basically the ligaments that hold my uterus are stretching and can be very painful. So, I've learned the less I move the less pain I have. Have I mentioned that I drink at least a gallon of fluids a day? So, I move a lot to use the restroom. This should be interesting! The kids kept me awake late into the night. They were so active. They absolutely hate the monitor so they were probably getting back at me for using it 3 times yesterday. It is actually fun to feel who is moving and when. It gets interesting when all 4 get going though! I hope to get a current picture posted soon. With Josh gone it is more difficult. He is the picture poster. 13 more days he should be home. He is really missing us now especially since I am feeling the kids so much lately. Maxine has been acting up with him gone too and dosen't like to listen to G-Ma.

Fabulous News

I got great news yesterday! A nurse came to the house and gave me a home uterine activity monitor. The great news is that the company decided not bill me or our insurance for the services. I am so very grateful! The nurse was here almost 2 hours. She was very thorough and informative. I feel that I had a full physical exam, it was great! I got to hear all 4 babies heart beats by Doppler. Baby C was the most active last night. I now have to test my pulse and blood pressure at least daily. I have to at least wear the monitor (like a big belt) twice a day for an hour each time. It will test for contractions and fetal movement. Then it gets sent by phone to the head quarters for eval. They then call me with results and inform my doctor when neccessary. I also have bed exercises that I need to do that will help prevent nerve damage while on bed rest. One of the best things about the service is that it comes with a support line. They have 24 hour labor and delivery nurses just waiting for me to call them. The nurse explained to me bed rest; I am allowed 10 minute daily showers and to go potty. I am only allowed to sit up at at 30 degree incline (not very far). I got such support and reassurance, it was awesome. Please keep the prayers and calls coming, they all seem to help.

Busy Weekend

Josh & I were selected to have our pregnancy documented by a new show called The Doctors Show. It is a spin off of the Dr. Phil show and will start in the Fall. We have been periodically doing video diaries. But Saturday a camera crew spent the day at our house following us. Needless to say, I was exhausted by the end of the day. I also want to add that Josh is meant to be in front of a camera, he is a pro. Watch out Matt Damon.
Sunday morning Josh had to leave to drive to Pensicola FL for 3 weeks. I am very sad that he had to go. He will miss the next ultra sound, me feeling the first kicks and so much more! This will be the hardest separation we have to go through. He is my everything and the one who really helps me get day by day. I miss him dearly. Yes, I have an issue and need a tissue.

Playdate at the Doctor's

We had a great doctor's visit yesterday. It was basically a three hour session of watching the babies have playtime. We were able to see fingers, toes, vertebrae, ribs, ears, kidneys, bladders, and all four chambers of their hearts. It was the most amazing thing we have ever seen! They all weigh four ounces right now, which means we have a full pound of babies. Baby B kept trying to push its head into all the ultrasounds. I think we have our show-off! Baby D was taking a beating from all the other babies. It was kicked or punched at least once by each of the other three babies. We can't wait to see what happens next time!

Teri has gained five pounds the last week and a half, which made the doctor happy. However, she did increase Teri's food intake yet again. Teri has also been prescribed another medication which brings our pill count up to forty-six per day! Teri's home uterine monitor should be here within the next week and a half. The doctor also told us the best way to make it to thirty weeks and beyond is to stay in bed as much as possible. Even though she is doing very well, we are cutting her activity level to a minimum. We are about twelve hours into bed rest, and she hates it already. Our doctor has been very proactive, and I have to say that really makes me happy. Our next doctor's visit is in three weeks.

I hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July. We went to a friends house for a barbecue and dip in the pool. Yeah, I got to get in the pool. Luckily, we were home before the fireworks started because Maxine didn't like them. We had a good view from our front porch of the local firework show.
Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment! I am so excited! I can't wait to see them and what they are doing. I woke up today with a bad headache that progressively got worse as the day went on. I am hoping I don't have it tomorrow during my long appointment. So, tomorrow we'll have pictures and updates.

Car Seats (Trouble)

The good news is we got all the car seats in the Yukon. The bad news is that we have no place to put the strollers, and getting to the Baby in the back seat on the driver's side is going to be very difficult. We are going to have to either take two cars everywhere, or we are going to have to find covers for the strollers and strap them to the top of the truck. Even that won't help us make sure we can get to all the babies. Not to mention, as soon as the babies grow out of these carseats we won't be able to fit all four in the Yukon. Can you say minivan? We really love the Yukon, but it may not be practical for the five years extra we wanted to keep it. Does anyone know a minivan that can pull a 5000 lb boat and trailer?

New Changing Table and a New Belly Picture!

It was a fun day today! We received new changing tables, and they are so adorable. One is already put together and it looks great in the nursery. Speaking of looking great, the baby belly has grown an inch in the last five days.

Change of Command

Today we are having a change of command ceremony. My mother is handing her duties over to Josh's mom, who flew in today from out of state. My mom will be flying out tomorrow since we are having a hail and farewell dinner tonight at Red Lobster. Thanks mom for your continued help and support.

My blood sugars have been so good lately that the other night I decided to treat myself. I really wanted pickles dipped in chocolate frosting (a favorite prior to pregnancy. Don't knock it until you try it!). But instead had pretzels dipped in frosting. My blood sugars went high after the snack and I will not be able to treat my sweet tooth until after the babies are here.
Is it July 8th yet? This is a question I constantly am asking Josh. It is my next long ultra sound appointment, where we will hopefully see what kind we are having. ha ha For those who know me, I usually shake or even open birthday and Christmas presents way before I am allowed. So, not knowing what we are having is driving me crazy! I hope they co-operate and show us!

The heat has been bad lately! Being from California I am not used to this hot humid weather! I am inside a lot lately but when I do go out it's difficult with the extra weight, size, belly brace, Crocs (instead of my favorite flip flops) and big bulky bras, I am extremely hot and sweaty!