Never A Dull Moment

Excited

2012-01-25T13:41:00.000-06:00

I got a little sneak peek at the babies yesterday. I wasn't expecting to see them again until next week so it was quite the treat. Every time I see them I get more and more excited. In a few short months we will become Mom and Dad to four sweet babies!

A, C, and D were moving around like crazy. The doctor said that even though I can't feel them moving yet, they definitely feel each other. Little B was a bit more subdued. The doctor thinks he was sleeping because both arms were crossed over his face. Kinda like he was trying to ignore his wild siblings. It was one of the sweetest things I've ever seen! (I decided to use the generic "him/his/he" instead of saying "it". Maybe I'll regret it one day, we'll see.)

Despite our excitement people often ask us if we are in denial. Or when they find out we are having quads they say we must be in denial because we are so calm about it. Honestly, I don't think Reid or I were ever in denial about the news. We spent about three hours in complete shock and felt pretty overwhelmed before the idea of having four at once began to feel like it was exactly the way we were supposed to have a family. I will say that from the second the sonographer told us there were four babies I felt a sense of peace that was truly from the Lord. I struggle with anxiety and didn't feel a bit anxious about the news. I knew that getting pregnant with four babies wasn't some kind of medical mistake. I strongly believe that the Lord used our infertility to give us the children that had been planned for us before the beginning of time. But, it would be remiss of me not to tell you we were still stunned and the news was really difficult to wrap our heads around at first. I had prayed for several months before the IUI that God would have His way in our lives, whatever that meant - biological children or adopted. What's amazing to me is that He wanted more for us than we ever could have ever imagined for ourselves. And this is only just the beginning. That's what makes me so excited.

The next time we see the babies we should be able to find out their genders. We are hoping that they all cooperate. Either way, just knowing who one or two of them are by next week would be great. This weekend we are picking our fourth girl and boy names just in case we get all of one or the other. Can't wait to introduce our babies to you by name sometime very soon!

13 Weeks

2012-01-23T17:10:00.001-06:00

Well, we've made it 13 weeks! This Thursday we will be welcoming the second trimester. That's really hard for me to believe. What's crazier is that it has been 7 weeks since we found out about our fab four. And we only have seven weeks of "normal" life left until the threat of bed rest begins. Oh, I'm not quite ready for that.

All things considered, I'm still feeling great. I've been trying to keep a positive and thankful outlook and I think it's really helped.

The only thing that's been hard to get used to is the fatigue. I feel like I'm more and more tired everyday. I don't know how other moms of quads work until 15-20 weeks. I have SO much respect for those women. I'm beyond grateful that I'm able to take it easy and rest as often as I need to. So here's to hoping the second trimester brings lots of energy... Fingers crossed anyway!

Now onto the belly pic. Maybe the second trimester will also bring better picture quality!

12 weeks 6 days

Happy Monday!

12 Week Pictures

2012-01-20T22:16:00.001-06:00

We had our weekly appointment today and everything looked great. Here are their latest measurements:

Babies A & C - 12 weeks 4 days (right on target)
Baby B - 12 weeks 1 day (a little smaller than the others but nothing to be worried about)
Baby D - 13 weeks (already measuring into next week)

When we were told that Baby D was measuring big Reid quickly responded with, "That's my boy!" I couldn't help but have visions of that being our only daughter and told him to be careful what he says. Baby D now has the most space and poor A is scrunched with siblings surrounding. Baby C takes the best picture and Baby B was the most active. Their little profiles and arms were much more defined today. For the first time I thought they actually looked like cute little babies. Its crazy how much they change in just 10 days. It is so fun to get to see them grow and see how different they all are even in the womb.

An interesting fact I just want to remember for memory's sake is that I am measuring at 20 weeks. In other words, if a resident who didn't know my history (and assumed I was having just one baby) came to examine me, he would conclude I am 20 weeks along. After a week of worrying I wasn't big enough that news made me feel SO MUCH better. I guess being tall is finally paying off!

Again, we feel so blessed that all the babies are doing so well. It is such a tangible answer to prayer every time we go to the doctor. We know that God has a special purpose for all four of these babies and we feel so very honored to get to be a part of it.

12 Weeks

2012-01-16T17:06:00.000-06:00

We are well on our way out of the first trimester... Ten days to go but whose counting? Really I've been so blessed by such an easy first trimester that I'm praying the second will go just as well (and maybe bring more energy?).

Last week we switched doctors and hospitals. We decided to get a second opinion from a doctor who is highly sought after in the Dallas community, known for his success with multiples, and developed his own innovative cerclage procedure that will help keep the babies in as long as possible. I LOVE the OBGYN that I've seen since moving to Dallas, but the moment we met our new doctor we new the situation he and the hospital offered was the best fit for our family. A decision has never been so easy and so hard at the same time. I hated canceling with the doctor who took time during my annual appointments to get to know not only me but also the situation with my mom. In the end, emotions aside, Reid and I are making critical medical decisions and we have to do what we feel most comfortable with.

For my memory's sake I want to note that I had a bout with food poisoning over the weekend. Nothing too serious. It only lasted a little less than 24 hours. I probably freaked out a little more than I should have just because there are four babies taking up nutrients and I couldn't keep anything down. I phoned the doctor on call and he was wonderful to call in some Zofran. That stuff is legit. And amazing. And I'm planning to keep some in my medicine cabinet. Forever.

We don't have another appointment until Friday. It will be the longest we've gone without an u/s and I can't wait to see how much the babies have grown. Today, my pregnancy email update says they are 2.5 inches long and the size of a large plum. Four large plums. Here's the proof. I feel like the change I made this week was huge (no pun intended). Thankfully, it appears that no one skipped a beat with the food poisoning. ;)

11 weeks 6 days

Have a Happy Monday!

Five Years

2012-01-12T22:18:00.000-06:00

On January 13, 2007 I married my best friend. I am so thankful for the husband he is and that God chose us for each other. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else...

And, now I can't wait to experience all the joys of raising four kiddos with you! Happy 5th anniversary, Reid!

11 Weeks

2012-01-09T20:48:00.010-06:00

Well, I updated Blogger today and some how my 11 Week post got deleted. I'm so ticked and not really happy with the new blogger format. It was a lose, lose.

So, since the thought of rewriting the post makes me want to cry, I'll just share the pictures and a few highlights.

We were able to see the babies on Monday. And we heard heartbeats. Such a sweet sound - I am so in awe of the way God creates life. They looked wonderful and I was reassured that what I am doing is working well. They all measured between 11 weeks and 11 weeks 2 days. I contemplated recording what my uterus is measuring, but some things are best left unsaid. Our next appointment isn't until January 20. This will be the longest time we've gone without seeing them. We are spoiled!

And now for belly pics. Here's the difference a month makes...

7 weeks 2 days

10 weeks 6 days

With each day that passes we get more and more excited! Can't wait to meet our babies!

10 Weeks

2012-01-03T18:39:00.002-06:00

Monday marked 10 weeks of pregnancy. Crazy how fast its already flying by! What's even more crazy to me is that I've been told that at 20 weeks I'm basically going to want to sit on the couch and gestate (and at that point hospital bed rest is also fair game) so I feel like the clock is really ticking to get things done!

Reid took last week off of work and we were able to get our house cleaned out and put back in order. We set up the cribs in the first nursery and set up the temporary guest room in the second nursery. For the first couple of months that the babies are home we plan for them to sleep two to a crib in one room. Once the flow of out of town guests dies down we'll set up the second nursery.

For my memory I want to remember a few things about my first 10 weeks of pregnancy:

- Overall, I've felt great! I had about 8-10 days of nausea. I think it was attributed to the extra 3mg of folic acid that my doctor prescribed. It subsided about a week ago.

- Generally, I take a nap everyday and I'm ready for bed by 10 p.m. No more night owl here.

- My pre-pregnancy pants still fit in the waist, but they get a little snug at the end of the day and when I sit down. Still wearing normal shirts and sweaters.

- Put my gym membership on hold until July. The most strenuous activity I can partake in is walking. Thank goodness for walks with Samson.

- I've had lower back pain and a few headaches, but nothing Tylenol couldn't fix.

I really feel so, so blessed that, for the most part, I've felt really good! Everyone warned that pregnancy symptoms are usually magnified with multiples. I definitely do not take for granted the fact that this first trimester has gone so well!

Our next appointment is Friday. We'll have pictures to share and I'll also share a list of specific prayer requests for those of you who have asked what you can pray for! Thank you!!!

9 weeks

2011-12-28T20:59:00.005-06:00

I seriously can't thank you all enough for the calls, emails, and texts sending well wishes and congrats to our family! We feel so loved and your prayers and support mean the world to us.

Monday marked nine weeks and today we were able to see the babies for sonogram #4. Everyone measured right on track with strong heart beats and all four were moving around in their quite cozy quarters. Seeing their little movements was the highlight of our week!

At only nine weeks these tiny babies are continuing to defy the odds. In the first trimester there is a 20-25% chance that one of the babies will stop growing and be absorbed (just like what happens to a vanishing twin). Every week my doctor has prepared us that we may only see three heartbeats at our next visit, and every week there have been four VERY strong babies. Isn't God amazing?!

After the scans we sat down for our last meeting with our fertility specialist. He sat in a chair across the table from us, shaking his head and grinning. He put his hand on his head as if to say, "Once again, I can't explain this." And then he said he'd see us when we are ready for #5. Oh, I'm so glad we've all kept our sense of humor. ;)

So, here we are. Nine weeks. Four healthy babies. And ONE very faithful, loving God who so clearly has His hands all over this!

From TWO to SIX

2011-12-20T18:39:00.019-06:00

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

After a 15-month struggle with infertility, we found out we were pregnant the week of Thanksgiving. Two weeks later we received the surprise/shock of our lives during my first sonogram.

We are having four babies. Four little miracles.

Reid and I feel so humbled that the Lord chose to grow our family in this way. It is clear that this was orchestrated by HIS sovereign hand and we have felt an overwhelming sense of peace from the moment we heard the words, "There are four."

I'm excited to share more in the weeks to come. I want to be as honest as I can about our journey, the emotions we've processed/are processing through, etc.

God is writing an incredible story and we feel so very honored to be part of it.

Samson is Two!

2011-12-14T16:15:00.005-06:00

I can't believe our boy is TWO! He has proved to be one of the best decisions we've ever made. I can't even begin to tell you the amount of simple joy he's brought to our lives. We sent him away for two weeks in August to an obedience/training camp and he came back so well behaved. It is so nice to be able to take him to a park off-leash or have company over and know we have complete control over him. We spent his birthday, November 23, in Little Rock spoiling him with long walks, a new frisbee and doggy cookies. We are so proud to be his parents!

note: this was supposed to by my Day 23 post but obviously I dropped the ball.

(Photos by Andi Stubblefield Photography)

Days 21 & 22

2011-11-22T23:58:00.001-06:00

Day 21: I am thankful that I am able to visit my family so often. I'm also thankful that they live within driving distance.

Day 22: Today I am thankful that my family and Reid's family celebrate Thanksgiving together along with several other families. And, to take it a step further, I'm very thankful that our families get along. ;)

Catch-Up: Day 12-20

2011-11-21T11:28:00.006-06:00

Since I dropped the ball on posting days 12-20, I thought I'd share a chapter in Psalm that I've been reading.

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

136 wGive thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

xfor his steadfast love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to ythe God of gods,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to ythe Lord of lords,