Saturday?

I had to think really hard to figure out what day today is.  The past 12 days have been such a roller coaster making the days all blend together.  Anyway, after I got some sleep this morning, I started feeling much better.  It's amazing that all my labor symptoms went away immediately following Baby A passing.  I've been on a contraction monitor all day, but haven't had any cramping.

Even though, all that has happened was definitely not what we wanted, I still trust in God's plan for our family.  I just hope that his plans are to give us these 3 healthy babies.  It almost seems as though Baby A was looking out for her siblings and passed away in order to give them more room to grow.  It's so sad to think that she was meant to make that sacrifice for all of us, but it really feels that way.  She will always be our family's angel that looks over us.   B, C, and D already look like they are benefiting from the additional room.

I'm a little nervous about tomorrow's cerclage procedure.  I will be getting an epidural, and it should only take a few minutes.  I'm just tired of getting poked and prodded.  There is a good chance that this can benefit my pregnancy, so we are going for it.  Please pray for a successful outcome tomorrow!

B, C, and D are looking good

I just had more ultrasounds taken to check on Babies B, C, and D.
They all look great! This pic may be hard to see, but this is a 3D
image of Baby D covering his face. He's probably trying to get some
sleep like the rest of us!

back in the hospital...

We had a really rough night last night. All evening I had been
feeling contractions, and been very uncomfortable. Just as I was on
my way to the bedroom to get ready for bed, I felt more contractions
and knew I needed to go to the ER. Once we arrived at TGH, we went
strait up to L&D. They quickly determined that I was in labor. It
seemed as though Baby A needed to come out. At 2:24am on 1/31/09,
Baby A was stillborn. Since then, my labor signs have seemed to
subside, and the others seem fine. On Sunday, I am scheduled to get a
cerclage (a stitch in my cervix) that may possibly help me carry the
others longer. Still, there are no guarantees that I'll even make it
to 24 weeks because the doctors all say that we are in uncharted
territory. All we can do is pray that I can continue carrying the
others to viability.

I am going to try and get some more rest now. Please, please continue
your prayers for us.

Love,

Lauren & Josh
•Sent from my iPhone•

To my sweet niece, Hannah:  

We hope you have a great day! Your gift is in the mail!

Love,

Auntie Lolo and Uncle Josh

home sweet home

As you may have read on Josh's Blog, I am home from the hospital now.  I was really nervous about coming home at first.  It's been nice having all my meals delivered to me, and nurses waiting on me hand and foot, but nothing beats a good night's rest in my own bed!  Josh has been a trooper too.  He rushed around the house this morning making sure that I had everything I needed for the day at my bed side (except my morning cup of coffee :)) before leaving for work.

I want to thank everyone again for all the prayers and support.  Even though, things have not worked out exactly the way that we had hoped, I still feel at peace.  Baby A has now gone up to heaven, but I believe she is now our family's own personal angel.  I know this happened for a reason, and God has a plan for us.  We continue to ask for your prayers, and are hoping that Babies B, C, and D will grow stronger and healthier now.  My goal is to carry them 34 weeks... May 18th 2009!

Tuesday

Hey Everyone!   I don't have much to report today, other than I am feeling a little better.  It's been such a roller coaster.  One day I am a complete wreck, and the other I am feeling well.  I am just trying to focus on the positive in all this.  I desperately want to know the "meaning" behind why we are going through this, but hopefully that will come in time...  I have peace in knowing that God will never give us more than we can handle.

Josh stayed with me today and worked from the hospital room.  Mom and Dad came by for a visit too.  We all went outside to the L&D patio and ate lunch.  If you live in the area you already know this, but the weather was perfect today!  It was nice to get out and get some fresh, non-hospital room, air.  After lunch we came back to my room and all played a game of Scrabble together.  It was a good way to pass the time.

I hope you are all doing well today.  Please keep up the prayers for us and the Beans.  

Love you all,                         

ultrasound results

I couldn't wait any longer, so I pushed to have our ultrasound today.  The nurse got it scheduled, so Josh came back to the hospital from work a little early to be here for it.  We tried to prepare ourselves for the worst with what we might see.  What we got was confirmation that our sweet Baby A is not doing well.  She has absolutely no fluid around her.  With out the fluid, she will not have a chance to develop beyond where she is now.  I was advised by the doctors that it was already a miracle that I didn't go into labor last Tuesday when her sac ruptured.  That usually sends someone into labor right away, and we could have lost all the babies then.  Josh and I already consider the past week a blessing of sorts.  

Still, all we can do is wait and see, and hope that an infection doesn't occur as it could end up hurting the other babies and possibly me.  We've been informed that an infection may have already started, but we won't know until it's too late.  Needless to say, please continue saying your prayers for us and the babies.  I believe that the prayers have already really helped us deal with the situation, and give us more time with the babies than we "technically" should not have had.  

Good Morning!

Well, I am 18 weeks today!  Still not anywhere close enough to having viable babies, but I am still making good progress.  Each day seems long, but overall the weeks come and go pretty quickly.  Like Josh mentioned on his blog this morning, he has left for work, so today is my first day alone in my room.  I will have some visitors this afternoon, and I plan to keep busy by attempting to start working again.  I am all set up to work remotely from my room, and I think it will be good for my mind. 

Breakfast was gross this morning, so I supplemented with 3 bowls of cereal and a banana!  I'm feeling good now that I have some food in me, so I am off to go take a shower and get ready for the day!

Sunday

Today hasn't been too bad of a day.  It's quite an improvement from yesterday.  Yesterday, the doctor that was doing the rounds was really negative with us, and told us that anything they do from here on out was just to preserve Babies B, C, and D, and that Baby A won't make it. I realize the risks and understand what all the "statistics" say, but I still have a good outlook on things.  It's really hard to stay that positive on days like yesterday, but today is definitely better.  

I've been sleeping much better the past couple of nights.  Our new room is the furthest away from the entrance, so we don't hear a lot of noise from the hallways.  Also, I am oral antibiotics now, so I don't need to be attached to that horrible IV machine any more.  The nurses pretty much leave us alone from 11pm to 6:30am, so it's not too bad.

Josh strongly encouraged me to go for a ride in the wheelchair today even though I didn't want to.  I was glad I did, because we sat out in the sun and ate lunch.  We also found a great place to sit outside and watch the yachts come in from the bay.  I think it will also make a good place for our wonderful dogsitters to come and bring the dogs to see me.  I miss them sooo much!  I am going to try and get out at least once a day to enjoy the nice weather.  I felt so much better after I did.

Wednesday is our next sheduled ultrasound, so please keep us in your prayers.  We are still hopeful for a miracle.  

Love you all,

Encouraging Bible Verse of the Day

"But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing." (Psalm 34:10)

Good Luck Claire!

Clarie, I know that your National Choir auditions are today, so I wanted to let you know that The Beans and I will be thinking of you!  Good luck, you'll do great :)

My Big Morning

I managed to sleep pretty well last night aside from all the IV beeping interruptions.  I was woken up by one of the residents at 6:30am, and that was followed by a visit from the whole doctor team.  They seem positive, and hope that I can just keep on doing this well for the next 12 weeks or so.

After my double portion breakfast was served, Josh took me for a wheelchair ride around the hospital.  It was weird leaving my room for the first time in 3 days.  We went down to the McDonald's that's on site and got coffee.  It was very exciting.  BTW - Isn't kind of weird that a hospital has a McDonald's on the premises?  I don't mind; it gives me somewhere to go occasionally other than the drab cafeteria.

After our walk, I was still feeling spunky, so I even took a shower!  Exciting, I know!  Now I feel refreshed, in clean clothes, and am ready to see my first scheduled visitors of the day!  Even though I am feeling really well this morning, I still know that I have to take it easy.  I don't want to over do it.

Encouraging Bible Verse of the Day

"For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds," says the Lord. (Jeremiah 30:17)

A Good Day

Overall, today was a good day.  Nothing was determined about the status of the quads, but right now the only thing we can do is let nature take it's course.  God is in full control.  I am in good spirits, and as Josh noted, the visits from some friends and family today helped!  

I am looking forward to a good TV night - Grey's Anatomy and The Office, and then some more sleep.

A big thank you to Janis and Bill and The Consultis Team for sending me flowers today!

Encouraging Bible Verse of the Day

"For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:37)

the power of prayer

Hi All, I am now in my own room at TGH and feeling more settled in.  As you may have already read on Josh's Blog, we still don't have any updates.  We are in wait and see mode.  I feel like my fluid loss has slowed down today, and I don't "feel" like I am losing the babies.  I just continue to pray that my little Baby A (who was just officially named this weekend by Josh and I) will fight for her life and that her sack will miraculously repair itself.  The goal is to safely get all the babies to carry for at least 24 weeks.

With all this going on, I am still very emotional (that just goes along with being pregnant), but I am somehow at peace.  I really feel the power of all the prayers that we are getting across the nation, from our friends, family, and complete strangers.  I am feeling pretty positive about things, so I thank you all for the out pour of calls, emails, and prayers.  I also have my wonderful, supportive husband to thank for helping us get through this.

prayer request

To all of our wonderful supporters, we ask that you join us in praying
that Baby A's sac will repair itself and that her fluids replenish.
We also pray that I won't get any infections that can effect all the
babies and cause me to go into preterm labor. We also ask that I will
be able to hold off from delivery until at least 24 weeks (when the
babies are first viable).

In the meantime, I will be in the hospital on strict bedrest, resting
and praying for the best. It is all in God's hands.

Thanks again for all your kind offers, thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Lauren

•Sent from my iPhone•

In the ER

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers during this event. Check
JoshsBlog.GreenFamily.net for updates.

17 Weeks And Counting...

I am feeling really pregnant these days.  Everything is changing, and I don't even recognize myself anymore.  This is what a 38 inch waist and 18 extra pounds looks like...

My belly button is totally flat now, and I'm betting that it will pop out sometime this week.  Sleep is getting somewhat difficult already.  All my extra weight is in my belly, so when I flip over I have to carefully hold my belly and then support it with my maternity pillow.  (BTW - the Boppy Maternity Pillow is something everyone should own!  It is so comfortable and I can't sleep without it!)  Josh is already complaining that he cannot get a good night sleep anymore with me tossing and turning all night.  I just tell him, "get used to it!"  We are going to be sleep deprived for the next  5 years or so.

I don't mean to sound like a big complainer, because overall I am still feeling good.  I don't use the adjective "great" to describing how I feel anymore, but it's still not bad.  I am quickly approaching my scheduled bed rest, but I have been taking it easy already, so hopefully I will get the OK to just continue what I am doing and not go on total bed rest just yet.  My dad borrowed a wheelchair from his church for me to use, so that has been nice.  Josh has been such a good sport wheeling me around places that require a lot of walking.

From here on out I will be going to the doctor every week.  They will check to see if I am showing any signs of preterm labor, and on every other visit they will take measurements of the babies.  So far, so good though; I haven't experienced any preterm labor and the babies are all measuring 16 week size and all weigh 5 ounces!

16 Week Profile Pictures

Baby A Profile:

Baby B Profile:

Baby C Profile:

Baby D Profile:

Anyone Used This?

I saw a couple with newborn triplets on TLC's A Baby Story using these bottle straws, called Pacifeeders.   I was thinking they would be useful with feeding all the babies at once while they are lying in their carseats or on their boppys.   Has anyone used these?  

Thankful

I am amazed and delighted at what a close, tight knit group the families with multiples are.  Already, I have met so many nice people online and at my TBAMoMs group that are willing to share their stories and advice.  In addition to that, we have had an out pour of people willing to donate their used baby clothes and toys.  Being first time parents, we feel pretty clueless as to what things we need and how to handle 4 at once, so all this help is very useful!

Our families are all going out of their way to help us and be supportive of the major changes that we are experiencing in our lives.  We are so grateful for my brother and his wife, John and Traci's, generous offer to come to Florida for the first month the babies are home from the hospital.  They are experienced parents of 5, so I know we will learn a lot in time that they are here.

Josh and I are so appreciative of all the support and prayers that we are getting.  We couldn't get through this without all of you!

the results are in!!

Just 10 percent of the voters of the baby sex poll are correct with their predictions... We are having 3 GIRLS and 1 BOY!  Today's 2 hour full anatomy scan shows that all the babies are measuring the correct size and developing well.  They all look great and we couldn't be happier!!

Our oldest, Baby A, resembles her dad.  She seems spunky, and was busy kicking her sisters today.  She is in the lowest position and is the one causing me to have to pee every 15 minutes. :)

Baby B and C are both lodged in the middle and laying horizontally.  They seem to be our mellow girls, and were passing the time sucking their thumbs and waving to us.

Last but certainly not least, is Baby D, our boy.  He is the most active one.  The ultrasound tech spent almost 30 minutes just trying to get him to stay still long enough to get his heart measurement.  He already reminds me of my very active nephew, Neil! 

The Bed Rest Begins...

This week marks the half way point of my pregnancy! I'm glad to have made it this far with no complications, but I foresee the next 14 - 18 weeks being more difficult, as I spend more and more days in bed.

I'm getting a good glimpse at what bed rest is going to be like today. All night last night, I had bad cramping and my stomach was really hard. The first thing I did this morning was call the on-call physician to tell him what was happening. He said that is was probably just Braxton Hicks, and that I'm OK. All the cramping that I am experiencing is triggered by activity. The second I stand up my abdomen hardens. What I am feeling is my uterus literally growing by the minute! To avoid the discomfort from getting worse, I need to stay off my feet today and drink lots of water.

Usually, I enjoy my mornings because that is when I have the most energy and can get a lot done around the house. Today is a different story. I've been parked on my living room couch, watching movies. My plans for the rest of the day consist of eating and napping... fun, fun! Once I feel better, I plan to go to the fabric store to get a pattern to make some huge maternity nightgowns. When I am in the hospital and so huge that nothing else will fit, that's what I'll be wearing.

Josh, my parents, and I are all looking forward to going to my doctor's appointment tomorrow. The doctors will be doing a full anatomy scan of each baby and we'll be finding out the sexes! I'm so excited! I will be sure to post what we find out when I get home tomorrow evening! Please say a prayer for the babies - that they are all continuing to grow and develop normally, and that I will have positive results to share with everyone.

A Must Read

I just bought Jon and Kate's book, "Multiple Blessings", and I can't put it down!  I am not a "reader" either, but they have such a great story to tell and advice to share.  If anyone is interested in reading it (after Allison; she's next), then let me know and I will be happy to pass it along!

2009 will be a life changing year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

We had a nice time at Mike and Allison's house this year for New Years. Last year we did the same thing, but none of us were pregnant. Now, The Pernecky's have a 3 month old, Kelly is 9 months pregnant, and then there me... So needless to say, it was much more low-key than the years past!

I still can't get over the fact that Josh and I will become parents to 4 babies this year! It's hard to believe, scary, and exciting! I look forward to getting all my pregnancies over with in one shot versus being pregnant 7 separate times (like Josh wants... HA!). I just keep praying every day that these babies will all be healthy and strong, and that I can make it to my 34th week!

Also this year, Josh and I will be buying our second house together! This will be a much needed move, since the house we live in now only has one available 10x10 bedroom. That is just not going to cut it for 4 babies, 4 cribs, and all their stuff! The new house will have plenty of room for everyone, and a guest suite for that friend or family member out there that wants to become our nanny! :) Wink, wink! The location of the house is better too, so Josh's commute to work will be about 20 min shorter. We will also be less than a mile away from some prime shopping! I still don't know how closing on the new house in May (the same month I'll be giving birth) will work out, but Josh assures me that he's got it under control.

As you can see, this year will be life changing for us. We have A LOT going on, but even MORE to be thankful for!