update

For those of you who haven't already seen Josh's blog, he just posted a summary of our week.  Check it out If you are looking for an update.

gimme a break

You'll never believe this, but I am back in the hospital tonight with
a 101.5 temp and a developing infection. We are so tired of this.
When I was discharged 2 days ago, the doctors were concerned with me
getting an infection, but there was nothing "clinically" that showed I
had one at the time so they let me go home. Well, now I do and I am
admitted for a minimum of 48 hours once my fever goes away. This is
so disapointing, and Josh and I are in need of more R&R at home.

Off to get some good Ambien sleep... Hopefully!

Lauren Green
•Sent from my iPhone•

walking!

I started walking around a little yesterday, and more today.  Josh and I just took a walk around the hospital floor.  I feel like a 90 year old frail lady right now, but I am confident that my body will bounce back soon.  It's been 11 days since I've set foot on the floor, so it's a big adjustment!

We are waiting for the doctor to come back to write up our discharge paperwork.  My lab results look fine, and I'm eating (which I never have a problem doing).  We are so looking forward to getting home soon.  I can't wait for a good 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep in my own big bed!

Thanks to all have sent the encouraging comments and emails.  It's amazing to see how many people care and who want to help.  I wish there was something you all could do TO help, but more prayers and support is all we can ask for.  This morning has been really hard for me, but I am trying to focus on the positive in all this.

not a happy ending

As most of you have already read on Josh's Blog, I was rushed to the L&D floor Saturday night due to contractions. I was really scared, and had been advised that delivering Baby B was inevitable. Her bag was bulging into the birth canal, and I was 4cm dilated. After a horrible night spent on Magnesium ( to try to stop the labor), she was still determined to come just 2 weeks to early. Finally, we decided to discontinue the Mag late Sunday night and let nature take its course.  At around 1am I delivered baby B - Lily Nicole (who is named after
Josh's grandma, Lillian). Just as things were getting tied up after her delivery, I got another horrible contraction. The doctors quickly scanned me with the ultrasound machine and saw that now C & D had moved to the birth canal and had to be delivered. The labor was
too strong and there was no way to stop them. In total disbelief, I followed the doctor's instructions and delivered C (Paige Elise) & D (Rylan Otto) minutes later. The NICU team was standing by to check each baby, but their lungs were not developed enough to resuscitate.

Josh and I got to hold all the babies, and the nurses dressed them up and took pictures. They were all fully formed, just a little too young still to enter this world. As you can imagine, I am in shock still and my heart will be broken forever. It's really hard for me to understand why God would put us through this. He says He'll only give us what we can handle, but I find that hard to believe right now.

I am so grateful that no matter what I have Josh by my side. He has been so supportive throughout all of this. I am also so, so thankful for my family for helping us out and continuing to pray. I know I can always count on them. I am also so thankful for all our loyal blog followers who continue to send encouraging notes and prayers. All the support has been amazing, and we couldn't have gotten this far without each and everyone of you.

•Sent from my iPhone•

bed rest caddy

A BIG thanks to Aunt George, Gina, and Kelsea for finding me the
perfect caddy to hang on the side of my bed. It holds everything that
I need! I am so glad you could come to Tampa this weekend; it was
great to see you!

good news!

I had a quick ultrasound today to check on the baby's positions and fluids, and we got good news!  All of the babies have plenty of fluid around them, and are moving around looking healthy and strong!!  Their sacs all look good.  Baby C has also moved into a better position.  For the past couple of weeks, she was laying head down with Baby B, both competing for the limited space.  Now, Baby C is in breech position with her head up by my ribs.  Hopefully, this was a result of me laying inverted for the past week, and is now alleviating some of the pressure on my cervix.  Next week we will have a more detailed ultrasound to measure the babies for growth and weight.  It really helped lift my spirits hearing some good news today.

1 week down!

Hey Everyone - I thought I'd try to post today to let you all know that I am still "hanging" in there!  Today marks 1 week of being in the hospital... in bed; inverted.  My feet have not touched the floor in 7 days!  It's really hard, and starting to get to me, but I don't want to post about how bad it is... you can imagine.  On the very bright side, my pregnancy seems to be going well.  Like Josh mentioned, we are getting an ultrasound sometime today, so it will be nice to check in on the babies.  I am not experiencing any more leaking, so I wonder if Baby B's sac has sealed up.  All the babies are moving around all the time, and their kicks are getting harder and stronger by the day.  Laying around, feeling them kicking is my most exciting past time.  

I think we finally got the temperature issue down.  Since I've been using the cheap thermometer, I have had only normal temperatures.  Please keep praying that I won't get any infections.  I am determined to hang on to these babies until way past viability!

I am exhausted now, so I am going to take a little nap.

words to Llve by

My friend Brooke sent me this great poem today, so I wanted to share it with you...

If God brings you to it,

 

He will bring you through it.

 

Happy moments, praise God,

 

Difficult moments, seek God.

 

Quiet moments, worship God.

 

Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God.

Snack

This is what Food Service dropped off for my "10am snack". Two slices
of (fake) American Cheese...

Sunday

I had a good day, considering the circumstances. This afternoon, we
got an ultrasound, and saw that all the babies have good fluid around
them, were moving a lot, and had good heartbeats! That was encouraging
to hear. I was also able to take a nice long nap. My mom came by
today and painted my nails, and Josh's mom brought us dinner and
washed my hair. Those little things make me feel a lot better. Josh
has been the best helper to me, and has never left my side. He is so
supportive, and his strength gets me through each day.

Lauren Green
•Sent from my iPhone•

Good Morning

Good Morning All - 

It's really difficult to type while laying down, but I just wanted to quickly report that I had a really good night's sleep last night.  All your prayers are definitely helping, so please keep them coming.  We are hopeful that Baby B will hang on way past viability, and that they will all deliver safe and healthy.

Love,

Haven't been up to posting today, so please check: http://joshsblog.greenfamily.net
for the latest Green Bean Report.

Going to try to get some sleep now.

Love you all,

Lauren
•Sent from my iPhone•

Bed Rest: Redefined

Just when I thought I was on strict bed rest, it got worse. My bed
rest "privledges" that I had before are now a thing of the past. I
called the on-call doctor this evening, because I was having some
cramping. Due to all my recent complications, they told me to come in
to get checked out. I got an ultrasound, and the babies look great.
They all weigh between 12-13 oz. and their fluids are good. My cervix
on the other hand is shrinking. I am now admitted to TGH for most
likely the remainder of my pregnancy, AND I have to lay slightly
inverted to relieve the pressure on my cervix.

As I lay here with my feet elevated above my head, I can feel my nose
getting stuffed up, and the crackers and chocolate milk that I just
ate, not settling well. I'm also contemplating how I will go to the
bathroom and eat. This is really going to be tough, and I am just
about at my breaking point.

I'm going to try and get some rest now. What a fun way to spend
Valentine's Day!

Lauren Green
•Sent from my iPhone•

Lauren Admitted to Hospital

Check http://joshsblog.greenfamily.net for recent updates

*Sent from my iPhone*

-Josh

Octomom Pictures

OMG!!  Have you seen this pic?  My jaw dropped when I saw this on TV last night!

The Week Is Flying By

This week seems to be flying by!  Over the past couple of days, I've felt better and better, and I haven't even taken a nap in 2 days!  It feels good to be fully back at work.  It's a great way to pass the time in bed.  I'm really fortunate to be able to work from home, and in my condition.

I have been eating so good this week.  Josh's mom is staying with us for awhile to help us out with the cooking and cleaning.  She has been making me fresh, healthy meals throughout the day.  We are lucky to have the help!  My doggies even get to come home temporally, since she is here.  Seven has been home for a couple of days already, and my puppy Romie is coming tomorrow.  I can't wait to see her.  She truly brings joy to my life!  She's a little stinker (literally), but I love her.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to The Osikowicz Family on the birth of their daughter ~ Leah!!!  Leah was born on 2/11/09 weighing 8lbs. 2oz. and 21" long!  Mom, Dad, and baby are all doing great!

Hanging Out in Bed

I've been leery about posting recently, because I don't want to "jinx" how things have been going, but I know that's silly.  Life has been very uneventful lately, and that is a good thing!  It's exactly what we've been praying for - a long, uneventful remainder of my pregnancy.  I've just been hanging out in bed all day, everyday!  We've got a good schedule going, so things run pretty smoothly.   I've been getting achy from all my time in bed, from my feet to my neck.  Other than that, I feel fine!  I'm still not bored, just a little restless about not being able to get up and do things.  The most difficult thing is letting go of the control I had over my house and things.  If you've never been on bed rest, you may not understand what I mean.  It's just weird not to have looked in my own refrigerator for 3 weeks now.  When I am asked, what do I want to eat, I have to then ask - What do we have??  It is also hard to not have control over when and where things are put away.  I hate clutter.  Seeing it around makes me feel very anxious lately because I can't just get up and put things away.  I hate to ask Josh, or someone else to do every little thing that comes to my mind.  So, for all of you who are not on bed rest right now, enjoy the time you get to spend cleaning or prepping dinner in your kitchen for me, because I actually miss those monotonous little tasks!

The babies are moving around more and more!  Sometimes it feels is like an internal crawling feeling.  The second I feel them, I put my hand on my stomach, but then they stop!  I'm sure my days of having constant kicking and seeing limbs moving across my stomach will be coming soon!

Weekend Update

Well, I've made it to 20 weeks!  I don't want to celebrate that too much, because I still have a ways to go, and I desperately don't want anything else to happen.  I am feeling good, and getting plenty of rest.  As you can see, Josh is making sure I am fed every 3 hours or so.  Every time I step on my scale, it seems that I've gained another pound or two. This is what 22 pounds gained and a 40" waist looks like! :)   I'm doing this for you B, C, and D!  

I ask that you all continue to pray that we can all hang on for at least another month, and hopefully much longer than that!

3D pictures

OK, I finally got around to sorting all the ultrasound pics, and Josh scanned them in for me.  The 3D images can look find of scary, because the babies are still so skinny, but here they are!  I think they're cute :)

 

This last picture shows our girls, B & C, as they always are, laying together and playing.  I bet that they will be really close to each other.

Doctor Update - I went to the doctor's AGAIN yesterday for a cervical check and... My cervix is totally closed and 2.38 cm thick, with no funneling! All good news!

Doctor's Visit

I had an exhausting visit today at the doctor's office.  If you add up the time (and effort) it takes me to shower, and get dressed, then ride to the doctor's office (about 30 minutes without traffic), then all the actual time spent with the doctors and in ultrasound, then the ride home... it's a long time!  It's sad to say, but after that I am so ready for bed!

The results from today's visit were great!  Babies B, C, & D all look great, and are all measuring the same size.  Their fluids are all good too, so that is always nice to hear.  I don't show any signs of infection, and have not had any consistant contractions.  All good news!  Even tough everything is going good now, I still live on egg shells.  It's scary, and just want to be past 24 weeks by now.  

When Josh and I met with the High Risk Doctor, she asked what my definition of bed rest is.  I told her exactly what I am doing, and she was happy with that.  She said some people consider bed rest  as still trying to squeeze in preparing a dinner and a few loads of laundry in their day, and that is a big no-no for me.  The only thing I have been doing that I should stop is when visitors come by, I usually move to my Living Room recliner, and then after they leave I go back to bed.  The doctor would like me to stay in bed and reduce any unecessary movement.

If I can get Josh to scan in the ultrasound pics taken from today, I will post some.  I got more 3D images, and the babies look so cute!  I've heard that what they look like 3D in utero is very similar to what they look like when they are born.  If that's the case, I think they are all going to look a lot a like!

 

Goal #1 - Get Thru February!

It is so good to be home again.  So far this week, I have been resting and getting back into work again.  I'm feeling good, but definitely taking it easy!  My day consists of waking up around 7:30am, breakfast in bed :), then doing some work while still in bed.  My mom has been coming over most afternoons to help me with lunch.  I eat lunch, then I rest and continue some work on my laptop.  Once Josh gets home from work, I usually move out into the Living Room, eat dinner on my recliner, then finish off my day watching some TV.  It seems to be working out pretty well.  This may come as a surprise to some, but I don't get bored doing this.  I have plenty of things to keep me busy.  I do miss getting dressed up in normal clothes, putting makeup on, and going out to do things, but all that can wait.  I know I will get those parts of my life back one day.  My main focus is to get through the month of February without any complications, at a bare minimum!  That's our goal.  Once February comes and goes, the babies will be much better off, and I can receive steroids to help them develop their lungs.

Mom and Dad are taking me to my doctor's appointment tomorrow.   Josh will also be meeting us at the doctor's office too.  I will be seeing my High Risk docs, and Dr. Rao, and I'll be getting more ultrasounds.  Big day!  I look forward to getting a check up and seeing the babies.

To all our wonderful supporters out there that pray for our family everyday, we sincerely THANK YOU!  Your prayers are what has gotten us this far and what gives us the strength to go on.

baby shower update

Due to strict doctor's orders to be on bed rest, I've decided to postpone the Green Bean Baby Shower.  I'm thinking that we may do a Welcome Home Shower soon after I deliver, but I will definitely let you all know once the plans for that have been made.  It will probably be at our new house too!  We look forward to having a big celebration once the babies are born big and healthy!

that sucked

I've now made it safely to recovery without any complications from the cerclage. But that really sucked! It took the anesthesiologist about 15 minutes just to get me numb. Apparently I have some curvature to my spine and no matter where she injected, it went to my right side. It was scary being in that huge OR for just this small procedure, but they all said that this was a good glimpse at what a c-section will be like.

I am still in recovery now, but feeling good. Josh brought me my only request - a chocolate milkshake. I tried to drink it slowly to make sure I didn't get nauseous but after 17 hours of not eating, that didn't really matter; I was famished!

Dr. Rao came in following the procedure, and said everything went great! He said there were no signs of preterm labor, and I look to have completely recovered from passing Baby A. The hospital Chaplin also came in to talk with us, and she said a nice prayer for us.

We are just waiting for my last IV dose of antibiotics to finish, and then we can go home!! We should be home just in time for the Super Bowl kickoff! What a weekend...

Lauren
•Sent from my iPhone•