Update from the Hospital #2

I am thankful to report that after an eventful weekend we are still here and the steroid shots have now had enough time to help the babies' lungs develop.  They, by the way, look fantastic.  The nurses monitor them three times a day, which is quite the accomplishment~ finding three different babies with three distinct heartbeats that many times a day:)  They were also measured on Monday.  Isaac measured 3 lbs. 2 oz., Eliana 2 lbs. 2 oz., and Isabella 2 lbs. 15 oz.  We are so thankful to be at this point.  And we are so blessed by our Lord to be in such a good place in light of all we've been through.  Micah and I even met with a Neonatologist yesterday who talked with us about what our babies' needs may be when they are born.  Overall the conversation was very encouraging.  We give all the glory to God~  He has made Himself known in such outwardly recognizable ways. 

God continues to be so kind.  Even in the little things~  Monday we were trying to decided the best place for me to be until the end of this pregnancy.  There were a few things up in the air, and I asked that He would make it plain.  A couple of hours later, we learned that true labor had begun and the decision was clear.  I will be here until the babies are born.  Our doctor is still giving me one medication to hold off labor to a point, but if things change more or if the babies show any signs of any distress, we will be ready to receive them. 

We will keep this updated.  Thank you all for all the love shown to us.

Update from the Hospital

Tiffany was admitted into the hospital on Friday night. The babies have not been born but are being monitored closely. She has also received 2 steroids shots that will help the babies' lungs mature at a faster pace.  The goal is to get them as many days as possible in utero before we must take them out. She is 30 weeks 3 days but her body measures about 41 weeks. For obvious reason she is in a lot of pain. However, the babies are looking very healthy. We are very thankful to our Lord for his mercy and for all the prayers offered up on our behalf.

Please pray that Tiffany will be as comfortable as possible and that the docs would have wisdom about the right time to take them out. 

Blessings,

Micah

Admitted for Now

Last night, I began having some contractions and enough discomfort to contact the doctor on call at our practice. Thankfully, my doctor was the one who very quickly called me back! Within about 15 seconds, he decided to have me come on in. And I was so glad he did. I learned quickly that I was contracting every 1.5-2 minutes. Thankfully, he got them under control with two doses of medication. Long story short, I am here to stay~ at least until Monday. He has decided to go ahead with steroids and help the babies lungs develop more quickly and keep a close watch on us all. We would again appreciate your prayers. Again, we all~ the boys included~ feel very carried and cared for through each and every day. I read this familiar verse on a friend's blog early this morning and it reminded me of God's perfect knowledge and plans for us: In Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.~ Psalm 139. May this day reflect His plan so clearly that this truth is obvious to us all.

Everyone looked great yesterday.  Our doctor was hesitant to go ahead with the steroid shots because he thought they may cause me to go into labor. We are going to wait as long as possible before attempting those.

The babies are looking more and more piled on top of each other as they all maneuver for space!  We have watched them "practice breathe" which is just fascinating.  Eliana particularly had a good amount of amniotic fluid and an even better doppler reading than last week.  We go again next week to have them measured again.

Friday will be 30 weeks!  We feel so humbled to have reached this point. 

All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Psalm 145:10-12

Watching and Waiting

At Wednesday's ultrasound, Isaac measured 2 lbs. 13 oz., Isabella 2 lbs. 12 oz., and Eliana 1 lb. 11 oz. Even though there is quite a size discordance between our two girls, we were so glad to see that Eliana has grown some and that Isabella and Isaac are growing so well. She did have another abnormal umbilical doppler reading (pointing to insufficient blood flow) but it wasn't higher than other readings. We are so thankful our doc will be back from vacation on Tuesday. We are meeting with him then.  There is a possibility of going ahead with steroid shots to give their lungs an opportunity to develop anticipating an early delivery.

We have had moments of speculation about what is going to happen in the coming weeks as we get closer to reaching communicated milestones for the babies regarding the TTTS.  I used to say, "If God would only reveal His future plans to me, then I would feel better prepared".  I am not so arrogant to think myself so capable of such preparation anymore:)  Walking by faith has never been so practical.  I know I would not have made it this far, in constant suspense taking one day at a time, if God would have told me just how difficult it all was going to be back then.  Once again, "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" proves Himself to be the Only One capable of walking by sovereign sight. 

29 weeks

I am treasuring each movement, each hiccup, and each spirited kick. I never thought my body could stretch to this size! Let me just say, it is not comfortable, but holding three babies at one time is a blessing. I had another mother of triplets remind me that it will be near impossible to hold them all simultaneously when they are born. It is hard to believe that 11 weeks of bed rest have passed.  Andrew and Elijah officially cannot remember when mommy wasn't sporting a huge belly~ or when mommy actually cooked and did things around the house!

God remains faithfully merciful to us all~

Moving Toward 29

Friday, Eliana's doppler reading was better than Wednesday's so she is holding steady in that regard AND I was thrilled to learn yesterday that I do not have gestational diabetes.  Praise God!

During a break in the three hour diabetes test, Micah pushed me in a wheelchair (actually, raced with me through the empty parts of the hospital hallways) up to the Neonatal ICU where the babies will more than likely be for a while.  I am one to do better when I see things ahead of time so this was exceptionally helpful.  It takes the ~wondering~ out of it a bit and definitely makes me feel more prepared.  We met several nurses and one gave us a tour.  She was so kind to us.  She introduced us to a few of the babies already patients there, some the size of our babies now, and answered several of our questions.  It was a peaceful place and the ladies we met seemed to really love their jobs.

Micah and I already go back tomorrow to have the babies measured.  This is a huge matter of prayer~ that our doctor (still persistent in following us from his vacation) will have wisdom about Eliana's growth and what is best for her as he continues to assess Isabella and Isaac.  As all of this is overwhelming, pray for us~ that our eyes will be fixed on Jesus as He continues to carry us along. 

I have to mention how very blessed and helped we have been by our church family and friends during the last several weeks.  There is such beauty in community and our family has felt and experienced this first hand.  It truly demonstrates to us the very heart of our Savior, Servant, Jesus Christ.

I must apologize if I have failed to communicate with everyone who has reached out to us.  My note writing/sending has been egregiously lacking and I hope you who continue to love us through words and actions will accept this as a huge, heart felt, Thank You.

Andrew Is 8!

We are so thankful for and proud of Andrew.  Today, on his 8th birthday, we celebrate the gift of his life!