24 Weeks

I don't have a picture for this week b/c you don't want to see what I've looked like this week. I had Billy take one, just so I would have it, but I look as TERRIBLE as I feel in it! The babies are doing great. According to the doctor they are right on track for where they need to be and growing just like they should be...their momma on the other hand, apparently is not growing like she should be! I had a stomach virus this week, so I am attributing my 3 pound weight loss to that...hopefully that's what it really was and not something else. When he measured my belly today, I finally asked what I measured...31 weeks he said. However, he was upset that I wasn't measuring @ least 32.5 weeks b/c when I was there 3 weeks ago I measured 30 weeks. Guess I am going to have to start packing on the calories. I've ordered a book about eating properly (amongst other things) when you are pregnant with multiples, so hopefully I'll get that soon, and maybe get myself back on track. This has been a week of lots of firsts...
-the first time I have thrown up since I found out I was pregnant (so thankful for that)
-the first time I felt the babies move (they like to have a boxing match every morning about 4)
-the first time I've had contractions (got dehydrated on Tuesday from the stomach bug, but all was well once I got some fluids back in me)
-the first time Billy has felt the babies move (so fun to watch his face light up last night as he felt them kicking)

I am sure that there were a lot of other firsts this week, but I am too tired to remember them right now! :) As of today, Dr. D said that I can still work full-time. but I am now limited to 1/4 a mile a day for my exercise (ie. one time around the block) and if I start to have contractions too often, I'll probably have to go to working just 2 days a week. Personally I am praying that that doesn't come anytime soon. He gave me meds to take if I start having contractions again...that kind of made a little bit of reality set in I guess...definitely a little scary, but I have at least reached the point of viability now. He wants to get me to 38 weeks, so that is my goal as well. As miserable as I am with all of my back pain now, I am thinking that I will be throwing a party when 38 weeks gets here!!! :)

My two big prayer requests for the week would be that I wouldn't have any more contractions and that I would find some relief for my back.

Update on Kodi-

As usual, she is doing amazing! She got to go to the Ronald McDonald House there in San Francisco yesterday. They can't fly home yet b/c her radiation levels are still too high to fly, but they are getting better and better every day. Right now they are scheduled to fly back on the 24th. Thanks so much for your prayers. Now to wait the 6 weeks to see if the treatment had any effect on the tumor. Praying for amazingly good results.

23 Weeks

(Jennifer-23 weeks; Kristen-26 weeks; Ally-35 weeks)

My 23 Week picture...I had been to the doctor and then Kristen and I took Ally lunch. She's been on bedrest for a couple of weeks now, so we hadn't taken a picture together in awhile so we figured we'd go visit her and get caught up. Ally goes off of her meds next week, so we are gonna get together again next week and take a picture since it might be Ally's last one before Mr. Kyler makes his appearance!!! :) It's been so fun to be able to share this pregnancy journey with these precious girls I work with.

I am feeling pretty good...minus my back/rib...so I can't complain at all. I had a sonogram appointment yesterday and got to see my sweet babies. Brady is literally scrunched up in a ball right on top of my bladder and Hannah is all stretched out on my right side with her little touche tucked up under my ribs. As of yesterday he weighed in @ 1lb 6 oz and she was 1 lb 2 oz. Everything looked perfect on their sonograms. It was so cool to me to be able to see their little hearts and all 4 chambers beating...such a miracle.

I have a new obsession...maternity spanx!!! They are heaven sent. As my friend Erin says, it makes you feel less like you have a bowling ball hanging off of the front of you!!! And they have helped so much with my feet swelling at work. As long as I wear them like I am supposed too, my feet don't swell NEAR like what they had been.

I still haven't felt them move yet, but I'm hoping that in the next couple of days/weeks I will. I know I've said it before, but I'm getting anxious to feel them move. It was a huge relief to see them on sonogram yesterday moving around and doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing.

I haven't had time to upload the new pics from yesterday yet, but hopefully on Saturday I can get that done. She did mostly 4D shots of them this time, so you can see their little faces and their huge feet!! Poor babies don't have a chance in the world of having normal sized feet with Billy and I as their parents!!! :) I'll also post pictures of their quilt tops before I send them to Billy's mom for her to quilt. So ready for spring break to get here so that we can start to put their room together...

Kodi Update

Kodi starts a new leg of her treatment today...one that when she was first diagnosed almost a year ago, I am pretty sure was never mentioned. For 2 hours today, she will have radiation injected into her little body via her IV...so much so that her own parents can only be exposed to her for 15 minutes a day TOTAL because she will be so radioactive. No one knows at this point when that amount of time will begin to increase. It all depends on how Kodi's body flushes the radiation out of her system...of course, seems like she can't catch a break with anything and this is no exception. Kodi only has one functioning kidney, so it's quite likely it could take longer than normal for her body to rid itself of the radiation. Pray for Kodi as she has to spend the majority of her time by herself these next couple of days. She has a walkie-talkie that she can talk to Tracy J on, who will be sitting right outside her door. Pray also for Tracy, Tracy and Maegan as they can't go in to see Kodi and hang out and help pass the time like they normally would. They have all been in California for the last week having a family vacation and just spending time together and will all continue to be there until Kodi gets to come back to Texas. The last time I talked to TW, the plan was for them to fly back out here on Jan 22. I pray that this is the answer and the treatment that Kodi needs to get her little body headed in the right direction and on the road to a full recovery.