Hi there everyone,
Waiting for a snowstorm here this evening. Mark's brother from Indy visited us this weekend. It was great to see Scott, but unfortunate to have to watch the Colts lose the superbowl together. Ah well. Sam is getting over a cough and stuffy nose and dealing with some 'cabin fever' the past few days.
Not too much new news, which is a good thing really. I had an ultrasound last week which showed that Abby is growing well at now 2lbs 10oz. I am 28.5 weeks and still anxiously counting down the days to 32 weeks as our first goal, and then hoping to make it to 36 weeks and past.
We are hanging in there through this loss the best we can. We have our sad moments, our distracted moments, and even our joyful moments. We are trying to prepare for the twins' birth in ways that will make it meaningful to celebrate the joy of Abby's arrival and the sadness of Will's loss.
People continually ask what they might do for us, and of course prayer is always appreciated. But, beyond that, please do not be afraid to spread the word of our loss and situation to those we might know but not have close contact with. We do not feel it is gossip or a 'private matter' that we lost our precious son. It helps us out to not have to tell or story over and over again to everyone we happen to run into at church, the grocery store or elsewhere.
Thank you as always for your love and support.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Almost 27 weeks along now
I went to see my perinatologist yesterday afternoon. I am always so tired after the long drive back and forth that I just can't get the energy to post right away. Sorry for the delay in information.
Abby continues to look good. We did a basic ultrasound with the portable machine (not detailed) in his office, which showed she is quite active (I knew that from her kicks) and that she has good levels of fluid around her. Her heart continues to beat strongly. I also got my blood drawn to make sure my blood is not clotting abnormally due to losing Will. Apparently, this is a very rare issue, so praying that all will be fine. I go back for a detailed u/s next Tuesday to check on her growth rate and heart function as well as my cervical length.
The doctor said that our risk of losing Abby in utero is decreasing with every week, and that my biggest risk remains pre-term labor. I'll be 27 weeks this Thursday, which means I'll be 7 months pregnant and in my final trimester. This is very good news for Abby, though my doctor said making it to 32 weeks is my 'big goal' and then 36 after that.
My mom is visiting right now, and she has helped me get to be out and about a bit more. I'm still on 'modified rest' I would call it. Not total bedrest and not totally homebound, but generally taking it as easy as possible with lots and lots of ice cream. OK, maybe the ice cream is unecessary. Speaking of food though, thanks so much to all of you who provided dinners for us these past two weeks. It was so helpful for Mark and I not to have to worry about that detail of our daily lives.
Please do continue praying for Abby that she will be strong and healthy and make it to full-term. We are so blessed with all your support.
Eve
Abby continues to look good. We did a basic ultrasound with the portable machine (not detailed) in his office, which showed she is quite active (I knew that from her kicks) and that she has good levels of fluid around her. Her heart continues to beat strongly. I also got my blood drawn to make sure my blood is not clotting abnormally due to losing Will. Apparently, this is a very rare issue, so praying that all will be fine. I go back for a detailed u/s next Tuesday to check on her growth rate and heart function as well as my cervical length.
The doctor said that our risk of losing Abby in utero is decreasing with every week, and that my biggest risk remains pre-term labor. I'll be 27 weeks this Thursday, which means I'll be 7 months pregnant and in my final trimester. This is very good news for Abby, though my doctor said making it to 32 weeks is my 'big goal' and then 36 after that.
My mom is visiting right now, and she has helped me get to be out and about a bit more. I'm still on 'modified rest' I would call it. Not total bedrest and not totally homebound, but generally taking it as easy as possible with lots and lots of ice cream. OK, maybe the ice cream is unecessary. Speaking of food though, thanks so much to all of you who provided dinners for us these past two weeks. It was so helpful for Mark and I not to have to worry about that detail of our daily lives.
Please do continue praying for Abby that she will be strong and healthy and make it to full-term. We are so blessed with all your support.
Eve
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A New Update After My Appointment
Hello everyone.
Just wanted to give a brief update as to how we were doing and what we learned at my appointments on Tuesday. First of all, thanks again for the prayers, visits, calls and food you have provided to us. We so appreciate it.
I would say we are doing the best we can. The business of life doesn't really stop for loss, so Mark finds himself in the unfortunate position of being quite busy at work. I have decided not to return to work for the remainder of my pregnancy, as our situation is too uncertain and not fair to my clients. Mark and I are taking advantage of each other and our faith upon which to lean and enjoying the support of our friends and family to let us vent at times and other times distract us as well.
Some have asked us about a service for Will. We have decided to wait and see how things progress with my pregnancy before making any concrete plans or decisions. We hope to honor Will's life in a service at some point, just not right now.
I had promising appointments with the Perinatology Center at St. John's for a detailed ultrasound and at my actual perinatologist's office for a visit. Abby looks good and is growing well at 2 lbs 2 oz. Her heart looks strong, and she seems to be showing no signs of stress due to Will's death. They will be monitoring me for a rare blood clotting issue that sometimes occurs in these circumstances as well as Abby's growth and health with weekly appointments. They still cannot tell us what happened to Will, but that it is very rare for babies to die in utero so late in pregnancy.
We are told that Abby's greatest risk for pre-term delivery or other complications is in the month after losing her twin. We have made it 10 days, and are taking things one day at a time, hoping I can make it as far as possible with her. I have been taken off strict bedrest but am still on a modified rest program with limited activity.
Please continue to pray for us and especially for Abby that she is a strong little girl, able to come into this world a healthy baby despite all the challenges she faces.
God Bless,
Eve
Just wanted to give a brief update as to how we were doing and what we learned at my appointments on Tuesday. First of all, thanks again for the prayers, visits, calls and food you have provided to us. We so appreciate it.
I would say we are doing the best we can. The business of life doesn't really stop for loss, so Mark finds himself in the unfortunate position of being quite busy at work. I have decided not to return to work for the remainder of my pregnancy, as our situation is too uncertain and not fair to my clients. Mark and I are taking advantage of each other and our faith upon which to lean and enjoying the support of our friends and family to let us vent at times and other times distract us as well.
Some have asked us about a service for Will. We have decided to wait and see how things progress with my pregnancy before making any concrete plans or decisions. We hope to honor Will's life in a service at some point, just not right now.
I had promising appointments with the Perinatology Center at St. John's for a detailed ultrasound and at my actual perinatologist's office for a visit. Abby looks good and is growing well at 2 lbs 2 oz. Her heart looks strong, and she seems to be showing no signs of stress due to Will's death. They will be monitoring me for a rare blood clotting issue that sometimes occurs in these circumstances as well as Abby's growth and health with weekly appointments. They still cannot tell us what happened to Will, but that it is very rare for babies to die in utero so late in pregnancy.
We are told that Abby's greatest risk for pre-term delivery or other complications is in the month after losing her twin. We have made it 10 days, and are taking things one day at a time, hoping I can make it as far as possible with her. I have been taken off strict bedrest but am still on a modified rest program with limited activity.
Please continue to pray for us and especially for Abby that she is a strong little girl, able to come into this world a healthy baby despite all the challenges she faces.
God Bless,
Eve
Friday, January 15, 2010
Our Update
Just wanted to give a quick update on how things are going. I'm hanging in there on bedrest for now, and enjoy very much feeling Abby's kicks. Unfortunately, it's hard for us both when she sleeps, so we are in the process of renting a doppler for the next three months to help give us reassurance that she is alright.
We have been comforted by the company and support of friends, and treated to dinners brought to us to help ease Mark's workload. My sister is visiting until Monday to help get the house in order and to provide emotional support for us. My mom will be coming up next Saturday for a week as well.
People are asking what we need right now. Of course, continued prayers for healing for us and safety for Abby would be so appreciated. Please do not be afraid to call. Although it's sad for us to talk about our Will, it so comforting to hear the voices of our friends. I'm not sure how long my bedrest will continue, and for that we may be in need of support that any can give to help take Sam to school/pick him up or maybe even take me to doctor's appointments as Mark may not always be able to leave work for these.
Being alone is tough for us, so don't hestitate to visit for awhile. Please just call us first, our family visitors will not mind the interruption.
We are leaning on each other and God for comfort and feel more blessed then ever for our Sam, who provides us with smiles and laughter even during our tears.
We have been comforted by the company and support of friends, and treated to dinners brought to us to help ease Mark's workload. My sister is visiting until Monday to help get the house in order and to provide emotional support for us. My mom will be coming up next Saturday for a week as well.
People are asking what we need right now. Of course, continued prayers for healing for us and safety for Abby would be so appreciated. Please do not be afraid to call. Although it's sad for us to talk about our Will, it so comforting to hear the voices of our friends. I'm not sure how long my bedrest will continue, and for that we may be in need of support that any can give to help take Sam to school/pick him up or maybe even take me to doctor's appointments as Mark may not always be able to leave work for these.
Being alone is tough for us, so don't hestitate to visit for awhile. Please just call us first, our family visitors will not mind the interruption.
We are leaning on each other and God for comfort and feel more blessed then ever for our Sam, who provides us with smiles and laughter even during our tears.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sad News (loss mentioned)
Hi to our dear friends and family,
I'm so sad to write this, but we wanted to let you know we discovered that our precious baby boy, William Scott, no longer had a beating heart at my 24.5 week visit to the perinatologist. I had no warning signs that anything was wrong (apparently our baby girl, Abigail) was bumping into him for a day or two, simulating movement on his side.
They cannot tell us what happened, as he just had a glowing review of an ultrasound the week before, but the doctors believe it had something to do with his placenta or cord. They will not be able to tell, as he needs to stay with me in order to let Abby grow more. There is a risk that my body will want to go into labor, so I am bedrest for at least a week. We are hopeful that Abby will stay put much longer and have no ill-effects from losing her brother.
We are so sad, but taking comfort in the loving support of our friends and family, and our faith that we will one day meet our little Will in heaven. Please be in prayer for us and especially for our little fighter, Abby, that she has the strength to get through this time.
God Bless,
Mark, Eve and Sam
I'm so sad to write this, but we wanted to let you know we discovered that our precious baby boy, William Scott, no longer had a beating heart at my 24.5 week visit to the perinatologist. I had no warning signs that anything was wrong (apparently our baby girl, Abigail) was bumping into him for a day or two, simulating movement on his side.
They cannot tell us what happened, as he just had a glowing review of an ultrasound the week before, but the doctors believe it had something to do with his placenta or cord. They will not be able to tell, as he needs to stay with me in order to let Abby grow more. There is a risk that my body will want to go into labor, so I am bedrest for at least a week. We are hopeful that Abby will stay put much longer and have no ill-effects from losing her brother.
We are so sad, but taking comfort in the loving support of our friends and family, and our faith that we will one day meet our little Will in heaven. Please be in prayer for us and especially for our little fighter, Abby, that she has the strength to get through this time.
God Bless,
Mark, Eve and Sam
Monday, December 28, 2009
Christmas Pics!
A few pics from Christmas or a few days after! We even got a little snow on Christmas! Update on thing in the post below!!!!!
Merry Be-Lated Christmas and Update!
Hi everyone,
So sorry I haven't updated in awhile, time has a way of escaping me! We have had an 'eventful' past few weeks here. On the babies front, we're still working on getting names for our little twinklets...and being rather picky. I've had several ultrasounds which show that the babies are indeed a boy and a girl, and appear to be very healthy. As of last week, they were estimated to weight about a pound a piece already!
Mark's parents have been visiting us for a little less than two weeks and helping us with several projects around the house: termite/water damage repair and helping to entertain/spoil/take care of Sam (if you call that a project, lol!). We had a very nice Christmas hunkered down at home with a wonderful Christmas meal compliments of everyone except me (although I did make the green bean casserole, which really doesn't require much more than opening cans of things, but it still counts, right?).
I have been having a bit more struggles with contractions lately. The day before Christmas Eve, I was contracting frequently enough to warrant a trip to Labor & Delivery (L&D for short) at St. John's. Luckily, my cervix did not seem to be changing with these contractions, so I was allowed to go home with a new dose of medicine.
Unfortunately, my contractions REALLY ramped up again yesterday (the 27th) and landed me back at L&D. After a lot of lab work, they determined that I have a urinary tract infection, which may be the reason for the increase in contractions. Once again, the babies looked great and my cervix is still holding.
I'm 22.5 weeks and VERY close to what's considered 'viability' which is at 24 weeks. Please pray that these babies hold tight at least that long and hopefully MUCH, MUCH longer for us!
Good Bless and Happy New Year!!!!
So sorry I haven't updated in awhile, time has a way of escaping me! We have had an 'eventful' past few weeks here. On the babies front, we're still working on getting names for our little twinklets...and being rather picky. I've had several ultrasounds which show that the babies are indeed a boy and a girl, and appear to be very healthy. As of last week, they were estimated to weight about a pound a piece already!
Mark's parents have been visiting us for a little less than two weeks and helping us with several projects around the house: termite/water damage repair and helping to entertain/spoil/take care of Sam (if you call that a project, lol!). We had a very nice Christmas hunkered down at home with a wonderful Christmas meal compliments of everyone except me (although I did make the green bean casserole, which really doesn't require much more than opening cans of things, but it still counts, right?).
I have been having a bit more struggles with contractions lately. The day before Christmas Eve, I was contracting frequently enough to warrant a trip to Labor & Delivery (L&D for short) at St. John's. Luckily, my cervix did not seem to be changing with these contractions, so I was allowed to go home with a new dose of medicine.
Unfortunately, my contractions REALLY ramped up again yesterday (the 27th) and landed me back at L&D. After a lot of lab work, they determined that I have a urinary tract infection, which may be the reason for the increase in contractions. Once again, the babies looked great and my cervix is still holding.
I'm 22.5 weeks and VERY close to what's considered 'viability' which is at 24 weeks. Please pray that these babies hold tight at least that long and hopefully MUCH, MUCH longer for us!
Good Bless and Happy New Year!!!!
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