Baby Update and Bedrest

Being behind on the blog has kept me from posting updates on the blog, so here is a brief "catch-up" on our baby boys.
Through the months of January and February my pregnancy was smooth sailing. We had several sonograms and each one showed both babies measuring big and ahead of schedule. At the end of February I was getting more and more uncomfortable and was quickly running out of clothes that actually fit but things were going great and my doctor was very happy with how the pregnancy was progressing. We worked around Derek's work schedule and used the time we had to make preparations for the boys. We purchased the extra baby items and equipment we needed, traded in Derek's car for a new Minivan (yes, we took the plunge), unpacked and washed all of our baby boy clothes in storage, arranged the boys' room so everything fit, and focused on sending lots of time with Adalyn and Carter. We had a productive two months.

On March 6th I went to bi-weekly my doctor's appointment and was surprised to learn that I had dilated. My doctor put me on home bed rest and that is where I still I am today. I began bed rest at 32 weeks and today I am 34 weeks and 2 days. I know that bed rest is a very common occurrence with twins and early dilation is common among women who have previously been pregnant, but part of me is still disappointed that I couldn't avoid bed rest longer. Thankfully Derek's mom graciously agreed to come up to help and has been so wonderful. She takes care of transporting Addy to and from preschool, takes care of Carter all day, keeps us caught up on laundry and all of the other cleaning tasks around the house. We are so thankful to have her up here and the kids are really enjoying being soiled by their Grandma. I just hope that they don't drive her too crazy:)

Since being on bed rest my pregnancy just continues to get more interesting. I had a sonogram at 32 weeks and 2 days and the babies were measuring 5 lbs 7 oz. and 4 lbs. 7 oz. Sonograms can be off plus or minus a pound or so, but either way, we know they are big boys for twins! At my 33 week appointment I had dilated one more cm so Dr. Dutta sent me to the hospital to be monitored. Not many contractions registered on the monitor but I did get the two doses of steroid shots to mature the boys' lungs in case they decided to make an early debut. Then the following Saturday I went into labor and delivery because I was feeling pressure and a whole lot of irritability. After being on the monitors for a few hours, I was given medicine to stop labor and sent home. I wasn't anymore dilated at my 34 week appointment this past Wednesday and had a Non Stress Test done that showed that the babies were as happy as larks and I had no real contractions. Yesterday evening I started feeling lots of pressure and irritability and headed to L&D...again! The monitors showed lots of irritability so I was given another dose of meds to stop labor.

So, it has certainly been an interesting few weeks and I have collected my fair share of hospital bracelets from all of my visits, non stress tests, and injections. If the boys were to come at this point, they would most likely be OK but we would definitely like them to bake a little longer if possible. I'm not quite sure what the next few weeks (or days or hours) has in store for us, but we are doing everything we can to make sure that these little guys come out healthy! So far bed rest has been bearable. I have been able to watch a ton of basketball with the conference and NCAA tournaments happening, but I definitely get stir crazy every now and then. I'm not usually one to stay home or sit in one place too often, and I feel bad about not being able to do certain things with Adalyn and Carter, but if it means that these guys get some extra days to bake, I'll do it! We certainly appreciate all of the prayers and offers to help that we have received from friends and family. Your gestures, thoughts, and prayers mean more to us than you'll ever know. These two little boys have no idea how much the are already loved!  

I don't really enjoy posting pregnant pictures of myself, but I thought I'd make an exception just this once.

34 WEEKS!

Addy had to jump in the picture.  She loves all three of her little brothers!

Happy Fifth Birthday Adalyn!

This year Adalyn's birthday fell on a Saturday.  We started her "Birthday Palooza" weekend on Friday when Addy took her birthday treats to school.  She choose to take mini ice cream cone cupcakes that she helped me make the day before.  She was very excited about celebrating her birthday at school and proudly wore the birthday crown she got from her teacher all weekend.  Friday afternoon our family arrived for the exciting weekend.  Mom and Dad drove up and brought Ashley and her boyfriend, Ben and Grandma Freihaut also came up in the afternoon.  That evening we ate dinner and spent time hanging out.  Addy and Carter really enjoyed playing with Ben mostly because he is a big kid himself. 

On Saturday we had a small family birthday party at the house for Addy.  Uncle Cory, Cameron, and Kerrigan made the trip from Terre Haute and Kim also came to celebrate with us.  Addy chose to have walking tacos for lunch, which is the same thing she asked for last year.  She also chose to have an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen and even designed it all by herself.  She had her heart set on a Lego Friends birthday but there aren't a whole lot of favors and decorations for that theme, so we improvised and added some of her real Loge pieces to the top of her cake. 

Addy worked with the Dairy Queen lady to design her cake all by herself.

Family Picture

The kids' table

Cake Time!

POsing with Grandma and Grandpa Schum

Cousins!  At least the girls were happy!

Posing with Ashley and Ben

Kim and Addy

Addy received many wonderful gifts from everyone and loved being the center of attention on her special day.  Later Saturday evening, the girls went to the mall so that Addy could pick out new earrings and jewelry at Clarie's and to eat at Panera.  The boys went to Famous Dave's (a BBQ restaurant) and then hurried home to watch the Indiana basketball game.  Addy was so excited to have some girls time with both of her grandmas, Aunt, and Mom. 

My family left late on Sunday morning, but "Birthday Palooza" wasn't quite finished for the Freihauts.  Later that afternoon Addy had her class birthday party with her classmates at a local Gymnastics Academy.  She had thirteen friends attend her party and was so exited to celebrate with all of them.  The party began with an hour of play time on the gym's floor.  The kids loved swinging on the rope, jumping in the bouncy house, diving into the foam pits, bouncing on the trampolines and laying on all the other fun gymnastics equipment.  After playtime the kids had cupcakes and then all gathered around Addy to watch her open gifts.  Addy had been asking to have a birthday party at the gymnastics party since she went to a friend's party last May and she had a wonderful time.  It was a lot of fun watching all of the kids let out energy on the equipment and celebrate with Addy.  She is a very lucky to have so many great friends!

Addy and Ella

"Swimming" through the foam pit

Group Picture

Opening gifts

So, Addy's birthday celebration spanned three days this year and consisted of two parties, three birthday treats, lots of friends and family, and endless smiles from our little girl.  We were exhausted on Sunday night (especially this preggo mama!) but it was all worth it because our little girl had the perfect fifth birthday.

Proud to be FIVE!

We can't believe that Adalyn is already five years old.  It seems like yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital on a snowy Saturday.  Looking at her now, we are amazed at the little girl she has become.  She is definitely head strong and will let you know what she thinks she is right.  She is sassy and sweet, loves her little brother, is always willing to help out anyone, and is wise beyond her years.  I look at her everyday and am amazed at how grown up she is.  Even though I always say that time can slow down anytime now, I am also excited to watch Addy grow and experience new things.  Happy Birthday Adalyn Grace!  Mommy, Daddy, Carter, and the babies love you VERY much!

An Interview with a FIVE Year Old

 

I interviewed Adalyn on her birthday about some of her favorite things.  I started "birthday interviews" with her last year and plan to use the same questions each year.  It is interesting to see how her interests and favorites change from year to year. 

 

Happy Fifth Birthday ADALYN GRACE!

1. What is your favorite color? purple and pink

2. What is your favorite toy?  My dolls, Saige and Lucy

3. What is your favorite fruit? strawberries and apples

4. What is your favorite TV show?  Wow Wow Wubzy

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? macaroni and cheese and hot dogs

6. What is your favorite outfit?  My sparkly peacock shirt with jeans

7. What is your favorite game? Busytown and Don't Wake Daddy

8. What is your favorite snack? Gogurt and Popsicles

9. What is your favorite animal?  Dolphins

10. What is your favorite song?  The songs that I make up and the "gymnastics song" (Home by Phillip Phillips)

11. What is your favorite book? Friends Lego Chapter Book

12. Who is your best friend?  Ella

13. What is your favorite cereal?  Cinnamon Toast Crunch

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride my scooter

15. What is your favorite drink?  Chocolate Milk

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?   Lucy and Saige

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes

19. If you could take a vacation anywhere, where would you go?   Disneyland

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher and a mommy

A Fast and Furious February

I'm not quite sure where the month of February went, but I am glad that it has passed.  January and February aren't exactly my favorite months of the year because it is Derek's crazy busy work season where he works many late nights and goes into the office for at least one full day on the weekends.  It is a chaotic time for us and  This year it was extra challenging because I was pregnant with the boys.  Amongst the craziness we did manage to have some fun family nights and the kids and I filled our days with fun indoor projects and trips to our favorite places around town.  At the end of the month I was SO happy to turn the February page on the calender.

Here are few pictures from our crazy month:

All ready to watch the Super Bowl

Valentine fun in Addy's classroom

Checking out Addy's Valentines

Playing games at the party

Addy and her friend, Ella

Two of my Valentines and the treat Derek got for us....so much better than flowers, especially when you are VERY pregnant!

An intense game of Angry Birds

Look at that concentration!

Carter loves to dress up as Handy Manny and pretend to fix things around the house.

 

Being Silly

 

 

Carter's 30 month Well Check Appointment

Carter had his 30 month well check appointment on January 17.  Carter interacted a ton with the nurse and the doctor. During previous appointments he has been a bit standoffish and shy, but he was so chatty during this appointment that I'm not even sure I had to be there.  Carter answered all of their questions, even the ones that were directed at me.  When Doctor Boe asked me if he was potty trained Carter piped in and said, "yes, I go on the potty."  He also told the doctor that I had two baby boys in my belly.  Dr. Boe looked up from Carter's chart with his brows raised looking to me for confirmation and I let him know that Carter was correct and the Freihauts were keeping him in business.  Carter had a great appointment and was quite the character throughout the entire visit.  He measured 37.75 inches (85th percentile) and 35.5 lbs. (90th percentile).  Our little boy is growing like a weed!

Pierced Ears

Earlier this year Addy made the big decision to get her ears pierced on her fifth birthday.  When we found out about the babies, we decided that it may be best to get them pierces a bit earlier in the year, so that they are healed by the arrival of the babies.  So, on the last Saturday of January Addy and I headed to the mall to take the big step. Addy did a fantastic job and didn't flinch a bit as the two ladies pierced them both at the same time.  I held her hands and Saige (Addy's new doll) was along for support, of course!  She chose a pair of super cute pink daisy earrings and spent lots of time admiring them in every mirror we came across for the rest of the weekend.  We finished our girls' afternoon with lunch at Panera. 

The before shot

The after shot

Admiring her new accessories

Our Spunky girl!

She was very excited to show her new ears off to her Dad, who wasn't so sure about his little girl getting holes in her ears. Addy looks so grown up with her ear pierced.  I'm not so sure that I want my little girl to grow up; I guess I can't stop the inevitable, but I sure can try to slow it down just a little:)

An Early Birthday Present

January was a big month for Addy.  Since learning that we are having twins, we made of list of things that are priorities for us to get done before I am possibly put on bed rest or can't travel very far from home.  For a few months now Addy has been asking to go to the American Girl Store to get a "big girl doll" for her birthday. It really is a special experience for girls to go to the store and pick out their doll and eat with her in the cafe.  It wouldn't have been my preference as a soon to be five year old, but Addy is definitely more "girly" than I was (or am).  Derek and I decided that the American Girl experience would be the perfect way to celebrate her fifth birthday and we opted to take the trip in January so that I would be more comfortable going.  We headed to the store in St. Louis because it is much smaller and is connected to a suburban mall; as opposed to the much larger Chicago flag store that is located in downtown and would have required a lot more walking for me.

We arrived in St. Louis Friday evening and headed straight to the store in hopes that it would be less crowded Friday evening than on Saturday and Addy would have an easier time checking out the dolls and making her choice.  We were so glad to get there and find the store virtually empty.  Even though we had looked through the catalog and discussed Addy's options many times before arriving, she was totally in awe of all of the options when we arrived and it took some effort to focus her on the task at hand.  I have to admit that it was a bit overwhelming for her mom!  Everyone who knows me well knows that dolls (and girly things in general) really aren't my thing; so being immersed in so much of it all at once is a daunting task.  After making several rounds around the store looking at all the dolls and making a long list of accessories that she wanted, Addy decided on Saige who is the 2013 "Girl of the Year."  It was the doll she had originally picked out of the AG magazine the week before our trip, but once she was immersed in all of the doll craziness, it took a few trips around the store to come back to Saige as her selection.  We left the store on Friday night with a doll, an outfit and one happy little girl.

Addy and Carter posing with Saige in her balloon

Our Happy Little Shopper

That night we stayed in a great Drury Inn that was very close to the hotel and provided a bed for Addy's new doll that she was able to take home.  On Saturday morning we headed back to the doll store to get our name on the list for lunch (they don't accept advance reservations).  We took the 11:30 slot, shopped a bit on the connecting mall, and then went to eat lunch with Saige.  Carter was given the option to eat with his Dad at another restaurant on the mall, but was just as excited to eat with Saige as Addy was.  The cafe is very small and doesn't seat a lot of people at once.  Addy had the "tea party" option off the menu and loved her hot chocolate and petite sandwiches and desserts. Saige even had her own plate and tea cup.  It was a  very special meal that Addy loved and I am so glad we took the time to do with her.

Matching jammies!

Boy time with the tablet

Addy, Mommy and Saige enjoying lunch

Family pic

Even Saige had her own place setting!

We finished up our Saturday by heading to a few stores we don't have in Bloomington/Normal including a giant Babies R Us to purchase a few baby items that aren't available in the store in town.  After much encouragement from Derek, I finally bit the bullet and purchased the stroller I have had my eye on for the twins.  I loved the stroller when we rented it at Disney, so I succumbed to Derek's peer pressure and bought it.  I am very excited!

I am so glad that we went ahead and made the trip.  Addy loved picking out Saige and the doll hasn't left her side since we brought her home.  Never in my life did I ever imagine that I would watch YouTube videos on how to care for a doll's hair, but that is exactly what I was doing the night we bought her!  The things we do for our kiddos!   Although I'm not a big "doll person" and probably never will be, it was a great experience for our special little girl.  

 

Addy and her new friend