Still pregnant...

I'd like to show you all a recent picture of my enormous belly but, unfortunately, our digital camera was accidentally submerged in one of the great fishing holes near Bozeman. (Matt, I really have forgiven you :) Another doctor's appointment today ( a "DP" as Matt calls them..."doctor's 'pointment"). Babies are doing well, still plenty of fluid surrounding them, heartbeats are strong, and they continue to be incredibly mobile. I really can't believe how much they can move in such cramped quarters.

I told Dr. Chisdak that I thought the boys had dropped lower and she said she didn't think it was possible...until she checked and, indeed, they had dropped even lower. I am nearly 100% effaced and barely a pinky-width dilated. Still having regular contractions.

Chisdak thanked me for not going into labor yet as she delivered 6 babies over the weekend! She said any time this week would be great...I heartily agree. She thinks I will probably go into labor in the next few days (she was, however, unwilling to guarantee this...dang!) but she went ahead and scheduled a labor induction at the hospital for Monday, April 30. There is an end in sight! I would prefer to go into labor naturally but the desires to 1) meet my sons, 2) move on to the "Mommy" stage, and 3) not be pregnant anymore, are beginning to trump this preference. Our prayer is that I go into labor before Monday's induction becomes necessary. We appreciate your prayers!

Cooling our jets

We had another doctor's appointment yesterday (I am now seeing my doctor twice a week) and Dr. Chisdak basically told us to cool our jets.

First of all, the Labor and Delivery department at the hospital is at its capacity right now. Wednesday night there were 18 babies in the nursery. If I had gone into labor this week, they would have possibly flown me to Billings because of my "high-risk" status and their lack of space/man-power.

Secondly, 3 of the 4 twins Dr. Chisdak has delivered in Bozeman at 36 weeks had to have some form of support...oxygen, feeding tube, treatment for jaundice, etc. before being released to go home. We were under the impression that everything would be hunky-dory if the boys were born at 36 weeks...we were misinformed. Thirty-seven weeks is great - thirty-eight is optimal.

So, despite the fact that I feel like there is absolutely no more room in my belly (my skin is taut, people) and three is definitely a crowd in one body, I am learning to be thankful that I am certainly not in control of when these babies appear. Funny that I am still learning about God's sovereignty in this pregnancy...seeing as how Matt and I weren't planning on getting pregnant and we certainly weren't expecting to have two babies at once. We haven't been in control at any point. Good thing.

Matt and I love that you all check our blog often and post comments...we're enjoying it very much.

The Waiting Game

Today marks the 36th week of my pregnancy...this means I have reached term for a twin pregnancy. All that worry about premature babies is long gone...thank you, Jesus. Now we are anxiously awaiting the babies' arrival...it is imminent but unknown. It could be today or in two weeks! (My doctor will induce if I haven't delivered by the time I reach 38 weeks.) I am having a lot of contractions but the majority of them are not painful...they are Braxton-Hicks or "practice" contractions. I see my doctor tomorrow morning and she will check my progression. Last week I was about 1cm dilated and 75% effaced.

Matt and I have agreed that this is a strange time in our lives. We're in a sort of limbo...the babies could come at any time so we don't want to go anywhere too far from home (or the hospital); Matt has to limit his fishing to areas where he gets cell coverage (poor baby)...We are torn between savoring our time together and being impatient at our sons' arrival. We know our life is going to change dramatically but it hasn't yet. So, it is a strange time in our lives but we have accepted the roller coaster of emotions that comes with it and still find ourselves laughing and enjoying our life together. I recently read this passage from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Letters and Papers from Prison and it seems especially appropriate.

"We used to think that one of the inalienable rights of man was that he should be able to plan both his professional and his private life. That is a thing of the past. The force of circumstances has brought us into a situation where we have to give up being 'anxious about tomorrow' (Matt. 6.34). But it makes all the difference whether we accept this willingly and in faith...or under continual constraint. For most people, the compulsory abandonement of planning for the future means that they are forced back into living just for the moment, irresponsibly, frivolously, or resignedly; some few dream longingly of better times to come, and try to forget the present. We find both these courses equally impossible, and there remains for us only the very narrow way, often extremely difficult to find, of living every day as if it were our last, and yet living in faith and responsibility as though there were to be a great future...Thinking and acting for the sake of the coming generation, but being ready to go any day without fear or anxiety - that, in practice, is the spirit in which we are forced to live. It is not easy to be brave and keep that spirit alive, but it is imperative."

Baby profile

Above is the most recent ultrasound picture of Baby B (the baby on the right). The picture is the side profile of his head...forehead, nose, lips. What a little sweetie!

Belly

Here is the most recent picture of my belly...whoah! It looks huge from this perspective. I am definitely ready to lose the belly and gain two little babies.

House in Bridger Canyon

This is the house that Matt framed and is now finishing the siding on as we speak...

My big belly

Here are some pictures that show the progression of my belly growth. The first was taken January 25 at 6 months pregnant; the second taken in February at almost 7 months pregnant.

Can't believe we're bloggers...

Hello, one and all! Matt and I figured this would be a great way to share our lives with friends and family who don't have the luxury of living in the spectacular Gallatin Valley. To borrow the words of Pink Floyd, we honestly "wish you were here". We hope you check in often to see pictures of the babies (once they are here), hear about our thriving home-building business, and enjoy the endless adventure that is our life.