Since John had Thanksgiving week off we decided to get out of town and go camping with our good friends Abra and Manuel. Copy and paste the link to a slide show of the trip.
(Thanks, Abra and Manuel, for the pics!)
http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d5449324e7a6b304f544e384d6a51794d6a597a4d444d3d0d0a&sb=1
Last week I took the girls for their two month check up. We were happy to find out that they are both growing well and doing better than expected. Nora weighed in at an even 10 pounds and measured 21 1/2 inches. Cosette barely surpassed 7 pounds, weighing in at 7 pounds 2 oz and measuring 19 1/2 inches long. Not bad for one that started out under 3 pounds!
They have both started smiling. Nora smiles readily at anyone who talks to her. It takes a bit more coaxing to get a smile out of Cosette. Cosette also surprised us all this week by turning herself over from her tummy to her back. She may be small but she is definately mighty!
Another milestone, for which I am extremely grateful, is that they have both begun sleeping through the night. I never expected this to be the case so early on but I am grateful for the tender mercy.
What a blessing these two have already been in our lives! They bring an incredible spirit into our home. I don't know why I was so blessed to be the one chosen to be their mother but I am grateful I was!
For those of you who are familiar with the intricacies of carving up wards and stakes here in Houston, you know that the creativity involved is legendary. Yet when they created the Windrose Ward about a year and a half ago, splitting off our little part of Wimbledon north of the creek, we all knew that it would not last forever.
Today Wimbledon is whole once again.
As a precursor to the creation of a new stake on the north side of Houston next week, our little portion of Wimbledon was reunited with the rest of the neighborhood and made part of the Kleinwood Ward. Bishop Driggs was released as Bishop of the Spring Creek Ward and immediately called as the new Bishop of the Kleinwood Ward. And for now, the rest of the Spring Creek Ward remains intact with Steve Potter as the new Bishop. We'll let you know what happens after next Sunday with the creation of the new stake.
September 8, 2009 I gave birth to Nora Jane and Cosette. We were constantly blessed throughout the entire pregnancy. We had many people praying for the babies and my well being. The blessings from these prayers did not go unnoticed. I truly was very blessed and had only a few minor problems during the pregnancy. On August 26th, I wrote this to a friend in a letter ,
"Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I truly feel at peace about how things will turn out. I know that God is in control and things will turn out just as they should. I truly have been blessed this entire pregnancy. Many women who carry twins never even make it to 34 weeks - much less 34 weeks without having to be on bed rest. So, I am counting my blessings and leaving the rest to God."
Since having the twins I have realized that I don't even have the slightest inkling of just how truly blessed we were and how closely my Father in Heaven was watching over me and these two little girls.
Tuesday morning, September 8th, I went in for a routine doctor's appointment. After doing another ultrasound, checking my blood pressure, and a couple of other routine labs Dr. Westmoreland said that she felt comfortable waiting another week and 2 days to deliver the babies. After this she checked my cervix and found that I was already dilated to a 7. Since I had felt few contractions up to this point she didn't feel it wise to send me home to await stronger contractions. The new plan was for me to go to the hospital, get an epidural, break my water and have the babies. Since I was already dilated to a 7 and all had been normal at the visit we both expected it to be a quick delivery. However, by the time I came over to the hospital my blood pressure was up. During routine labs done before receiving anesthesia they found that my platelet count was way down. Normal platelet count runs between 100k and 150k, mine was around 43k. They also found protein in my urine. All theses things together were a red flag for preeclampsia and hellp syndrome. Due to the danger of receiving other forms of anesthesia with my platelet count so low we opted to do a c-section with General Anesthesia. After the decision was made I was immediately taken into the operation room.
John said that they brought the babies out after about 15 minutes in the OR.
When I came out of the anesthesia the first emotion I remember feeling was panic. No one had told me anything about the babies. Were they okay? Where were they? After what seemed like an eternity I was able to ask John and find out that they were both fine. John told me that Nora was 5 lbs 9 oz and Cosette 2lbs 14oz. They brought Nora Jane into the room later that evening. Since Cosette was so small she had to stay in the NICU. I didn't get to see her until I was off the mag drip and had been in the hospital for 2 days.
Because my blood pressure had been so high the doctor put me on a mag drip immediately following the C-section. The mag drip made me feel like I was living in a dream world. I didn't know what was real and what I was actually just dreaming. I was relieved when my blood pressure was regulated enough to stop the medication. I was in the hospital for 5 days.
We were able to bring Nora Jane home with us but had to leave Cosette in the hospital. It was heart wrenching not being able to bring her home with us. I am anxious to have her here, to be able to care for her every need and give her the love that only a family can. I pray that she will grow quickly and be able to come home.
It was only after coming home and speaking with my doctor and a few friends who are nurses that John and I began to recognize just how serious my condition could have been to myself and the babies. On Friday my doctor told me that she could definitely see God's hand in the safe delivery of the twins. Apparently, if I had come home instead of going to the hospital there was a good chance that I would have begun to have seizures. This would have put the babies lives and my life in grave danger.
Before doing the c-section Dr. Westmoreland told us that she didn't feel as though she had any good options. She felt that her only choice was to do the C-section with general anesthesia. However, general anesthesia is dangerous for the babies. Thankfully, the team of doctors in the OR knew what they were doing and both were born safely. Later I learned that an epidural was not an option because of my platelet count. With the count being so low my blood would not clot. It would have built up on my spine, causing pressure and a need for immediate spinal surgery. Even if the condition is caught quickly is can still cause paralysis.
I am sure that I still don't even have the slightest comprehension of the many ways in which Heavenly Father was watching over us that day and throughout the entire pregnancy. I will infinitely be grateful for the miracles that He has seen fit to perform in my behalf. I look at these two little girls and am awed at the fact the I am the one who was chosen to be their mother. In the 12 short days that they have been with us my life has already been tremendously blessed. Every time I hold them I feel and see God's love. Truly there is no greater gift that to hold and care for God's children!
Here is a link to some pictures my dad took of the babies
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=dougwhipple&target=ALBUM&id=5379911506075939009&authkey=Gv1sRgCNT32KuRjvuWLg&feat=email
Two weeks ago I went to the doctor for my normal check-up. During the ultrasound we found out that baby b's growth had slowed down tremendously. Also, we could see her heart beating but she wasn't moving or practicing her breathing. So, the doctor sent me over to the hospital to be monitored for the day. Thankfully, both of the babies began moving and breathing and I was able to come home without any intervention.
This week I again had an ultrasound. It showed that baby b had not grown at all. Dr. Westmoreland, however, said that she wasn't concerned about this because week to week ultrasounds are not accurate in assessing growth and because their movement and the blood flow through their umbilical cord and the placenta looked perfect. She said that that was a more accurate way to measure fetal well being.
With that news I was encouraged that I might not need to deliver until at least 36 weeks. She did say that I am already dilated to a 4. I could deliver today or it could be a week or two from now. I pray that my body will be strengthened to carry them until they can be born healthy and strong. I have no doubt that we have been continually blessed through the prayers of others during this pregnancy. It has been mostly uneventful, for which we are grateful.
It has been a blessing to feel Heavenly Father's love for these two babies that I carry inside of me. What a wonderful blessing to be given the opportunity and responsibility of raising two more of HIS children.
Today I went to the doctor for my 32 week check-up. Since both of the babies have been measuring small the doctor has been doing an ultrasound once a month. In the past "Baby A" (the lower baby) has measured about 3 days smaller than her actually gestational age and "Baby B" has measured about a week smaller than her gestational age. There hasn't been any concern because they were both growing at a steady rate. Today "Baby A" was right on track and shows to be weighing 3 lbs 9 oz. "Baby B" ,however, is now measuring 10 days smaller.The good news is that the fluid levels, heart beats, and movements all look normal. There is some concern that the baby may not be getting enough nutrients so my obgyn has referred me to a perinatologist. She said that while this could be nothing she prefers to be "proactive" and wants a second opinion on the matter. I am assuming that I will go in to the perinatologist some time next week. So far this pregnancy has been remarkable uneventful. For this I am extremely grateful. I am, again, grateful for all of your prayers. I know that they have made a difference!
Here are a few pictures from the ultrasound today. Unfortunately the higher baby was facing my back. The first picture is of the back of her head and her back. The 3D pictures are of the lower baby. If you look closely in one you can see her sticking out her tongue. Just under her chin you can see the top of the higher baby's head.
If you skip about the 1st minute of the video you will see Anne-Loren's favorite way to dance. She loves music and usually starts to move immediately when she hears it.
Caitlyn's favorite part of dance is dancing on the "big stage." Here is a clip from this year's recital. She is the smallest one in the middle.
Tonight after dinner I was having a very hard time with Caitie. She was being blatantly disobeident to everything that I asked her to do. So, I told her to go upstairs and get in bed (it was around 6:30) and that she would have to stay there the rest of the night. Just prior to this she had broken a glass jar while doing exactly what I had asked her not to do. She was screaming and yelling at me and then suddenly she stopped and in her normal cheerful voice said, " Mama, you could recycle that glass jar!" Once that sentence was out she immediately began screaming again.
How grateful I am for a wonderful Mother and Mother-in-law. I am so blessed to have these two women who have taught me and who help to teach my children what is most important in this life.
Thank you, Mom and KK, for the wonderful, Christ-like women that you are. I look to your examples each day as I strive to raise my children properly and be the Mother that they need me to be. How I pray that I can teach them and, more importantly, show them how to be who they truly are.
Over Easter weekend we went camping with my family. The kids got absolutely filthy and loved every minute of it! I don't think Anne-Loren cried even once while we were there. We even lucked out and had awesome weather!
This week we finally heard from Thunderbird. They said that since Grandpa Big Dad was a Thunderbird, and Uncle Bill is a Thunderbird, it would be a shame for me not to be one too.
So we've been crunching a lot of numbers and trying to look at all of the possible implications of going to the three schools where we were accepted. Here's a quick run down for anyone interested. If not, skip to the end.
BYU is the cheapest in terms of tuition - a little under 10k/year, but doesn't really offer any scholarships.
Rice is the most expensive, coming in at close to 45k/year for tuition and fees. They offered me a 15k/year scholarship, plus the added benefits of staying here in Houston with the twins coming.
Thunderbird is just under 40k/year in tuition and they offered me a 1/2 tuition scholarship.
While all of these options are interesting, each has its drawbacks. With either BYU or Thunderbird, we'd have to add in the costs/effects of moving the family, having the babies within a month of relocating, the increased costs of living, etc. Rice is the most expensive and the tuition deposit is pretty steep at a time when all of our money is going to pay the doctor and the hospital up front for the twins.
So one thought is that we hold off a year. That way we make sure the babies arrive safe and sound, and if the schools we've been accepted to won't defer the offer for a year, we can always apply again and this time get them in at beginning of the cycle rather than at the tail end.
Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers on our behalf. We'll let y'all know which way we're headed as soon as we're sure ourselves.
Being pregnant with twins has been an eye opening experience for me. John and I have been very blessed in that we have had no complications in the previous pregnancies. I am sure that we have taken for granted all the many little miracles that take place leading up to the birth of any child. When I found out that I was carrying twins I immediately started reading any book I could get my hands on - a feeble attempt to feel some control over the situation. In reading these books I have become very grateful for the ease of my previous pregnancies as well as for how well things have gone so far with this one. We have felt the blessings of all your prayers and are very grateful for them.
This past week we got a call from the doctors office saying that my thyroid panel had come back abnormal and they would need to re-do the blood work. So I ran to the lab with the girls to have some blood drawn. After waiting 3 days the nurse called again and said that sure enough my thyroid count is off. Apparently I have hypothyroidism. I had no idea what this meant other than my thyroid is under active. Truthfully I still don't fully understand the condition. It seems to be fairly easy to treat. I have to take a prescription every day and have my blood drawn every 6 weeks to monitor the levels. At this point I am thinking about going to a specialist. There are a few risks involved with the condition and I would like the problem to be taken care of ASAP.
I am grateful for the opportunity this pregnancy has give me to more fully appreciate the miracle of life and every little miracle along the way that makes it possible!
Now that we are getting into April, the time to make a decision about where we'll be this fall is getting closer. While still early, there is some news to report. I received an acceptance letter from BYU last week. That good news was balanced out with a notification from UT that I will not be a longhorn. I'll admit, it came as a bit of a surprise since my test score and undergrad gpa are both well above last year's class averages. So Joy and Darrell, I'm sorry we won't be moving to Austin any time soon. I guess there is still a slight chance I might be a longhorn - UT has a weekend program here in Houston which could work out well since we wouldn't have to move right after the twins arrive, but we'll see.
Friday was the day that Harvard sent out most of their Round 3 interview invitations and I was not one of the 100 to receive an invitation. They say that they will probably send out a few more in the coming weeks, but I am not counting on it. Last year's class size was right around 900 and they sent out at least 750 interview invitations in both rounds 1 and 2. I guess that's why they recommend you apply early, n'est-ce pas?
So at this point we are down to waiting on 3 more schools. I already interviewed with Rice and Thunderbird and now await a final decision. Cambridge, probably the biggest long shot of them all, will be sending out interview notifications on April 9. So if my mailbox is empty on Thursday morning, we'll have our answer from them as well.
All we can do at this point is pray that the Lord guide us where He wants us to be. One by one, the field of options is narrowing. The last (of our pre-application short list) was the first to accept and perhaps the first to accept us shall be the last option left. Maybe I was meant to get a degree from BYU after all...
We'll let the pictures speak for themselves...
We found out on Friday that I've been unofficially accepted at BYU. I've had interviews with 3 more (UT, Rice & Thunderbird) but have not heard anything since. I won't even know if I get an interview with Harvard or Cambridge until the 2nd week in April, with a decision coming sometime in early May. In the meantime, our days and weeks are, thankfully, constantly busy so that we do not have to wonder like Emerson, "How much of human life is lost in waiting?"
Yesterday we officially began the kids' garden by planting some tomatoes. Add this to the mandarin tree that has somehow managed to survive the first year and some raspberry and blackberry plants we got a few weeks ago, and we're beginning to look like a family that knows something about plants. Hopefully Kit and Kevin will move down here soon and show us what we should have been doing.
Laura is amazing. Not only is she doing twice the work as a normal pregnancy, she is able to go above and beyond in every way. For my birthday, she quietly contacted several of my friends from school and organized a surprise dinner and game night. This last week, she's been pulling extra shifts as the kids and I have been out of commission with some kind of virus that's been going around. All I can say is great things come in small packages!
Yesterday, just shy of 1 year old, Anne-Loren began crawling. She has been doing the "army" crawl for several months now. I was starting to seriously doubt that she would ever really crawl. Yesterday afternoon I put her on the floor so I could get some stuff done and she got up on her knees and started crawling like she had always been doing it. I was amazed!
This year for Christmas John and I decided to make and effort to simplify things. We both had the desire to ensure that the focus of Christmas was on Christ and not on Santa Claus or the getting of gifts. As we brain stormed about how to do this, John came up with the idea of going camping. At first I didn't like this idea too much. All of the traditions we would have to leave behind ran through my head. However, after thinking about it for a few days I agreed with John, that would be one sure way to simplify things. We made reservations for a cabin in Garner State Park. My parents and my older brother, Nathan, and his family decided to come along too. We drove out to Garner State Park on the 23rd of December. The weather was beautiful the entire 3 days we were there. On Christmas ever we spent the day hiking to see some caves, riding bikes, reading and playing games. Instead of our usual Christmas eve dinner we had Chili and cornbread. That evening we kept up the Ellis family tradition of the living nativity (Thanks, Joy for the costumes and the narration!). Christmas day the kids woke up to see what Santa had left in their stockings. I was a bit worried that they would be disappointed that there were no big presents to open this year. I was so happy to hear the kids say "Wow! Santa sure put a lot of presents in our stockings!" The rest of the day was again spent hiking, reading, riding bikes, and playing miniature golf. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins and being outside. The rest of us had a wonderful time truly being away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation. It was wonderful to spend time in nature, observing the beauty that surrounds us and pondering the birth and life of Our Savior.
Last week I took the kids out on a walk. Because there are no sidewalks in our neighborhood Brian and Caitie were walking in the grass while I pushed Anne-Loren in the stroller. The kids were having a great time running and doing summer saults in the grass. We were almost home when Caitie decided to run across the street. To my horror, just at that moment a car came speeding down the road. I was too far away to get to her in time so I screamed for Caitie to come back but she didn't hear me. Thankfully the driver of the car stopped about 10 feet shy of Caitie. I have never been so scared or so thankful in all my life. I was especially thankful that day for a loving Father in Heaven who is constantly mindful of us. I am grateful that He is willing to help and protect us inspite of our mistakes.
