Sep 27 2007
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hospital stay, twin update 26 weeks

K , you got your K you got your K

Yeah!! The correct answer is K. Baby B has one K in her name…could be first or middle name and I won’t tell you the order that it goes in 🙂 .

The significance of the clue is that Brinkley was BJ and my first dog together. His full name was Baldwin Brinkley Midnight Valentine and Bj got him for me for Valentines one year in college.

The other significance is that BJ and I love “You’ve got mail” 🙂
Keep checking back for more clues!
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So…..yesterday finally arrived. It was bittersweet for sure. I know that being here allows my babies to be in the safest place they can be and I am being taken really good care of. But it is very hard to leave my family behind. BJ said it looked like an empty shell of a home without me there….its because I have been cleaning and organizing and preparing for this day for months.

Tuesday night we decided to drop Hayden off at Jordan’s so that we could finish all of our last minute things to do and we had to wake up really early the next morning. So we took her over and she could have cared less that we were leaving. She wanted to chase Ty all around. She also was cooing at Hallie, which was so adorable. She was saying “Hi baby” in the highest sweetest voice ever. So funny that even at such a young age she knows how to baby talk a baby. So we left her. I didn’t think it was as hard as I thought it would, but I think basically that is because she doesn’t understand that I’m not coming back the next like I always do. I think it will be harder the longer I am here. When my mind really realizes that I’m not around her all the time.

Anyway, so we went to the doctor first and got to see the babies. They are so cute. We got some really good face shots and who would have thought….they look EXACTLY the same 🙂 lol. I am going to try to get bj to take them with him and scan them so I can put them up here. They are so cute and have the cutest little chub cheeks 🙂 I can’t wait to see them in person. They are also getting bigger!! One is 1lb.12oz and the other is 1lb.13oz. They are nearing 2lbs. which is great!We want them to be as big as possible so they have the greatest chance of being in the NICU for the least amount of time necessary. They also selected a C-section date. If I am still pregnant by then the babies will be born on Tuesday, Nov. 13. 46 days from now. That is so exciting! I can’t wait to see the two new blessings God has entrusted us with and see how Hayden reacts with them.

I have to post this story because it is hilarious. We were sitting in the ultrasound and the tech was being really tedious trying to get a measurement on one of the babies. Its all quiet in the room and all of the sudden I hear this loud crash and boom right next to me and I look over at BJ and he is on the floor on his back with his legs straight up in the air. He had leaned back in his chair and the chair totally gave way and he went down like a sack of potatos. We were all laughing so hard and could not get control for literally 5 minutes. The chair even left skid marks on the floor. It made it 10 times funnier since things like that don’t happen to BJ, they happen to me!

So after our dr. appt., BJ and I went to our last outside-the-hospital lunch together at Olive Garden, and then came over to get admitted. I walked right in and met a few of the nurses. They were laughing because I had some big bags of stuff 🙂 I said, Hey I’m going to be here for almost 2 months…give me a break. I’m totally not into wearing those gaping, ugly gowns until I am going to the OR. So I brought my own clothes and stuff.

Anyway, so I got here, they checked me in and the games began. I got hooked right up the monitors for about 3 hours and the babies were on the move. Makes the monitoring very hard and tedious. I can’t move very much during them because then the babies move too. Anyway, so finally my Dr. came in and took me off that and put me on the three times a day as long as they aren’t necessary to be longer. Then I got my steroid shot for their lungs to develop in case they need to deliver them for any reason in the next week or so. It hurt so bad. The stick was nothing, but the fluid is so thick that it hurts so so bad going in. It made my whole leg feel like it was cramping up. The nurse kept telling me while she is injecting me, “this is for your babies, this is for your babies”. I knew it was and so it made it bareable. The bummer is I have to get the second dose today 😦 It’s a two part shot. So pray for my poor leg at 5ish tonight.

I had great nurses yesterday and already today, new great nurses as well. Its been a fine time so far and I know the time will pass quickly if I just keep busy with all the things I brought.

Thanks for all the calls and emails so far. I haven’t had a chance to respond to all of them yet, but I will do my best to soon.

Sep 26 2007
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hospital stay, Name Game, twin update 26 weeks

Let the game begin!!

Day 1-
So I have lots of stories for today, but I’m really tired. Its been a long day so I’ll post about today tomorrow, but I wanted to kick off the Name Game, as promised 🙂 We are going to do a 5 week game with a max of 3 clues per week. You get one clue and when that is solved we will move on to the next one 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!! We will tell you how many letters you are getting from each answer and how many go with which baby. The letters will be given in no particular order.

Each clue will somehow tie into an aspect of our lives so far, so you can learn a little trivia about us while you are figuring out the girlies cute names 🙂

I am in the hospital now and all settled. Just want to rest up for a while. I feel exhausted! Give me a call or email or IM if you want to stop by so I can let you know when good times are and all that fun stuff!!

B CLUE #1: (meaning…this clue is for baby B)

What is the name of Joe Fox’s Dog??

Fifth letter, 1 letter total

Sep 24 2007
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date night, twin update 25 weeks

My Last Weekend

We had a nice weekend together as a family. We wanted to just hang out and do whatever we felt like. No set plans. I went to a movie on Friday night with my pal Deborah and her sister and then to this new dessert/coffee place called Chocolata. It was really good and modern. We had a nice time together just us girls.

Then Saturday we woke up and went to this historic festival in Montgomery, the birthplace of the Texas flag. We only stayed for a couple of hours because it was so hot and I didn’t feel like walking around too long. We ate some really good BarBQ and headed home. The rest of the day we just relaxed and I packed for the hospital.

Sunday we woke up and were going to go to church but ended up staying home, Hayden was running fever throughout the day. I was so bummed, because of course she would get sick right when I am going away. So we let her rest and I did a little more packing and then we just watched the Texans. We had decided we wanted to have a date night before I went in, so we dropped Hayden off and headed to this new restaurant called Cru`. It was really good and we ate outside and there was live music in the Central Park and the breeze was blowing. Such a nice evening.

Well while we were waiting on our food, I started feeling really uncomfortable in my back. It wasn’t unbearable or anything but it didn’t feel good. So all throughout our meal it kept happening. So finally I asked BJ to time the frequency. It was happening about every 3 minutes and lasting about 30-40 seconds. I started getting concerned, and it was starting to get hard enough were I felt like I couldn’t really focus if I was having one. So I called my dr, because with Hayden I had a lot of back labor and that is what this felt like. Just alot milder.

They were concerned, and when I got up to call them, my whole stomach started tightening as well. So we went over to the hospital, after scarfing down our creme brulee (which was so delicious and I wished we could have just sat and savored it). They put me in triage for about 2 hours and hooked me up to the monitors. I was having some very low grade irritablilty contractions. Nothing sever enough for them to be concerned. One baby was moving so much we could only get her on the monitor for about 3 minutes the whole time. The other one was probably sleeping and nice and cooperative. Their heart rates were great…mine was very elevated at first (ha, I wonder why??) but then it mellowed down.

We were so glad that everything was fine and they said as long as they didn’t intensify or get longer then I would be fine. So we got to go home.

So that was our relaxing weekend ending in an adventure! We are so thankful to still be pregnant today!! And also thankful that the contractions were not sever enough for me to have to get a shot of Magnesium to stop them. I was really hoping to not have to get that. I hear it is awful and makes you feel like you have the flu almost instantly. So, still pregnant and the girls are doing great 🙂 Two more days until I go into the hospital. I feel ready. I know it will be hard, but I feel like I am as ready as I can be. Keep us all in your prayers!

Sep 19 2007
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RACE FOR THE CURE

Don’t Miss out on Free Packet Mailing!
The Race is just around the corner on Saturday, October 6th! Register online before Sunday, September 30th, and receive your Race packet for FREE. Anyone who registers after September 30th must pick up their Race packet at Packet Pick Up on October 3rd – 5th at The Galleria. There is no Packet Pick Up on Race Morning.

Click Here to Register Now!

I have already received my packet and the t-shirts are really cute this year…and so is the pillow case that you get for sleeping in for the cure 🙂

Hurry hurry!!


Sep 17 2007
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New baby, Phillip

Welcome Little One

I would like to congratulate my cousin, Allison and her husband Monte, on the birth of their son, Phillip Monerlyn Richardson . He is such a cutie and we are happy to welcome him into our family. He is the only boy so far of the great grandchildren and poor thing is largely outnumbered amids the 4 other girls.

Hayden and I drove down for the birth and she was a bit confused, because she thought we were going to see her baby sisters. We had to explain that no, we weren’t yet, and that this was her baby cousin. She kept saying “see MY cousin, see My cousin…” I kept thinking she was going to think that was his name (My Cousin) lol.

Congratulations and blessings to you all!!!

Sep 14 2007
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24w, bump watch '07, twins

I’ve definitely bloomed

Bj told me the other day that I was definitely showing…lol 🙂 yep…i sure am!

This is me…24w1day

How your baby’s growing:

Your baby’s growing steadily, gaining about a quarter of a pound since last week, when she was just over a pound. Since she’s almost a foot long, that makes a pretty lean figure, but her body is filling out proportionally and she’ll soon put on more baby fat. Your baby’s skin is thin, translucent, and wrinkled, her brain is growing rapidly, and her taste buds are developing. Her lungs are developing “branches” of the respiratory “tree” and cells that produce surfactant, a substance **that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

Sep 12 2007
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Hayden 2nd Birthday Party, twin update 23 weeks

and a Hoedown it was

We had such a busy and fun weekend celebrating Hayden’s 2nd year of life here with us. The rain held off and yes, it was hotter than hot, it was also loads of fun. The kids went on a hayride, rode the pony and pet the animals in the petting zoo.

Hayden was a little skittish of the animals and didn’t really ever pet them, but she looked at them and seemed to like them.

I have to say that I think I did a superb job creating the cake this year. I was so afraid I would mess it up, but it turned out really great. Thanks to everyone who helped out with all of the preparations…my body just couldn’t do it all like I usually can.

Look how much she changed in just one year :)She always watches the setup of her party from the window!

Oh…one shot of Hayden blowing out her candles…she nearly burned her face…we had been practicing blowing them out, but she got really close to it when she was in the spotlight!

In twin news, i am getting so huge and uncomfortable. I feel like the nights are just a series of groans and shifts. Poor BJ hasn’t been getting good sleep because of me tossing and turning, but I just can’t get a comfortable position, and when I do, these kiddos rock and roll in there and keep me awake.

We went to the doctor on Monday, just the regular OB not the specialist, and listened to the heartbeats..both in the 150’s and I was measuring almost 4 1/2 weeks ahead, which is fine for me since I have two in there instead of one. Tomorrow is a big day for the babes!! 24 weeks which marks the beginning of their viability. Thank you Lord for sustaining this pregnancy this long….we are praying for 8 more solid weeks!!!

Then we went on the hospital tour and I saw where I will be staying, saw the OR (which was TERRIFYING)…it looked like a death chamber to receive the lethal injection. very freaky. Then we saw where the babies will be and saw all of the NICU areas, the milk bank, Ronald McDonald House (which we qualify to stay in at night after I am discharged, instead of driving back and forth). It was nice to see everything and get a visual of it all. I was excited to find out I will have a private room WITH A BATHTUB!!! whoohooo!!! Plus I will not be on dietary restrictions so I can have people bring me food from outside the hospital. I can’t believe it is 14 days away. I am relaxed about the timeframe, but I just can’t believe here we are going into the hospital. Only 14 days until if anything were to happen, my babes could come out. THAT is unbelievable to me. I’ve been having lots of braxton hicks and uncomfortable lowgrade feeling contractions. So I am hoping they just calm down and stay in there for another month or so minimum. These last couple of days have been pretty rough, but I’m hanging in there. Doing things as I can, but not pushing it. Its hardest on Hayden. She always wants me to hold her and I just can’t as much any more. And she doesn’t understand having to be gentle with my stomach, so that has been hard too.

She has done so good in school though. She is always so excited to tell me about what she did and show me her papers. Hopefully some of the other kids will join in on her excitement in the mornings. Some of them are still having a rough time. Makes me so thankful that Hayden goes right in with no problems. Because I think I’d have a breakdown with everything that is going on in our lives. At least I know she will be fine every day when I am not there with her.

Pray for us these last few days as a three person family. We are trying to really soak it up since after I leave, I won’t return alone 🙂

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb…Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm139:15-16

Sep 08 2007
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23 months, dancing, hayden

These boots were made for DANCING

http://img.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v730/munsons/DSCF2220.flv

Hayden is so excited about her birthday party 🙂

Sep 07 2007
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23 weeks, twins

19 days to “A” day

I can’t believe we are getting so close to viability and the impending birth of our two girls! Seems like just yesterday BJ and I were laughing uncontrollably at the ultrasound tech that was telling us we were having two and here we are scurrying to prepare for that day.

I have a set admittance to the hospital day. September 26. Seems like it is just right around the corner. And it really is! I have been preparing all the while so I am mostly ready to go, just a few loose ends to tie up.

Oh…and we have two SET names!! Full names! So exciting!! The James Avery bracelets have been ordered and monogrammed! 🙂

How your baby’s growing:

Your baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound. Her skin is red and wrinkled. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. She can swallow, but normally won’t pass her first stool (called meconium) until after birth. Loud noises heard often in utero — such as your dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner — probably won’t faze your baby when she hears them outside the womb.

Sep 04 2007
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first day '07, hayden MDO

Hayden Goes to School

Last Thursday, Hayden, Grammy and I ventured out to “Meet the Teacher” day at Hayden’s new Mother’s day out school. It was a Teddy Bear Picnic and all of the children were supposed to bring their favorite bear with them.

She is in the Tikes class which is for one-year-olds, but since her birthday falls after the cut off she will be in that class all year even though she’ll be 2 for most of the time.

There are 10 children (including Hayden) and its about even on girls and boys. It was so fun to go and see her interact with the other children. There were several criers, a few shy stare-ers, and then a couple that were totally confident and raring to go. Of course you can imagine that Hayden was one of the latter. She could have cared less that we were there with her and she was going from one thing to another. It made me feel really relieved and I knew we were doing the right thing by letting her start this semester. She is ready!

So, today was the big day! BJ and I woke her up together and she was so excited! She ate breakfast, got in her new school clothes, put on her new cowl backpack and carried her new pig lunchbox. She was a doll!

As we were driving, she kept saying, “Mommy go to school with me?? Mommy stay with me.” And I started getting a little worried. I had thought it would be no big deal but then I started worrying. So when we got there she was all about wanting to wear her backpack and carry her own lunchbox again. So we walked in and and she was in the zone. She met her teachers and started scanning the room for things to do.

So I left…some of the mom’s seemed like it was going to be hard on them to leave. But I was thinking to myself…would it be wrong to do a little “happy dance” once I get out the doors??

My mom was with me today so she got to go with us to pick her up. (Bj got to come home and go pick her up too). The last hour of school is their nap time….well I figured Hayden will probably never take a nap at school because she is such a busy-body. And sure enough she was up when we got there. Several of the other kids were sacked out on the floor, but Hayden was still going like the energizer bunny. The teacher said she did a great job all day and even got to go on a teacher errand with her 🙂 She said she they went to make some copies Hayden, who had come along, looked at her and said (with her hand posed like “stop in the name of Love”) ,”I’ll be right back”. Lol!! The teacher thought that was pretty funny.

They learned the color red today and that they are growing. She colored some pictures that she brought home and made an apple craft page. It is so fun to see her with all her little school things and learning. Its weird to be “the mom” in this situation, but it is so fun! Hayden said she wanted to go back, so we’ll be going again on Thursday!!

What a fun day!

****Correction: yes the lunch box is an elephant. I thought about that later and dont’ know what I was thinking when I wrote Pig 🙂 Lol..blame it on the preggo brain! Its mushy up there right now! 🙂

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