Welcome to our most precious Elle Taylor and Taylee Jean Smith!

After 36 and 1/2 weeks, millions of injections, ultrasounds, exams, and lots of anticipation, and a bout with Cholestasis in the final 24 hours, our beautiful daughters Elle and Taylee entered this world at 10:22 PM on 12/29/09 by C-section. They each weighed 5lbs 7 oz and had APGAR's of 9/9 and 9/8. Melissa did great and was an instant Mom! The babies are perfect, healthy, but pretty sleepy so far and trying to learn how to chow down. The outcome is better than we could have ever hoped for. As you can see, they are pretty dang cute!

Nesting...or trying not to go stir crazy!

I though I would share with you my new found hobby...crocheting. My aunt Bonnie came over a week ago to show me some of the basic stitches. I started with a washcloth, which did not turn out very well I must admit. I decided to move on to a hat to see if I had made any progress. I am happy with the way they have turned out, now I am just hoping that they will fit.

33 weeks

Well I can't believe that tomorrow we will be at 33 weeks. I can't believe that I have been at this whole bed rest deal for 2 weeks now. I promised some of you that I would give you the update after my last appt (Tues). It turns out that I don't have much to report. The doctor decided not to check me based on the fact that it could start me into having contractions again. The non-stress test showed that I am still contracting, but not nearly as much as I was when I was admitted to the hospital. So, I am just continuing with the same medication and have a follow up appt. on Tuesday.

32 1/2 weeks down

Well it has now been 1 week since I have been home from the hospital. It is much nicer being in my own home vs. the hospital. This weekend was great as we got permission to go to Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house. It is the one year that I did not have to participate in any of the cooking or clean up (I do feel a little guilty). John made his yummy garlic mashed potatoes which were better than ever. Over the weekend, John has managed to put up all of our Christmas decorations between taking great care of me. I couldn't ask for a better husband. Thanks to my aunt Bonnie who came over yesterday to teach me how to crochet. I think I might finally be starting to get the hang of it. Well John is back to work this week, so hopefully it remains an uneventful week. I have a doctors appointment and another non-stress test tomorrow. We are hoping for no new surprises.

Yeah!

Good News, I get to go home this afternoon. We had another non-stress test and an ultrasound today. I am still having some small contractions which will probably continue to happen until the babies are delivered. The babies looked great on the ultrasound, both weighing in at 3 lbs 11 oz each. We of course would still like to see them get bigger before they are here, but we are excited that they are getting close to 4 lbs.

Hospital Food

Why is it that hospital food has to be so bad. They talk about nutrition being such a big part of patients being able to heal and recover quicker, so why do they make the food so bad. Saturday I had a menu dropped off to my room for the entire week. I just have a hard time thinking that Pork Tenderloin with apple creme and lemon cous cous could be any good coming from a hospital cafeteria. Fortunately John has been able to keep me from becoming too hungry. I thought I would share a picture of what was suppose to be a chicken wrap for lunch. John was helping me get everything all set up for lunch and pulled off the lid only to find a little chicken breast. We had a good laugh.

Well now for the update of the day. I was hooked up to the non-stress test twice yesterday and the last time didn't really show any contractions at all. I have also been stable as far as not dilating anymore. They were going to send me home last night but realized that I was due for a regular ultrasound and non-stress test today and figured that it would be easiest just to keep me here overnight, get the testing done and then send me home. Keep your fingers crossed for an uneventful morning. I am sure Thanksgiving dinner isn't any better here.

Update

Well, we have made it through the weekend without having to deliver the babies. Isn't it crazy how exciting it can be just to make it through another day. Sunday was a bit more eventful than what we had planned on, especially since we thought we were going home on Saturday evening. I started contracting again yesterday morning and was quickly sent down to Labor and Delivery for further monitoring. Fortunately they were able to stop the contractions and I was able to return to my regular room. The only problem with going down to labor and delivery is that they stop all food and drinking as well, so I didn't get to eat all until 4:00 p.m. yesterday. I swear they are trying to starve all of the pregnant ladies here. Fortunately, the girls are still doing well. They don't seem to be stressed at all even with the contractions. They are getting pretty tricky and like to wiggle out from under the ultrasound probes during the non-stress tests. We are so excited to get to see them, but would rather have them get a bit bigger before we do. Thanks to all of you who have been inquiring about how we are doing and for all the prayers.