Praise!

We are so very thankful for a good report with our Doctor in Memphis this past Monday!  God is so good!  It's amazing how much the babies have grown in a week's time!  (They didn't measure their weights this time, but will on Monday, but to the naked eye, our babies have grown!)  I left the last post asking for prayer for my cervix.  On Monday, it had lengthened!  We are SO VERY THANKFUL!!!  I don't really understand these numbers, but nevertheless, the higher the number, the better!  My cervix measured a 3.9 and a 4.3 in two different measurements and a 3.6 with pressure!  Last week, the highest it was was 3.2 and 2.6.  God is so good and heard our cries!   I didn't even think that it could lengthen again, but apparently, it can!  Every time our girl presses her head down on my cervix, it shortens.  Girlfriend is pretty hardheaded and likes to press down.  She may look like her daddy, but she acts like her mother.  Case in point:  She did NOT want us getting her picture, so she just put her hand up to the camera to cover her face. We have a beautiful picture of her sweet hand, five fingers and all. It was hysterical.  B was butting his head against her, but no worries, she kicks him back- and hard!!!  Our girl, even though she didn't want her picture taken, still looks like Andy.  She is his clone!  In fact, every time he talks to her, she kicks.  I promise.  It's weird.  They already have a connection, and I hope they always do.  There's nothing like a daddy/daughter connection.  My daddy is still right up there with Andy in my eyes, and I pray that Andy will have this with her- and his boys.  Our sweet B is seriously chilled out.  I'm feeling him kick right now, which is something I love because he doesn't move as much as the others.  We're still not sure why he is so chilled out since we're both not chilled people.  It will be funny to see if this is just his personality in the womb, or if he will continue to be relaxed.  I'm betting this world will blow his sweet mind.  I pray he stays relaxed.  Our precious C was sucking that thumb like crazy!  They all liked their hands this time- C must have taught them about their hands.  He's gonna be a genius.  It's really weird how much the boys look like me, or my family.  There is still a possibility that they could be identical, and each nurse comments on it when we get scanned.  Honestly, if chances are 1-2% that they could be that way, that just means they probably will be, which I think is really cool.  We've been so blessed each time that we've been in a small percentile, if that makes sense.  All of our babies are precious in our eyes- identical or not, and it is amazing to see them each time.  It's so funny how they already have their little personalities- A is sassy; B is relaxed; and C is just plain sweet.  He always grins at the scanner.  We pray that God is already working not only on their personalities, but on their precious little hearts so that they won't ever know a day that they don't know Him.

In other news, I am still on bed rest.  It's not the most fun thing ever, but I have to look at it as if I'll never have this time to relax again.  God has granted me patience- and lots of it.  If you know me, you know that I'm not a very patient person.  It's funny how God works in you to bring about certain traits.  In my case, He gave me bed rest to teach me patience.  In Andy's case, He gave me bed rest to teach him patience.  Andy has been a lovely nurse, and he attends to my every need.  He helps me do my shots in the morning and holds my hand when I get my other shots.  I think it hurts him almost as much as it hurts me to be in pain.  All in all, bed rest isn't too bad!  Besides doing for me, Andy has been busy polishing up on his handyman skills!  He put one of the bouncy seats together last night, and he did a swell job.  He has painted a dresser for them.  He's doing it all while I'm out.   He's also busy looking at cars, or rather suburbans.  If you know me, the previous sentence probably makes you laugh.  I am a terrible driver, and I admit it- I hate to drive.  But, it is what it is.  I'm gonna learn.  We may have to do a few loops around the neighborhood before I get the hang of driving a bus.  Honestly, the only thing we'll all fit in with the stroller is a suburban.  Yikes.  You'll know when we're coming!  We'll probably have to have a U-Haul to pack all of mine and Andy's stuff.

Here is a picture of our train stroller.  This picture has the toddler seats in it.  It has its own steering wheel and brakes.  Hopefully, I can learn to drive this and the new car.

Please continue to pray for all of us!  Please pray that these sweet babies would be growing at the same rate. We go to Memphis on Monday again, and they will measure their weight, which will, God willing, be close together.  Please pray for my cervix to continue to stay long.  Please pray for God to continue to give me patience- and Andy patience.  Thank God that my cervix had lengthened the last time.  Thank Him for my nurse, Andy.  I couldn't do this without him or our families.  Most of all, praise Him for these precious miracles.  Each time we see them, I still get chill bumps looking at them!  We're so humbled that the Lord is entrusting these babies to us.  Praise Him!  Please pray for a good report Monday!  We can't thank you enough for your prayers.  Andy and I truly feel them.  To God be the glory...

Maggie

1 Peter 5:7  

"Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."

Praise/ Shower Pics/ Prayer Request

We are still hanging in there!  God has been so good to us this past week!  I've never had a better Valentines day!  Feeling the babies move is the best gift I could ever ask for, hands down!  I had an appointment with the high risk doctor in Memphis yesterday and with the Oxford doctor last Friday!  Our babies are growing!  Praise God!  We are so thankful!  We also had a lovely shower this past Saturday!  I'll begin with the Oxford doctor update...

We had a great doctor's appointment last Friday!  The babies were absolutely precious!  I survived getting the progesterone shot... by myself.  Nurse Andy had to leave the appointment early, so I had to get the shot by myself.  Yikes.  I am a super baby, but I did survive.  Andy will be with me this Friday, needless to say.  His hand is all I need, and the world is fine again.  I also found out I'll be starting iron and folic acid because I'm a bit anemic.  I know this may be too much info, but if you know the side effects of these medicines, you'll understand why we all need your prayers in this department...  The babies were just precious, as usual. They really are cute, if I say so myself. They were everywhere! Our Oxford sonographer is always amazed at how much they move, but I'm not! I feel those sweet kicks each time. At this appointment, my cervix also measured 4.75 in one measurement and 4.92 in another measurement, so I was allowed to go to my shower the next day! 


On Saturday, my precious friends had a lovely shower for the trips and me.   Thankfully, my sweet friend, Kinney, across the street, hosted it at her house.  I'm not sure we could have made it much further.   It was absolutely perfect!  I never imagined that I'd have to be wheel-chaired across the street, but you do what you've got to do.  And at this point- and all along for that matter, I'm willing to do anything for these sweet babies.  Wheeling across tthe street is the easiest thing I can do for them.  As soon as I got there, I immediately sat in a recliner the whole time.  I was for sure comfy.  (My doctor had said the only way I could go was if I sat/ reclined the whole time).  We got so many wonderful things, and it was such a fun outing!  It felt as if I was in a dream because it was just so perfect!  The hostesses really outdid themselves, and we're so very thankful for each of them...  Here are some pics!

One of my only standing moments right before we wheeled across the street...

Sweet baby Jane Felton (Andy's niece) and Meme (Andy's mom) right before the shower.

 And, the wheelchair...

 Feeling comfy and  very round at the shower!

The sweet hostesses at the shower!

The onesies that each person made for the trips!  Such a precious idea!!!

Gifts/ gift cards from the shower!

Liv (my niece) and Caroline (my cousin's child)  opening gifts!  They had a large time!

Love this picture!  Charlotte (my niece), Caroline (cousin's child), and Livie (my niece).  The expression on Liv's face is how I felt the whole time!  Overwhelmed and blessed....  However, she is a bird!

On this past Monday, we had an appointment in Memphis with Dr. BK, the high risk doctor.  The babies are growing, growing, growing!  We are so thankful!!!  A was 1 lb. 8 oz with a heart rate of 158 and in the 44 th percentile.  B was 1 lb. 9 oz. with a heart rate of 156 and in the 51st percentile.  C, our biggest one, was 1 lb.  10 oz with a heart rate of 148 and in the 55 th percentile!  My nightly milkshakes must be doing something!  I'm not very smart in the percentile department, but the nurse said they were all great sizes!  In fact, they are each the size of what a single baby would be at 24 weeks, 4 days!  God is so good!  They were all precious, and moving everywhere!!!  This time, they were all obsessed with their hands.  C must have taught them about their hands.  Of course, he had his thumb in that mouth!  A and B had their hands all over their faces, as if they had just discovered them.  It was too cute!  A looks exactly like Andy!  He marked this child well!  In fact, she looks like Andy's sister's children, who look like him.  It is funny, and she is super cute!  I was amazed at how much B and C look alike.  The sonographer has said that there is a 1-2% chance that they could be identical, and we may be in that 1-2%.  It is hysterical!  I must say that to have looked so much like Andy at first, B is me, or my family, and C is me too, and I think they're pretty cute!  They have my wide nose for sure, and my daddy's big lips.  They really look alot like my sister's children!  Each time we go to Memphis, they have been measuring my cervix.  I wasn't worried at all since it had been measured the Friday before and had measured so well.  Well, it changed.  In one measurement, it was 2.6, and in another, it was 3.2.  I noticed that something was odd when the nurse had a scowl on her face when looking at the screen, but I never expected her to say a number that low.  The cervix is basically what holds the babies in.  As you can imagine, I got a little, (emphasis on little) upset.  Remember, I do have enough hormones for three babies and I'm getting hormones injected into me.  Yikes.  Just typing that sentence makes me feel sorry for Andy.  Poor Andy's mama (who had taken me to the doctor) probably started wondering who her son had married.  I kinda couldn't quit crying, so the sonographer called another nurse and the doctor in the room. (We usually meet with the doctor in another room after the sonogram.)  Dr. BK did make it sound a tad bit better though.  He said my body is doing what it is supposed to do, but we just don't want it to do this this soon.  They have told me to start packing my bags when I go to the Memphis appointments in case he wants to keep us.  We will go back to Memphis on Monday, now weekly, and they will measure my cervix.  PLEASE pray that it will lengthen, or just not shorten!  I am pretty much lying down flat all day now, in hopes of it lengthening!  Also, the doctor said we may or may not be starting steroid shots, which would be to help the babies develop more quickly.  Please pray that we start these on time.  Just as I have to trust God, I have to trust that the doctors know when it is best to start these shots.

Please be in prayer first and foremost for these precious miracles!  Please pray that they would continue to grow at the same rate!  Praise God that they have so far!  The sonographer said that at some point one will begin to get bigger than the others.  Please pray that this doesn't happen.  Please pray that these sweet babies would never know a day that they don't know their Creator.  Please pray for Andy and me as the Lord works on us daily, molding us into what He would want us to be.  Please also pray for my cervix to lengthen, or just not to shorten any more.  I never dreamed I'd be requesting prayer for my cervix on a blog that the world can see, but God hears all of our prayers, so why not put it out there?  Please continue to pray for patience for me as I am in bed, and please pray for Andy's patience, as I am a full time second job.  He does everything!  We go to the doctor tomorrow (Friday) for the shot and checkup and to Memphis on Monday- please pray for both appointments, and for wisdom for both doctors, as well as for Andy and me.  We are so thankful each morning when I wake up, and the babies are still inside- praise God!  His mercies are new every morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning.  Great is thy faithfulness."

Maggie

Pics...

I'm a slow learner.  Always have been, always will be.  FINALLY, I have learned how to upload pictures from our new camera! There are just  a hodge podge of pictures on here, but I did think some of you may enjoy them.  You will be able to tell that we get excited over the smaller things- like when one of the beds came in- or the carseat.  We thought it was like Christmas morning!  Sooo- here are some pics!

We knew something was up when I had a stomach at around 5-6 weeks...  We just didn't know how much was up!  :)

This was around the beginning of December.  Don't let it fool you.  We're about 12 times this size now.  We had a major growth spurt.

This is one of my favorite things we've gotten for the trips.  Laura gave it to them for Christmas.

Christmas came a tad bit late- mid January...  Andy's pulling the first bed out of the box.

Three beds in the room!  Handy Andy put them all together!  Looks totally different now!

Handy Andy painting the room.  The color is a subtle apple green- pekoe tea, to be exact...

This was about two weeks ago, and we've gotten larger since then...  The cradle is in the background...

Daddy was excited about one of the carseats!

Skyping our diaper shower in Jackson.  We were excited to see what was going on!

All the diapers from the diaper shower!  So thankful!

Bedrest...  Enough said.  We've moved into the guest bedroom...

Please continue to keep all of us in your prayers!  We need them daily- hourly- minutely- secondly!  We had a doctor's appointment on Friday, and all of the babes looked great!  Even the nurse confirmed what Monday's sonogram showed us!  She thought for sure A was Andy and B was me.  Sweet C is still a mixture, and he had his hands all in his face- sucking on them.  At one point in time, A kicked so hard, she literally kicked the monitor with which the nurse was tracking each of them for the sonogram. B, our calm child, was once again chilled out.  We got the most precious picture of him.  It's so real, and he just looks like I could hold him right now.  (I can't wait to hold any of them, but I pray that they all stay in alot longer!) It is so unbelievable to see all of these miracles!  Andy got to go with me, so that is always a treat.  I feel like they always perform when he comes!  Thankfully, he was there because I got my progesterone shot which hurt like the dickens.  Squeezing his hand makes it a tiny bit better, but it still hurts.  We are just so thankful that God made smart people that know what medicines to give.  I constantly think about Mary carrying the Baby Jesus.  How did she do it without meds?  I go back this Friday to get another shot- here in Oxford, and then we go to Memphis on Monday.  Please continue to pray that God would guide us through this journey we are on.  Pray that each child would continue to grow in concordance with the other.  Pray that my cervix would stay closed, and my water would not break.  Pray that God would keep these babies in as long as possible. Pray that God would be preparing me and Andy to be the best parents we can be to these precious children. Praise Him for the blessings He has given us this far.  Above all, pray that all glory be given to God. We covet your prayers.  

Maggie

Praise God!

I apologize for not updating sooner!  All I have wanted to do since our Monday appointment is shout from the mountaintops!  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  Our Monday appointment in Memphis went so great, and it was such a relief, as well as encouraging!  To start off, our sweet baby girl's (A) 2nd cyst HAS DISAPPEARED!!!  Again, God is SO good, and we give Him all glory!  Once again, we are amazed by God's goodness to us.  When we went to the Memphis doctor on January 11th in Memphis, and then again on January 17th here in Oxford, that cyst was still there.  On January 30th back in Memphis, the cyst was GONE!  We are beyond thankful!  Now, we know that our baby girl will be valedictorian of her class.  Ha!  Just a small stepstone to get there!

We also found out that each of the babies is weighing in at exactly 1 pound, 2 ounces!!!!  This is such an answer to prayer!  We have prayed and prayed for the babies to grow at the same rate, and once again, God has heard our prayers!  Praise Him!   They are all in separate sacks with different placentas, and we are so very thankful for that too!  They were all absolutely precious on the screen again!  I absolutely love seeing them each time, and I'm so thankful we do get to see them!  In the 22 weeks, 5 days I have been pregnant, we have only gone 2 weeks without seeing them, and honestly, my heart ached to see them in those two weeks that we didn't get to see them.   As usual, our sweet A was ruling the roost.  She was kicking everyone.  She is on the bottom, and girlfriend wants her space.  She doesn't hesitate to kick B or C out of the way.  And, sweet A has grown into her face, if that makes sense.  She used to have huge lips, and now, her sweet little face is Andy!  Her mouth is exactly like Andy's now, and Andy absolutely loves it, as do I!  She is definitely sassy, which may be a little more like me.  Sweet B is definitely still the most chilled out trip, a characteristic that does not at all fit mine or Andy's personalities, but we'll definitely take a chilled out child.  He actually has the most room and is stretched out.  He gives C the occasional kick if he gets in his area.  We got the most pictures of him since he just lets us see him, and he, like A and C, is perfect.  Our precious C was once again trying to get in all the pictures, and when his turn came, he would not let us get a picture of him for anything! He was mad he couldn't go first.  So, we have the most darling picture of his bottom.  He would turn around occasionally and let us see his sweet face.  B and C are looking more alike now.  They both have big lips like my side, and B is rocking my nose.  B, who originally looked like Andy, may after all be his mother's child.  They also informed us that B and C have long legs, a trait for which I am so grateful!  Andy says they'll be good athletes!  Ha!  Andy's mama went with me to the doctor in Memphis this time, and bless her.  She was a great nurse.  I'm not allowed to sit for long periods of time, so on our trips to Memphis, I have to lie down the whole way in the backseat.  She had it all comfy for me!  It was really nice to actually get out since that was my first time getting out since last Wednesday when I got home from the hospital! 

Lastly, my cervix is still closed and long, and we are so thankful for this!  I know this may be a tad bit too much info, but please continue to pray for it to stay closed and long!  I go to my Oxford doctor tomorrow, Friday.  We had to re-schedule because the pharmacies here in Oxford couldn't get the progesterone shot in.  We are hoping it will for sure be in by tomorrow!  This shot honestly feels like a nail going in, but if it, God willing, keeps them in a tad bit longer, I can do it!  I just have to start thinking about the trips and how much fun they will be as the nail goes in.  Surprisingly, I am doing well on bedrest.  I am actually shocked by this fact because I am such an on-the-go person.  I have to realize that I'm not living for me right now, but for these sweet miracles, and if they need their mama in the bed, I'll do it.  The days have passed by quickly.  I pass the time by reading magazines, playing on the internet, writing thank you notes, and watching T.V.  My favorite time of day is when I see Andy pull in the driveway for lunch or to come home.  We've had lots of visitors, and our church family and friends have been wonderful!  They have set up a system to bring us meals three times a week and to have a precious church friend come clean our home!  God has provided in every way possible with bed rest, especially in the food and cleaning departments, because He knows how I like a clean house and good meals for Andy- and He has provided!   And, I can't end this blog without telling you all how great of a nurse Andy has been.  He may have missed his true calling in life.  He's yet to complain about washing my hair or fixing my supper or bringing me my shots each morning.  I know how impatient I am, and, having me as a patient would drive me up the wall.  God is really working on my impatientence.  There is nothing I can do but sit in bed, so why worry about chores, etc.?

Please continue to pray for us daily!  Please pray that the trips would continue to grow at the same rate, and that my cervix would stay closed.  Pray that God would be forming these precious babies perfectly.  Praise Him that A's cyst has disappeared!  Please pray that they would be ok physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Pray that He, above all, would be given all glory.  I can't thank everyone enough for your prayers.  Our God is hearing them.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow. 

John 5:14-15
"And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him."

Praise Him~
Maggie

Prayer Request

Sorry in advance for the long post- lots has happened! 

I know I've said this several times, but wow, what a difference a week and a half can make.  Doesn't the verse say, "For my thoughts are not your thoughs, nor my ways your ways."  (Isaiah 55:8)?  I am not even sure where to begin!  I left off my last blog entry thinking I'd repost with news from what was supposed to be Wednesday's appointment with the high risk doctor in Memphis.  Little did I know I would have just gotten home from the hospital and am now subject to the bed.  Again, God had different plans than my little OCD mind had, and through His grace, He's given me enough strength to get through these past few days.

On Sunday night, Andy and I decided against going to our church's Fellowship Group because I just wasn't feeling very well.  I got into bed early, as usual, and Andy wasn't far behind me.  I honestly hadn't been feeling up to par that whole day, but I kept pressing on, just thinking I was feeling normal.  I had realized earlier when I was trying to take my normal Sunday afternoon nap that I couldn't sleep.  I was just hurting, and I felt as if the babies had just moved down.  I don't really sleep at night, but it is weird when I don't sleep on Sunday afternoons.  It's almost God's way of reminding me that Sundays really are a day of rest.  Finally when the clock struck 9:30, and I was not asleep and still hurting, what else did I do but call my mama?  Doesn't Mama know best?  After talking to her, we decided that it would be best to call my doctor.  After all, we aren't doctors at all, although since all of this, I feel that we may be a few years short of  medical degrees.  Docotor Smith, here in Oxford, had thankfully given me his cell phone number last week, so Andy called him.  He told us to get to the hospital immediately, and he was calling the labor and delivery floor to let them know we were on our way.  Andy and I literally stormed out of the house with the clothes on our backs and our insurance cards.  Based on our previous ER experiences, I honestly thought we'd make it home around 5 a.m. since we had gotten there at 10:30 p.m.  Again, little did I know!  After getting attached to dopplers and actually hearing their precious little heartbeats- the most wonderful noise in the world- they hooked me up to the contraction monitor, which did, in fact, prove that the pain I was feeling was contractions.  And, man, do they hurt!  I had never expected to feel them since they have told me from the beginning that I will be having a c-section.  Again, little did I know.  The nurses called my doctor who informed them that I would for sure be staying the night in the hospital.  We were in the Labor and Delivery part, so it was very nice, but when you're hurting like I was, who cares if you're in the Ritz Carlton?  I continued to contract throughout the night, and the next morning, my doctor, Doctor Smith, decided to monitor me again all day long and put me on Procardia, a medicine to stop contractions and progesterone shots.  I ended up staying in the L & D suite Sunday and Monday nights and got moved to a room on Tuesday morning.  I do have to mention what a trooper Andy was during this whole episode.  Not only did he sleep on a couch that felt like cardboard, he also did other things that probably shouldn't be mentioned on here.  He was a real trooper.  Of course, my mama came up.  When I'm hurting, I want my mama.  She was also a real trooper as well.  I honestly couldn't have done any of this without them.  They were at my beck and call.  On Wednesday morning, glorious Wednesday morning, they let me come HOME!  I was so excited about taking a real bath that I didn't know what my name was!  Sponge baths are for the birds.

So, now, we're home, and I'm on permanent bedrest with bathroom and (thankfully!) shower privileges!  I'm not going to lie- it hasn't been the easiest few days. I am an extremely busy body, and I like to clean and straighten and just move and go in general, and I'm not allowed to do any of that- at all.  It's funny though because I honestly don't want to move from the bed (right now- on day 5).  Andy and I have prayed that God would give me a sense of patience and peace, and once again, God has granted it.  I don't have much energy, so getting up and doing anything- like washing my face- makes me feel bad.  And, in the long run, what is a few weeks or months in bed to get these babies here safely?  I am willing to sacrifice anything for these precious miracles, just like Jesus did for me.  Staying in bed really isn't a sacrifice at all compared to what He's done for us.  Andy and I are like clay being molded and formed into what God wants us to be.  We're learning to trust Him like never before, and it's not always easy- but He knows best.  Walking by faith has never been so real.  It's a daily thing.  I don't know what the next minute will hold, much less the next day or week or month.  I guess I've always been such an extreme planner that I've always thought that I knew what was going to happen.  It's just funny that it took these three miracles to really teach me that I'm not at all in control.  He is, and I'm thankful for that.  God works in mysterious ways. 
Now, am I worried about getting the nursery that I've dreamed about since I was able to dream completed?  Of course, but I have a God who created the world, so creating a nursery to him is no biggie.  God has provided so many wonderful friends who have shared their gifts with us whether it be cooking or just an errand runner- or even a visitor.  God has provided, so why worry about a nursery or dirty floors?  However, we do have a fabulous church family who is feeding us and cleaning our house!  What an example of the body of Christ!

Please continue to flood the throne on our behalf!  We still need prayers every day- every second!  I go back to the doctor in Memphis on Monday at 1, where they will measure the babies- who have hopefully grown!  Please pray that they are growing at the same rate.  Please pray that the other cyst on A's sweet brain will disappear.  On Wednesday at 10, I go back to Doctor Smith, here in Oxford, where I will get a huge Progesterone shot that is supposed to stop contractions as well.  (I'll be getting this weekly).  It's like syrup going into my body, and saying it hurts is an understatement.  Also, each day, I'm giving myself blood thinner shots in order to prevent blood clots since I'm lying around all day.  They hurt as well.  Please pray I don't throw up while doing so.  Please pray for the doctors that are taking care of me- for their decision making skills.  Please thank God that I do love my doctors- that I love how they can calm this neurotic, hard-headed person.  I'm so thankful they're smart.  Please pray that these babies would stay in for at least 30 weeks.  We'd love longer!  I hate to even type this but, please pray that Andy and I wouldn't have to make any hard decisions, and if so for guidance from above if we do.  Please pray for patience for both of us and for wisdom that can only come from Him and for a peace that passes all understanding and for trusting hearts. Please pray that He would be our everlasting strength.  Above all, please pray that God would get all the glory.  After all, these are His babies.

Isaiah 26:3-4

"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! Trust in the Lord always, for in the Lord, Jehovah, is your everlasting strength."

Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow-

Maggie

(I'll try and update this more regularly now that I'm just lying here in bed!)






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Praise/ Pray!

Sorry it has taken me a while to update the blog!  In the three weeks since I have updated, God has been so gracious to us, which once again proves Who is in total control of these precious miracles- and always has been! 

After getting the news of the 2 cysts on Baby A's brain and googling everything possible (which I totally recommend AGAINST), I composed myself enough to make it through yet another three appointments!  (I now go to the doctor weekly- to my regular OB here in Oxford one week and to the high-risk doctor in Memphis the next).  As soon as I got home after hearing about the cysts, I immediatley called my doctor here in Oxford, Dr. Smith, who calmed down my neurotic nerves.  He relayed the information to me again in stupid people terms.  Dr. Smith assured me that he saw these cysts every 2-3 months, and that most of the time they disappeared.  He literally probably confirmed his preconceived notions about this nutcase of a pregnant person after our conversation.  Our first appointment after finding out about the cysts was January 3rd, here in Oxford.  I tell you the dates so you will see how awesome our God is.  (The day we found out about the cysts was December 28th).  On January 3rd, the cysts were still there- both of them, but the babies were doing perfectly.  They were squirming around everywhere!  As always, it was/is amazing to see them.  The next week, on January 11th, we had our visit with the high risk doctor in Memphis.  By God's sweet grace, and only by that, one of the cysts had DISAPPEARED- in 15 days!  Andy and I are so thankful.  I had tears in my eyes.  If this child knew how many tears I've cried over her already- they're one loved bunch of babies!  However, we still do have one cyst that is still on her brain.  Please pray that it will disappear.

Yesterday, January 17th, was a regular OB visit.  The other cyst is still there, but Doctor Smith said she could be born with it and, hopefully, be fine.  If so, we would monitor it through ultrasounds, which sounds miserable to me.  I'm sure an ultrasound couldn't see through this thick, mushy brain of mine, but it could see a baby's brain.  We'll cross that bridge when it happens.  God willing, the other one will disappear, and she'll be smart as a whip.  All of the babies had grown FIVE OUNCES since December 28th!  They all weighed in at 13 ounces each!  Amazing!  A, as always, is ruling the roost.  She is kicking C in the head and B in the back.  Sweet B is, as always, chilled out.  He doesn't move much and always cooperates with whatever the ultrasound tech is trying to do/measure.  Sweet C had that thumb going yesterday as well.  It is the most precious thing ever.  He wants in every picture too.  He is a real mover.  I can feel C all the time!  It is so amazing to be able to feel them.  I don't ever want to take it for granted.  I'm not sleeping any more- at all- so at night, A and B get busy moving, and it's the most priceless, wonderful feeling I've ever felt.  C must be sleeping because he doesn't move as much at night.  I'll rub back, and sometimes, they kick even harder, just as if they're telling me hello.  I love it.  At my last Memphis appointment, my doctor told me that I was the size of what I'd be at 9 months with one child, and I assure you, I am one large bundle.  I guess I'll just get three times larger.  My stomach no longer has a belly button.  Every mole that was ever on my stomach is now two inches (at lest) larger because they're all so stretched.  My boobs are enormous, stretch marks and all.  But honestly, who cares?  I'm part of a miracle in the works, and it's amazing.  Every stretch mark is just a reminder of what God has done for us.  It is getting harder to just move in general, and I'm sure they'll put me to bed soon.  God has been good to let me work this long.  Andy really appreciates that!  Ha!  The pains are still in my chest, but I'm adjusting.  Tylenol Extra Strength doesn't work wonders, but it does work.  Again, these are all minor ailments that I can handle in order to get these babies here healthily. 

Lastly, thank you all so much for your prayers.  God is growing Andy and me spiritually, and, me, literally.  I honestly can't thank you enough.  He has had mercy on us time and time again, and we praise Him for it.  We couldn't have gotten through any of this without Him, and daily we realize our need- and our babies'~His babies'~ need for Him.  Please pray that God would continue to grow these sweet children spiritually, mentally, and physically.  Please pray that A's cyst would disappear.  Praise Him that we've made it this far (20 weeks, 5 days).  Praise Him that A's first cyst disappeared.  And above all, please pray that God would receive the glory for all of this. 

A sweet chaplain friend of mine at the hospital recently gave me this verse when I was having a rough day, and I love it.  It reminds me of how God has lead every step of the way with these babies.  I love picturing Him carrying them close to His heart.

Isaiah 40:11
 "He tends His flock like a shepherd;
  He gathers the lambs in His arms
  and carries them close to his heart;
  He gently leads those that have young."

All glory be to God~

Maggie

Update/ Prayer Request

It's amazing what a week (or two) can bring!  Once again, we have seen these precious miracles!  These past two weeks have been a ride, and I've hesitated whether or not to write about them, but we need all of the prayer we can get, so I've decided to post. 

A few wekks ago, I began having chest pains.  They started the Sunday before Christmas and wouldn't quit.  They continued Monday, subsided on Tuesday, and continued again on Wednesday.  With Andy's encouragement, I decided to call my doctor in Oxford (who was out of town).  I ended up speaking to the doctor on call's nurse who told me she thought I had a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs) and to get to the ER now.  What in the world???  Not at all what I wanted to hear- and especially not something you tell someone with the amount of hormones as this pregnant person in her body.  So, I then called my high risk doctor in Memphis, who then told me to get to the ER immediately.  Can you say basketcase???  By the time I made it down to the ER (I work at the hospital), I was totally and completely freaked out.  In fact, my blood presssure was 166/ 115.  A tad bit higher than my usual low 90/ 60.  I remember Andy busting in the doors like he owned the place.  Several hours later, after an ultrasound and CAT Scan, I was diagnosed with an infection in my lungs and extremely high white blood cell count.  The ultrasound, as usual, was a wonderful time for us to see the babies.  A and B were butting heads, while sweet C was sucking his thumb.  Praise God it wasn't a blood clot.  However, I am still having the pains, which since then, have been correctly diagnosed by my high risk doctor in Memphis as my liver and stomach have moved up to the right side of my chest, right under my right boob.  Talk about strange things happening during pregnancy...  Please pray for this issue. By God's grace, we've made it.

And only by his sweet grace have we made it.  Exactly one week later, we had an appointment in Memphis with the high risk doctor.  My mother and sister, Laura, and niece,Livie, went with me to see the sonogram.  It was a perfect time.  They were, as we always are, amazed by these three miracles inside of me.  Precious A was kicking B in the head and C in the back.  She is now not breech!  She continues to look like my daddy and nephew, and even my mother and sister saw the resemblance, so I promise it's not just me.  Chilled B literally had his feet crossed and hands resting on his head, completely not bothered by anyone (except for A who would give him the occasional kick).  It was so funny to see this because I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen Andy lying in the exact same position.  In fact, he's just woken up from his Sunday afternoon nap in this position.  His little clone even rests like he does.  Baby B looks exactly like Andy.  He may even have Andy's temperment too.  He got mad when the ultrasound tech was pressing on my stomach, and he pressed up, as if to say, "Quit.  I've had enough already!"  Sweet C was absolutely darling too.  As always, that thumb was going like crazy in his mouth.  He still is a mixture.  I can't really tell who he looks like- one minute- it's my side of the family, and the next, it's Andy.  However, C does have big lips that get to town on that thumb.  It's priceless and precious to watch.  He also wanted in every picture.  Poor thing.  We always start out scanning A first, so he is last, and he wants in every picture!  They were all doing well- large heads, big stomachs, functioning kidneys, stomachs (they even use the bathroom now!), 4 chamber beating hearts, toes, fingers, arms, legs!  They are all so perfect, made completely in the image of their Creator!  God is so good. 

Each time after every Memphis appointment, we meet in the conference room with the doctor.  The next few minutes at this appointment totally and completely rocked my world.  I was not expecting what the doctor would now say.  I thought our babies had looked perfect, and to the naked eye, such as mine, they did.  They always do though, and that's no surprise.  Mama, Laura, Liv, and I patiently waited on the doctor, and I silently wondered why there was tissue on the table.  Thankfully there was, and I didn't realize that I'd probably end up using the whole box by the end of our talk.  He came in and said the babies looked good, but immediately said, "let's talk about baby A (girl)."  My heart stopped literally.  You don't want to hear anything negative about your babies, but especially you don't want to hear it from a high risk doctor.  At this moment and previously, I realized how much I'd do anything for them- how much I loved these three wonders that I don't even know yet.  My mama hen instincts went into full fruition, and I wanted to protect each of these miracles.  The doctor then told us that A has a cyst on her brain (choroid plexus cyst).  I'm explaining totally on stupid people terms, which could be wrong, but anyway, your brain makes fluid that goes into your spine to make spinal fluid, and her brain turned some of this fluid into a cyst. Please pray that it disappears!  He then went on to tell us all of the risks- trisomy 18- scary- meaning our girl may meet her Jesus before we would like for her to, but again, these have always been His babies-and His will be done.  The doctor did tell us that this was a low risk, and we have found out that it is more common in babies.  This is just not the news we wanted to hear, but again, I must remind myself that these are God's babies.  He also told us that he didn't want to even tell us, but legally and ethically, he had to.  He also said since I'm on the younger side, that is better too.  Please pray that it disappears!  He also said that I could have been born with one, or you, but sonograms are just so in depth these days.  Andy and I are doing ok, taking it day by day and trusting in God completely.  I'm not going to lie though, it has been extremely hard to trust because I tend to like to have control over things.  I then have to remind myself that God is in control, and this is His baby.  God is at work in us as well, sanctifying us daily.  The doctor recommended against an amniocentesis because it would put sweet B and precious C at risk. So of course, we aren't doing it unless he tells us to do it.  Please pray that it would go away.  Pray that the Lord would give me and Andy a peace that passes all understanding.  Pray for her precious brain- that this would go away.  Pray that her brain would be so smart one day that it will amaze us.  Pray for the doctors to have wisdom.  Please pray that God would give me enough strength to get through each day- to stay strong for the other two.  This is HARD, and I know my God will remain faithful to us through all of this.  It is in his strong hands, and honestly, there is no place I'd rather this situation be but in his sweet hands.  There is nothing I can do but provide a healthy place for her to live in me. Please pray our A, B, and C to continually grow at the same rate- and for peace us.

On a closing note, I found this question # 1 from the Heidelberg Catechism so comforting, as the preacher brought it up tonight in church...

Question #1~ What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer:
That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

So true...  We aren't our own.  These babies aren't ours.  They're God's, and He knows them, even where their hair follicles are, and He for sure is in control of all three babies' brains.  HE will remain faithful no matter what. 

Secondly, we sang "Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right," and every word rang so true...  Check it out
http://www.hymnlyrics.org/lyricsw/whateer_my_god_ordains_is_right.html


Happy New Year and Praise God from whom all blessings flow~

Maggie

Our next appointment is on Tuesday, January 3rd here in Oxford, and our next high risk appointment is on the next Wednesday, January 11th.  Please be in prayer for both of those appointments.