My pregnancies - Part II - the second miracle

On November 30th, 2007 I once again learned I was pregnant a little sooner than Jerry and I had planned, but we were overjoyed. I relished the thought of a simple single baby pregnancy... no complications. HA! That was not too be. During my routine bloodwork we discovered a complication. I was RH sensitized as a result of the triplet pregnancy. What does that mean? I have a negative blood type while all my babies have a positive blood type. When my blood mixed with the triplets during their delivery, I began producing antibodies to destroy positive red blood cells. This wasn't a problem until I became pregnant again... My body began attacking the new babies blood. There is a shot called Rhogam which I received and should have prevented this problem, but it didn't work and once you are sensitized you are always sensitized. I was strongly advised this should be my last pregnancy as each subsequent pregnancy would result in sicker babies. My doctor did feel like I could get through the current pregnancy ok as this was my 1st pregnancy with the antibodies. We monitored the baby closely and he seemed to be doing ok. Little Cody was delivered early at 36 weeks 3 days once we felt he was mature enough in order to prevent him from getting jaundice and anemic in utero. Well, despite all our efforts he was born he was very sick.....

Within 24 hours he had a "Double Volume Exchange - Removal of twice the blood volume from the affected infant and replacing with fresh blood from the blood bank (exchange transfusion) is used as a treatment for severe jaundice in newborn infants. The affected infant's blood is removed in small portions and equal volume of blood is replaced during exchange transfusion. Exchange transfusion has been shown to reduce brain damage in severely jaundiced babies; however, exchange transfusion is associated with serious adverse events including death." Fortunately, he came through the exchange with flying colors and after a week in the NICU under phototherapy lights he was sent home and is doing GREAT! A perfect little boy and another miracle addition to our family.

As sick as Cody was, we were once again advised that we should not have any more children and with Cody's birth Jerry and I both felt our family was complete.... so here he is, the last of the clan.

My pregnancies - Part I - the first miracle(s)

Our first ultrasound…. I longingly remember our first ultrasound. The nurse said she would first look at my ovaries and then the gestational sacks and I responded, “sacks plural??” She said “yes, there is more than one”, but wouldn’t tell us how many and that we’d get to that in a minute. Then we looked at Baby A, then B, then C. Triplets!! I was overcome with Joy, Jerry I’m afraid was just in shock. My joy however quickly turned to fear as I learned more about the risks associated with carrying triplets and it was a difficult pregnancy. I had a bleed at 8 weeks, a cerclage at 13 weeks, strict bed rest at 20 weeks, gestational diabetes, a contraction monitor, weekly progesterone shots, and finally a terbutaline pump (anti-contraction drugs administered directly into the body via a pump). My wonderful parents and husband took great care of me and at 32 weeks 6 days I went in for a routine doctors appointment only to find that my blood pressure was high, baby C had not gained any weight, and her placenta was calcifying. It was time. Approximately two hours later I gave birth to Addison (3 lbs 13 oz), Kaylee (3 lbs), and Jadon (4 lbs). As Addison was delivered Jerry let out a breathy “Oh my God, Oh baby” as if he was seeing a spectacular miracle first hand. Well… I guess he was.

That was two years ago...

The past two years have taken all of my emotions to the extreme. I have had extreme fear as I prayed for each week of the pregnancy, extreme worry as they spent time in the NICU, extreme fatigue in caring for three babies, extreme joy for the miracle times three, extreme thankfulness for the help of my extraordinary parents who have been a tremendous help, extreme love for my husband and the father he has become, and extreme reverence for the Lord and his many blessings. I said I always wanted four babies… well, 21 months after having the triplets, the Lord blessed us again with yet another miracle baby.

What is the Freedom of Choice Act?

Bishop Warns of Obama’s Promise to Implement Extreme “Freedom of Choice Act”
By Jonquil FrankhamPATERSON, New Jersey, October 21, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) –

Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, NJ penned a column for his diocesan website this week, warning his diocese of the possible implementation of the radical Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), particularly under a possible Obama presidency. Obama has made a promise - to pass the Freedom of Choice Act. However, should Obama keep this promise, “not only will many of our freedoms as Americans be taken from us, but the innocent and vulnerable will spill their blood.”The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is a bill introduced in the United States Congress in 2004. It would remove all restrictions on abortion in the United States, both on the state and federal level. “FOCA goes far beyond guaranteeing the right to an abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy. It arrogantly prohibits any law or policy interfering with that right,” says Bishop Serratelli. This is the “dark reality” kept secret by propagandists for ‘choice.’The bill is strongly supported by presidential candidate Barack Obama, who promised in a speech for Planned Parenthood that “the first thing he would do as President would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act.”Among those no longer free to choose under FOCA, says the bishop, would be pro-life doctors and nurses, whose freedom of conscience is currently protected under the law. Religious hospitals and clinics would also be forced to perform abortions up until the birth of the baby.NARAL America presents the bill as a systematic presentation of Roe vs. Wade, but opponents like Bishop Serratelli note that it would eliminate those restrictions the 1973 court case allowed, such as parental consent, waiting periods, information for mothers regarding emotional and psychological dangers, and restrictions on late-term abortions.The bishop hails the death of freedom, should FOCA get passed. “Gone the freedom of conscience so essential for a civil society,” the bishop tells his readers. “Gone the freedom of women and young girls to have all the information they need to make their own choices!”The bill would also “force taxpayers to fund abortions,” thereby nullifying the fundamental American policy of taxation with representation. It would also “redefine a woman’s ‘health’ so as to expressly permit post-viability abortions.” The bishop clarifies, “Thus, a child who survives an abortion can be left to die for the health of the mother … This is infanticide. Gone the freedom of her baby, once born, to live!”Pro-Abortion advocates’ “zeal for the Freedom of Choice Act,” Bishop Serratelli writes, “sounds the alarm for decent Americans to wake up! The more the right to life is denied, the more we lose our freedoms. The ‘pro-choice’ movement is not pro-choice. It stands against the freedom to choose what is right according to the truth of the human person... At this point, we are still free to choose!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf0XIRZSTt8

You have my prayers, President Obama...

I was heavy hearted on election day as I felt we had chosen to vote with our pocketbooks due to this global financial crisis and had overlooked many social issues we all hold so dear. While the Democratic Party won the White House as well as decisive control over both houses of Congress, exit polls found that economic issues were overwhelmingly the most important motivators for voters.

Despite the vote, the vast majority of Americans are pro-life. Obama is so committed to the expansion of abortion rights, the next four years are going to be extraordinarily challenging for the pro-life community. As a result, we must pray all the harder...

"You have my prayers, President Obama...
As has every President since I've learned how to pray. I will be praying for your conversion of heart and your dedication to life and family. Should you not have your conversion of heart, I will work tirelessly to thwart you at every turn. I will work hard to elect congressmen and senators who will oppose you, and I will work to see you unseated in four years. Should you have your conversion of heart, I will support you in your endeavors should they prove just by Catholic social teaching." -- Posted by Tony 11/7/08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf0XIRZSTt8

Halloween Party

After the celebrating the triplets birthday we went over to the Northampton Halloween party where out new little man stole the show. It was funny given the triplets usually make us the center of attention and they were ADORABLE in their bug costumes, but little Cody was the attention grabber last night as the cutest little sunflower I've ever seen. The babies had a ball running around and dancing to hits like "Thriller" and the "Monster Mash." I smiled the entire evening watching my family play and laugh.
(only wish I could have gotten them to smile for the camera (ha! ha!) such serious faces. Cody was the only one who would smile on film.... go figure. I'll have to try and capture smiles on Halloween.

The Triplets 2nd Birthday

I can't believe it has been 2 years since I waddled into the office of Dr. Kirshon for a routine appointment only to find out I'd be meeting my babies a few hours later that day. Two years!!! While in many ways it has felt like a lifetime, all in all the time has flown by and my babies are TWO!!! It was another great birthday. This year Jerry's mother Barb was able to fly down and help us celebrate. I made the cake again this year which was a zoo theme as the babies are really into animals right now. They got their own "moonwalk" which they love along with many other toys and outfits. The girls got some dress up play clothes (little tu-tu's). Jadon quickly got tired of presents and spent most of the day wandering around the yard with his new "popper" toy and shoes. We lit the candles on the cake three times so each baby could blow them out and we sang happy birthday to each baby so they each had their own moment. Later that evening we went over to the Northampton halloween party (pics to follow) where the babies got to dress up and run around. What a great day!! We are blessed!!

Our 2nd year at the pumpkin patch

We had a great time. The girls enjoyed everything, Jadon just wanted to run free. That boy LOVES to run.

My babies at 3 months.... Baths

I just wanted to compare them all at 3 months and have a combined bath picture. I love them all wet and clean in the bath each night.

Tx vs O-who???

Well, it was a sad day for my husband, a die hard OU fan, as his team was defeated amidst a group of Longhorns (including his wife). Jerry and I had a party inviting several friends over to watch the Tx/Ou game... all of our friends happen to be Longhorns... in support of my husbands team I dressed the kiddos in their OU gear, but it was not enough for OU to pull out a win....

Vulnerability....

What has most surprised me about motherhood is how having a baby makes you vulnerable. Before I had my kids, I was pretty happy, footloose and without much care. I never lost sleep worrying about anything and personally felt quite capable of handling any trauma or tragedy that might befall me. But once I had I my babies that all changed. My heart and soul are now vulnerable to pain and I worry about all sorts of things; rashes, coughs, accidents, immunizations, and the list just goes on to the point of ridiculous. I worry to the point of losing sleep and I'm so protective of these little gifts from God. Being a mother is very hard; not only physically but emotionally, but the joy of motherhood is worth every bit of worry and work. Motherhood has filled my heart and soul and I now have so much love that all I want to do is protect it.