Home Again.. Wednesday 8/31 @ 7:10pm

We're baaack! And I think both a little stressed out, we've been very snappy at each other.  G is upset to be home without Gracie, of course I am the same; however, I know we have to come home because it's end of the month & that means billing.  (We don't bill, we don't get paid!)  Then I take a look around our living room, and I feel stressed about the mess it's in.. I know, I know.. don't worry about it, but I do. We are only home for 2.5 days & I'm feeling better, so I'm going to spend some time putting sh**t somewhere! Argghhh..

On a good note, Gracie is doing very well.  She is up to 3.5cc's of feeding as of 11 a.m., she will go to 4.0 cc's at 11pm; gearing up to 5.0cc's hopefully as of 11pm tomorrow night.  If she continues with the feeds, and all is good, she will be off the tpn! That's the goal.

Arrghhhh.. I just threw all the sh**t that was on the couch on the floor, like threw it, soo tomorrow I'll have a big mess to clean!! OMG!! I hate being home! I don't have to worry about this stuff when I'm just singing & reading to Gracie!!

Her little hand has a little IV in it, and she doesn't have a pic line in her, so that's the way we want to keep it.  She has 6 more days of being on antibiotics for the infection.  Her little feet (her big little feet) are swollen, because she had an iv in one of her feet, hope that goes down.  Overall, she is doing great.

Okay.. I'll go clean the mess I just made of throwing shit on the floor :(

Thanks for the continued thoughts & prayers..they're working.. don't stop yet!! :)

Happy 80th Birthday, Noni (Grandma in Italian)



Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (forever in our hearts)

Tuesday's Superstar! Tuesday, 8/29/2011 @ 11:48pm

Hi! We are here seeing Gracie and she is doing well.  She's on cpap as of yesterday & doing well with it.  She started back on feedings as of this morning, will go up .5cc's every 12 hours.  She sometimes has some "gagging" happening, & lots of secretions in her left nostril.  So, not sure she enjoys the cpap, but they want to give her a few more days on it before putting her back on nasal canular. (which last time she really did well).

Her stats are good. BP rates, heart rates, etc.  We are happy she is doing so well.  Her nurse today, Susan (animal lover) says that Gracie is a "superstar", she is doing extraordinary well, so when she has a few dips, it's okay!!  Our girl is a Superstar!!  (know that movie.. lol.. lol)

Godmother Dalila is on her way up to see Gracie, I can't wait for her to meet her.  We couldn't had ask better godmothers, Dalila & Theresa.  They will be super, independant women & teach Gracie all they know.  Who knows, maybe she'll be in the nursing field... hey I'm not pushing her already.. Gracie can be whatever she wants to be!!

Thanks for reading & keeping updated!

Good luck to all going back to school today & tomorrow.. please be careful around schools & watch where kids are walking!!!  Be safe!!


Love,
pattie & gary, gracie &  maxwell (forever in our hearts)

Good Afternoon from a Sunny Maine.. Monday, 8/29/2011 @ 1:25pm

Hi, everyone!! We survived Hurricane Irene from North Conway, NH.  We weren't able to come up & see Gracie yesterday due to the tropical rain storm..and rain there was lots of it.  But we kept a check on her, as usual, by phone.  She had a great day! And Gary & I had a great day at the condo, we did go out a little bit.. hannaford's (got to have good snacks!); and tried to go to outlets, but they were closed. :(  Good movies on tv, though.  Well rested..just what we needed.

Anyway, today is a new day! And Gracie is doing great!!  She is off the ventiliator, and back on cpap as of 1:00pm!!  yea, Gracie!! We have our very well liked nurse, Margo; so she let us capture a few pictures of Gracie with no breathing apparatus stuck to her.  We got to see her very cute, oval face (like Daddy's! with my nose).. it was just such an awesome feeling to hold her with no breathing tubes on her.  I held her, daddy took a picture.  I snuggled her little face & kissed her.  Daddy very gently kissed her cheek.  lol .. it lasted just a few minutes, but a moment we will cherish til we can do it again.

Here's a pic from today:

Thanks everyone!!  We are in awe of our little girl!!

Love, Pattie & Gary, Gracie & Maxwell

Promised Picture of Gracie's 1st day with a Onesie on..

This is from Saturday, August 27th..when Gracie, who doesn't need a heating probe anymore, got to wear her first Onesie!! Doesn't she look precious??  Sooo cute!!

update on gracie & irene

hi. im typing with garys phone..so i apologize for grammatical errors in advance. gracie is doing well. she has a staph inefection from her pic line. that is out & she is on antibiotics.. she has her very mini iv's in her little hands. (amazing)  she got a blood transfusion yesterday..the blood they take for bloodwork, they have to replace.  she looks much pinker today..thank god. she weighs 2 lbs. 2 oz..yea!! shes our lovely, precious girl. cant believe i have a baby.. maybe this change of scenery at the condo is just what i needed. thanks chuck!!

Thanks everyone for ure concern, support, and prayers. our baby girl is doing great.  sher body heat is being regulated on her own..soo she can wear clothes. hopefully i can upload a pic of her in yesterdays onesie.

In nh we've had tropical storm wind & rain...thus far..soo we'll see gracie tomorrow.

hope u all are safe & have good snacks on hand.

love u guys..
pattie; gary; gracie & max

Update on Gracie Sat., 8/27/2011 @ 8:44a.m.

We got a phone call last night at midnight that they had to intabate (sp) Gracie to help her breathe better.  She was put back on c-pap yesterday.  They are treating her for an infection, her white blood cell count was high.  Poor little girl!  The good news is we think she reached the 2lb mark :) yea!!

I'm so scared!! I feel so helpless! We are getting ready to leave this morning, without my parents.  I didn't think it was a good idea that my parents see her with extra tubes around, and that way we'll get up there & stay up there for the storm/weekend.  We are actually staying in North Conway, NH at our friend's condo, for a change of scenery.  Which we'll really need.

I just remember when Max was going thru his issues, I prayed all night; and I found myself doing that last night.  I know that preemies may get infections, but I don't want my little girl to be sick.    I'm so worried for her!!

I'll post after our hospital visit!!


Thanks Chuck & Lorraine for our change of scenery!!

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell

Looking Back 8/26/11 @ 9:59pm

I'm worried! I'm scared! I can't stop thinking of Maxwell & our current situation.  As people are getting all there gear ready for Hurricane Irene, I'm just working up the courage to stop crying inside.  I'm not having a good day.  :( 

I was just looking back at pictures on my laptop.. even most recent pictures from Father's Day this year.  I had gotten Gary a t-shirt that says "Proud dad to be of twins", and he wore it proudly.  Ben & Emily hung out with us at the road race & then back to my house for a little bit; they look so cute, and I was able to capture such cute pictures.  I haven't seen them since July 15th, and I miss them.  I can't wait for them to meet Gracie, but maybe not til Christmas.

Grace has an infection & is being treated for such.. I'm so worried for her! I know she's a fighter, and will remain strong.  Gary said in a year from now, we'll be sitting here with Grace (she'll be sleeping at this time), saying that 'boy last year was a tough year'.  Everything is just so surreal.  I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, but I wouldn't had wished it on us either.  I'm not sure what God wants us to gain from this journey..

I'm going to bed!

Grace needs an extra Prayer Please!! Friday eve 8/26/11

Hi, everyone! Gracie has an infection.  Her white blood count was high this afternoon, which usually means an infection.  So they are treating her for an infection.  She's back on cpap & at 40% oxygen. (Previously she had only been on 21%, breathing room air).  They don't want her to stress to breathe, that's why the higher oxygen levels.

Please say an extra prayer tonight for our little girl!!  We visited Maxwell's grave site tonight, hoping he can 'fly' over to help Gracie too!!

We'll be visiting her tomorrow with my parents. I'll be sure to send all your well wishes to her!!

Thanks everyone!!

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & max

Gracie's update on Friday, 8/26/2011

This is Gracie's favorite position, on her belly!! She looks like me when she's sleeping like this.  This picture is from Monday the 22nd.

Today, Gracie is doing okay! They had to go back on her feedings, back down to 2.0cc's every hour (she had been up to 4.0cc's, but was regertating a bit).. so I'm glad they slowed it down a little.  We had had some concerns with them this week that maybe they were pushing the feedings too much; so we are kinda glad they slowed it back down.  (she's still little).  As of late last night, she's back on cpap for help with breathing as well.  She made it longer off the cpap this time around, but she's still little & if she's needs a rest being back on cpap, well I'm okay with that, I don't want my little girl to be stressed out!!  (leave that up to her parents.. :)

The good news is that she had her head ultrasound yesterday & there was no change in it since day 1.. which is great.  No more bleeds, and it's resolving itself..which is just wonderful!! Best news!!

We keep praying & praying.. Gracie is going to be okay!! She has Maxwell as her personal angel!

The hardest part in all this, is when we're at home we don't have her & when we're in Maine it doesn't feel like 'home', even though we're with her.  So like any Mom, we just want her to be home with us!  The travelling back & forth we can handle..it's everything in between!!

We love you Gracie! See you tomorrow with Vevo & Vevoo's first visit to their granddaughter!!


Love you girlie,
mommy & daddy, & brother max..

The bump & everything else Friday, 8/26/2011 @ 11:09am

Good morning people! Prior to giving birth, everyday at least 1-3x's a day I would go on http://www.thebump.com/ & just get encouragement from different boards about being pregnant, high risk pregnancy, etc.  It's a very good tool for encouragement & frienship.  I hadn't gone on it since I had the babies, til last night and I saw a "preemies" category; so I stayed on for awhile last night reading some other experiences & then again this am.  It's very encouraging, so I posted my story & will be a regular now on that board.  This am, I was looking at past posts, just to see if there are any stories like my own, and I came across a post for ME & my babies from September 2007.  I know she follows my blog & I just want to say "Thank you!!".  It brought a tear to my eyes, to read people I don't even know sending thoughts & prayers to me & my family!!  Thanks for letting everyone know, September!!  I truly appreciate all the thoughts & prayers.  People's kindness, that we don't even know, is so touching!! Thank you!

Yesterday, had a visit with my dear friend, Heather & lunch with Dalila.  I needed a good 'girlfriend' day & was comforted by both visits & outings!! (I'm still not driving! :(  my husband likes driving Miss Pattie!

And last night we had dinner at our dear friends, Peter & Paula's house.  So nice not to cook, just brought dessert, chips & macaroni salad. They are soo great to us & really good friends.  Definitely nice to have company!

On to Gracie's post!!


Thanks to September 2007; Heather & Dalila; Peter & Paula.. we love you guys! Some we don't even know!


Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (forever!)

Gracie & Mommy

Gracie

Meet our little, precious, long.. girl.. Grace Lucia!
This was taken on Wed. 8/24/2011 :)

Thinking... Thurs. 8/25/2011 @ 9:41p.m.

Just  thinking alot today, the same old thing.. "why me?".. It's so surreal to be home & not pregnant, nor have any babies crying for feeding time.  I feel my house is a mess, we come home & literally dump all our stuff in the living room; then we go back to Maine & all that stuff comes with us.  Every week, our baggage gets a little lighter.  We realize we don't need everything we have been taking.

Gary doesn't want me to bend down, so trying to clean the house has been tough.  I stick to the kitchen, then I feel like I have no energy to do anything.

I saw a good friend today & we went to lunch, not before I had a melt down with her.  I just try to stay so strong with Gary, but sometimes when I'm alone it makes me think about things, and I'm just so sad!

I don't know.  It's not easy being home, it's not easy being in Maine.  It's just not an easy time, and I know it's a blessing to have Gracie.. I just wish she was home.  But I want her home & healthy, so I know I have to wait.

I don't know.. I just don't know! :(


Thanks for reading,
love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (forever in our hearts)

p.s. trying to upload recent pictures of Gracie to share with all of you!!

Back to Fairhaven Wed., 8/24/11 @ 7:06pm

We're baaackk! Got in this afternoon, around 4:30pm, only took about 2 1/2 hours to get home.. not to bad!

We left Grace with a nurse who's been there "24 years & seen everything".. Ok, ma'm, I'm sure you have, but you don't know what we have been thru, so just be nice! My husband was not too fond of this woman.

Gracie had some dips in her oxygen levels today, just regular preemie thing.  Daddy tries to talk to her to bring her back up, she usually listens; but sometimes she's a little stubborn.  (Like her Mommy, Daddy says!)

She's still 1 lb. 15 oz.. we really want her to reach that 2 pound mark!!  Today is her 3 week of life, imagine that? She's getting big, our little Miss Gracie!

I changed her diaper today & took her temperature.  She opened both her eyes wide, and as I was talking to her, she smiled.  Soo cute!! The doctor told us as she came in this am to look at her, the nurses were outside the room laughing, and the doctor could hear Gracie make noises as if she too was laughing.  :) .  She's got a little personality already!!

Tomorrow is a big ultrasound day for her, so if you can all just say another quick prayer or keep her in your thoughts.

Thanks!!

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (forever in our hearts)

Bachelor Pad on Tues eve.. 10:45pm

Hey, when you're stressed out & not sure what's happening to you.. watch stupid TV.. :).  I was able to take a nap this afternoon, so yes, I'm still awake; and watching stupid TV!  Bachelor pad on Xfinity TV.. heheheheee.. I dislike Vienna & Kelsey..

Today was a great day for Gracie.  She is doing soo well.  She is so strong, Gary & I are definitely getting a lot of our strength from her.  Imagine, she will be 3 weeks tomorrow, and she is off cpap; she breathes great, is on nasal canula & today for a little bit she didn't even have that in her tiny small nose!  She is such a little fighter.. with everything that happened to her brother, I get so emotionally over it, and then I just look at this little girl & hold her & tell her all about her family; and how excited Gary & I are to take her home!  She is sooo loved!!  And we promise to love her forever!!  (Maxwell too, he will never be forgotten).

To Tina & Theresa:  "I can't make this shit up".. I burnt my left hand this morning, when my coffee cup lid fell off.. OUCHIE!!  I'm okay, but really??

Gary & I got to the hospital for rounds, then hung out with Gracie til about 3:00ish.  Grace & I got to do an hour of skin on skin.  It was an amazing feeling to hold her that long & her stats were so good while she was on me.  We got a great little picture.  I'll have to add it when we get home.

Home:  We're leaving tomorrow at 1:00ish.. will get home by 4:00, I hope!  Gary has to work a few days this week, so he'll get to work on Thursday & Friday.  I'll go back to killing ants in the kitchen (lol)..arghhh..



Happy Birthday Don!!

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (forever in our hearts)

Gracie Girl.. Tues., 8/23/2011 @ 9:31a.m.

I didn't get a chance to update yesterday; but Gracie girl is doing GREAT!! Her body is really starting to fill in, as she is gaining.  She is still long & going to be tall like her daddy.  She has had no apena spells & is off the cpap, she is breathing thru the nasal canula, and doing great.  Yesterday, I put some cream on her dry skin.

Friends of ours, Sam & Jim Wesoly were in Maine on vacation, and stopped by to visit Gracie yesterday. They were impressed by her small size, but long size.  It was nice to see familiar faces visit our baby.  We then tried to find a restaurant for dinner.. hmm.. well we thought we found a Friendly's, but it had been taken over by Tim Horton's.  bummer :(.  Now, I'll definitely need a Friendly's night out when we get home.  So we ended up at Applebee's, which was really good, except for the waitress charging the wrong cards for the wrong amounts, twice!! Geesh, I should've gotten my free dessert.

Gary & I got back to RMcD's house by 7:30, watched a few episodes of Rookie Blue, and I had some tea & cookies (thanks to MIL). 

Today, we are heading to hospital in a little bit.. then coming back early for a snooze.  I'm not feeling the pumping thing.. I do it more when I'm at the hospital then back here.  I'm just tired, and I feel pumping for 15 min to get hardly nothing, is hardly worth it. :(

Have a good day all,

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (forever in our hearts)
  The maxwell thing is still very surreal..

I feel very judgemental...

Tell me it's okay!  Whether I see young pregnant girls in the doctor's office, or many kids running around the RMcD house, I find myself being very judgemental.

Why did this happen to us??

Mixed Emotions from Maine Sun. 8/21/11 @ 7:45pm

Hi!  We made it back to Maine at approximately 12:30pm this afternoon.  A lot of mixed emotions on the way up.  First & foremost, we were/are missing Grace, so very happy to be seeing her.  But then wish we were picking her up to take her home with us.  We went right to hospital when we got in town, and she looks soo great.  She's plumping out a little (she's now 1 lb. 14 oz.. 2 more ounces to 2 lbs); she's very pink.. her cheeks are filling out, as well as her hands & legs.  She's no longer on cpap, but remember she was off that for a short time a week or so ago.. soo hopefully she'll do good on just the breathing air tube thru her nose (you medical people know what I'm talking about).  She is doing great!!

Thanks to the Corley family, we got my favorite book, "Moo, baa, La La La"; so I was able to read that to her today.  Along with another hippotamus book. 

One thing I finally got to do with Grace is hold her skin to skin.  She looked so little under my shirt; and my shirt smelled like Gracie right after.  She was able to stay on me for at least 25 minutes, and I got to take her in & sing to her.  I told her about all the people who couldn't wait to see her, and I told her about her room, and how excited we were to take her home soon.  Her oxygen levels & everything were really good while she was on me.

We are now back at the Ronald McDonald house.  Got a room with a private bath, that's very comfortable.  Got us twin beds, which Gary doesn't really like, but it does help in both of us getting a good nights rest.  Which we both need, desperately!

Fairhaven hadn't felt like home the last few days, because we were busy doing other stuff.  And Maine, doesn't feel like home either.  We are comfortable in the RMcD house, but this isn't home either.  I guess we won't feel home til Gracie is with us.



Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (in our hearts forever)

Resting on a Saturday 8/20/2011 @ 3:54pm/Saturday

Hi, everyone! We needed just another day to 'rest', so our heading back up to Maine tomorrow morning, with a hopeful stop to say "HI" to my niece & nephew, who I miss so much!

We went to breakfast this morning, then a few errands; ran into some friends/acquaintances & held our own.  Visited Maxwell as well.  He is always in our heart, but we need to move forward for Gracie.  Some days it's easier than others.  Being tired is not going to help my pumping or energy for Grace, so I'm trying today just to rest!!

We checked in with Grace this morning; and she is still doing great.  They've backed down on the feedings a little, she was up to 5cc's every hour, and her little digestive system was making her throw up, so they backed up a little.  On good news, she weighs 1 lb. 14 oz, 2 more to 2 lbs... Yea! She is gaining, and isn't that wonderful. (We say that now..lol.. poor girl is starting young).

Gary was able to put her crib in her room last night, and we put some things in her room.  On a weekly basis, we will try to get her nursery ready..it'll help to bring her home sooner.

For those who have asked, we may be able to get her transferred to Boston, but it won't be for a few weeks.  And then, it's the same old question as before, if she's doing so well, why do we want to mess that up on her??  So, we'll see what happens.. it's a daily prayer for Grace & we just hope she is well.


Thanks for everyone who has sent cards and/or sympathy wishes here or emails.  We enjoy reading your comments & thank everyone for their words & support.  Back to Maine in the morning, we'll keep you posted!!

With Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (forever in our hearts)

Another day.. Friday 8/19/2011 @ 9:36pm

Yesterday's service went really well.  I think I just went thru the motions of the day.  It was such a heartbreak.  A good friend of Gary's read a poem to us as if Maxwell was reading it..it was beautiful!! He also had it framed for us.. just simply beautiful! Thank You, Dan!!

My sister, Theresa had a few words to say about meeting Maxwell & read something I had written on behalf of me & Gary..she too made me cry & spoke so eloquently.  It was a beautiful service, Thank you Pastor Brian.  It just was a day we never expected to have walked thru.  I know we are not the first parents to lose their infant baby, and won't be the last, but doesn't make it any easier.

We then went to an OB around here to check out my wound. Finally, got put on antibiotics.  My belly still hurts, but for sure it won't turn into an infection now.  I was so pissed sitting in waiting room, looking at other 'young'..very young mothers 8-9 months pregnant, no rings on their finger, & YES, I was judging them.  Why do their children get to live??  Not a good day to be in the OB office for sure.

Today, I thought we'd have a day of rest. NOT! My husband was great last night, in giving me tylenol, ibuprofren & other meds to get well rested..whereas my belly muscles are really hurting.  Today, we had errands to do, and I don't feel well rested.

We have decided to go back to Maine on Sunday morning.  Hoping to catch up with a freind there who is visiting; and of course an afternoon with Gracie.  We'll stay at the condo in NH Sunday to Monday, and then get back into the Ronald McDonald house Monday thru Wedesday.  Spending our days with Gracie.  Tomorrow will definitely be our day of rest.

Thanks everyone! I'll write more tomorrow..

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (in our hearts forever)

Here I am Lord... Thurs. 8/18/11 @ 8:01a.m.

Here I am Lord.. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night; I will go Lord, if you lead me, I will hold your people in my heart.

A favorite hymn of mine, a favorite hymn of my grandmother  (Mom) who passed in 2001, a favorite hymn of Mamie Howland, who passed in 2010.  It's a hymn tht I picked for Maxwell's services today, and knowing that Mamie & "Mom" will be there gives me a little strength.

Today, is going to be a tough day for Gary & I; but we spoke to our Pastor yesterday & talked about how we wanted to celebrated Maxwell's short life.  Short, but he made such an impact on us, and those around him that didn't even no him.  He also made an impact on the doctors and nurses in the NICU at Maine Medical Center.  We miss him all the time.  We don't understand why God took us from him, especially knowing all we went thru to have him.

Please give us strength Lord! 



Love you Maxwell!!

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (forever in our hearts)

Wednesday Evening 9:04pm 8/17/11

Today's been a long day.  I didn't sleep well last night. A lot on my mind I guess, just trying to figure out how to relax in my own home.  We have a crib in the middle of the living room, all of our bags that came from Maine as well.  We need normalcy again, I'm just not sure when we'll get there.

Gary checked on Gracie this am, and it was a favorite nurse, Christina that was her nurse today.  She was doing great! We are so proud of her! She had several poops, gained another ounce, so that makes her 1 lb. 12 oz!!! She is also digesting her milk/formula, so they went up to 3cc's every 3 hours, and tonight they were going to try 4cc's every 3 hours.  I just hope she continues to digest it.

Today's pumping went good, seems this is the most I've gotten, so I'm keeping at it.  But I'm drinking a beer a day & my mother's milk tea.  I'll head to Nature Food Store on Friday for some fenugreek, which is a herb to help with bringing in the milk.  I'll try it! :)

I'm happy Gracie's doing well, and we miss her so much!  But her strength & Maxwell's will get us thru the next few days.

Thanks to everyone who has sent cards, gifts & their prayers along.  We appreciate them immensely!
Thanks to Dalila who changed my wound today, and talked with my OB down here so I could see him tomorrow.

I ask for your additional prayers for Gary & I for tomorrow, we will need it.

Thanks!
Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (in our hearts forever)

Home again.. but.. Tuesday eve 9:05pm 8/16

So, we our home, in Fairhaven; but even just for a few days the home that we've had together for 3 years, I for 6, doesn't feel right to me.  I've gotten emails from people whom have been thru some part of my situation, usually their baby is in NICU while they go home, and they've told me how tough that is.  But for us, it's a baby in NICU & a baby we have to bury in a couple of days.  Our home, was suppossed to be for four of us in October, and now it's just two of us, we're not pregnant anymore, and we have only one baby coming home eventually.  It saddens me to be here.

On a good note, our dear friend Linda brought over macaroni & cheese for dinner and brownies for dessert.  A home made meal is just what we needed.  I know this is our home, and we have to make the best of our situation.  We do have Gracie to think about and we left her in good hands doing really well.  When we get back on Saturday, she'll look bigger than she did for us today.

I guess I'm just sad.  I knew this time being home would be tough on us, just not sure I realized how much.


Thanks for reading! Thanks to my close friends who make it easier to come home.  Love you guys!!

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (in our hearts forever)

Back to Monday 8/15/11 @ 7:14p.m.

Hey, everyone! Back to work for most of you, because it's Monday.  We don't know what day it is here, everyday just seems to run into the next.  We do try to keep up on the date, though.  We do know that Wednesday the 17th, Grace will be 2 weeks old.  Time is flying already!

She is still doing great.  She now weighs 1 lb 11 oz; she had gone down to 1 lb. 6oz, so we are very happy with her gained weight.  We got to be there this morning for rounds.  All her #'s & stats look great.  They say she's tall & thin; but she's taking my milk at 1cc's every 3 hours.  As long as she keeps gaining weight, everything is great.

We got to sit with her today for a few hours.  I got to hold her, and gave her a massage with some Aveeno baby lotion.  Her skin is very dry, and she seemed to enjoy the massage.. she was opening up her eyes.

Daddy & I also read her some books.  We read the same books to her everyday, so we need to add to the book supply.

I'm feeling okay.  We drove to a Whole Foods in the area, and got some tea good for mother's milk.  I'm not a big tea drinker, but will try to drink this at least twice a day.  Also met with a lactaction consultant today, who thinks I should be getting more milk, if I was going to, than I am.  I'm pumping at least every two hours during the day, and getting some, but not 'pouring' out yet.  Everyone is telling me to relax, I've gone thru a huge amount of stress in the last two weeks.  I'm trying.  It's not that easy, though!

Today is billing day for Gary.. ugh! My closest friends know how annoying 'billing day' is normally.. soo you can just imagine.  But I have to be honest, he has been so great, that even the nurses have noticed & commented on how our love is really being shown daily.  Gary does everything for me.  From washing my pump bottles to getting me sips of water when I'm pumping.  He's doing the laundry, I mean really.. he's been wonderful. Thanks, honey!!

Gracie's nurse, Margo, is soo great! She has been with Gracie the last few days & again tomorrow.  It's comforting to have someone who's great with your baby.  We've only had one 'bad' nurse, but Gary got rid of her quick. :)

Well, I need to go chat with my mother in law & enter this billing :).

Thanks for reading & keeping us in your prayers!  We will be home/Fairhaven Tuesday late night.. then back in Maine on Saturday. 

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (in our hearts forever)

Sunday's Visit 8/14/2011 @ 6:34pm

I'm tired tonight.  It's been a long day, but good news all around.  Gracie is doing soo wonderful! She opened her eyes today for Mommy & Daddy.. she just opened & kept them wide for a few minutes.  We were so enthralled with her, giving her positive attitudes & letting her know how much we love her.

Margo, her nurse, who is great with her & on til Tuesday (Nazi nurse with me..not really, but on top of me to keep on pumping & taking care of myself), was very supportive with me & Gary & Grace.

I pumped every 2 hours at hospital, it's the night time that I need to focus.  Margo gave me a cloth that Gracie has layed on, I will wear it with me when I pump; and when I go to sleep, I will have it on my pillow.  The focus will be naturally to help me get more milk in.  She is still eating 1cc's every 3 hours, and that doesn't seem like a lot, but I need to get more milk to supply it.

Our friends, Peter & Paula Mederios came to visit.  It was nice to see them, felt like we were somewhere locally.  They were amazed at how small Gracie is, to us she fuller than she did 10 days ago, but she still is little.  Dr. Amy McBee was back today with a hug for us, that is another Doc in NICU; she was very welcoming to us.  She had taken care of Maxwell.  And we also saw Susan, and another Doc from labor/delivery that just shook her head & said, "I was in labor/delivery with you, and that was a crazy delivery."

I'm tired..going to rest awhile before it's time to pump!

Thanks everyone for reading & keeping up with us!

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (in our hearts forever)

Eyes Open Wide Sun. 8/14/11 8:57a.m.

Morning, everyone! Gary just called to check on Grace, and found out she opened her eyes this morning!! YEA, Gracie!! How exciting! We can't wait to get to the hospital to see her pretty little eyes.

Grace has been doing great.  She's on an intermittent blood pressure medicine, seems one of her vestricles in her heart is more thickened than the other, nothing they are concerned about, just have to keep an eye on it.  So, it causes her heart to pump a little harder, and put her blood pressure up a little.  So, the new bp meds helps control the blood pressure.  Besides that, she is doing well.

Today, her nurse, Margo, will show me how to give Grace a massage with some non scented lotion.  Her skin looks good, but is a little dry.  She no longer needs the blue light.  She is so precious.  Her long legs always are over her little mattress, like Daddy in a twin bed, I think Gracie's legs are too long for her little mattress.  LOL..something to laugh at.

I got the opportunity to talk to my niece, Emily & nephew, Ben this morning.  I haven't seen them in a month or so, and I miss them so much!!  Ben got a new "rory" racing car, and Emily was watching Barney make bubbles on tv.  I just feel sad that I haven't seen them in awhile.  For a time there, I was seeing them weekly.. I babysit them for a year & a half, twice a week.  Before the camping trip, we stopped by on our way to NH.. which was July 15th, soo I haven't seen them since then.  But even that visit, was just a quick 'hi', not a play date.  They are getting so big.  And they were both involved with my pregnancy, and Ben (age 3 1/2) would ask me how I was feeling, and how the babies were.  I miss them soo much!!  Ben told Theresa yesterday he wanted to see me and the babies today.  I just love & miss them.

Our nurse yesterday told us we need to have some 'normalcy' in our life after this week.  I know we do, I guess it's not healthy to just come to the hospital and sit for hours in Gracie's room.  But we don't feel like sight seeing in Portland.  We need to get thru this week here & at home; and then next week Gary needs to head home to work more, and I will go with him as well.  We just need to plan the week with work & some sort of balance for mental health.  (Coloring is theraputic, they say.. Ben & Emily, there are colored pictures coming in the mail for you!!)  Another Princess picture in Gracie's room.

Have a good day everyone! I'll try to check in tonight.
Thanks for all the thoughts & continued prayers!!

Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (in our hearts forever)

--An angel with the book of life, wrote down my baby's birth & whispered as she closed the book, "too beautiful for earth."

Saturday am, 8/13/11 - 7:42 a.m.

I read Maxwell's obit in the s-times, and it has Grace's name wrong.  It says twin sister to Lucia Pacella, it's Grace Lucia.  It was hard to read the obit & understand it.  Does that make sense?

I went to bed at a fairly decent time, and I sleep good; except when I wake up I'm not sure where I am and why.  I think when we put Max to his final resting place, it'll feel more real for me.  I keep thinking Maxwell is just here with Gracie, perhaps in another room down the hall.  It's weird.  It's a weird feeling. 

I know we are not the first set of parents to lose a baby, it doesn't make it any easier.

Gracie is doing 'ok'.  Gary talked to the nurses last night, and she was having a few more 'apnea (sp?)' spells, they were thinking about putting her back on the ventillator.  This all is a part of her being a preemie.  Like I've said before, as her parents we certainly don't want to stress out about breathing.  We just pray she's okay.  There was no call in the middle of the night, so we are not sure what they ended up doing.  Gary will call this am, and then we'll head over there by 10:30ish. 

For me, another visiting nurse will come to change my incision wound.  But the good thing is I'm able to take a shower this am.

This whole journey is so surreal.  Maxwell is in Fairhaven now, and we are in Maine. Hmm..   very odd, that's how I feel.


Love,
pattie & gary, gracie & maxwell (in our hearts forever)

Gracie & Many Thanks Friday, 8/12/11 @ 5:38pm

Ok, God is listening!! Thank you God for sharing with us today that Gracie's brain scan came back with 'no change' from 9 days ago.  That means that she's doing great!!

Thank you God for my wound in my incision that it's not leaking today; and healing well.  Thank you God for the oxycotin that I got today, that helps the physical pain go away.

Thank God for my husband, Gary..who is an amazing father & husband!!

Thank God for all the friends, family & supporters (many whom I don't know) that have left beautiful comments, and made our day!

Thank God.. we have much to be thankful for; although saddened, we do have a lot to be thankful for.. most importantly, our beautiful daughter, Grace Lucia!!  And Maxwell Hathaway, that we were given 27 weeks with him & 4 days in life!! :)

Good morning, Friday! 8/12/11 7:48a.m.

I went to sleep early last night.  I'm having a bad start to Friday, a small setback I hope cures itself soon!  I went to get my staples removed from the incision yesterday, and I have a hematoma (part of the incision opened up).  So, they packed it in with gauze & put a huge piece of tape on my lower belly.  It leaks, it's oozing & I'm in pain taking tylenol every 4 hours.  I just can't believe even my body can't heal naturally from giving birth.  It seems like the "hits just keep on coming".  This isn't a pity party for me, but I do think I deserve one.

I'm just sad this morning.  I think the last week, or few weeks is really getting to me.  I've tried to be strong for myself, Gary & Gracie; and I just feel like I'm spinning.

Hopefully, visiting nurse should call this am, before 9:00a.m., or Gary is calling the doc's office & it won't be pretty.  The visiting nurse needs to see me everyday to change the gauze; then my good friend, & Gracie's godmother, Dalila will change it when I'm home next week.  Just another thing on top of everything else. 

Is God really listening? I spent the night praying.  I pray for our strength.  I thank God for all the prayers & thoughts that are being sent our way.  I pray for Gracie! I pray for Gary! I pray for our situation.  I hope he is listening, because it's starting to get hard.


Thanks again for all the heartfelt messages you send me.  I wish I could answer them all personally, but there is not enough time in the day.  Love to you all.

Love,
Pattie & Gary, Gracie & Maxwell (forever in our hearts)

Sharing with you our precious Max & Gracie

Hi, everyone! I have received such awesome notes & emails from both the blog & facebook from all of you, that I just had to share this awesome picture of Maxwell & Gracie with you.  Gracie is on the right, and Maxwell is on the left.  What a great picture, ah?? They are beautiful!!

Today, Gracie has had another great day! She's got the 'blue light' back on her to help prevent jaundice. She is back on the c-pap, but doing well with it.  She's only receiving 6% from the c-pap. She is such a spit fire, always moving around.  She is soo beautiful, the picture doesn't show how long she is, just like Daddy!! But she does have my nose!! :)

Okay..gotta go pump now.. exhausting!!

I'll write more later.. having dinner at the Ronald Mcdonald house tonight, it's baked fish with crabmeat stuffing & vegetables & a salad.  Sounds good.. & I'm hungry.  Today was not a good day for eating.. just didn't do it... I know, I know.. we got to eat!!

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. 

Love,
Pattie & Gary, Gracie & Maxwell (in our hearts forever)

Back in Maine.. Thurs. 8/11/11 10:27a.m.

We're back in Maine.  Came back yesterday.  All is well with Gracie.  She had been off c-pap (breathing) for about 24 hours, but this morning had to be put back on.  They don't want her to stress to much to breathe.  That is okay, we want her to be relaxed.  We have to realize she is very little. She is 28 weeks today, but a week old as of yesterday! Don't worry, we sang Happy Birthday to her!

We were able to bring a picture up of her & her brother.. We strongly believe he is pulling her through this.  Unfort, in NICU, there are good days & bad.  So far, she is having a good day!

You should hear her Daddy with her.  He is amazing.  He loves his babies so much.  Makes my heart smile!! He is doing "ok".. he is sooo angry with God! I don't blame him, but I'm trying to help him realize there is a reason, and that is God wanted/needed another angel.  Easy to say.. harder to process!!

We're heading back to the hospital now.  I'll write more tonight .. we are staying at a local Ronald McDonald house.  Yesterday, I was extremely overwhelmed when we got here, but it's better now. 

For those who want to attend services, or need to make arrangements for the services, it will be held Next Thursday 8/18 @ 10:00 a.m. at Centre-Trinity Methodist Church, 473 County Street, NB.  Burial to follow immediately at Riverside Cemetary.
It will be awkward for us, and sad, but a celebration for a little life as well.

Thanks for all the facebook posts of prayer.  We NEED them desperately.  Thank you for all your concerns & support.  We NEED them too!!

Love,
Pattie & Gary, Gracie & Maxwell (in our hearts forever)

Maxwell Hathaway

I haven't written in a couple of days.  But a very good friend told me last night to make sure I bring LIFE into Maxwell's life.  I am saddened to tell my family & friends that Maxwell passed Sunday evening.  Maxwell was surronded by family, a special RN & friend, Sue; and his very special NICU doctor, Dr. Peter Marra; among other nurses that cared for him as well.

We were able to give Maxwell a bath, and comb his hair.  He was so precious to us.  He loved Mommy & Daddy holding him for so long.  For the first time, when he heard Daddy's voice, he opened up his eyes.  When Daddy talked to him, he had his eyes open just staring at the voice he has heard for the past 4 days.  He loved his Daddy!!  And Daddy & Mommy loves him so much!   He was our precious little boy; although we are angry and saddened at the small time frame we had with him, we feel blessed that we had him for that time.  Maxwell Hathaway was a gift from God, and in time, we will honor God's decision to take him to be an Angel.

I believe that Maxwell has seen his great grandmother, Mom (from my side); Grandma Lucia & Grandpa Francisco (G's grandparents); Mamie, and many others who have met him at the gates.

I know that you are in a better place, with no pain & you are able to laugh, and run around with other boys & girls.  There are many flowers, and fields, and you're already playing baseball, aren't you??

You have already shown you're great strength to Gracie!! We know that you will always be her Angel.  She had her first poop Sunday night. :) Yea, Gracie!  She is so strong.  She is doing so well.  She has taken some of my breast milk.  She is also our precious little girl; and what a fighter!  

Maxwell, we love you! We loved you the day we found out we were pregnant.  We will never forget you, we will always honor you.  Gracie will grow up knowing she had a younger twin brother.

To my family & friends:  Thank you for being here during this time.  We are in between Fairhaven & Maine for the next several weeks to months.  We are always looking for Maxwell's strength in our everyday goodnessess; and in everyday milestones with Gracie.  Please respect our time to mourn and grieve our little boy.  I will continue to update the blog, especially since it is very theraputic & a honor to write about my children.

Thanks again for everyone's continued prayers!

Love,
Pattie & Gary, Maxwell & Gracie
xo

Two Breakthroughs today :) Sat. 8/6 9:54p.m.

Okay..for all those who want to know.. My first breakthrough was a good bowel movement this am.. it only took about 3 hours of extensive pain, a good walk around the unit & a cup of horrible hosptial coffee! But it was a good breakthrough, thank god!

The second breakthrough, came this evening..when I was able to hold Gracie for the first time.  It was just first holding her under her tiny mattress while they changed the bedding & then for a few seconds held her directly, as they changed her blankets.  So tiny, but so precious.  It was finally good to actually hold her.  Daddy got a great picture of us!

Maxwell is steady, pretty much status quo.  He is failing & we are doing our best to stay strong for him, but also to be with him as much as we can.  Sharing our songs, and our loving hearts with him.  He is our little precious boy.

Thank you to everyone who has forwarded their prayers for our family!  Gary & I are doing okay; we are very emotional & if I don't take your calls, please don't take it personally.  All in due time.

I get to see the world tomorrow, or at least outside of this hospital, as we will be discharged by late tomorrow morning.  I'll be still updating the blog.  We will be going home for a few days this week, just not sure when; and then returning! Maine will be our 2nd home for the next few months.

Thanks again!

Love,
Pattie & Gary, Gracie & Maxwell
xoxo

Sat., 8/6 "It's a Poopy Day" - 7:14a.m.

Good morning, people! So, I haven't been out of Maine Medical Hospital in 16 days..wow. But I think tomorrow might be the big discharge day.. from there, I have a feeling will still be in Maine..but I'll update that tomorrow when we know more concrete information!

Well, I hate to start this topic again (I think i'm finding out it's a pregnant woman's only topic).. Pooping!  I know I have to go, I can feel it.  I'm having dreams about going, but I just can't seem to push it down.  And it's aggravating!  My first request from my nurses this morning at 6 a.m., was a shot of Milk of Magnesium. (A white, chaulky liquid that you just drink down like a shot, a relaxer laxative.. oohh soo yummy).  Followed by the same old scrambled eggs (that come in a bag, so you know they're not real), but today, after 27 weeks on not eating it, some bacon.. bacon bacon..(like that dog commercial..remember?).  So, hopefully the scrambled egg thing will help the poop sometime today.  It has to be today, I just know it.  And I'm drinking 4 oz of Cranberry Juice, that's gotta help right?

Geesh, since I've been here, I've had every stool softener and stomach pill to keep things going, but since given birth I guess the oxocodyne puts you right back into c-o-n-s-t-i-p-a-t-i-o-n mode... just where you came from!

Don't worry peeps.. I will be that fighter today.. I'm going to make it!

Sidebar:  Gracie is doing wonderful! She was born at 13" long.. wow.. she has Daddy's legs!!  Maxwell is having a harder time, his length was 12" long.. maybe my uterus decided it was labor day because I had more than 2 lbs in there & more than a 25" long baby.  Think about it! 

I appreciate everyone sending prayers & thoughts are way.  The last few days have been really emotional & hard with Maxwell's condition.  But Gary & I are together and we are emotionally together & just doing what we can.  We love them both so much!

A big thank you to the new community of people that we're meeting up here thru our Methodist Church in N.B.  Allan, pastor of a methodist church in Portland, came to visit yesterday & said a prayer with us & over the babies.  Brought me flowers & a prayer shawl.  I wear it when I go see Max & Gracie.  Lisa, from their community brought us chocolate chip cookies, and sat with us for awhile; assuring us they will be offering baked goods & dinners while we are staying at the Ronald McDonald House.  They are a godsent!  And in ths difficult time, we say "Thank you".  For those who know me really, well, you know how hard it is for me & Gary to ask for help.  (Gosh, even my OB up here is telling me that). Must be a portuguese pride thing!

For my friends & family at home, Thank you! What would I do without text messaging & emails!

I'll check in later.. I gotta try another push ... :)

Love,
pattie & gary, maxwell & gracie

Friday, August 5, 2011 - 10:56a.m. --This road is long....

"With many awinding turns,"..it's a song and right now it's our life here with two preemies.  We're going thru an emotional roller coaster & trying to stay positive.. which is very hard.

Maxwell needs a lot of support right now, I just have to remind myself they are only 2 days old & 27 weeks5days. Max is stable but needs a lot of prayers.  We definitely need to keep our blueberries in daily prayers.

Gracie is doing well.  All her vitals signs are good & stable.  She is getting IV nutrition.  She is doing alot of smiling when we touch her & sing to her, she responses.  Her dad says she's cute like her mommy!  I must admit she has my nose!! :)

A big thank you to my close friends that are keeping in contact my text! We are doing our best to stay encouraged & are reading your texts & feeling supported!!

Hey, I have shorts on today!! Woohoo!! And I walked to the elevator.. a little bit each day! :)

Talk to you all soon,
love, pattie, gary, gracie & maxwell

Wednesday, August 3rd --- They're Here!! Welcome Maxwell & Gracie

Hi, everyone!! Sooo.. of course this is written on Thursday morning... but for all you smarty's out there that knew something 'mightve happened' yesterday because there was no blog post..you were right!!  I'll give you my short version (which of course when people say short.. you know it's always longer ..) of my the birth of my twins!!  What a crazy ride that was.. and only having been to one birthing class..wow! is all I can say!!

Soo, Tuesday night I went to sleep late (cuz i was watching Keep up with the Kardashians...lol).. Gary had gone back home Monday, to go to work Tuesday & Wednesday; then he was going to come back Thursday morning.  That changed! lol
So, i probably fell asleep at 11:30, and early Wednesday am, about 1:00 a.m. to be exact, I started having these pains in my lower back & my lower belly.  (For my closest friends, you know my history with my G.I. issues).. Soo, of course being pregnant & experiencing constipation on a regular basis, I was sure that it was a 'poop' issue.  I tossed & turned for several hours, put my cell phone on/off & debated whether to text Gary.  By 3:00 a.m., it was pretty tough! I called my nurse in & asked if I could have a Miralax or something, because I felt like i had to poop, it was just hard.  She asked of my symptoms & I told her.  She nodded her head & said, 'nah, i think you're in labor'. (this was my 1st pregnancy, how was I to know what to expect with labor pains..and hey, i only had 1 birthing class-lol).. So i was on the phone with Gary thru texts & my main concern to the nurses was, 'my husband had a 3.5 hour drive; should I ask him to leave.'  They weren't sure.  (in hindsight, i shouldve asked him to leave at that time..anyway!)

So, ob comes in to check me & says she doesnt see anything happening with my cervix.  The monitors are showing contractions, but let's just rest & get on some pain meds & come back in a few hours, she leaves.  Within 5 min she comes back & says she'll & I'll rest easy if she checks me the finger way.  Ok! She checks me & I'm one centimeter.  So the orig plan is to rest & check back if anything changes.  She leaves; nurse leaves to get pain meds.  While she is gone, I throw up. (great add to the mix).  She runs back in & I ask her why I threw up & she says, "you're going into active labor, you're digestive system is closing down".. She calls back the OB, they decide to send me up to Labor & Delivery.  Mind you, at this point my belly and back are still killing me, because this IV of drugs is not working for me at all.  I call Gary & tell him to leave right now, and call my sister.  They both leave around 5:00 a.m.

I get to L&D, all the doctors, anethesologists & such come in and chat (who's really listening, when I'm moaning & saying the meds aren't working).  Within the hour, they check me again & I am 4 centimeters.. WOW! Already!!  They wheel me into OR (it's a planned C-section because baby b was not head down; baby a was). 

Well.. this is the next phase of WOW -- I'm in OR and they are working on getting me an epidural..well they are having a hard time getting in that epi, while I'm whispering in the nurses ear that is supporting me, "this dude better hurry up, i feel like i'm going to poop'.. They kept explaining, I'm not going to poop, I may deliver a baby though.  My sense of humor was still popping up although I was having these severe contractions.  (Back when I was in my room at 3:00 a.m., the contractions were coming 3.5 minutes apart).  Soo, at the time where I was ready to 'poop' sitting up, the new shouting plan was "She's going to deliver baby a vaginally & then you'll put her under for baby b, let's go".  They throw me back on the bed, hold up my needs & tell me to push. (I refer my mind back to TLC's a baby story), chin to chest & push like a poop. (lol i like that word).  2 pushes later, and I hear, "baby's out"; I see a flash go away, and the gas mask is on my face as I squirm & I sleep.

Grace Lucia was born at 7:14a.m. & Maxwell Hathaway was born at 7:23a.m.

I wake up in recovery, and Gary & my sister, Theresa were waiting!

More to follow.... :)
love, pattie & gary, maxwell & gracie!!

Babies had a GREAT day!!

Yea baby A & Baby B.. the blueberries had a GREAT day..everyday there in my belly is a great day; but today.. baby a's fluid sac was 2x2 (which with the scoring they do daily on the babies..that means they both got a score of 8 out of 8).. GREAT!!

To explain in 'lay' terms (lol).. the babies are scored daily, with the highest score being 8.  They're scored in 4 places @ 2 points each:  heartrates, tone (wiggling/moving around), practice breathing, and their fluid (has to be a 2x2 pocket to get the 2 points).  So since we've been here, baby a has never met the 2x2 pocket of fluid, so she has always got a scored of 6.  But today she got her pocket of 2x2 fluid, so she got a score of 8!! We are very happy with blueberry a!! And B!!

Thanks everyone for your prayers!! They are certainly working!!

Love,
pattie & gary, blueberry a & blueberry b :)

48 days to go! Tues., Aug 2nd - 8:54a.m.

I gotta say the Breakfast choices here are terrible.  I really can't eat scrambled eggs & sausage every morning.  And with no light bread, and my stash already gone, I have to wait for Gary to come back on Thursday with some.

So I tried for the oatmeal this am, I still have the "blah" taste in my mouth from it.  Yogurt & fruit cup.  Believe it or not, those three things are a little higher in carbs, but I had to add the brown sugar to the oatmeal, just had to!! I  might have to just go back to eggs, and sausuage tomorrow.

We are at 48 days to go! People here are confident we'll get there, because of our positive attitudes.  We got to be positive, happy mom means happy babies!

Our "A team" Nurse: Alison was on last night.  Alison is wonderful; a little older than I, but she spends time chit chatting & we have good chats when she's on.  For Gary, she got a list of the fluid sacs on each baby since we've been here.  Overall, baby A has clearly increased day by day, which is great!!  She is doing so well.

Monitoring went good yesterday; baby b was on the whole time.  Of course, baby a was all over the place moving around.  LOL. I didn't expect anything different.

My day has begun. I did sleep good, no nap yesterday, so I was tired.  Going to watch Rizzoli & Isles on xfinity tv.com now, and waiting for u/s.

Have a good day people!!
Today is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day.. have 2 for me!!

love,
pattie & gary, blueberry a & blueberry b

Cupcakes & Flutters??

I was on baby monitoring this afternoon, and because I can tell between the heartbeats sounds & when they're kicking; I felt the actual kick from both babies.  It definitely just a flutter.  But very cool.  Both babies did well on the monitoring.  Baby b is great, he stayed right on for about 20 minutes; Baby a, she's my spitfire, she moves around a lot!!

Ob came in right after & very excited that we are at 27 weeks today; and said we get to next Monday & we're 28 weeks, which means I'm out of the woods. :) Thank God! I feel fine, she looked at the rash.. just said she couldn't believe I got it, but glad I was doing the ointment & powder and feeling better about it.  She did say I didn't have to wear the boots on my legs.  She wants me to be comfortable and make sure that I get the sleep I need.  She's very happy about how everything is going, says the u/s's look good & everything else does.

So..now on to the cupcakes.  Sara, a minister from a local Methodist Church here, came to visit today.  My request to her, is if someone from her church is a baker, I would love a cupcake.  Everything in moderation!!  :) lol.  I'm craving a cupcake or cookies! My MIL (mother in law) will soon be sending me a care package to the house with cookies; I can have a cookie or two here & there for snacks. So, send them my way!!

Thanks for thinking happy thoughts.. a happy MOM means happy Babies!!
Thanks Pastor Brian & Tammy!

i'll write more tonight..might shoot for an afternoon nap!

love,
pattie & gary, blueberry a & blueberry b :)

Good morning Monday!! 8/1/11 - 8:41a.m. 49 days to go!

Good morning, people!! It's Monday! The sun is out, I just had gross scrambled eggs.  Gary is getting his stuff ready to leave :(.  He'll come back Wed afternoon or early Thursday. I know he has to go, he still has to work if we want money.

I have a countdown going til we are 34 weeks... that's the 49 days!

My rash looks a little better today in some places.  I took a shower last night & Gary put the cream/ointment all over.  Sometimes I put some powder on as well, just to feel a little cooling relief.  I do take Benadryl & another itchy pill every 6 hours, it makes me sleepy, but it's reliefing & I get some good sleep.

Chop Suey was dinner last night with green beans.. it was okay. Nothing exciting to write about! :)

Well, it's August 1st..WOW! By the end of September, I will have 2 babies!! YEA!! That's nice!  Summer is going by..enjoy it while you can!

Have a good week!
love,
pattie & gary, blueberry a & blueberry b.