Memorial Day/NICU Homecoming Anniversary

It's been a whirlwind of a week(end) around here. We had a play date last week with the Mom's group I joined, a small cookout over the weekend with the grandparents and then took full advantage of PA's "Fish for Free Day" on Monday and took the kiddos on their very first fishing trip.

I have to say it was one of the experiences I could not wait to share with them and I know my dad was smiling down.

This little girl was not scared of the water at all. At one point she even sat down on that ledge right there and insisted I let her take her shoes off and stick her feet in.

Blake kept calling "Here fishy fishy" and making his fish face. It was priceless.

I was only good at catching sticks though. Such luck.

And how could we forget such an extra special day with Mr. Blake? He celebrated his 2nd NICU Homecoming Anniversary on the 26th as well. Where has the time gone?

What have you been up to lately?

Fitness Friday

I'll keep it short and simple this week...

Progress: I am down .6 pounds but feel like it should have been more. I've played by the rules and worked my butt off this week. But it's a loss and I'll take it.

How I am feeling: This week I really feel a little out of sorts and sad. Can't quiet put my finger on it but I am sure lack of sleep is playing a huge factor.

What I am doing: C25k week 3 - I can't believe I'm about to say it, but it's not been as bad as I thought this week would be. I am feeling like it's still challenging and that I might not be ready to move on and may end up repeating this week too, but we'll see. I've promised myself I'll give week 4 day 1 a shot and repeat where I need to. Other then that, everything else remains the same.

Goals/Things to work on: I am working on drinking more water. Aiming for 124 ounces a day. Sleep is clearly something I still need to work on but a change in hubby's work schedule is factoring in here now.

And that's all I've got for this week.

If you are taking this journey with me, how are you doing?

Why Are We So Judgmental?

By now I am sure you've seen the "Dear Mom on the iPhone" articles circulating. As well as many comebacks, THIS is possibly my favorite response. And maybe you've even seen the most recent "Dear Toddler Mom from Chuck-E-Cheese". (I have a lot I'd like to say back to this author. Like perhaps the child wasn't in fact 18 months old, maybe he was a preemie and/or just small for his age. And question just how old her child/children are that perhaps she may not even recall what it's like to have a toddler. Am I saying what took place was ok? No - I wasn't there so I don't know all the details, just what she has portrayed. I also seriously doubt that such a short person launched a skeeball at her head. But lets also point out that she was in fact in the Holy Grail of childhood craziness - what more did she expect.)

But I digress.

The point is I just want to know one thing... Why are we (society) so judgmental? I will be the very first to admit, I have done my fair share of judging. (I mean remember back in January when I was all like "Why the heck are all these moms with ONE kiddo abusing the DOUBLE CART privilege?" If you don't remember you can read about that here.) But am I proud of it? Absolutely not! And I won't even promise that I won't ever judge again, but I can say I have been humbled by life events and people I've met. Enough that I am becoming more and more aware in situations where I would have judged that maybe, just maybe, there is more then what meets the eye; more then I could even imagine or say what I would do in that situation.

I'll even take that a step further to be a little more specific and ask why are MOMs especially this way? Moms/woman can be some of the most judgmental people I've ever met. Not.even.kidding. Judged if you don't breastfeed, judged if you do. Cloth diapers or disposables. Organic or not. Working Mom vs. SAHM. You name it. I personally have felt more judged since becoming a mom. And it's always fun when a childless person judges a parenting choice. Honestly, how many of us as moms have once in our past said "I'll never" or had these big plans and dreams about what parenting would be like, only to be handed a reality check because - lets face it; nothing works out the way we planned.

What about if just once instead of questioning or judging, we looked at our fellow moms (and actually anyone for that matter) and just said "You know what, you are doing the absolute best you can. Good job." Instead of cutting each other down, lets raise each other up or better yet HELP EACH OTHER OUT! And especially don't base your opinion on a split second in time that you have witnessed. Leaving the judging for a higher power.

To those who I've very foolishly judged in my lifetime, I am sorry.  I am not faultless here either. Like I said, I'm a work in progress, I am striving not to judge and think it's something we could all benefit from.

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Fertility Scorecard 2013

Resolve.org  just released their Fertility Scorecard where they ranked each of the US states based on the following: 

The insurance mandate climate in each state (otherwise known as - mandatory coverage of Infertility treatments.)

Current legislation and laws introduced in 2012

The number of accredited fertility clinics (like Shady Grove Fertility Center) in the state in relation to the state's infertile population. 

As well as the number of Resolve support groups in the state.

While we no longer reside in Maryland I am very proud to say that our hometown ranked #5 out of all 50 states and received an A for their Fertility Grade. Pennsylvania ranked #13 and received a B for their Fertility Grade. I can't say for sure what we'll choose should we decided to try again for baby number 3 but chances are we're more likely to make the commute back to our original doctor one because they get the best of the best results and because they already know our history. 

Did you know? - Resolve touches base on this a little on their website but it's important to know - the state mandate applies to the state in which your employer is based out of. For example... Hubby's employer is based in Chicago (a mandated state) so even though we live in PA (a non mandated state) his insurance company is required under state mandate to provide infertility coverage.

How did your state rank?

Fitness Friday

Yay, It's FRIDAY! So super excited about that. Even better, Hubby is home with us today and I have a Pedi Date with one of my BFF's.

Progress: Down another 1.4 pounds for 13.2 total. I am loosing inches too, except my calves and thighs, they haven't lost much but I am noticing more muscle there for sure so I'm not worried about that. After all it is my legs that are carrying me. I've lost 6.3 INCHES yes... 6.3 off my waist since I started this journey and 9 (NINE!!!!) inches off my hips. I looked in the mirror today and noticed that my saddlebags are....GONE. It's the first time I noticed that. And some inches elsewhere too.

How I am feeling: Great actually. And gaining confidence. I can feel my endurance and stamina building. It's been a good week. (Can you tell?)

What I am doing: C25k Week 2 (today is day 3), I haven't decided if I'll repeat this week or not, because really... I feel like I've really doing this now. I've found my groove. Sooooooo we'll see how next week goes. Still doing my homework outs (though I've skipped two days last week with those because I felt like my body needed it.) And doing some weightlifting at the gym too. And I've been walking our neighborhood atleast twice a day. And averaging 2.5 miles a day doing that, more when I add in the C25k training days.

Goals/Things to Work on: I want to start getting up just a little earlier each day, (aka before the kiddos) and yes I know I said that last week, and it didn't really happen. Unless you count the night I did not sleep at all then yes that day I was haha. No fun. But I want to really get into doing those home workouts I've been doing, first thing in the morning, as soon as my feet hit the floor, and increasing it to two times a day. And my next goal is to loose 6.8 pounds, in the next month or less.

Inspiration/Motivation: This...

I never thought I'd be a runner, but.. Here I am.

Bed Rest - Yay Or Nay

A recent article published by USA Today says that some doctors are beginning to challenge the thought that bed rest can prevent pre-term deliveries and can even possibly make things worse.

Many of you who know our story may recall that I spent 6 weeks on strict bed rest at home (with two hospital stays thrown in there) when Addison's amniotic sac ruptured at 20 weeks. Doctors urged exclusive hospital bed rest, but we declined and opted to return home for several different reasons. One of which being that I was at a risk for infection - a risk that was actually GREATER if I remained in the hospital. Even our MFM (High Risk-OB) agreed but because of protocol could not consent for me to leave. At home I would be more comfortable, and less stressed plus other then the once daily fetal heartbeat checks there was nothing more the hospital could offer me. I was warned that delivery before 24 weeks would result in none heroic measures for the twins as well. So what exactly was the point in staying?

I cannot say with absolute certainty that bed rest is what kept me from going in to labor, but when you factor in that pretty much anything I'd do besides lay in bed would increase the risk for infection, I'd say there is a pretty good chance that yes indeed bed rest did buy us another 6 weeks.

Leading up to when my water broke - I was less active then I have ever been simply because I had 0 energy and was literally that sick 24/7. I cannot help but wonder if I had been more active, would that have preventing my water from breaking. Which I know logically makes no sense, because we know that early in my pregnancy I had a SCH (Subchorionic Hematoma) which is very closely linked with pPROM (Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes). So there is no way to say for certain what, if anything could have changed fate.

It certainly makes you wonder...


What was your experience? Were you put on bed rest? Do you think it helped? What are your thoughts on this new study and should doctors prescribe bed rest more or less?

International Kangaroo Care Day

Today was International Kangaroo Care Day - Kangaroo Care is the skin to skin contact with momma (or daddy) and baby. It's thought to promote healing and bonding for the parent and child, especially among preemies. Yet in some hospitals it is not a current standard of care.

When A & B were born, this was the first method in which I was able to hold them (minus the five seconds when I held Addison in the palms of my hands while a nurse changed her bedding). Holding them skin to skin also helped to regulate their body temperature when they couldn't quite do it themselves. (Aka when they were still in the incubators).

Here is the first time I held Blake (Kangaroo Style) - he was 5 days old and this was just shortly before I was discharged to go home

And this is Addison and I...she was over a month old the first time I got to hold her. (A month and six days to be exact.) She was still intubated, and it didn't last long because she wasn't tolerating it as well as we hoped. She wasn't much of a cuddler back in her NICU days, but sometimes she makes up for it now.

If you'd like to find out more about Kangaroo Care and it's benefits, check out this website: http://www.kangaroocareusa.org/