Movin' On Up!

My sweet snugglers...London must be having a funny dream!

Well I can officially say my twins have now had their first "graduation"! They have been moved from the 4th floor to the 7th floor! Yippee!! Apparently, the 4th floor was getting a little over crowded, so they select candidates that mainly just need to work on eating and growing, and move them to a less critical floor. I am VERY proud of them!

Today Jones weighed in at 4 lbs. 2 oz. and London weighed in at 4 lb. 7 oz.!!! That's great weight gain! Right now they are being transitioned to receiving 1 of their 8 feedings through a bottle. When they are close to mastering that, they will move to 2 feedings from the bottle, etc. Eventually they will need to take all 8 feedings from the bottle with no problem. I honestly have no idea how long of a learning process that is. The doctors don't give us an estimated time they will be discharged as not to get our hopes up and then something happens to delay that.

I am scrambling around everyday trying to prepare everything at the house for them, but somehow my days feel like the shortest days EVER. The time just FLIES by and before I know it, it's time for bed.

I finally was able to determine why I wasn't able to get over this hump of not feeling better since the delivery. I had severe flu like symptoms on Tuesday and went to the doctor to learn I had a uterine infection from the C-section. I knew something wasn't quite right, but REALLY knew something wasn't right when I had the chills, headache, and really high fever. I got a shot and a TON of antibiotics and I am on my way to feeling 100%. I wasn't able to see the babies for 2 days since I had a fever so that was a bummer! Fortunately, I get to go see them today!

We have lots more pictures, but of course I have run out of time....!!!!!

UPDATE on London

Some of you know that we received some news yesterday that made me a little uneasy. The doctor heard a "harsh murmur" that led her to believe London might have a tiny hole in her heart. She ordered an ECHO (sonogram for the heart) to be conducted today, and we recently received the results from the doctor.

Basically, the doctor called to tell us she actually had 2 tiny holes in her heart. The first condition was referred to as "Atrial Septal Defect" (ASD). The doctor said this was a minimal sized hole, and would most likely repair itself. She will be checked regularly, and if not corrected on its own, it will be repaired with a procedure at approximately 6-8 months old.

The doctor also said she had "Patent Ductus Arteriosus" (PDA). This is another heart defect that is common in premature babies that he said was a moderate sized hole and would also most likely repair itself. He said that if it does not, again, it could be repaired with a procedure at 6-8 months.

He told us that he thinks that "more likely than not", both tiny holes will repair themselves in the coming months. I even spoke with a friend, Amy O., who said both her twin girls also had PDA and it went away on its own. That is so comforting to know!!!

The doctor acted VERY relaxed about everything, and said both of these were very common. From internet research I have done, it also shows both are much more common in females than in males.

I would love for you to continue to keep both babies in your prayers for their health and continued development and growth.

On a more positive note, we heard today there was a good chance that our babies are going to probably "graduate" to the floor upstairs where "less critical" babies go before they are discharged. This is GREAT news and shows me that they feel my babies are progressing nicely. The Physical Therapist will evalute the babies tomorrow on their current status with the suck, swallow, breathe process. I am excited to see what she says! London already smacks on a paci and Jones is somewhat interested. Both have tried breastfeeding and the lactation consultant today praised them both big time. hehe :)

And now for a few photo ops...

A Couple More Pics...

I just can't resist posting more pictures...

and there will be a ton more in the future!  

Our first family photo! 

(doesn't it look like David is holding a mini duplicate of himself?)

London wrapped in pink...with a purple bow.  

(they ran out of pink bows!)

Jones wrapped in blue ready to head to A&M!

(he is such a big boy...hehe)

Mama with her two babies wearing their A&M caps!  

How Life Has Changed!!

WOW, this is the most exciting update to post! The babies are HERE!!!!!

Jones Raymond & London Ann

were born Friday, April 17th at 1:28 pm and 1:29 pm.

Jones Raymond Laughlin

London Ann Laughlin

The babies' birth was definitely unexpected as I had JUST met with the doctor hours before and we were discussing my excellent condition and how I would be discharged from the antepartum unit one week later. London and Jones had plans of their own!

I started having contractions Friday morning again. Fortunately, the nurse was ready with "the shot" and then I was monitored to make sure it worked. 20 minutes later the nurse returned to say "You failed!" hehe She then administered a second shot and said we would see if it worked this time around. Unfortunately, the contractions continued and the medication was no longer effective. She called the doctor and she was instructed to check for dilation. The previous week I had made it up to 4 cm, but we were hoping I was still there. When she checked I was now at 8 cm! Yikes! The 2 nurses looked at each other and then at me and I just knew we were about to go have these babies RIGHT then.

Headed to the O.R.

After that, everything became a whirlwind. I was rushed down to the Operating Room where the IVs, blood work, and epidural were done. (my least favorite part) David was getting in his scrubs at this time so they didn't allow him to be with me for the epidural and I was very scared. Once David came into the O.R., the surgery began shortly thereafter. The whole experience was very surreal. The doctors warned me that there was a good chance we would not hear the babies cry, but as I was laying there I heard the sweetest sound I had EVER heard in my life....my babies CRYING! They sounded like sweet little puppies as David says. It was awesome. I was able to see both babies for about 3 seconds (and give a kiss) before they were whisked away to the NICU.

This is the second I heard my babies crying and you can see me beginning to cry. Even though I look awful and very scared, it really was the best experience ever.

After the surgery, I stayed in recovery for 1 hour and then got to go to the NICU and see the babies again. I held both of their hands and they gripped on to my finger. I was pretty drugged, but I will never forget that experience. Both babies did have in breathing tubes at this point and that was very scary looking, but I knew they were receiving the best care possible.

Dad, Connie, Jenn, and Sally anxiously awaiting the twin's arrival!

The babies are 6 days old today, and I cannot begin to tell you the amazing progress they have already made!!! WOO HOO!! Both babies are off of all breathing assistance and are breathing normal air just like you and me! Both babies had their IVs removed (which I HATED them having cause the IVs were moved everyday and my babies were getting bruised up!). They do both have in their feeding tubes (which are tiny and are either in their nose or mouth) so they can get Mama's milk. The next step is for the babies to mature a bit and be able to suck, swallow, and breathe!

David & I are absolutely on Cloud 9. Life can't get any better than this! We often talk about how blessed we feel to have the life we have. We love each other more than anything, have an amazing supportive family, good jobs and friends, a church we love, and NOW these 2 PERFECT babies. God is so good and we continue to give Him all the praise for these blessings.


We thank all of YOU for your prayers you offered up for London, Jones, David, & I.

Life on the 7th Floor

I did want to post a quick update. I have now been hospitalized in the antepartum unit for a week and a day. WOW, does that seem like forever!?! I have a new found respect for these women that are on bed rest for months.

The babies & my contractions are monitored twice a day and last Saturday morning my contractions started acting up again. (NOTHING like Tuesday though) The nurse came in and said she had orders this time to immediately give me the shot to stop them....WHEW! Within minutes the contractions had stopped. The medication does make me really shaky and jittery....which is the weirdest uncontrollable feeling, but it's worth it!

The babies' heartbeats have been consistent and look great. They are accelerating and dropping in the appropriate patterns that the nurses say are excellent. I got another sonogram this morning and was so excited to see their growth. Unfortunately, I didn't realize they weren't going to do another growth sonogram today so the doctor just looked at placement (still both head down and LOW), and movement. It appears that nothing has changed much since last week which is good. London is still applying a lot of pressure and that is why they don't want me vertical. I am not sure of their current weights as of today, but the doctor predicts over 4 lbs. a piece.

I am still hanging in there and just laying here all day everyday. Very boring, but WELL worth it! The doctor said that every additional day they are in me is 2 LESS days in the NICU. This is very encouraging. Also, many of you have asked how far along I am....this is kind of confusing to answer. First, there is my initial due date based upon my cycle, then there is the estimated due date based upon their first sonogram (supposedly most accurate), then there is the estimated due date based upon each of their other sonograms. So there have been MANY different estimations on how far along I am. As of right now, they are being conservative and saying 32 1/2 weeks.

Not too much else to report as of now, but check back on the blog for more updates to come. Thanks again to EVERYONE for their prayers as I truly feel they have been heard and that is why Jones and London have not been born yet. :)

More Generous Friends

I am so fortunate to have an amazing staff to work with at Wilson.  Even though I don't "officially" have a team on my campus, they are all still SO sweet and several people offered to host a shower.  Last Thursday afternoon, they threw a wonderful one at Lindsay's house.  (an off-campus shower...crazy stuff!!!  :)   Everything was just perfect and I appreciated it so much! Everyone was so generous and sweet.  I will miss these friends so much next year when I am home with J&L.  

I am in "deep thought" here reading a card. 

(Thank you, Megan, for stepping in as photographer!)

  Check out the close up of these adorable "Baby" Cupcakes Colleen made!

My faculty hooked me up with a ton of Babies R Us giftcards which are a huge necessity and will be so VERY handy!  In addition, I got quite a few other necessities from my registry...I'm actually starting to feel prepared now.  :)  Thank you to all of you who attended and/or gave me a gift...y'all are amazing!

Saturday was the North Dallas Mother of Twins Club garage sale.  My parents, David's mom, and David & I met up there at 8:30.  It was PACKED!!!  Stuff was everywhere, but between the garage sale from last weekend, and this one, our parents were able to get several necessities for their houses for the twins.  (swings, bouncys, etc.)   YEAH!  Jones and London can't wait to visit at Granny & Grampas's house AND Nana's house!!  

Friday's doctor's appointment was a good one!  Both heartbeats were good and strong!  Dr. C and I discussed details for their delivery which was pretty crazy!  (epidurals, cord blood banking, circumcision, etc!)  Lots of big decisions, but it's fun knowing that all of this will be happening soon.  She said that if everything continued as well as it's been going, we would schedule the babies to arrive around the 37th week.  We return Friday for yet another appointment with a complete sonogram to determine babies' current weight.  Now that we are going every week, everything seems to be going by very quickly.  The nursery will be done within the next week, and I will post COMPLETE pictures of everything put together.  (even that dadgum door.....man, the door drama!)

OK, signing off...this post is too long.....