This was not part of my plan....

Of course, when has anything with Aden and I ever gone according to our plans? Um, never. I know everything is in God's hands and there is a plan for all of us in this no matter what that might be.

So as I am sure all of you know from my facebook status updates, our baby girls might be coming a lot sooner than expected. I just hit 26 weeks today. Here's how the last few days have gone:

Monday-- I was feeling soooo exhausted and uncomfortable at work. I was counting down the days until my sick leave which would have started in 2-3 weeks (just because I was getting bigger and the dr recommended it but there were no issues). I had been getting really, really tired at work the last 2 weeks and had been praying to make it to my sick leave and that the Dr would go forward with it. Now I feel so guilty for praying for sick leave because I just want healthy babies and didn't want them to be affected by anything.

Tuesday-- I had my routine 2 week check-up where the Dr discovered that I am already dilated to a 1-2 (he didn't tell me the number but I asked the nurse yesterday). He said I would definitely be delivering early, possibly in the next 2 weeks. I got a steroid shot in my hip to help prepare the babies' lungs for delivery. Felt like I got kicked in the rear end by a horse for the rest of the day! As I was setting up the appt for my next steroid shot I kind of lost it and started bawling. The Dr said, "this is all starting to hit you now, isn't it?" I got to work after my appt and tried to get everything wrapped up so I could leave for good. My boss was actually doing interviews for my replacement to cover for the sick leave that I would have been taking in 3 weeks. When I told her what was going on she said, "You need to go home right now. Sick leave is starting right now."

That night I woke up at 3:30am and stayed awake until almost 8am. I couldn't stop worrying and I couldn't fall back to sleep. What the nurse neglected to tell me is that the steroid shot actually keeps you from sleeping. I didn't find that out until I got my 2nd shot so I was more prepared for last night's insomnia. On Tuesday night as I was worrying and crying and praying, the words to a hymn came into my mind and gave me comfort:

Be still, my soul, the Lord is on thy side.

With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul, thy best, thy Heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Wednesday-- I had a scheduled appt for my diabetic screening thing. I had heard horror stories about it but the stuff I had to drink tasted like flat orange Fanta. Not too bad. Then I went in for my 2nd steroid shot. I told the nurse of some pain I was having and she suggested I head to Labor and Delivery (just to check things out) which is just next door to the dr's office in the hospital. Aden and I spent a couple hours there but it eased my mind to know that they were checking me out. I was still dilated to a 1-2 but the babies are both happy and healthy.

I probably shouldn't put this pic out there for the world to see because it isn't the most flattering, but this depicts my day yesterday. And for the record, this is the first time I had seen my stretch marks like this! The view I have is from the top of my belly and it looks great!! Aden kept looking at my growing stretch marks the last couple weeks and I would just comment, "I don't care if I have stretch marks. It means I am pregnant and they can take all the room they need." Now I can see why he would inspect them... I didn't think they were that bad. Oh well... I still don't care if I have them. They're love marks.

On a happy note, last saturday morning Aden and I got to park in this stall at the grocery store. I've been waiting for this day! Why do I always take pics when my hair isn't done? Or maybe it's because I never do my hair. Oh well...

Thank you all for your prayers during this time. Sometimes when I break down and think I can't make it through I think to myself, "There are a lot of people praying for you. You can do this!" So thank you! Keep the prayers coming!