New Addition to the Gurka Family

Today at 12:13 p.m.  our new niece Payson Michelle Gurka was born!! Congratulations to Shannon, Josh, and Kaden!!!! Although I could not go to hospital to visit them,  I received several pictures!! She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. and is 20 1/2 inches long!! Shannon and Payson are doing great!! Below are a few of her first pictures!

Payson Michelle Gurka

She already has a bow on!

Another Blessing!

Well at the check up today we received another blessing!! Things are still the same as they were last week and have not progressed anymore! We could not be happier with wonderful news! We are now just waiting on Friday to roll around to mark 30 weeks. We asked today if we are setting a new goal and Dr. Bonds said from here we will just take it week by week. Also, this week we are very excited that B.E.S. will be hosting an honorary baby shower for me after school and I will get to visit with everyone from home via Skype and then my 3rd grade team is stopping by for a visit :) Plus, we will be welcoming our new niece Payson to the world on Thursday as well! Pictures of everything are soon to come!!! Thanks again for all of the continues prayers and meals that are sent our way!! Below is this weeks belly pic...although I don't think it does justice...

29 Weeks 4 Days!

Week 29: Paityn & Conner

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 29 Weeks

Dilated: 2 1/2 cm

Effaced: 60%

Baby changes: Babies are now the size of a squash!

Babies energy is surging, thanks to white fat depositing beneath the skin. And since they are growing so fast (weight will triple by birth), things are getting kind of cramped in the womb. What all this means for you: Get ready for some more kicks and jabs to the ribs.

Information from: www.thebump.com
   
Best Moments of the Week: Paityn's daily hiccups!

Movement/Positions: Paityn is currently low, head down, and on the left. Conner is breech again and on the right/top.

Food Cravings: Vegetables and Pizza

What I miss: Sleeping on my back and laying comfortably.

Sleep: Off and on.

What I am looking forward to: Making it to our first goal of 30 Weeks!

Symptoms: Heartburn, Indigestion, Backache 

Bed Rest: 4 Weeks

Twin Update!

Yesterday we went for our weekly visit to see Dr. Bonds and received good news again :) Both babies looked great! Paityn, Baby A, is still in the same head down position, and Conner, Baby B, is breech again. I am beginning to progress a little but she was not concerned since I had been the same for almost 4 weeks straight. Now I am 2 1/2 cm and 60% effaced. She said this is minimal change and that we were in very good shape right now. We are still praying to make it to our first goal of 30 weeks and then will keep inching on from there! If Paityn and Conner are born after 30 weeks they will be able to stay at St. Joseph's in the NICU and not have to be transported somewhere else. We are just happy that everything is still in our favor :) Tomorrow marks 4 weeks of bedrest with positive results. Dr. Bonds said that the discomfort I have been having is normal and is due to the weight of the babies and my belly. She also said that now I am the size of a full term singleton pregnancy! Every day...my belly just keeps getting bigger and bigger! We are so blessed each and everyday and thank God for everyone and everything in our lives!

28 Weeks 4 Days!

Also, I am very excited that we will soon be welcoming our new niece, Payson, into the family within the next week or so! Congratulations Shannon, Josh, & Kaden! We are praying for a safe delivery and a healthy baby girl!

I want to say congratulations to Amy and Byron! I was suppose to be in their wedding this Saturday, but instead will be home thinking about them! I know it is going to be a beautiful wedding and wish them the best of luck!

An Unexpected Field Trip....

Lets just begin by saying it is very nice to be home after being at the hospital for almost 2 days! The story begins on Thursday...As previously posted we went to a checkup with the doctor on Tuesday and all was well. Since our appointment I had been a little sore and just assumed it was from our check up on Tuesday. The mild pain continued and it seemed a little worse on Thursday so Matt told me to call the doctor. Next thing I know, the nurse calls back and says that Dr. Bonds said to go to St. Josephs, check in the ER, and I would be escorted to Labor and Delivery. She said everything is probably fine and I would just be checked out to make sure. So thinking everything was fine and we would  get checked out and then come home later that night we had no plans for our dogs and no hospital bag packed but now will definitely be packing one this weekend just in case.

We arrive at the ER about 6:15 p.m....finally get checked in and make it to Labor and Delivery about 7:00 p.m. After settling in our room, I then get hooked up to heart beat monitors for each baby and a contraction monitor. I originally was having mild, inconsistent contractions, which is normal. After 2 nurses they said I am dilated 2 cm and 50% effaced (which is what I have been each week at my doctor's appt.)

Next thing I know, after about 15 minutes I tell Matt to come look at the monitors because I was beginning to feel pain and contractions. At this point we both began to get very nervous and scared. So many things were running through our heads.  We were very scared because my contractions went from being mild and not regular to 2 minutes apart lasting about 50-60 seconds each. The nurses called the doctor and decided that I would get some shots to stop the contractions and get steroid shots to help develop the babies lungs. So after 2 shots to stop the contractions and the first steroid shot the contractions stopped. I had to be monitored a few more hours and then was moved to another room to stay the night. We had to wait 24 hours after the first steroid shot to receive the second one which would not be until 8:30 p.m. Friday night.

Matt was such a trooper on his couch all night :)

 Finally, we were moved to another room about 11:45 p.m. Thursday night. My doctor came in to see us about 8:15 a.m. Friday morning. She said that she was happy that my cervix had not changed and that the contractions were caused by the nurses over stimulating my cervix and she would not consider it to be early labor since the 2 shots stopped them so quickly. She said she was glad that things were back to normal and I will go back in for my weekly visit on Tuesday. So we laid around the hospital all day yesterday and finally got released about 9:00 p.m. last night. It felt so good to be home!

So after an eventful Thursday and Friday...we are now back home and things are back to normal. We definitely said several prayers and are glad everything is ok. We are also very thankful for Matt's sister, Shannon, who took the dogs out for us and cleaned up our house :) It was nice to come home to a clean house, and to my sister, Shannon, who also took the dogs out for us and fed them while we were gone.

Thank you for all of the continuous prayers, support, and meals that have been sent our way :) We feel very blessed to have such amazing family and friends! 

Still Holding On!

This morning Matt and I went for the growth ultrasound and for a check up with Dr. Bonds. Today I am 27 weeks 4 days. During the growth ultrasound both babies were very active :) Baby A, Paityn, is in the same head down position and had her legs snuggled up to Conner. She is measuring 28 weeks 6 days, currently weighs 2 lbs 13 oz., and her heat rate was 160 beats per minute. Baby B, Conner, has turned over the past week and now is head down as well. He is measuring exactly 28 weeks, currently weighs 2 lbs 9 oz., and his heart rate was 147 beats per minute.

During our visit with Dr. Bonds all went just as great. I am still dilated 2 cm and she seemed happy with that! She is optimistic that we will make it past the 30 week mark and keep going from there. However she did go over all of the early pre-term labor signs that could develop without contractions being present, just in case. She said we will hopefully plan on another growth ultrasound in 3 to 4 weeks if all continues to go like it has been :) Although, we may only get another month out of the pregnancy, Matt and I are staying positive and optimistic. We found something she said interesting..."For every one day that a woman stays pregnant, it will save the baby 2 days in the hospital." So every day longer is another miracle :) We just continue to pray each day and thank God that we are still holding on and the babies are healthy!

I feel great, however will be sad that I will not be able to attend the Washington County Fair this year :( Good luck to our niece Kennedy, to all of our family members, and other kids who will be showing this week!

27 weeks 4 days

Until next time, I want to end with this quote....

If we fall asleep every night counting and acknowledging our blessings — we 'give permission' for The Universe to keep bringing them. When we show appreciation and give thanks for those blessings, we invite more of the same into our personal world.
— Chelle Thompson, Editor of Inspiration Line

Yummy Dinners!

Time is continuing to go by and we feel very blessed to have such amazing friends and family :) We again would like to say thank you for your continuous thoughts and prayers that have been sent our way. This past week we had delicious meals prepared for us and want you to know how thankful we are for your help!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Tracy, Keith, Katie, & Kenley brought by spaghetti on Tuesday after our doctors appointment. On Wednesday, Aunt Doty made us chicken fried steak and gravy, corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, and rolls. On Thursday, Grannie made us baked chicken, squash, mashed potatoes, carrots, and gave us some canned pear preserve and pear chunks with cherries :) Yesterday (Saturday), my mom and sister Shannon brought Casa Ole for dinner and spent some time with me while Matt got to go dove hunting. It really means a lot to us that so many people are thinking about us!

I am getting more adjusted to bedrest and am thankful for each and everyday that goes by where the babies are still growing in my belly :) Since I cannot go to church Matt and I have begun to watch Joel Osteen every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. He always leaves us feeling blessed, thankful, and optimistic about what the week holds ahead and our futures. Today was about a person's perspective on things and how it makes a difference in your life.  He reminds us that our babies our gifts from God and he has a plan for us and for them. Everything happens for a reason...although we may not understand it now...in time we we soon learn. I am firm believer in that :)

We are very anxious to meet Conner and Paityn, however they still need to bake in the oven a little while longer! All has been going good since our last appointment and we are definitely happy for that :) We go Tuesday for the measurement ultrasound and to see Dr. Bonds and will update soon! Until next time, I want to end with a quote..."All things are possible to him who believes." [Mark 9:23]

27 Weeks!

Week 27: Paityn & Conner

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 27 Weeks

Dilated: 2 cm

Effaced: 50%

Size: We find out exactly on Tuesday at our Measurement Ultrasound!

Baby changes: This week, your babies weigh almost 2 pounds each and are about 14 1/2 inches long with their legs extended. They're sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing their eyes, and perhaps even sucking their fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your babies brains are very active now. While their lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if they were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him or her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Information from: www.babycenter.com

Best Moments this week: Measurement Ultrasound on Tuesday

Movement: It is amazing to watch the large lumps appear on my belly as each baby moves and pushes a portion of their body in order to try to make room for themselves. Also, it is neat to see the ripples run across my belly as Conner and Paityn move!

Food Cravings: Fruit

What I miss: Working and being able to go out to eat.

Sleep: Off and on...it is becoming hard to get comfortable plus I wake up every few hours.

What I am looking forward to: Measurement ultrasound & the diaper bags  and bows I ordered coming in :)

Symptoms: Backache

Dr. Appointment Update!

26 Weeks 4 Days!

Paityn's Body and Legs

Conner's Face :)

Well today Matt and I went for a check up on the babies and were happy to hear good news. I am still dilated to 2 cm and Dr. Bonds was happy that it is remaining the same now for almost 2 weeks which means bedrest is helping :) Also, both Conner and Paityn had good strong heartbeats, fluid, and looked great! Paityn is definitely making up for lost time with her movement and is now beating up on her brother. Early on Paityn was low and on the bottom and Conner was directly on top on her so she did not have any room to move. He was always the active one doing all of the hitting and kicking! Now that they are getting bigger, Paityn has pushed her brother over and now is on the left side of my belly and Conner is on the right side. Paityn is low and still in the head down position and has been the entire time and is very, very, very active! Conner currently is breech this week but does not move nearly as much and was camera shy today during our ultrasound. The only thing he moved during the ultrasound was his lips. I guess he was saying, "I'm trying to sleep here...leave me alone please!" We go back next Tuesday and will find out exactly how much the babies are weighing and how they are measuring. Thanks you for all of your prayers and support!

Thank You!

Well, I have been on bedrest for 11 days now and it is definitely an adjustment from my usual day to day activities. I have to lay in bed or on the couch for 99% of the day which is not as fun as you would think. I am not allowed to leave the house except to go to the doctor and can only be up for a total of 1 hour a day. Even though it is extremely boring, Matt and I know it is best for the babies. With me on bedrest, Matt has also had an adjustment as well. He is doing a great job and I love him more and more each day for it! He brings me breakfast in bed, tends to the dogs, gets my laptop, phone, water, and snack before he leaves for work. When he gets home he cooks dinner if someone has not graciously prepared us a meal, tends to the dogs, does laundry, housework, dishes, etc... He is a wonderful husband :)

To help us out we have already had several wonderful friends and family make meals for us which is definitely a blessing and we want to say THANK YOU!!!! Last Monday, Aunt Doty made homemade roast and gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, broccoli and some delicious homemade rolls! Wednesday, Dawn made for us yummy homemade mexican casserole, rice, and fresh baked cookies. Friday, Matt's Grannie made us fried pork chops, mac n cheese, corn on the cob, sweet potato patties, and sent us a jar of homemade pickles! Saturday, Matt's parents Doug and Joann brought us Little Ceaser's pizza, buffalo wings, and crazy bread and today our neighbors Rhonda and Mike made us homemade lasagna, garlic bread, and a fresh salad. Before bedrest, I usually always cooked dinner so these meals have been wonderful!!

Also, thank you for all of the prayers and support sent to my mom during this time as well. She had surgery the day after I was placed on bedrest at St. Luke's in Houston to remove a benign tumor and was able to come home over the weekend. So I thought about her in the hospital all week and she thought about me at home. She has began a long recovery but is in good spirits :)

We now are going weekly to see Dr. Bonds and go for a check up tomorrow. All has been well since our last visit so we hope to hear good news at our appointment. I will keep everyone updated on how things are going. Again, we want to say thank you for all of the prayers, kind words, meals, and support for us during this time!

To Blog or Not To Blog!

Hello All!

Well I have been debating for a few weeks on whether or not I wanted to start a blog. Several people having been enjoying the e-mail updates that I have been sending out about the babies so I could not decide on doing this or not. However, when I was placed on bedrest a week ago at 25 weeks, this kept popping up in my head as a quick way to update everyone on how myself and the babies are doing. Bedrest has definitely been an adjustment for both Matt and I,  but we know that it will help keep me pregnant for as long as possible. Today marks 26 weeks :) We just continue to pray everyday that the babies continue to remain healthy like that have been. We have a scheduled appointment on Tuesday afternoon and will keep everyone posted on how it goes! Thank you for all of the support and prayers!