tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143639188379018432024-11-01T05:35:30.447-05:00Our Journey To BabyhoodDj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-91523216390920775892013-10-21T08:00:00.000-05:002013-10-21T08:04:59.904-05:00

It has been an emotional last few days with passions in all directions. We had the shock of an unexpected delivery of the twins two weeks prior to the plan. There were some initial health concerns that seem to turn out not to be worries. However, as time progressed new worries set in.   Before giving the details, I think it is vitally important to explain there is no reason to believe the

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-87558143428251824862013-10-19T19:30:00.000-05:002013-10-19T19:48:20.367-05:00

So, roughly 24 hours ago, Kristina and I were at the final routine visit before the scheduled delivery of the twins on November 1. There had been a little excitement earlier in the day as Kristina was trying to decide whether an incident was simply some pregnancy-related incontinence or whether she may have had a sign her water might be about to break. With her first pregnancy there was a similar

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-22335191047554749402013-10-13T17:30:00.000-05:002013-10-13T17:42:53.923-05:00

So, we are beyond 34 weeks now and nothing is big enough.   What I mean by this is Kristina really looks great for being nearly term and carrying twins. She thinks she's "as big as a house" but those who see her will witness that she is carrying the boys very well. And she does look great.   Also, the babies aren't quite big enough...at least according to the doctor. Kristina, on the

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-43227703194740927162013-10-06T07:30:00.000-05:002013-10-08T06:01:31.866-05:00

Dear Grayson and Bennett:   There are only days remaining before I get to meet the two of you. This is a very exciting time for your mother and for me. We are nervous, eager and thrilled about your arrival.   I find it difficult to express how turbulent my emotions are when it comes to your approaching births. I am filled with awe in the experience of watching nearly every phase of

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-38332256296232471662013-10-03T12:00:00.000-05:002013-10-03T12:22:10.707-05:00

I set myself up for disappointment this week. I convinced myself that the doctor would tell us we needed to deliver a week or two earlier than planned, but that did not happen. We are still on the same target week, just one day different because of our change in choice for the delivery location.   I guessed how big the boys would be this week, based on their weights two weeks ago. As we went

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-23025434853593452752013-09-28T06:00:00.000-05:002013-09-28T06:30:07.506-05:00

This week is somewhat of a magical milestone. It is the “last marker” before delivery, and what our doctor refers to as the safety point. Although, optimal is full term, twins rarely make it that far. However, at week 32, all the critical development is complete, and key abilities to survive outside the womb are in place.   The term “premature labor” refers to any delivery that occurs prior

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-51666723740525385052013-09-20T04:45:00.000-05:002013-09-20T04:51:47.980-05:00

Yesterday the doctor put Kristina on bed rest. “Modified bed rest” she likes to remind me. And in all fairness, the doctor gave a generally vague guideline for what should could and couldn’t do. I pushed for a weight limit (lifting, that is) but no specific number came from that conversation. But – at the end of it all – she was no longer permitted to stay at work. So, early maternity leave has

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-54001803183164308132013-09-14T22:00:00.000-05:002013-09-14T22:10:22.527-05:00

It seems crazy that we are only a few weeks from delivery. A friend of Kristina's who had twins last year reminded us that she had already delivered by this point. Of course, hers spent some time in the NICU because they were so early, which we'd prefer to avoid, but Bennett and Grayson will come early if they choose to do so.   This might be more accurate than we can really guess. There

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-88317723294545205652013-09-04T23:45:00.000-05:002013-09-04T23:49:43.213-05:00

Today we visited the perinatal specialist for a routine ultrasound and check-up. The boys are healthy and fine. Grayson weighs 2 lbs 9 oz, and "little" Bennett came in at 3 lbs 2 oz. I jest about "little" Bennett because he was the morula and implanted about 24 hours after Grayson; however, he has made up for it now. Of course, who knows which will be bigger in eighteen years?   Bennett is

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-12036350449812742082013-08-29T05:00:00.000-05:002013-08-29T05:00:00.532-05:00

Well, we are officially in the third trimester now. That being said, it is probably closer to only eight weeks before delivery. It's getting down to the wire; so, I guess I need to refer back to my checklist of things to get done.   Not much has changed this week...at least pregnancy-wise. The Braxton-Hicks contractions continue. The doctor has explained these may be regular and even strong,

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-66859286254250735562013-08-22T05:45:00.000-05:002013-08-22T05:50:29.662-05:00

Nothing significantly different has occurred since the last post except perhaps Kristina "waddles" a little more. I tried simulating her walk, but she just laughed at me because I can't arch my back and balance myself without bending my knees. My imitation looks more like a fiddler crab singing "I'm a Little Tea Pot." She's much better at being pregnant than I am.   While I say there has

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-4068566447551284822013-08-18T07:00:00.000-05:002013-08-18T07:10:48.497-05:00

At Kristina’s Baby Shower yesterday, there was some brief analysis of how long she will last before the twins arrive. Although I don’t think she heard me, I jested that I was going to start selling dates on the calendar in a betting pool.   Part of this started because of the details from the OB visit this week. With a “high risk” pregnancy, which twins almost always fall into such a

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-33604703723931858252013-08-09T20:00:00.000-05:002013-08-09T20:16:51.740-05:00

Ok, so the visit wasn't really from the singer-songwriter, Toni Braxton. Rather it was Braxton-Hicks, which does sound like a R&B-Country crossover.   For those unfamiliar with the term, Braxton-Hicks are a type of contraction of the uterus. They are true contractions, just not ones associated with labor. Basically, it's a chemical and hormonal response to oxytocin, and nothing to worry

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-76015469005504358612013-08-03T22:00:00.000-05:002013-08-03T22:00:22.069-05:00

It was a much better and calmer week...until last night. Kristina just seems to collect quick-passing kidney stones. I suppose the quick-passing part is a blessing...and at least this one didn't land us in the hospital.   Yes, we are 24 weeks pregnant now. We discussed tattoo representations of the boys today. I've been planning that for a while, we nailed down a few of the details on it. &

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-9231636952598321422013-07-27T11:00:00.000-05:002013-07-27T11:13:47.040-05:00

Last week I mentioned stress coming down on us at this phase of the pregnancy. Many wished for us to have some relief. Well, it didn't come immediately as we were in the hospital last Saturday to treat the second kidney stone Kristina had developed.   It was quite painful -- or so I observed and was told. But some stronger pain-killer and fluids helped to make the situation bearable. We

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-49021637725896690402013-07-18T21:45:00.000-05:002013-07-18T21:53:09.976-05:00

It has been a stressful week. We had our one-year old SUV break down over the weekend and had to be with loaners for five days. Granted a loaner vehicle is better than no vehicle, but it did throw a curve in our routine. More details would be just complaining...   However, I have to admit the pressure of the ticking clock is starting to take a small toll. The shower is still a few weeks away

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-21332531635851628852013-07-13T06:45:00.000-05:002013-07-13T06:48:32.619-05:00

No, we're not in Vegas. But this does mark week 21.   We did complete our "Preparing for Multiples" class and learned some interesting things, mostly they came across as survival tips. The truth is there is some anxiety about how difficult the early days will be: little sleep, no time to shower and just how many diapers Bennett and Grayson will go through. Then again, we keep being assured

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-62049451645634802992013-07-05T08:45:00.000-05:002013-07-05T08:55:21.211-05:00

We have reached the twentieth week of Kristina's pregnancy. I have too many thoughts, as well as too many distractions, to properly express what is going through my brain about the boys' development. We have classes we are taking to help us prepart. There are doctors visits o'plenty. And let's not forget nursery plans to complete.   I hope to carve out a little more time to share not

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-10224212149807204532013-06-26T07:15:00.000-05:002013-06-26T07:30:33.142-05:00

So tomorrow marks 19 weeks. This makes it officially the half-way milestone as the OB/GYN has stated she does not plan for Kristina to carry the boys beyond the 38th week.   One of the wonderful new events is being able to physically interact with the babies. They can now be felt moving when I place my hands on her belly. Grayson and Bennett both have distinct locations and already have

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-63164036865482655772013-06-13T10:26:00.003-05:002013-06-13T10:26:44.529-05:00

Today I am 17 weeks along, and you just can't even tell I'm pregnant (NOT!).  I have been feeling our boys move inside me for several weeks now, and am reminded with each movement that these are our two miracle babies.  I'm not going to lie, the idea of twin infants certainly scares me more than I can say, but at the same time, I am so looking forward to having twice the love, twice the

Kristina Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02546412736006578500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-15030233701202446872013-06-09T20:30:00.000-05:002013-06-09T20:36:06.044-05:00

The short version of the story is we were surprised. At 12 weeks, we had an "early look" at the likely genders, but they told us not to hold these answers. Well, of course, we started planning around that information. However, on Friday, we got a much clearer picture of things to come. We took some time to discuss the impact of the change and even have names now that we are ready to go public

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-88490701540030966032013-06-01T07:30:00.000-05:002013-06-01T07:45:55.660-05:00

Considering the weather over the past two weeks here in Oklahoma, I am glad to give an update on the twins development. We all could probably use some happy news. By the way, we have another ultrasound next week, where we will likely confirm the genders.   Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple).

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-56016639605608214252013-05-23T22:30:00.000-05:002013-05-23T22:36:23.289-05:00

Big developments as the second trimester begins:   This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-65214355333818499182013-05-19T21:30:00.000-05:002013-05-19T21:41:04.766-05:00

The timing of our posts have not been quite what we expected. What I mean by that is the due date, and thereby how far along, has shifted by a day or day as we progress. First it was moved forward, then moved back a day. We were trying to post the new-week update on the precise day. However, we've given up on that kind of precision.   Personally, I find it fascinating how the weeks track

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514363918837901843.post-44957712313768062632013-05-09T21:00:00.000-05:002013-05-09T21:07:17.848-05:00

We are nearing the end of the first trimester. It's hard to believe we're about to hit such a milestone. It seems like it was merely yesterday we were having the embryos transferred. It won't be long before the twins are here (on the outside).   Of course, as part of the weekly updates, below is the description of development for a fetus at twelve weeks gestation.   The most dramatic

Dj Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970064130984681193noreply@blogger.com0