Happy Birthday Jamie!

Welcome to this world Miss Hadley Alice Miller. That was the day, September 21, 2010, Jamie's birthday. What a special blessing for a mother to receive on her birthday. Our baby girl was born at 12:59, weighed 3 lbs. 13 oz., and was 16 1/2 in. long.
We had what we thought was going to be a "normal" doctor's appointment on September 21st. They did the usual pre-term labor checks and non-stress test. The next item was the biophysical ultrasound that we were receiving weekly due to the gestational age of the pregnancy. Our ultrasound tech, Cheryl, starting performing her checks but wasn't getting what she needed. Dr. Harstad was then called in to take a look at things. He didn’t like what he was seeing and became very concerned about our baby but couldn’t put an exact finger on what was happening. He called Dr. Nash and spoke with her about the situation and they decided that it was best if we go to the hospital.
I began to make the usual phone calls to the family starting with our parents. Big Daddy (Fr. Herrmann) was coming to our house to surprise Jamie for her birthday and eat some Alice Springs Chicken from Outback steakhouse. I had to let him know that he might want to move that time up for their arrival.
So off we went to the hospital, and before we knew it Jamie was being prepped for a C-section, and I was handed my garb to scrub in. Jamie was wheeled back into the operating room and I had to wait while they finished prepping her. All of a sudden a nurse comes around the corner said, “Daddy are you ready?”, and off to the O.R. I went.
At the moment I walked into the room I saw the most precious look on Jamie’s face and could read her eyes that this was the moment we had waited for. It was happening today, her birthday; our child would be born.
During the delivery of our babies the nurses asked if I had a camera, and I told them I had my phone. Of course we had planned on a very different day than what had happened. I stood up as they handed Hadley to the NICU nurses and was able to get a picture of her gracing us into this world, it was a sight I will never forget.
Hadley was born severely anemic, which meant that she was born with 50% of her blood supply. The nurses immediately began giving her fluids and ordered a blood transfusion of unmatched blood until her blood could be matched. In the meantime, while I was with Hadley, Jamie was wheeled into the recovery room. I was able to call our immediate family with the news of the birth of our baby girl and give them all the “important” stats, and to have them begin asking for prayers.
I went with Hadley to the NICU while Jamie was recovering in the recovery room. It gave me an opportunity to meet with her doctors and her nurses, Jill and Sarah. Hadley received the best possible care from the best possible staff that we could have asked for.
Jamie and I were truly blessed on her birthday to have such a precious little girl born into our lives. She was the most precious thing that we could have ever asked for in a daughter. She was perfect, beautiful and most importantly, she was ours. This is a day that I will never forget for the rest of my life.



Love,
Ben and Jamie

The Rollercoaster

Where to even start since our last blog post? As you can imagine the last month has been very trying on Jamie and I. Dealing with the death of our son, Conley, has not been easy and has been downright hard to deal with at points for me. The thought of having a son was something that I had begun to look forward to and had started to picture us doing things together while there girls were out getting their nails done. Although his earthly life was short we know that he is being cared for and watched over by our heavenly father and loved ones who have gone before us. We know that they can offer him more love than we ever could and he is being loved and cherished by each and every one of them.

All of my focus lately has been strictly on Jamie and our little girl, or Little Alice as many like to call her. For those that don’t know Alice will be her middle name because we are not sharing her first name until we welcome her into this world.

So you may wonder why I have entitled my post “The Rollercoaster?” Well, we have had many ups and downs in our last few weeks since our last post. Jamie has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, they believe her to be anemic, she has high blood pressure and we’ve made one hospital visit on top of that. We are not sure what else to expect by the time Little Alice makes it into this world but nothing could surprise us at this point. How are we holding up? Probably better than most would expect, the gestational diabetes we are treating through diet. Out with the stuff we LIKE to eat and in with the stuff we HAVE to eat. I just hope it helps with all the sympathy weight I promised I wouldn’t put on!

The anemic condition is very new to us just being diagnosed last week, we are eating a lot of leafy vegetables like spinach and trying to avoid a supplement as they are hard on the stomach. The hospital visit was precautionary as she had a few pre-term labor symptoms, but all checked out ok and we were out of there in a few hours. Fortunately, we were able to get an early look at the labor and delivery rooms, not by choice, but better to be safe than sorry with our situation.

As far as my duties go, they picked up tremendously lately as the doctors have been really restrictive on Jamie. I’ve been cleaning more than I ever have in our marriage, don’t get me wrong I had “my duties”, but this whole house cleaning is a new thing. I appreciate all that Jamie has done around the house allowing me to do the minimal things she doesn’t like doing, floors and trash. I’ve also been doing the shopping at the grocery store and making sure our meals are well balanced and on time. These things have all become important in order to ensure a safe and healthy baby girl. She still lets me get away on Saturday’s for a little coed soccer with my team, which allows me to relieve the stress from the week. It always comes with one stipulation on the way out the door, DON’T GET HURT, which as you know has happened once or twice in my playing career.

We are starting to notice a pattern with our little girl and that is that she doesn’t like to be disturbed in the mornings with monitors and probes. More times than not she tends to kick the monitor or probe, which allowed us to get sonogram pictures like the one in this post.

Thanks to all that have sent cards and extended their kind words through emails or phone calls. These mean a lot to us and it’s great to have a support system like that during this time. We look forward to introducing Little Alice to each and every one of you.


Love,
Ben

Held

“This is what it means to be held. How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive. This is what it is to be loved and to know, that the promise was when everything fell we'd be held.” Natalie Grant – Held

On July 6th, we had our regular monthly doctor’s appointment with our OBGYN & our bi-weekly appointment with the Perinatal Group for growth and development for the twins. We first saw Dr. Nash (OBGYN) and everything seemed to be going well. She did a quick sonogram to check on the babies heartbeats and then checked them again with the Doppler machine. She stated that she didn’t see a heartbeat for Baby A (Boy), but not to worry she was going to double check again and her equipment isn’t as good as the perinatal groups. She still didn’t see a heartbeat and stated that she was going to call the perinatal group and get our appointment moved up to check everything out. We arrived at the perinatal group and they whisked us away to one of the many high tech ultrasound rooms. The technician came and started the ultrasound. She checked over Baby B (Girl) and she looked great and then she checked Baby A (Boy). She said, “I don’t see a heartbeat for this baby.” Jamie immediately asked if the doctor comes in to verify that this is in fact the case and Ben started to cry. She stated that he did and proceeded to squeeze Jamie’s arm and hand Ben a box of tissues. Then, what seemed like hours, Dr. Harstad came in to take a look. He was very methodical and scanned over and over and over again. He said, “I am so sorry, but unfortunately, I don’t see a heartbeat for this baby anymore.”

Dr. Harstad then proceed to inform us that he didn’t see any reason on the ultrasound that would have caused the death of the baby. That everything looked as good as it did weeks prior when we had the growth and development ultrasound. He stated that we would have to carry the baby until delivery and that since they were dizygotic twins, that Baby B (Girl) should be fine and not affected. We asked several questions that came to mind right away. The doctor then said he wanted to see us next week to check everything over again and excused himself from the room. The technician then told us to take as much time as we needed and then she looked Jamie right in the eyes and said, “It is nothing that you did. You didn’t do anything wrong to cause this.” She then left us alone in the room. We were devastated. How could a baby so perfect weeks prior have no heartbeat? Why is this happening to us? We have tried for a family for so long and we were blessed with the perfect combination of a boy and girl. God, we don’t understand!

We got ourselves together as best we could and left to head home. After arriving at home, we gathered ourselves as best as we could and called our family. The shock and sadness in their voices was awful. They were the hardest calls that we have ever had to make. Jamie’s parents came and spent a couple of nights with us and Ben’s parents were with us in spirit and in touch by phone.

Since we were withholding the names until their birth, we hadn’t shared them with anyone. We were asked his name so that people could pray for him by name. The name that we chose for our son was Conley Andrew Miller. We are still withholding our baby girl’s name until the day of delivery. But, we will give you this much, _ _ _ _ _ _ Alice Miller.

We are grieving the loss of our son, but we are joyful that God has still blessed us with a second child. We know that the day of their birth will be a difficult one, but we know that we are surrounded in love and prayers by our family, church family and friends. The next weeks are critical for our baby girl. We are currently at 23 weeks and the doctor wants us to reach 32 weeks. Please pray for protection over our sweet girl and for God’s continual peace for our families.

Conley, Mommy and Daddy love you very much and can’t wait to hold you in our arms. For now, may you be held by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you for the outpouring of love, support and prayers that you have shown us. Thank you for holding us up at this time.

So loved,
Jamie & Ben

Baby A and Baby B reveal themselves!

On June 7th, we had our monthly visit with our regular OB/GYN. Since we are having twins, they do an ultrasound every time we go in. This way they can see the heartbeats and that both babies are fine. We were 18 weeks along and we asked if she could tell the gender and if she could, would she write it down in a greeting card that we had brought. This way Ben and I could share this moment alone and not with the doctor. She came to the conclusion pretty quickly about Baby A and couldn't seem to get Baby B to cooperate. Imagine a sideways T with the top of the T pointing left. Baby A was lying horizontal and Baby B was lying vertical. Baby B was hiding under my ribs. The doctor tried to get the baby to move, but it was not having anything to do with it! So, Dr. Nash filled out the card for Baby A only and Ben and I opened it as soon as we got to the car. We were supposed to wait for a special dinner, but since we only knew one baby..I couldn't wait! Baby A is a BOY!
Today, June 15th, we had an appointment with the Texas Perinatal Group. This physician group specializes in multiple births and high risk pregnancies. Dr. Nash referred us to them to do a full work up on the babies. They checked for birth defects, organ placement, bone structure and facial deformities. The babies looked great! There were 20 fingers and 20 toes present! Two beautiful profiles with two beating hearts. The doctor said our babies looked healthy and right on track! Thank you, Lord! The doctor also confirmed that Baby A was indeed a boy and that Baby B was a.........GIRL!
We feel so blessed to be having a boy and a girl! God is so good! We have waited so long for a baby to join our family and now we are adding two! But it doesn't stop there, a boy and a girl!

We head back to see Dr. Nash (OB/GYN) on July 6th and we are back to the perinatal group the same day for a pre-term labor consult. We will keep you posted! Here are a couple of pics from today's ultrasound.

Baby A - Boy











Baby B - Girl













So Loved,
Jamie & Ben

The last month or so..................

Where to start....

I really thought I would be much at blogging than I have been! Where has the last month gone! We have been up to so much!

First off, we headed back to Quincy for Tim's graduation from Quincy University. It was quite the adventure! I was still suffering with morning sickness and the plane rides were not so much fun! But, we made it and had a wonderful trip. We had our first baby shower in Quincy and it was thrown by our close friends, Jessica Dedert & Rachel Baird. It was beautiful! The theme was "Tea for Two" and the decorations and food were out of this world! It was so wonderful getting to see everyone and Ben & I felt so blessed with the gifts that we received. Thank you again! On the way home, Ben and I packed all of the shower gifts into two extra suitcases that we had brought along. Wouldn't you know that one of these two suitcases filled with baby gifts got lost! It puzzles me that you drop off four suitcases and only three arrive at your final destination! But, the next day we received a call that our luggage was found and would be delivered to us!

Ben has been a busy bee getting the nursery furniture painted and ready for the babies! He has repainted both cribs, chest of drawers & dresser. After getting all of this painted, he broke his thumb and bruised his ribs playing soccer. I guess he was trying to tell me that he needed a break! All is well now and he is back to getting the house and the rest of the nursery furniture ready for the twins arrival.

I have still been battling morning sickness and have had to even miss work at times. The doctor continues to tell me that it means the babies are healthy and they are getting what they need. I wish they could do all of this without me losing my breakfast, lunch, dinner and sometimes more. I have been told that this to shall pass and that it should be ending by week 22. Please Lord, let this be true!

Love in Him,
Jamie

The End of 1 and the Start of 2!

It's been a while since I've updated the blog with a post of my own, but since that time we have reached a significant milestone into "our" pregnancy. You might be asking why I say "our" pregnancy? Well, I may not be the one dealing with nausea, morning sickness or the daily aches and pains, but I'm working hard to get our house ready for our two little ones. The cribs have now been touched up with a little white paint due to some minor wear from the previous owners.

The baby furniture has been emptied of adult clothes, the black paint stripped off, and two fresh coats of white paint applied. They are now ready for baby clothes. Along with these projects, the nursery is now painted with two fresh coats of paint.....I've been working hard I tell ya!

The first trimester has been a learning experience for both of us. Is her body going to like what I cooked for dinner or will I be holding her hair back after eating it? I have loved this experience and have really tried to step it up as a husband for her while she is carrying our TWO children. I can't tell you how fun it has been watching the progression of the pregnancy!

I've also taken on reading books and not only ones related to work, but I have enjoyed two pregnancy books that I would recommend to any husband who's wife is expecting. The first book is "The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-to-Be" by Armin A. Brott. It's great for the expectant father like myself. I don't want to give it away in this blog but it has some very good advice for the dad-to-be.

The second book I read was "Twinspiration: Real-Life Advice From Pregnancy Through the First Year (for Parents of Twins and Multiples)" by Cheryl Lage. It is a great book for those couples who are expecting twins like we are. It gives a lot of good advice on the pregnancy and birth of twins, even a few months past that as well. Again don't want to spoil this book for you either but it is a definite read if you are expecting twins.

A book I have yet to get my hands on because Jamie is reading it is "When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads, Revised Edition: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy" by Barbara Luke and Tamara Eberlein. It was lent to us by Debbie Crane, who's daughter had a set of twins, who said that the book was invaluable to them and I know that Jamie has been soaking in the knowledge from this book.

Well enough about the books now, I will update as I read more of them. We have our next appointment with Dr. Nash, OBGYN, in less than a week and I can't wait to see how they have progressed. Of course I have to say "they" because we still don't know the sex of the babies!

I hope this post finds all who read it doing well and we will have another post ready after the doctor appointment.

Love in Christ,

Ben

Life Savers

Well, the last couple of days have been a little rough. Since Friday evening, the “morning” sickness has showed its ugly face. I guess I should be thankful that it has taken 10 weeks to kick in, but I was really hoping that I could just bypass this whole phase. I do want to give a shout out to my amazing husband for being extremely helpful and supportive while I have been feeling these side effects! Ben, you are amazing and I love you so much! Thanks for all you have done and continue to do to help out during this process. There have been two other life savers that I feel I need to mention! The first being Preggie Pops™, these things are amazing! There really isn’t anything in them, but they ease the nausea. Preggie Pops™ are just suckers that come in seven different flavors. They are a God send! The second helper has been “sticky” ginger ale! I have never been a huge fan of ginger ale, but it helps! If you are wondering about the “sticky” part, well…you are going to have to ask my mom, Ginger, about that one! I pray that this “morning” sickness, which is actually hitting me around 5 pm, goes away soon! The babies must be growing up a storm!

~ Jamie