Almost There

Written on MONDAY August 3: We are so close to our finish line! However, this finish line isn't from a marathon-like experience. It's more of the finish line to the first leg of the Iron Man Triathalon. But I'm not a great swimmer, so this first leg of our Triathalon has been tough and that finish line is sure looking good being so close right now!!

So I've continued having contractions and other cramping, but it's pretty mild still. The doctor says that it is all good and as long as there aren't other factors I don't need to worry. Later this week I'll get another round of steroids to help the babies lungs develop right before birth. Then next week I will officially be the mom of 4 boys! Whoa.

For the record, my Iron Man analogy was not just left off after the first leg of the race. I figure the grueling cycling part of the triathlon is what it's going to be like while my new babes are in the NICU and I am working to regain any semblance of muscle back. It's going to be major work to simply walk from the car to the NICU in the hospital. I am seriously so weak right now and to throw in recovering from surgery on top of that, well it's going to be one tough ride. But that one has a finish line too. We are going to bring our babies home eventually and then we will FINALLY get to be home with our whole family together, for the first time since January.

After the cycling we will then begin the marathon. That's what I'm calling general life after all of this. With 4 small boys at home I'm sure few words would dedcribe life as accurately as does "marathon".

But I am so excited to get to that phase.

As I mentioned somewhere last week, today I am looking forward to doing all sorts of "normal" things that I haven't done in weeks or months of this pregnancy:

-sit in a car; it's already been 7 weeks
-drive a car; it's been since March...over 4 months
-cook; the food here is probably typical hospital grade...blech
-go to a store; again not since March
-sit up for more than an hour; after 20 minutes I'm usually in some pain, but an hour brings on the tears
-play piano
-sleep on my back or right side; both of tbese positions have either been painful or made me nauseas since morning sickness kicked-in in February.
-getting dolled up; I've had no reason and lityle ambition to wear makeup or do my hair since I'm laying down 95% of each day
-be outside; I've gotten some wheelchair rides outside, but I'm talking about doing things like walking, gardening, sitting on the porch chatting and watching the kids play
-filling up my own water; I'm only allowed to walk in my room, not even out my door down the hall to fill my water mugs
-reaching my toes; they need new polish
-doing my own laundry; at least 3+ months on this, some things you just like the way you do it yourself best

There are so many things I miss so much. But I will soon be misding having these 2 sweet boys kicking and pushing inside of me. It is the sweetest, most tender experience any expectant mother can have. Yes, sometimes it hurts or they get my bladder, but I have loved feeling them interact with one another and simply be with me.

It will be hard to not be with my newborns all the time once they are in the NICU. It's still one of my biggst concerns,  just because I wont be able to be there. I'll have to go home to my mom's and spend time everyday recooperating and getting stronger. I know that, but it will be hard.