Day One

Well, I am finishing up my first full day of inpatient at Spectrum Hospital. We came down yesterday and met our new perinatologists, had an ultrasound, and then I was wheeled over to the hospital where I'll be staying for (hopefully) the next 6-8 weeks until I deliver. It's hard to believe that I'm here already as we've been anticipating this for a while now. It all suddenly became very real once I set foot in the room I will be staying in.

I can't say as though we've gotten off to an overly smooth start as they did a glucose test on me yesterday, which I apparently failed, and then I started having some mild contractions this afternoon. They are going to continue to monitor my blood-sugar levels four times a day, but cannot do a follow-up glucose test until next week as they wanted to go ahead with the steroid injection for the babies' lung development today, which can affect my sugar levels for up to a week.

I have to say that I can tell already that it is going to be a struggle not to get discouraged throughout this process. I've been here for just over 24 hours and I already find myself vacillating between self-pity and gratitude. My devotional this morning challenged me to give God the gift of a brave and thankful heart, and to look for causes for thankfulness even - and especiallly - in the hard times. It is my goal to do this throughout this process, especially since I truly have so much to be thankful for! So with that thought in mind, here are just a few of the things that I'm thankfor for...

1. I'm extremely thankful that we have made it to 26 weeks and both babies are still healthy. Praise God!

2. I'm thankful that I am able to be inpatient during these next 4-6 weeks. As crazy as it sounds, there are many MoMo moms that have to fight to get this kind of monitoring and I feel very blessed that we are able to do what we feel is the best for our babies at this point.

3. I'm thankful for supportive doctors and kind and caring nurses.

4. I'm thankful for my amazing husband who is capable of juggling so many different roles at once!

5. I'm thankful for the three wonderful children the Lord has already blessed us with. This experience has already made me learn to cherish each of them and the time I have with them!

6. I'm thankful for all of our friends and family members who have been more supportive and caring than I could even ask for! I don't know what we would do without you all!

7. I'm especially thankful for our Grand Rapids friends who are allowing my family to invade their space every weekend so that they can come visit me!

8. I'm thankful that I get some time off from doing dishes, laundry, cooking and cleaning for a while. What pregnant woman wouldn't appreciate that???

9. I'm thankful for my own room, a good night's sleep, and the fact that I'm not technically on bedrest unlike most of the other women on this floor!

10. I'm thankful for a loving God who I know will continue to give us all His strength during this whole process, and maybe even teach me a thing or two in the process!