Interlude

Thank you so much. The suggestions on the last post were terrific. I am very very grateful to you. I requested the first twenty books mentioned (more or less literally) from the library and Steve has been very accommodating in shuttling over to pick them up. I also had a friend drop off a stack of things to read and have been grabbing them out of the bag at random. I just started The Calligrapher by Edward Docx and am very pleased. His is a stately and elegant prose. With swearing.

The contractions picked up last night and this morning so they have upped my dosage a bit. Steve keeps talking hopefully about this magical appointment on Friday at which I will suddenly be released to my own recognizance (perhaps with a gentle admonishment to limit my rugby playing) but I am less sanguine. I took a shower yesterday (WOW. it was GREAT) and had about seven contractions in ten minutes (well, great except for that part).

Right now I am feeling sort of contract-y and... unpleasant in the nethers. Pressure? Baby poking cervix? Bad gunk? Normal gunk? Can't tell. I may have to call the damned doctor but I think first I will stop this, drink a hogshead of water, lie perfectly still and see if that helps.

More later. I just wanted to check in.

Comments

[Sara]

I'm glad to hear that the 13s are growing and kicking. Hang in there little ones!

[Pam L]

I have to second the recommendation for Weeds. The show is preposterously hilarious! I love it. It took me half way through the first season to realize it wasn't a show about bratty spoiled rich kids who smoke weed, necessarily. Not for Patrick though. Save it for late night or sometime when he is not about. There is sex, profanity and violence , though the latter is minor. But not the first two.

[Francine]

Has Patrick ever met a Rubik's Cube? Could entertain him for a while.

Have he ever tried to create his own word maze or crossword puzzle? Can he do crossword puzzles yet?

All the five-year-olds I know are currently obsessed with Webkins pets - do you know about them, and would they be interesting to Patrick? I'm not sure exactly how they work (maybe someone could enlighten) but they're stuffed animals that need to be "fed" etc. via an online site or something.

[Susan]

Thinking of you and the little 13s!

Four years ago, I was on hospital bed rest (complete placenta previa) for the last eleven weeks of pregnancy, so I totally feel for you. Most of my book recommendations have already been suggested and I can't cook worth a damn, so I will simply offer this: I passed tons of time learning to knit, organizing every photo my husband could find (of course, now it is all digital, but back then I had a million pictures piled around the house, so he would bring them to the hospital in plastic bags and take them home in nicely organized bins), doing crossword puzzles, reading, playing solitare, and watching movies. Not very original ideas, I know, but just wanted to chime in and let you know I'm thinking about you. It sucks, but you will get through it.

[Catizhere]

Keeping you in you (& the 13s) in my thoughts and prayers.

[Olya]

Thank you for the update, Julia. Thinking of you and the 13s, and hoping for the best!

[terri c]

Hang in there 13s. This has got to be soooo stressful. Everything crossed here for you.

[L]

Geography games.That kept my 5 year old busy for months.
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm
Where in the World? is a good game to go with it and so are all the Professor Noggin's games. As for new language try Muzzy, it's really nice.

I hope the higher dosage works and you won't see a hospital for at least another 12 wks.

[Blaine @ 5McCKids]

I considered commenting on the last post, in spite of my tardiness, but 297 others scared me off. So I'm going to hijack this comment section to cover this post and the last. OK?

My children (attend middle school, but read at a college level) L-O-V-E Eragon and Eldest by Christopher Paolini. These books might also serve as an activity for you and Patrick. I've no doubt he would appreciate them as well (and they're LONG!!).

Regarding easy meals....1 cup of rice (preferably brown), 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 2 cans of water, and some pork chops sprinkled generously with salt, pepper and garlic powder; make a lovely dinner with a simple salad on the side. The whole thing takes maybe five minutes to prepare in the morning, and makes the whole house smell good all day.

I too experienced STRICT bedrest during my last two pregnancies. The first started at 24 weeks; the second at 17. Showers were ways to much for my irritable uterus to weather. It was baths only for me. Yes, I laid in the tub, and dipped my head in the water to rinse the shampoo/conditioner out of my hair. My husband was required to heave me out of the tub at the end. I still had contractions, but far fewer than the shower caused.

Keep a close eye on the "gunk". Pinkish/bloody "gunk" can be an issue. Be sure to include that in your regular discussions with the nurses. I was never pregnant with twins, but I did have large babies. My last was 9 lbs 1 oz 22 days early. All I can say is thank God he came early, and that I had a c-section. Anyway, I experienced a ton of "pressure', and sharp pains in the nether regions for many weeks during my pregnancy with him. In my case, in spite of my insistence that something was NOT OK!!!!!, my cervix was not changing. I only hope the same is true for you.

[Kathleen]

Always you with the rugby. Perhaps the doctor will finally convince you to hang up your cleats. (Is it cleats? I have no idea. Rugby shoes?)

As for games, I'm guessing Patrick already has Set. In case he does not you simply must buy it for him. And then be prepared to play it over and over. And over. It does the pass the time and it's a lot more fun than most repetitive games, so there's that.

Here is the link: http://www.setgame.com/set/

[electric boogaloo]

Gracious Julia... man. For mellow entertainment of self and Patrick, the only thing that comes to mind is to email me for our phone number then put our kids on the phone. Get him and Nicolaus started in a conversation about the relative merits of all the things they think are important. Entertaining for them, and I promise for you as well.

N was a toddler when I was on moderate bedrest, so I was able to survive mostly by the grace of Bob the Builder. To this day the theme song makes me feel ill.

Thank you for the update. We like you and your babies and all.

[Amie]

Hoping everything is well with you and the 13's..........will be refreshing madly to see updates.....and worrying in there too...

[Chickenpig]

I hope that at least one of those books you've got there is a baby name book :) Unless, of course, something jumps out and grabs you from out of that pile. Have you gotten your hands on any raising twins books? Not the most entertaining stuff, granted, but you might as well read this stuff while you've got the time.

I love David Sedaris, but his books are so short and quick they don't take up nearly enough time.

[Decemberbaby]

Delurking to suggest something as simple as soap bubbles. You can even get different sizes/shapes of blowers and see who can blow the biggest, smallest, weirdest, etc.

[Mardougrrl]

Yep, just another person who has been checking on you and hoping that all of you were safe and sound (and in the 13s case, INSIDE Mama).

[Nearlydawn]

I made a usable list out of your book recommendations and recipes - yeah, all 350+ of them. I love a good book!

I'm sure you are really enjoying the task of going through all those suggestions - but I thought I would offer you a copy of the list - since it IS your list!! :)

Email me if interested!

Hoping all is as well as it can be, and that your reading is coming along swimmingly.

[Amanda]

Just wanted to say hang in there 13s and wish you much luck and not too much boredom on bedrest.
And a propos of nothing when I saw the author's name of the book you referred to as I went to college with an Ed Docx (the spelling being the same) & wikipedia informs me that he is one and the same. How small world is that...I didn't realise he'd moved into novels too. He was the year above me, but still. Always nice to brush shoulders with the literati :)
Take care Julia & hope Patrick can keep you entertained.
Amanda
x

[cursingmama]

Dearest Julia,

Leaving us with this:

"Right now I am feeling sort of contract-y and... unpleasant in the nethers. Pressure? Baby poking cervix? Bad gunk? Normal gunk? Can't tell. I may have to call the damned doctor but I think first I will stop this, drink a hogshead of water, lie perfectly still and see if that helps."

And going silent is scary. Any chance you have someone who can post updates for you- if not here then their blog?
Ala:
13's watch - October 12th - In!

Hoping they stay in for quite a bit longer - but that you are freed from the bed quite a bit sooner.

[terri c]

Read latest REDBOOK posting. Every good wish to you all. Hoping you will get reassuring news, or at least a comprehensive plan, from the OB today.

[monkey]

I had to reiterate my E.F. Benson, Mapp & Lucia series recommendation. Sheer brilliance. Way beyond Wodehouse, for me.

(plus, the entire Benson family was brilliant, crazy and gay...all 7 kids)

[Beth]

Thanks for the Redbook update -- hoping very muchly that the OB visit went well. Do let us know. Meanwhile, take care, try not to go too mad regarding light switches, and hang in there.

[Stephanie]

Hoping the OB appointment went well. Maybe a little easing up of horrid restrictions? Doubtful, but it's a nice thought/goal, eh? All that kept me sane during my turns (3, count em', 3 turns on bedrest with one singleton pregnancy) was the lovely thought that maybe, just maybe, I could get up and make myself food that wasn't microwaved and chewy next week. I hope that you're staying reasonably sane during your time as a lady of leisure. (ha.)

Hope all is well, with Draco & Draco's twin staying in. (And really hoping you two have come up a few names.....not that Draco isn't, um, unique and charming. Does Patrick have any fantabulous ideas?)

Good luck with all, you are in many many people's thoughts and prayers.

[mama2beans]

Ma'am.... There is NO excuse for not keeping us updated down to the minute! New Post!!

;-)

[Tina]

I've been refreshing like mad. Hope all is well in your world. Stay in the warm safe place little 13s'.

[Lucky]

Me too - irrational refreshing ...
I no longer trust my feed - so I've been coming here a few times per day to refresh, refresh, refresh ...
Hope Friday's appointment was ok and that you and yours are all fine.

[yanicka]

getting worried here

[mom2one]

Julia
Hope everything is well. Thinking of you.

[cooler*doula]

Bit worried here too... Trying to put it down to ''tis the mother's lot to worry' and hoping that you're just getting some good rest...

[Laura in L.A.]

Getting scared now, Julia. Praying hard for you and the babies.

[Bobbi]

Am I the only one spazzing here? I hope everything is going ok....

[Melina]

Hope all is well. I'm holding you in the light, as the Friends say.

[Heather]

If you had actually posted every time I have checked on you this weekend you would have posted 12,512 times {give or take a few}. I am holding good thoughts for everybody.

[Julia]

Another worried reader here. Hope that all the silence means is that you were released from bed rest so Steve convinced you to go camping anyway.

[Becky]

So, so worried about you and the babies. Please post when you're able.

Best wishes.

[Amie]

Hoping everything is well and desperately waiting for an update!!