Today

Today has been a day. Quite a day.

MY DAY

It started with an early rise at 6:00 AM for both the twins and me followed by a mad dash out the house at 7:30 AM. I dropped the twins off at a children’s play gym for a couple hours so that I could go solo to my OB/GYN appointment.

You might remember from my previous thread, posted one week ago, that I was going to chat with my doctor about what I might need to be doing (and not doing) IF we decided to try to get pregnant again sometime in the near future. I wanted to talk with the doctor about all things pregnancy related: my odds for having another multiples pregnancy, any risks that I might face with either another multiple pregnancy or singleton (one baby) pregnancy. http://ashley-twinsanity.blogspot.com/2008/08/to-have-more-or-not-have-more-that-is.html

We spent a good chunk of the ½ hour consult talking about the difficult pregnancy and the various complications that I experienced with Paige and Taylor as a result of the very rare type of twin pregnancy I had – Monoamniotic, Monochorionic. We also spent some time chatting about my life today raising and managing a child with a mild disability as a result of the pregnancy complications and the premature birth. The OB/GYN at one point said, “while I know that it hasn’t been easy for you, you’ve got to remember the odds you’d faced during the pregnancy”. He continued, “you’re actually very lucky to have the children you have and that they are even alive today. Both of them were at such great risk in utero for all kinds of disabilities and could have even died in utero so for one of the twins to have only a mild disability – one which she can manage and in time overcome – is still a real miracle.” It was soooooo nice to hear that from my doctor and be reminded of that today. Day to day, it’s very easy for me to lose perspective sometimes on where we are today and where we COULD HAVE been. It certainly could have been a very different outcome for both of the twins.

Now, as far as the whole getting pregnant again thing goes….the OB/GYN said that I shouldn’t feel anxious about my chances of having another multiples pregnancy. He said it would be “pretty unlikely”. (PHEW. What a relief. I think I could easily handle one kiddo next time around; but two or more, I don’t even want to think about that scenario.)

The OB/GYN did say there were some things I’d need to give up though if we should decide to try and get pregnant again. Among them, alcohol and caffeine. The alcohol is no big deal. I think I may have a glass of wine or other cocktail of some kind maybe a couple of times a year, if that. The caffeine, on the other hand, could be tough! My Mountain Dew and my grande, non-fat, peppermint mochas from Starbucks would have to cease for a few months. Oh, my!

Then, the OB/GYN informed me that there were a few other current beauty regimens which I’d have to temporarily give up too should I want to try and get pregnant. I won’t cite these by name but they’re of an aesthetic, cosmetic related nature and they do wonders for us girls who are fighting the frump and the aging process. I’ll let you decide for yourselves what those might be.

All in all, it was a good appointment today with the OB/GYN. Now I know what to give up, what to change in my current habits and lifestyle and I suppose the only next steps are for my husband and I to think (long and hard) about whether or not adding another little one to our nest is something we want to take on…..and, in the event that we do decide to try again for another little blessing, the OB/GYN has already prescribed an Rx for me for my pre-natal vitamins (just in case).

THE TWINS’ DAY

After my OB/GYN appointment, I rushed back to the play gym where the twins were, picked them up and we hurried to an 11:00 AM physical therapy appointment for Taylor.

It was a therapy appointment which I shall not soon forget. It began with the usual stretching and leg strengthening exercises with only some slight fussing and protesting from Taylor. It quickly progressed however to all out screams, cries and major meltdowns from Taylor which continued for the entire 2 hours that we were at the clinic today.

While I know that all these activities that the therapists require of Taylor are ultimately for her own good in the long run and in that sense are therefore a necessary evil, it does not make it any easier on me watching her endure the session and watching her get pushed to her physical limits. For 2 hours, Taylor kept crying “Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, moooooooooommmmmmy” with her arms and hands outstretched towards me in a manner which screamed “rescue me, please”. I can’t tell you how hard it is to have to witness this. Everything within me wants me to stop the therapy session at that moment and just grab her, hug her and leave. Of course, that’s not what Taylor needs though. She needs to be pushed and stretched. I know it’s making her stronger. I know it’s making her achieve new milestones. I know it’s ultimately what is making her more able to overcome her disability so I swallow my own anxiety, and fight back tears of my own, as I watch Taylor as she cries and calls for me.

Meanwhile, Paige is running and jumping about the therapy clinic having a grand old time. She periodically runs over to where Taylor is as if to check in and see what all the fuss is about. After a short time, she’s off again to play on the swings, slides and in the pool of balls. I am always happy to see Paige having such fun and watching her play helps to take my mind off of Taylor’s struggles at the physical therapy clinic, even if it’s only for a few seconds.

Finally, the 2 hours are up. It’s OVER AT LAST. Taylor is off the hook for any physical therapy sessions for the weekend. I am glad for her (and for me). Therapy appointments like today require a little down time afterwards and we all seem to need a little recuperation. Of course, we’ll go through this process all over again in therapy next week but that’s two days away and until then, I want to enjoy the weekend. A weekend where Taylor can just be Taylor. Where there are no leg exercises and strenuous stretches. Where there is simply no physical therapy pushing her and making her work so hard.