Another day, Part 2

Billy forgot to mention that when Karen was still in town, we also got pedicures. Actually, just I got one from Becky. Karen did her own. Becky's the den mother and wouldn't let us leave to go get store bought pedicures, so she brought the salon to us. She gave me the best pedicure I've ever had! Wish we would've taken a picture of it - I guess there's always next time! I'm going to owe her so much when this is all said and done.

Last night, Billy, Becky and I played Mexican Train dominoes. Becky kicked our butts but I made a valiant comeback towards the end. Billy took last place. We also figured out a way to play pitch with 3 people. Definitely not as cutthroat as regular pitch, but we felt like we accomplished something when we worked out all the kinks.

My monitoring has been going well. The other night I had the most contractions I've ever had in a one hour sitting. The Matria nurse counted 7 (I only caught 5 of them). So I had to drink a big cup of water, eat a snack, give myself a bolus of Terbutaline and re-monitor for another hour. The next session went better with only 3 contractions.

I've been taking it very easy. You're right, Vicki and mom. I know this will be the last chance to really relax and concentrate on me for about 18+ years (most likely even longer). But I've been feeling well and so it's hard to just let Becky and Billy do everything for me when I know I could do it myself. Becky's finding out just how obstinate I can be! Serg, you hit the nail right on the head when you said Billy and I are the 2 most stubborn people you know. You sound like you've been hanging out with us for years, or something!

Bucko leaves for her Vietnam trip today. Hope she has a safe trip and hurries back home! Billy says that you better not meet/bring home any new man from your world travels!

Hope everyone has a great day! Becky's making chicken salad for lunch to go along with my delicious high protein Boost drink. Maybe she'll quit her job after we get back home with the babies and be our nanny.

Love,
Moni

Another day

Hello everyone. Moni and I had a productive day. I got off work at 10:30 a.m. (QT has been so helpful and understanding about our lives away from work), and picked Moni and Karen up to drop Karen off at the airport. We dropped her off at 11:20 to board her airplane. She was supposed to be home in KS at 9:19 tonight, but as of 9:40 she was still waiting to take off from Memphis. Moni and I would like thank Bill and Pat Sindelar and Corey Lehman for loaning us their loved one for a few days. Also...congrats to Bill on placing second in the world at the powerlifting championships in Prague. What a stud! It was nice having a new visitor.

After we dropped Karen off, we called Jacyln Tubre. She told us to come on up. We went to the NICU and met her, Cullen, Abbey, Tyger, and Emma. They were wonderful hosts. While we were there, Cullen decided that he wasn't happy with his CPAP nose prongs. He let us all know about it. Also, Jaclyn changed his "poopy" diaper, and he didn't like that either. At this point, I think that the crying is considered music to the parents' ears though. Jaclyn was a very comforting person to meet, and we left the hospital feeling a lot better.

When we returned home it was time to eat. I grilled some burgers and hot dogs. I think I grilled the burgers a little long, as they seemed a little dry to me, but the girls have been raised so well that they would not agree with me vocally (and Moni will eat anything, and Becky's dad is Phil). Moni and I took a nap after we ate, and we are getting ready to play some dominos and try to figure out a way to play 3 person pitch. By the way, we taught Karen the game of dominos and we must be great teachers because she hammered us. We are getting ready to throw down on a game with Becky.

We continue to miss everyone, and ask for prayers. We should know more about Danna's situation next Thursday when we have a repeat sono and appointment with Dr. Elliott.

Billy and Moni

New Goal

Hello everyone. This is our post-"Baby C" sono update. Our goal of 34 weeks has been changed. Our new goal is now 28 weeks. Baby C-Danna- hasn't done very well in the past two weeks. She has only gained 2 ounces. She weighs 1 pound and 1 ounce. All of her body functions are working, but her placenta is not working very well. Her placenta's blood pressure is low, and will eventually get lower. When that stops, she will stop growing inside the womb. When we reach that point, and we will definitely reach that point, we will have all 4 babies delivered. Dr. Elliott said that he has seen babies go for six weeks in this condition, but that our goal has changed from 34 to 28 weeks. If we went the full six weeks that he has seen babies do, that would put us at 31 weeks.

We spoke with the ne0natologist who we both really liked. She said that when we get around the 27 week mark (about October 22) Moni will be admitted to the hospital. While she is there, Danna will be monitored every day. That way, we'll be able to make a decision on delivery on a day-to-day basis.

As for the boys, they are all doing great. Forrest has taken Pius over in weight. Forrest now weighs 1 lb and 15 oz. Pius weighs 1 lb and 14 oz. Laine is still small too, but he is still in the 23rd percentile (based on a singleton pregnancy). He weighs 1 pound and 4 oz. I know that the question being asked now is about their weights. Laine only weighs 3 oz. more than Danna, but his placenta is functioning correctly. That is why we are now concerned about her.

All four of their heartbeats looked good. We didn't actually check each of their rates to the minute, but they all were within normal limits. We are still very excited, but the entire situation just got more real. We know that you have all been praying and thinking happy thougths, but now we are asking for overtime. Moni, Pius, Forrest, Laine, and especially Danna need the prayers now more than ever (and daddy, too).

By the way, on a happy note, Moni's buddy Karen got into town today. She will be here until Thursday afternoon, and it is so nice to have another visitor. Both Karen and Becky came with us to our sono and doctor appt today. It was good having the extra support and ears. We are getting ready to throw down on some pitch. Moni and I will probably be on the same team so as to erase any possible friction that could arise. That's about all of the new news from Phoenix. Can't wait to see you all.

Thank you guys,

Billy and Moni

P.S. Moni's clothes selection has dwindled significantly with the expanding belly. Sorry for the repeat outfit choices - I know it's a major fashion faux pas! Deal with it or send more clothes (Ryno and g-pa stubby). JK!

25 week mark looming

Hello everyone. We just thought we would post a quick, little update. We are at the 25 week mark tomorrow, and boy are we pumped. Moni has only measured 4 contractions during the last three monitoring sessions. The last two have been contraction-free.

Becky made it home from "The Dub" this morning. She brought back some board games from Momma Marsha and Aunt Cathy. It looks like a decent selection of games. Moni finished her sixth book during our Phoenix stint. God bless James Patterson. We might take Steph and Kelly up on bringing down some more books.

We have decided that the Good Lord has put the Broncos in a funk so that the babies and I can concentrate on Moni fully. Or maybe Coach Shanahan has heard about our situation, and that is why he has decided to SUCK so badly at coaching. Despite their struggles, my wife, kids, and I have decided NOT to be like some fair-weather fans (KC Chief fans), and stick with our team through the obvious low time.

Our next post will probably come after our next appointment on Tuesday. We MAY have more pictures at that point. We love all, thank all, and can't wait to see all.

Billy and Moni

Patience is a virtue...

First off...patience is a virtue, possess it if you can. Seldom found in women, and never in a man. Mama budda taught this little quip to Monica and needs to start taking her own advice (and Mama Vicki too). Uncle Ryno just wants more pictures as proof that he is NOT the fattest kid in the family anymore. So we say...FINE!

The reason we haven't posted until this point is because we knew Aunt Rosie was coming to town. We had planned to take pictures and post after our evening. Our evening is over now, so here we go. Rose and her good friend Sue came over around 5:00 and we went to dinner. Sue's son, Cody, met us there at the restaurant. We had a tremendous Mexican dinner at Arriba's, and followed that with a new game of cards. Sue and Cody taught us a game called "Golden Cadillac". We hope it replaces "quarters" at Graf family functions. Moni won both games...no big deal.

Billy started at QT. That's right...the same QT that "sets the gas prices in Wichita". He is enjoying being out of the house, making money, and "bartending" without having to hang out with customers for too long. It could be a good opportunity for when we make it home to Wichita. Moni thinks Billy looks so handsome in his new maroon shirts, khakis, and nametag...and Billy agrees with her...no big deal.

Moni is doing well at home with her terbutaline pump and uterine monitor. Our last reading only showed one contraction and very little uterine irritatability in the one hour monitoring session. Dr. Elliott's goal was to keep it under 5 contractions an hour. She is getting used to managing the pump. She has only accidentally pulled the leg catheter out twice...we are so proud of her.

Our upcoming events this week include: Broncos taking over sole posession of first place in the AFC West on Sunday, hitting the 25 week mark on Monday, Karen coming to town on Tuesday, our little Danna getting her very own sonogram (also on Tuesday), Billy getting to take off his "in training" tag on Wednesday, and Women's Murder Club TV series starting on Friday. Yes, our life does revolve around TV now. So you can see that many updates are coming...so just relax and keep on posting.

We love you all,

Billy, Monica, Pius James, Forrest Michael, Danna Lynn, and Laine Ryan

Home Sweet Home

Hey everyone,
Thanks for all the well-wishes, prayers and compliments! I was able to go home from the hospital today and am SO happy. Billy is working at Quiktrip tonight and Becky left for Wichita after she got off work this morning, so Billy's cousin, Mark, came and picked me up from the hospital. Not only that, but he also got me food from Boston Market! He has been such a lifesaver for us and we thank Aunt Laverna for raising such an awesome person!
The RN from Matria Home Health met with me in the hospital today to go over home uterine monitoring and the Terbutaline pump. I now have a small subcutaneous catheter in my upper thigh that is giving me scheduled doses of medication to control contractions (it works alot like an insulin pump). So far, everything is going well with it, but it does make me really jittery and kicks my heart rate up to about 115-120 bpm. The Matria RN also got me hooked up with the uterine monitor. I'll put this on at least 2 times a day (morning and evening) and any time I feel I might be having contractions. I lay with it on me for 1 hour and then transmit the data to Matria, who then interprets it and gives me a call back. Talk about peace of mind!
I'm pretty tired, so I think I'll wrap this up and get a little sleep. Just know that Billy and I really do appreciate all the love, support and prayers. We miss everyone back home and can't wait for our visitors. Karen, keep trying to think of games that don't involve beer - I know you may hurt yourself racking your brain. Good night!
Moni

Another update from the hospital

Hello everyone. It is Tuesday, October2. Last night was her second night in the hospital. Our internet capabilities in our apartment have been on a sabbatical so this update will contain a little more than normal.

Her first night in the hospital was pretty sleepless. The mag sulfate was causing a pretty bad headache, and she had to pee about every hour. They gave her something to help her sleep around 5:30, and so she got to sleep around an hour or so. Around 7:45 in the morning, Dr. Elliott came in to talk about the Turbutaline pump and what the gameplan was going to be for the rest of the day. They did a sono around 10:00 to check her cervical length and the babies heartrates. Everything looked great, so they continued to try and slow the contractions.

I showed up around 11 a.m. and she was feeling a little better. She ate a little and slept while I was there. I am not staying there at the hospital with her so that I can work and she can sleep. I tend to ask a lot of questions and she tries to stay awake so that I don't get bored. I have told her just to sleep and not to worry about me, but as most of you know, I seem to give people cause to worry.

I left for work around 2:15. A dietician came in and they discussed foods, and other supplements that Good Sam has to offer. The dietician also brought her an "assortment of nuts and snacks." After the dietician left (I am sorry I didn't ask Moni what her name was) Monica was in a lot of pain. They did a bedside sono because of the pain to check the babies and the womb. The babies and everything looked fine, but they couldn't find the cause of the pain. They think it could be pain from the abdominal muscles tearing. After all of this she was able to sit in the shower and that felt great.

Last night they did hydrotherapy. This is where she sits in a very deep bathtub of warm water. She said that was awesome. She almost fell asleep during it. They gave her some medicine to help her sleep, and she said that she had the best night of sleep she has had since we moved down here. She was woken up around 1, so she decided to call her old stomping grounds. She said it was great to talk to all the girls, and Dr. Lentz of the Wesley West ER.

Today they are going to try the Terbutaline pump and to get her off of the mag. Hopefully I will be able to bring her home tomorrow. She said that all the nurses and doctors have been incredibly helpful and caring. Becky has been able to visit before and after her shifts, and has even changed where she is parking so that it is easier for her to visit. Everything is going well (other than the pain).

We are still excited for our visitors, but we have been demoted to house rest when she gets home. The worst part of being home with the three of us, is that we don't know any card games for three people other than Crazy 8's. I am going to Wal-Mart to buy some board games so that we have something to do for entertainment. We love you all and can't wait to see you all. Thanks again to everyone for the thougths and prayers.

Billy and Monica

P.S. This is orders from headquarters (Monica). You are all supposed to keep commenting on the website. The kids like hearing from you.