Sybil Anderson Hunt and Addison Lynn Hunt

Sybil and Addison Hunt

Here we go again... Kent has been telling me for a few weeks now that I need to reestablish the Blog Mom started/I worked on when Parker was born.  Mainly, I think he was telling me I needed a hobby, and I needed a way to work through the emotions of a difficult pregnancy.  So, here goes (sorry it's long but it's a culmination of 30 weeks of being pregnant- yes I made it past Parker's delivery at 29 weeks!) 

The day before Parker turned 3, August 6, 2018, Kent and I did a single egg IVF transfer.  This was supposed to give us ONE more baby to complete our family.  However, God had different plans for us (this happens 1 in 100 times).  We quickly began to realize, when my pregnancy test came back very early, and very quickly, and then when I started to show around five weeks, that there may be more than one baby in the making.  

So, when we went to the Doctor for our first ultrasound, on September 4, we really were not terribly surprised when Dr. Walmer announced that there were in fact two sweet little miracle heartbeats.  See the ultrasound pic below, and Kent's reaction at lunch after the doctor. :)  Honestly, he was thrilled, but you all know that he loves being dramatic.  These two babies are our rainbow babies, after a very difficult miscarriage the previous November.  My heart didn't know if I could handle another transfer after that heartbreak, but the minute I saw Isley Holland last January, I was certain that when the time was right, I would have another sweet baby to add to the House of Many!

For months, the pregnancy was uneventful.  I reconnected with the doctor that delivered Parker, and his practice was able to begin seeing us.  I felt completely at peace that we were back with him, and he had a great understanding of what happened last time, and how to prevent it from happening again.

In November, we found out that we would be welcoming two sweet girls to the Hunt family.  It was so awesome to be able to tell my dad, on his birthday, the exciting news.  During that ultrasound, they also diagnosed me with having a placenta previa, and they would just watch it.  The plan regardless has been for a c-section because of the type I had with Parker so there was no worry about the fact that the previa would prevent a natural birth.

One scary night in December, I experienced some bleeding.  Since I was only 20 weeks, they asked me to go to Duke, by ambulance to be checked out.  Essentially, the placenta moved slightly away from the cervix, which caused the bleeding.  They watched me for a couple more days, but sent me home.  We discussed bed rest, but everyone felt it was counter-indicated, so we just kept moving.  

He could honestly sleep anywhere...  Danielle and I have decided that it's what the Hunt men do best!  During this stay, we also decided it was time to name our girls.  After a very long ultrasound, and spending a lot of time looking at them, their names were clear to us.  Baby A is Sybil (named for Kent's Grandmother).  Sybil Steele is one of the strongest ladies around, and in two months everyone will celebrate her 90th birthday.  Could you think of a better name for a baby that needs all of the fight possible in her?  Baby B is Addison (named for my brother).  Ian is another person that I hope my Addison can be like someday.  He's so strong, and has some fight in him.  Our Addison has a lot of fight in her, and enjoys kicking her sister straight in the head during ultrasounds.  Currently, she's wedged herself into my rib cage!

We had another short stay in January, for the same type of concerns.  This was my "second strike" and if it happened again, I would have to stay at Duke on observation for the remainder of the pregnancy.

This week, a new concern has arisen.  I am currently seen twice per week at the doctor's office because Sybil is smaller than Addison, and they just want to watch them closely (I greatly appreciate their level of concern as well as seeing the girls twice per week).  My labs on Monday showed elevated liver enzymes, and the team of doctors felt it would be best for me to come back to Duke on Tuesday.  At this point, they are at a loss.  They cannot understand why I am presenting with only one symptom of HELLP syndrome (which I had with Parker), but they do feel I am headed that way.  At this point, they are monitoring my labs for another day to make sure they are not getting worse.  I was scheduled for a c-section on March 20 at 35 weeks, but we do not think I will make it there.  I will probably be discharged tomorrow, and have labs done twice per week.  If other symptoms start, they will discuss delivery.  It's all a wait and see, they have to figure out when I need to deliver for my safety, and at this point they do feel both babies will do well if they are delivered.  I honestly wouldn't have made it this far without my wonderful family and work family.  I haven't been able to lift more than 10 pounds since December so everyone at work has really pitched in to help me.  At home, I haven't picked up Parker since then.  This has been very hard, but I've had Mom and Kent there to help me (I would NOT have made it this far without the two of them).  I also have a very strong family at church.  I truly have seen the power of prayer this pregnancy.  Today I received a message from a church friend that said, "Praying you can feel his peace and trust in his faithfulness."  How can I question anything knowing these amazing words?  Also friends have sent me messages constantly to check on me weekly and make sure everything's going well.  It takes a village!

In closing, here's one of my fav pictures of Parker recently.  He's such a big boy, and is so excited to meet his sisters.  We're probably looking at another NICU stay (not nearly as long as this wimpy white boy required- Google it if you've never heard of it), but a stay.  This will be hard for him to understand because he cannot visit due to flu restrictions.  I'm at peace with the NICU stay because I know the providers and nurses will take great care of these babies, just like they did with him.  It's obviously not how I saw bringing these babies into the world, but there's a reason and plan for everything.  We are so grateful for each day because with each day they get bigger and stronger!

I'll update more when I know something.  Thanks for reading this LONG post, and allowing me to maintain some form of sanity spending Valentine's Day in a hospital room!

PS- just got to listen to their sweet heartbeats.  Most amazing thing to hear, and I'll take that as a Valentine's day gift.