Sunday, May 24, 2009

A Roadtrip, A Birthday and Bedrest.

Our next adventure took us to the tulip festival in Ottawa, Ontario. The Dutch Royal family sent 100,000 tulips to Ottawa as thanks for Canadians having sheltered Princess Juliana and her daughters for three years during the Nazi occupation. This gift has turned into a two week festival during which carnivals and concerts are hosted throughout the city. The tulips are displayed all over the city and parks. We headed down on a Friday night to the Marriott Ottawa (we pricelined the hotel and got it for $75!). We were determined to make it fun despite the pouring rain outside the next day.

We walked ourselves up to Parliament and was completely in love with all the beautiful architecture - truly, you have to visit -it is amazing! Here the girls were certain they could successfully take our photo with my Nikon camera. I was nervous, but let them do it anyway. Nini took this one while Cici held an umbrella over the camera - I wish I would have gotten a photo of them!

We walked around for about an hour and after realizing we were completely soaked and weren't sure if it was going to get better, we headed back to the hotel to get our car and take on the city via car instead. We drove around, but the rain had take it's toll on us. We finally found a truly beautiful section of the city - the Jacque Cartier Park - completely filled with tulips.


It was just beautiful and so completely vivid! The girls took a cement path through the tulips making it look as if they are standing in the middle of them. They weren't on their best picture taking selves, so I had to snap quickly and really none them turned out all that great!

After our trip to Ottawa, in fact that same night, I began to spot, which completely freaked me out. I stay home the next day from church in hopes that a good rest, no walking would help things get back to normal. I called my fertility doctor in the morning and was able to see him that day. He was a bit concerned and asked me to take it easy - so I did. Thursday I went in for my normal weekly ultrasound to see the twins and their progress and left with strict orders to stay in bed - no getting out unless to go to the bathroom, get dressed, or to eat. Minimal walking. They wanted the bleeding to stop and my cervix to stop shortening.

With no ability to take the girls to and from school, attend their activities, make dinner, and all that other mommy stuff, my mom flew into town to help. Here she is sitting with my reader Cici comparing two versions of Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit. With a few dinners from friends and the help from my mom, things are going smoothly.


I was excited this year for my birthday on the 19th, because we were planning on going to Angels and Demons and Star Trek - two movies I was really looking forward too. Unfortunately, my birthday was spent on the couch - as you can see from my lovely "bedresting" hair! The girls and Craig surprised me with not one, but two chocolate cakes - I gues one for each baby in my tummy!


After receiving the cakes, I took myself to the dinner table where we dined on gyros, poutine, and chocolate cake - yummy! And a received a great surprise of a new digital video camera! Our old was - OLD! It is exciting to me to be able to now record my girls and our family verbally and visually - to be able to remember their voices and actions at this age is priceless!


I am mad that I am missing many of the girl's activities. I am not a stay on my butt mom - of course, what mom really truly can be? Thanks to the new recorder I was able to view Cici's ballet recital. I took this photo quickly before she left with her grandma.

Do you use priceline?
Have you been to Ottawa?
Ever been on bedrest?

17 comments:

Barb said...

Oh, my I am behind. Congratulations on your (second) set of twins! The tulips are beautiful, but I am glad you are being smart and obeying the doctors orders for no more field trips for the time being!

Mikki said...

Oh Michelle, sending prayers your way, I hope everything goes smoothly from here on out. I've never been on bedrest, I was very fortunate with my twin pregnancy, aside from being pretty uncomfortable, it went smoothly. I pray the same for you.

I love tulips, those are gorgeous pictures.

Lene said...

Those tulips are amazing.

I hope everything continues to get better with the babies. I am glad your Mom was able to come help. I was on bedrest with my first. It wasn't a big deal without other kids to take care of.

Take care.

Chrissy, said...

Happy Birthday.
Yes, I have been on bed rest and it is hard!!! Even harder is the worry over the babies. I hope everything settles down for you and you feel better soon and the babies are okay.

YOU are a smart Mom and will find special ways to connect with your girls while laying in bed. That's what they will remember and you will too.

Hugs Chrissy

crystal said...

Those tulips! Wow! And you look radiant in that photo amongst them. Bed rest? I need to catch up. I think i should send you a Bed Rest Survival Kit via GoodMail.
xoxo

Nicole said...

Happy Birthday....love your tulip pictures.
I will pray for you & hope that your pregnancy goes smoother. Having twins is hard on your body (so I hear). Never been on bedrest completely myself but I did have to moniter movement & document it for my doctors-higher risk pregnancy. What a time to catch up on crafts though! Have fun & can't wait to see what your working on.

Carolee said...

The tulips are beautiful!! I think we are only about 5 hours from Ottawa, we will have to see them someday.

I am sure bed rest is a pain but hang in there:)Its so nice you have help from your mom.

Jenny said...

OH, I love the tulips.

Happy Be-lated Birthday!

Hope the morning sickness passes soon.

Marie said...

Oh, bedrest! What a tough situation. I am so glad you had family and friends there to help you through. Good luck!

PS: The tulips are BEAUTIFUL!

donna said...

wow what wonderful pictures! Tulips are so beautiful.

Melinda said...

Happy Birthday! That is so sweet they gave you two cakes.

I have been on bed rest before. At 20 weeks I was bleeding because my placenta started to tear away. I could have lost Ashley if I didn't stay down. I was on bed rest for a month or so and then it healed and I was fine. It is so scary though when they tell you to stay down.

GOod luck and I hope you are not down for too long!

Natalie said...

I'm sorry I missed your Birthday!! When you've got the green light, we'll have to go out for belated b-day celebration! Something chocolatey....

Hope you're up and around soon!!

xo

dani said...

i just said a prayer that all will be well with you and your babies, michelle:) i remember spotting a bit with katherine, and it freaked me out, too... as i had miscarried before getting pregnant with her.
bed rest is good!!!
i love your photos... you all always go to the most beautiful places: thank you for sharing:D
much love,
dani xxxxxx

Debra said...

Wow!! Two sets of twins. I hope your pregnancy goes well. I love priceline also. Stayed in Las Vegas at a 4 star suite for $35. Unbelievable. I love the fields of flowers. I am glad you got a day out. I was sick/bedridden right as we were suppose to be getting ready to sell our house and move. I know it's not the same but the frustration of not being able to do what you want with a list of things to do is similar. I hope the best for you and your Family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Elise said...

Hi Michelle

Thinking of and praying for you.

Happy belated birthday. This birthday was spent on the couch, next birthday will see more of your dreams come true as you will be sharing it with two more beautiful babies.

Michelle, I hope that you soon get the all clear and that your days of bed rest are over.

Those tulips are glorious, what a sea of spectacular beauty.
Tulips are one of my favourite flowers.

Lots of love
Elise

Natasha said...

I hope you are not on bed rest for too long. It will be worth it though - just think of the end result!

The tulips are beautiful, breathtaking really.

Syd said...

Wow Michelle, That is some HUGE news. I haven't been able to find your blog for some time, but found you through my stat counter. I will keep your family in my prayers. Two sets of twins, how awesome. Hugs to you and your family.