24 Week Appointment

Had a TERRIFIC appointment today! My wonderful Aunt, Carolyn, went with me since Dan is out of town for training in Salina - I was so glad she was there so I wasn't alone (I always fear that I'll get bad news while I'm by myself!).

Everything looks just great. My cervix is still nice and long just under 4.1 (stay away, preterm labor!) and I've gained a total of 22 lbs.

Both babies are in a position we hope they'll stay - head down!

And I'm now measuring, drum roll please . . . 34 weeks. Gulp. No wonder the moms at the park keep asking me when I'm due!

We go back for a growth scan for the babies on May 5th, so get ready for more pictures of our growing boys!

The names have been picked!

Baby A will be Tucker Ray

and

Baby B will be Hunter Daniel



We have already had a lot of people tell us they're not thrilled about the name Tucker - but honestly, we couldn't care LESS what everyone else thinks! We love the name and even know a few Tuckers that have helped us grow even fonder of the name. We also love the 'er' theme we're sticking with: Cooper, Tucker and Hunter.

We hope everyone likes the names as much as we do. And please, do NOT remind us of what the name 'Tucker' rhymes with - we just think that's silly!

21+ Week Appointment

Went well!

Babies have turned down and are no longer transverse - Baby A is head down and Baby B is head up, but they still have time to turn all over the place.

Heartbeats were 154 and 150. Both babies were VERY active!

I'm 21.5 weeks, and measuring 28 weeks, so right on target.

I gained some more weight, and am up to a total of 18 lbs gained - EXCELLENT! They wanted me to gain 20 lbs by 20 weeks, and that didn't happen. But I'm at 18 lbs and almost 22 weeks - I've made good progress!

And the best news of all - my cervix is measuring a WHOPPING 4.1!!!!!

21 Week Belly Picture

Dan took a quick snapshot today so I thought I'd post for you all! I'm already starting to get uncomfortable - but I'm trying not to complain too much, because I still have such a ways to go! I'm going to be as big as a duplex soon. Ha,ha.

20 Weeks

Wow, time is really flying. I can't believe I'm over half-way through this! Seems to be going so fast.

The BIG Sono!

Had a terrific appointment today with the Perinatologist! She's a wonderful doctor, and we feel very lucky to be in her care. She was extremely thorough and looked at we covered everything when we spoke during the consult.

The Sono was great and they spent a long time looking at everything in both babies: heart chambers and pulmonary valves; kidneys, bladders, stomachs and intestines; arm and leg bones; facial structures; umbilical cords; neck folds; spines; etc. Everything looked terrific and couldn't have looked better! They were very happy. We also got a good look between the legs of both babies, and confirmed - TWO BOYS! We're thrilled, and think having twin boys is going to be just awesome! We're throwing some names around, but don't want to reveal them quite yet. :)

Here are some pictures of our little angels!

Baby A's Profile




Baby A's Leg and Foot



Baby B's Profile



Baby B's Hand and Fingers

Yesterday's OB Appointment - and a SURPRISE!

First of all, the appointment was great. My blood pressure was perfect, my urine looked good and showed no protein, and I have a total weight gain of ten pounds - not as much as the Doctor would have liked me to gain, but not bad since I've been feeling sick for so long.

The Doctor had a hard time finding the heartbeats of the babies with the doppler (it can be quite tricky with twins sometimes), so she took us back to the sono room to get a quick peek at the heartbeats. Once we saw that both babies were fine and dandy, I spoke up and said, 'You know, we might as well go take a look between their legs, I mean, we're already here.' She said, 'Okay, we can try.' Well, Baby A is for sure, 100% a BOY. Baby B wasn't so cooperative and was very, very wiggly, making it hard to get a good look. HOWEVER, the few quick glimpses that we got looked VERY MUCH like 'boy parts' so we're about 75-85% sure we're having TWO BOYS!!

We'll get confirmation at our big appointment on March 18th. But, we're at least having one boy - and most likely two! A house full of bouncing boys!

P.S. Yes, we know we're going to have our hands full. We're totally excited about it!

17 Weeks

Man, it just seems like this pregnancy is flying by. Feels like just yesterday we found out we were pregnant and were in such shock - after 20 months of trying we were really beginning to think it would never happen! Now that the twinshock is starting to wear off, we're really getting excited - how lucky are we? We get to bring home TWO BABIES to love and cherish forever. That's a blessing I could have never dreamed of. Is it going to be hard? Yes, I'm sure there will be days and weeks that drag by while I walk around as a sleepless zombie, but who cares, right? I'm only 27, I can handle it - I hope. :)

I will leave you with this - so far, my least favorite statement from people who discover we're expecting twins is: "Oh, no! Double Trouble!" Nope, double the love I tell them, and double the hugs, and double the kisses, and double the giggles . . .

The Big Brother - a brag!

Okay, okay, this post isn't about the twins - but it IS about their big brother! I couldn't wait to share this video of Cooper at swimming lessons today. At just barely 3 years old, he's the youngest in his class and one of the top swimmers. He has NO fear! I was very proud.

A Poem

Came across this poem and liked it so much I thought I'd share. Puts a smile in my heart!

Your Twins

The heavens were excited -
(statistics were just right)
"Gather 'round," the wisest angel said,
"God's designing twins tonight."
It's quite a marvelous process,
As anybody knows -
Two separate souls begin their lives,
As His love just overflows.
Perhaps he'll make them just alike,
Or as different as can be,
But that's the way He wants it -
He's planned it that way you see.
He must then find a loving Mom,
A very special Dad -
For twins take special parents,
And the best just must be had
~ author unknown

Starting to Collect Things for the babies!

My generous friend, Kathleen, made a deal with me and I scored another swing - it's practically brand new, and is the exact match to the swing I already have! And I'm going to look at a stroller for the babies this week. A lady listed it on craigslist and says it's only been used a few times - and she's asking less than half of what it costs brand new. NICE! And Dan's mom has said she would like to purchase the carseat for us - which is wonderful! That means that most of the 'big stuff' will be ready for the babies. Excellent!

Now all we need is to start our DIAPER STASH!

15 Week Belly Pic

well, almost, anyway!

Dan and I went to dinner for a nice date-night out last night. Cooper was at Grandma and Grandpa's house so we were really able to have a nice time, just the two of us. Dan took this picture right before we left the house.

went to the OB concerning the headaches

Everything is fine, and she gave me some meds to help with the headaches. Urine looked good. Blood pressure was good. Gained a pound since last time. Temperature was good. And - we got to hear both heartbeats on the doppler. 154 and 158!

starting to feel better

I've been reluctant to post this in fear that right after I do, I'll get hit hard with nausea again. But, for the past 3-4 days, I can definitely say it's getting better. I've even been able to cook dinner without puking a few times, and that is AWESOME! On the down side, though, the headache is still going strong, and is somedays simply unbearable. I'm considering calling the OB to discuss it with her. Tylenol won't even touch the throbbing in my head.

It's definitely border-line migraine, and SUCKS. This, too, shall pass. This, too, shall pass.

the "BIG" sono has been scheduled

I got a call from my OB a few days ago. My first appointment with the Perinatologist is on Tuesday, March 18, at 9am. It will consist of a long consultation and then my first level II sono. We'll also take a look at the babies' genders, if they're willing to cooperate! I'm really looking forward to meeting this doctor. I'm excited about having someone else on-board who is more knowledgable and experienced in both high-risk and multiples pregnancies. Just a little over 5 weeks and hopefully we'll know if we're on the pink or blue team - or BOTH!

I will NEVER do this again.

Yes, you're hearing me correctly. This is IT for me. I will NEVER be pregnant again! Don't misunderstand - I am VERY thankful for the blessings in my womb, but I am just downright MISERABLE. The nausea is worse now than it has been in several weeks. I had to stop taking the anti-nausea medicine because it made me constipated, and I would MUCH rather be nauseous than constipated. PAIN. Now I'm getting regular headaches that my OB says is normal due to the high levels of hormones in my system. I'm keeping a journal, and writing in it often. Whenever I get the itch for another baby (if ever) I will be SURE to refer to my journal and ask myself, 'Do I want to take the chance of experiencing that with three kids?' HA! No, Thank you!

Okay, whine over. Thank you so much.

12 Week Sono

The babies look awesome. They're now measuring ahead, too! Baby A measured 12w5d and Baby B measured 12w2d. Heartrates were 157(A) and 154(B). Both babies were moving all over the place. We saw their little profiles, their fingers and toes and everything else. It was a very good sono.

The nausea

talked to the OB about getting some zofran (anti-nausea medicine) and she said that was fine. She'd call it in. For the generic drug, I'm paying $52 for a two week supply. Ugh. Hard to justify that price for anti-nausea medication!.

Dangit. I just want to feel good!

Saying 'so long' to my waist!

I can't believe I'm 9 weeks and in materntiy pants. I knew the time was coming. For over a week now, I've only been able to button ONE pair of my regular jeans. Today I slipped them on and could hardly zip them. Dang. Let the fun begin.

Had some brief spotting - went for a Sono

everything is FINE! I worried for nothing.

Heartrates were in the 150's for both babies, and we got to see them moving around and bobbing up and down. Placentas are visible now, and not even close to each other, so no worries about the babies fighting for nutrients off of one placenta. They termed them 'dichorionic/diamniotic twins' which means they have their own sac, placenta and fluid. Tech says things couldn't look any better. I have another sono and appt in a month. Got a rhogam injection in my butt today, too.