another update

this one is short and sweet :)

The results came back from all of my tests- THEY ARE ALL NORMAL!!! Yeah, thank you God for answered prayers. And, thank you all for all of your prayers and support! ;) I go back next Monday for the next check-up (31 weeks) and then I will go weekly until they arrive. I cannot believe it is already almost here! Time has really flown by so fast. Just think, one month from now is Christmas eve-YIKES!!! Oh how I wish I could get out there on Black Friday for the good deals, maybe I can find some online?

And here are some of the latest ultrasound pics- I had to weed through them and pick some of the better ones of each. We have LOTS considering the number of times I am in there!

This shows the super thin membrane seperating the two of them:

Baby A:

Sorry that there is only one! She is super low and smushed up against the placenta so getting her picture is tough for the ultrasound tech's. We'll try again next week!

Baby B:

Dr. Love was even nice enough to give me a 4D last month of B!these are the ones that really remind me of Lucas:she has her arm resting on top of her head in this one ;)

Double Trouble

on the body....
Apparently that is what these girls are for me ;)

I realized that I had not posted a baby update in awhile on here so I apoligize that this is a little overdue! Since being released from the hospital three weeks ago I have been at home on bed rest, behaving and following all of the doctors orders. Yes, boredom sets in but I know that every day is worth it and hopefully in the end we will have two healthy, beautiful additions to our family. That is what keeps me going...I must admit, I was really bummed to have to go through this again. I felt cheated of a "normal" healthy pregnancy free from complications, frequent trips to the doctor, and bed rest. Although I did realize that my chances of accomplishing that were being put to the test at week 8 when we learned there were two in there. I think that was one of my biggest fears upon hearing that news...pregnancy complications...I just want healthy babies!!!

So this time around at least part of that wish has come true thus far. We have two healthy little munchkins in there. Week after week they look fantastic. They are growing great- two weeks ago they were measuring in at 2.2 and 2.4 lbs (right on track for their gestational age-they only measure growth at every other visit); have great amounts of amniotic fluid to "swim" and practice breathing in; and look healthy overall-heart rates, movement, blood flow, etc.; not to mention I think they are pretty darn cute if I may say so myself! They remind me of their brother. (I know that updated ultrasound shots are long overdue, the scanner is upstairs though and I don't make it up there too often. I will try and get those up here in a few days-PROMISE!) A has been head down and overall the calm one this whole time. Minus the fact the she is the one that gives my bladder some serious grief ;) While her sister, B, is the wild child-she flips all over the place and jumps from my ribcage laying sideways while kicking here poor sister in the head, and giving me some serious heartburn...next thing you know she flips around and ends up head to head with A again! Wild I tell you! If this personality persists I think we know who will bring out the grey hairs for mom & dad ;) And...if you are wondering, no we haven't decided on names yet, we do have a list of ones we like but haven't made any decisions. I am guessing this won't happen until we are in the hospital to have them! So A & B munchkin it is for now ;)

As for me, well my poor body is the one that is falling short this time around. First was the preterm labor scare which started this whole bed rest. Since then the doctors have been watching my cervix closely for signs of shortening and I'm on medication to keep contractions away. So far so good! The last three weeks have been thankfully uneventful and things continue to look good in these departments. Not to mention that my belly is measuring at 36 cm, typically your belly measures the number of weeks you are pregnant when it is one baby in there! So 36 is pretty big :) Well, today the doc noted that I had increased protein in my urine-JOY! So...I am currently collecting urine for 24 hours and praying that those results show that I do NOT have pre-eclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension). My blood pressures have all been good, but, I am taking Niphedipine to keep the contractions at bay which lowers your blood pressure- so this could be masked... I also had to do the glucose tolerance test today. That stuff is horrific and that is coming from a girl who likes sweets. I don't remember having any issues with that when I was pregnant with Lucas but today was a different story. After chugging the fruit punch concoction I headed off to ultrasound...about 5 minutes into the exam I thought I was going to pass out, vomit, you name it....Holly could see it on my face and quickly had me roll over and take a breather for a few minutes. My poor body went into serious sugar shock! So I am also praying that those results come back OK as well. I'll keep you all posted!

So...there you have it- the three increased risks for moms carrying multiples- preterm labor-CHECK, pre-eclampsia-TBD, gestational diabetes-TBD. God please, can this excitement end here? All I am asking for is 5-8 more weeks of uneventful gestating....is that really too much to ask? But in the end, just give me two healthy girls!!

Blessed

I am such a lucky girl! These are two of the greatest men in my life, if only I would have snapped a picture of dad when he came to visit me in the hospital :) Todd and Lucas are handling my bed rest like true champs. It has been tough on all of us but we know that the final outcome will be worth every day, hour, etc. In some ways it had been so great to get to see these two become even closer and share that special father/son bond, especially since Todd pretty much takes care of Lucas. I miss bath and bedtime, heck- even diaper changes! I do still enjoy our special time to read books(LOTS), color(LOTS), and snuggle(LOTS). It melts my heart when he comes home and says he missed me and "wuv wou mommy", who can resist coloring the 100th digger truck for that sweet little boy? I also love when he cuddles up in bed with me and proclaims " I'm going night-night with mommy!" Mommyhood is the best gift that is worth every difficult moment, toddler tantrum, and newborn sleepless night :) God, help me remember that in a few months....

But Super Daddy is really the one who deserves all of the credit!
I feel so lucky to be blessed with such a wonderful husband who takes such great care of bedridden me, Lucas, and the rest of our family; along with keeping up with the never ending laundry, doggie entertaining, house cleaning, shopping, and cooking- not to mention working full time!!! He is gonna need a vacation after these little girls arrive! Thank you Todd for your time, love, patience, and understanding. Lucas and these girls are SO LUCKY to have you as their daddy and me....

I truly am so blessed :)

My dad and brother have also helped spoil me these last few weeks :) They were kind enough to come down and paint our hallways and foyer for us AND keep me company! Plus, dad made my favorite fall treat, homemade applesauce- YUMMY!!! Just another example of the wonderful men in my life ;)

I couldn't resist this sweet picture of my buddy during the day, sweet Bailey girl. She snuck up there, we don't let her on the couch ;)

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Halloween Fun

Both Friday and Saturday were full on fun and excitement with Halloween celebrations for Lucas. On Friday they had a costume parade and party at school. I really wanted to go and be a part of the festivities, but as we all know, plans change... His teachers were great and took some pictures to capture the fun just for us! We love them and were sad that this was also Lucas' last day in the toddler room but he sneaks in hugs with them still whenever he gets a chance! These are the toddlers and young two year olds playing during the parade time :)These two faces were too priceless to not share! Plus that sweet little pumpkin is Kaden, Lucas' little buddy outside of school :)Back to the toddler room for a little party time! Note the hand holding going on here ;) That sweet little Robin is Ce-Ce, Lucas' little girlfriend. She is a sweetheart!

More Ce-Ce lovin!

Todd and Lucas headed off for some trick or treating fun Saturday night with two other families in our neighborhood that have little ones around his age. They all had a great time and really got it this year. We were a little nervous before the actual night since every time we tried on the Franklin costume, there were tears! But with a little coaxing and a cute pumpkin in hand, he got it and did much better! We worked with him Thursday night on saying "trick or treat" to get candy in his pumpkin- of course he LOVED this part!!!They went to each door and even tried out the "trick or tweet" :) Not too many houses this time around, about 8-10 but that was plenty considering the humidity and warm temperatures! All in all it was a hit! I was bummed to have to miss out but I know he and daddy had a great time while us girls vegged inside. The crew did come by to visit and let me see the rest of the cuties after their adventures. Now we gotta hunt down another great deal on next years costume!

Hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween Weekend!