Facelift

I decided that I would change the background to a Christmas one. However, new header looks as though we have a snowman pregnant with twins- haha! =) This is my FAVORITE time of year and even more so now that we have our precious babies coming soon. I realize I need to update everyone, but will do so later this weekend... off to bed.

More Cuteness!

I purchased these really cute pacifier clips. Evan's was supposed to have his "E" in block lettering, but I guess it's okay; It just looks a little more girly than I wanted. They work really well by clipping onto the babies' clothes so that when they spit the pacifier out it doesn't get lost, or even worse, fall onto the yucky floor! Yikes!

Safe Zone

I had several appointments yesterday, but they were great! Our first one was at 10:00 with the nurses for my NST. My sister was able to come with me this time so she got to see the babies. As they were checking my fluids and trying to decipher which baby parts belonged to which baby, we were able to see Ella's cute little face. She was hammin' it up for us! She turned her head towards the camera, drank some fluid, stuck out her tongue, and then gave a big, baby girl yawn- it was so unbelievably cute! We hardly ever get to see Evan's sweet face because of the way he is positioned. I just think that Ella makes it her mission to show off for all to see! =)

I then saw my doctor at 11:00 and that is when he told me that we are now in what he called the, "safe zone"! It was such a relief to hear that. Their lungs should be pretty close, if not fully developed by now. That was such a concern for me... thinking I'd go into labor and they'd have to delay it to make sure I got the round of steroid shots to help mature their lungs. It sounds as if that won't be an issue any longer! Dr. Troung did another ultrasound and confirmed that Ella (baby A) is still breach and Evan is transverse. He really doesn't see Ella turning around to be head down at this stage. I think she's content just staying put with her head in my ribs and feet at my bladder! Little Evan's head is on the left side of my body, with his legs and rump at his sissy's head. They're pretty squished in there... it's just a big mess of body parts! And it's still pretty clear that Evan is DEFINITELY a boy and Ella is DEFINITELY a girl. There is no way of mistaking it at this point. I go back to see my dr. in two weeks (at 36 weeks). He said that he would schedule a c-section at that point for 38 weeks (unless, of course, I go into labor first). I can't imagine going another 4 weeks! Yikes! My gut feeling is that I'll go to about the 35-36 week point, but Greg, however, seems to think I'll make it to the 38 week mark. My dr. said I was measuring at 43 weeks (I knew that it would be different from what the NP said I was at!). Regardless, I'm still huge! =)

And then, the most exciting appointment was the radiology one that afternoon where we found out the approximate weights of the babies! It took a while because, like I said, there are body parts everywhere and they are getting pretty squished. The technician was doing his best, but said that it wouldn't be completely accurate because you can't always get a good picture of their full head, abdomen, etc. So at this point, the babies are supposed to be at the 4 3/4 lbs. area and the babies' weights were...

Ella 5 lbs. 2 oz.
Evan 5 lbs. 7 oz.

Yay, babies! I was really excited to hear that they are right where they should be, but wondered why Evan grew at a much faster rate than little Ella-girl. I guess I'll try not to worry unless my dr. says otherwise. Greg says that it's because Evan is a big, strappin' boy that's going to play football while Ella is just a petite little girl. Hmmm. Okay, that works for me! =)

It appears that the babies should be gaining 1/2 a pound each now (each week) so hopefully we can pack on a little more weight before they make their appearance... the 6 pound range sounds pretty good (unless they can stay in there longer)! =) Thanks for all your prayers- they have definitely worked to keep our babies safe inside of me. Now let's all pray for Mommy, as I try to find some more room for these little ones to keep growing! =)

Family Stockings

I got the stockings I ordered from Pottery Barn that has all of our names on them. It's so fun to look at and realize that very soon we will be a family of four with our sweet little Evan and Ella. I want to put them up SO bad already, but must resist the urge and wait until the day after Thanksgiving. I always decorate our house up so much, but am afraid that this year will be VERY different with babies and all. My mom said she'd come and help set up our tree in the front room and hopefully some of the other decorations I do around the house. As crazy as it sounds, Greg and I have always purchased a real tree as well to put up in the family room (where we always are). We just love the look and smell of a real tree. But this year, we are gladly replacing the Christmas tree spot, as the pack n' play spot! =) We have a little tiny tree that we're going to put up in that room with twinkling lights for the babies to look at. Between that and the fireplace going, I know they'll love Christmas time just as much as we do! We are so blessed and know that we are receiving the BEST gifts of all this year.

Big ol' Belly!

I've had two requests in one day to update the belly shots, so here it is. It's getting kind of scary looking and I get the, "...well, you look like you're ready to pop...", comment from strangers daily. I suppose it's a good thing that the belly keeps getting bigger... it means the babies are getting bigger, too, right? Anyway, if you're not too scared to look, you'll find the latest pictures of me and our precious babies snuggled in tight.

I'm 33 weeks 4 days in these pictures. The front view picture looks like my belly is a bit lopsided. Hmmm. They must be up to something in there! =)

Happy Birthday to Me (well, yesterday!)!

Another year has passed for me. On top of that, it was the one that I think most women struggle with... I have officially graduated from my twenties. Ugh. That's right- I turned 30 yesterday. I don't like the way it sounds at all. I like the comfort of saying I'm in my twenties. I feel so old all of a sudden. Greg seems to think that I'm feeling this way because of my current condition (Although he reassures that I'm still a young, hot mama - bless his heart!). I think I'm going to have to agree with him (not about the hot mama thing). Let's face it, I probably feel old because I feel old! I have aches and pains all day, heartburn galore, swelling throughout my body, I can't shave or bathe alone, it kills me to walk around, and I pee my pants a little bit almost everyday now (yah, you heard me!). I think I may have felt a little different about turning the big 3-0 had I not had all these other symptoms. It was a good day though. My mom took me all around to all the different stores that I needed to get things from in preparation for the little ones. We then had lunch at Olive Garden and continued to shop. My feet were so sore and swollen by the end of the afternoon, but I was so glad that it turned out to be such a productive day. Greg and I then headed off to our childbirth class. Greg thought it was funny that we had birthing class on my birthday. Dork. We usually get out of our class at around 8:30 so we then went out for dessert to celebrate my birthday.

Here's a few pictures of what Greg got me for my birthday. He got me 2 dozen roses and a Willow Tree figurine of a woman with a prego belly- I LOVE them both! I was so surprised by the flowers- they're so pretty!

I got to see and hear our babies then, too, which made the day even better. I love listening to their little heartbeats. I'm 33 weeks now and we feel hopeful that we'll make it to the 36 week mark. It's crazy to think that it could be just a few short weeks now- yikes! I have no idea how to be a mommy! It scares me half to death, but at least I have a lot of gear that makes me feel a little more prepared! haha. =) Please keep praying for the babies' health and for them to stay put for a couple more weeks.

WubbaNubs!

My friend had these cute little things for her babies when they were little and said that they worked great at keeping the pacifiers in the babies' mouths. I showed them to Greg online and he picked out the pink pony for Ella and the puppy for Evan. They're so cute! =)

32 Weeks!

Well, we've made it to 32 weeks- Yay! I can't believe that we could be parents in just a few short weeks (hopefully no sooner!). That's a scary thought. I feel so unprepared. I've been writing lists like crazy on things to do still and things to get. I haven't packed my bag for the hospital, our camera and video camera still needs to be organized and set to go, pack n' plays need to be set up, and the list goes on and on. Not only that, but I haven't been able to do much Christmas shopping either. My intentions were to have it all done by now, but with all my limitations on driving and just feeling as crappy as I do... well, it just hasn't been done. I think it's safe to say that Christmas presents and birthdays coming up, should be expecting gift cards. I don't even think that Greg and I are going to be exchanging gifts this year. We've spent enough money on things that we really feel the babies need. And really, if I was to get something, I'd want it to be about the babies anyway. And are we supposed to buy Christmas gifts for our newborns? I can't really think of what they'd need or remember. I was thinking that we'd just get their stockings and maybe a Baby's First Christmas Ornament; things of more sentimental value. Hmm.

I went to my appointments this week and the babies are doing just fine. I have no idea why, but the babies were super hyper during their NST yesterday. I hadn't had any sugar (just mac n' cheese and water) prior to the appointment, but they were about ready to leap off my body. The nurse finally decided that she'd let them settle down first and then come back to me. After a while all the movements came to a sudden stop. They must have tuckered themselves out. They're so funny. =)

I had an appointment with a NP right after (my Dr. was in Vegas- nice!). She measured me and said that I was measuring a whopping 44 weeks!!! NO WAY! I think it may have been off a couple of cm just because everyone can measure a little differently. I couldn't believe it. So I'm thinking that if my regular Dr. measured, I'd be at around 42 weeks. Who knows. Regardless, I'm getting huge. Ugh.

Since we're on the subject of being huge, I didn't realize how much a big ole belly could hinder your normal activities. For instance, take showering. Greg now has to help me dry off. He had to clip my toe nails for me the other day (I won't mention in too much detail about how he got my skin clipped in with the nail though!). He has to help me shave and he had to take me shoe shopping the other day. I now know where the phrase, "barefoot and pregnant" came from. Who can fit in their stinkin' shoes??? Okay, so there are probably going to be those people that brag about how they could still fit in their shoes and experienced no swelling... lucky them. But for me it was getting out of control. I've been wearing flip flops for most of my pregnancy, but with the weather changing the need to cover up my feet is now important (my flip flops are slippery around water). I really didn't want to spend a lot of money on some shoes seeing how I don't much more time with this pregnancy so we bought a cheap, cloggy-type shoe at Payless Shoe Source. They are not comfortable by any means, but there's no need to wear them except for those times I need to go to the doctor's.

My heartburn and restless legs are getting more and more out of control by the minute. Last night I finally fell asleep at 4:30 in the morning. After Greg left for work I was able to get in another 1 1/2 of sleep, but was rudely awakened by the yard maintenance people mowing in the backyard. In case you hadn't noticed, I get annoyed with anyone and everyone anymore. I hate feeling so agitated. I think it's just a combination of discomforts and NO sleep that's killin' me.

I thought I'd include a picture of what they say the babies should look like in me at 32 weeks. They're getting bigger and cuter by the minute! =) I've also included a picture of little Evan. When the nurse was checking my fluids last Tuesday, she saw that his arm was up to his head and thought it was really cute so she printed it out for me.

Cute little Evan!

Sorry for the delay...

Boy, it's been a long time since I last updated everyone. I've been SO tired lately and I literally had a doctor's appointment every day last week. I figured that I better update now because I've been getting panicked messages wondering if I was still pregnant, etc. Sorry everyone.

The contractions have been better lately and I haven't had any new trips to L & D. I'm really crampy every day the babies kick me relentlessly down below. The pain is so intense that I feel a tingling/numbness feeling all the way through to my fingers. I about double-over in pain, but luckily the pain instantly goes away. Weird, but I'm glad it doesn't linger. The last couple of days I can hardly walk without the feeling of intense, sharp pains and the sensation of the babies falling. I think my belly is just getting big and my body is trying to support it.

Two Fridays ago, I had my doctor's appointment and the babies were still in a breach position. He said to prepare for a c-section as the chances of the babies turning at this point, being as big as they are now, probably won't happen. I was relieved to know the plan, but scared at the same time. Who wants their stomach cut open? I know many people that have had c-sections and say that they loved it (as oppose to the MANY hours of labor I could possibly endure). HOWEVER, last Friday I went in for my routine NST appointment and the nurse wasn't able to pick up Evan's heart rate as easily as it has been the past couple of weeks (they've been SUPER good with these... because they're bigger now and were pretty much stuck in their position). She pulled out the ultrasound machine and we noticed a head down low and feet up high. Hmmm. We couldn't believe it, but Evan decided to turn head down. I knew that something was up a couple of days prior to this appointment, but wasn't quite sure what was occurring. For about two days I had experienced so much pain on my left side where Evan is. My belly would become outrageously lopsided . I thought that Ella was coming over for a visit and overlapping him, but apparently he was working hard and turning himself around. Stinker. So needless to say I have kicking way down low and way up high now. I think they have little wars inside of me now because if one starts to move it sets the other one off and my stomach looks as though it's going to jump off and leave the rest of my body. I'm getting pretty beat up these days. I love it though and wouldn't change it for the world. =)

As I said, they're still kicking a lot, but their movements are a lot different though, too. I feel a lot of big, "rolling" type movements. My stomach looks like it has huge waves running through it and they repeat these actions over and over again. I thought the doctor said they were running out of room? haha. They are now responding to my voice as well and between me talking and them moving, I feel like we're having a little conversation. What can I say... I love them so much!

We started our childbirth classes and we'll attend our third of five classes this Thursday. It's actually kind of fun. It gets me out of the house and doesn't make me feel as huge being next to other women ready to pop. There are a lot of people due at the end of January and February so it made us nervous thinking we waited until the last minute to get this in, but our doctor ensured us that we'd make it through the classes before Ella and Evan arrive. Tomorrow night we're attending a breastfeeding class. I'm really looking forward to that one.

I'll be 32 weeks this Thursday and I'm starting to freak out a little wondering if we're ready. I don't think we'll ever feel "ready", but I still feel like so much needs to be done. Ugh. I need to figure out how to get my husband on board and finish things up around here. I hate not being able to do things myself!

My doctor's appointments are every 2 weeks now (until I hit 36 weeks). I'll still attend my NST appointments twice a week and at 34 weeks, I'm back in radiology for another fetal growth appointment. I can't wait to see how much they've grown... hopefully a lot! =)

Please continue to pray that these babies stay put and don't beat me up too much! I feel done, but know that they're not, so I've got to keep going even as the discomforts rise.