2 Days and a Wake up!

EEEEK!!! I thought this day would never come, but alas it is so close! We go on Monday for our BIG Ultrasound! We're really hoping that the babies will cooperate and we will get to find out what's cooking in there, but more importantly we both just feel so blessed to be able to see them again. Finding out the genders would just be icing on the cake. So stay tuned for a Monday update and hopefully some fresh faced pictures!

On a quick side note, my mind may have been playing tricks on me this morning but I swear I saw my belly move sideways!

17 Weeks...

My photographer fell asleep early last night. I will try to keep him up long enough tonight to get a picture!

How far along? 17 weeks
How big are the babies? Onions!
Best moment this week: I swear I'm feeling something in there...and I don't think it's gas this time
Symptoms: Sleepy and possible movement
Movement: Possibly!
Food cravings: Macaroni and cheese!
Genders: 1 week until we know, AHHH!
Milestones: Did I mention movement?

Development: Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.


Headlines from the week:
Newspaper circulation down 10.6%
The decline in US newspaper circulation is accelerating as the industry struggles with defections to the Internet and tumbling ad revenue.


Paranormal Activity is the #1 movie at the box office over the weekend


Weather today:
Intermittent Clouds, 55 Degrees

But I'm Not Even Running!

So for the past couple of weeks I have been getting this pain in my side, very similar to that cramp you get when you are a non-runner taking a go at it for a change. It's not so much a "I want to keel over" type pain, but more of an annoyance. After a little chat with my mid-wife it appears this is normal, runner or not, during pregnancy. It is a sign that things they are a shifting in there. Maybe I can just tell people that I trained for a marathon during my pregnancy, runner's cramps and all!

16 Weeks...

How far along? 16 weeks
How big are the babies? Avocados!
Best moment this week: One of my best friends, Shannon, got married!
Symptoms: I have a definite bump going now, but I feel fantastic.
Movement: None
Food cravings: Cranberries, anything with cranberries
Genders: 2 weeks until we know
Milestones: I am the most pregnant I have ever been

Development: Watch what you say...tiny bones forming in babys' ears mean they can now pick up your voice. A few more minuscule changes: Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.


Headlines from the week:
Police: Balloon was a hoax
Last week's runaway balloon incident in Colorado was a publicity stunt, officials have confirmed.


patriots 59, titans 0
Snow doesn't slow Brady, Pats


Weather today:
Flurries, 36 Degrees

Remembering our Babies: October 15th

"In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan Proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. "When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, their isn't a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes."

Robyn Bear, Founder, Lisa Brown, Co-Founder, and Tammy Novak, Co-Founder of www.october15th.com envisioned a day when all grieving parents could come together and be surrounded by love and support from their friends and families, a day where the community could better understand their pain and learn how to reach out to those grieving. This would be a day to reflect on the loss yet embrace the love. While our babies’ lives were so brief, they were also very meaningful. Yet, their was not a time to talk about them. Our society seemed to forget or perhaps, simply didn't know how to reach out. Since October had been proclaimed "Awareness Month", she chose a day, in the middle of the month to become, "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day". We are asking everyone in all times zones, worldwide, to join us in a candle lighting ceremony at 7pm on October 15th." (http://www.october15th.com/origination.htm)

Tonight I will be lighting a candle for my little Teddy Graham and all others who were lost too soon. Please take the time to light a candle tonight at 7:00PM and leave it burning for 1 hour. If this happens all over the world, there will be a continuous flame burning all day remembering those little lives. I will also be saying a thankful prayer because as of today I am the most pregnant I have been and still going strong.

Thank you to all who participate today.

15 Weeks...

How far along? 15 weeks
How big are the babies? Naval Oranges!
Best moment this week: Hearing the babies' heartbeats and Having a date night with Ryan.
Symptoms: A little tired still and a few headaches.
Movement: None
Food cravings: Homemade macaroni and cheese with mustard... don't judge!
Genders: Unknown
Milestones: Scheduled my BIG ULTRASOUND!

Development: Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out-measure their arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetuses are squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably can't feel the movements just yet.


Headlines from the week:
President Barack Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

MONTREAL—Canadian space tourist and circus billionaire Guy Laliberte mixed star power, science lectures, music and poetry in hosting a show from the International Space Station that was broadcast on television and the Internet.


Weather today:
Partly Cloudy, 56 degrees

I'm Getting Interactive...

So since we scheduled our "Big Ultrasound" for November 2nd, I want to know what everyone's thoughts are as far as genders. So I set up a little poll over to the left. I have my thoughts on what I think they are and Ryan has a different opinion, but we'll keep those secret for now so we don't influence your thoughts. Vote for what you think the genders will be and then hopefully the babies will cooperate on the day of the appointment and I will once again tell Ryan, "I TOLD YOU"...er... I mean we will find out who's right.

Enjoy!

3rd Dr.'s Appointment...

I had my 3rd appointment today and met with my mid-wife. First was the dreaded scale, a subtle laugh in the face every appointment. So far though I've only gained 4Lbs total which my mid-wife says is great. Next we talked about the flu vaccine, which I told her I already got, so that was good. Then she does recommend the H1N1 vaccine for me as well. So as skeptical as I am about this vaccine, it appears I will be receiving one anyways.

Then she showed me the numbers from my NT Scan and bloodwork which showed a less than 1 and 10,000 chance of both Down Syndrome and Trisomy 18. She said the numbers don't get better than that!

Then it was on to the fun part, hearing the heartbeats! This was the first time I had actually heard them, although we have seen them a few times on the ultrasounds. It was hard to get a really accurate beat count, but there were definitely two heartbeats still whooshing away in there. At one point it literally sounded like there was a horse galloping in my uterus! The babies have definitely moved from my lower left side to now the center and right at my belly button (explaining the more pronounced bulge I am sporting lately). She said the position is typical of a woman carrying one at 20 weeks which made me glow with pride for a second that my babies are already more advanced than the norm; however with two they are just where they should be.

So basically everything looked great. I was told to just keep doing what I have been and call if anything comes up. I was also told to get more rest which should help to alleviate the mild headaches I've been getting and to keep my feet elevated whenever possible to relieve back pain. I also need to be aware of my posture to help with the back pain. I guess it's time to whip out the old encyclopedias and stroll around the living room with them on my head.

Oh and we also scheduled our BIG Ultrasound for November 2nd! Now hopefully the babies will cooperate and let us see what colors we need to start buying!

14 Weeks...

Picture to come... sorry!
How far along? 14 weeks
How big are the babies? Lemons!
Best moment this week: Painting pumpkins with my niece and nephew. It got me really excited to do this with the twins someday.
Symptoms: I believe I am completely past the morning sickness stage of my pregnancy (for now)! I'm still pretty tired though and my back is beginning to get sore.
Movement: None
Food cravings: My Aunt Janet's homemade macaroni and cheese. Thankfully my Mom knew the recipe :)
Genders: Unknown
Milestones: No more morning sickness!!!

Development: Your adorable little fetuses are busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine, and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys, and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over their bodies for warmth.



Headlines from the week:
#1 Song of the week on the American Top 40 list: Black Eyed Peas "I Got a Feeling"

#1 Box Office Movie this week: Zombieland


Weather today:
Partly Sunny, 57 Degrees

Finally, Here they are...

I have been experiencing some technical difficulties lately in trying to get the photos from th NT Scan up for your viewing. Well today I have Finally got them to work! So now here they are looking more like babies and not so much like beans with sprouts. I present to you Baby C #1 and Baby C #2:





Aren't they just precious already?