33 Weeks

We made it to the 33 week check...yay! Both Parker and Emma are doing great. They are both practicing breathing. In fact, I think it's their favorite thing to do...right next kicking my ribs! Parker caught up on growth over the past two weeks. He weighs 4 lbs. 10 oz. and Emma weighs 4 lbs. 11 oz.

We actually caught a little glimpse of their faces today. We had to look quickly to dodge the flying feet and legs, but they look pretty cute so far. Aside from the 20 week ultrasound where we found out about them, this was the best ultrasound thus far. We could actually make out hands, feet, legs, and Parker's ear.

I'm doing really well. I grew a centimeter from two weeks ago, putting me at 39 cm. (39 weeks). I feel great and am still trying to take it easy. Larry and I have gotten all of our projects taken care of, so now we just get to enjoy. If I haven't said it, I have the best husband in the world. I certainly would have had a different pregnancy if it weren't for him being such a wonderful man. As if I didn't already know...I'm a lucky girl.

We go back for a check in two weeks. We're keeping our fingers crossed that we make it two weeks. Keep yours crossed, too!

Childbirth Classes

Larry and I went to Childbirth Classes last Saturday to learn about having a baby. What an experience!

Larry had to wear the empathy belly. I actually felt sorry for him because the instructor forgot that he was wearing it and left him in it for a good hour. Here's a great pic...you can see how tired he is from wearing the 25 lbs. of belly while sitting down! Poor thing.

The childbirth video definitely brought back bad memories from 8th grade Biology class!

While we were glad we went, none of the information pertained to twins. We did learn a couple of things, but the most exciting part was the tour of the neonatal unit. We hope that our kiddos don't have to pay a visit, but it was great to see how it's set up and what the capabilities are...just in case.

We were happy to receive a certificate of achievement...we're officially ready to be parents!

31 Weeks

Larry and I went for our 31 week check. Parker and Emma are growing so well and have gained a pound each from two weeks ago. Parker weighs 3 lbs. 14 oz. and Emma weighs 4 lbs. 2 oz. I feel so bad for the little kiddos with how crowded they are. Parker is still breech, so he and Emma have their legs and feet in each others faces.

I'm doing well. Staying off my feet has really helped my energy level. My belly is growing quite a bit to accommodate for their growing size. I measured 38 cm. (38 weeks). I was concerned that I couldn't measure over 40 cm (40 weeks), but Dr. Bell assured me that he's delivered plenty of babies whose mothers measured over 40 cm. So, this week, my body thinks it is 38 weeks and carrying an 8 lb. baby.

The results from my gestational diabetes test came back and there are no worries there! At this appointment, I had to get a Rh shot because my blood is Rh negative and Larry's is Rh positive. It's just a normal precaution that's taken in case my blood mixes with the kiddos' blood.

As for preparing for Parker and Emma's arrival, their clothes that we'll take to the hospital are washed and packed neatly. I've also started packing my bag so we can head to the hospital at a moments notice. The "to-do" list is much shorter and Larry and I feel good that everything is in good order for the arrival of our babies.

Thanks to Nana, Grammy and Papa, we now have the car seats. We're planning to install them this weekend with the help of a friend that is a certified pro (really!) and a mother of three!

We make our next visit for a check up in two weeks where we'll have another ultrasound to check Parker and Emma's progress.

Check back with us...we'll keep you posted!

26 Weeks

We had our 26 week appointment and everything is going well. At this appointment, I did the glucose screening for gestational diabetes. It wasn't too bad, but it's certainly not anything I would ever look forward to. Apparently, I'm lucky because the sugar drink that I was given was lemon-lime flavor. Before you think that doesn't sound too bad, think about what a 2 week old Sprite tastes like...yum, right? :( If the results come back to show that I don't have gestational diabetes, then I won't have to worry about enjoying the drink again anytime soon!

Larry and I found out that we will have our next ultrasound at 28 weeks. We're very excited about seeing our two little cuties! I'm really looking forward to seeing how much they've grown and what they are looking like these days.

As for what I'm looking like these days...I've had several requests for a picture of me. Ah, the dreaded pregnancy picture. But, I'm proud of how our kiddos are growing, so I'll indulge you all! At the appointment, I measured at 33 weeks. That is 7 weeks ahead of where I actually was at that point. It's pretty normal for a woman carrying twins to measure 6-8 weeks ahead, so I'm right on track. I can't see my feet anymore, but I can still (with great effort) tie my tennis shoes! I've made my friend, Mary, promise to tell me when I need a pedicure.

27 Weeks

Just Kickin' It

Whew! The holidays are over now, but they were so enjoyable. We took a whirlwind trip to Texas to see my brother graduate from the Air Force as a fighter pilot. He will be flying an A-10...a very awesome plane. Of course, I am a very proud sister. While we were there, Larry got to feel the babies kick for the first time!

Christmas was wonderful and Parker and Emma made out like bandits thanks to all of our family. I think they already realize they are spoiled rotten!

I had a very long break from work (11 days) and was able to get quite a bit completed. We ordered our furniture and bedding and I'm so excited to get that in. We are working to pick out a paint color for the nursery. We're thinking along the lines of a creamy yellow. We also ordered the glider and ottoman for the nursery. It is so comfortable and I know it will get a ton of use.

Parker and Emma must be growing a ton, because my baby belly grows bigger every day! Larry and I went back to see our doctor for the 24 week appointment. It looks as though everything is progressing very well. We were told that the ultrasound showed that both Parker and Emma are on track for growth and are very healthy.

We will start going to see the doctor every two weeks now. Wow, I can't believe it is already time. Of course, we are starting to go more frequently so early because we are having twins and they just want to keep an eye on them. Dr. Bell said that he wanted to make sure they didn't turn out like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito in the movie "Twins"! Did I mention that I LOVE Dr. Bell?!! The exciting news is that we will have several more ultrasounds before Parker and Emma arrive to make sure they continue to stay on track.

I can now tell a difference between Parker's and Emma's kicks. They are both very active, but not so much that they are keeping me awake at night...yet! It's so funny to me that they already have a routine. They are very active early in the morning, then they seem to nap until about 11:30 a.m. They start moving around again during lunch time, settling down some more for the afternoon, and then they're extremely active in the evening from about 6 p.m. until I go to sleep.

This weekend, we might try to paint the room. We will have to beg for help from the grandparents. I'll be sure to take before and after pics, but they won't look very exciting until we get the furniture, etc. in place.

The Day After...

Bad news...I've tried to upload the ultrasound to YouTube so it can be posted to the blog, but I can't quite figure out the technology. The rest of the truth is I'm so afraid to mess up the only copy we have of our little blessings surprise appearance! However, I can do the next best thing. I'll post the ultrasound pictures soon.

Larry and I finally got a chance to sit down together last night and let this all sink in. We couldn't be happier. We both woke up this morning and asked each other if yesterday was a dream. The good news is that it wasn't!

We spent the day revamping our plans for nursery furniture, car seats and strollers, etc. We did start a registry of a few things (two of everything) at Blessed Baby in Fort Smith. It was so overwhelming that we called it quits after a few items!

We had previously decided on using the Britax car seat because of its high safety ratings. Now that the twins will be riding closer to the sides of our car, it's even more important. Here is the link to the car seat and stroller that we will be using. All of the double strollers are so large that we just couldn't see ourselves ever utilizing one. There are two of us to push and two of them to ride...sounds like a perfect fit to me.

We "think" we've settled on the nursery furniture. We just have to measure the room to make sure the furniture will fit. We have decided on two cribs, one combo that will serve as the changing table, and a five drawer dresser. We have picked out a darker (cherry) wood tone than what is shown.

All of the planning has helped this become reality. As I've said over and over, we are just so blessed. I'm glowing and it's not just the hormones. Larry and I couldn't be happier. We are both so amazed with how excited everyone is. We are just so thankful to have so many wonderful family members and friends to share this time with.