16 week appointment

At my sixteen week appointment, I was 16 week 6 days pregnant. As I mentioned in the previous post, I have been experiencing round ligament pain so I really wanted to know that things looked ok. I measure about 18 weeks and the heart rates were 168 on the right and 151 on the left. Dr. Brown did do an ultrasound in the office again and the first picture is their measurements. Each picture shows the top of a head and then them curled up. It seem that the heads were by eachother and then the bodies went out to my sides. The next picture shows one spine and the other baby's face. The baby measurements are not really accuate yet but it seems like one is a little smaller than the other. My next appointment is October 9th. My first big ultrasound will be that day and we will hopefully find out what genders they are! I'm really excited. We will tell so don't be scared. This pregnancy is really different so that has been a challenge. I still cannot believe there are two babies. The biggest announcement lately is that Jack and the twins are going to have another cousin. Yes, that is right, Katelyn will be a big sister! I am so happy to experience pregnancy again with Kristen. She is due April 12th, 2009.

Growing

In this picture taken at 16 weeks, it doesn't seem like I've grown alot. Now that I am 18 weeks, I feel bigger and cannot sit in scruntched postion for long periods of time. I feel the babies move now from time to time, not really on any schedule but enough to know they are there. I have alot of round ligment pain in my abdomen which I did not experience with Jack so that is a big change because any pain seems scarey. I'm still tired quite a bit but I have bursts of energy every once in a while.

Always guessing.

I listened to the heartbeats today. I'm not sure if I'm really hearing two different ones or not because I'm not a doppler expert but it was sure fun to hear! The rates I counted were anywhere between 152 and 168. It seems like they move around so much and the one on the left was much more cooperative. I have kind of been thinking there could be one of each but today I thought maybe there are two boys. I did however think Jack was a girl most of my pregnancy so my "feelings" in that area have proven to be less than reliable. Who knows, it's fun to wonder, just pray that they are both healthy.

First Profile Pic

Hopefully, I will post a monthly photo of my growth. I'm not looking the most attractive in this picture but who needs make-up. Anyway, now there will be a reference for my progress.

They're moving around!

The appointment went really well-PRAISE THE LORD! Jay was able come to the appointment with me yesterday too so that made it all the more special. The exam, etc. went as expected and Dr. Brown set February 28th, 2009 as the offical due date. Prior to listening to the heartbeat, I told him that I had to tell him something. So I said I had had an ultrasound at work because of the feeling that there were twins and that we did in fact see two. There was a small attempt to hear the heartbeat and then we did an ultrasound (because there needs to be a indication). Then we saw them!!!!!!!! Both moving around with strong heartbeats. One seemed more active and one seemed more laid back and cooperative but maybe that was just at that moment. They both measure around 12 weeks (not exact measurements really because it was just an office ultrasound and not done by an ultrasound tech) so they are a good size and measure right how far along I am. I'm 13 weeks today. I guess 34-37 weeks is a good gestation period for twins so we could start to expect them late January to early February.

The appointment schedule changes with a twin pregnancy. My next appointment is September 18th and my 20 week ultrasound is scheduled for October 9th so then we may know what sex they are! I will have an ultrasound every 4 weeks and start every 2 week appointments after 24 weeks so that will be a lot. Then a 28 weeks, they start non-stress tests to make sure the babies are doing ok. It all seems overwhelming at times but I feel so blessed to be having two babies and pray that it will be a healthy pregnancy with healthy babies.

Tomorrow is the appointment!

I am so excited for tomorrow; it seemed sooooooo far away a week or two ago. I'm looking forward to this. I cannot wait to hear both heartbeats and have an offical ultrasound. I have been feeling pretty good the last couple of days but today I was a little more tired and feeling a little sick. It is funny how I worry when symptoms are here and also when they are gone. I need to not be anxious and pray and be thankful-I think I've heard that somewhere before ( paraphase Philippians 4:6). We'll let you know how it goes!

I guess I'm going to be busy.

It's weird, and don't necessarily take offense if you've said this to me, but I am already tired of some responses I get from people when they find out we're having twins. The two worst have been "the look of pity" which means, "I'm really sorry" and when I say we are very excited then I hear, "oh you are, that's good" as if there was ever some sort of disappointment. Also, "you will be busy"-really because I'm kind of bored now so a least I'll have something to do. I find it so refreshing when people are just excited as one would think you would be when you find out about a new life. And offering to help instead of dwelling on how busy I'll be-I really appreciate these family and friends! I often think about how nice it is for Jack to have Kate so close to his age and now the twins will be close to their age too. I hope they are all great friends. What a blessing it is to have our children close in age to eachother and their cousin. It's alomst scarey at times when God answers your prayers; we are so undeserving but He is so loving and faithful! I'm still anxiously awaiting our appointment on Thursday-I'll write as soon as I can that evening!