Belly Pictures - Week 24

We have finally gotten around to taking my 6 month belly shots. My sister Morgan was at my house when Darren was taking the pictures and Darren said aloud, "Wow, I am not sure you can get much bigger!" He wasn't being mean, he was referring to my tummy, and I'd have to say I agree with him. It's just so BIG (to me) and it's so heavy. My sister Morgan went one step further and very sincerely said, "I don't even think it's that it's BIG, I think it's just FAR." Far sounds so much better than BIG. I thought that was cute and very appropriate.

I recall saying months ago that I was surprised I was even having twins because I wasn't showing, but now, there's no denying it. It's so hard to imagine what I will look like in 3 months. I'm actually kind of scared. Pregnancy with twins is going to be so different from this moment on, I think.

Good news is I have NO stretch marks what-so-ever. I am so pleased with that. I do, however, have a few additional "war wounds" to my legs. Spider veins have taken over and I do have a small varicose vein on the front of my ankle. I told Darren he owes me some plastic surgery or vein removal after this is all said done :) Call it superficial, shallow, or vain - - I think every woman deserves a little tender loving care to her body after putting her body through such an intense event.

Total weight gained (prior to the Christmas celebrations ) 20 pounds. My guess is I will be gaining another 20 more. GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P92X is calling my name after I give birth.

Week 24- I'm 6 Months Pregnant!!!!

I've finally reached what I think is a monumental month - - month 6. I'm over the half way mark and I am really glad. I cannot say that I am yet ready for my twins to enter the world, but I am really getting excited for the next few months and all that it contains (ie. our baby showers, decorating the nursery, etc. etc. etc.) All the fun stuff.

Today, Tyson joined me for my 24 week check up. My doctor allowed him to use the hand held fetal monitor and told him to find the heartbeats. He was really into it. He found the first heartbeat instantaneously. Rather impressive, I think. My doctor had to find the other heartbeat because Ty wasn't tall enough to reach it. One baby had a heartbeat of 150 and the other had a heartbeat of 132 - - it's perfectly normal for the heartbeats to be so different.

My doctor said I have only gained 20 pounds. Not too bad for having twins, I guess. I am still feeling quite PLUMP, but what can I do about it - absolutely NADA.

My next sonogram is January 6th. Darren and I plan to pay out of pocket for a 4-D DVD. This DVD will allow us to have a memory of the twins swimming my belly. That ought to be a real interesting post and you know I will share.

Clumsiness has really struck and comes as no surprise when you consider what my body's going through: I'm carrying more weight, my center of gravity has shifted with my growing uterus and hormonal changes can cause my joints to loosen, including those in my fingers and toes. I'm not at the top of my game when it comes to muscle control and coordination. I remember when I was pregnant with Ty, I fell going UP the stairs, not down. How does that happen? Today, an even more embarrassing story took place. Let me help to set the scene....

So, I am done with my doctor visit. I tell Ty that we have to stop in the bathroom because I have to go "pee pee in a cup". Ty replies, "Why do you have to go pee pee in a cup mommy!" I explain, "Well, the doctor likes to make sure that my pee is okay!" He says, "I never seen you go pee pee in a cup before, can I watch?" Of course, I have no choice, after all, who's there to babysit him while I do this! I say, "Yes honey, you have to come in with me." As we walk into the bathroom Ty starts talking about and describing the colors of each person's pee that is already sitting there. "Whoa mommy, that pee is orange!" Ah, gross. I proceed to write my name on the cup, strip down, and start to tinkle in the cup. Now, here's where the story gets funny, picture this, squatting, peeing in a cup, and having your three year old get close enough to the other end of you (from behind) saying aloud "There's no pee coming out yet!" AHHHHH.... You loose all of your dignity with children. I'm sure the people in the hallway were really getting a laugh out of this. I finally fill the cup half way and finish emptying my bladder in the toilet, when all of the sudden, SPLAT, my cup of pee spills everywhere. Oh my gosh! Talk about clumsiness. The pee went all over the floor, in the box of tampons that is provided for anyone to use, in the box of surgical gloves, and to be honest, I believe a small portion of it drizzled into the three other cups of urine sitting on the shelf. I was mortified. Meanwhile, Ty says, "Oh no... the doctor is going to yell at you mommy!" He must have said it over and over 10 times. I think it might be time to put the high heel shoes away. And needless to say, I didn't tell a soul. I know that's horrible. I couldn't bring myself to do so. I just cleaned up the mess as best I could. Moral of the story, beware when you are in the doctor office's bathrooms. You never know what just happened right before you walked in there. Gross!

Be on the look out for some belly pics tonight or tomorrow.

I hope you enjoyed the story and it wasn't TMI.

A fews 4-D pictures from Week 22 Sonogram

Can you see Baby Lilah/Lylah laying here and Baby B's leg sitting on top of her?

I love her already! She's so precious.

See Baby B's hand smooshed up against his face? He wasn't a fan of the camera. Trying to hide his face.

SMOOSHED!

These are kind of hard to see, but that's because I took a picture of the actual sonogram picture instead of scanning them into my computer. It's amazing to see how much they have grown in just a small amount of time.

Week 22 Sonogram and Check Up Results

Darren and I had an appointment last Thursday! It went really well. The babies are growing wonderfully. My doctor stated, "Your babies are measuring small, but not in a bad way. You are just going to have little babies AND you want that!" Yes, I do. If you recall, Tyson was only 5 pounds 8 ounces - arriving two weeks early. These little ones are scheduled to arrive three weeks before their due date of April 13th, so my guess is that they will more than likely be even smaller than that. I just cannot imagine a smaller baby - - okay TWO smaller babies. Currently, Lilah/Lylah is measuring at exactly 1.0 pound. Baby "B" (Boy) is measuring at 1.4 pounds. Unfortunately, Lilah/Lylah is breech right now, but my doctor said not to fear... "There is plenty of time for her to turn!" I absolutely DREAD the simple THOUGHT of a c-section. The only positive to a c-section, for me, would be the simplicity of being able to get my tubes tied at the same time, but can you believe Darren would dare say that "[he] might want a fourth!" Yea, over my dead body. LOL! Other than that, some funny news, Lilah/Lylah is really beating up on her brother in utero. It's kind of funny. She's already calling the shots. What woman doesn't?

I have been given permission to continue working out, YEAH!!!! I have gained approximately 18 pounds thus far. With Ty, I gained 34 pounds, so let's hope I don't go over that. I think that amount of weight was manageable.

The only "complaints" I really have other than weight gain is back pain. I guess it's time to invest in a good heating pad. Better yet, maybe hubby can purchase a prenatal massage for me for Christmas (hint, hint honey!). God has been really gracious during this time. I pray that is his will for the rest of the pregnancy.

Next week is Month 6 (It's hard to believe.) Be on the look out for some belly pictures.

We decided on a name for our baby Girl!

"BABY A", as my doctor knows her, has now been given a name. It started back when I was about 4 weeks pregnant: we were watching a movie and the main female character in the movie had the name. I turned to Darren and asked him what he thought of the name, should we be blessed with a little girl, and he said, "I love it! But you do realize we will be having another boy don't you?" I guess the surprise was on him. So... about a week later we went on a date and stopped at Barnes and Noble. I was doing some research, in the baby/toddler section, on a sleeping issue I was having with Ty and Darren was looking up baby names. Darren was ready to leave and said, "Can we go now?" I said, "Sure!" He said, "I'm going to shut this book, close my eyes, re-open the book and flip to a page. The first name that my finger lands on will be the name of our child!" Well, with much surprise, Darren literally chose the same name as the main female character in the movie we had discussed using. The meaning, "Free Will of God!" Even more perfect. We were in complete shock and started dying laughing. I mean what are the chances. In addition, it was the most popularly voted name on our baby name pole (not that that made a difference as ultimately the decision is ours).

So, without further ado, we would like to announce that "Baby A" will be named, Lilah Ann or Lylah Ann. We haven't decided on the spelling yet, but we just LOVE the name. For those of you who don't already know, "Ann" is my middle name, so now she will have part of mommy in her name. With both names together, it sounds a little bit country, but we know that for the most part, no one will be calling her by her full name.

We just know that she will be as beautiful as her name. Can't you just see little Lilah running around with ringlets, just like her mommy?

Bye-Bye 4-Runner...

As the saying goes, "You don't realize what you've got until it's gone!" I sure did feel that way as I unloaded my 4-runner and watched the couple who purchased it drive away. Before I found out I was pregnant, I made a slight hint or two to Darren that I was "bored" with my vehicle and would love to get something different, but Darren wouldn't entertain the idea ONE bit. He and I made a deal, when the vehicle was originally purchased, that I would keep it until it died. Well, we all know, a Toyota could last decades. So, in that respect, I'm glad that I am able to get a new vehicle, even if it is a minivan.

We received a phone call on Thursday, at 2 pm, regarding our 4-runner for sale and by 4:30 pm it was purchased and removed from our garage. A lucky 18 year old was getting it as an early graduation gift. Tyson and I watched as they drove away and sadly I heard Ty cry out, "I don't want a minidan!" Yes, a "minidan" is what he calls it. He has been esctatic about getting one until he saw my vehicle drive away. Afterall, that was "mommy's car", the only car he has known since he's been born.

I guess our search for a new vehicle will take place soon enough. I did have an opportunity to drive my step-mom's Toyota Sienna over Thanksgiving and I must say, it's a smooth, safe, and practical ride, not to mention there are many fabulous mommy and children perks. I'm also VERY thankful, that in an economy like this, we were able to sell our car before purchasing our new one. Another reason to thank God!!!

Half Way There!

On November 26th, I had my 20 week check up with Dr. Swisher. Since we were leaving to go out of town that day, I told Darren not to worry about coming to the doctor appointment, but I had "Big Brother", Ty, come with me. He was so excited to accompany me. He was able to hear the heartbeats and after the appointment he called Darren and told him, "I got to hear my babies heartbeats!" I thought that was sweet.

The babies are still doing great. Their weight and their heartbeats are just where they should be. They are approximately the size of a red bull can.

I am ALSO growing. :( I have now gained 17 pounds. I realize it's inevitable, but it's slightly disappointing to watch myself gain weight. It's all for the right reasons though. I am still working out everyday (Monday through Friday) and hope to NEVER have to give that up throughout my pregnancy.

Enjoy viewing the pictures below of the OUR growth. It's hard to imagine what I will look like in 4 months from now considering these pictures below are what I looked like when I was about 7 months pregnant with Tyson. I have to keep reminding myself that my belly has two babies in it and not one.