We are having...

It's official!  We are having 2 GIRLS!!!!!!  We are overjoyed!!!! Let the shopping begin!! We went to Stork Snapshots with the grandparents to have the confirmation! The girls of course were a little shy at first, but eventually we were able to see! It was awesome to have both sets of grandparents there experiencing this pregnancy milestone with us!


They were even able to hear the heartbeats over the sound system through the Doppler. The heartbeats always bring tears to my eyes. That never gets old.

I am so happy to know my little girls have a best friend for life. My younger sisters are identical twins and they are best friends! They have a bond that is indescribable. I am so happy I am able to give my daughters a best friend for life.


They are womb-mates, already so attached and bonded in a way I will never know. :)






A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.  ~Isadora James


In thee my soul shall own combined the sister and the friend.  ~Catherine Killigrew


A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double.  ~Toni Morrison


Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply...  ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814


What's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it?  ~Jenny DeVries


Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship.  ~Margaret Mead


Bless you, my darling, and remember you are always in the heart - oh tucked so close there is no chance of escape - of your sister.  ~Katherine Mansfield


A sister smiles when one tells one's stories - for she knows where the decoration has been added.  ~Chris Montaigne


More than Santa Claus, your sister knows when you've been bad and good.  ~Linda Sunshine

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.  ~Author Unknown


When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us?  ~Pam Brown


The mildest, drowsiest sister has been known to turn tiger if her sibling is in trouble.  ~Clara Ortega


A sister is a forever friend.  ~Author Unknown


The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend.  ~Cali Rae Turner


There is no better friend than a sister.  And there is no better sister than you.  ~Author Unknown


A sibling may be the keeper of one's identity, the only person with the keys to one's unfettered, more fundamental self.  ~Marian Sandmaier


Our roots say we're sisters, our hearts say we're friends.  ~Author Unknown

Swollen Feet and Pregnancy Fun!



swollen foot next to my mom's foot



I am now into my 17th week of pregnancy and I am feeling flutters more often (mostly at night!) Also, I am experiencng swollen ankles! I have been pretty bsy at work so I have been distracted and not realizing my changing body liteally changes daily! At the end of the work day on Monday, I looked at my feet and my foot was swollen. It looked like an elephant's foot! My sister Kayla is getting married next year and all my sisters and mom met at Davids bridal to check out some dresses. I showed my sisters and mom and they said to call the doctor on-call just to be sure everything was ok being it was so soon to be experiencing this. To me, nothing really matters, I have a high tolerance of pain and any achy symptoms for that matter. The doctor immediately called me back and said to come to the office in the AM just to rule out preeclampsia. I went in and everything was fine. She did say since I am carrying twins, I will experience things sooner. This is just one of those things. She said otherwise I am looking great and appear in good shape! Phew! I am now instructed to sit and elevate when possible. Plus the nurses I work with take good care of me while I am at work. :)



16.5 weeks!



Tomorrow, Pat and I have our gender determination scan at Stork Snapshots! Finally we will hear the confirmation on the genders! We are inviting the grandparents to get a sneak peek at their grandchildren and to be there when we hear the confirmation of the genders. Also, we are going to announce their names! We just can't keep them in anymore. We want to be able to buy them personalized things for their nursery and call them by name at home and not worry if we slip in front of somebody! I feel it will make them even more real to us!  Plus, I feel I am already getting to know their personalities based on when they flutter.  It is funny because Pat even asks "Is ______ fluttering up a storm right now. I know he/she likes that."  So much fun in store...I will keep everybody posted! I love all the fun milestones of pregnancy!

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ARE IN!

Yesterday, we had an appointment with our periontologist. At first, I didnt know what to expect. She explained how high-risk I am carrying multiples and will need to be checked every 2 weeks. Well, not the babies, but me. My cervix will need to be watched like a hawk to make sure my body can hold the extra weight of a 2nd baby. They want to get a measurement on it. Yesterday, they did say it was nice and long and thick! Very reassuring! No signs of distress! I knew I was always considered high-risk, but the doctor made it sound like I am being watched like a hawk. I am 100% ok with it! Going to doctors for constant reassurance is something I that I like.

I had an ultrasound to get measurements of the babies. It was a pretty lengthy scan! My tech was very good at teaching me all about scans and what to look for. She was very involved. It was a great experience. There was a flat screen TV hanging on the wall of what the scan showed so I can see everything. Her machine was very detailed and sharp. Everything looked so sharp!I just knew she would have a good guess on the genders. Things were appearing very clear! She had some great pics! The preliminary results are in!! We are having two little GIRLS!!!! I am on cloud 9!!! They appear healthy and brain, heart, and spine all appear perfect at this point!!That was what I was worried about! I always seem to drive to these scans thinking of everything that could go wrong!! Pat tells me I need to stop. Start expecting the best! ..He is right. I think it is just the maternal nature in me to always worry.  Here are our 2 little princesses!!!

Flutters?

I am now 15.5 weeks along and I have heard from a friend that when she drank orange juice she was able to get her babies to move. Well, I thought I would give it a try because I knew I was right around the time to start feeling something with twins. I decided to give it a try! Well, I definitely felt something subtle, but knew what it was! It was my FIRST flutter!!!  I normal stop drinking liquids by 8pm unless I am thirsty because I dont want to wake up in the middle of the night several times to go to the bathroom. Well, I tried it at 930pm. Shortly after I felt something in my lower abdomen. Nothing too strong, but something. It was amazing knowing it was our babies moving around. It kept happening until about 1130pm. I couldnt sleep! I didnt want to miss this experience! I cant wait for stronger kicks! At least now I know how to wake my nuggets up! I love this feeling!!! :)

Also, I have stepped my diet up. I have protein and calcium on my mind. For those that know me, I am not an avid meat eater. (I know...weird!) Luckily my #1 craving right now are Italian beef sandwiches!! Excellent source of protein and iron! Also, calcium, calcium, calcium!!!! Pat and I are going through gallons of milk a whole lot faster!! I drink it in the morning, afternoon, and evening!!  Pat was stunned how fast I am going through milk! I have never seen him more proud of me....haha!!! I told him, I have to drink as much as possible! Our babies bones are developing and getting stronger by the day! It is up to me to give them the nutrients they need to develop strong bodies! So for now, I am a meat-eating, milk-drinking machine! and I couldnt be happier!!

14W4D

14W4D

Cravings

It is interesting to not enjoy the things I LOVED before pregnancy and the things that I CRAVE almost daily that I never really ate much of before.  Right now my craving is Italian beef sandwiches. Yummmmm! I never would order these when Pat and I would be out and about, but now I want one wherever we go! I guess it is good protein for the babies! Also, fruit!!!! I can't get enough fresh fruit!!!!!! Which reminds me we have some stocking up to do this weekend!

I havent had a milkshake in years....maybe like 7-8? maybe high school? I cant remember! I actually really wanted one from down the street, so Pat picked one up for me. Lets just say that the babies are not fans of milkshakes...hmm I was up all night feeling so sick! I will probably try it again, but maybe on a weekend night when the craving strikes! :)

I can't believe I am in my 4th month of pregnancy!! Almost halfway there!!! :)