Hospital Stay

Because I had a C-section, we were able to stay in the hospital for 5 days....Monday (day of induction) to Friday. It was really nice to be there and get all the help I did....and stay in bed after major surgery. We had a lot of visitors....Walter's parents and grandparents, my parents, Crystal, Kristal, the Kvardas, Julie and Cindy, David, Lauren and her mom, Bri and Jeff, JJ and Susie, Kathy and Alexandra.....I think I got everyone, if not I am sorry....I truely am grateful and appreciative that you came and saw us. My mom was there everyday and Dad showed up in the evenings. Walter spent every night in the hospital with me on the little chair by my bed.

Some highlights from our hospital stay:

• Both babes lost a lot of weight....Chloe lost 13oz and Corvin lost 11oz...this concerned the doc, so after we left we went and saw our pediatrician the next day and three more times in a month to make sure they were gaining properly and they were.
• Corvin wasn't getting enough from my colostrum and ended up losing his voice within 2 days. We ended up supplementing with formula for both babes by day 2.
• Had a ton of flowers and balloons in our room, the nurses kept telling how loved I was :-) boy did we know :-D
• Chloe had a hard time latching and didn't end up eating for the first 24 hours-ish and when she did latch she had a hard time getting on and ended up making my nipple bleed. Good thing I was still at the hospital and had access to a wonderful nurse and lactation nurse.
• FINALLY got to eat Monday morning! and finally got to take a shower on Tuesday! (had to wait because of surgery)
• By the end of Monday, I had all of the tubes and hoses out....it was soooo nice to be free.
• Ended up with an allergic reaction to the morphine like pain killer and had to switch to Vicadin. Got really really itchy!
• Walter helped out sooo much at night with the babes. Would go for walks with them at night to help soothe them and to let me sleep.
• The nurses helped him out and took the babes a couple of times to let us sleep....was hard at first....felt like I was being a bad mom not having my babes with me.
• Dr Rogers said I was healing nicely and that the scar looked good.
• Corvin got his circumcision.
• Walter and I had a celebration lunch of steak and cheesecake and other delicious treats.
• Got to go home on Friday!

Walter taking a nap in the comfy chair next to my bed

Proud Grandparents (my parents)

This is lovingly known as the Yin-Yang picture :-)

Me and my beautiful twins!

Arriving at home at last!

Labor & Delivery Cont....

After we were wheeled back into the room, Walter and I got some alone time with the babies. We were sooo overjoyed. They were both so healthy and beautiful. It's something I will never forget, holding those two brand new babies and they were happy and so awake. Corvin stayed awake for about 3 hours if not more after he was born.

Corvin Ryder Phillips...6lbs 14oz 19in...born at 1:17am

Chloe Rebekah Phillips....7lbs 1oz 19.5in....born at 1:19am

After a bit, Mom came in and we handed her a baby. She was so funny....at first she was kinda like "No....they are so tiny....nothing like you and your brother!" (B was 9lbs13oz and I was 10lbs1.5oz) Eventually we had to give Chloe to the nurse, she was a little on the cold side and needed to be under the heat lamp in our room. Walter went and got the rest of the family....when he did Corvin heard him leave and started to cry until he heard Walter's voice coming back into the room. Crazy how he already felt comfort with his daddy's voice.

Visitors after babes were born

Chloe under the warming lights....sunbathing beauty already!

After like 4am everyone had gone and it was just Walter, me, the babes and nurses. The twins got their first baths and were sleeping. I, on the other hand, was put on a morphine like drip to help with the pain as the epi was wearing off and as they manipulated my tummy....they were worried about some clotting issues with me. Eventually I got to go to sleep....ahhhhhhh....

It was the most difficult and most rewarding day ever! I can see why my dad says what he does about mothers.....God makes women stupid....we forget all the pain and suffering and get pregnant again.....why not....we get the best gift ever afterwards......new life!

Labor & Delivery

WARNING: THIS IS A REALLY LONG BLOG :-D

Ok let's start with labor....So August 17th was the inducing date. At this point I was about 80% effaced and about 2cm dilated.

Dad dropped Mom off at our house around 6:30am to french braid my hair (wanted to make sure it wasn't going to get in the way). We left the house around 7:15am and got to the hospital and checked in around 7:45am. They showed me back to room 713 (the biggest on the floor), had me change into my hospital gown and stated finishing checking me in in the room while they were hooking up the monitors (two for babes and one for contractions) and IV. They hooked me up to Pitocin to get the labor started. Labor really didn't start until Dr. Rogers broke Corvin's water around 12:30, I was still only at about 2-3cm. Man was that the weirdest feeling. Felt like I was peeing in bed, especially with each contraction as it would get a little gush. At this time they also upped my Pitocin trying to get labor going. I had family visitors off and on that day checking in.

(Me just after check-in....and no that's not my belly button poking out(it just stretched)...it's the other monitor)

Later in the afternoon, after going to the bathroom a bunch and having the hassle of all the monitor adjusting afterwards and picking up one baby's heartbeat in both monitors, they doctor had a scalpel monitor put in for Corvin's heartbeat and then a internal contraction monitor was put in to get a better read on the strength of my contractions....totally uncomfortable! I am not sure when, but after different nurses all day, I finally got my labor and delivery nurse, Mindy. She was super nice. Around dinner time my parents, Walter's parents and grandparents had stopped by and were trying to keep me company as they kept upping my Pitocin. Shortly there after the contractions really started to come and everyone left but Walter, my mom and Walter's mom. I really couldn't have done this part without Walter and my mom. Walter was great at coaching me along and mom was the best at helping keeping me breathing...something I forget to do when I get in pain or have to concentrate. Walter's mom was really nice to offer to hold the puke bucket for me....I got really close but nothing ever came.

At about 9pm Dr Rogers came back and checked me, I was finally at 5cm.....13 hours and I had only gotten 3 cm bigger. Since I was at 5cm, Dr Rogers said I could have my epidural. I said yes mainly as a precaution in case there was going to be any problems with Chloe after Corvin was delivered. They had to put a catheter in (thank goodness....I was tired of getting up to go to the bathroom with all the cords and paraphernalia) but Mindy missed and Dr Rogers came in and put it in for her....I felt that for weeks after every time I moved my right leg....after I received the epi, I took a 2 hour nap.

Around 12am, Dr Rogers came back for another check....I was still at 5cm and pretty much fully effaced. No change. So now we had to discuss other options since there wasn't any additional progress and it had be about 12 hours since Corvin's water was broken and the risk of infection was going up with every minute now and he had to be delivered within the next 12 hours (once your water is broken they like to deliver the baby within 24 hours). Dr Rogers spoke the hard truth that I had only dilated about 3 cm since I came in around 8am...and she didn't want to wait longer for any additional slow progress. Time was of an essence now. The conclusion was that my uterus was soo distended that it was being able to contract like it needed to get progression (yes I was getting contractions). So the next hour was spend prepaing me a C-Section.

(Walter in his scrubs to come with me into the OR.)

(Last prego picture of me just before being wheeled into the OR.)

Once in the OR things happened so fast. They rolled me onto the operating table, put up this bar and draped my gown and another drape over it so I couldn't see below, put really warm towels on my upper body and legs (I was shaking so bad from all of the hormones and lack of sleep and food), and the anesthesiologist started talking to me to get me to relax and be comfortable. He was great letting me know when I would feel pressure and giving me the heads up in case I need something.

There were 2 nurses for each baby, my labor and delivery nurse, Dr Rogers and another assisting doctor, the anesthesiologist, Walter and Me....that's 9 people with 2 more on the way....crazy! When Dr Rogers cut in she made 2 comments: "Wow, there's like no fat, you are all baby!" and "Oh my God! They are each the size of ONE 38 week baby!" With each baby she would bring them out and show me over the drapes and then bring them off to my right to show me them. Then Walter went over to help dry them off and then they brought them to him while he sat by my head and showed me my two new wonderful goregous babies. I kinda forgot what was going on and was just in love with them. We made the most beautiful babies!

They finished cleaning me up and sewing me back together and then wheeled me back to my room with each baby in my arms. Walter and I spent some time by ourselves before we had everyone else join us.

(The new family....Corvin is on the left and Chloe is on the right)

I will share the rest of the night and my hospital experience in my next blog :-) Gotta go feed babies!

I AM BACK!!!

Hey All!!! I know you all have been patiently awaiting the return of my blogging!! :-D

I am going to slowly and surely put up bits of the last almost 7 weeks!! (Yeah, really it's been that long!) I will add little stories starting from the last blog to the most recent activities!

Loves!

When are they coming????

So tomorrow I am going to be induced (unless by some miracle they come on their own tonite :-)). We have to be at the hospital tomorrow at 7:30am to start the "festivities" :-D. So please pray for us and send us happy thoughts! You never know, by this time tomorrow the twins could be here!

Updates

So dear blog readers, I guess I owe you a posting...or more...ooops....it's not like i have been terribly busy, just that the computer is upstairs (i know poor excuse) and I am supposed to be sitting with my feet up......

So just after my appointment on the 30th, I went in the afternoon for probably what will be my last growth ultrasound....sad :-(....but we got great news....the babies are growing fantastically and they were (at that time) almost 6lbs each. Corvin was 6lbs 2oz and Chloe was 5lbs 15oz.....big but very healthy babies. Walter couldn't come with me, so mom did. She had a fantastic time. We got some pictures, but as they are getting bigger it's hard to get many good shots. We did get to see Corvin practicing breathing (which we were told they don't do unless they feel absolutely content) which then turned into hiccups :-) and Chloe had her ear to Corvin's heart and we could see the hair on her head. Dr. Rogers is very happy with their progress.

The following Sunday I went in for my first of three Non Stress Tests.....basically they stick 3 monitors on my tummy....one for each baby's heart beat and one to monitor my contractions. The just of the test is to make sure they are moving and that they have regular movements and corresponding increases and decreases with contractions and to movements. The doctor and nurses are very pleased with the twins and say they are doing beautifully. (this last Sunday I had my second NST and again everything looks wonderful!!)

Also, at the last NST (yesterday) the on call doctor wanted to check my cervix....I am dialated up to 2cm now.....YAY!!!

Today has been interesting....I have been having more regular contractions, yet still irregular enough not to go in....the doctor and nurse yesterday think I won't make it to my induction date (next Monday the 17th) I am praying for that :-) I want to be able to hold my little ones. Walter and I just can't wait to be parents. The anticipation is starting to get to us :-D Pray for us tonite and the next few days...I have a feeling they are coming soon!!!!!!!

3 Blissful Years!

HAPPY 3RD ANNIVERSARY!!!!

I can't believe it's been 3 years since the most precious and spectacular day that we joined as husband and wife!!

Love you Babe with all my heart!!!

36 Week Baby Scoop!

So today is officially 36weeks for the trinity! For a singleton baby, this would be considered full term. I had another weekly doctor appointment today. Doc says that I am a model patient and that I am still doing wonderfully with my health...still low blood pressure and not over gaining weight! She said subjectively that by my cervix and the way the babies are she's thinking that maybe, is her guess, that I may go into labor on my own within possbily the next 10days???!!!??? EEE!!! I am sooo excited!

She checked my cervix again today...and I am about 80% effaced. Corvin's head is not settling down on the cervix though (he's still the furthest one down) and the doc said that it's still pretty round for this stage. So I am going in for another growth ultrasound this afternoon to check the twins' progress and see how big they are. We could run into the same problem my mom had with me and my bro, where our heads didn't cone and stayed round and couldn't come out the canal.....soooo we will see. And then on Sunday she wants me to go to the hospital to do monitoring of the twins.

The doc is excited, and I think she really wants to be the one to deliver the babies. She's absolutely wonderful. She's going on vacation next Wednesday, and I think that's why she wants me to get all this in ASAP, so she knows where we're at and it's allll goood!

The sad part about this is that Dad and Bub left today to take Bub out to N. Carolina for Teach for America. I was really hoping they could be here for this, I know it's going to kill both of them not be able to be here.

Happy Birthday Bub!!

HAPPY 22ND BIRTHDAY!!

And they used to think I was the ham in the family......you learned from the best!! Happy Birthday Bub, hope you are having a fantastic birthday in Chicago.....All four of us are wishing you the best!!!! LOVES!!!

In Case you were wondering--Faternal Twins at 36 Wks

I know it's a bit graphic and it's like a week ahead, but this is kinda what the twins look like right now.


The babies are shedding their downing hair and some of the vernix. They are swallowing it (yummy) and it will come out during their first bowel movements as meconium. They are now squishing the bladder more and the uterus is doing more braxton-hicks.

Ready at the start

We received really good news at my doctor's appointment on Friday......Chloe has flipped and is now head down! If I think about it, I think it happened last weekend. She was really moving and groovin'. :-D This is such a relief, although I was ok with her being breech. But now we don't have to worry about trying to wait for her to flip or flipping her manually (which I don't think would be very comfortable!) Just pray she stays that way! Doctor said that I am still doing really good my blood pressure is great (110/60) and that there's no signs of preeclampsia! I think she starting to get really excited too! Tuesday (Bub's bday) I have my next appointment and we are going to start checking my cervix! We are getting so close!

I am not sure when, but my body is definitely preparing. I have been getting stronger braxton-hicks contractions and I can actually say now, that I have had a few actual contractions this weekend......had two yesterday (one in the morning and one at night....nothing yet today).....The twins are going to be here soon!

Here's the latest belly picture! (Click on the picture to enlarge it)

Latest Appointment

I had another doctor appointment last week....we are going to start going weekly now. Doctor said that the trinity is doing very well. My blood pressure is doing great....really hasn't changed all that much. My weight gain is fine and that she's really happy with our progress.

The good news is that if they decide to come now, the doctor isn't going to stop labor, but it would be preferable that we make it to 34 weeks....which is this Thursday!!!! Holy Cow! I can't believe we are soo close now! We are getting excited, yet very anxious and nervous. I feel like I am living everyday now with so much precaution and nervousness. Walter doesn't want me to "roam" too far away from the house and the hospital....he's such a great husband and soon-to-be dad, he takes good care of the trinity!

I don't want to not be pregnant to a certain degree, but long periods of sleep are getting hard to come by now....I am waking up every 2-3 hours either to roll me and my tummy to the other side or to go to the bathroom. And sitting for too long gets me all stiff.....but the great part about being this pregnant is that Walter is able to talk to the babies and have them respond. He's getting more excited everytime....he talks to them at least 2-3 times a day....and he's always got his hand(s) on my tummy. I can't tell him to go away...it makes me just soo excited!

Well, the load of baby laundry is almost ready to switch to the dryer and I can feel my feet swelling a little.....so we are going to say goodnight....Loves to you all!

Nursery Time!

So Walter and I finally finished the babies' nursery like 15 min ago! I am sooo excited. There's still somethings that can be done, but I am not sure yet what I want to do. Yes, I know, we are still missing the diaper pails and diapers, but Walter and I decided to do clothe diapers. And we are going to do diaper service for awhile (shout out to my parents for giving us two months and Ann & Alexa for another month!!!)...so that won't be delivered until August 5th, or earlier if the twins come early....just gotta make a phone call.

Everything we wanted to get done is done for their room, so we can breathe with a sigh of relief!

This is from the doorway looking into their room

This is on the left....Corvin's crib (which is actually about 24 years old...it's my old crib :-)) and Mom's rocking chair from when we were babies :-)

This is to the right....Chloe's crib and Bubba's old dresser we are borrowing

The rest of the dresser and their closet and a little bookshelf for all of the great books we got!

Now, all that is missing is our two precious little ones! Can't wait to show them their room!

Watermelon Babies

So on the 4th Walter and I were headed over to my parents' house in the early afternoon and we went to pick up some food on the way there....chips and a watermelon. It was a rather quick trip....that was after we decided to not buy the cherries ($3.99/lb...holy crap!). Once we got back into my truck, which was really packed up because we were heading over there pretty much for the day and Walter put the watermelon on his lap (18.5 lbs), we were only going to be driving like another mile and half to mom and dad's. So I have one of those e-brakes in my truck that you engage by stepping on and then releasing with the lever.....well, with the watermelon on his lap Walter reeeeaaached for the lever and grunted. I couldn't help myself and started to laugh....then told him "Now you know what it's like to be me!" He grinned and laughed....it continued to be a joke all the way to mom and dad's.

As we were walking in, we told my parents of the little "simulation", and dad got a little protective and told Walter to stop teasing me. Walter and I looked at each other and I piped up and said I started it and that it's ok....dad just kinda looked at us and said ok.....hehe!

Waiting.....and pondering.....

It's getting harder and harder to wait. After the baby shower last weekend I am getting antsy! But on the other hand, I feel like I need a little more time....and of course energy :-) before they come so I can prepare their room and the house and us! Which, I know, the preparing us isn't ever going to be as much as we will want :-D They are moving more and more and the movements are getting larger....I have the world's most lumpiest tummy lately. Most of the time it's our little boy poking out, while our little girl is moving her little feet near my pelvic bone and tickling it and my upper thigh (yea...my tummy is sitting on my lap....weirdest feeling!) or they are both moving and reacting to the other one. It's always soo comforting to feel them move....makes me feel like everything is ok....but there's those times when they both get going...I kinda feel left out...

Last nite was our last class for our childbirth classes....can't believe those 7 weeks went by sooo fast, but I am feeling more and more confident in our abilities to get through the hard intensity of labor. In a way I can't wait to do this with Walter. He always has my best interests at heart and he was soo good in classes asking questions and soaking up different techniques for helping me through labor. He's going to be such a good coach/partner and I don't think I could do this without him....In a way, I have been viewing this as a partnered activity...don't know why, I know I will be doing the hard work ;-) but he's got to be able to help me through it and these classes has made me feel closer and more trusting of his abilities to help me through it all. I can't wait to see him afterwards holding one of our little ones! He's going to be such a great dad!

Bedding!

So yeah I know I told you all like months ago that I got the bedding for the crib. Well, Walter and I decided that since we have to get two sets of bedding and it happens to be a boy and a girl, why not just get color appropriate sets :-) So we returned the monkey set (on the 89th day of the 90 day return policy...phew!) and we put these on our registry......



We ended up with a bunch of gifts cards (thank you to all those who gave them to us!) and I just bought them tonite and a neutral hamper and diaper stacker! I can't wait til they get here! When they get here and I have washed them and put them on the cribs, and I have finished decorating....I promise there are pictures to come!

(BTW I could have about 2.5 weeks left.....scary huh???)

Updated Tummy Pics

More Ultrasound Pictures

Here are some more ultrasound pictures. They are from last Friday, 6/19. According to their head, tummy and femur measurements, Baby A is 3lbs 8oz and Baby B is 3lbs 6oz. Oh! and he's head down and has pushed her little feet aside (yes, she's breech....but she can turn even in delivery) and has decended a little!

Baby B--the girl

Baby B again....if you look closely you can see her staring at you...her nose is about right in the center of the picture and in the actual picture it looks like she might be sticking out her tongue (takes after her parents well...;-))

Baby A--Boy

Weeks 29-32:Squash

So I know I am really behind, it's been crazy lately...I feel like I need an extra day off to get anything done!


Babies' energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Babies are also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

The twins are moving like crazy. My tummy is starting to look like the ocean, waves rolling across my belly. It makes it easier to share now with Walter and he likes to just come up and touch my belly feeling for them.

Baby Registry Sale

So just in case you were wondering there's some really good sales online for some of the things we registered for! Some of them end June 18th.......

Our Babies' Registry

Glucose Testing

Two weeks I had to go in for my Glucose Screening Test. I had to chug down this AWFUL! drink that tasted like warm flat orange pop! Then Brandon took me to the lab to get my blood drawn one hour later. I found out the next day that my glucose was too high....which I was warned it could be because I'm having twins and that there's old age diabetes in the family. I was totally bummed out! It was actually kinda hard news to take, kinda felt like I was supposed to be taking care of myself for this test and I failed at my one of my first runs at mommy duty. But thanks to my mommy, she helped me to see that it was okay and that it is the situation and not me. The best mom!

So because I didn't pass the first test I had to take a 3 hour test. They drew my blood before I had any glucose drinks again (and after 10 hours of fasting...tell about it...i had basically three mouths to feed...I was hungry!) then I downed another glucose drink, but this time they had had it in the fridge and it tasted like super sweet lemon-lime pop, and it had twice the amount of glucose than the first drink. So then I had an hour to do whatever, but just to stay within in the hospital and then they would take my blood again....i brought a good book :-) and this repeated for the next 2 hours...total of four blood draws....I found out the next morning that I passed with flying colors and my doc was sooo happy and was very pleased with my results!

Ultrasound 5/29/09

Here are some pictures from our last ultrasound. It was a growth ultrasound, basically they measured the babies and the fluid around them to make sure everything is going fine....and everything is! The estimate they are about 2lbs and 6oz each! And Baby Boy is head down.....now we just have to pray he stays that way!

This is a profile view of our baby girl

This is a frontal view of our little boy's face!

Let's see how to describe....the white hill in the center is his cheek and to the right of that there are two black circles....those are his eyes and to the left is his mouth.....We couldn't get a profile of him, because his darling sister was kicking and putting her behind in his face so he ended facing us!

Belly Updates

Head out First

Soooo...Wednesday I had my last month to month appointment. For the next 4-5 weeks, it will be visits every two weeks. I have also scheduled 2 more ultrasounds. The doctor wants to have these to measure their growth and make sure they are progressing properly. She wanted one as soon as possible. So next Friday I will have the first one and then another 3 weeks later. In addition to that...I have to do a test for gestational diabetes....I am supposed to drink this little plastic bottle filled with orange liquid that supposed to be pretty bad and taste like flat pop. Then go in within an hour to have my blood drawn (Bdon is coming with me just in case) to see how fast my body is digesting the glucose.

So at the appointment on Wednesday, the doctor said I am looking really good. Didn't say I was gaining too much (as of to date I have gained 30 lbs...:-O...i will gain more too because there's two babies) and we did the little ultrasound like we do at every appointment. Well, the good news, still no stretch marks :-) Bad news: at this point in time, both of the babies are in breech positions. You maybe saying to yourself, "eh she's got time" but the doc at the previous appointment had mentioned that between 24-28 weeks is when their positions become, for the most part, permanent, as they are growing they are running out of room faster than a singleton baby would and turning is not so easy at later dates. If neither flip, its a cesaerean for me....I know its not all that bad, but I don't want to have to try to focus on healing and being careful with myself as well as trying to be a great mom to 2 babies.

I am trying to think positive, I am only at 26 weeks....there's still a chance they will flip, or at least he will. If he flips at least than we will be ok, and then we can try to flip her during labor if necessary. I think the doc was a little disappointed, but hey that's life. I am trying to keep positive, but good thoughts and prayers sent this way wouldn't hurt and would be greatly appreciated :-)

Other than that, I am measuring at about 31cm, about 4-6 weeks ahead of a singleton baby. This is normal and I am at where I should be. The doc is very pleased. We also discussed what date I should put on my pre-registration form for expected delivery, and Dr. Rogers said she won't let me go past August 17th....so we know they will be here by at least then if I don't go into labor sooner. With twins, they don't like to go past 38 weeks...the babies start running out of room with less fluids and there are some risks.

I can't wait for the ultrasound next week. It's exciting now...I have something almost every week for a while now. :-)

Oh! Walter and I have also signed up for Childbirth Preparation classes at Stevens Memorial Hospital...which is where I will be delivering. (And for most of you, yes, that is where Mom delivered both Bdon and me :-) Full Circle.) The classes are for 7 weeks and we will be going over breathing techniques and childbirth as well as newborn care and breastfeeding! I am excited. We are the only ones with twins, and I think, if I remember correctly, the only one with a boy too....weird huh?

Oh! wow this ended up really long....well I better go, lunch is almost over...Loves to you all!

Month 6: Eggplant

So I am officially starting the third trimester!

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up the babies' heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving the babies a healthy pink glow. The babies are also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and the babies will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

The Big Ultrasound Appointment~Perfect Pair

Ok, Ok, I know this is like a month late, but hey, I have been in tax season and studying/taking my CPA exams. :-P

So here goes:

On April 8th we had the big ultrasound appointment. We were scheduled for 2 hours. Seems long....it was...but totally worth it. We started off with me and my full bladder. The tech, Jennifer, took a quick peek at a few things and then at my cervix, which is plenty long and will help with carrying the twins longer. Then it was off to the bathroom to empty and continue.

So after that Jennifer asked if we wanted to know the sexes of the babies and we decided yes. Which was a good thing because she went right to Baby B and saw that it was the little boy! Walter was just grinning. He had been talking to them and teasingly saying "One of you in there better be a boy" :-) We spent about a half hour to 45 mins with him taking pictures and then moved on to Baby A. Which we found out was going to be our little girl! We were soooo thrilled that we are going to have one of each. Best of both worlds...the perfect pair!

The appointment was long and I was starting to get uncomfortable and had to keep moving, but Jennifer was totally ok with it and even offered to let me stand and walk around/stretch if I needed. But what made it all worth while was that we got to see EVERYTHING! I mean everything. Besides having this appointment to determine the sexes (which is just a side advantage) we were there to make sure they were healthy and growing well. Jennifer literally went from toes to head measuring their leg and arm bones; looking at their spines for spina bifida (neither have); we got to see their lungs, bladders, diaphrams, and even all four quadrants of their hearts! She also measured their heads and their bellies and we got to see both hemispheres of their brains. It was absolutely AMAZING!!!! I was just glued to the screen watching everything. We even got to see our little girl yawn!

Oh! We also found out at this appointment that the due date had been moved up to 8/27/09 (two days earlier). Their measurements also indicated that they were another 2 days ahead of that.....boy oh boy! I think we are looking for early August. Based on their measurements, they are also a gram apart 304 and 305...which is about 11oz each. Doc and tech both said that's about as close as we could ever possible be. :-D Our little ones know how to do it!

We also found out that they are what is called a Di-Di pregnancy, two placentas and, obviously, two separate eggs/sacks. They told us it's an ideal pregnancy. YAY! At my follow up appointment too, we discussed vaginal vs c-section and we will find out what is most likely going to happen by my next appointment later this month. But the doc said they perfer vaginal over scheduling c's. So please pray for us that our little boy is head down and the our little girl follows suit!

And after all the basic measuring, they gave us 4-D pictures of each little one. (To see the latest sonograms, click either one of the picture links to the right) :-D It was soo crazy to be able to look at them like that, and see all the contours of their faces and bodies....just makes me all that more excited for them to come!

We fell in love with our tech. She was soo nice and answered every question we had about what we were looking at and what she was measuring and looking for. And since we are having twins, we have at least one more ultrasound appointment, which she let us know we could have her do that appointment if we wanted her to. She likes to follow the pregnancies and watch the progressions! Totally am going to ask for her next time!

Walter and I are soo happy and soo excited!

Month 5: Papya

Watch what you say -- babies are now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that babies find gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and their little faces are fully formed. And, babies' starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

I am now totally feeling every little movement and walter has felt them a few times! Not much too exciting...well besides feeling them move...just starting to get the aches and pains...mainly in back from sitting too long. Walter is really good about getting me out on sunny and nice days for walks....although we have to watch it, we sometimes get a little carried away and i am very tired when we get back, but I will need that strength later :-)

Week 21: Banana :-P

Babies gulp down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those tastd buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future children to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

So I think this will be the only time that you will see that there's a banana in me ;-) (BTW still NO cravings for that icky thing :-P)

They babies have been getting more and more active all day long! It's great, I think here really soon, Walter will be able to feel them. I just had my second to last month-to-month appointment on Friday 4/17, and the doc says everything is still looking great (I know I know, I need to put up the details from my ultrasound visit, I promise this is coming soon)....the pictures are at the right...at the link: "Click here for more pictures"....

Oh My Gosh......Cantalope--Week 20

A Cantalope! wow...and there's two in there! So just quickly recapping the week, besides the big appointment, they have been very busy moving a lot and have made gain a bunch of weight, not that much but....it's steadily climbing!

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed! (Yup....we know that! :-D)

Really Quick

Gotta be quick, supposed to be studying for CPA exam.....

So if you were wondering still....we are having a boy and a girl! Perfect pair....AH! We are so excited....promise pictures to come (I just have to scan the whole bunch of sonograms)!

LOVES!

Walter Moment

So last night I was sitting on the couch and Walter was rubbing my belly, then pushing slightly up to see if it would jiggle....which it doesn't....then it went like this:

Walter: hehe....at least your firm....
Derrei: **smile** you're a gomer....
Watler: hey, you've got a solid 2-pack!

I have to admit I kinda lost it....I was laughing soo hard...:-) My sweet sweet husband...always seeing the positive :-D!!

Week 19: Mango

Not much different this week, except they are getting more and more mobile! I feel them at least 3-4 times a day. Yesterday, I was reclined on the couch and studying with my arms resting on my belly (yes we are already getting that big) and I am pretty sure I felt them move with my arm. YAY! Now I can share it with Walter, he is very non-chalant about it, but I know he will be excited.

Don't forget to check the blog on this Wednesday.....I will post what we are having!!!

Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats babies' skin, shielding them from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if babies are premature.

Week 18: Sweet Potato

We are doing great. I have been feeling the babies move at least every other day, if not every day! I realized this morning getting ready for work, that I have been feeling better and not really having a ucky tummy! FINALLY!!! :-D My tummy is continuing to grow and it's getting to be harder to find clothes in my closet that I can still wear! I can't wait for them to start moving enough that Walter can feel them, it's such a wonderful feeling!

(BTW this is the ugliest reference to the babies...it's got hair and just doesn't give you a good happy feeling ;-)) Our babies have become amazingly mobile (at least compared to me), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, babyies' finally big enough that I'll be able to feel those movements soon.

Statehood Quarters!

So I finally got my last two quarters I have been looking for and now my collection is complete. Walter got me the great display board for Christmas. I was soo excited!

Week 17:Onion

Look at this, I am actually on time today!! And I have been feeling the babies...alot more in the last few days actually. It feels like little muscle spasms or little bubbles. AH! It makes me smile everytime I feel it!Babies' skeletons are hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

Doc Appt 3/19

So today I had a short visit with the doctor to see how the babies and I are doing. Today's visit started off with her feeling my belly (which is becoming more and more tight), and just a discussion of how I am feeling and any concerns. Besides being sleepy and a perpetual stuffy nose, I am doing just fine. We also got to see the babies again...always refreshing...on an old-school 3x3 inch monitor. She showed us where the placentas are, the top baby has it on the backside (so closer into my body....closest to my back) and the bottom baby's is on the top of the sack. I should feel the lower one more than the top one because of the placement of the placentas. This led to a discussion about feeling the babies move and self monitoring. If I am having a hard time telling that both are moving, then there's an option to be monitored once a week at like 30-32 weeks, but she really wants to avoid that....she doesn't want us to have to worry about paying for that, but if it's what we have to do then that's what we will do, but we have a while before having to worry about that. The last thing she did was measure my abdomen, and I am at 22-23 centimeters....she said all in all I am doing great, just make sure I keep up with a good diet and exercise.

I had to schedule 2 more appointments. One is the monthly appointment which is 4/17 @ 3:20pm. And the second appointment is the exciting one!!!! We had to schedule a 2 hour session for an ultrasound to measure the babies, make sure they are OK, check out the anatomy, and........................determine the genders!!!!!!!!!!!!! This appointment will be 4/8 @ 10am.

So now my dear readers, you know and you will just have to wait til then to find out the juicy details :-)

Funny Moment

So we were in church last Sunday and after I received Communion, I had closed my eyes and started to say some personal prayers. Just as I am getting started. Walter (must have had quick prayers ;-)) Pokes my stomach and says "Tummy Rub" or something like that. Of course it isn't as funny as it was then. He apologized, but we giggled about it until the end of church. He's been really hands on...like rubbing my tummy and saying hi to the babies. Its great. I just can't wait for them to really start moving so he can feel them and develop that connection!

Week 16: Avacadoes

TWO MORE WEEKS, AND WE'RE HALF WAY!!!!!

Ah! I am soo excited! My belly is started to pop :-) and I swear I felt them move last Thurs! We are getting excited because also in two more weeks, we get to know what our little blueberries are....boy or girl!!! (I think they are one of each or...two girls, which kinda bums out Walter...you know guys and their boys.) But we will be happy with whatever God grants us with!

Walter has been so cute too. We were cuddled on the couch and he was rubbing my belly with one crooked finger. It's so sweet. And last nite he fell asleep spooned behind me with his hand on my stomach!

"Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming." I told Walter we gotta start talking to them so they recognize our voices!

New Pictures

So ya'll know, I have started a scrapblog, at the advise of a friend. There are the twins pictures, which you have probably already seen, and pictures of my growing belly :-) The link is to the right by the other link for more pictures, but if you want to know the exact link its: www.scrapblog.com/phillipsfamily

Waiting in Limbo

It has been hard lately. I know there are two babies in there, but I can't feel them. I have heard their heartbeats, twice, and seen them. But knowing they are there and I can't feel them scares me. Its not that I have two in there that scare me, but the fact I don't know if they are ok. I have been having scary dreams lately too, which of course compounds my worry. Its hard. I do feel the small pangs of pain as my womb expands, and the itchy belly as the skins stretchs, but for me its not frequent enough to assure me that everything is ok....look at me...they aren't even here and I am worry, what will I be like when they get older.........;-) Needless to say, I am excited and anxious for my doctor visit on next Thursday! We get to hear their little heartbeats again!

Week 15: Oranges

Sorry I have been behind the last few weeks. With the arrival of tax season and 6 day work weeks, I am behind, not being used to not having my Saturdays.

Oh, well....here's the update.

Continuing the march towards normal proportions, babyies' legs now outmeasure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Our babies are squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though I probably still can't feel the movements.

Week 14: Lemons

So I am going to continue using thebump.com's size comparisions until I should stop, I have a feeling that the size of one baby isn't the same as for twins, but thebump.com doesn't have a size thingy for twins.

Our little babies are busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (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.

Better luck next time

Just to let you know, I had taken two parts of the CPA exam on January 6th. Well, I got the results the other day, and it looks like I need to study a little harder. The passing score was 75, and I had 61 in Auditing and a 67 in Business Environment & Concepts. The good thing is I was really close with BEC and for Auditing the part I was most nervous about (the simulations where you have to do research there, mulitple choice and a written piece of communication) I did comparable well to those who passed the exam. So hopefully with an extra two more, more developed brains ;-) I will do better when I take them again.

SUPRISE!!

So today Walter and I went into the doc's because we had volunteered to help with my Doctor's clinical study. They need to get certification and they have to get ultrasound pictures of different babies to help with that. They are trying to find a safer and better way to test for downs syndrome and they asked certain moms who they figured would be good candidates to show the right pictures (we are good btw!), they needed moms in their 12-13 week time period, which is about 6-5 weeks earlier than normal for an ultrasound.

So when they rubbed the ultrasound sensor thingy over my tummy, one technician looked at the other and said you jinxed it. She looked at the first one and said "What?!?" Apparently they had been discussing this morning what they would do if they came across......get ready for it.....TWINS!!!!!! Yes, we are having twins! We don't know the gender(s) yet, that comes in another 4-5 weeks, around week 18.

Baby B is on top, and the white kidney bean on the bottom is Baby A

We are so excited and my doctor was there and we discussed some issues and things are looking great for me and the babies! The babies have strong heartbeats (A=148 and B=156) and they are just about right on schedule with their size (about 12 wks 6 days, so just about a day off) so we are keeping the same due date, but we were told that twins aren't carried the normal 9 months, they usually come early, so we should be ready about a month or so early! Oh, and the pictures don't do justice to the experience. They had scheduled an hour for us! It was wonderful! I feel sooooo much closer to my babies, and we got to see them moving and having hiccups and turn. Baby B turned to us and we got to see the face! It is time I will always cherish and put in my memory bank!!! It was a miracle beyond belief....I am still flying high, and so is Walter! Walter was watching and got antsy and had to leave to tell his family. That was one of the first things he said, then when he was back, he piped up and said "Will we have to get another crib?" It was so sweet and cute! AHHHH! I am so happy! We are so happy!

Above is Baby A

This is Baby B (has its hand next to its face)

I have to admit, (and I know I told a few of you when it happened), but I had feelings we were having twins, and I had a dream too. I didn't put too much emphasis on it....but it was there, so when both babies showed up, I looked at Walter and was like "I told you!!!!"!!