Long time Update

Carley Caitlyn

Girls will be 9 months on CHristmas- I can't believe how time flies! They are wonderful little girls with very different likes and interests! We definitely have a lot to be thankful for this year!

1 month already

I can't believe that the girls are already 4 weeks old. Everyday I stare at them in awe that they are actually ours! We are so in love with them already! They are really gorwing and changinf everyday. Carely is up to 7lbs 4oz from her birth weight of 6lbs 4oz, while Caitlyn is up to 6lbs 10oz from her birth weight of 5lbs 4oz. Carley has dark hair and is a girl that knows what she wants. She is pretty laid back most of the time, but definately lets us know when she wants to eat, change locations, snuggle, or have a diaper change. She mostly sleeps, eats, snuggles and poops. Caitlyn has light hair and is very laid back, while very intersted in EVERYTHING. She likes to play, kick, wave her arms, look around, and make faces. The two are very different in looks and personalities already! Both girls really like noise and movement-so we have had many outings in the car/stroller to eat lunch/dinner or shop at the mall.

As for us....well, we are adjusting as well as could be expected. I am healing well from the C-section. We are definately sleep deprived, but I know it could be worse. We consider ourselves lucky so far-the girls eat together every 3-4 hours, neither has signs of colic,jaundice, or reflux thus far. It is interesting how your body and mind adapt to lack of sleep when it is for your children. I gained 34 pounds with the pregnancy have have lost 40 thus far without really trying. I have a few "IVF" pounds to go to get back to pre-prego weight, but I am really not focusing on that right now. I go for walks everyday with the girls, and may add weight and swimming when cleared to do so from the OB-although right now I don't have too much extra energy. I have a little extra tummy skin to tone up sometime in the future. I am not sure if the "expanded" ribcage will ever return whcih may make for interesting clothes situations. Good thing I wear scrubs everyday!

We had a big 4 weeks- 2 healthy babies, my birthday, and our anniversary! It was so different this year to celebrate these milestones with a whole new perspective on life! We love being parents so far!

Carley Paige

Caitlyn Avery

Here they are....

At long last....we would like to introduce our 2 healthy baby girls!

Born: March 25, 2009 at 8:04am and 8:05am

Baby A:

Name: Carley Paige

Weight: 6.4 lbs

Length: 17 3/4 "

Status: Healthy

Baby B:

Name: Caitlyn Avery

Weight: 5.4 lbs

Length: 16"

Status: Healthy

We had an uneventful c-section and both babies are now home and do well. We are definately trying to adjust to the lack of sleep, feedings, changings, and my healing body. All in all we really can't complain too much- they are here healthy and at home which is a blessing in itself!

More to come soon I promise- time just seems to suck into some vacuum these days!

D-Day in 36 hours

Well D-Day (delivery day) is Wednesday at 730am-yes as in 36 hours from now!

I had my 37 week check today. Babies look good!

My blood work showed elevated levels that can be indicators (if allowed to get higher) for pre-eclampsia or HELP. They decided to deliver a little early to help nip the elevated levels in the bud and hopefully avoid any complications. They are not even sure that this is why those levels are high, but they want to be on the safe side for the health of the babies and me.

So, tomorrow will be full of last minute prep. Our parents will be on their way here from Texas.

Here we go....

Tick, Tock....

Tick, Tock......Oh how slow times goes when you feel so rotten and are anticipating something so grand!

36 weeks down! Wow! A year ago I never thought I would ever reach this point!

Drs appt yesterday - 1cm dilated and "soft" but I have been this way for a week now. Contracting every 3-4 mintutes but they obviously are not doing much to my cervix. Babies are doing well and tolerating the contractions thus far. Quick U/S shows babies still criss-crossed in my uterus, so looks like c-section is our way to go. Date is set for the 31st unless my cervix goes to 2cm or my contractions are worse. We will have a growth scan next Monday at 37 weeks to check the weight-estimate now is 6lbs each!

I have cut back to a few hours at the office a day. I am not sleeping much-can't get comfortable but weirdly just am not sleep at 3am for some reason. It is getting harder to move around and get up/down-but with a 44 week belly what can I expect? I have also added on the wonderful diarrhea 4-5 times a day which is from "circulating hormones getting ready for labor" according to nurses. Add to it the every popular "PUPS" rash and I am just plain READY for the girls to come!

I know these are small things that will be soon replaced by the wonderful addition of the 2 lives awaiting us! Very soon, though...

34 weeks

Today was our 34 week update and all is well inthe land of my very secure uterus. I guess my cervix is on lock-down mode since I have made no progression there. My cervix length is something rediculus at 57 which the doctors seem to be amazed at with twins. I figure there is a reason they need to be in there a little bit longer!

Both girls are measuring 5 pounds each and are right on track. Baby A is head down, spine up and locked and loaded to be the first out -however and whenever that is. Baby B is head down, spine up but laying with her head under Baby A's shoulders-somewhat diagonal in my body. This is an improvement from the last few months, so maybe she is starting to get in line to get out!

We are continuing to be monitored on NSTs twice a week. I am still having sporadic contractions, but obviously not affecting my cervix or the babies yet. The Ob says it could be like this all the way until delivery, so they will just monitor. The did tell me today if I went into labor anytime from here on out that they would deliver me and not try to stop the labor. So we wait!

This weekend my mom came in from out of town. She was a great help! We finished washing clothes, sheets, bottles,etc and getting organized in the nursery. I feel much relaxed about being ready when the girls decide they are ready to roll! It cam ein super handy to have her around as well since hubby had to have emergency appendectomy on Thursday night. He is doing much better now, but it was nice to have the extra help with her here as well!

I will post pics later of belly and more on the nursery!

Contractons? 1st visit to L&D

Well, last Friday I show up for a normal NST. The girls were doing just fine, but I guess I was contracting every 3 minutes unknown to me. They continued to watch these for about 1.5 hours, then walked me to L&D for more tests. There I had another 4 hours of NST monitoring, a Fetal fibronectin test and fluids. The monitoring showed contractions that got a little more sporadic and a lot of "uterine irritability"-no really, you think with 2 big girls in there! Anywhooooo, after fetal fibronectin came back negative, they gave me the betamethasone shot to help their lungs just in case. I was released that night and told to return Saturday for more of the same. Of course, Sat brought more sporadic contractions and uterine irritability, but baby B had some decelerations of her heart during a few contractions. So, we got to stay another 4 hours to make sure they did not continue. Again, we were finally released after another betamethasone shot. We went back today to the OB for my normal NST-contractions still the same. They checked my cervix and it had moved from 65 to a whopping 57. I don't think those contractions they were so worried about and that I could not feel were doing much-but at least they were being on the cautious side! I have another NST Thursday and then my next growth scan on Monday. I hope this is not how it is going to be for the next few weeks!

6 weeks and counting!

Well - it looks like we are on the 6 week count down at this point! I can't believe it is so close-but seems so far away. I had my latest US,exam appointment today and here is a breakdown of the goods at 31 weeks, 2 days.

1. Weight gain 30 lbs so far

2. No stretch marks yet, but starting to get a case of dry skin that itches!

3. Still working 3/4 days, but am cut off after this weekend from traveling to mountains to work-which is good since it is hard to get comfortable for the drive.

4. All organs and HR are in normal range.

5. Both girls weigh just over 4 pounds each and are roughly 17 inches long.

6. All measurements show they are both 1 week ahead at this point.

7. Baby A is head down-which she has been for most of the pregnancy. Baby B is transverse with her head under baby A's abdomen. Sounds cozy and comfy, doesn't it?!

8. Cervic is still REALLY long - drs call it the cervix of steele at this point.

9. Just started a few BH contractions in the last week.

10. AT this point, we are starting twice a week visits with fetal heart monitoring.

11. One more U/S at 34 weeks is scheduled.

12. Unless babies are both head down, we will be scheduled for c-section at 37.5 weeks (unless they bless us by coming early).

13. Uterus measuring 40 weeks. Below is updated belly pic.

We are getting closer to being somewhat organized-I don't dare say ready, because I know we will never be able to fully prepare for what we are up for when they arrive. We have been scheduling out of town family in shifts for help once we get home-this way we have the help, but not a huge house full at one time. I am planning on taking off a full 4 weeks, and then will go back about 10 hours a week for another month. DH and I both have full-time practices and owning a business requires us to be there a little. We will have plenty of family help and also have an au pair coming from Germany to help with the girls. We are so exicted about her!

I am attaching pics below of the nursery -we still have some window treatments, decorations, etc to do to finish but it is close. I chose a limey green and pale pink for the walls, with a pale yellow ceiling. The fabrics I chose and had the bedding made which I just love!

Clear new year

I know it has been a while since I last updated, so today I have lots to catch up on.

1. With the passing of my grandmother before Christmas, the holidays were hard. Although, cooking some of her favorites and continuing some of her traditions here for our 1st Christmas was comforting.
2. Christmas was nice and relaxing-I had 8 days off work that were super relaxing and much needed.
3. We went Christmas eve day for our 24 week U/S and check-up Here are the details:
a. Both babies mesuring 1 lb, 11 oz- almost a week ahead!
b. Baby A placenta has now moved up and is not in danger of placenta previa.
c. BP nice and low
d. Weight gain thus far 23 lbs.
e. Both babies head down and moving a lot- now very easy to feel them move all day long!
4. We started the new year well and have been working a lot.
5. We have had the babies room painted, our bedding is in, and we pick up our cribs Saturday. A friend is coming over to help B put them together! The rest of the furniture comes assembled at the end of the month.
6. We made our last allowable flight away last weekend for a shower that my 4 sisters threw for us. It was a quick and tiring trip, but was so much fun! W e were so blessed with the generosity of everyone and the effort they all took to come to see us.
7. I had my 26 week appt last week. It was fun-filled with blood tests and glucose test. I did pass all tests! YAHHHHH for not having to take another glucose test!!!!
8. We go back Monday for our 28 week U/S and check-up. If the girls cooperate, then we hope to get a nice 3D U/S of each of them. At last few U/S-they have been head down, spine out-which hides there faces from the camera! Maybe they will give us a little camera shot!
9. As for me, I am feeling more tired and definately BIG. Everyone says "you are so small to have twins" and I think, "tying my shoes is hard and tiring". WHat will I feel like in 2.5 more months?

I will post updated pics of me, the nursery, and the babies after next Monday's appointment.