Formal Introductions

I'd like to introduce you to two of our favorite people...

Jude Sullivan

(Jude is a bit camera shy like his dad--his face is head down)

and...

Sloane Elisabeth  

We had our 20-week perinatologist appointment today and both babies look great!  They are still so BIG!  Jude is 14 ounces and Sloane is 15 ounces so I'm carrying almost two pounds of babies!  Everything else looks perfect--their hearts, brains, kidneys, spines, etc., are exactly as they should be. 

Their personalities are still quite different.  Sloane can't sit still.  At my ob/gyn appointment on Wednesday she was breech (head up) and two days later she's head down.  The entire time the doctor was looking at her she was kicking like crazy, which is why her feet are a bit blurry in the above shot.  She's also quite the ham--when the doc tried to zoom in on Jude's face, Sloane was having none of it and kept blocking him.

Jude is still our chill baby and seemed completely relaxed throughout the appointment.  The doctor tried to get him to move a few times and he just took his sweet time.  I have to give the boy credit, he's already tolerating his sister and the rest of us quite well.  :)

I'll continue to see both doctors (ob/gyn and perinatologist) throughout the pregnancy, which is wonderful.  Although things could change in a moment's notice, both doctors are very pleased with the babies (and my) progress and see no cause for concern.  Hallelujah!

I'll write more about the Fort Smith shower and your previous (very sweet) comments in the next post--I really wanted this to be all about our babies. 

We are so proud of these two already!

19 Weeks - Halfway There!

While I would never describe this pregnancy as "flying by," I can't wrap my head around the fact we're halfway there and will be meeting our babies in a little over four months!  This is assuming they stay put until week 38, which is fairly uncommon with twin pregnancies as most arrive early. My brother and I were both late so I'm hoping the tradition continues. We were also 9 and 10 pounds respectively and the very thought of 19 pounds of babies makes me die a little inside.

Not much has changed since the last post: the stomach continues to grow, the round ligament pain continues to annoy, and the energy continues to increase.  While I considered myself blessed with an easy(ish) first trimester, the second trimester has been downright FUN!

Speaking of the stomach, I am now the size where strangers feel completely confident asking me when I'm due.  I had a rough experience this past weekend that I will share only because of its all-around ridiculousness.  We were standing in line at Potbelly's (a good name for my current condition) and a woman asked me how far along I was.  I told her 19 weeks and she introduced me to her one-month-old daughter.  We chatted briefly and that was that.  I left the line so I could save us a table and she approached me again, this time asking if this was my first baby. I told her yes and that we were actually expecting two and she said (I'm paraphrasing), "TWINS!  I thought so due to your size!  When you told me you were only 19 weeks along I almost asked but thought 'That would be SO RUDE if she's not expecting twins!' so I didn't say anything.  But you definitely look like you're having more than one."

Crickets.

I put on my best smile and felt my eyes well up with tears.  And I hated myself for it because HELL YES I'm having twins and until she opened her mouth I'd been very happy and proud of my stomach.  But alas, I'm still a girl (a very hormonal girl) and hearing that I looked huge was unsettling.  Later that day I shared the story with my mom and she politely (but firmly) told me to grow some thicker skin and be grateful.  She's right, of course, and I'm once again quite proud of my burgeoning belly and its adorable occupants.

(But come on, was her outburst truly necessary?  Sheesh.)

The truly wonderful part of this past weekend was a visit from my best friend Kaitlin and her family!   It was so good to see them and we had an absolute blast with Leighton.  We spent the weekend swimming (Leighton is a fish!), shopping, eating, and relaxing around the house.  Michael and I asked lots of parenting questions, which I know will continue for the next 18+ years.  Such a great little family and we were both so sad to see them leave.  We might have had L withdrawals the rest of the day.

19.5 Weeks

(Almost) 18 Weeks

It's been a busy few weeks!  Bullet points for everyone!

• My parents visited last weekend for the gender reveal and we had a wonderful time.  Michael's parents were able to spend a lot of time with us so it was great to have everyone together.  On Saturday we registered at several places, which was terrifying at first but ended up being a lot of fun.  There were several items one of us would hold up and say, "What the hell is this?" while the other merely shrugged and decided, "Yeah, we definitely need at least three of it." 
• You may be thinking, "Wow, they registered really early!" and you would be right.  My doctor has asked that we stop traveling out of DFW around 21 weeks, which is fast approaching.  That being said, some of my mom's friends have been generous enough to throw a small shower for us in Fort Smith.  It's in two weeks (!!!) and we can't wait!  
• I attended my first "Mom's of Multiples" meeting last Thursday and for the first time in several months was not met with a "WHAT?!" when I mentioned having twins.  I met Aaron through my friend Courtney, and she was sweet enough to invite me to my first meeting.  It'll definitely be a great resource throughout my pregnancy and especially once our kids arrive.  
• We attended a gorgeous wedding last night and there were (at least) three pregnant guests.  One came up to me at the beginning of the reception and asked when I was due because we "looked the same size."  I smiled politely and told her the end of October, knowing full well she was due way before me.  Yep, she's due in September.  (Awkward Pause.)  Before I could help myself I blurted out, "We're having twins..."  We congratulated each other and wished each other well and as soon as she walked away I turned to Michael who immediately said (bless him), "You do NOT look the same size."  I've trained him well.
• As far as the bump, I'm carrying high.  And low.  I'm just carrying all over the place.
• Had a true craving this week.  I'd just put bananas, apples, oranges, blueberries, and blackberries in the cart when I smelled the peaches (they were about 20 feet behind me).  I stopped in the middle of the aisle, did a 180 and grabbed several.  They were all I could think about for the duration of the visit and as I was driving home I almost pulled over so I could eat one.  It was bizarre.  Once I made it home I cut one up before I unpacked the groceries and only then could I think straight again.  So weird.
• We believe we have names picked out!  We're not sharing at the moment but will soon enough.  Michael and I have started calling them by their names when it's just the two (four?) of us and it definitely makes everything feel very real.  
• My best friend Leslie was sweet enough to lend me her ENTIRE maternity wardrobe, which has made getting dressed in the morning much more fun.  Since this will most likely be my only pregnancy I have a really hard time paying much for items I will wear for a few months and never touch again.  THANK YOU, LESLIE!
• Four of us are due in October.  Two of us are having twins and five (of the six) babies are boys.  Our daughter needs a girlfriend or she's going to turn out like a certain blonde bowl-cut girl I once knew.
• My fears have subsided a lot but have still stuck around.  I make bargains with God on a daily basis ("If I could just make it to 36 weeks..." or "If they could just weigh 5 lbs each..."), which I'm sure he finds highly irritating.  I know people all over the country are praying for these two babies, which I find comfort in daily. 
• I have another post that is ready to go and I just need to hit "Publish" already.  It has nothing to do with our babies but does have to do with us. Hopefully this week.  And it is not nearly as ominous as it sounds, I just wanted to let you know I am capable of stringing thoughts together that do not revolve around our babies.
• I love babies!!!

 A few pictures of us before the wedding last night.  I'd like to give a big shout-out to non-pregnant Meredith who purchased several dresses in the last five years that can handle a growing stomach.  I realize the days and dresses are quickly coming to an end so I'm enjoying them while I can.

:)

17.5 weeks

The Big Reveal!

My parents weren't scheduled to arrive until tonight but plans changed and they drove to Dallas last night instead!  As soon as my parents arrived we let each set of grandparents pick a gift to open.  Ready for the contents?

Gift #1 (opened by my parents):

Gift #2 (opened by Michael's parents):

We're having a BOY and a GIRL and could not be more thrilled!  

Our appointment this morning went so well--they are both perfectly healthy and BIG!   Not only did we get confirmation that they are a boy and girl, but we also got to see the chambers of their hearts, all fingers and toes, brains, spinal cords, lips, etc.  It was amazing.  I was terrified the entire time (of course) but we received a dvd of the sonogram so we're going to watch it tonight with our parents.  I think I will be able to relax and enjoy it this time around.  :)

Most of you guessed correctly (stupid me and my posting of the heart rates) but the wives tale was definitely disproved--the boy was the one with the faster heart rate!

Thank you so, so much for your sweet words and encouragement!  We are so blessed.