24, 25, 26, 27, & 28 wks

Whoaaaaa!!!! This is an all time record for me ignoring this blog!!! The last time I posted I was soooo happy to be hitting the 24 week mark and I was setting my sights on 28 weeks!!! Well....28 weeks is now only a few days away! UNBELIEVABLE! So now my new goal is 32 weeks (I really am taking it day by day, but the 4 week marks are like major milestones to me!)

Many things have been happening since the last post....the babies are super active! Last night I swear they were having a ping pong match, one would move and then the other and this went on for at least 45 minutes....not to mention it was 4 AM! I guess they have already studied up on Newton's Laws of Motion "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction"!!! Not only are they moving like crazy, but I am starting to be able to tell body parts that are hitting me, Baby A's (Boy) foot is and has been lodged under my left rib, and Baby B's (girl) butt has been right above my belly button! I'm not complaining about their movements at all...I must say it just amazes me every time I feel it!!!!

My last ultrasound was on New Year's Eve...all three of us were doing well! Both babies weighed in at approximately 2 pounds, which was really good for their age! We won't talk about what Mama weighed in at LOL! I fear the scale is going to hit a number that I don't want it to, but I am trying not to dwell on it but have already warned Chad that if and when that number flashes on the scale I may shed a few tears....and then I will be over it! He assures me all my weight gain has been in my belly...I know different and am not really worried about it as much as it sounds here it is just overwhelming at times!

Here are a few things we have been up to since last time:

-After much debate on style and safety ratings we purchased two cribs! They came in last week and we assembled both of them in less than 1 hour! I was impressed with this! Things left to do in babies room, get a rocking chair, get a changing table/dresser, and decorate!

-I have finished knitting Baby Boy's blanket! It took me about one month which was the goal that I had set to have it done! It is Navy Blue and I do love the finished product! I will post a pic below! I have now started on Baby Girl's blanket it will be the exact same blanket only in purple! I have not "theme" for the nursery, I will just be using shades of blue and purple! The pattern for the blankets is out of a Debbie Bliss baby knits book and is basically done in Seed stitch with a knit border, for any knitter out there!

-I started my new job on January 4th! I love it! I enjoy what I do and I enjoy learning new things there! The job even comes equipped with a doppler, fetal monitor and an ultrasound machine!!! I have refrained from having them ultrasound me to peek in on the little ones, but will admit to listening to their heartbeats first thing every morning! I do miss all of my former co-workers (that's for you Angie and Diana if your reading)!

-I am trying to come up with a mental list of everything I want to try and get done prior to the babies arrival, I keep hearing about this "nesting" phase and I am waiting for it to kick in! So I am documenting it here...I want to hand clean our hardwood floors and ceramic tile, wipe down walls and base boards, shampoo our bedroom carpet, and organize the kitchen cabinets and our dresser drawers, along with all the other daily/weekly housekeeping chores! Oh and finish the nursery! Okay there I have written it out so now I have to get it done!

- New Year's resolutions....I haven't spelled these out clearly yet for myself but first and foremost I want to get these babies here in the safest healthiest way possible! I thing my biggest goal non baby related is that I want to start running again! Last year I along with Chad completed a 5k and I would like to do a couple more at the end of summer and in the fall this year and then gradually work my way up to a 10k or even a half marathon!!!!

-My mom has officially turned in her retirement papers, so at the end of the school year she will be done teaching and will enter into her new position as grandma/babysitter! With the help of Chad's mom they are going to be our childcare plan!

Pics....whats a post without some pics?!?!?! In no particular order the pics will be of Baby A's foot that is lodged in my left rib, Baby B's hand, my belly at 27 5/7 weeks, and a not so great pic of Baby Boy's blanket!

Weeks 20, 21, 22, & 23

I have done it again...ignored this blog! Maybe after the holidays I will be less busy and will remember to blog more! In fact maybe I will make this one of my New Year's Resolutions (although this year the Resolution list might be quite lengthy :))!

Unbelievably as I am writing this I am only a few days shy of 24 weeks pregnant! Those of you in the OB world now the significance of this, for those of you not familiar, 24 weeks is the point where the babies would have a small chance to survive outside the womb! Twenty four has been a number that I have focused on since finding out I was pregnant, now I am setting my sights higher! I have taken to thinking in four weeks at a time...so next goal is 28, then 32, then 34! At 34 I have a feeling I will be begging for it to be over LOL!

Since blogging the last time we have confirmed that we are having both a BOY and a GIRL!!! I never really cared what we were having as long as they were healthy, but since finding out we are having one of each I really just think that I couldn't have asked for anything better! As I mentioned in the last post I have switched to one of the physicians at WVUH. I had my first appointment with Dr. Shon Rowan and am set to see him again on New Years Eve, along with another ultrasound! I swear these babies are some of the most photographed babies I know (don't get me wrong I don't mind a bit and enjoy seeing them any chance that I get!)!

On non pregnancy related subjects things that we have been up to since last time:

-Chad has been hunting...still! Although I think this past weekend may have been the last of it, or should I say I pray that it was the last of it! I am ready for it to be over and for the hunting paraphernalia to be put away until next year!

-I have been busy starting to knit baby items! On the needles currently is the Baby Boy blanket. I started with his as we were certain there was a boy and not as certain of the Girl! I have set a goal to have it done by January, and I need to get on it I have a little under 10 inches left to do! Of course when it is done I will post some pics!

-I am not sure if I mentioned this the last time but I will be switching jobs at the beginning of the year! I will be working in Fairmont, WV in an OB/GYN practice. I am definitely excited about this!

-We once again got WVU season basketball tickets and are expecting a GREAT season for Coach Huggs and the boys!

-We traded in my car for a new 2009 Toyota Venza! I call it the mom mobile, I do like it and it has more options on it than I have ever had in a vehicle! I do admit that I miss my Solara!

-I survived the Blizzard this past weekend, while Chad was in Ohio hunting! Thankfully my brother Matt was in for Christmas break and happened to stay at our house with me. We were stranded at our house for 48 hours, 24 of which was sans electricity! I learned many things during this time period...I realized how much we take everyday things for granted like walking into a room and flipping on a switch and there being light! Also I must mention, Matt and I successfully lit the gas logs without blowing up the house!

Below I will post some pics of the snow, my growing belly at 21 weeks, and a couple 3d ultrasound pics of each babies face!
Enjoy and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Weeks 18, 19, & 20

WOW....I have totally neglected this blog!!!! I am now 20 weeks pregnant as of tomorrow and will probably regret saying this but time is flying!!!!

Last week I had my 19 week ultrasound!!! First and foremost everyone (me included) appeared healthy which is a true blessing! Both babies were very active and already seem to enjoy tormenting each other as throughout the entire scan they continually jabbed, punched, and kick each other. Baby A was not shy and definitely let us know that he is a BOY! Typical guy, right? Baby B wasn't quite as ready to let us know but appears to be a Girl! Hopefully we will find out for sure in the next couple of months! Both are weighing in at a hefty 10 ounces a piece, which for their age is about where they are supposed to be!

Below are some pics of both of them and also one of Betsy Miller and I, she is the midwife that I was seeing! Sadly last week was my last appointment with her as she has transferred my care to one of the doctors due to the twin pregnancy! Betsy if you happen to read this, thanks for everything and please please please keep up on us and I expect to see you when these babies make their debut in the spring!

Baby A profile


Baby B who appears to already be a thumb sucker!


Betsy and I


Here is a few other things that we have been up to lately:

-Chad has been hunting, hunting, and hunting some more!!! No surprise there!

-I went to the Notre Dame/Pitt game with my brother Andrew and cousins, the game was so disappointing that we left at the beginning of the 4th quarter and missed all the action and I missed what I have been waiting for all season... a Golden Tate punt return for a touchdown! The Irish still lost and have had a very disappointing season, but I still love them!

-I saw the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes with my mom in Pittsburgh...one word AWESOME!!! I wanna be a Rockettes!!! LOL!

-Went to see New Moon-yet again AWESOME!

-I am definitely looking more pregnant as the days go by! I will post an updated belly pic soon!

-I am starting to feel the babies move which is a cool yet awkward sensation!

-Oh...I almost forgot! I have accepted a new job! As of January 4, 2010 I will begin work at Dr. Bonasso's office in Fairmont! I am really excited as this is a position in womens health which is something I have wanted to do ever since I set out to be a Nurse Practitioner! I will however miss my co-workers as TCHC dearly!

-And last but not least now that we know one babies gender for sure and have a good idea on the other one...what on earth are we going to name them? They can't be A and B for the rest of their lives! I have some ideas, but naming is hard business and is causing me major stress! Any ideas?

That is it for now! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Missi

Week 17

I am actually posting on a Wednesday.....imagine that!!!!

Today marks 17 weeks! Yikes!!!! This pregnancy is nearing the halfway point and that is just down right scary and unbelievable!!!!

Things are going well! The good book tells me that the babies could be nearing 5 inches and their weight is over 3 ounces! At this point I cannot tell you that I feel distinct movements which is normal but I do believe that I feel something going on! I get these weird sensations at different times of being elbowed from the inside! My belly is definitely growing in size and my clothes are becoming a bit uncomfortable, but most maternity clothes are still a little big!

We are anxiously awaiting November 17th!!!! This is the day of our ultrasound and next appointment! We are praying that the ultrasound reveals that they are both healthy and growing as they should! If everything looks as it should we are then hoping that we can find out if we will be dressing them in pink or blue or maybe one of each!!!!

I am not sure if this is related to pregnancy but I did experience my first "charlie horse" the other night, no make that early morning! Let me tell you, I was sound asleep and the next thing I know I am sitting straight up and my right foot is stuck in a flexed position with my calf muscles in a knot! I will admit that I let out a little yelp and if Chad would have been here it probably would have scared him! Needless to say I don't care to ever experience that again! Ouch!

This is the week that Chad is/was in Illinois hunting. He has been looking forward to this trip since booking it in late June! He left early Saturday morning and was not to return until this coming Sunday. Yesterday morning he killed the biggest deer he has killed to date with his bow! He is about as proud as he can be, you can't wipe the smile off of his face (he better act this excited when the Dynamic Duo arrive if he knows what is good for him!!!! LOL)! After harvesting this deer he promptly got in his truck and drove 9 1/2 hours home only stopping twice to get gas!
I will post a pic below...disclaimer if you don't want to see a dead animal don't scroll down!!!!!



That is all for this week! Hope you have a good week! The deer pic is below! Missi

Weeks 15 & 16

I had an appointment this week, everything seems to be going well at this point! I did learn something new, or maybe I will say had my memory refreshed. Since the first ultrasound showed two placentas that were fused or grown together I automatically assumed that indicated fraternal twins. Not necessarily true! There is a chance that they are identical! I still feel that they are fraternal due to the genetic hereditary component of fraternal twins and the strong history of twins in my mother's family. The only way we will know if they are fraternal in the short term is if one is a boy and one is a girl, other than that we will have to wait until they are born and studies are done on the placentas! We don't care either way, we just want healthy babies. Although Chad is predicting two girls (I think this is his way of putting a jinx on so that it really isn't two girls) and my gut says there is at least one girl!

At this point in gestation the babies weigh about 2 3/4 ounces and are about 4-5 inches long!

I do have a few pics to share, these are not the best and are done with a older machine. The only reason they are done is to assure that there is indeed two heart beats.

The top photo is Baby "a", and the bottom is Baby "b"! I call these alien photos!



Sorry for the short post, work has been CRAZY this week!!! That actually is an understatement! We are swamped with the flu!!! Hope everyone is having a good week and is healthy!!! Only two more days until the weekend!!! Missi

H1N1

So this is just random post, but hopefully it is informational.

Unless you are living under a rock (like one of my brothers who didn't know what H1N1 was) I am going to assume you have heard of H1N1 and the assoicated vaccine. I know a lot of people have a lot of questions regarding the virus and the vaccine so I thought I could share some info and direct you to some factual information.

As of about a week ago I have been vaccinated against both seasonal flu and H1N1. There is a lot of apprehension regarding the H1N1 vaccine which is to be expected since it is new. I will admit it is very nerve wracking to get a new vaccine, with questions like is this really safe, was it accurately tested, is it even gonna work, or will this have side effects later in life, all going through your head. In my case I was also saddled with the thought of how is this vaccine going to affect my babies who are very busy developing inside me!!!!!

Being a healthcare worker who works the frontline of acute care and also being pregnant I was at the top of the list to be vaccinated, so I had to do my research and do it quickly!!! Lucky for me my best pal Dennelle loves to do research and is always up on the latest literature so I picked her brain and she led me to some very informative resources.

I won't bore you with the articles, but I will share with you some of the data that is out there. Also, the cdc website is chalk full of information for patients that is not full of medical jargon and is meant for the consumer. The web address is www.cdc.gov also www.flu.gov . Obviously I found it in mine and my family's best interest to be vaccinated, this post is in no way intended to sway you one way or the other, just some food for thought! I truely believe that this a personal decision that each person or couple has to make for themselves or their family.

Here are some facts:

-76 children under the age of 18 have died since April 2009 with H1N1 nationwide, that is pretty close to the number that die in a typical year of the seasonal flu and we haven't even reached "flu season" yet.

-In most of the above mentioned cases, the children did have a chronic illness that put them at risk, but in 1/3 of the cases the child was perfectly healthy.

-There is a small amount of Thimerosal (what most people refer to as Mercury) in the multi dose vials, but they also make a preservative free vaccine and you can ask for that. (This is the one that I got)

-As of Oct, the H1N1 virus is now considered widespread in the state of WV. There have been at least 5 deaths and over 200 hospitalizations in the state

-This past weekend I worked at the walk in clinic and was overrun with patients with flulike symptoms. Most had fevers greater than 102 and most were kids. It blows my mind that it is Oct. and we are already seeing people this sick

I hope this has been informational...check out the websites they are very informational and helpful. It is a very stressful situation but it is definitely better to be informed.

I need to do another post, I have some new ultrasound pics!!!

Week 14

Okay...I am failing at posting on Wednesdays and it is fitting better in my schedule to do a posting on Sunday evenings, so maybe I will just start doing them on Sunday evenings!!!

Week 14 nothing interesting to note!!! The Book tells me that the babies could be up to 4 inches long now and they may weigh an ounce!!! It also tells me that I may need to be wearing maternity clothes by now, and I don't have to WoooHooooo! I am sure my day is coming, but I am going to try my best to find some stylish ones!!!! Since I don't have much to new news I am going to post a few pics of me and my belly or as Chad says non existent belly! Believe me you may not see it but I know there is a change!!!

This Pic is the before pic taken the morning after I found out I was pregnant! I was about 4 weeks.


This pic was taken this week, so I was 14 weeks and some change!


Enough about pregnancy I want to post some of my latest knitting projects!!! Over the past year and a half I have learned to knit and I LOVE IT!!! My Mom taught me and I just can't get enough! I have mostly made baby hats and booties because a lot of our friends were pregnant at the time and I love getting handmade gifts so I thought I would give some! I have also made some scarves, hats for myself and Chad, dishrags, and a baby blanket or two. So here are a few pics!

Baby hat and booties that were for our friend's son Porter!





And my newest adventure in knitting socks! This is my first sock ever and I am knitting it's mate presently, they are going to be a Christmas gift!!!


I hope you enjoy, and I am going to try to post on Wednesdays but if it doesn't workout Sunday evenings may be my new blogging time!

Have a great week, Missi