First Peek!

The long awaited time has come!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

After two ultrasound appointments, I have several good profile pictures of both babies to show you. They weren't easy to get which is why I had an ultrasound appointment yesterday and today but I'm excited to give you all a sneak peek of their little faces!

Special thanks to my very wonderful and patient ultrasound technician who labored through these appointments with uncooperative babies! 

Introducing our chubby cheeked boy!

Hand up to nose and mouth.

Ken's nose?

I believe that's a hand and a foot up there ...

What seems to be him sucking his hand.

And here is his more petite but not necessarily gentler sister! Her pictures were infinitely more difficult to take (shy lil thing) so I appreciate the few shots she allowed us to get!

Maybe my nose?



Her brother's arm jabbing her in the forehead here.

My favorite picture!

There were quite a few pictures but I tried to post the best ones here. Others were somewhat unclear or just full of limbs covering faces :) 

Both are busy at different times of day and evident from the back-to-back ultrasounds, I discovered they also change positions quite a bit! Hopefully, that doesn't mean their feeding and sleeping schedules will vary too much!

Hope you enjoyed these pictures as much as we did!

Twenty-eight weeks today (or seven months) and counting!

Doctor is hoping for another ten more weeks ... tick-tock, tick-tock goes the clock.

BTW - I have yet to start my crib quilt!

Cauliflowers

My doctor ordered a three hour fasting glucose test to see if I had gestational diabetes. Now, she allowed me to come in at my leisure but recommended first thing in the morning since it is a fasting test. Given that I'm always hungry, it would not be a pleasant experience in the best of circumstances.

I already had an appointment scheduled yesterday afternoon so I thought I would get the test out of the way the same day but it may not have been a wise choice given it was the first day after Labor Day weekend when every man, woman and child were on their way back to reality from where ever the last days of summer took them. 

Needless to say, I made it to the hospital around 8:30a and started my test at 9:00a. If anyone has ever taken this before, you'll know that you need to have your blood drawn four times throughout the test. Your first draw at the beginning before "the drink" and an additional one each hour after "the drink".

"The drink" sort of tastes like flat orange soda with extra scoops of sugar. I was forewarned that people do become nauseous. I heard the warning but didn't pay it any mind until *GULP!* I started feeling clammy and thought I was going to drown in my own saliva!

Babies and I got through the ordeal intact. Afterwards, there was nothing to do but to RUN, NOT WALK to the nearest food source available.

Hospital cafeteria.

Not ideal because I secretly do think they lace all their food with laxatives but I didn't care. I ordered a grilled cheese with tomato. It could barely pass for diner food but nothing ever tasted so divine!

Doctor's appointment that afternoon was a little more entertaining than my morning. Nothing new to report during the office visit other than my climbing weight and sore muscles.

Ultrasound didn't really produce any good pictures (hence, none are available to post here) but I found out that they've moved since the last time we saw them. They are both laying vertex with heads touching (so think the meeting of the minds around my belly button).

When I looked at the size comparison online, it said that a baby this age should be about 2 pounds and the size of a cauliflower. I assumed that was more for someone who carrying only one baby and probably didn't apply to multiples.

Turns out that my boy is a massive 2 pounds 11 ounces (54th percentile) and my girl is 2 pounds 4 ounces (40th percentile). So not only are they cauliflowers, they are VERY plump cauliflowers! I'm wondering if they will even fit into any of the preemie clothes we already have for them when they are born!

BUT I'm not complaining. Above average is good and I'm glad that both are healthly. Constant movements break up each day. Now I know why! Both are bruisers!

Don't be disappointed with no updated pictures from yesterday. I have my 3D/4D ultrasound appointment scheduled tomorrow afternoon so I will be posting those pictures as soon as I upload them!

Announcement!

Well, I took QUITE the break from blogging and now I'm back! Better late than never ... as every self-proclaimed procrastinator alleges!

Be prepared but after all of our struggles, tears and heartbreak, Ken and I are pleased to announce that we are expecting ...

TWINS!

Neither of us ever expected or thought we'd ever experience something like this and at first, it was overwhelming and we were in shock. After a few months of getting used to the idea, we're happier than we've ever been! Trust me - it hasn't been easy navigating which things we need two of before welcoming not one but two babies at once!

God is Good. We're blessed. Truly.

We thank everyone who has supported us, grieved and celebrated with us and shown us unconditional love.

This will be an unusually long post as I'm very behind on my good intentions of updating the same. Below are the many, many ultrasound pictures from 6 weeks to about 23 weeks. Most of the size references and what baby is up to is taken from The Bump.

After this post, I'll be more vigilant in posting as things progress and when I have days where I need to vent :)

5 weeks 6 days (April 7, 2011)

Here is the first ultrasound where I discovered we were expecting twins! Two black circles are two sacs with two little ones growing!

At this stage, they are about the size of a sweet pea but already sprouting eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. The little hands and feet are still webbed but may wiggle by week's end. Hearts are beating and blood is starting to circulate.

6 weeks 6 days (April 14, 2011)

Little blueberries now and generating about 100 new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging and a permanent set of kidneys is now in place.

7 weeks 0 days (April 15, 2011)

This picture is a little tougher to see here. You'll notice it's only a day later than the last photo. This is from my first appointment at the high risk OB I am now seeing for this pregnancy.

Before we know it, we won't be able to capture both of them in one photo!

8 weeks 0 days (April 22, 2011)

In their 8th week, these little ones are about the size of raspberries. This photo is a little tough to see but if you can barely make out their little bodies in this one.

I can't feel them yet but they are moving those little arms, legs and toes like crazy!

Baby A - 8 weeks 6 days (April 28, 2011)

This photo might be a little clearer than the last one (not much though).

Meet Baby A.

Honestly, I don't know if the ultrasound technicians tag the same baby every time because at this stage where they are so small, they are able to move around quite a bit.

Baby B - 8 weeks 6 days (April 28, 2011)

Meet our other little olive. Introducing Baby B!

This one is facing outward towards the camera to pose for a picture.

The doppler can now pick up the heartbeats.

They are actually beginning to look like babies now instead of little dots on the screen!

11 weeks 4 days (May 17, 2011)

Bones and cartilage have formed and vital organs are beginning to function now. Arm joints are now working (better to hit each other with!).

At 10 weeks, they are like little raisins.

At 11 weeks, both are about the size of two limes.

Babies now have a 1:1 ratio between their bodies and heads.

Baby A - 11 weeks 4 days (May 17, 2011)

Baby A here is facedown in the photo. Heartbeat is 180bpm.

The head is on the right side (big ol' melon like mama's).

Their skin is so transparent right now that blood vessels show right through but fingers and toes are no longer webbed. Hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming.

Baby B - 11 weeks 4 days (May 17, 2011)

Baby B is laying with his/her back to us in this photo. You can see the head on the left. Heartbeat is 170bpm.

Inevitably, there is always one that is more active than the other at any given time and at least one that doesn't cooperate when we want to get a picture!

In this picture, you can see the little fist (that was pumping vigorously at the time). This baby is resting below the other baby ... and punching upwards. The sibling rivalry has already begun!

Baby A - 12 weeks 3 days (May 23, 2011)

Here is Baby A in 3D. You can see the little arm up to the face ... Oh the drama already!

 

 

Babies are little plums now!

Baby B was not cooperating this week so there are no pictures to post.

Baby A - 15 weeks 4 days (June 14, 2011)

Baby A is showing us a side profile here.

Amazing to see eyes, nose and lips already!!

Babies can also suck their thumbs, wiggle their toes, make urine (not so cute) and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop.

Baby A - 15 weeks 4 days (June 14, 2011)

Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over their bodies for warmth. They are the size of naval oranges now!

 

 

Baby B has not made an appearance yet again.

Big yawn down there!! :)

Baby A - 15 weeks 4 days (June 14, 2011)

Baby B - 17 weeks 4 days

Finally, here is a side profile of Baby B! It was tough to get this one to take any pictures because he/she was hiding behind the other one.

17 weeks 4 days (June 28, 2011)

You may be wondering what exactly you're looking at in this photo but if you haven't already figured it out, we can clearly see that one of these wigglers is a boy!

He was not shy about showing this factoid off all over the ultrasound and I have several such photos of him making sure we knew it. I have saved you the obnoxious trait he has already picked up from his *AHEM* father.

You can make out two legs and the lighter white lines are his bones.

17 weeks 4 days (June 28, 2011)

This one is a little harder to see but it took quite a while to even get this picture!

Here is the other little one and the one thing missing here is what her brother has been showing off.

Yes, it's a girl!

She's been very shy hiding behind her brother for some time. Both babies are about the size of onions. Fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

Ken and I had a bet going. He said the babies were both boys and I said that there were one of each. If I won, I would get 30 minutes worth of foot rubs that do not have to all be used at the same time or date ... I have yet to reap even one minute of this reward.

Baby A - 22 weeks 4 days (August 2, 2011)

Baby B - 22 weeks 4 days (August 2, 2011

Here are photos from my last ultrasound. They aren't terribly exciting and if you think you can't see anything that even remotely looks like a baby, you'd be right. These pictures show the hearts and below them the heartbeat monitor. Baby A's heart was beating at 155bpm and Baby B's at 145bpm.  

Babies now pass the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing.

Their digestive systems are 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. Those taste buds actually work and studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid.

They are about the size of papayas and they are now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Those little faces are fully formed and babies are starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day.

Today, I am 23 weeks and 6 days (24 weeks tomorrow!). These guys are the size of eggplants now!

Taken from The Bump.

We've been playing around with the prenatal kit we bought to see if we can hear the heartbeat. We've also been putting the little mics on my belly and playing music. Ken has also been lecturing them to no end using the included mic you can talk into. No surprise that there was no movement at all when that was happening (they were both probably lulled to sleep!).

Nowadays, they move around ALL the time and especially after meals. It's still strange and I always wonder who's moving and if they are already hitting each other in there :) 

We've already purchased many of the bigger nursery items such as the cribs, changing table, strollers and recliner.

I'm excited to report that baby shower planning is also well underway by two fantastic ladies who I can't thank enough already!  It's been such a long road and a long few years that I'm looking forward to this one event very much.

I've experienced no nausea in this pregnancy and have been able to enjoy most of it. My belly is extending beyond my feet at this point so putting on pants are getting difficult and luckily my shoes don't have laces! Ken has been busy getting us settled and renovating our new home in NH. We've been busy but happy these last several months.

Is it snacktime again? Tummy is grumbling :)

As Promised!

Below are ultrasound pictures from Friday's appointment. You realize that of course you will only be seeing the non-gender incriminating shot ;)

18 WEEKS and 5 DAYS

This is baby's side profile headshot. You can see the spine trailing down ... and honestly, there would have been more but since baby's hands were covering the face AND constantly moving, there weren't too many good shots to be had.

The ultrasound technician asked,"This is what you ordered, isn't it? Uncooperative and busy baby?"

Umm ... I hope that doesn't mean colicky and up all night kind of uncooperative but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

By the way, Ken's most noteworthy contribution to the conversation there was: "Man, look at that melon!"

Yes, I married a poet.

So...

...ultrasound photos from yesterday's appointment are here but not yet scanned in. I hope to get them in and up by tomorrow. Otherwise, the appointment went well. We listened to the heartbeat and saw the little one jiggling all around in there!

Tomorrow, I'll officially be 19 weeks. Tick-tock, tick-tock - how many more weeks are left?
Taken from The Bump and Baby Zone: Baby is now the size of a mango!

Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. Picture yourself after a 9 month bath and the need for protection makes sense. Baby is moving frequently and by now should be feeling those movements.

Oh and we did find out the gender but it will be kept a surprise until the baby shower. Only my fabulous shower organizer extraordinaire knows and has been sworn to secrecy! :)

Ultrasound Pictures ... FINALLY!

Hi everyone!

I'm sorry these took so long to scan, upload and post!

It's no longer a real secret anywhere that we're expecting now since my stomach resembles more of a beach ball with neighboring casabas.

Ladies: if you've never been pregnant before, I don't want to tell you the scary things your body and it's functions are capable of while it is busy creating a miracle. Don't misunderstand. I'm definitely not complaining but I am fully acknowledging (and remembering) once again the uniqueness pregnancy brings to a woman's body.

Below are ultrasounds from 5 weeks and 5 days to 13 weeks and 2 days (based on my current due date of February 13, 2011) shown from oldest to newest.

5 WEEKS and 5 DAYS

FUN FACTS (taken from The Bump and Baby Zone): Baby's now the size of an appleseed! My embryo, which doesn't look like much more than a tadpole right now, is actually starting to form major organs (heart, kidney, liver, stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory, digestive). Baby's presence in your uterus triggers production of HCG (hormone detected by pregnancy tests), which triggers the production of other hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which triggers all those great symptoms I've been noticing!

This week, the baby begins to form a "C" shape - with the beginnings of a head on top curving into what will become legs later. A tube visibly outlines the "C". This tube will eventually become part of the baby's brain and spinal cord. In the middle of the "C" the beginnings of my baby's heart are taking shape.

The embryo is about 1/10 of an inch or 1.5 to 3 mm.

6 WEEKS and 5 DAYS

Fun Facts (taken from The Bump & Baby Zone):

Baby's now the size of a blueberry! Baby's brain - both hemispheres! 0 is growing fast, generating about one hundred new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging as joints start to form and a permanent set of kidneys (baby's third!) is now is place.

Baby has been busy this week! The brain is continuing to develop. The circulatory system becomes more complex as lungs begin to form.

Face is taking shape with eyes showing some pigmentation, visible ear holes, minuscule nostrils and an indentation where the mouth will appear. The digestive system and stomach are starting to form. Arms and legs are growing but fingers and toes have not yet developed.

12 WEEKS and 1 DAY

FUN FACTS (taken from The Bump and Baby Zone): Baby's now the size of a plum! As I move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of baby's systems are fully formed.

The end of the first trimester marks an important step for baby. All of the major body systems are in place. In the digestive system, the small intestine is no longer entwined with the umbilical cord but instead is neatly tucked within the abdomen. The nervous system continues to develop and the brain's structure is fully formed.

Many of the organs are starting to work on their own too. For instance, the thyroid begins to secrete hormones. Next week, baby will no longer be considered an embryo but instead graduates into a fetus. Baby even has tiny fingernails.

At 12 weeks, baby weighs in around 1.5 ounces and measures about 3 inches in length from crown to rump. 

Baby's genitals will start showing signs of being either male or female soon. Baby may also be sucking as early as this week and his/her kidneys may even be producing urine.

Around this time, I invested in a maternity/pregnancy pillow as sleeping through the night already started to become a thing of the past. Originally, I used the Snoogle but now that I've been accustomed to using my Tempurpedic Neck Pillow (this isn't an infomercial), the Snoogle is now out. However, I discovered that trying to find a decent pillow for back and belly was extremely challenging. I eventually settled on something I don't even now currently use. I've ended up using regular standard pillows to create a midsection bumper.

13 WEEKS and 2 DAYS

FUN FACTS (taken from The Bump and Baby Zone): Baby's now the size of a peach! Baby is forming teeth and vocal cords...savor this, their nonfunctional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions with the head now only one third the size of the body. The intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy - much more convenient.

Week 13 marks the beginning of the 2nd trimester! It is widely recognized as pregnancy's most comfortable and enjoyable (it's all relative).

Hooray! Say goodbye to morning sickness! Second trimester brings relief and reality.

This week marks a milestone for baby. Developmentally speaking, the baby is no longer an embryo but a fetus. The baby appears to be resting because the eyelids have formed and are fused together but the arms and legs move and twitch. Baby can suck their thumb too!

Look at these pictures ... already looks like this baby has thumb sucking down!

Baby is about .5 to .7 ounces and is getting longer at about 3 inches long from crown to rump.

Fingerprints have formed on baby's tiny fingertips, veins and organs are clearly visible through the still-thin skin and the body is starting to catch up with the head.

If this is a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries.

I have another appointment next Friday that will hopefully reveal the gender!

Yes, we're definitely finding out!! But we're keeping the news a surprise until our shower :) so we're anxious to know if you think it will be a boy or a girl. Ken flip flops in his attempt to win our bet (foot rub if I win ... probably Korean BBQ if he wins - GAH!).

TODAY, I am 16 weeks and 6 days (officially 17 weeks tomorrow).

According to The Bump, baby is now the size of an onion. The skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger.

Around this time, baby's ears pop from the head and can now sense sounds. After all, baby has plenty to listen to in utero! The baby is accustomed to the strong beating of my heart, blood rushing through my veins and my stomach grumbling. The baby can also discern sounds outside the uterus like my voice and music.

This week, the little one weighs in at about 5 ounces and stretches to just over 5 inches crown to rump.

I'm assuming at this point, most of my co-workers have either guessed or assume that I'm pregnant. I've made no formal announcement to anyone other than my boss. In any case, if not being able to fit into ANY of my pre-pregger pants isn't a clue that I'm showing more now, then I should be accused of being in denial! Last week, I finally broke down and bought a few maternity pieces that should hopefully last.

New ultrasound photos to be posted next week! Stay tuned!!

In the meantime, we're curious to hear your gender guesses and suggestions for baby registry (yes, I've already begun thinking about that).

Shy Guy ...

Or Gal!

We've had our ultrasound appointment this morning. Unfortunately, Baby Hamilton was quite the busy body and didn't let us see. I'll post the updated pictures soon. We saw all the teeny bones, heart beating, little hands and feet and a cute button nose (not sure where the baby got that from!).

Next appointment is in one month where we'll have another ultrasound to check the heart and development. We're monitoring this little one very closely.

So folks, we still have no idea if this is a boy or a girl. The suspense will linger for at least another month. Ken was disappointed but we'll have a definite answer long before the baby shower ... but I wish we were able to find out today too!

The Lord is giving us the opportunity to practice the virtue of patience. We know we'll need it once the baby is here and we're parenting full time!

In the meantime, I've gotten my blood drawn today to test for neural tube defects. I also asked the doctor about whether or not I should receive the flu shot and/or the H1N1 shot. He said that the flu shot is something many pregnant women get but that there are a lot of mixed feelings about the H1N1 vaccine. I'll definitely get the flu shot but I'm not so sure about the H1N1 shot.

My doctor made a great analogy about the flu shot being a lot like buying a lottery ticket. Can't win unless you play and you may not be protected against certain strains if you don't get the shot ... but I'm still not sold on H1N1.

First Prenatal Exam & Third Ultrasound

Baby Hamilton has graduated from the specialist and had our first appointment with my regular obstetrician on July 24, 2009. Above is a 2D image and how much has baby changed! We could hardly believe it! Until we saw these ...

At 9 weeks and 6 days, Baby Hamilton already looks like ... well, a baby! Ken and I puffed with excitement. For me, this is the moment that the idea of a baby turned into a reality. Baby's heartbeat was beating at a steady 175 bpm and we were actually able to listen to this!

Although I've been trolling plenty of sites and books on baby's development as well as my personal symptoms and how to cope, nothing compares with actually seeing something like that materialize from just a mere concept into a genuine epiphany that this whole process (as old as time as it may be) was truly a miracle in the making.

Other than the amazing pictures, progress was going great. Our family medical histories were taken and my blood was drawn for routine tests. I had no out of the ordinary concerns and although I had to excuse myself a few times for potty breaks (after training a toddler, I don't think you ever call it anything else for quite some time), both baby and mother are healthy.

Second Ultrasound

Second ultrasound was on July 17, 2009. Ken and Emma were both able to make this appointment. Baby Hamilton is 8 weeks 4 days here and heartbeat is at 175.

This ultrasound technician was not as good as my usual person so this picture looks a lot worse than the last one but what is obvious is my growing uterus!! (Not to get all technical on you guys!)

Although I'm not really showing yet at this point, my entire abdominal area is sensitive to the touch and bothersome to have any (and I mean ANY) pressure (light or heavy) on it.

I even lost quite a bit of weight although I'm not sure where since my clothes aren't fitting like they should and can I repeat my last paragraph? ANY pressure!!

The most noticeable changes these days aren't physical! They are emotional and internal - nausea, dizziness, queasy with sudden movements or long car rides and sensitivity to many, many smells. I suddenly also have an aversion to a lot of foods I used to love. I'm also saddened and upset to report that my most beloved tomato in all of its glorious forms is not currently a food option without acquiescing to cardiac arrest inducing heartburn.

I'm looking forward to the end of the First Trimester as I've read on many sites and in several books that is when a lot of these inhumane treatment to preggers tapers off and you enter Pregnancy Utopia.

First Ultrasound ...

My first ultrasound was on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. The baby is 6 weeks 4 days and heartbeat 105 bpm. Ken was unable to make it to this appointment because of his increased travelling schedule these days. Although I wished he were there, it didn't take away from the excitement I felt actually seeing what was happening inside.

You can barely see the little halo where this little one is! I don't think it's really set in for me that there was a little someone growing in there but baby was there!