Another Week Closer -- 36 Weeks

Friends and Family,

A return visit to the doctor for my weekly routine. :) Ultrasound was simply to measure fluid and listen to heart beats and that was great. Non-stress test listens to heart rates and monitors contractions. Everything was good there too! My visit with the doctor was quick. She is so happy for us that we have made it to 36 weeks and everything is looking so good. I have to go back Friday for another NST and exam so we can then talk about induction plans. This is really happening! I am so thankful for healthy babies and pregnancy, now I am just trying to wrap my head around bringing two newborns home from the hospital when I come home. I'll admit...I'm a bit scared. We'll take it one day at a time and trust in God's strength to sustain us. He is SO good!

Until next week~ Sarah

35 Weeks

Back to the doctor today for week #35 check-up. (I was just there Thursday, so this felt really strange.) Ultrasound confirms babies are still there. :) Both still head-down, good news. She measured growth today, although with them growing so much, it is really hard to get accurate measurements on both of them. With the measurements she took, the kiddos were almost a pound different in size, which the tech felt was quite off. Her estimate was they are between 4 1/2 and 5 pounds each. Once we get to 36 weeks, the doctor said we will almost certainly take the babies home with us from the hospital if we deliver at that point. Yay! NST was normal, babies heart rates were almost identical the whole 20 minutes. On to see the doctor...she is celebrating we have come so far and everything looks so good! She told me to be prepared to go ANY time. Apparently 35 weeks is average delivery date for twins. I go again on Thursday for just a NST and back again in a week for the full appointment again. I am thankful to God for such a smooth couple of weeks and asking him to prepare me for what the next couple will hold! ~Sarah

We Have Ourselves An Acrobat

Another update for you after my appointment this afternoon. Today I had another Non-stress test, ultrasound and appointment with the doctor. The NST was first and I sat in the chair for only about 15 minutes. The babies heartbeats came through loud and clear, and I didn't have a single contraction the whole time I was hooked up. The ultrasound was up next and low and behold, Baby B did another flip-turn and is again head down. This takes away some worry, but with as agile as this kiddo seems to be, time will tell whether or not he/she stays that way! They always make you step on the scale before seeing the doctor, I actually lost a pound this week...weird! My doctor was not in today, so I saw another doc. He said all looks great and I'm doing really well. So for as crazy as last week's appointment was, this one was pretty low-key! (I'm all for THAT!) Back again next Wednesday for the same routine. We're one week closer to delivery day! :) Have a great weekend!

Diaper Party

This post is a week overdue, but I thought the pictures were worth sharing anyway. :)

Aunt Marilyn put out a tremendous spread of food for us!

I don't really know what to say about this picture, except that it makes me smile. :)

These were the cute party favors for each guest at the party.

Jeff showed up in an appropriate costume for the party. What a hoot!

Grand total: 2275+ diapers, 850+ wipes, blessings: priceless!!!

32 Weeks and a Hospital Stay

Going into this weeks' appointment, I was a bit anxious. My first non-stress test was scheduled and I knew I had been contracting a considerable amount. What would the doctor say about that? Mom and Taryn came with me to the ultrasound and we got another peek at the babes. It is harder and harder to see things since they are getting pretty big now! :) They are both right about 3 lbs. 13 oz. The news with the ultrasound is that Baby B decided to pull a fast one and is now breech. No one gave permission for him/her to do a summer sault! So we'll have that to consider going into delivery, unless for some reason it flips again.

On to the non-stress test. I was hooked up for 20 minutes and both babies heart rates and movement were spot on. They did great and are showing us they are very healthy! They also put a monitor on to check for 'uterine activity', which showed I was having contractions about every 2 1/2 minutes. Hmmmm....I was seeing the writing on the wall. ;)

Finally to see Dr. Elderkin. She was happy to celebrate with me that we made it to 32 weeks, a big milestone. Babies can be delivered with minimal complications at this point, if need be. Our goal now is 34, so lungs can develop further. However, due to the amount of contractions she saw, she was concerned and wanted me to go to the hospital to see if they could slow them down or stop them, and also get a steroid shot for babies' lungs in case labor was progressing. Thankfully, I am only dilated to 1 and the contractions are NOT progressing labor....a big Praise the Lord! They kept me overnight, just to monitor the contractions further, but sent me home today with instructions to lay low and take it easy.

The bummer....no more work. :( I was hoping to tough it out for a couple more weeks yet, but both doctors I saw said, "No, you're done." So, the sub plans begin and the waiting begins. Now begins two appointments per week for the duration of the pregnancy. I'm VERY curious to know how long that 'duration' will end up being. :) That's all for now!

The Nursery is Ready

The 2nd crib is assembled, bedding put on and furniture arranged...I think we might almost be ready! :)

Mason's Big Boy Room

We've been working hard the past few weeks to get Mason's room ready for him to move in. Once we get him moved, we can begin getting the nursery ready for the babies. Here are a few pictures of the 'big boy' project.

Before picture #1...the jungle room is being transformed.

The wallpaper is gone and funky paint is no more. :)

Paint is done, thanks to Nana, Auntie Laura and Daddy. Now it's time to bring in the big boy bed!

Mason helps daddy put together his new bed.

First nap in his new bed. So far, so good! He loves his cars and trucks. :)