It's hard to believe that another week is done. I knew that the holidays would make this go by really fast. I am ever so grateful to have had such an enjoyable pregnancy so far. What a wonderful blessing this has been. 21 weeks down and only 16 weeks to go to make it full term for twins. We can do this boys!!!!! Here is the update for week 22...
Week 22:
Guess what? Your baby has finally broken the one-pound mark. How heavy is that? Hold a one-pound box of sugar in your hand the next time you're in the grocery store (and expect people to ask you why you're grinning from ear to ear). Is the box eight inches long? That's about the length your baby is too!
This week, your sweetie is making more sense of the world as he or she develops the sense of touch. In fact, your little one's grip is quite developed by now - and since there's nothing else to grab in utero, he or she may sometimes hold on tight to that umbilical cord (don't worry - it's tough enough to handle it). The sense of sight is also getting more developed. Your baby can now perceive light and dark much better than before ( even with those fused eyelids). But remember - unless you're shining a flashlight over your belly (which you can do, by the way), it'll be mostly dark for your baby inside that cozy womb of yours.
Moving up from the eyes, the eyelashes and eyebrows are well formed now - and even more hair is sprouting atop that cute little head. You'd be quite surprised, though, if you could see your little one up close and in color. Hair at this stage of fetal development has no pigment, so it's bright white.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
21 Week Belly Picture
Here is the belly picture for this week. I am growing but keep in mind that I had just had lots of turkey and homemade noodles when this picture was taken. And yes, I am in my pajamas but it is Christmas and I don't usually get out of PJ's on Christmas day. :) We have a family tradition that has been in our family since I was a very little girl. Everyone gets pajamas on Christmas Eve. That is the one present we open on Christmas Eve. So these are my Christmas pajamas for this year. :)
Christmas 2011
We had a wonderful Christmas with our family today. Yesterday we spent the morning and part of the afternoon with Memaw (Justin's Mom) and then we went to Grammy and Poppy's to spend the night. Aunt Amy, Uncle Travis and cousins Trey and Taryn all spent the night too. I guess since Trey has been a part of our family we have been spending Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's so we can get up first thing on Christmas morning to open presents and then have a big lunch. That is exactly what we did today. Jackson and Jacob got lots of presents even though they haven't been born yet. It's hard to believe that this time next year we will have two little babies about 8 months old and last year they were just a dream.
Amy made Angel Biscuit for breakfast and we had a wonderful time opening presents. Trey was so cute opening his gifts. I can't to watch our boys. Then we had a big traditional lunch...fried turkey, ham, homemade noodles, sweet potatoes, dressing, cranberry salad, green beans, rolls and a fabulous Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake that Mom made. Then we came back home to exchange gifts with Justin's Mom and will just relax for the evening.
Here are gifts that the boys got today. Thank you to Grammy, Poppy, Aunt Amy, Uncle Travis, Trey and Taryn. (I will try to refrain from posting a picture of every item they ever receive but I can't make any promises).
Amy made Angel Biscuit for breakfast and we had a wonderful time opening presents. Trey was so cute opening his gifts. I can't to watch our boys. Then we had a big traditional lunch...fried turkey, ham, homemade noodles, sweet potatoes, dressing, cranberry salad, green beans, rolls and a fabulous Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake that Mom made. Then we came back home to exchange gifts with Justin's Mom and will just relax for the evening.
Here are gifts that the boys got today. Thank you to Grammy, Poppy, Aunt Amy, Uncle Travis, Trey and Taryn. (I will try to refrain from posting a picture of every item they ever receive but I can't make any promises).
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| These are from Aunt Amy. They say "Beary Handsome" on them. So cute! |
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| The boys' first stuffed animals from Cousin Bonnie. They are SOOO soft. |
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| Yes, this is for the boys! I asked for this for Christmas so that I can make homemade baby food for my boys. :) Thanks Mom and Dad. |
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| I LOVE these!!!! If my husband's sports history is any indication, our boys will be playing lots of sports. Will I be able to find outfits like these when they are teenagers? :) Aunt Amy got them these too. |
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| These are also from Aunt Amy. They are little booties for them to wear next Christmas. |
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| These are from Grammy and Poppy. They say "Thank Heaven for Little Boys". Too cute! |
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| These are also from Grammy and Poppy. I am going to have me two handsome little boys. Such cute outfits. |
Thursday, December 22, 2011
A Nursery in the Making: Demolition, Paint and Chair Rail
Saturday morning breakfast, $8; Two cans of paint, $50; Chair Rail, $80; Miscellaneous Supplies, $40; Watching my husband and father of my children transform a normal room into a nursery for our two boys with such joy and enthusiasm.....PRICELESS!!!!
Last Saturday Justin and I got up, got some breakfast and headed to The Home Depot and Lowes. We picked out paint and the chair rail for Jackson and Jacob's room. We got back home and Justin got to work. He had already pulled up the carpet that was in there because our dog, Bailey, had been in there for the past three years and we decided it would be best to replace it. So we decided we wanted to hang a chair rail and paint the portion below the chair rail a chocolate brown and the portion above the chair rail a baby boy blue.
Last Saturday Justin and I got up, got some breakfast and headed to The Home Depot and Lowes. We picked out paint and the chair rail for Jackson and Jacob's room. We got back home and Justin got to work. He had already pulled up the carpet that was in there because our dog, Bailey, had been in there for the past three years and we decided it would be best to replace it. So we decided we wanted to hang a chair rail and paint the portion below the chair rail a chocolate brown and the portion above the chair rail a baby boy blue.
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| Pulling up the carpet |
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| Trimming out the first color. |
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| Trimming |
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| Painting the brown on the bottom |
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| The brown is done! |
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| Another view of the brown done. |
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| The Baby Boy Blue going on |
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| Look at the happy Daddy painting. :) |
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| All the painting is done! |
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While the paint was drying on the walls. Justin painted the chair rail. |
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| It's all done! |
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| Bailey had to check everything out. |
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| I LOVE IT!!!! |
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| Poor Bailey was pouting outside of the room that has been taken away from her. She has been moved to the laundry room. You would think we were abusing here. She just stayed there for a while. She will adjust though. |
Monday, December 19, 2011
21 Week Update
I can't believe we are over half way there. Justin and I were talking the other night about how fast the next few months are going to go. Justin has been working on the nursery and we will have all of the furniture in early January. We have a shower coming up in less than a month with my office and then another shower a few weeks after that. Then we will be able to set everything up and just wait for them to come. Our two little bundles of joy will be here soon and we can't wait. It is so exciting!!!! Here is the update for week 21...
Week 21:
At about seven inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, your baby is about the size of a large banana.
Your baby swallows at least several ounces of amniotic fluid each day - not only for hydration and nutrition, but also to practice swallowing and digesting - skills your baby will need as soon as he or she arrives in your arms. And keep this in mind: The taste of the amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what you've eaten (spicy enchilada one day, sweet carrots another). And that smorgasbord of tastes won't be lost on your baby. That's because your little one has very developed taste buds already. In fact, researchers have noted that babies who were exposed to certain taste in utero via amniotic fluid were more eager to eat foods with that same taste after birth. Want your baby to eat his or her broccoli later? Eat yours now!
Your developing baby still has a great deal of room in your womb - though like anyone who lives in one space for a long time, this tenant will soon begin to feel cramped. Until those uterine walls start closing in, however, there's plenty of space for twisting, turning and even an occasional somersault (so that's what you were feeling last night!).
With all that belly dancing going on, ti's hard to believe your baby gets any sleep at all. But believe it or not, your baby sleeps as much as a newborn, perhaps 12 to 14 hours per day!
Week 21:
At about seven inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, your baby is about the size of a large banana.
Your baby swallows at least several ounces of amniotic fluid each day - not only for hydration and nutrition, but also to practice swallowing and digesting - skills your baby will need as soon as he or she arrives in your arms. And keep this in mind: The taste of the amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what you've eaten (spicy enchilada one day, sweet carrots another). And that smorgasbord of tastes won't be lost on your baby. That's because your little one has very developed taste buds already. In fact, researchers have noted that babies who were exposed to certain taste in utero via amniotic fluid were more eager to eat foods with that same taste after birth. Want your baby to eat his or her broccoli later? Eat yours now!
Your developing baby still has a great deal of room in your womb - though like anyone who lives in one space for a long time, this tenant will soon begin to feel cramped. Until those uterine walls start closing in, however, there's plenty of space for twisting, turning and even an occasional somersault (so that's what you were feeling last night!).
With all that belly dancing going on, ti's hard to believe your baby gets any sleep at all. But believe it or not, your baby sleeps as much as a newborn, perhaps 12 to 14 hours per day!
19 Week Ultrasound
Justin and I got to see our boys again last week. They did the full anatomy check on the boys and it was perfectly fine. The boys are growing perfectly and they checked out absolutely perfect. I had a stomach bug so we didn't talk much to Dr. Evitt but she said everything was ok. They made sure I wasn't dehydrated. She said the boys were perfectly fine so it was ok if I wasn't able to eat for a few days but to make sure I had plenty to drink. Thankfully whatever it was passed in 24 hours so I am back on the mend. We will go back for another visit and ultrasound in three weeks.
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| The picture on the left is a little foot. :) This is my favorite picture from this week. A little foot...how sweet is that! |
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| This is Jackson. Laying face down just hanging out. :) |
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| This is Jacob. Sweet little boy. :) |
Monday, December 12, 2011
A Nursery in the Making
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The remodeling of the boy's room has begun!!! I cannot tell you how excited this makes me!!! I have the most amazing husband who is working so hard to make sure everything gets done for these two little boys of ours. We ordered all the furniture for their room the week before Thanksgiving and it should be here the first part of January. Justin said he would have the room ready to put the furniture in when it gets here. He is pulling up the carpet because that room is where Bailey has been since we have had her. It is time for her to move to the laundry room so the boys can have her room. Then we will paint and have new carpet laid. I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!
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| Daddy working hard pulling up the carpet to be replaced in the nursery! Thank you Babe!!!! |
The Boy's First Christmas Present
We received the boy's first Christmas present from Aunt Beth and Uncle Roger today. They sent us the highchairs we registered for. Justin and I are so thankful to them for blessing us with such a wonderful gift for the boys before they are even here. It made me a little weepy. Just to watch Justin put them together and then to have two highchairs sitting here. So sweet! I can't wait for Jackson and Jacob to try them out. I am sure they will love them and get wonderful use out of them. Thank you so much Aunt Beth and Uncle Roger. We all love you very much!!!!!!
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| They are the Fisher Price Space Saver Highchairs that will attach to our chairs at the table. They will be able to use them from an infant to a toddler so we will get a lot of use out of them. |
20 Week Update
It is crazy to think we are over half way through this pregnancy. It is absolutely amazing! I am still feeling great. Some of the symptoms I have been having (be it ever so slight) are easing up more and more. This last week has been pretty uneventful. We are just getting ready for Christmas. We have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday so we will have more pictures soon. :) We can't wait to see them again.
There isn't much to the 20 week update. It just talks about finding out if you are having a boy or girl and we know that we are having two boys. It says the babies wiegh about 10 ounces and crown-to-rump length is about six and a half inches.
There isn't much to the 20 week update. It just talks about finding out if you are having a boy or girl and we know that we are having two boys. It says the babies wiegh about 10 ounces and crown-to-rump length is about six and a half inches.
19 Week Belly Picture
Well I am pretty sure I am growing by the day. I had a day last week at work where I KNOW I grew from the morning to the afternoon. I walked by a mirror in the afternoon at work and thought, "Whoa when did that happen?". The girls at work always let me know when I have grown. Then when I get home (like tonight) and Justin says, "Babe, I think you have grown." then I really know I have a hit a growth spurt. I am pretty sure tonight's growth spurt happened in the 3 hours after work while I was out shopping. It is so funny to watch and feel.
I am pretty sure the boys had an active day today too. I am feeling more and more weirdness inside which Mother assures me is the boys moving. I am kind of new to this so I can't be sure. I told Justin today that I can't wait until we can feel them from the outside and know for sure it is them moving. It is so amazing!!!
I am pretty sure the boys had an active day today too. I am feeling more and more weirdness inside which Mother assures me is the boys moving. I am kind of new to this so I can't be sure. I told Justin today that I can't wait until we can feel them from the outside and know for sure it is them moving. It is so amazing!!!
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| 19 Week Belly Picture in new top from Mother she gave me over the weekend. |
Monday, December 5, 2011
Christmas Party
Jackson and Jacob got to go to their first Christmas party over the weekend. Justin's company flew us up to Ohio where his company headquarters is for their Christmas party. It was a short trip (up Friday morning and back Saturday afternoon) but we had a wonderful time. They have a few nice venue and the food was pretty good as well. Here is a picture of me before we headed out to the party.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
19 Week Update
It has been another great week. I have felt a lot better this week as far as the gagging and headaches go. I obviously have been looking better too according to the ladies at work. Ha ha ha. They are too sweet to me. Always looking out for me and making sure I am ok so special shout out to Aunt Erin, Aunt Tia, Noma and Aunt Beverly, Aunt Cindy and Aunt Sandi. I am one lucky woman and these are two lucky boys. They have taken such good care of us. I can't believe that we are half way there. Here is the update for week 19. Let's see what these boys are up to this week.
Week 19:
Six inches long this week and about eight ounces in weight, your baby is the size of a large mango.
Your little action figure is able to choreograph Matrix-like moves this week. Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your baby more control over limb movements. Which explains all that kicking, stretching and body surfing (or rather belly surfing) you've possibly started feeling by now.
Something else going on this week: Your baby is getting a cheesy varnish. Say what? Yup - a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for varnish; caseosa is cheese) now covers your baby's skin. It's greasy and white and is made up of lanugo (that downy hair). oil from your baby's glands, and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appetizing or attractive, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, your baby would look very wrinkled at birth (sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months). Some babies - especially those born early - will still be covered with vernix at the delivery, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream.
Week 19:
Six inches long this week and about eight ounces in weight, your baby is the size of a large mango.
Your little action figure is able to choreograph Matrix-like moves this week. Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your baby more control over limb movements. Which explains all that kicking, stretching and body surfing (or rather belly surfing) you've possibly started feeling by now.
Something else going on this week: Your baby is getting a cheesy varnish. Say what? Yup - a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for varnish; caseosa is cheese) now covers your baby's skin. It's greasy and white and is made up of lanugo (that downy hair). oil from your baby's glands, and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appetizing or attractive, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, your baby would look very wrinkled at birth (sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months). Some babies - especially those born early - will still be covered with vernix at the delivery, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream.
18 Week Belly Picture
Well I know I skipped a week of belly pictures but last Sunday we were traveling home from Springfield. I was tired when we got home and didn't get a chance to take a picture. So here I am at week 18. I guess since Dr. Evitt said we won't go past 37 weeks, by the middle of this coming week we will be at the half way point. That is absolutely amazing to this about! I can't wait to see them!!!
Christmas Time
Well Christmas is almost here and it is kind of the boy's first Christmas. It has been extremely hard for me to wrap my mind around Christmas this year because of always having Jackson and Jacob on my mind. All I want to do is prepare for them. I usually have Christmas decorations up by early November but definitely by Thanksgiving...not this year. Justin and I started decorating this past Monday night and just finished last night. I do love looking at the decorations but still I am constantly thinking about what we need to do for the nursery. While we were decorating Justin and I talked about how next year we will have two little 8 month old little helpers. :)
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| Our Christmas Tree |
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| Jackson and Jacob's first ornament from Grammy. Mom always gets us a new ornament every year and this year it was for the boys. :) |
Ol Silver
Well last Monday night Justin did something he has sworn he would never do as long as I have known him...he bought me a minivan! I have always wanted a minivan because I think they are more practical than an SUV with children. Justin was hard to convince but before we even started trying to have a baby we made deal (that I never thought we would need). I told him I would drive an SUV if we had one child at a time but I wanted a van if by some chance we had twins. Well I am sure glad I made that deal because TWINS it is and therefore MINIVAN it is!!! I wanted a minivan because I absolutely loved the Honda Odyssey. We drove one a few years ago and liked it but since then they have changed the body style. So we went to drive a new one and it was not nearly as impressive as the last body style. There was very little leg room and it didn't drive as smoothe as the other one did. I still wanted it though because I wasn't fond of any others. One night Justin and I were out to dinner and he asked me to look at the Nissan Quest and I did just to make him happy because he looked at the Honda for me. Well we got there and looked it and we both fell in love with it. We looked at the Honda and the Toyota Sienna and the Quest another day all in one afternoon so that we could compare. We decided the Quest was the best bet for what we wanted. It was the most comfortable and had the most options for the best price. So last Monday we went and bought one. It is silver and we absolutely love it. I got in and Justin told me we could have it and it made me so happy that I cried. The poor saleman kept asking if I was alright. I said, "Have you ever seen anyone cry over getting a minivan because they were so happy?" It was funny but I was just so overwhelmed with happiness and gratefulness that God has allowed us so many blessings. It is so funny to me that Justin really loves it as well and that also makes me so happy. Aunt Beth has named our van "Ol Silver" and it has stuck. :) We are so happy to have a vehicle with lots of space for Jackson and Jacob to enjoy on the road. How exciting that we are another step closer to welcoming these boys home!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
17 Week Check-up
Last Wednesday Justin and I got to see the babies again. They are growing just beautifully. They are both about 6 ounces and measuring perfectly for how far along I am. I was 17 weeks and 2 days the day we were at the doctor. Dr. Evitt walked in after the ultrasound and said "could these boys be any more perfect?". God has truly blessed me in this pregnancy and is blessing these boys of mine. She also said that she had no complaints about me either which was wonderful to hear. My blood pressure was up a little when we first got there but it went back down after I rested for a few minutes. She said she was not concerned about it at this point but could be indication of problems later because it has spiked a few times like that. Oh well we are just trusting God for continual health and good reports. It was perfect timing that we were able to go to the doctor that day because it was just a few days before we were supposed to fly to Ohio for Justin's company Christmas party but we needed the doctor's approval to fly. She said that it was ok without any hesitation. So it was an absolutely perfect visit and we were so thankful. So we all got to go to Ohio this weekend which was a blast. We got a few new pictures but they were not very good ones but here are the best ones. :)
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| Jackson |
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| Jacob |
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
18 Week Update
I am little far behind on getting a 17 week picture and 18 week update together but we were traveling all day Sunday when I normally do my updates. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Mama and Papa. We didn't do a whole lot but it was very nice to relax. We also got to see Aunt Beth, Uncle Roger, Luke and Emily which was just wonderful. I hate that so much of my family is so far away especially now that Jackson and Jacob are on the way. I want them to all be able to enjoy time with them. We will continue to make our road trips to see them all, though. Those road trips will be pretty comfortable in our new Nissan Quest that we bought last night. It is so awesome. I will post pictures of it a little later after the weather clears up a bit and Justin cleans Ol Silver up (Aunt Beth named her).
Well yet another week has passed and I can't believe it. We are almost half way through the pregnancy. I am still feeling absolutely amazing! Yesterday was day one of week 18. Let's see what's going on with these babies now...
Week 18:
This week, your baby is hitting the height chart at five and a half inches long (remember, that's crown to rump) and weighs about five ounces (the weight of that boneless chicken breast you're making for dinner).
And now for the skill of the week (drum roll please...) : The art of the yawn has been mastered by your baby (someone's sleep!). In fact, you might catch a glimpse of that adorable yawn if you're getting an ultrasound this month. You'll also catch a glimpse of all the movement your baby's doing - twists, rolls, kicks, and punches. And would you believe your baby is finally beig enough for you to start feeling movements now (or anytime in the next few weeks). So get ready!
Something you won't see on the ultrasound, but you'll know is in working order, is your baby's nervous system, which is maturing rapidly at this time. Nerves, now covered with a substance called myelin (which speeds messages from nerve cell to nerve cell), are forming more complex connections. And those in the brain are further specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. Talking about hearing, your baby's is growing more acute, making your little one more conscious of sounds that come from inside your body (which means you could both be lsitening to each other hiccup - a skill that your baby has by now).
Well yet another week has passed and I can't believe it. We are almost half way through the pregnancy. I am still feeling absolutely amazing! Yesterday was day one of week 18. Let's see what's going on with these babies now...
Week 18:
This week, your baby is hitting the height chart at five and a half inches long (remember, that's crown to rump) and weighs about five ounces (the weight of that boneless chicken breast you're making for dinner).
And now for the skill of the week (drum roll please...) : The art of the yawn has been mastered by your baby (someone's sleep!). In fact, you might catch a glimpse of that adorable yawn if you're getting an ultrasound this month. You'll also catch a glimpse of all the movement your baby's doing - twists, rolls, kicks, and punches. And would you believe your baby is finally beig enough for you to start feeling movements now (or anytime in the next few weeks). So get ready!
Something you won't see on the ultrasound, but you'll know is in working order, is your baby's nervous system, which is maturing rapidly at this time. Nerves, now covered with a substance called myelin (which speeds messages from nerve cell to nerve cell), are forming more complex connections. And those in the brain are further specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. Talking about hearing, your baby's is growing more acute, making your little one more conscious of sounds that come from inside your body (which means you could both be lsitening to each other hiccup - a skill that your baby has by now).
Sunday, November 20, 2011
17 Week Update
Today is the last day of week 16 and tomorrow begins week 17. It is hard to believe we are almost half way through. I was listening to the radio today and a song came on..."you're gonna miss this you're gonna want this back you're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast". I want to embrace every moment of life and not wish any moment to pass. I know that towards the end a pregnancy can become uncomfortable but I have asked Justin to remind me that no matter how uncomfortable I may get the most important thing is Jackson and Jacob. Our prayer (and would appreciate anyone who thinks of us to agree with us in prayer in this) is that the boys will not come until we are able to all be together as a family as soon as they are born. I don't want them to come too early and them have to be separated or be away from us. I don't care if that means I have to stay in bed for weeks to keep them from coming too early. I pray for God's complete and perfect timing in all of this. I don't want to wish anything to rush just for my comfort's sake. Oh well....lot of rambling of where my heart is today just to share with you the weekly update for this coming week.
Week 17:
How big is your baby this week? About five inches long and more than three and a half ounces - the size of your open hand. (Open the other one too and imagine your baby cradled in both your arms right after delivery!) Body fat (baby's that is) is beginning to form and will continue to accumulate through the end of your pregnancy. By the time your baby is born, body fat will make up about two-thirds of his or her weight.
Your baby is almost certainly listening up by now. In fact, loud noises - the dog barking, the doorbell ringing - will actually startle your baby (and also get him or her used to such noises; for instance, babies who regularly hear a dog barking will become babies who sleep right through Fido's outbursts). Your baby's eyes (which have fortunately finished their migration to the front of his or her head) are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed. And since practice makes perfect, your baby is sharpening his or her sucking and swallowing skills in preparation for that first (and second...and third) suckle at your breast or bottle. In fact, most of the survival reflexes that your baby will have at birth are being perfected in utero right now.
And here's some proof that your baby is truly one of a kind (as if you needed any!). Within the next week or so, the pads on your baby's fingertips and toes will become adorned with completely individual swirls and creases (aka fingerprints).
Week 17:
How big is your baby this week? About five inches long and more than three and a half ounces - the size of your open hand. (Open the other one too and imagine your baby cradled in both your arms right after delivery!) Body fat (baby's that is) is beginning to form and will continue to accumulate through the end of your pregnancy. By the time your baby is born, body fat will make up about two-thirds of his or her weight.
Your baby is almost certainly listening up by now. In fact, loud noises - the dog barking, the doorbell ringing - will actually startle your baby (and also get him or her used to such noises; for instance, babies who regularly hear a dog barking will become babies who sleep right through Fido's outbursts). Your baby's eyes (which have fortunately finished their migration to the front of his or her head) are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed. And since practice makes perfect, your baby is sharpening his or her sucking and swallowing skills in preparation for that first (and second...and third) suckle at your breast or bottle. In fact, most of the survival reflexes that your baby will have at birth are being perfected in utero right now.
And here's some proof that your baby is truly one of a kind (as if you needed any!). Within the next week or so, the pads on your baby's fingertips and toes will become adorned with completely individual swirls and creases (aka fingerprints).
16 Week Belly Picture
Growing, growing, growing!!!! I plan to grow a lot this coming week. We are going to Mama and Papa's house for Thanksgiving and Mama's food is going to be amazing!!!! It will be the boy's first trip of many to Mama and Papa's house and we are so excited. I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is this coming week. It is hard to believe that this year is almost to the end.
We had a very exciting weekend this weekend. Saturday we went and order the boy's furniture for their room. We should have it before Christmas so Justin is going to work on having the carpet replaced in their room and painting it. I can't wait to have it done so we can share it with everyone. We also completed a registry at Target this weekend. So we are now completely registered at Target and Babies R Us. We will probably also have a few things on Amazon as well. There are a few things we want that we can't get the colors we want in the stores. Today we bought the bedding for the cribs that we found at Target. So by Christmas we can have the cribs completely set up. Then in February we will have a shower and complete everything. It is all so exciting!!!!
Here is the weekly belly picture...
Growing Growing Growing!!!! :)
We had a very exciting weekend this weekend. Saturday we went and order the boy's furniture for their room. We should have it before Christmas so Justin is going to work on having the carpet replaced in their room and painting it. I can't wait to have it done so we can share it with everyone. We also completed a registry at Target this weekend. So we are now completely registered at Target and Babies R Us. We will probably also have a few things on Amazon as well. There are a few things we want that we can't get the colors we want in the stores. Today we bought the bedding for the cribs that we found at Target. So by Christmas we can have the cribs completely set up. Then in February we will have a shower and complete everything. It is all so exciting!!!!
Here is the weekly belly picture...
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Week 16 Update
Tomorrow we will begin week 16. It is so hard to believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas is just around the corner. I am very excited for the holidays. After the holidays we have to get busy on nusery and getting everything ready for the babies. Time is really going to fly by now.
Week 16:
Listen up: Tiny bones in your baby's ears are in place this week, making it likely that the baby can hear your voice when you're speaking (or singing in the shower). In fact, studies have found that babies who are sung to while they're in the womb recognize the same tune when it's sung to them after they are born (so choose your baby music with that in mind...)
Ok side note here....that makes me want to cry. How sweet is that. Our boys can hear us and hear me sing. What a wonderful thought.
And baby's busily boning up in other ways. For one, the backbone (along with the back muscles) is stronger now - strong enough in fact to enable your baby to work on straightening his or her head and neck even more. Baby's crown-to-rump measurement is between four and five inches in length, and weight is hovering around three ounces.
This little one's a looker - with a face that has both eyebrows and eyelashes - but a skinny looker since there's no baby fat yet. And here's the skinny on baby skin: It's practically translucent now, so if you took a peek inside your uterus, you'd be able to see your baby's blood vessels under that thin skin
Week 16:
Listen up: Tiny bones in your baby's ears are in place this week, making it likely that the baby can hear your voice when you're speaking (or singing in the shower). In fact, studies have found that babies who are sung to while they're in the womb recognize the same tune when it's sung to them after they are born (so choose your baby music with that in mind...)
Ok side note here....that makes me want to cry. How sweet is that. Our boys can hear us and hear me sing. What a wonderful thought.
And baby's busily boning up in other ways. For one, the backbone (along with the back muscles) is stronger now - strong enough in fact to enable your baby to work on straightening his or her head and neck even more. Baby's crown-to-rump measurement is between four and five inches in length, and weight is hovering around three ounces.
This little one's a looker - with a face that has both eyebrows and eyelashes - but a skinny looker since there's no baby fat yet. And here's the skinny on baby skin: It's practically translucent now, so if you took a peek inside your uterus, you'd be able to see your baby's blood vessels under that thin skin
Gifts for the Boys
The boys received some prizes from Grammy and Poppy this week...
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| Bulldog onsies from Grammy that she bought just for Justin because of Bailey. |
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| Onsies from Poppy. One with an airplane and one with a racecar. |
15 Week Belly Picture
Today is the last day of week 15. Time is flying by but I'm loving every minute of. Feeling a little more emotional lately but not too terrible just noticing it more. Justin and I finished our registry at Babies R Us last night with mom and Amy. We still need to go start a registry at Target because they have some things we want that Babies R Us doesn't have. It was a great feeling to have the big registry done. It was slightly overwhelming but we made it through and I think our boys will have some really nice things to come home to. Starting week 16 tomorrow!
Friday, November 11, 2011
And the Twins Are.....
BOYS!!!!!! That's right we are having two boys. We just found out on Wednesday and it was pretty clear even to my untrained eye if you know what I mean. :) Ha ha ha! We are so very excited to know what our two little bundles of joy are. Now we can really start planning...work on the room, decide on bedding, finish the registry with everything blue, on and on and on! We only had one boy named picked out before Wednesday and that was Jackson Wayne. We immediately started talking about another name and I am pretty sure we have decided to on the second name...at least for now...and that is Jacob Wendell. We decided to stick with the "J" theme and Jacob is a name we both really liked. I liked Jayden but Justin said it was a little too girly. I really do like Jacob though. We had decided long ago that we would use Jax as a nickname for Jackson so I wanted to be able to shorten the other name to a one syllable nickname as well (because I am just OCD like that). So for Jacob we will go with either Jake or Jay. We haven't completly decided on that yet. Below are some new pictures from our ultrasound on Wednesday. Everything went very well with our appointment. The boys and I are doing great. They both measured well and had good heartbeats. They are both a little over 3 inches long (crown to rump). Dr. Evitt said once again that she didn't have much to say to us because everything is going just perfect. We are so thankful. I have had a little more nausea over the last week or so but still nothing terrible. It just comes and goes here and there. Overall we are doing great and are so excited!!!!
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| On the left here is Jackson. It looks like he is just hanging out leaning on his arm. So cute!!!! |
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| On the left here is Jacob (I know you are thinking how can different babies be on the same side in different pictures but the first picture up top was turned upside down because he was upside down. That way you can see him better. So this is actually right side up and Jacob is on the left in the pictures.) This is my favorite picture because he looks like he is sucking his thumb. LOVE IT! |
Sunday, November 6, 2011
15 Week Update
We are into the second trimester now. Everything is going wonderfully. I am so thankful for such a wonderful pregnancy so far and am believing to have a full-term healthy wonderful pregnancy. We will be going to the doctor again this week for another ultrasound. We are still on an every two week schedule. So I will have new pictures to share later this week. I can't wait to see them again! Today is the last day of the 14th week so tomorrow will be the start of the 15th week. Here is the update for this coming week.
Week 15:
Curious why your body is finally looking like it's pregnant? That's because your baby is growing bigger each week - he or she is as long as four and a half inches right now. Need a better visual (and a snack)? Hold a large navel orange in your hand - that's how big your little darlin' is this week. Now that you're done looking, peel that orange and eat it for a delicious two servings of vitamin C).
So what keeps your baby busy all day? Mostly, your baby is in rehearsals - practice, practice, practicing and getting ready for that big debut. Babies practice breathing, sucking, and swallowing so that when they leave your comfy womb and move into your comfy house, they'll have the skills necessary to survive.
Baby body movements continue to get practice this week, too. But because your baby weighs so little (a bit over two ounces), you won't feel the calisthenics going on inside your abdominal gym. But don't let that fool you. Your baby is holding daily aerobics classes - kicking, curling toes, and moving those little arms and legs.
And with each passing week, your baby is looking more and more like the baby you're picturing in your dreams. By now, the ears are positioned properly on the sides of the head (they used to be in the neck) and the eyes are moving from the side of the head to the front of the face - where they'll soon meet your loving gaze.
Week 15:
Curious why your body is finally looking like it's pregnant? That's because your baby is growing bigger each week - he or she is as long as four and a half inches right now. Need a better visual (and a snack)? Hold a large navel orange in your hand - that's how big your little darlin' is this week. Now that you're done looking, peel that orange and eat it for a delicious two servings of vitamin C).
So what keeps your baby busy all day? Mostly, your baby is in rehearsals - practice, practice, practicing and getting ready for that big debut. Babies practice breathing, sucking, and swallowing so that when they leave your comfy womb and move into your comfy house, they'll have the skills necessary to survive.
Baby body movements continue to get practice this week, too. But because your baby weighs so little (a bit over two ounces), you won't feel the calisthenics going on inside your abdominal gym. But don't let that fool you. Your baby is holding daily aerobics classes - kicking, curling toes, and moving those little arms and legs.
And with each passing week, your baby is looking more and more like the baby you're picturing in your dreams. By now, the ears are positioned properly on the sides of the head (they used to be in the neck) and the eyes are moving from the side of the head to the front of the face - where they'll soon meet your loving gaze.
Getting Ready for Babies!
Yesterday Justin and I started cleaning out our closets yesterday. It is amazing to me the stuff that you accumulate and keep over time that we so desperately had to clean out in order to make room for the babies. Justin cleaned out the nursery closet where our office has been and Bailey's room. We hope to get Bailey moved out and the carpet pulled up in the next week or so. I am so excited about getting the room transformed for the babies.
I got all my regular clothes moved out of my closet and into the spare closet and the maternity clothes into my closet. That was exciting.
Aunt Amy brought us the cradle and some diapers last night. We have the cradle in our room now. It makes it all so much more real. Here is a picture of the cradle in our room. This is the same cradle that Amy and I slept in when we were babies. :) So neat to have things like this to pass down.
I got all my regular clothes moved out of my closet and into the spare closet and the maternity clothes into my closet. That was exciting.
14 Week Belly Picture
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
14 Week Update
We have made our way into the 2nd trimester. It is so hard to believe that this journey of pregnancy is 1/3 of the way through. Three months pregnant!!! Unbelievable! It is now November which is also unbelievable. It is crazy that this year is almost over and very soon we will be welcoming our two children to this world. We have been looking at everything babies! I think we have finally picked the furniture and colors for the nursery. Just is going to work on moving his office and Bailey out of the nursery this weekend. I am excited to get started on nursery for our two wonderful babies!
Week 14:
Growing by leaps and bounds, by week 14 of pregnancy, your baby is leaping and bounding. He or she is on the move almost constantly - and those movements are a far cry from those jerky twitches of last trimester (though you won't feel any of them for weeks to come). They are now ballet-like, smooth and fluid.
Speaking of ballet, it'll be years before you'll start nagging your offspring to stand up straight - but unbelievably, he or she is doing it right now, without any prodding! No slouch anymore, your baby's neck is getting longer, helping his or her head stand more erect. This gives your 14-week-old baby a more straightened-out appearance.
Growth is happening on top of the head as well - your baby could be sprouting some hair (though the final color may not be determined until birth) and the eyebrows are filling in, too.
Hair growth isn't limited to the baby's head, though. He or she is also covered with a downy coating of hair called lanugo, largely there for warmth. As fat accumulates later on in your pregnancy (the baby's fat, not yours - though that will accumulate, too), most of the lanugo will shed - though some babies, especially those born early, still have a fuzzy coating at delivery (it sheds soon afterward).
Week 14:
Growing by leaps and bounds, by week 14 of pregnancy, your baby is leaping and bounding. He or she is on the move almost constantly - and those movements are a far cry from those jerky twitches of last trimester (though you won't feel any of them for weeks to come). They are now ballet-like, smooth and fluid.
Speaking of ballet, it'll be years before you'll start nagging your offspring to stand up straight - but unbelievably, he or she is doing it right now, without any prodding! No slouch anymore, your baby's neck is getting longer, helping his or her head stand more erect. This gives your 14-week-old baby a more straightened-out appearance.
Growth is happening on top of the head as well - your baby could be sprouting some hair (though the final color may not be determined until birth) and the eyebrows are filling in, too.
Hair growth isn't limited to the baby's head, though. He or she is also covered with a downy coating of hair called lanugo, largely there for warmth. As fat accumulates later on in your pregnancy (the baby's fat, not yours - though that will accumulate, too), most of the lanugo will shed - though some babies, especially those born early, still have a fuzzy coating at delivery (it sheds soon afterward).
12 week Ultrasound
Well I am terribly late in posting about our last ultrasound. It was last Wednesday, October 26th. I took the pictures to work on Thursday and forgot them when I left. I was off work Friday and then was out sick Monday and Tuesday. Still not for morning sickness just an infection or virus of some sort. I still have not had any morning sickness. I have had food aversions and sensitivity to smell but no out right sickness. I am so thankful for that.
We had our visit with Dr. Evitt and she said everything is absolutely wonderful. She said the babies are doing great and so am I. Mama and Papa were in town so they got to go with us to the ultrasound. That was very neat for them to be there. Mom, Amy, Taryn and Trey were there as well. It was a full house. One baby was 5cm and the other 5.5cm. One heartbeat was 161 and the other was 156. It was so amazing to see them again. They are growing and changing so much. It gets a little more real every time we go and they look more and more like little babies that we will be bringing home very soon. One was face up and the other was face down. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
We had our visit with Dr. Evitt and she said everything is absolutely wonderful. She said the babies are doing great and so am I. Mama and Papa were in town so they got to go with us to the ultrasound. That was very neat for them to be there. Mom, Amy, Taryn and Trey were there as well. It was a full house. One baby was 5cm and the other 5.5cm. One heartbeat was 161 and the other was 156. It was so amazing to see them again. They are growing and changing so much. It gets a little more real every time we go and they look more and more like little babies that we will be bringing home very soon. One was face up and the other was face down. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
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