3D/4D Ultrasound at 27 Weeks

Today, Dave and I traveled to Columbia with my mother-in-law, Adrianna, and my father-in-law, Gary. We had a 3D/4D ultrasound. It was amazing. We got an amazing look at both boys. I was overwhelmed with emotion to see how perfect they both were. I feel as though Dave and I are so blessed to have these little miracle babies on the way. We couldn't ask for anything more. We are so lucky.

We all agreed that it appears as though the boys look quite a bit different. They seem to have different facial structures. Baby A has a very broad nose and a heart-shaped face. Baby B has an oval shaped-face. It was difficult to get good pictures of Baby B because he kept his hands in front of his face and Baby A's spine and butt were also in Baby B's face half of the time. We came home with a disc that has 75 pictures and video clips. I am sharing some of the best with you.

Baby B 3D Ultrasound 9/22/09 27 Weeks

Baby B with his hand in front of his face. 3D Ultrasound 9/22/09 27 Weeks

Baby B 3D Ultrasound 9/22/09 27 Weeks

Baby B with his hands in front of his face 3D Ultrasound 9/22/09 27 Weeks

Baby B

Baby B

Baby B

Baby B

Baby B Profile

Baby A Smiling 3D Ultrasound 9/22/09 27 Weeks

Baby A

Baby A

Baby A

Baby A

Baby A

The label says Baby B, but this is actually Baby A

These are short videos that you can play. The first and third are Baby A. The second and fourth are Baby B.

Baby Shower Weekend

On Saturday, we celebrated the approaching arrival of Baby Boys Briggs at my baby shower. It was held at the Kirksville Country Club. There were so many friends and family there to celebrate. I have such thoughtful friends that went out of their way to make it so very special. How do I express my gratitude to so many people for making my baby shower such a special event? That is not a rhetorical question. I don't know how to make each of you know how special it was for me. I am fairly certain that you will never know. We received so many wonderful gifts. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I will never forget it.

This is me with my mom, Oleva, and my mother-in-law, Adrianna. They are both so excited to meet their grandsons.

This is me with the Great-Grandmas-to-Be, my grandmothers, June & Roberta.

These are the wonderful girls that made it all happen! They made homemade invitations and thank-you cards, elaborate centerpieces, homemade mints, put together an awesome theme - just to mention a few things. I have no idea how much went into the preparation for the shower. From L to R: Missy Monroe, Davye Heine, Ranina & Mayson Robinson, myself, Melissa Hamm & Angie Wentworth

I love you guys! You brought tears to my eyes.

These are my awesome friends that spent the weekend with me. This picture was taken at my house before the shower. From L to R: Ellen Berry, Leigh Ann Williams, Nisha Fisher and my large self. Ellen & Leigh Ann came all of the way from Kansas City and Nisha flew in from Boston. Leigh Ann & Nisha make up my Momtourage. I have learned so much from you. You all made my weekend so special. Thanks for giving me a little more "girl time" before the babies arrive. I love you tons!

Grandma June, my sister Tonya, my mom's friend Cindy, Mom, my aunt Carla.

Dave's sister, Debbie, Adrianna, and Adrianna's friend, Edna

The delicious cake

The centerpieces

This is the most embarrassing belly bump buddy picture that I have taken to date. In case you were wondering - yes, Ranina is pregnant. I know it is hard to tell. Let me explain. Ranina is due THE EXACT SAME DAY that I am - December 21. We are a couple days short of being 27 weeks in this picture. She is expecting her second boy. I am so excited for her, but I do curse at her in private . . . under my breath.

This is me sitting in the nursery with all of the amazing gifts that we received after the shower. It was a bit overwhelming. We received some great stuff.

Dave washed all of the baby clothes and blankets on Sunday. Today at lunch, he sorted out all of the socks and counted 56 pair.

24 Week Ultrasound Pictures & Painted Nursery

I really don't have anything clever to write about today. I just wanted to share a small sample of the ultrasound pictures taken last week. Both babies are doing great.

I am also adding some pictures of the nursery's final paint job with the chair rail up. You won't believe what Dave is doing today since he is finished painting . . . He is cutting all of the tags and wrappers off of all of the baby blankets, crib bedding and clothes that we have purchased for the babies and he is washing them. We have nowhere to put the stuff once it is clean, but he doesn't care. It is so sweet.

Both Babies' Heads at 24 Weeks 9/1/09

Baby A's Feet at 24 Weeks 9/1/09

Baby A at 24 Weeks 9/1/09

Baby B at 24 Weeks 9/1/09

Final Paint Job and Chair Rail in Nursery 9/6/09

24 Weeks 8/31/09

24 Week OB Appointment and Ultrasound

Dave and I went to Columbia yesterday for my 24-week OB and ultrasound appointment. Everything was perfect! The boys were in full performance mode during the ultrasound - as usual. They were head-butting each other, kicking, rolling around. It was so much fun to watch. The ultrasound was at 2:00 and they usually don't move much during that time of the afternoon, so it was as if they knew they had an audience. They are already little geniuses - or just very ornery.

I told Nan (my ultrasound tech) that we are coming back in 3 weeks for the 4D/3D ultrasound and she said, "I wonder who is doing that. I hope it's not me." It was funny. She said that I will be the first patient pregnant with twins to do the 4D/3D ultrasound since they started doing them in their office. I think she is a little worried that it may be hard to get good pictures of my very active boys.

My OB, Dr. Morse, arranged for me to see a maternal fetal medicine specialist next Tuesday. A maternal fetal medicine specialist is basically an OB/GYN that specializes in high risk pregnancies. It isn't because I am having complications or problems. It is just because she knows that I will rest easier if I see a specialist. I explained to her that I want to take every precaution possible to get these babies here healthy.

The boys' measurements during the ultrasound were great. Baby A is 1 lb. 8 oz and Baby B is 1 lb. 9 oz. They are in the 54th and 62nd percentile for size. Their heart rates were good. All fluids and placentas looked good. They are both in the vertex position (heads down), so that is a positive sign towards possibly avoiding a C-section.

OLEVA REPORT

Mom seems to be doing great with her radiation treatments. She completed her seventh treatment out of 30 today. Most appointments only take 15 or 20 minutes, but she has to drive 45 minutes each way to the George Ray Cancer Center in Kirksville. She says that she does feel a bit tired, but no other side effects have surfaced yet. Her skin seems to be handling it well. She has been wearing the pressure stocking on her leg for a week. It seems to be decreasing the swelling in her leg. Thank goodness. We figure that she has endured enough with the blood clot issue in her leg. Hopefully the radiation will continue to be easy on her. She deserves it.

I will try to get ultrasound pictures scanned over the long weekend and posted on an upcoming blog. Have a great holiday weekend!