I lied!

So it turns out I DO have an update, albeit one completely unrelated to me or the babies (except very indirectly)... and one that mostly pertains to SW Ohio and Northern KY.

They're baaaaaaack...............









Ahh, what a lovely site. (Ick!)

That's right, the next Brood of 17-year periodic cicadas is set just a few inches below the surface of the Tri-State area, waiting for the soil temperature to hit the magical 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you live in Cincinnati, or were at our wedding :), you know of the motherload of all the 17-year Broods -- BROOD X. The Cicadas that cycle on 17-year intervals were all given Brood names with Roman numerals, beginning in the 1800's. Of all the groups that cycle together (15 or 30, depending on who is writing the article), Brood X is by far the largest to emerge anywhere in the world. And who is the luckiest area in the world, to receive the majority of the influx? That's right, Southwest Ohio!

In 2004, if you recall, there were between 5 and 7 billion Brood Xers that ascended to take over our world (read: Cincinnati alone!) for about 6-8 weeks in May and June. In addition to this, there were an extra billion made up of smaller broods, including about 1 million Brood XIVers that can only count to 13, and arrived a few years early. {Apparently, people get really into these creatures and know exactly who belongs to what brood, based on species, age, etc}. Ahh, the memories. Something like 7 or 8 billion bugs literally covering buildings, cars, trees, homes and - at times - faces(!) throughout the area. Countless articles on Cicada Recipes (they're a delicacy, according to anyone dumb enough to try them!), protecting your young plants from the invasion, and protecting your cats and dogs from over-indulging. Again, yuck. Thank goodness, this mega-group won't come back until 2021. That gives us plenty of time to prepare mentally.



And yet, any day now, we will start hearing the familiar singing of the male Cicada, and - at least at first - be on guard for an invasion similar to the one so fresh in our memory. Have no fear, Tri-Staters! Brood XIV is small - TINY, in comparison to Brood X. Take away 1 million or so that came ahead of their relatives and are already 4-years gone, and the anticipated influx is only about 1-2 billion. Also, if you're in Cincinnati, there is more good news -- Kentucky is the hardest hit with this brood, out of the whole US! Northern Kentucky, and actually about 85% of the state(!) will see a lot more of these harmless but oh-so-ugly creatures than we will this time around.

I laugh when I think about the number of wedding vendors calling us to ask if we had any intention of canceling or rescheduling our big day on account of these stupid bugs. I recall articles with some vendors literally closing for the season or filing bankruptcy because outdoor event planning was at such a minimum during May and June of 2004. This year, I anticipate much less hoopla, considering the numbers (especially in Ohio) are so much lower for this brood. Still, I have a vague recollection of 1991, the last time we saw this group. I was young, but I CERTAINLY got lots of exposure to the little, dumb aphids.

Which brings me to another revelation. Why is it that Kyle and I are on the same cycle as these daggone things? An early summer wedding where Cicadas significantly outnumbered our invited guests, and now the Spring/Summer arrival of our little girls, with the next group of Cicada cousins creeping into all of our outdoor trips and photo ops. Let's see.... in 2021, the girls will be 13. What should we plan for that summer? Maybe we should just have a cicada party, where they are the guests of honor. It would keep them from just being a distraction!

And don't worry. In 2025 when the offspring of this years Brood XIVers make their appearance, it seems we'll likely have a high school graduation party or something, so that one is covered. ;)

No News is Good News (for the babies, anyway)...

I thought I'd check in since it's been a while. The truth is, though, life is just at a total standstill right now. Bedrest is horrible and lonely, and the days drag by slower than I could have ever imagined. At 24 years old and the almost-mother-of-two, I have resorted to filling many hours of said days playing games at the Webkinz site, and buying fake furniture for plush animals that happen to have an internet persona. I thought maybe that was a sign that I had REALLY cracked up, but it turns out I know several other adults who are just as hooked. Before you think we've all lost it, let me just explain that the games are definitely adult-friendly and many completely surpass the quality of, say, Yahoo! games or Pogo. Still, it drives a girl crazy to watch the clock tick by while doing nothing except hoping the day passes, and waiting for a new Solitaire tournament to open up! ;)

If you recall from this blog entry, I predicted that this lull would occur - at least in part. I had been optimistic that I would still be functional (for crying out loud!), but I knew that, by having everything in place by week 28, we would be sitting and waiting for several weeks. Well, here we are! We have a fully furnished (and well-stocked) nursery, a kitchen full of storage and bottle supplies (and formula!), a basement full of diapers, baby gear (swings, bouncers, etc) scattered throughout the house, and a bassinet set up next to the bed - just to name a portion of the STUFF taking over our entire house for two, 3-pound unborn girls ....... now we just wait for said girls to come so they can use the stuff, and share in our lives.

I must admit though, as the previously mentioned entry also pointed out, it could be worse. Sure, I could be at the hospital on bedrest (although, aside from the cost, this is sound more and more appealing -- PEOPLE with which to interact!). But I'm not even talking about that this time. I could be sitting on the couch panicking about the things that still need done, all while being unable to accomplish them. I could be ordering furniture from the internet and coming home from the hospital to see my nursery for the first time. Yes, being so incredibly Type A (and married to someone almost my equal in this regard) has its benefits! ;)

So I realize this entry was completely useless, but I have been prodded for another ... and there simply is nothing great to write about! I'll check back in after my next appointment (Thursday?), where I should have something to mention, however mundane! :)

..."with flying colors"

I just got a phone call from my OB office, stating that I passed my 3-hour glucose tolerance test, and didn't even "barely squeak by". This makes a ton of sense to me, considering my blood glucose is usually extremely low (read: I have frequently passed out in the past because it just likes to be low, without a consistent effort to keep it in check). I originally joked that they must have mixed my sample up with someone else's at the lab during my one-hour challenge. I really figured that my pancreas - while it is usually works overtime - just couldn't keep up with the demands of 3 people.

After hearing the results, I'm thinking the lab thing is more likely ;)

In order to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you have to fail 2 out of 4 glucose levels. They draw a fasting level, and then after drinking Glucola (which is from The Pit), they draw a 1-hour, a 2-hour, and a 3-hour level. It appears that I passed all 4 levels, with a result anywhere from 22-51 points below the cut-off.


The nurse on the phone advised me not to run out and get a hot fudge sundae just because I passed, stating that "It is still important to eat a balanced diet. It is good for both [me] and the babies". Gee, thanks.

Still, somehow ice cream does sound awfully good today......

New Week, New OB appointment (I mean it this time!)

Today's appointment was certainly more optimistic than last week! I gained 0.75 pounds (net gain = 11.25 pounds), which is actually decent considering I haven't gained in about 3 weeks and they only want 1-1.5 pounds/week anyway (especially while on bedrest, if possible). My BP was a bit higher than last time, but still just 120/80 - great! I'm measuring 37 weeks (I knew last night that baby B moved down a bit more level with her sister), and Dr. S is pleased with my bedrest accomplishments. While I still feel, um, "ripe" (seriously -- I can be detailed which feels like too much information, or speak in euphemisms and just sound silly. I can't win!), my cervical length is within normal limits and there is no dilation still. Basically, that means that I'm not progressing too rapidly on my own (hooray!) ... but the conditions are perfect for that to happen, should I continue to contract too much.

So, bedrest continues -- but it's no more strict than it was last week, and I still get to be at home! Keep praying for more weeks here, please! As frustrating as it is, I know it's infinitely better than it would be at The Christ (and infinitely CHEAPER!).

My back spasms also continue, and continue to get worse with each day. Last night I was crying and screaming for some Flexeril, which I might seriously get soon. It's ok though, because we will have two beautiful girls to show for the pain.... in the not-too-distant future! :)

New week, new blog colors.

Nah, I don't plan on changing it every week. I am just bored (shocking!) and thought I'd mix it up a bit. Let me know if anything is difficult to read!

Our First Boutique Outfits!

Just now, the doorbell rang. Outside on the step was an adorable package (seriously, I need to know where Deb got this Disney mailing box!).... addressed specifically to the girls! Their first mail :)

Since they aren't coordinated enough, or, well, born enough to open it, I figured it wouldn't really be considered a federal offense in this instance if I opened the package "without" them. Inside, was an adorable clothing set (a t-shirt, onesie, pants, blanket, mittens, bib, hat and jacket/shirt) sporting a "Little Miracle" logo, and some with the phrase, "I'm the Little Miracle that Came True".

In addition to this, were the most adorable - and hand-made! - jumper outfits, complete with sun hats!


How adorable are they going to be in these?! I need to learn to sew!

The Girls' Med-Peds Family :)

Tonight, most of the Med-Peds class was able to make it up to "Minnesota" (where we apparently live.... translation would be lost in a blog, I'll have to try and explain it some other time!). They had wanted to get together because it has been a while, and - after finding out about my essential house arrest - immediately decided to make the drive to spend time with us up here. They're a pretty great bunch!

Dinner was ok, the company however was outstanding. And despite the fact that they already generously purchased our Chicco Capri strollers and made numerous offers to babysit :), they came bearing yet another gift.

Without knowing the extent of our love for Childrens books (as far as we can tell), they had come up with the idea to gather a collection of their favorite childhood stories to give the girls. In each of the books, they wrote a little message. It was the most thoughtful, unexpected thing! There were some wonderful titles, and the messages in each are something I will really treasure each time we read them! The book list won't be updated until tomorrow, because I don't have the books in front of me, but here is what they brought:

The Velveteen Rabbit
Curious George
Curious George Goes to the Hospital
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, no Good, Very Bad Day
Little Critter collection of stories
Goodnight Moon
Rumpelstiltskin
Clifford the Big Red Dog

We are so excited for these babies to meet the wonderful, supportive "family" they have all over the place! :)

Bedrest Digest

So, I'm home -- at least for the week? Night? Either way, I'll count it as a blessing! I wasn't ready to head to the hospital just yet, leaving behind my house, my dog, my bed, my husband, etc. I'm being told to prepare for it to happen sooner rather than later, but it's not happening today. For that, I am thankful!

I know it won't be easy at any point (you know, unless I stay here several more weeks and go in just in time to deliver!)... but I can hold out hope at least until my appointment next Wednesday!
Hopefully by then, and with increased exams/ultrasounds, I can get a clearer picture of what is going on with regards to labor, what changes are being made to the plan, etc. And I can prioritize, and pack, and make a list, etc -- to take control of the few things I CAN do something about! And then I can hope for another day, another week, etc. One day at a time, right? Meanwhile, praise God that the girls continue to do fine!

So onward to the next mini-goal of 30 weeks! I should have no excuse but to keep this updated, no? Except that there will be nothing worth writing, if I'm not doing anything fun! :-P

And just like that...

I'm on bedrest. It's not strict, per se. I'm allowed peeing, showering, etc. I'm even allowed up to the store on occasion, or to my glucose tolerance test (lucky me!), but I need to be off my feet almost all hours of the day. Depending on how well you know me, you know I'm not doing well with this. Despite counting down for the last 8 weeks to my last day at work, I am going in for a few hours tomorrow because I can't cut loose without a tiny bit of notice. I feel like I need to at least hand things off to whomever, pick up my things.....

I suppose it would have been a LOT more dramatic if I just didn't go back! ;) Oh, well. I'm also a bit off kilter about the little things -- lunches I had intended to plan, projects I had intended to do around the house, etc. I will cope with those things, but I could make good money with the entertainment you would get out of being inside my head this afternoon, that's for sure!

Most importantly, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow afternoon around 1. I have an ultrasound to confirm that the cervical changes they are concerned about (thinning, etc) are the "only" things happening, and nothing more urgent. If there is significant shortening, etc, I will be admitted to Hotel Hospital for the duration of this pregnancy.... a possibility with which I'm NOT too thrilled. Also, my uterus is quite irritable after my internal exam today... please pray that it settles down tonight so I don't have to make any more changes even sooner than tomorrow!

Thankfully, at this moment, my OB thinks these girls won't make their appearance still for several more weeks. She just thinks I have to be on rest in order to keep that goal realistic. Everything else today went well -- BP still low, not gaining weight but no longer losing any (right direction! :)). I'm measuring 38 weeks, which is probably why my near-constant uterine contractions are actually starting to give me problems!

I'll keep you posted......

Level II at 27w4d

While we will continue to get frequent ultrasounds, and I will continue to have people ask for pictures of them, said pictures will in turn continue to become less clear (and therefore less cute). The girls are just getting too big, and you can only get so much in the frame at one time! :-P We got 8 pictures from Monday's scan (which was, by the way, in a new location - and awesome). Here are just a few, which are still pretty pointless!

Confirmation, for the umpteenth time, that both are in fact girls ;)






Baby A's arm -- if you're a nerd, you'll love the radius and ulna shot! :)
We went to the Perinatologist's office for this scan, instead of the OBs office with a visit from the Peri. This was only because of scheduling issues and was performed by the same practice, but I think we'll try and go here more in the future! The machine was so much newer and/or fancier, and we saw SO much that we hadn't been able to see as clearly in previous scans. We have "seen" all 4 chambers of the heart, etc, and everything has looked "normal" as they flash by it on the older machine, but this time they zoomed in on just the heart, and watched the blood flow (for quite a while!) through the major vessels, ventricles, atria, etc. We were all able to see quite clearly that vessels are in the right spot, development is progressing on track, etc. We saw a full bladder, 2 kidneys clear as day, shrinking ventricles in the brain where grey matter is developing. Feel free to skip my rambling if none of this interests you. Just trust me, it was awesome. Here's what you're looking for though --

Both girls are growing nicely. They are now being approximated at 2.25lbs (A) and 2.5lbs (B). That puts them at approximately the 25th and 40th percentiles. The difference in their growth ("discordance") is 9%, and anything under 20% is perfectly within expected/normal limits. We'll take it!

Quick Update (Part 2)

So to finish what I started the other day, since I'm again behind on u/s pictures and have yet another appointment tomorrow, I wanted to catch you all up on what has been going on. Kyle, the girls and I have been shown so much love. As I mentioned, it's overwhelming to see how many people already care about these girls, and will be there to love and support them as they grow! :)

Last week, the girls at Max's House threw a lunch and brought goodies for the babies. It was a wonderful treat during naptime, and I've added a few pictures to the Picasa album. Here's a sample --




























Then on Saturday, April 12th, Leah Parr and Karen Myers threw an absolutely beautiful shower for some of our friends, and family friends to attend. It was wonderful seeing so many people from all different times and places in my life, many of which I have not seen in nearly 4 years, when I saw them at my wedding. The club did a marvelous job with everything, and the Myers girls (Leah, you still count as such ;)) were so creative! There are several pictures in an album worth looking at, but here are a few. Click the album link for all of the ADORABLE onesies, decorated by the guests. We will get such a thrill out of these unique gifts for quite some time, as they are all different sizes, Newborn to 12 months!























Finally, on Sunday, the ladies at the church threw a shower as well.



























After the shower on Sunday afternoon, Kyle and I went to Babies R Us and Target while we both had the day off, and purchased some things with gift cards that we still needed. It's absolutely amazing to me to realize how much stuff we have purchased or received for these babies, and how real it is actually starting to feel that they'll be joining us soon!

Quick Update! (Part 1)

I just wanted to add, for a few people who are curious and for my own memory in the future, the outcome of my most recent OB appointment (at just under 27 weeks), and the other things that have gone on the last few days that I sort of glossed over in the shadow of the 3D ultrasound :)

I lost a pound (net gain at 27 weeks = 10.5 pounds), and finally got the Boost/Ensure Sentence handed down. I have purchased a small pack of each, but if they are as gross as I remember, I will be drinking Slim Fast instead, despite the odd looks I might receive :) I'm really not surprised I can't gain weight, as I literally struggle physically with eating. Yesterday I had a piece of pizza at 2:30, and could hardly stomach even 1 serving of anything at dinner (8pm). Today, I'm vomiting -- my one day a week or so. Wasn't this supposed to end, oh, 16 weeks ago?! ;)

My CBC results showed that I'm STILL anemic, somehow, so my iron is upped again. Sweet. Thankfully, I have somehow escaped a lot of the GI side effects associated with iron, perhaps because they have prescribed a slow release tab? We'll see if that stays the same when I double the dose every other day! I'm up to 8+ pills a day, while pregnant. I still can't get over the irony.

My rib flaring, SPD, etc are still in full force, but there is nothing more to do about either. I really would love for Baby B to move down a bit, and Baby A to move up a bit... it might really help! Alas, after about 10 weeks in the same general positions, I think they must be quite cozy where they are, despite appearances.

Braxton-Hicks contractions continue getting stronger, but there are no other signs of pre-term labor (even on internal exam), so I'm thrilled. Here I am in the third trimester, with no bedrest yet. Hooray! Still, I continue to get reprimanded for working too much, so I'm glad to have an end in sight for that as well (less than 3 weeks now!).

My BP was the highest it's been yet..... at 120/72! I'll take it ;) Hopefully it continues to stay nice and low. I have to schedule my 3-hour glucose tolerance test soon, which I'm absolutely not looking forward to. Oh, well.

Otherwise, I think that about covers it! I have another appointment Wednesday, and we have another Level II ultrasound on Monday. From the obstetric report after the 3Du/s, it appears Baby B needs a bit more amniotic fluid. Hopefully that's resolved by Monday's scan. I'll keep you posted! Until then, stay tuned for a shower update, a few pictures, etc. Have a good morning!

A vs. B

No, they are not competing in anything. We love them both :) I just started to answer a question my aunt asked in a comment, and ran out of room. I talk too much! ;)

Question: You always call them A and B, do you know which is A truly and which is B truly, and if so, have you decided that baby A is name #1 and baby B is name #2 already?

A good friend of mine just asked the same question on the phone yesterday, so I figured I'd address it!

We definitely do know which is which. From the beginning, just as a standard, Baby A is always the closest to the cervix and then the rest (in any multiples) get named subsequent letters as they get further out/up. They do that mostly so that if there are any concerns during the pregnancy with any of the babies (as opposed to overall concerns), they can monitor the specific baby they need to, and any doctor, etc - OB/GYNs, emergency room doctors, doctors anywhere - will know who has the 'problem' they are looking for.

As for movement, etc, I have been able to tell them apart for probably.... 6 weeks? I don't really remember. Certainly from about week 13 when I felt "movement", it was totally indistinguishable flutters. Then even when the movements got stronger, I wasn't 100% sure because they were so small, moved so much, etc. Now, while they move constantly, they don't make major changes to their positions. I can absolutely feel which is which, with the exception of small bumps in one area where it could be B's hands or A's feet, if they don't hit me hard enough to tell :) Because of B's position (transverse and much higher up (think... mostly lining my diaphragm)), and maybe because she never stops :), I feel her movements literally 99% of every day, and can really distinguish what is what. Baby A is a bit more elusive, but will give out nice kicks or head-butts to make sure I know she's there too, just behaving :D

As far as the names are concerned, we really don't know which is which. I think initially we both thought of one as one name, and one as the other. We didn't necessarily have a strong reason, it just sort of happened, maybe because we had one name picked out so much sooner than the other -- but it was never really discussed or set in stone, by any means. I suppose it's like when you talk to someone on the phone a lot, you just happen to get an "image" of them, without really trying. As the babies develop more distinct personalities (and believe me they have already!), we find ourselves sort of doubting any initial thoughts we might have had, in favor of something that "fits".

That being said, they are never referred aloud really as one or the other in conversation, and it's nothing we've sat down and decided. We figure we might always want to factor in who "looks like a ______" when we see them, or who comes out first (which, with a c-section, is much harder to assume), etc. I don't think they'll really have individual names until they are born, but it's always interesting when one of us will sort of slip into one mindset or another! We'll see! :)

Cute Babies!

So yesterday we indulged in a 3D/4D ultrasound package at Becoming Mom :) We have a DVD with some really great moments, which Kyle is going to get on here ASAP. (Realize, this is being said as Kyle walks in at 8pm from work...). We also got some pictures, we got to see some great 2D images as well (call me crazy, I like the 2D maybe even better.... you can see so much more!). It was all very cool, but the most special part of it all was seeing my sister's face as they put the heartbeats (audible and visual) up on the screen. :-D

In our Picasa Web Album, you will find all the pictures from the CD. Many are duplicated in the album, in case you want to first see an explanation/commentary, but also want to view the unaltered picture. Some of them, I suppose due to the nature of 3D ultrasound, are just kind of .... poor. It didn't help that Baby B wouldn't sit still for 1 second to get a clear picture of her, and she also wouldn't keep her feet (or butt!) out of Baby A's face in order to get a clear picture of HER. Still, it was fun. We saw a lot of personality... saw some really cute features... saw that both girls have really long fingers... Enjoy! :)


{As always, you can click the picture for a (slightly) bigger image}

Surprise!

I came home from work today to find my husband sleeping on the couch post-call (overnight @ the hospital)..... but before he went to sleep, he had opened and assembled (?) this:




















What a lovely surprise, from a friend of my mom!



Kyle and I are off now, to pick up my mom and sister for a surprise outing! Stay tuned!

Updated Nursery Pictures!

So the nursery isn't totally complete, and some things look just plain silly.... but here is the latest in the girls' room. We're obviously still missing some key things (mattresses, etc), and there are things lying around that won't stay put, but you get the gist.

And no, the blurry designs on the wall aren't smudged paint attempts or some sort of modern art. It's a little Photoshop trick to keep some of you from stressing too much about the names, which happen to be prominently displayed on the wall :)

Cincinnati Family Shower

Shower number two has come and gone, and we can't believe how blessed we are and how loved these babies are -- even weeks before they arrive to meet their family! My mom and sister did a wonderful job with the shower, and everyone had a great time! I have uploaded some pictures to yet another new site (I'm getting so annoyed with not loving any one photo-sharing site! Please leave me more suggestions!), so you can view some photos that Cassi took here. (There is also a link to the new Web Albums in the sidebar).

Here are a few of the cake and the gifts to get you started! :)























































A great big thank you, again, to everyone who came! And a special thanks to those of you who couldn't come, but sent your love anyway :) We really appreciate your generosity, and the love you have for these girls already!

Ottawa Family Shower

Last weekend, as I mentioned, we had a lovely shower in Ottawa (Ohio :)) with the Kaufmans and various extended family members. It was wonderful to see everyone, many of whom we hadn't seen in months! The only picture we have from the shower, believe it or not, is this picture of the half-served cake.

Hmm... must pay more attention today and catch at least the cake, before it is cut ;)



When we got home, we made sure to take a few pictures of the lovely things we received, and spent a few hours in the evening putting everything together (and then away!).















And finally, a picture of the assembled Pack N' Play (these things seriously get cooler every year!) so Grandma Shelly can see!











Thank you again, to everyone that was there!

Shopping Trip and (Too Many?) Books!

So today we went to run a few things back to the store, and somehow ended up bringing home more than we were returning! Strange :)

Anyway, a trip to B. Dalton books to return two duplicated titles left us with a net gain of 8 new ones. It's really my sister's fault, she kept bringing up all these titles that I still didn't have!

{Cassi, I totally know it wasn't your fault. You and I were just talking, and none of the books you brought up were exempt from haunting me already! ;)}

Ok, so it was B. Dalton's fault. The ONLY reason I haven't bought a bunch of "must have" titles already was because it was difficult to find some of them in anything less than super-nice-and-fancy-collectors-hardback-edition. I don't want to spend $20+ on a fancy copy of a book that my daughters will likely color in one day when I'm not looking. But today, I saw it -- a whole new rack of "Paperback Picture Book Classics".

I'll have you know, I didn't buy ALL of the books they had newly available. I didn't even buy all of the books on my original wish list! I did buy some great ones though (Eric Carle stuff, another Dr. Seuss board book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, a not-destroyed copy of Harold and the Purple Crayon, Alexander... books, There's a Nightmare in my Closet, etc. I even found two more books that belong to a set of tactile counting books (ie Ten Little Ladybugs and Leaping Leapfrogs).


All right, maybe it's nobody's fault but mine. You can't have too many books though, right? That's what I keep hearing anyway (even from people besides myself)! :D

Week (almost) 26 Appointment

I'm sorry I haven't been able to update much, but it's hard to do when there isn't much positive to add for the time being. It's been a rough couple of weeks physically! I have a couple of photos to post from our shower last weekend still, and will do so as soon as I can sit at the computer long enough :(

As for today's appointment, it was eventful enough but nothing all that exciting. Cervical checks have begun (sorry... I won't go into detail at least! ;)), and everything looks good. I am going to be seen weekly now, with ultrasounds every 2-3 weeks. Sometimes it feels like there is a light at the end of the tunnel..... but with the various physical crap going on right now, I sometimes wonder how Kyle and I will survive the next 8 weeks!

I'm measuring just over 34 weeks, and have gained an additional 2 pounds (total weight gain = 11.5 pounds). Blood pressure is still hanging around 116/70, which is really great to hear. The babies heartbeats sounded good, and.... yeah, I think that's about it. I told you there wasn't anything too exciting!

I'll try and check in after the next appointments and ultrasounds to keep you posted. It is my goal to get the shower pictures posted by this weekend, especially since then I'll be behind 2 showers!

Hopefully "this too shall pass", and I might actually be able to function again sometime prior to delivering these baby girls! Thanks for sticking with me anyway ;)