Coming Soon...

Ellen here to finally write a long overdue post.

We had our appointment last Friday and it is already Thursday of the following week! Time flies when you are in a panic about getting everything ready! The 3D u/s is amazing and I'm so happy Dr. Christmas flipped the switch on the machine to scan in 3D. I have been dying to see a picture of their little faces and he happily obliged.

I can't believe we are entering the home stretch. I find myself getting more and more excited each day - which is somewhat funny because everyone keeps telling me... how hard it is going to be...we will get no sleep...and all I can say is "bring it on"!! I should also say that yes, we will accept any and all offers of assistance.

Kevin set one of the cribs up last night. I was going to describe it as -finally- but in fairness to him, there was an issue with the first crib he attempted to assemble so that threw everything off track since we have been trying to contact the assembly help line. I still have lots of things on my To Do list, but at least, I think all of the big things have been accomplished.

Brooke looks amazing and her body definitely has done well even with a twin pregnancy. We hope she can hold on for a few more weeks but we know it will get tougher the larger her tummy gets!!!

28wks. today!

Another milestone reached! Yea! We had an appt. Friday with the peri and both boys are looking great! I can't believe how much they have grown. Baby A is weighing in at 2lbs. 10oz. and Baby B is 2lbs. 14oz. Hard to believe that not too long ago they were under a pound! Ellen and Kevin have the latest pics so hopefully they will be posting soon, but I just wanted to post a quick note that the appt. went well and "the boys" are growing! I can't wait to meet these little guys! It won't be long now. 9wks. or less. I hope your "To Do" list is getting smaller Kevin! :-)

Getting Closer....

Kevin here... Wow, another ultrasound. I have missed the last two due to work and the fact my company doesn't have all these nice cute little "Monday Holidays" that everyone else seems to have. The babies certainly are getting bigger, I can tell you that.

One of the really cool parts of this visit was the doctor pulled up some line charts that showed where they were in relation to otherss at this point in time. Both of them were exactly in the middle of all the data for each measurement he pulled up, so I think that is good to know they are exactly where they should be (or, as the peri says, the goal is "normal nine-year-olds in fourth grade").

It definitely is a busy time for Ellen and myself right now around the house. The clock is ticking for sorting out the disaster zone otherwise known as our: living room, dining room, stairwell, and upstairs hallway. Due to holidays and business trips (I am heading to Argentina at the end of March), we have limited time to finish decorating and repair items around the house. To make matters more urgent, our "contractors" (also known as my in-laws) are going away on a trip, so won't be able to help us out as much. They have done so much work: painting, decorating (there is a difference), hauling, shopping for supplies, and even building a closet! Not sure how we ever could have handled the tasks without their help -- so a big thank you to them.

Speaking of thanks.... Once again, I just can't thank Brooke enough. She looks great and her attitude is so positive and healthy, it is just great. She always has a smile on her face and no complaints about lugging around the two aliens inside her drawing from her lifeforce. It is just great to see her and know the two little ones are being cared for so well. Thank you.

So, on that note, I am off to bed to store away sleep that I know I won't have in a few months....

almost 25wks now!

Well it's been awhile since I posted so thought I better do a quick post at least. We had an appt. on Tues. of this week with the peri. Things are looking good. They were able to see all of Baby A's heart and everything looks good. Last time they couldn't see it so well so she had a little concern there may be a small hole in the muscle that divides the heart in half, but this time they could see it and everything looks intact. The babies are growing like weeds! Both are weighing in at 1lb.9oz. so they are right on track. We weren't able to see their faces this time so we didn't get any u/s pics to take home. They both were being bashful I guess. On another good note they are both head down right now. Let's pray they stay that way!

Not much else new. I am definitely growing. I feel huge! I am about the same size at 24wks. with these guys as I was when I delivered my middle son at 38wks. It's unbelievable how active they are. I can feel them moving around all the time now. I imagine before too long it will be too cramped in there for much movement, although I am sure they'll find a way. I've attached a belly pic which I took today at 24wks. 5days. The peri said if all is well we will induce around 37 and a half weeks. So a lil less than 13wks to go! Ellen and Kevin you better get ready! :-)

22wks.....Hopefully 16 to go!

Not a whole lot new. Babies are growing and so am I. Been feeling pretty good. Can't complain. Just wanted to post a quick belly shot since it's been awhile. We have a regular OB appt tomorrow. Those are kinda boring compared to the peri where we get to have an u/s every time. Time seems to be flying by now!

20 Is My New Favorite Number!

Ellen posting and I'm elated to report that we reached the 20 week mark this past Sunday. It was an exciting milestone (normally the halfway mark with a singleton pregnancy) and while we know the twins will be making an appearance before 40 weeks, it was still worth celebrating.

We had an appointment on Monday with the peri (ob specialist). Kevin had to work so I went to Richmond solo. We had a full house in the exam room with Brooke, Dan and myself and a special appearance from Brooke's son Benji (age 5). Everything went well and, as always, the u/s was completely amazing. Baby A is in the breech position (apparently Brooke hasn't been doing the proper "visualization exercises") and Baby B was laying lengthwise across her stomach. Baby A weighs about 13 ounces and Baby B was 12 ounces. Baby B was very active and moving all about and we actually witnessed him kicking his brother in the head. I know...I should be very worried!

Brooke, Benji and I had a nice lunch and then headed over to Brooke's house to relieve Grandpa of his babysitting duties with Brooke's other two boys. I was given a grand tour of the Collawn house and we then were able to hang out, relax and enjoy the day.

I am attempting to post a 3D u/s picture that Brooke was able to talk the u/s technician into giving us. It might take a minute to figure out that you are looking at their faces, but it is absolutely amazing what you can see! They still look a little alien (those were the u/s tech's words, not mine) but that will change as they start to fatten up a bit.

And before I end this entry, I would like to nominate Benji to be our birthing coach. Apparently, he has watched enough episodes of "The Baby Story" on The Discovery Channel to know that someone is going to have to yell "Push", "Push" for Brooke to be able to get these babies out.

Pretty much half way there!

18wks.

Well, not a whole lot new going on here. I've been feeling pretty good. This is the so called "honeymoon" stage of the pregnancy I know. Before too long I'll be getting uncomfortable I'm sure with two little guys in there. I'm definitely growing more quickly than I did with any of my own. A little worried they won't make maternity clothes big enough for me by the time I reach 30something weeks. We're at 18wks. now and my goal is to make it to 38, although I'd settle for 37wks. 36wks. puts us at Mother's Day weekend and also my oldest son's birthday weekend so I'm hoping to at least make it past there. I keep thinking positively because there's no reason not too. It's been an exciting ride so far and I'm sure it will continue to be!