Goals and Games

What a great day! Today we are 18 weeks into our pregnancy - which means we are halfway there! If I can carry the babies to at least 36 weeks, the chance that they will spend any time in the NICU goes way down. Our doctor will definitely have me deliver at 38 weeks if I make it that far. SO - now we're on the downhill slide! I have a feeling that the "downhill" portion of this pregnancy will be more challenging than the uphill, but I am just so thrilled to have made it to this point with no problems. Praise the Lord!

This week, the babies can hear! Surfer has been daily talking to my belly, getting the babies used to his voice. They love this, as evidenced by their movements when they hear their daddy! They're about 5.5" long and between 6-7 ounces in weight.

And as far as games are concerned, we had our first chance to play a game with the babies yesterday! At work, I thought I felt a little nudge from inside; different from the usual rolly feeling of their movement. I nudged back. The baby nudged me again. I nudged back. This went on 4 or 5 more times - it was amazing! We were communicating!

Later last night, Surfer and I had some ice cream for dessert - which caused both babies to become really active. Surfer was able to test the game again and both babies responded! I'm so proud!

Brave enough to post...

My 17 week belly pics! I feel bigger than I look. :)

This week I've really been aware of the babies' movements. Lots of rolling around; haven't really felt too many kicks yet. I love it! In fact, twice this week, I've been awakened by one of the babies moving around so much! Oh - they know what I'm typing, they're moving right now. Such smart babies! I'm sure by the end of my pregnancy I'll tire of having them kick me all night but for now I am loving each time I feel them. It's just so amazing - what a miracle!

Rate of Growth

Interesting pregnancy tidbit for today: my current rate of belly growth (in diameter) is approx. 1/4 inch per day. This must slow down at some point, or else I'll be 70" round at full-term! Yikes.

A Tribute

Dear Little One,

You came to us so early, we didn't expect you that soon. I will never forget the joy at your birth - I had a sister! I will never forget dad bringing home your tiny footprints for us all to see. We marveled at one so tiny, yet so complete and so perfect.

It must have been a shock for you to have your watery comfort exchanged for a plastic, beeping home full of wires and tape and needles and lights. But you did so well with it all, and were such an inspiration to those who loved you. I will never forget your bright, shining eyes the first time we saw you! I will never forget the smell of the NICU nor the long hours spent by your bedside.

It is only now, now that I carry two babies who are nearly your size and development, that I can attempt to understand how much you were loved and anticipated before you arrived. I look at our parents with admiration and awe as I relive your life through their eyes. I will never forget how Dad spent his lunch breaks with you. I will never forget the look in Mom's eyes gazing at you through the incubator.

Your life was small in size and time, but never in impact or importance. While it has been nearly 20 years since you were here, I think of you more often than I can say. Your memory has not dimmed with time. You are as vibrant to me now as you were when I knew you. Tears still sting my eyes when I think of your little, beautiful life. I will see you again, someday. I will love the moment we meet in heaven! I can't wait to get to know you.

Anne Rose, July 19, 1989 - August 18, 1989

16 Weeks!

My body is not my own! OK, it hasn't been for about 4 months, but I recognize it now. I it's finally happened - I I feel the babies! I was driving somewhere with my mom the other day, and all of the sudden, I realized that I was having a "partial" uterine cramp... I get cramps all the time, but this one was different. This was sort of like a slithery roll through only the top part of the uterus. I thought it was strange, and then it hit me - that's not a cramp, that's Baby B!!!

I was so excited! Now that I have recognized that feeling as the babies, I pick it up a few times a day, sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes all over. It's the oddest, most amazing sensation! I think I feel them most when they're flipping from one end to the other now that they are both getting bigger and there's not much room for free-style jumps anymore.

We're now 16 weeks along (this week) and the babies can suck their thumbs, they're growing eyebrows, and they can grab and kick!

Oh, also - I have a few new best friends. Can we say maternity pants??? Ahh, heavenly. Only 3 more weeks, and we're halfway there! Thank you, Lord!

Things about being pregnant

Being pregnant is such an amazing adventure. If I go to full term and deliver at 38 weeks, I am only 4 weeks away from being half-way there! There are some things I love about being pregnant, and some things I'm not so fond of.

The babies are growing so big that my stomach is now in my upper rib cage, so heartburn is now a daily threat; and they are growing SO fast that all my ligaments in my abdomen and ribcage are stretching out, making it painful to catch a full breath. But, I'm feeling as good today as I'll feel for the rest of the pregnancy, so I'm not complaining. Thoese are side-effects of our babies doing what they're supposed to be doing, which I'm so thankful for.

My favorite things about being pregnant: each morning, I just lay in bed and look down at my growing tummy. Both babies tend to lay towards the right side of my abdomen, so it's a rather unbalanced lump - but it's just amazing - it grows every day! Sometimes I think I can feel them flutter underneath the skin but no real kicks yet. I can't wait!

I love that I am finally showing a bit, and that I can now buy some maternity clothes!

I love that each day, the babies are getting bigger, developing more, and are one day closer to being born!

I love the excitement I share with my mom - a stronger bond since I will also be a mother now, and it makes me appreciate the wonderful woman and mother she is and the amazing example and encouragement she has been to me.

Most of all, I love that my darling Surfer is so loving and kind to me - even more so than usual, if you can imagine that. Yesterday I was craving cookies, and made some horrible ones (I think I've lost my touch). He went to the store at 9PM just to pick up some cookies for me. That's love and dedication. OK, so he got the wrong kind (coincidentally the only kind I don't like!) which made me cry (I'm pregnant!) but then made us both dissolve into laughter. He's my hero, and my best friend, and I can't wait to see his little babies just adore him.

Lord, thank you that you've blessed us with being able to be pregnant, to go through this process and all that it entails. Thank you so much!