I'M PREGNANT WITH TWINS !!!

I had the new form of ultrasounds done, the 3d 4d. It was amazing. If you can afford it i reccomend it to everyone. I seen them smile, yawn, do flips and open eyes. I look at this pregnancy in a different light , the bond is strong. Well i was lucky at 17 weeks and 2 days to find out they were a boy and a girl. My husband was able to view from iraq via the internet through a program the center had set up. A wonderful time it was :)

THIS PICTURE IS OF MY LITTLE BOY, THE FIRST ONE IS OF THE GIRL AND HER EYES OPEN SMILING

Ok , I'm in the nesting stage more then ever. It's more so about collecting things then cleaning right now. I can't ever seem to get enough of anything. I think I have bought a ton of clothes for each size group including shoes and diapers.
Today, I shopped at this Once Upon a Child resale place, and I bought alot. Couldnt help myself when I found the preemie jeans and dress shirts. I know from previous preemies that preemie clothes dont last but 1-2 months for me, so word of advice for most new moms, dont go nuts on preemie clothes. By a change for each day of the week and then the typical gowns, onesies and socks maybe & some sleepers.Before you know it, newborn clothes will be needed.
Don't be afraid to buy gently used clothing or go to yard sales. I like to get as much as i can at thrifty stores and yard sales, then i will go get some newer items.

Some nights I wake up, with memories of something I seen while sleeping. Alot of the time it involves me loosing Baby A (the boy). One was really graphic, and other was just plain odd. But in each dream, it invlolved the baby being born, he come up missing or he died. I technically wished and hoped for two little girls. You would think right off and worry that , "Oh my" " Am I gonna loose this child?" But do they really mean as you see them? Was it my subconsious mind saying I really prefered the baby girl insted. If so, why the drama and the graphic crazy things i seen in my dream. I yes prefered the girl, but never wanted or thought for him to disapear or die.

My previous pregnancies I always had dreams that someone was chasing me or trying to hurt me. How do you take that dream? Why would I feel like someone was after me? My mother told me when she was pregnant with me, she had dreams about how she would give birth to me and then I would just be up walking around like was was grown alittle..lol Maybe in someway, because she was young at the time, someone was tring to tell her to charish those times because I would grow up very fast. I am interested in hearing what others dreams during their pregnancies.

What it screens for: The ultrasound anatomy scan, or level 2 ultrasound, is an amazingly interesting experience for parents-to-be. Your baby will be measured from crown to rump (and what a cute rump it is!), around her middle, around her head - and that's just for starters. The four chambers of the heart will be viewed, as well as the kidneys, bladder, stomach, brain, spine, and sex organs

Measurements are taken to make sure your baby is growing appropriately (and that his or her gestational age is still on target). A survey of the organs, including the umbilical cord, ensures that they are developing normally (or identifies any potential problems as soon as possible). The sonographer will also be looking at your amniotic fluid levels, the location of the placenta, and the fetal heart rate. Settle in to enjoy the show: The detailed level 2 scan can take 30 to 45 minutes (depending on how cooperative your little one wants to be during the photo shoot).

Who it's for: Most practitioners order a level 2 ultrasound for all their moms-to-be.

When it's done: Most level 2 ultrasounds are performed between 18 and 22 weeks. If you have a condition that needs to be monitored (such as carrying twins), you may have more than one detailed ultrasound.

Risks: There are no significant risks associated with ultrasounds, though medical guidelines caution against unnecessary exposure to ultrasound - which is why your practitioner will schedule only a handful of them throughout your pregnancy.

WHAT TO EXPECT,2007
LEVEL 2 ULTRASOUND
RETREIVED; JULY 15,2007
FROM; http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/prenatal-testing/ultrasound-anatomy-two.aspx

IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE HOW BIG MY LITTLE ONES HAVE GROWN. HOW DEFINED THEIR BONES AND HEARTS ARE. BOTH BABIES ARE 14 OUNCES IN WEIGHT. ALMOST A POUND..LOL !!! ONLY A POUND BUT CAN PACK A PUNCH UNDER THE RIBCAGE.
DOCTOR SAID EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT, SO WHICH MEANS TO ME THERE ARENT DEFORMITIES. PICTURES OF MY CERVIX,BABIES BRAINS AND HEARTS AS WELL AS SPINES, LEGS AND ARMS WERE ALL FORMED AS THEY SHOULD BE. I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS PREGNANICES WHERE MY BAG OF WATER RUPTURED EARLY, AND HAD ISSUES LEADING UP TO THAT. TAKING THAT INTO CONCIDERATION IN MY LAST VISITS, THEY HAVE AGREED TO MOVE MY APPOINTMENTS UP TO EVERY 4 WEEKS NOW.

8/03/2007- I sent a red cross message a couple days ago to my husband in Iraq to begin the process home. Took some teeth pulling but finally got the things his command needed from my doctor.
as of 7/31/2007- my due date was 12/6/2007 obvious twin pregnancy.My husband was requested home due to complications of pregnancy. I am high risk secondary to an increased risk of pre-term delivery. I had 3 successful singleton pregnancies that were preterm(35,33,& 31) With my last pregnancy, i delivered by c section.The first attempt was unsuccessful and another incision was made therefore making a "t" incision in my uterus.It is very dangerous to deliver vaginally with this sort of incision with risks of rupturing and bleeding. Since this pregnancy is a twin pregnancy, all my preterm risks have escalated that much more. I am at home with 3 children, one of which is a 6 year old with cerebral palsy often requiring lifing. She falls alot, and part of my limitations were not lifing over 25 pounds. But later on explained to stick to strick bed rest. I havent delt with the stress of pregnancy and limited activity, and increasing hormones very well. My husband has some mild brain injury due to a road side bomb, and that has tied into his quicker return home. I am not quite sure yet who will be taking care of whom..lol My eldest child (9) has had so many asthma issues the last few days I feel overwhelmed with worry. My nesting phase has messed me up, Not lettting me feel satified until everything is done all at once.
YEAAA!!!!! MY HUBBY IS COMING HOME FINALLY!!!! NOW I CAN SLEEP IN AND GET THE REST I DESERVE AND LONG NEEDED.

Today I had gone to my perineonatologist for my usualy check ups. Today they did a ultrasound scan of the twins to check their growth. As well as checking the cervix to make sure i was not opening and was in good shape. I'm happy to report that myself and the twins are doing well :) The boy, is 1 lb 12ozs, and the girl is 1 lb 8 ozs. They have grown alot since a month ago. They kick so hard now, almost feels like they are going to kick their way out of a paper balloon..lol My stomach is still small i think compared to most women who have multiples. I currently weigh 160 lbs and i believe that i have gained a total of 20 pounds so far. I haven't been sick in some time, which i have been able to eat well. I do however get a ton of headaches, and migranes w/ an ora. I take weekly progesterone shots to help prolong my pregnancy as long as i can. But the side effects have become irritating. Itchy lumps in my bottom, pains in my leg, cramping in the leg, as well as rashes, most of which lasts 5 days then i have to get another..lol The itching is always there. Hopefully i am able to stop at 30 weeks. Doctor will support that if i can atleast make it till then. Overall i have been doing great, and the doctors are pleased with my pregnancy so far. I can say though i have trouble breathing with baby b always in my chest pushing up against my lungs.But nothing serious is going on at all. This pregnancy has been the best. The other three were problems from the start. I try to take walks when i can which helps to relax me, and relieve some breathing issues. I figure its good for my body to ge the blood a pumping around more, get everything circulated. My blood pressure has been running a bit lower then that prior to the pregnancy. nowdays its 102 over what ever. and before it was always 120's. I figrued it would be the opposite since i am normally active. Unless i just havent noticed i am really active now. ALthough i am not suppose to be i still like to get up and get things done. Warm baths are awesome !!!!!! Great smelling shower gel. Massaging the legs and feet. A great time to massaging those inner thighs and feet.

Today was a perineonatologist appointment for the twins. I have been going about every 2-3 weeks. They do ultrasound scans of my cervix and my twins growth. My cervix has opened very slightly but I was assured it was something that gradually happens over time. The babies however are doing just fine and are growing as they should be. 9/17/07 they were averaging 2 lbs 14 ozs for the boy, 2 lbs and 12ozs for the girl. I cannot believe that they are almost 3 pounds a piece already..lol Feels like a team of them in there playing football. Even though this is early, I feel good knowing that they are finally growing some fat under their skin. Remeber when trying to compare the weight of your babies against a textbook and other families babies that the baby will grow according to baby, not the rest of the world. In that we pray that they grow healthy to the best of their abilities. Every baby grows at different rates. Mine on average should be between 15-17 inches long from head to toe I am understanding. Probably closer to 17. Feeling the stretches and the feet kicking my ribs and chest all the wayyyyy up by my sternum sort of assure me of that..lol

Sunday Sept. the 30th, Baby A(boy's) water broke. My husband was out playing paintball and I was at home with my 6 year old. I laid down to keep any remaining fluid in my body. Then called everyone to let them know and help out with the kids. When my husband got home half hour later, I called the EMT'S and went on to the hospital.

I was assessed and vitals were taken.3 hours later i started to have some contractions. Soon they become 15 minutes apart. I aruged with the doctor that i was in labor and they insisted i wasnt because i was only 15 minutes apart and only 1 cm dialated. As soon as the doctor left i went on to 5 minutes apart, then immidiately to 3 minutes. I was in pain but breathing well. And told the nurse to get hte doctor in there now because i was about to push. Doctor checked me and stated i was 8 cm at that point.

My previous pregnancy the hospital stopped my contractions and allowed me to lay in the hospital. This current hospital said if i labored then they were going to let me and not try and stop it in any way. But if not, i was going to be allowed to lay till i did.

I was rushed onto the OR because i am not allowed to deliver(labor) with a "t" incision on my uterus. I was told that i could rupture and bleed to death. Well i was nervous when i had made it almost all the way there and nothing happened. On the table i had trouble breahing.My labor was really irritating my asthma. It was very hard holding still for my spinal medications for the surgery. I was stuck twice , the second time it was further up on my spine. It made my lungs feel like they were on fire, and i could feel pain up in my chest as they were digging around for the babies.

I remember the doc that was to do my spinal didnt show up in time and my doc doing my c section was yelling because he wasnt there as he stated he would be. She said it had been 5 minutes and the baby was already in the birth canal, and that they needed to do something NOW!

My husband was at my side, and we were talking and i was looking at how much blood they took out of me so far. We were looking around the side to see if we could see the babies or anything. Then after about 2 minutes we seen legs and a butt :) It was my baby boy. It was funny, he turned a great pink color and was crying before they even pulled him out. 2 minutes later my baby girl came. They were breathing on their own, with some retractions, but did really well at first.

My baby girl ended up having several difficulties and was placed in childrens hospital for a couple weeks. She is now doing well and is back with her brother at the birth hospital. Each is on partial bottle feeds and tolerates being held which is very exciting.

My baby boy is often alert in the day time, and my girl is more of an evening person. They are well aware of our voices and show so by making their own noises as if they were trying to talk. It is so CUTE! When we talk to them they turn their heads and scrunch up their little foreheads to the sound of our voices.

The picture is from 10-18-07 @ 33wks

WE ARE DOING WELL, GROWING SO FAST AND EATING ALL THE TIME. THEY DONT LOOK LIKE PREEMIES FROM 3 MONTHS AGO. MASON THE BOY LOST PART OF HIS HAIR AND FINALLY JUST GOT SOME OF IT BACK. THOUGHT FOR SURE HE WAS GOING OT BE A BALD BABY..LOL
MADISON MY LITTLE GIRL GAVE US A SCARE. SHE HAS SOME ISSUES IN HER BRAIN THAT CAN LEAVE HER WITH A DISABILITY LATER IN LIFE. IF SHE IS LUCKY IT WILL RESOLVE ON ITS ON AND MAYBE NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF IT. OVER ALL WE ARE WELL AND DOING GREAT :)

Smiling,trying to sit up,grabbing at things, teething. Funny that the little babies I brought home are already growing so fast. Still doing well and growing so fast. Last doctor visit Madison was 12 lbs 2 ozs and Mason was Over 13 lbs :) They are loads of fun, and since I don't drink coffee, the Diet Coke company is making a few bucks off me so that i can keep up with them..lol

Mason the little boy can crawl and pull himself up.Also he can walk if you hold his hands. He loves mashed potatoes and getting into everything that looks important. Madison still isn't able to crawl, but tries very hard. She should be getting therapy soon, still on waiting list.Both say da da and ba ba. Both very playful and full of life. Mason and a very jolly chunky baby,(healthy)some would say.Madison looks more petite.Their hair is slowly growing back. It sort of rubbed out when they were alot younger.

Doctors can't tell they were preemie except what it says in the files. They are happy in their size and growth. I had clothing saved from the time I found out I was pregnant. The sizes 3-6 mths was pretty much skipped. Mason & Madison went right into 6-9 mths just about. I was shocked..lol Madison is more 6-9 and Masion is more comfy in 12 mths.

I am looking for a really nice high chair that doesn't cost an arm & leg. Mason is very ready for one.

Almost 12 mths old!! We are very curious!! If you don't watch us closely, we will dig out all the diapers and swear baby wipes have nutrional values. Mason is standing on his own, getting really good at balance, but still to scared to take that first step alone.
Madison is slowly crawling, and can pull herself up now to a standing position. She can also bring herelf to her knees to play with toys. What ever set back she has wont be very bad.She has come a long way.

I taught Mason to give kisses, and they both know what the word "NO" means now..lol They stop and will look at you. Mason will look at you and say either "HEYYYYYY", or "HIIIIII", its very funny. Madison has put two words together, like "Maa maa, ba ba" when shes thirsty. She has some funny baby babble, like she knows what shes saying. But you laugh and she still keeps on talking like your suppose to know..lol

I found a great high chair and a booster seat that is portable and resembles a highcheir seat. both are great. i like the portable one better. well worth the $25.00. Like a reg high chair that will be gone when they weigh to much, this maybe last longer.

Mason has an allergy to huggies diapers. His skin is very sensitive. I thought his diaper rash was from having bowel issues, but it never went away till i put a prescription cream on and changed the diaper to pampers. I wonder what it is they put in huggies around the legs that would do this. My oldest child had the same problem when he was a baby. Would they actually use latex? I would like to know that materials used in that.

Madison aka Maddie Is walking now with some trouble.For the longest time she wasn't able to do much but climb.She is into everything.Her biggest thing is getting into the cabinets and organizing the can foods.She will take them out and line them up & stack them all over the kitchen floor.I have been able to encourage her to use her reverse kay walker when playing.She uses braces on her legs as well. I enrolled her into a special preschool for kids with disabilities and developmental delays. IT is one of the best choices I think i could have made for her.They give her therapy and there is even a dentist in the school. She has more opportunities then regular school aged children there. Since she is able and learning fast, I see her in the regular school system later on. Maddie is very determined to walk, so when she is outside with me, and her walker, she refuses to come in. She is aware of how she is able to get around better.And gets so excited. In these pictures, we were all outside playing in the leaves, and practicing with the walker.

Mason is into everything!!!!!! Worse then his sister..lol He's very smart. And willing to help with things.He will throw stuff into the trash,he tries so hard to use a broom, and wants into the kitchen sink when I do dishes..lol I guess I should just pray thay never changes.He is very stuck on his daddy. Daddy cannot do nothing with out Mason flipping out.He is so attached, and I am concerned with seperation anxiety.Funny thing is that there is never been a reason for him to feel insecure.We have always been around him since his birth, hardly even leaving him with anyone.We take the kids with us the majority of the time when they aren't in school.

We have discovered coloring in the last couple months..lol I have had to scrub walls and tables, as well as my kitchen floor.They think every surface is a piece of paper..lol I tried the crayola wonder colors, but i guess the results aren't as fast enough, because they don't stick with it very long.

Okay how many of you are sick of barney,caillou, and all them!!! ME ME ME..lol But hey it's cute. We catch them singing so many songs now.The newest favorite is ring around the rosey.They have even begun their counting and saying some of the alphabet.

Thank god first and formost they are potty trained.A battle I thought I would never win.Yay...we are in underpants.Talking up a storm and exploring everything in site. 3 years old and they already have an opinion and have certian articles of clothing they prefer.Singing and dancing to muscial kid shows.They love Caillou and a few other cartoons.Both go to pre-school and get great services.Madison continues to recieve care for her special needs.

(in the picture...I had woke up and found them sleeping together on the couch)