Kicks...kicks...and more kicks!

I started feeling that "butterfly" sensation that everyone talks about a couple of weeks ago. I didn't really realize, though, that it was the babies moving and kicking until two nights ago when I decided to look at my stomach as I was feeling the sensation. Oh my goodness...I was amazed! I fully saw kicks, punches, and rolling movements in my stomach! Ryan was of course working and asleep, so I called my mom at 10:15 to share the news. I was so determined yesterday for Ryan to share in my joy, but everytime I sat down and made him stare at my stomach, nothing happened. Finally, last night after watching my belly button literally sink in and pop out and roll like a wave for an hour, Ryan saw the kicking! The babies seem to be the most active as I'm going to sleep and throughout the night and early morning. It's hard for me to sleep when I'm feeling it because I don't want to miss seeing the action.

We also started designing the nursery. It's not going to be easy fitting 2 cribs in the nursery, but I think we have it all figured out. Yesterday my mom, Tracie, and I went to the Baby Guy's shop to get bedding ideas. I can't believe that I get to custom design my bedding and it's only $199 per crib! We had so much fun and I think I've decided what I want to do. The babies will have the same bedding, but his will be blue and brown and hers will be pink and brown in a combination of polka dots, stripes, and solids. Ryan has a lot of work to do, though, in the nursery before we can get the fun stuff going!

Christmas SURPRISE!

We had our extensive anatomy ultrasound yesterday (I am now 18 weeks). Both the ultrasound technician and the doctor were amazing! They were so kind and explained everything. When we started the scan, the technician, Jenna, asked us if we already knew the sexes. We confidently said yes, so on she went with the scan. Jenna first checked Baby A's sex and confirmed that he was definitely all boy! Then she went to check Baby B's sex and within a couple seconds said "You guys, I'm afraid you are wrong, Baby B is definitely a girl! We were absolutely shocked as you can imagine. Ryan's reaction was priceless. He looked like a three year old on Christmas morning...grinning from ear to ear, glued to the television screen as she explained the "3 lines." The funny thing is that as we were walking in to the appointment, Ryan and I joked about the initial gender ultrasound being wrong and how funny that would be. We never could have imagined that joke to come true, but we couldn't be more excited! We are so blessed...how perfect, a boy and a girl!

Jenna then continued with the scan measuring every little bone, which were all "perfect," analyzing the brains, which were "perfect," checking the fluid in the little tummies, which was "perfect" and checking the length of my cervix, which was "perfect." She was so happy with what she saw as were we! The doctor then came in and was super curious to know what all the screaming was about! She did a more in depth look at their little hearts and so far, they are "perfect." She will analyze the hearts a little more closely in 4 weeks when they are more developed.

So, all in all it was an AMAZING day! Everyone is so excited and I think is making mad dashes back to the mall to do some exchanges for the little peanuts!

I will get ultrasounds every 2 weeks to check my cervix and then every 4 weeks to do a complete anatomy scan of the little ones!

So cross out the "It's Boys!" on our Christmas card and add "It's a Boy and a Girl!"

4 Months and Growing!

We had our 4 month appointment last week. Here are the highlights:
*Doctor was pleased with my weight gain and said I was right on track! He wants me to gain 3-5 pounds per month. It's a little crazy seeing numbers on the scale that you have never seen before!
*I am measuring about 3.5 weeks ahead due to there being 2 babies, not 1.
*Babies heartbeats were strong.
*Doctor wasn't pleased with the weasing in my lungs, so he put me on stronger antibiotics and an inhaler. I have to go back this week for a follow-up.
*At 18 weeks (which is next week), I have to slow down again, which I don't think will be much of a change of pace since I have been sick the last month and have been moving at a slower pace.
*I officially live the life of southern belle on March 1st, which means I only have 2 months left of work when I return from our winter break...so crazy and fast!
*We have our big ultrasound next week and then will have ultrasounds every 2 weeks. A specialist performs this ultrasound and will check everything.
*I am feeling the babies move, which is so surreal, but so amazing! I can't feel it on the outside, though.
*We are undecided on names and are probably going to keep quiet once we decide and agree (which isn't easy to do!).

Our Annual Christmas Party

We had our 5th annual Christmas party on December 4th. It was a ton of fun spent with great friends, family, and lots of good food! There were so many little ones there too! The only bummer was that I was sick...I am just now getting well again after 4 weeks of battling an intense sinus infection and bronchitis. Thank goodness for Ryan, my mom, and Ryan's mom because I couldn't have done it without them.