19 weeks 3 days

Well, last week (Thursday, January 5th) we went for our ultrasound at Norwalk Hospital to check the gender of the babies and to get their measurements taken. Unfortunately, Baby A did not want to show us his/her gender so we have to wait to announce it to the world. Baby B is a...sorry you have to wait! We are going to reveal them both at the same time when we are sure. Everything else with them checked out well. Baby A weighed 9 oz and Baby B weighed 8 oz. I also have an AFP test to check for Spina Bifida...which thankfully came back normal. So far so good with double trouble. I go fora fetal echo cardiogram on February 8th to check the babies' hearts and make sure they do not have a heart murmur like myself. There they will do another ultrasound, so keep your fingers crossed that Baby A is cooperative!

I am now 19 weeks and 3 days, and time is flying. I can't believe I am just about half way there. Richie and I (mostly Richie) have emptied the guest room so that we can start getting it ready for the nursery. Richie pulled up the carpet, and we will be replacing it with hardwood flooring. My mom and sister painted the room over the weekend, and now we have to get the wanescoting on the walls, put down the floors, build a window seat, and get furniture. It's coming along. Here is an update from babycenter.com on what goes on at 19 weeks:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

17 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

What twins look like at 16 weeks (click on the link)

Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.

How your life's changing:

You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

from BabyCenter.com

Here's what's going on at 16 weeks...

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skincontribute to an overall sense of well-being.

How your life's changing:

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

The belly...

Well, I am being told to embrace the belly...so here is the first belly pic at 16 weeks.

...my first 2 babies (puppies)

Just some pics to share....

Riley hiding under the blanket!

* Would of been a good pic except for the red eye*

babies, babies, and more babies....

Yes, that's right...we are expecting twins! As of today, I am 13 weeks. I have already been tortured (with needles-my biggest fear) with a blood test and finger prick, had numerous ultra sounds. I visit the doctor every 2wks, and was informed that once I hit 18 wks I will be also visiting the hospital every 3 wks or so. Yesterday I had genetic testing done and will find out the results on Friday.As for being sick, I have really just had headaches that last all day long. They have finally subsided for the most part. Now I am having trouble gaining weight. I have to add more protein to my diet...so we'll keep our fingers crossed that I gain at least 2 lbs. by Dec. 12.

Here are some ultrasound pictures that we have gotten so far:

11 weeks (baby A on top, B on bottom)

13 weeks (Baby B first, Baby A second)

Happy Halloween

Since we had a freak October nor'easter, Halloween was postponed from Monday, October 31st until today. The puppies and I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood in their costumes (their "trick-or-treating). Since they were pooped out from the walk, they sat nicely for a picture! Happy Halloween everyone!