Thursday, August 26, 2010

Strong HEARTS!!

As you all know in our last ultrasound post back in July we were going to have to have another level II ultrasound to check Vivienne's heart. Today was the day and her heart along with her brother's heart is STRONG and working perfectly!!!!!!! It was such a wonderful relief to have our doctor confirm that the babies were developing perfectly. Both Vivi and Hendrix looked so big. It amazed us to see how much they grew in one month. The ultrasound was very clear and we were able to have a better idea of what they looked like. I personally think Hendrix has his fathers nose. Vivi looked like she had nice full lips. If that is true we really have to thank Aunt Brittany for that one. hahaha. Here are two profile photos of the twins.


Hendrix is facing down and Vivienne is breech. When the ultrasound tech showed us a view of both babies Vivi was kicking Hendrix in the head. hahahahaha. They each weigh 1 pound 5 ounces. Our doctor said that each one weighed what a single pregnancy baby would weigh.


As for me I'm 24 weeks, but my belly is measuring 35weeks! My weight gain is normal although I have gained 24 pounds. So I guess you can say one pound per week. I was frightened when I saw my weight gain, but my doctor said that my weight gain is very healthy and normal for twins and not to be concerned. She said her average mom-to-be that is pregnant with just one baby can put on 25-30 pounds in the first 25 weeks. So considering that I'm pregnant with two babies versus one I'm doing really well with my weight gain. All I can say is from this point going forward I will walk onto the scale backwards. I don't want to see my weight "gain" anymore. It scared me. Some symptoms I have had are numbness in my feet and hands. When I wake up in the morning my hands are so numb to the point I can't feel them. My feet by the end of the day are so swollen that I have to prop them up. I can't fit into my shoes so flip flops have been my fashion statement for months. hahahehe. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when the cooler weather approaches New England. I guess I will wear my uggs. ha. Ray says I snore which I have never done before. I feel so bad for him because I make it difficult for him to sleep at night. When I told my doctor about these symptoms she said it was very normal for most pregnancies. I was also told that in the next four weeks I will need to stop driving so much and work from home. Please pray for me that my employer will allow this. If not I will have no choice but to go on disability earlier than expected. So I feel GREAT minus a few symptoms and I'm loving being pregnant!


Ray's update...stress (hahahahaha). Ray is busy working and then working more when he gets home and on the weekends. We finished painting our 3 rooms upstairs and tomorrow our new carpet for our family room, office, upstairs hallway and our staircase is being installed. Ray still has to put the rest of the nursery furniture together this weekend and then all that is left is decorating. YaY! We are so happy to get all of this done and out of the way before the twins arrive. Our good friends who just had their precious little baby girl gave us solid advice. They said, "get everything done and have your bag ready to go for the hospital. that way you will only have to focus on your babies when you come home." So that is our plan. Plus who knows when our babies will decide to arrive. I just think it is best to be done with it and relax before the storm comes. ha.


Our next doctors appointment is in two weeks for another check up and my ultra sound is in another month. I do have to go take a glucose test sometime between 9/7-9/21. I heard the dextrose drink I have to take is very sweet. From what I heard I drink this sweet drink, wait an hour, and then get my blood drawn. If the blood sugar value is elevated then I will have to schedule for a three hour glucose tolerance test. My doctor said approximately 20% of patients will need to go on to the three hour test. Only about 20% of the three hour patients will prove to have pregnancy related diabetes. She said usually a patient will only have to alter her diet and exercise to control pregnancy related diabetes and that it is quite unusual for a patient to need insulin. I am just not going to eat or drink anything with sugar in it for a few day before the test. I DO NOT want to take the three hour test. It sounds AWFUL. We promise to keep you updated with our appointment and of course our many ultrasounds.


Thank you for your prayers and support. We love y'all!


R&J




Friday, August 20, 2010

Pic of my belly

Here are a few photos of my belly. Also I included pictures of me and Papa (Ray's dad). We started a BELLY CONTEST back in the very beginning to see how long it took me to out grow his belly. It has been a fun time doing this contest. I think I'm now winning, but it did take me 22 weeks to out grow him. ha. Enjoy the photos.
Me at 22 weeks!
Me & Papa, 22 weeks, 8.14.10 -I think I'm winning now!
Me & Papa, 18 weeks, 7.14.10
Me & Papa, 9 weeks, 5.15.10
Me and Papa at 7 weeks, 5.1.10


Love,
Julie




Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Photos from TEXAS

Here a a few photos of our trip to TEXAS for our baby shower. Enjoy.




Mom, Jeff & Ray





Me & Ray

Our Cake. YUMMY.




Christina, Me, Jackie
Last but not least...all my beautiful friends in TEXAS. I LOVE Y'ALL so much. Thank you for all your support. Hendirx and Vivi are so lucky to have so many AUNTIES that love them. Ray and I will always remember all that you did for us. We had the BEST SHOWER and we have so many memories to share with our children.




We Love you all so much.
Ray & Jules

Level II Ultra Sound Photo, July 22, 2010


Here is the ultra sound photo of Hendrix and Vivi. This is at 20 weeks.