32 Week Update!

Once again, I'm happy to report all is well. "Bart" & "Lisa" are both looking very healthy and are starting to head for the finish line, so to speak.

Tuesday we went in for another NST, but once more our little angels refused to cooperate. The nurse could only get one heartbeat at a time and then they both disappeared completely. Apparently they're going to be great at Hide-and-Seek! My blood pressure was up just ever so slightly, but nothing to be concerned about. Dr. Holmes decided he'd like to get a better look at them so he asked that I come back Thursday for an ultrasound just to be safe. I wasn't concerned as they were both moving like crazy!!

So, today I went for the ultrasound and they both look wonderful. His hearbeat was 131 bpm and hers was 154 bpm-both well within normal. "Lisa" is still right there waiting to come out, but "Bart" is now trying to push her out of the way-quite literally! They're both really far down, however my cervix is still completely closed and I haven't had many contractions lately so the docs aren't concerned about them making their entrance quite yet. They are predicting sometime within the next two to three weeks though. Our PA and Sonographer both said they'd be shocked if they made it beyond 35 weeks (national average and our docs office average for twins is 35-36 weeks so we're completely within the norm).

We'll be back at the docs again on Wednesday, May 28 to try for another NST (the nurse is really looking forward to this again as it will NST try number 4 or 5-without success mind you). At this point we'll be taking things a week or so at a time. Remember, after June 4 we're pretty safe-they'd still be considered premies, but all organs (including lungs) should be fully developed and able to withstand supporting themselves w/o assistance outside of the womb. I was very excited to hear our PA say today, "Stay active and rest inbetween," instead of telling me I can't do anything like before. With that in mind, we're heading up to the cabin (with docs blessing) for a weekend of fun in the sun and relaxation. You have no idea how excited I am to have a change of scenery and to sit in the sun and catch a few rays! (I'm somewhat resembling Casper right now!)

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend and all the happiness and joy that we're feeling right now!

Love,
Erika, Brian, Drake, "Bart" & "Lisa"

31 Week Update!

Babies still lookin' good! We had a NST (non-stress test) today and both heartbeats are going strong. I had some contractions last night, but thankfully they stopped and the NST didn't show any this afternoon. I have to go back in a little less than a week this time (next Tuesday, May 20) for another NST to make sure everything is still good. We're less than three weeks from the critical 34 week mark and the docs seem very okay with anything happening after that mark.

At this point, I'm really hoping to recover from the miserable viral infection/cold I've got going on, and REALLY hoping to get the green light next Tuesday to go Up North for Memorial weekend. As long as there are no contractions or signs of pre-term labor the doc will give us the go ahead. Keep your fingers crossed.

That's it for this week. I'll post again after Tuesday's appointment. Have a great weekend!

Erika, Brian, Babies, & Drake :o)

Week 30 Update!

All is well! We had an ultrasound and doctor appointment on Thursday, May 8th and got a great report. The babies are weighing in at around 3.5 lbs each which is right where they should be and are in the 50th to 60th percentile for all their measurements. We couldn't be happier.

Mommy is doing well (better than throughout the entire pregnancy, actually) and, while still being ordered to "take it easy," has been able to be up and about a little. It was really great to be a part of cheerleading tryouts this week and to see all the girls. I will be stepping down to the Freshman position-just for this year-in order to accomodate my more, um, shall we say, potentially demanding schedule with two babies. While I'm sad I won't get to be with some of my girls from last year, I'm excited to still be able to coach and this way I'll get to be with most of the same girls for two years-and from what I saw at tryouts they look like a pretty great team!

On the medical front, the doc says if I don't go into labor before, they'll remove the cerclage (stitch around my cervix) at 35 weeks (sometime around June 11) and it probably won't be too long once that comes out. Our darling daughter has made her way into the number one position, so she'll be set to enter the world first-if this is a natural childbirth. He is still knocking his sister around a bit and has really started beating up on Mom a little, too. She is pretty quiet and he's quite the opposite! I think he must take after his Daddy!

That's it for this week. Sorry, no pictures. They're getting pretty squished in there so it's really hard to make anything out from the couple of pictures we got. Look for another update sometime after May 15th.

Cheers!
Erika & Brian