Ultrasound 10/24/06

Well, we weren't as thrilled with this ultrasound experience as we were on the last ones. The tech did not seem to know exactly what he was doing, saying it had been a while since he had done an multiples ultrasound. But toward the end, he seemed to get the hang of it and took the time to explain some of the features we were seeing.

The girls definitely look the cutest they have ever been. They're already over 2.5 lbs, and there is a chance that Maranda is further along than we thought. We will check with the doctor next week since we have doubts about this tech. He estimated that she was around a week and half further along than was originally estimated. That moves the due date back to January 15 or so. So we'll see...

In the first picture, you can see a slight profile, but you can see she has her arms reaching up with clenched fists.

In the second picture, you can see the right side of one's face. She has her lips puckered up. Maybe she's giving kisses... or maybe she's just hungry. It was definitely past supper time.

They were extremely active in this ultrasound. They way they are situated right now, is one is head down and the other is a little higher and to the right of her. Dr. McCullough is very optimistic that if one is lined up to be delivered vaginally, that the second baby could flip to the correct position after the first one is born.

We're just praying right now that Maranda will deliver both the same way--either both vaginally or both by Cesarian. ~A

Just for Kicks

The girls have been playing with Maranda in Dreamland. For the past two evenings, Maranda has dreamed that one of the girls stretches out so far that she can see the entire foot, complete with little toes. The only thing we can figure is that the girls must be awake while she sleeps and that they kick and play while she’s trying to rest. Hopefully their schedules will get to be more with ours before they arrive. …. Please, God?

Madelyn and Maleah are starting to respond to our voices now. I started talking to the girls last night, and one started kicking. At least we know that she hears us. I am sure that they can hear Maranda much more clearly than they can hear me, but Maranda was reading somewhere recently that around this point the girls will become more active at the sounds of our voices. Sure enough, they are.

Until we actually get to hold them, we’re looking forward to each doctor’s visit and ultrasound. Today was go for another to make sure everything looks good and to see if they are growing at the same rate. I don’t know how detailed these pictures will be, but they should be better than the last ones since we will be going to Labor & Delivery to have it done.I will keep you posted! ~A

The nursery is really starting to look like the girls' room. Kim spent this weekend painting lilac walls and freehanded music staffs and flowers on the walls with lyrics to "Jesus Loves Me" and "You are My Sunshine." (Thanks, YaYa!) Hopefully we can get some digital pictures of the nursery up soon for you all to see.

God really has been good to us. People have been blessing us with gifts and hand-me-downs. Someone from our church actually gave us a crib, which means we only have to buy ONE! Let's just pray that I can actually put the thing together!

Maranda is now on home rest from work. She had another bout with contractions and had her first experience with Turb. Turb is a drug injection which helps stop contractions. However, the nurse described Turb as having the effects of twelve shots of espresso all at once... And I think that was pretty accurate. But you will have to ask Maranda for yourself. Her eyes got bulging and glassy, her hands and feet would not be still, and her ten-minute high slowly gave way to feeling extremely sick. Needless to say, Maranda does not want to have to take Turb again.

We go back for another ultrasound on October 24. So you know what that means.... MORE PICTURES!!!

Braxton Hiccups

Maranda and I had a little excitement the other day when the wonderful Braxton Hicks contractions began full force. She had a little more contractions than we would have liked, and per the doctor’s orders, they asked her to come to the hospital to be monitored and to see if we could get the contractions to stop.

It took a little over two hours, and everything is fine. Maranda is still having a hard time sitting up straight without having some tightening. So please be praying that the contractions will ease up to a healthy level until the babies are fully developed and ready to be born.

But we actually did have a good time listening to the babies on the monitor while at the hospital. I had gone downstairs to get Maranda some dinner in the cafeteria (chicken tenders, of course), and when I came back, I could hear the heart beats from the doorway.

I also heard this really loud WHOMP every now and then. It sounded like the babies were actually hitting the monitor, but it didn’t sound like a kick or a punch. It sounded too soft for that. We didn’t ask Gail (our wonderful, wonderful nurse) for a while, but she said that it was probably one of the girls having the hiccups.

It's Raining Pink!

Right now, our living room looks like bottle of Pepto exploded all over our chair and spilled into the floor. But we're pretty happy about it.

This Saturday, our family in Sale Creek and Dayton threw us a baby shower, and we were amazed at how much people bought for us. Most outfits came in twos, and we received many baby blankets, diapers, bottles, bibs, and bottle brushes.

We also got the Pack-N-Play that we wanted, and the girls now each have a Bumbo seat each. There were also some toys, children's books, and lots of good food.

Maranda and I definitely appreciate everything that people gave us, and we look forward to putting each item to good use.

Spirit of Life Church is also throwing us a shower this month (14th). God truly is keeping His Word. He told Maranda that these girls would be fully provided for, and so far, He has meant that literally. ~A