Starting the Competition Early :)

A gift from my friend, Rachel. Hee Hee!

Four Weeks Old Tomorrow

Raina

Lauren and Raina

Lauren

The girls will be 4 weeks old tomorrow! The time has flown by in some ways and then been in a snails pace in other ways. They had a doctor's appointment yesterday and they are growing well. Raina weighed in at 8 lbs. 1 oz. and Lauren weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 oz. They are still very small, but doing well. On good nights they wake up around 2-ish and then again at 5-ish to eat. They are pretty set on their "every three hour" meal. I am primarily breastfeeding with some formula feedings after about 3 meals a day. It seems to work for them (and me). I just can't seem to get enough milk for them throughout the day, so some formula is necessary. I tried to do all bottles on day with pumping in between and I hated it. I don't know how people manage to do the whole bottle thing during the night feedings. More power to you if you can do it, but breastfeeding in the middle of the night is so much easier, in my opinion. Anyway, the girls'' personalities are beginning to really come through now. Raina is very mellow and only cries when she is hungry. She is very curious and often has her eyes open and is looking around the room. She loves tummy time and working on her neck muscles. I also think she enjoys the freedom of not being bundled up. She loves to waves her arms and kick her legs. She has been smiling a lot and has started to show off her adorable dimples! Lauren, on the other had, loves to be swaddled and held as much as possible. She has what I refer to as the "hold me, hold mes". She is happiest being cuddled. She cries a lot more than Raina. Lauren cries with any movement. She cries when she's hungry, but also for no apparent reason. She is more difficult to soothe in these situations. I guess she just wants to make herself known! :) She has adorable little features and very blue eyes. She's started to smile, but only really in her sleep. Both girls have the most beautiful smiles. I can't wait to see them more often!

Jocelyn came to visit yesterday and she is staying for the next few days. She is hepling out with the girls and getting ready for the party. Yesterday after the girls appointment we decided to go out shopping for a bit. It was interesting to say the least. Lauren had to be held most of the time and I tired quickly. We were both able to leave the mall with at least one new cute thing, so we felt pretty good about that. I did have to run out to the car for something though and I left Jocelyn in the store with the girls. I guess someone came up to her and asked her how old the girls were and she told them. They resonded with a "you look GREAT for having 3 week olds!". She did clear this up, but I thought it was hilarious! When I came back into the store Jocelyn was at the register with Raina in the double stroller, Lauren in one hand, and she was paying with the other hand. She was doing the ultimate double (or is it triple) tasking! It was funny!

Today also marks Barrett's 20 month birthday! He is talking more and more every day. He is so much fun to be around. He does struggle with the girls sometimes. We find that we are having to discipline him a lot more often now for hitting the girls. We sit him in time out. Sometimes after he does something that we tell him "no" to he'll put himself in time out. It never lasts long, but I think it is starting to work. He does give the girls kisses and wants to hold them (which we allow with a lot of guidance). I think he's just getting used to the idea of these two new babies, but overall I think he is a great big brother. I love him so much!!!

Happy Birthday To Me

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma meeting the girls for the first time.

Proud Papa

Raina practicing her neck strength.

Lauren and Raina

One tired momma with my girls.

Can't forget about our adorable little man!

So yesterday was my birthday and I was (still am) sick! Three days ago I went to the doctor for my official two week post-op incision check. I wasn't feeling good again and they found my blood pressure to be high and I had a slight temp. So they drew some blood to check for signs of infection. The next day I was feeling extremely sick! I got a call from the drs. office and they told me that my blood work came back and there was some concern for infection, so they wanted to see me again. I went in yesterday and they put me on antibiotics for a uterine lining infection. The dr. told me it's not bad yet, but the medicine should help prevent it from getting worse. The fact that it was my birthday came up and the dr. told me to eat ice cream from bed. :( I needed to sleep she said! So Trina came over that afternoon and I slept in between feedings for the girls and then later my Dad and Dillon came over to celebrate my birthday. They brought dinner and Trina had made a cake. It was a relaxing and fun night, although I felt crummy. Trina spent the night, too, and helped with all the mid-night feedings and burpings. It was great! Many of you called, wrote emails, or sent my birthday cards...sorry I haven't responded. I definitely felt loved yesterday with all the birthday wishes...thank you!

Today I'm feeling a little better. The dr. said that I should begin to turn the corner after 24 hours on the antibiotic, so by this afternoon I'm hoping to be feeling a lot better. I have to go back to the dr. for a check up on Monday. I am ready to start feeling better that's for sure! It's been a real challenge taking care of two newborns feeling so sick. But the kids are healthy and that is a great thing!! The girls are now 3 weeks old and doing well. On good nights I only have to get up twice to feed them. Around 1 am and then again at 4 am. Raina is very active, but gassy (she spits up a lot more). Lauren is very stil and calm when she sleeps, but watch out when she is awake...she definitely makes herself known. They go back to the dr. on Wednesday so I'll know more about their growth then. Jocelyn comes to stay Wednesday until the party. She's going to help out where she can. I am excited to have the sister time with her, too.

A Gorgeous Sunny Weekend

Ben working on our new walkway

Barrett was helping Daddy shovel out the stone

The girls in their first "photo shoot"

Awe...so precious.

This past weekend was a busy one. Ben was helping with the girls, me, AND working out side while entertaining Barrett. Whoa. He decided to begin on the walkway project because of the upcoming "meet the twins" party. He wants everything looking tip top when that day arrives. I think he is doing a great job!

My recovery has been going much better. A few days after posting, I got a few other symptoms that made me realize that what was going on was the flu on top of surgery recovery. So needless to say, I felt a little silly when I was heading to the drs. office. I still have some flu sysmptoms, but I'm getting better every day. The last three nights I've had those gross night sweats where your hormones are balancing out and the fluids are leaving your body. Those have been some gross nights, but it has helped with the swellign tremendously. Back to the drs. appointment...it initally got switched from Friday to Monday because of all these extra sysmptoms I was having. My dr. said that she wanted me to move it. So first thing Monday morning I called in and canceled my Friday appointment and scheduled one for that day. Ben had taken another day off from work to escort me there, too. When we get there and finally settle into the room, the nurse says that I am here to talk about post-partum depression. Ben and I look at each other and immediately said "no". Then she asked "would anxiety be a better word?" and I said NO! My dr. had taken what I had said on the phone and turned it into something completely different. I felt betrayed. At the hospital they give you a list of things to look for and if any of these symptoms appear then call the dr. All last week that is what I did, but in turn all I got was "oh, that's normal" and "you must be anxious about this...you must have post-partum depression". Why do they even bother with a list? I was more annoyed the more I thought about it. I even had a dream last night that I was yelling at my dr. about all of this. What if something was seriously wrong? They wouldn't even notice. To top it off, the nurse informs me that this appointment does not replace the previously scheduled appointment, so I need to reschedule that one. So I have to go back again next Tuesday for an incision check (which they did do yesterday)...it's just frustrating because next Tuesday Ben will be at work and I'll have the girls to move around with me...that much more work. Ugh!

Enough complaining. Sorry. There is a lot to be happy about right now, so I'll just keep focusing on that. The girls are doing great. The nights are sometimes really rough with the rotation of crying, but we're are making it through just fine. Some night are better than others. :)

Recovery is not so much fun

It has been over a week now and my body is still in so much pain. I'm not sure how "normal" any of this is since I have nothing to compare it to, but I keep having to call my dr. about once a day with a new symptom. It all started with my swollen feet and ankles. They were swollen near the end of my pregnancy, but now they are out of control. I can't even wear flip flops. The only shoes that fit are my crocs. When I called the dr. they just told me to keep drinking fluids and the swelling should be gone in about a week or two. Then yesterday I was told I could take my tape off of my incision (this tape that they put on after taking the staples out), so I took the tape off and I noticed that part of my incision was open. After describing the opening to my dr. all she said was that it would heal on its own. Then to top it off, last night we were up with the girls from about 1 am to 6 am. It was during this time (around 3 am) that I felt like I was burning up. I took my temp. and I had a fever of 100.6! I called the dr. (they said anything over 100.4 needs to be of concern) and she said to keep checking it and if the temp persists then I need to go to the ER in the morning. She also wants to have me come in to the office on Monday instead of Friday like scheduled. This morning I took my temp again and the fever seems to be gone (whew). To make it all seem more overwhelming, it still hurts to sit up and move around, my hands hurt (they seem tight and it is hard to open bottles, etc.), part of my stomach is numb all the time (can't feel a thing...it's weird), and I sometimes feel a cool sensation in my back when I bend over. I'm glad that the dr. will see me sooner rather than later, because my instincts are telling me that this all can't be normal c-section recovery. The dr. last night on the hone asked me if I was at my wits end and I said "kind of". Honestly, the stress has nothing to do with taking care of two babies (that is the easy part), but my body seems to be falling apart. That's why I feel at my wits end. I just want my body to feel like it's starting to heal, yet it doesn't. It feels like it is getting worse.

My swollen foot

(Ben told me that people don't want to see my feet, but you can't fully understand until you see them...sorry if you're grossed out by my foot)

One Week Old

Barrett holding Lauren

Lauren and Raina getting some tummy time.

This is their favorite place right now. Gotta love those swings!

The girls are one week old today. It's hard to believe that it has already been a week and that my surgery was that long ago. It's one of those weird things where it feels like the births were just yesterday and yet it feels like it has been years, too. We came home on Tuesday and had a few visitors and the girls seemed to sleep the entire time. The first night home was a different story. Lauren would not stop crying and nothing seemed to soothe her. Raina would then start to cry just because Lauren was crying. It was a night where you seem to try everything and nothing is working. I realized that night that I can't sleep in my own bed because it is flat and I can't get out of bed once I am in it. SO, I have been sleeping on the couch (the recliner part of it). The first night home, the girls ended up sleeping on me most of the night. I just propped them up with lots of pillows and we all snoozed. It worked. The next day we had to take them to the dr. They both got weighed in an Raina was now at 6 lbs. 4 oz. (she was down to 6 lbs. in the hospital. so this was a good weight) and Lauren weighed in at 5 lbs. 14 oz. Lauren's weight was a bit alarming and so the dr. gave us syringes to fill with formula to use during feedings. We go in today for another weigh-in. I have opted to not use the syringes though because I found that they didn't work that well, so instead I have been feeding both girls and then following each feeding with a feeding of formula. It seems to be working well. They both seem to be eating well and pooping well too (which the dr. says is the key to knowing how much the babies are really eating). I'm hoping their weights have improved. The last few nights have been much better than the first. They seem to sleep between feedings and they are now sleeping in their crib. :) I think that the extra food is helping the girls. They get a fuller feeding and they seem less fussy for it. At this point I do not think I am producing enough for them to breastfeed exclusively, but to be honest with you this extra bottle stuff is kind of nice, because Ben (or others) are able to get bonding time and it takes some of the work off of me. Overall the first week with the girls has been a wonderful, blurry, happy time. We are very blessed.

The Twins Have Arrived!!!

Our family of five

Lauren Christine (she had an IV in her left arm) and Raina Susan in their hospital cribs

The girls in their "going home" outfits (Raina on left and Lauren on right)

Leaving the hospital

The girls are now 5 days old. Here is their delivery tale...

Friday April 11th was our scheduled c-section. We had to be at the hospital at 8 am for delivery time to be at 10 am. We dropped Barrett off at Papa and Grandma's and then headed to the hospital. On the way we were talking about how weird it felt to not be in any pain and simply going to the hospital to have the babies. Just to think that in a few hours we would be meeting our babies. It was during the drive that Ben switched radio stations and the song that I heard instantly made me weep. It was "You Gotta Be" by Des'Ree...this was my mom's fighting song and it always makes me think of her. Ben held my hand and said that she's looking down on me and she's thinking of me. She was going to make the day great and make sure we all came out of this healthy and happy. I think I needed to hear that song that morning. We shortly thereafter arrived at the hospital. We were thinking that the 2 hour wait would be just that a wait, but not so much. They put us in a room, had us fill out paperwork, suited Ben up, introduced us to several doctors and nurses, etc. It was a busy, crazy 2 hours. We had no time to think about what was about to happen. Soon enough they wisked me off to the OR. It was a strange feeling walking into this sterile room filled with so many people and looking around at the two baby stations and the hustle bustle of all the people. They then had me sit on the operating table hunched over a pillow to help with my spinal. The first (yes, I said first) spinal they tried giving me didn't take (this was realized after several sharp pains and weird sensations pulsating my back), so I heard the 2nd dr. say to the other that they were going to have to start over. The good thing about that was that as soon as the 2nd dr. gave me my second spinal it took almost instantly. If you've never had this done it is the strangest feeling ever. This strange sensation ran down both of my legs and then I couldn't feel anything. The drs. check your pain/nerves with cold wipes and sharp needles by rubbing/poking your arms first to let you know what they want you to feel (don't want you to feel) in other body locations and then they do the same in the other locations. This was all fine and dandy and so onward they went. I requested to have a mirror. This worked out wonderfully as I could see everything, but the cutting. It was during the prep time with the mirror up that I looked in the mirror and saw that I was laying on the table completely naked and the drs. were giving me a nice shave. So silly. I also realized that I was naked in front of many people that I have never even met. One nurse asked me if it was okay for my husband to come in at that moment or if I wanted him to wait until the drape was up. What a silly question to me, because my husband has seen me naked (well...duh) as where all of these other people have not. :) Ben came in and it was so quick after that. They quickly told Ben that it would be any moment (we had told everyone that we wanted Ben to be the one who announced the genders) and I looked into the mirror. I saw the first baby (Raina) pop out and I instantly saw that it was a girl and I started to cry. I heard Ben make the announcement and then he gave me a kiss. Two minutes later I saw Lauren's foot pop out along with some umbilical cord. She didn't want to come right our and then I felt the drs. pushing and pulling all over the place. Next thing I see is Lauren's head pop out. She was first breech then they pushed her enough that her head came out first instead. At any rate, Ben made the announcment and I cried even harder. I never would have predicted two girls in a million years. People had actually asked me that during the pregnancy and I said I just don't think it's going to be two girls. But man, I was so excited to have two girls. I know Ben is worried about keeping the future boys away, but he is still so excited to have daddy's little girls. Anyway, the c-section simply was not over just yet. Raina was born at 10:12 am and Lauren was born at 10:14 am, but I didn't leave the OR until closer to 11:30 am. I just had to lay there while they finished sewing and stapling me up. I guess I had some arteries that wouldn't stop bleeding so they had to do some extra work on my uterus (which at one point was on my stomach according to Ben). It was while I laid there that Ben brought the girls over to me so I could meet them. Then a dr. came over and told me that Lauren wasn't doing so well and that they were going to take her to the nursery. Surgery wrapped up and they wheeled me over to the recovery room. I had to be in this room for about 2 hours. They put me on so many medicines throughout the morning that it was during this time that I got the shakes really bad and I felt really groggy. I got to nurse Raina for the first time during this time, too. After the 2 hours they wheeled me to the nursery so I could see Lauren and then I went to my private room. At this time Lauren was on extra oxygen, but they already knew that she would be going to the NICU. A few hours after settling in the room, Lauren was sent to the NICU and put on the CPAP (it helps to push more oxygen into the lungs and get rid of the fluid in them). That night I was unable to go see her, but Ben, along with all the grandparents, went up to visit her. The next morning, Ben and I went up to see her and by the time I got to her she was already off of the CPAP and being taken off all machines. She would be coming down to be with us in a matter of hours!! This was such exciting news. We just didn't feel right without both of them together with us. We are very fortunate that her stay in the NICU was so short lived. Once Lauren was back with us, the rest of the hospital stay went along fine. We had many visitors and loved introducing our new girls to everyone. Raina and Lauren are both doing great. Barrett seems to be adjusting well, too. He's going to be a great big brother and already kisses them often. He wants to help out all the time and hold the babies. We have such a great family and we are so truly happy!

Barrett @ 19 Months

My little man is growing up. Here are his stats @ 19 months:

--Still sucks his thumb and loves his "ba, ba" (blankie)
--He only seems to suck his thumb when he has his blankie (there is one and only one specific blankie...no substitute will do)
--He weighs about 30 lbs.
--His favorite words are moo (for cow), meow (for cat), brum-brum (for any vehicle), toda (for Koda), and momma.
--He also says dadda, papa, and up, but not as often.
--He is growing out of most 18 month clothing and wears mostly 24 month or 2T clothes.
--He wears a size 6 shoe
--He loves to wrestle
--He's very ticklish (he's got one great giggle, too)
--He is very social and will play with any kid
--He can be shy of adults at first, though
--He's a great dancer and has quite the rhythm
--He sleeps in a toddler bed and goes to bed on his own as soon as we say "let's go to nigh, nigh".
--He sleeps from about 8 pm until about 7 am every night
--He loves books, especially those with animals or vehicles
--He loves being outside (he would be outside all the time if it were possible)
--He's working on the whole jumping thing right now...can't quite catch air, but looks like it may be soon
--He runs everywhere!!
--He's going to be such a wonderful big brother and often rubs my belly saying "baby". I don't think he understands the whole idea that there are two, though. :)

And I thought I had a big belly the first time around!!!!

37 weeks 2 days pregnant with Barrett

37 weeks 1 day pregnant with twins! It's getting crazier and crazier!!

37 weeks -- Full Term

Well, here we are...full term and still pregnant. They say that most twins are born at 37 weeks and indeed these babies will be here before next weekend. Crazy! Last night I was up for a little over 2 hours with contractions every 3 minutes. I showered, drank water, and nothing was stopping them, but then I feel asleep. I woke up in the morning feeling a little let down, because I was starting to get all excited that today would be the day. Needless to say I have been outside today (the sun is shining and it is so warm for this time of year) doing some walking and gardening and some chasing after Barrett. I am now very sore and need a nap. :) Maybe the activity will spur some more action, though. I know I shouldn't rush things, but the aches are getting to me. Earlier today Barrett climbed into his stroller and I squatted down to boost the seat for him and I couldn't stand back up. Ben had to come over and help me up. :( All in all we have less than a week, so that still is very exciting to think about!!!

36 weeks 2 days

Yep, still pregnant. Good for the babies...rough on me. As you can see the stretch marks are getting out of control and my back seems to arch more and more each day. I feel extremely lucky that I can carry twins this long, but surprised at the same time. Just when you think your body would give up, it keeps on going. I went to the doctor again today just for another NST and everything was fine. My instincts tell me that I will be pregnant for awhile (well, until my c-section date that is). No real changes have begun or anything of that nature. I remember a few weeks back the nurse at the drs. office told me that I don't have the "look" yet of being tired and pregnant, yet I believe that I have that look now...the nurses have not said otherwise in the last several appointments, either! :)

Future Wrestler??? And 36 Weeks

Ben finished up wrestling last week and was able to snag the smallest singlet he could find in the old uniforms (the school is getting new uniforms for next year and was getting rid of these old ones). We decided to see how Barrett fit in it. It was too cute... a little on the big side, but still who could resist these pics?!?

Today also marks my 36 weeks point in this pregnancy. My doctor says that I have earned a gold star for carrying twins this long. I almost begged her to take the babies early next week, but she just laughed. We have to wait at least two more weeks (unless mother nature has other plans). I know, two weeks is nothing, but in my world it feels like an eternity!!! I should enjoy this time though, right, because we are most likely done having babies and I will never experience being pregnant again. To be perfectly honest...it is so hard to enjoy right now, though...there's just simply too much discomfort to mention. I did treat myself to a little pampering a few days ago and I went and got my hair cut. I feel refreshed and renewed, although bangs are hard to get used to again. :)

Happy Easter!!!

35 weeks pregnant with Barrett......

35 weeks 1 day pregnant with twins!!! Whoa!

Grandma Sue bought the boys matching jackets for Easter...too cute.

Elizabeth joins the party, too!! She's 4 weeks old now!


Last Friday I went to my doctor for the usual routine, NST, ultrasound, and meeting with doctor. Everything went perfectly. Sue came with me this time for added support. They did a growth ultrasound this time just to make sure that Baby A was still growing as it should and sure enough it was because now they estimate Baby A to be about 5 lbs. 2 oz. and Baby B to be about 5 lbs. 8 oz. I guess this just shows how an estimate is just that...an estimate. But the good thing is that they are both growing and doing well. They both seem to be a healthy weight right now, too. With all this in mind, I actually went and did squats under the full moon on Saturday night just to stir things up a bit, but as you can see...no babies. They'll be here when they want to be here, I guess. I have had a lot more cramping and Braxton Hicks contractions and I have even started timing them a few times, but nothing has come of it. All I can say is that the babies will be here sometime between now and 3 weeks from now. This is just that inbetween time people refer to as the waiting game.

Sunday we headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Spitzley's for Easter Dinner. There were quite a few family members there and it was nice to visit with everyone. The boys even had an Easter egg hunt! We had to do a lot of explaining on the whole idea, but eventually they seemed to have caught on. It was a great afternoon!

A New Symptom

Oh my goodness...this new thing just started a few days ago, but it is driving me crazy. So by now we all can clearly see that my belly is growing in leaps and bounds and due to that fact my belly ITCHES so much!!! That can only mean one thing.......I'm getting more stretch marks! If you've ever had poison ivy then you'll understand what I mean, because it is that kind of itch just no rash with it. It is an itch that no matter how much you itch it, it will not go away. I've been trying to take my mind off of it, but it is very difficult to do. I think I may need to resort to some calamine lotion (if it's okay when pregnant...I'll have to check into that). That would be quite the picture...my enormous belly with pink lotion all over it. :) I guess the whole stretching is a good sign for the babies, because it means they're growing, right?!?

Update

Here's the belly at 33 weeks 6 days.

Rex and Barrett playing Guitar Hero.

This just reminded me so much of Forrest Gump...too cute.

Barrett and Gwen enjoying a bath together.

They had a great time!!

Aunt Jocelyn helped with bath time...yes, I know, Barrett looks a little startled..who knows why?!?

My two favorite boys all ready to go to Ben's grandma's 90th birthday party.


Okay, these are all pictures from the past few weeks or so. Rex and Monica came to visit one day a few weekends ago and they dropped of a couple versions of Guitar Hero. Rex and I battled and I finally beat Rex at a video game!! I think it has been years and years since that has happened. :) Barrett seemed to enjoy the game, too! The another time Jocelyn and Gwen came by for a visit. Gwen and Barrett just love hanging out together and it is so entertaining to watch. I honestly think that I could sit around all day and watch the two interact. It is precious. Jocelyn helped with some things around the house and has come by on several occasions bringing food and baby things. What a great sister! The last picture is from last weekend when we headed over to Ben's grandma's birthday party. The two boys just looked so handsome that I had to take a picture (and of course share it!). :)

Today I had another doctors appointment. Everything looks great. The doctor told me that the 34 week marks an important milestone, because if I go into labor after that point then they will not try to stop it! She said that they love it when twins make it to 34 weeks! Yea! But, of course, I do want the babies to hold on at least a few more weeks to pack on a few more lbs.! I want them to be able to come home with us rather than have to stay in the hospital. The end is definitely near, though, and that is exciting!

Barrett's First Professional Haircut

A few days ago, Sheryl took Barrett in to get his first professional haircut! From what I understand he was great during the whole thing. He just sat there and ate his sucker. What a good little man! He looks so big now. He's definitely not a baby anymore. Thank you Sheryl for taking him in.

Another Drs. Appointment

I had another doctors appointment today. Everything looks good with the exception that Baby B decided to do another somersault and is back to being breech. Ugh! I was getting all excited to give it another go the old fashioned way! Who knows maybe Baby B will want to flip again one last time. Only time will tell. Also, today we got another growth ultrasound (they only do these every 3-4 weeks) and Baby A is estimated at 4 lbs. 4 oz. and Baby B is estimated to be about 5 lbs. 2 oz. Yes, indeed, Baby Be decided to gain 2 lbs. the last month whereas Baby A put on 1 lb. Overall I have about 9 and a half lbs. of baby inside me right now! Crazy!! It definitely explains all the discomfort. There were no good ultrasound pictures this time because the babies are getting awfully crowded in there. We have another growth ultrasound in two weeks just to make sure that Baby A is still growing at a good rate (he or she is 1 lb. less than baby b). The doctor was also going to contact the high risk doctor to make sure that things are still progressing well. All in all, we are all doing just fine.

32 weeks

Both babies heads are now down!!!

Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment. I had another NST done (everything was fine), an ultrasound, and a meeting with the doctor. The ultrasound picture presented some new news, also. Previously Baby A was head down and Baby B was head up. Well, Baby B has now changed positions and is head down. I was getting myself all prepared for a c-section (which I still might have), but now I have the option of trying it without surgery. The doctor said that the only risk with it that way is that after Baby A is delivered, then Baby B may switch positions due to the extra room and then I would have to get a c-section. This would mean healing in both locations. That would not be pleasant to say the least. The doctor said that it's a gamble. Both babies might deliver just fine, but then maybe they won't and I'll still need a c-section anyway. There is not that much information out there about the possibility of the second baby switching positions half-way through delivery, but I'm still looking around. It would be so empowering, in my opinion, to labor and delivery these two babies, but on the other hand I want what is safest for the babies. I don't want Baby B to be in distress after Baby A is delivered. What should I do?!?? As for everything else, things are fine. I've been having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions and sharp pains, but the doctor did not seem concerned. I guess it's just that "end of the pregnancy" time when everything gets uncomfortable and painful. I have to grin and bear it!! This is why Ben and I are done having babies after this!!!

Trina and Barrett came to the doctor with me. I hardly see Barrett during the week, so Trina brought him with me so that I could at least hang out with him. Trina's been a great help these past few weeks. Barrett was terrific throughout the day. After the doctor's appointment we decided to go to lunch at a local restaurant. We were seated at a table and then I turn around and Andrea and Destinee were standing there!! They said they just got seated, too, so we joined tables and had lunch with the girls. A few minutes after that Kate arrived, too!!! It was such an unplanned surprise and I loved it! I feel so closed in these days so to be able to chat it up with some of my closest girlfriends was great! It was a great afternoon. :)