Ultrasound

We had a great day with Steph and Soleil today! The appointment was good and not so good...the babies are doing great but are both little stinkers! Ella decided that she wanted to get a better look at her sister so she turned around again...so she's now breech. Ella and Emma's heads are side by side, it looked really cute on the ultrasound...like they were snuggling or kissing but it does present us with a problem. Steph will most likely have to have a C-Section now. She goes back in next week to recheck their positions and if Ella is still breach then she will have a C-Section the following week (38 weeks). Steph is acting like a real trooper but I know she's scared and a bit sad, this will be her first C-Section in 6 pregnancies. We all hope that Ella will decide to turn again but she's quickly running out of room so the chances are slim.

The good news...Ella and Emma were both practicing breathing today so their lungs are mature. Ella had a heart rate of 134 and Emma had a heart rate of 145. Ella weighs 5lbs 8oz and Emma weighs 5lbs 9oz. And they both looked beautiful and happy! More good news...Steph's cervix is still closed up tight! 36 weeks tomorrow...crazy!

Steph also got the girls some crazy cute onsies, bibs and blankets. I can't wait to see E & E wearing them! Thanks Steph for such a great day!

Two by Two...Getting Organized

Darin made us this daily log for the babies. I asked him to make this log because I was worried that I would forget which baby I fed and so on. These logs will help me keep track of all of the important info. I had him add a "misc" column to keep track of all the other info like runny noses, ouchies and growth. I think he did a great job!
We decided to set up some of our baby gear a little early to encourage our big girls to get all of their curiosity and touching out of the way. I think the babies will be really comfy in these cradle swings!
Here are their blanket sets, my big girls adore their "little giraffe" blankets! We got these other "wubbies" in Hawaii. The purple and pink blankets are Emma's and the yellow and green blankets are Ella's.
These beautiful hats were made by my friend Lisa! I love them and I know the girls will look adorable in them.

New Books

A great friend sent us some really cool books recently! Hannah and Olivia both love them and I have a feeling that Ella and Emma are going to love them too! Thank you Marty, you are always so thoughtful and giving!

OB Appointment

Steph had her 2nd NST and 100th (or it seems that way anyway) OB appointment today! Everything went smoothly and everyone looks great! No dilation yet!!! Go Steph!!!

OB appointment and NST

Steph had her OB appointment today and her first NST (Non-Stress Test). She said that the nurses had a hard time getting the straps on her belly because the girls did not cooperate. They were kicking wildly. But the NST went fine. She couldn't give me definitive heart rates because they were all over the place depending on Ella and Emma's activity.
Steph's cervix is still closed. There is a head near it but her doctor said it is pretty high up there. Her stomach measures 36 weeks and she had no weight gain.
They also drew her blood today to recheck her hemoglobin, we should have those results back tomorrow.
All in all, her doctor was very happy with things.

Here are a few photos of Steph from this week!

PBO (Pre-Birth Order)

I just received our PBO in the mail today....YAY!!! The PBO is a legal document, signed by a judge. It states that Darin and I are the legal and biological parents of both Ella and Emma. This document ensures that the hospital will recognize us as the babies' parents and will allow us to take full responsibility for the babies once they are born. It also ensures that mine and Darin's names will be directly put the on Ella and Emma's birth certificates. This will make things a lot less confusing for the hospital staff too! Yay, that's one more thing crossed off my list...we must be getting closer!!!

OB Appointment

Steph had a great appointment today, it was fast and filled with good news!!! Ella's heart rate was 123 bpm and Emma's heart rate was 154. Her iron level has gone up and Dr. Richman will check it again next week. Steph will start weekly Non-Stress Tests (monitor hooked up to her belly and she pushes a button every time she feels a kick) next week. It also monitors her uterus for any contractions.

And the very best news of all is that Dr. Richman felt a head by Steph's cervix!!!!! YAY Ella is finally head down!!!! Now we just have to pray that she stays that way.

So it was a great appointment today, I can't believe we are almost 33 weeks!!

Thank you Steph!!!

Steph sent Darin and I these beautiful flowers and vase!!! Thank you Steph, we love them!!! But we disagree...we think that you are the one that ROCKS!!!

32 Weeks!

And here's a photo of Steph at 32 weeks! I think she look beautiful, I can't believe how much her belly has grown since the last time we saw her!!!
Here's a little bit about how the babies are developing, I read this on babycenter.com this morning. By now, your babies weigh 3.75 pounds each (pick up a large jicama) and they are about 16.7 inches long. The babies will gain a third to half of their birth weight during the next 7 weeks as they fatten up for survival outside the womb. They now have toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). The babies' skin is becoming soft and smooth as they plump up in preparation for birth.
And here's another fabulous picture of Steph!!! Thanks Steph for sending these to me!!
We are hoping for another ultrasound at the end of April, around 36 weeks!

OB Appointment

Steph had her OB appointment today and she says it was pretty basic with nothing to really report. Ella's heart rate was 145 and Emma's was 136. Steph's cervix remains closed and good. She took a complete blood count test today so tomorrow we should know those results. Let's hope her hemoglobin is in the mid 7's at least. She gained about 7 pounds this last week and is still pretty swollen but hanging in. Tomorrow we'll be 32 weeks!