Christmas Day Chez Pictor

We gave Mom & Dad this huge wreath filled with all of their "angels." In the photos here, I still had two blank frames for the twins, but by the time we gave it to Mom and Dad, I had placed ulstrasound pictures of the babies into the frames.

Ultrasound #2

Had our second ultrasound today. The pictures are MUCH better than the first ultrasound. You can actually see two babies (instead of two blobs) in these pictures. I like the ones of the two of them together taken from the top down. You can see their little arms and legs folding over nice, round tummies! The ultrasound tech could aleady rule out several genetic abnormalities today. She said they had great measurements, and there was no fluid in the brain and no thickness to the neck fold - all good things!
New due date: July 11th (would be 40 weeks)
Estimated delivery date: June 27th (if I can manage to hold onto them that long!)
Ben has already said that he would love to share his birthday with the babies (June 26th). I guess we'll see when they decide to come. For Ben's sake, I would prefer to keep his birthday reserved for him, but he seems to think that sharing would be a great way to celebrate. Such a sweet kid. He wants us to name one of them Benjamin should it be a boy.

Biggest Surprise of Our Lives!

We went to the doctor for my first OB appointment on Tuesday this week. As with my last two pregnancies, there is always a bit of nervousness when I have that first ultrasound. I'm always so worried that we're going to get bad news.

This time, however, I had a sinking suspicion that I might be having twins. I have been saying for weeks that the extreme nausea I am feeling can't be what it was when I was expecting Ben or Maggie. I certainly remember being nauseated and tired, but I don't remember it being THIS extreme. And so, I wondered if I was having twins. Plus, Maggie went to daycare last week, and she told her entire class that her mommy was having two babies. It was all too weird.

We told our doctor of all the crazy suspicions, and as he started the ultrasound, he said, "Well, let's just take a look at these two kids." Then, he kind of laughed, and he said, "It looks like there really are two in there! I was joking around before, but I'M NOT KIDDING NOW!"

In the first picture above, you can see both anmiotic sacs, and (I think) you can clearly see Baby A in the sac on the left. In the second picture above, the focus is a little more on Baby B. Still looks like a little cloud to me, but we could definitely see a strong heartbeat when it was the live picture.

Holy cow! Brian fell backward about 10 feet and slumped onto a countertop. I began crying immediately. Definitely good news... just really shocking. So many questions now... How are we going to handle this?! Immediately, my OB had a list of precautions we should prepare for. I will have to commit to a daily nap - right! With 2 toddlers, how is that even possible? I will need to leave my job - or at the very least, start working from home before too long. I will be on an activity restriction in a couple of months. Possibly, bed-rest at 24 weeks. A lot of these restrictions are related to my pelvic separation. I suppose that puts me at an increased risk for pre-term labor. It's so much to digest.

My OB recommended a book by Dr. Barbara Luke. He wants me to do my best to follow it to the letter. Supposedly, it will help me have higher birth-weight babies. That's certainly a goal worth trying for! The book's recommendations are to gain 40-56 pounds during this pregnancy. I'm supposed to eat 8 servings of dairy per day, 2 eggs plus 3 more servings of meat, and plenty of fat! YIKES! Does this seem right? I'm doing my best. I picked up three containers of ice cream on Friday, but, oddly enough, I have no taste for ice cream. The thought of eating it makes me feel sick. I'm getting the eggs down each day. I doubt I have even come close to 8 daily servings of dairy yet!

I'm on a hunt to find two of everything. We already have one of most things, so I guess we just have to get a second set! Crib, car seat, swing (necessary item!), etc. Oh gosh, we're going to have to buy so many diapers! Better get Maggie out of pull-ups by then!

Annual Pumpkin Picture

Every year, I take a picture of the kids and our pumpkins.
This year, I just couldn't seem to get a good smile on both of them at the same time.

3-D Movie

I love this new trend of 3-D movies. Mostly just because I like to see everyone wearing the giant glasses. (Could they make those glasses ANY bigger? It's like they're all made in size XL!)

First Soccer Pics

Got Ben's first soccer picture this week. Also got a copy of his friend, Nolan.
They're in Lil' Kickers together.
Notice how they waited until after soccer practice, when the kids were all red and sweaty (and had purple stamps on their hands), to take the pictures.

Pumpkin Patch 2009

We made it to Stony Creek Farm for our annual visit to the pumpkin patch today. Absolutely, hands-down, the best weather ever for a visit to a pumpkin farm. Nice and cool, but very sunny. Ben even commented, "It's nice and cool out here." (my kid!)

Unfortunately, the sun was really in poor Ben's eyes when I took this one.

Ben jumped on the giant super-pillow,
and Brian showed the kids how to sling-shot a corn cob out into a pond.
(Ben's shirt says, "If you think I'm SCARY, wait 'til you see my SISTER!")

We ran into our friends, the Latterells. Clearly, Maggie was happy to see Kate.

Rainbow Connection

This morning, as I was driving the kids to daycare, I played the song, Rainbow Connection (sung by Kermit the Frog) for them. I explained that it is my most favorite song in the whole world. I know that when I was really little (younger than Ben), my siblings would call the local radio station and request it to be played for me. Even more special.... when I met Brian, I was blown away by the fact that he actually had a "cover" of the song on one of his CDs.

As we were listening to it, Ben tried to sing along. (I love when he does that with songs he doesn't know!) And, toward the end of the song, Maggie said, "Ooooh, it's so beautiful!" in her little toddler voice. Totally made my morning!

Sponge Rollers

Remember these? I can't believe that Maggie let me do her entire head. Patience she does not normally exhibit. The end result wasn't nearly as good as I had hoped, but I loved the way she looked with her head covered in sponge rollers!

SetonFest 2009 Day #2

I don't know why, but I just adore this picture of the kids!

Ben and Mommy ride the giant swings together.

Ben, and our neighbor, Becca, on the teacups.

Maggie, and our neighbor, Ava, drive a car together.

SetonFest 2009 (Day #1)

Ben, Maggie, and Quinn Sweeny really enjoyed the rides. Unfortunately, Molly Sweeny was too scared to do some of the "big kid" rides with the other three.

Daring Ben was eager to hop on the ferris wheel. Maggie thought it would be a good time. However, she SCREAMED and clung to me the entire time we were on it!

One of the many family pictures we attempted. Since we had matching festival shirts, I really wanted to get a great family picture. The kids were less than cooperative. I'm surprised Brian remains married to me after all the times I made him pose!

Playing games and doing crafts in the kids tent.

Ending Day #1 with the fireworks display and a huge sno-cone to share.

Only Once!

Unfortunately, we had to attend a funeral Mass today.
The kids, however, behaved really well. So, I told them that we could buy lollipops.
Ben informed me that lollipops are NOT the round balls on top of sticks. He said a REAL lollipop would have to be rainbow-colored, and it must also be a flat circle, not a ball.
Brian had the ingenious idea to try Cracker Barrel, knowing that they carry all sorts of candy. And, of course, they had the lollipops!

I told the kids that these were the kind of treats you only get once in a lifetime.
(We don't want to make a practice of buying these every time they exhibit good bahavior!)

Summer Movies

We took advantage of the FREE summer movies at Regal Cinemas this summer.

Ben, Quinn, & Maggie are getting ready to see Charlotte's Web. Fruit snacks in hand... Ready to go!

Bowling