Last week...

So just a recap of last week from my P.O.V.
Thursday- after a oh-so-fun root canal, I rushed right to Dr. Crofoot so he could 'finish' the new patient appointment from the week before. Wasn't sure what that would consist of- the 1st time we were there seemed very thorough to me. Well, I had a full physical to look forward to, including a pelvic exam. Dr. Crofoot expained that he will start checking the cervix weekly/bi-weekly around week 20. If it starts to thin out, that's a sign of possible pre-term labor and we'd have to watch out for that. He did another ultrasound (the babes looked about the same as the week before- still exciting to see them, as always) and spent a lot of time talking to me- nutrition, drugs, prenatal testing, and as usual, the increased risks due to carrying multiples Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and let's not forget pre-term labor (the rule, not the exception with multiples). I pledged to eat well and take care of myself and we left it at that for now.

Friday- the fun one! We arrived at the Fetal Diagnostics Center at Winnie Palmer Hospital. The waiting room was packed and I settled in for a long wait..but low and behold, I was called back even before Karl returned from parking the car. I was led directly to an ulrasound room and the tech, Audrey, got right to work, lubing my stomach and finding A&B. The screen was a bit bigger and much more detailed than Dr. C's antiquated equipment. Audrey spent a lot of time moving that wand around- measuring the twins, checking the heartbeats, and especially examining their lower regions for a gender confirmation. Yes, all 3 of us were very excited when she (and then Karl and I) saw that we've got a boy and a girl. No one can be 100% certain at this point, of course, but I feel comfortable enough to start buying pink and blue onesies (or at least give my mom the ok to do so- she's more eager than I to let the shopping begin).

After Audrey was done scanning, Dr. Locksmith (the perinatologist) appeared, reviewed my records and the scan pictures, and determined that A&B are looking fine at this point. We'll go back in a month (on 2/19-my b-day!) at 18 weeks and they'll be able to look even more closely and measure the internal and external parts. I am looking forward to it because I need any reassurance I can get- I can't help worring about thse little ones and am already so eager for them to make their appearance (not that eager though- I am hoping to make it to 36 weeks). Though if I make it to 30 weeks, I think I would be ok with that.

I went to visit my friend on Saturday- she had her twin boys 3 weeks ago at 33 weeks -they spent a few weeks in the NICU to put on some weight but they are both over 6 pounds now and doing great. She and her husband are great parents already and seem to know exactly what to do with them. They love to be held and cry when they are put down. How do you get anything done?!
Hard to believe that this will be Karl and me (and my mom-you promised you'd help!) in just a few months (4-5 maybe?)!
(Kel)