The Name Game

We have ended the name game. Though there was never really a big "debate" on names since we have been talking about names since the day we talked about starting a family. The girls names will be Olivia Grace Armstrong and Alexandra Lynn Armstrong (Allie).

We went to the doctor today for a follow-up appointment from Birmingham. All is good with heartbeats fast and perfect!! I have mentioned before about how crazy our doctor is and every time we go it is always a "show." He tickled us today by telling us stories of very HEAVY women being pregnant or "getting" pregnant. You can imagine how that conversation went. Anyway, he measured me at 23 weeks, but I am only 20 weeks today. That is completely normal for someone carrying "multiples." My sister loves to say that I'm carrying multiples. Since I have been pregnant I have gained a total of 10 pounds. That is a huge accomplishment for me since all of the doctors were worried about my lack of weight gain. My belly is getting bigger by the day it seems.

Last night I was in the bath tub (my nightly ritual and relaxation) when I felt the babies moving. They usually move throughout the day and especially when I get into a warm bath. Last night the coolest thing happened that I have yet to see. The babies were kicking up a storm and I saw the babies actually kick through my stomach. I freaked and was so excited because I have heard stories and read articles about babies doing this. I immediately called for Justin to come and see/feel them do this. Justin has felt them move but it has been flutters that he can feel. So, last night with some coaching on my part he could feel and see the babies move/kick/hit. I know that I am not the first person to have a baby or babies, but it is just such an amazing miracle to see this and go through it. God is certainly amazing!!!!

We have new pictures from Birmingham and I have to say that some of these pictures are very confusing if you have no idea what you are looking for. I apologize for not putting captions/descriptions next to each picture as I have no clue on what I am looking at. Enjoy!!! Keep praying and thank you to everyone that has been so supportive and continues to be.

Pretty in Pink!!!!!!

Well.........if you have been living under a rock you have not heard the news. It's official, Justin and I are expecting twin GIRLS!!!!!! Yes, twin GIRLS!!!! We went to UAB yesterday for our appointment to make sure I was okay, as well as, the babies. We also went to find out the sexes. As we were watching the screen, my heart was beating so fast with excitement and not to mention nervousness. All of the books that I have read and statistics we have heard about twins being dangerous for the mother and the babies scared me. The doctors and books all say that carrying multiples is more dangerous because they are more at risk for congenital defects/abnormalities because of space (minimal room to grow) and other defects. I was worried about the defects because of my "small" size (said Dr. G) and the available space for the babies. Anyway, when we had the ultrasound the doctor said both baby girls were perfect and there were no abnormalities physically at all. They both have very strong and healthy heartbeats, all of their toes, fingers, organs, etc.

The funny part was before the doctor joined us, the technician was probing around and looking at the first baby (baby on my right side) and said, "well, i can say with certainty that this baby is not bashful at all and you are having a little girl on the right." We laughed with excitement and because we already know she will be rowdy! A few minutes later the technician said the same thing about the one on the left. We knew then that we were in for a wild ride!!! Justin is so excited and is pumped about being surrounded by spoiled rotten little girls.

One last thing that happened during the appointment that showed us their personalities was that both of the girls (that is so neat to say) were facing my right side (they were spooning to the right). The one closest to my right rib has been kicking me and I have been worried this past week because I couldn't feel the other one. Well, here is why. The one behind her was and has been kicking and punching the one in front of her and the one in front has been kicking and punching me. We were able to see that happening on the screen were amazed at how well they already "get along."

We are so blessed and can not wait to meet these balls of fire. We are 19 weeks and doing great. Life is good. Keep us in your prayers, especially Justin, as he is seeing pink night and day now.

New pictures are on the way!!!

Growing by leaps and bounds!

Here are the babies at 13 weeks! We were not scheduled for an ultrasound that day. Our doctor is a little crazy, but in a very good way. We went in for our 13 week check up and when they went to check the heartbeats (listen to them), we could only here one. The doctor said that was completely normal because of the twins. As our doctor was listening for the heartbeats, I got so emotional that he (our doctor) started laughing and told me how adorable that was. He asked me if I wanted to see them and I couldn't say anything, so I just shook my head to say yes. As I was sitting up he was telling us where to go to wait for the ultrasound machine to come open. I left everything in the room (i can't remember ANYTHING these days!!). I was talking with the doctor in the lobby, I asked Justin to go back and get my stuff in the room. The doctor walked back to make sure Justin found his way back and stopped Justin. He saw Justin with all of my stuff and said to him "Get used to it man. This is your role from now on. Your role is to carry the shit. So, go carry the shit!" Justin didn't tell me this till after we left and I laughed so hard I couldn't breath. Like I said, he's a little crazy. I don't think he can help it since he is from Barbados but lived in England almost his entire life.

The picture can not even capture what the ultrasound was like at that moment. I, of course, cried some more when we heard and saw the heart beats again. Music to my ears. Then I cried some more when the tech told us that both babies heartbeats were identical at 162 beats per minute. The baby on the left is our "chilled" child. I say this one takes after Justin (lol). The baby on the right can not stay still. Hmmmmm, I wonder who this one takes after. The baby on the right is facing towards the screen as if he/she knew there was a camera on her/him.

Other than me crying and my memory fading, all four of us (I have to include Justin) are doing great. My labs are perfect and I'm in great health, as are the twins.

I have to brag on my wonderful husband and give him the credit he deserves. Justin has been so amazing through all of this. He has cleaned, cooked, done laundry, and yes he has even driven all over the city for me to get me what I crave! I am very blessed to have him as my husband and can't wait for him to be a daddy. He is so excited!! I am just now showing to where it doesn't look like I have a beer belly and getting bigger everyday. Justin comes home everyday and rubs my belly and every morning he will text me to see how I feel. Every night before we go to bed, he rubs my stomach and talks about how excited he is. He is going to be such a great Dad!!

And more crying as I type this.

Good Days and Bad Days

I was aware of the changes that would happen and very aware that my body would be changing. I wouldn't change any of it for anything in the world. There are days where I think I'm not going to make it through the day because of my being sick. The only time i seem to feel better is when I'm either asleep or in the shower/bath. Yesterday i was in the grocery store picking up some stuff for Justin (he's a little sick) and I haven't had any serious problems with smells until yesterday. I practically ran through the poultry, seafood, and other meats sections. People were looking at me and tilting their heads wondering what was wrong with me. As if it couldn't get any worse, i ran into someone from work and they wanted to talk. I didn't know whether to cut her off mid sentence or say excuse me and run the the bathroom. I finally hurried the conversation and made it to the "safe" zone........the check out line.
There are good days and there are bad days. Unfortunately, this was a BAD day. I was talking to my Mom over Christmas and told her that some times it's so hard to believe that there are two actual babies growing inside of me. Some days I scare myself and think to myself somethings wrong. I have been assured that I will know if or when something is wrong. I see now why my mother and all mothers worry about their children. It doesn't start when they are born. It starts when they are itty bitty. I won't ever make fun of my mother again for being over protective!! i completely understand what she feels like.
We have 9 more weeks until we find out what our babies are going to be. YAY!!! I know our families are tired of waiting on buying baby clothes and we are ready to put our nursery together. Keep your prayers going for us and have a great NEW YEAR!!!!

8 Weeks

Well, the appointment went well today. We found out that even though my projected due date is July 20, 2010, since we are having multiples it looks like we will be delivering on or around June 15, 2010. This will be the week after my best friends wedding in which I am Matron of Honor. WHEW!! I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to make it. Everything else is good and we are tracking my size by taking little snapshots every four weeks. The one just posted is at 8 weeks. Thanks for all of your prayers and continue to pray for us please.

BIG NEWS!!!!

This is not unusual for those who follow our blog, but I have not been keeping up with it like I had intended to. So, here it goes! The news is out and is a little old but as most of you know Justin and I are expecting a miracle. Not just any miracle but two miracles. We were expecting three to begin with but sadly lost one in the process. We know that we have our third miracle in heaven and are so thankful for the two that God has decided to give us.

Justin and I want to thank everyone for your prayers, concerns, phone calls, emails, texts, and cards. Most of you know by now that we kept our getting pregnant a secret for a long time (about 2 years). We saw different specialists and finally moved on to a different fertility medication and tah-dah....here we are. We were so shocked to begin with and didn't expect any results the first round, but after countless prayers and positive thinking, we our with "children."

Our "projected" due date is July 20, 2010. I am doing fine other than the constant fatigue and nausea and Justin is on cloud nine. He has been AMAZING throughout this entire process and I couldn't ask for a better husband. I guess all that we have been through has made us more aware of what we are able to do and accomplish .

We go back to the doctor on Friday, December 18th for an ultrasound. We have been traveling to Montgomery every week for the past 8 weeks in a row for ultrasounds to make sure everything is okay and we have been let go and turned back over to my regular doctor in Dothan. Though we will miss seeing those awesome ladies at the satellite office in Montgomery, the drive is a killer and we have had to miss several days of work. We are 9 weeks this week and everything is right on track, as of our 8 week check up last week.

The babies have very fast and strong heartbeats along with arms, legs, and BIG heads (they take after Justin...hehehe). We also got to see them move for the very first time last week. I'm tearing up now just thinking about it. We can not tell you how much we appreciate your support and love through this stressful and trying time. Please continue to pray that everything continues to go well with the pregnancy and our lives as we enter the journey to parenthood.

I will post pictures and updates weekly from now on!! I'm so sorry about the delay. Have a great week!!