The BIG one | The Twins

So we had our 'big' 20 week anatomy ultrasound yesterday and both twins looked great! I'll share the pictures and then some more information.

*This is really more for family who want ALL the information, but anyone is free to read-along. Don't say I didn't warn you if you get bored!!

Baby A, looking like an alien...

Baby A profile

Baby A, more alien like...

And we confirmed gender- Baby A is a GIRL :)

Baby A's foot

Baby A's arm and hand

Baby B is BOY (we've had this confirmed at every in office visit, haha, it's very obvious!)

Baby B looking all alien-like too...

Baby B Profile (what looks like bubbles are actually his hand and arm, just in a bit different plane)

Baby B, foot

Baby B arm/hand

Baby B thumb sucking

Both twins! This was nearly impossible to get, because their little heads are about as far apart as they can get. They are head to toe, Baby A's head is in the lower left side, and Baby B's head is in the upper right (in the ultrasound, and actually physically)

They were VERY active little buggers! Baby girl A flipped head up, head down, 4 times total during her scan, and Baby boy B was rolling all around. I can now differentiate between them easily, since they are very obviously at the top and bottom. Baby A likes to kick my round ligaments and make my hips ache, and Baby B is trying to grab ahold of  my ribs. It's so wonderful to feel them move so much, especially since I can still sleep through all the movement, haha! I imagine the day is coming in which I won't be able to sleep so easily!

Baby A measured in at 11 oz and her heartbeat was 138.

Baby B measured in at 14 oz and his heartbeat was 132.

They are both in the normal expected weight range for 21-weekers, about 3/4ths of a pound. The weight difference is not concerning at this point in time, because they have separate placentas and are not directly competing for nutrition from the same direct blood source. There is some competition for nutrients, and it's not surprising that Baby B, boy is weighing in a bit heavier, as boys typically do in utero. Both of their heartbeats are in normal ranges.

All organs and everything were accounted for and looked great! Both had 4 chamber hearts, 3 vessel cords, small nuchal folds, normal sized heads and stomachs, etc, etc. Both placentas looked good and Baby A's has moved up and away from my cervix, which is excellent news because placenta previa is NOT something we want to have to deal with!

Both ultrasound techs (yes we had two) said that the membrane between the babies was the most definitive they had ever seen, and that the membrane and the different genders made the whole ultrasound so much easier because they didn't lose track of which baby was which. (I'm not sure why the membrane is so definitive- OB/nurse friends, any idea why?)

Overall they looked wonderful. It was such a balm to my heart to go in there and come out with smiles and a disk full of pictures. It ended so differently last time, and I am SO aware of how blessed we are to have not one, but TWO healthy, sweet babies growing. I can't wait to meet them!

Jarvis spent the whole time pointing at the screen saying, babies, babies, and gently patting my head to 'comfort' me. Such a sweetheart. I was not able to spend more than 15 minutes on my back with out getting light-headed, which is earlier than I am used to! That's alot more combined baby weight laying on my arteries and vessels! We spent most the ultrasound on my side.

I am *rapidly* getting larger and larger and having to deal with more symptoms, but overall I am feeling pretty good! I am majorly 'nesting' and just about every where in the house is organized! I've spent the past two days sorting and folding baby clothes and getting the nursery organized.

My goal is to be 100% baby ready by the middle of November. My chances of bed-rest go up then, and I know I will want everything done my way, haha, so I'm doing it now! Plus, even if they stay in the NICU for a couple of weeks or more, I don't want to worry about finishing getting things ready at home, I want to be able to spend that time with them. 

I can not even express how thrilled we are and just how excited we are to have these sweet babies in our lives.