19 weeks, 1 day

Unless I go past 38 weeks (which seems highly unlikely to me, especially considering my doctor probably wouldn't let that happen, from what she has said), I am half way through this pregnancy. It brings on a series of emotions. First, this has been a pregnancy filled with worry, so I am happy to carry out the rest of this pregnancy, but ready to transfer the worry into a different form (worry about the babies). But, the downside of that transfer is this...we are absolutely positive that this will be our last pregnancy. Of course, this leaves me eating up every second of being pregnant, feeling the babies move during the day and night, being ecstatic about gaining a pound here and there, not focusing on my waistline (well, I guess I do focus on it, but in good feelings).
I *know* that life will change when the babies arrive. I know that we will have long, sleep deprived weeks. But, I also know that Adam and I are ready for that sacrifice. We are so excited to see what Addison and Delaney are going to look like, how their personalities are going to form, how Hadley and Gretchen will be in their new role as big sisters, how we will be as parents of 4! And, we are looking forward to parenting a son. There will be a whole new set of firsts to experience and they will be so much richer since we will be able to watch these developments through Hadley and Gretchen's eyes.
So, as I cross off the days on my calendar and contemplate taking up meditation to calm my worrying mind, I feel at peace finally with this pregnancy, with the decisions that Adam and I have had to make regarding this pregnancy (shots, surgery) and with becoming a mom of 4 wonderfully amazing and individual children. We are blessed. We don't doubt it for one second of one day.
Now we move forward and start our list of what we need to do/buy/accomplish before the arrival of Delaney and Addison...and keep crossing off those days.

18 weeks, 5 days...

Wow. All I can say is wow. I am still reeling with the fact that I am going to have another daughter and my one and only son. It is great. It is absolutely what I thought it would be. I just feel as if over the past weekend, I walked around in a daze. I am now focusing on going to 'term' with this set of twins. 37 weeks would be great...phenomenal.
I have scheduled cervical scans every 2 weeks (rotating monthly between my OB and my Peri) and that helps to ease my mind. Adam is great with helping out. I really am truly blessed to have him as my husband...it is the perfect description of a marriage...through sickness and in health...
I made it through last weeks shot without a headache (knock on wood) and can only hope that it is a thing of the past at this point!
Hope this finds everyone well!

GENDERS

Well, 29 percent of you were right...we have one of each, girl first, then boy! The names are Delaney and Addison Joseph...still up in the air about the middle name for our girl!!!!
Both babies looked great and were measuring 8 ounces each (they should be around 5.5 ounces right now, so they are growing well). And, for those of you that care, my cervix looked great too, so that was just a great visit!!! Here are a few pictures...

18 weeks...

You all have TWO more days to vote! :)
I just thought I would update really quick. I went in to see my OB yesterday and all looked good. I am gaining weight appropriately, blood pressure was good and the babies were too cute! I might even know what we are having!?!?! :) But, don't try to get it out of me until Friday...I won't tell if I do know!
I had my third shot today as well and it was great. Gretchen was my little helper again...she held my hand the whole time (while Hadley told my nurse and I story after story). After my shot, Gretchen climbed up on the couch with me to listen to the babies heartbeats. Baby A's was right at 150 and Baby B's was right at 140! It was so great to hear those little strong heartbeats...it always makes me so happy.
Still not on bedrest (knock on wood), but I am really being conscientious about taking it easy because I know how quickly things can change in a twin pregnancy.
Also, I asked my OB about how far she would let me go, if there were restrictions (no induction or c-section before a certain week) and she said that she decides that and won't force me to go past 37 weeks...so, 37 weeks will be July 2nd. Think I can hold out that long? Hmm...I am seeing another poll in the future...something about due dates and weights! :)
More of an update on Friday...

NEW POLL!

To the right of this post, you will find our new poll! We thought this would be fun! So, figure out what you think the babies will be (we go on Friday, so the poll will close at 12pm on Friday). Baby A and Baby B are in definite positions, for those of you who were wondering how that all works. Baby A will be the first born...
And, the shy vote means that a baby is hiding it's parts...we hope this doesn't happen!

Good follow up yesterday!

WOW! We are 17 weeks, 1 day pregnant right now! This pregnancy really seems to be moving forward full throttle! Hold on tight!
I had my follow up yesterday regarding my cerclage. I was able to see Baby A moving around, kicking me, etc. Of course, the view was a side profile, so I didn't get a sneak peak...would have been nice! The cerclage did what it was supposed to do and all looks great! The best news...no bed rest or restrictions right now! I can only be so hopeful that it will continue that way, but I won't fool myself...if it happens, I will be prepared!
I also had my 2nd progesterone shot yesterday. Besides the fact that they have to inject it really slowly (about a minute), it gives me a headache for about 24-30 hours afterwards. I can only hope, as the nurse promised me today, that they headaches will disappear around the time of the 4th injection and headaches are a normal problem with hormones...which, for those of you that don't know, progesterone is a very normal hormone, especially during pregnancy! :) The best part about the shot is that I get to hear the babies heartbeats. That makes suffering through a needle once a week completely worthwhile. Gretchen was not a fan of my nurse yesterday...she held my hand the whole time I was getting the shot and was glaring at the nurse. But, she recovered quickly when we heard the heartbeats. Baby A's was 160 bpm and Baby B's was 150. Both sounded nice and strong. I asked the nurse about predicting gender based on heart rates and she said that while it is the most accurate (not 100%) of the wives tales, at this point, it is stil too early to determine boy versus girl...all babies heart rates are near the high end at this point. So, we will just have to wait until next Friday!
Back to working on Valentine's Day projects for Adam! Hope this finds all of you well!

Successful Surgery

Sorry that I am just getting around to updating this...I have been couch bound the past couple of days but am finally starting to feel more human! :) I had my surgery on Tuesday and was handling everthing in stride until I was on the table getting my spinal...I melted down and started crying. Everything turned out well...my nerves just got the best of me!
I have been taking it easy per doctor's orders the past two days. Adam has been a great help as well as Adam's mom and Nikki, who have both helped with the kids. I feel human without pain meds now, which is good! :)
Thank you everyone who had me in your thoughts and prayers. This pregnancy has been interesting, to say the least, but I am confident that everything we have been through is worth what we will get in the end! :)
More updates later...