Baby J's

We are trying to stick with J names for the baby boy and girl. Jake is the third generation of "J" first name and the same middle name, so we have to stick with a "J" for him. So, we are trying out J names for girls too. We are having a hard time agreeing on anything. We are very different in terms of what we like. Which, I definitely think all parents go through, right? So, for the meantime, we are going to think J's, and if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But, we are going to try. Any ideas out there?

Dr. Appt- 14 weeks

We went last week and met with a specialist at Vanderbilt Radiology and Imaging. They wanted to do a complete scan of my right and left ovary. It was scary-looking to say the least. They are now stretched up and down, b/c due to the babies, they have nowhere to go but stretch upwards. She literally was using her little hand instrument to scan all the way up into my ribs!! So, they are literally from my uterus stretched up to each set of ribs - still huge, still covered in cysts. The are both doing fine, its just I am still not allowed to do any movements. They keep telling me everything will be normal once my hormones regulate themselves...We'll see...

On to the exciting stuff. Here is sweet little picture of Baby Boy Stribling and Baby Girl Stribling. Also, a cute one of Baby Boy's "parts". Definitely a Boy! We confirmed Baby Girl's, but couldn't get a good picture of hers.

Baby Girl Stribling

Baby Boy Stribling

Baby Boy Stribling's "Parts" :)

(He's going to love this picture when he's older - I just know it)

14 Weeks - update on me!

14 Weeks! (well, actually, almost 15, but I have neglected posting in a while - sorry about that!) I know I say this at every post, but I can't believe this is going so fast. And on the flip side, I CANNOT wait to meet this sweet little baby girl and baby boy. Jake and I are finally now to the point where we are so excited. I have since been obsessed with naming these little ones, as well as bombarding him with nursery ideas. He wants none of that and assures me we have plenty of time. But I can't help it. I am so excited. I can't wait until they have names. I have already been talking to them like they are in front of me, and it would be nice to know who I am talking to
:)

How far along? 14 Weeks, 6 days
Total weight gain/loss: WooHoo! Still doing good. 6.5 pounds so far, as of our OB appointment on Thursday, August 6th. Although, I am still not certain on what pace I am supposed to be gaining said weight. They say that the 2nd trimester in when you start packing on the pounds, because the babies are starting to weigh more and all the mess around them is too. If I am supposed to gain 45-50 pounds, I just hope they all don't surprise me at once.
Maternity clothes? I bought my very first maternity piece of clothing - a pair of jeans from Old Navy. I really can't fit into anything else with a waistband, so I have been mostly wearing dresses, which have been great to wear during the summer.
Sleep: Still can't sleep very well. I cannot get comfortable. Poor Jake. I toss and turn most of the night, then will get up and go in the bonus room. I am trying so hard to sleep on my left side, but most of the time wake up on my back. I did get about 3 nights of really good sleep this week, so maybe it's looking up. Although, I go back out into the field tomorrow (Monday) so sleep will be important now!
Best moment this week: Getting to go to Vanderbilt Imaging. While we though they were just going to do a complete sonogram of my yucky, HUGE ovaries, they ended up measuring everything on the babies!! It was so fun, and very unexpected. We saw and measured the kidneys, spleen, abdomen, spine, leg bones, arm bones, brain, etc. They are measuring a little ahead of schedule and growing so fast. They are weighing about 4oz. each. They were kicking into each other's sacs as well, and I was like, "Good grief, they are already fighting"
Movement: None yet!
Food cravings: Still nothing weird, just alot of my normal foods. Love the spicy foods, and love to finish it off with "a little something sweet"
Gender: Last week, it was also a great surprise when we were able to see their "parts". Girl and Boy!!! So, we ended up finding out very soon. Most find out at 20 weeks, so I am very happy!
Labor Signs: This is just a scary question.
Belly Button in or out? Uggggg....I am going to be an outy mamma. It is closer and closer to getting there.
What I miss: Sleep...but I don't care!
What I am looking forward to: Naming our babies and start the nesting process!
Milestones: I am "officially" out of the scary first trimester!
Realization of the week: How completely blessed and lucky we are. I was at our favorite little sushi place here in Brentwood, and the waitress was asking me what we're having, etc. And I told her, and she said, "Oh, WOW! You have hit the jackpot!". And I was thinking, "You know what? We certainly have!"

14 Weeks!

How your baby's growing?

Diet Crystal Light lemonade!

From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches (about the size of a lemon) and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! (Baby Boy Stribling was on his 13 week ultrasound - precious!) Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

How your life's changing: Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. (A TAD??? I look like I am at least 5 months along with a singleton!) Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.

Diapers, Diapers, and more diapers

We went to dinner last night with a girl whose sister had twins a couple of years ago. We were informed that twins go through at least 20 diapers PER DAY. PER DAY!!!!!! My God, they're babies, good grief! I don't even go to the bathroom that many times per day.

Have I mentioned that neither Jake nor I have ever changed a diaper in our lives?? Hmmmm, I am just going to go with the opinion that my children won't poo. That will save at least 10, doncha think?

Comments

Someone recently told me that the comments section wasn't working, but it should be now. Sorry about that!

12 week update on me!

WOW!!! 12 weeks, seriously??? How is this flying by so fast? Its almost scary. Of course, this means that the quicker this goes, the quicker summer goes, and yikes, school starts back in a couple of weeks! I told my manager the news yesterday. He was much better than I'd thought he would be. So, that is a small load off my plate.

How far along? 12 weeks, 1 day
Total weight gain/loss:I thought I had gained a million pounds so far. I haven't really been good about my eating habits, and I have been soooooo huuuunnngggrrrryyy. I am trying to be really good on my protein and water intake. So, anyway, I thought I had gained at least 10 pounds by this point, but the other day I took a body test on my Wii Fit, and while I looked at the TV in between my fingers covering my eyes, it only looks like I've gained about 4 or 5 pounds. YAY!!! And, Jake and I went to a cookout the other night and two of the girls said my face and arms looked much slimmer. How about them apples?? So, see Jake?? Not to shabby!!Mmmmm, apples, maybe with some peanut butter....
Maternity clothes? I am THIS CLOSE to needing them. Basically my shorts are zipped down all the way with my Bella Band. It's either that or dresses. Good thing I am going to NYC next week, so I can stock up on maternity clothes at H&M. I also put some local upscale consignment sales on my calender for August and September. I hope to get some then too.
Sleep: Uggggg, not going too well.
Best moment this week: Realizing I haven't gained a million pounds - YAY! And we have an ultrasound on Thursday.
Movement: None yet!
Food cravings: I swear, I just don't know. I crave mostly everything, but nothing specific or weird.
Gender: Again, hoping they are XX and XY!
Labor Signs: Ha...funny
Belly Button in or out? still in! I vow to be a glamorous bikini-clad hot mama when I step out in the pool in Las Vegas in August. (it CAN happen, right???)
What I miss: Right now my clothes, but this is all so freaking exciting! I could care less.
What I am looking forward to: going to NYC next week.
Milestones: Almost out of the first trimester! One week to go!
Realization of the week: How much fun this is going to be. I tell Jake all the time. We are in for an adventure, and I am so excited to do this with him. He will be a wonderful father, and I can't wait for all the fun we'll have with our new family. We are truly blessed.