Growth

Yesterday was our first growth scan since we checked in. Though the previas have not disappeared (we weren't expecting them to) everything else looks great. The babies have grown and are approximately 2 pounds each! Each day is a miracle and tomorrow will mark 26 weeks. (42 more days to go!)
It is safe to say these girls have already inherited Dustin's physical features. His nose and lips for sure and we're pretty sure they have my chin. (Though it looks like hair in the pics., sonograms can't pick up hair, not that we are doubting they will each have a full head!)
We feel like we have seen an insight to their personalities, already. Baby "A" can always be found in the same spot for heartbeat monitoring and stays pretty much in her "area" at all times. Baby "B" swims around everywhere, kicks at the monitor, letting off a tremendous noise and then runs away. We both felt compelled to name them in the womb. Baby "A" is Claire and Baby "B" aka Wild Child is Caroline.

I think it is safe to say our lip gloss bill will be hefty.

My blood pressure is great and for twins I hear I should be proud of this. My irritability contractions have practically disappeared. We get to monitor the babies two times per day and hear their heartbeats. So far very strong and independent. Caroline likes to swim around, raise her heart rate to show off and then cools off --- watching this baby is so fascinating not only on the monitor but off as she causes quite the ruckus in my tummy.

This past weekend I had my San Antonio shower. We had to improvise and hold it in my hospital room, but fortunately my room is pretty large so I think it turned out well. I don't have pics yet, but will post them soon. It was fun to open all the goodies and see all the PINK! Meg, Kim, Leslie, Stephanie, Jenn & Laura went above and beyond to make it such a nice day! The food was AMAZING and the details that went in to the day were unbelievable! We made such fun memories that will last a lifetime and I can post in their baby books -- thank you all! Laura, my friend from college that now lives in New York, flew in for the weekend so she kept me company and helped me pass the days! Gigi (Tonna) and Momsey (Sandy) came in as well and worked in our nursery. They put up books, stuffed animals, bows, diapers, etc. That in itself has relieved some stress -- they took home all of the clothes to wash and will bring them back on their next trip....this is such a time saver for me! THANK YOU -- our moms have been wonderful through all of this and have just picked up where we left off.

Dustin is still staying every night here with me and though our room is pretty roomy and even has a couch with a bed, he still insists on sleeping on what looks to be this very uncomfortable chair that folds out in to a cot. He is just too afraid he is going to miss something to go home. What a good daddy! Most nights we go to the food court by wheel chair (it's sad that that is my highlight) and end the night with best 2 out of 3 games of Yahtzee. Obviously we've really slowed down and have finally caught our breaths.

We feel so blessed to have the support we group we have both from here and afar. We cannot ever thank you all enough. Please keep praying for things to go as well as they are now. I was given a daily devotional from my mom at Christmas -- I read the paper version and my mom reads hers on the Nook (what's wrong with this picture?!?) and today's really spoke to us both:

"Come to me for rest and refreshment. The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary. Do not be ached of your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life. Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway. This sounds like an easy assignment but it is not. Your desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of "the world, the flesh, and the devil." Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of My choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again praise Me for the help for the help of My Presence."