Friday, December 12, 2008

Aren't you dying to know?



Well, we had a very successful visit to the perinatologist. The ultrasound went well -- we saw what the doctor called "beautiful hearts", stomachs, arms, legs, eyes, brains, spines, feet, hands. We saw it all. We also saw that they are TWO GIRLS!!!! Can you believe it? We are SOOO excited!!! David is anxious to be called Daddy. We're so happy they are growing as they should and everything looks "normal." However, the ultrasound pictures they gave us are of their faces, which is weird. Here's Baby A staring at you and the top of Baby B's head.

Now we have to come up with another girl's name. Any suggestions? BTW, we're not going to tell you the names we've picked out. There have to be some surprises, right?

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Month 5 and My Belly is Growing...Finally!!!


Well, according to the "What to expect when you're expecting" book, I'm officially in the 5th month (weeks 18-22 weeks). Yes, funny math if you ask me. I guess you're squeezing 40 weeks into 9 months, you have to do funny math. This is the big week we find out the genders! Any guesses?

I've attached the weekly belly pic (I'll try to keep this up) and boy I feel like you can see a difference this week. Hello Babies! Here's what's shaking with the kiddos:

Head to rump, they are 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weigh almost 7 ounces. They are busy flexing their arms and legs — movements that I can feel everyday! Their blood vessels are visible through the thin skin, and their ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit if they have Benson or Romley ears. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around their nerves, a process that will continue for a year after they are born. If one is a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If we're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now.

Stay tuned for what will hopefully be an exciting post this weekend. However, there is still a chance their "stuff" may be hiding from the doctor.

Longstanding DC Traditions

Last night we continued two holiday traditions that seem to be a staple since I've arrived in DC over 8 years ago. Earlier in the evening, we went to the White House Open House for Executive Office of the President Staff. We toured around checking out the decorations and the official White House Christmas Tree. I love the gingerbread house, which is made from 150 pounds of chocolate; they do a version every year.

Later that night, we had our annual holiday party with my closest DC buddies. I think the party has been going on since 2001 (too many glasses of wine at these parties to remember exactly, I suppose). It was a different dynamic this year...not as crazy...as three of the five ladies are pregnant (with Diana just announcing that evening she was 14 weeks along!). We had a great time with tons of food, a hilarious gift exchange of outrageous gifts, a little "Guitar Hero" and lots of story telling from previous years. A few of our "crew" have moved back to the Midwest (Kristen, Josh, Tanya and Travis) and they were missed, but we still rallied until after 2am and enjoyed copious amounts of red wine (unfornately, us pregger babes did not induldge).