Vote!!!

Since it is election day you would think this post would be political... while I do hope you all voted today that is not the voting I am talking about.

For a few more days you can vote on what you think we are having...two girls, two boys, or a boy and a girl. We go to the doctor on Thursday but we aren't letting them tell us there. We are having a family dinner on Sat. where we will all find out together what we are having! This is provided that both babies cooperate on Thursday.

If you would please keep our ultrasound on Thursday in your prayers. It's exciting to have this ultrasound where they can tell you what you are having. However, there's a lot more that they are looking at in terms of the health of the babies. While we would love to hear our babies are perfectly healthy we know that ultimately the Lord is in control. We will continue to trust Him with our children's lives as well as our own no matter what the news.

Check back on Sunday to find out the results!

Babies' Bump Update and New Ultrasound Pics

This is Geoff - still filling in for Brenna. Here is the almost-16 weeks babies' bump picture. I really started to see the pregnancy glow in her around this time.

Brenna went in for a checkup this week and they unexpectedly did an ultrasound. When she explained that I was going to be disappointed that I was not able to be there, they kindly printed some pictures.

Baby 1.

Baby 2. The nurse commented that Baby 2 was "showing off" because the image was so good.

Here they are together, laying head to toe.

I have the cold funk that's going around. It's no fun, especially since I can't take the good meds! But I'm happy for the reason to not take the good meds! We went to the doctor today and had a 12 week ultrasound. It's amazing how Satan really wants to get inside our heads. I was very anxious this morning, anxious something would be wrong. Do these thoughts ever go away? I just kept talking to the Lord and asked Him to guard my mind and thoughts while clinging to the knowledge that He is in control. The Lord is definitely seeking to teach me that I am not in control, that He has a plan and no matter what that plan holds He will walk the road with me. I went to the doctor with a peace, and Geoff and I even had the chance to pray together before the ultrasound started.

Our babies are both doing great! We had seen their heartbeats in previous ultrasounds but this was the first time we got to hear the heartbeats! It was so amazing and I definitely cried. That's not saying too much since I seem to cry at anything these days. I always cried easily, now it takes nothing for me to be streaming tears. This was a very happy cry today! We got them on DVD but for now, here is the pictures!

Here's peanut #1, heartbeat was 167.



















Here's peanut #2, heartbeat 162.


















Here they are together! The ultrasound tech said that peanut #2 having a slightly smaller sac did not look concerning. She said there was plenty of fluid in there! Praise the Lord!


















Thank you for all the prayers! We continue to need them and appreciate them. This verse has been an encouragement to me. It reminds me that when I am weak like I was this morning, the Lord will be my strength and His strength will see me through.

My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26

What verses encourage your heart? I would love to hear them!

Babies

We went back for another ultrasound today. Both babies seem to be doing great, one even waved at us! They are measuring right where they should (peanut #2 is still a little smaller than #1) and the gestational sac for peanut #2 is definitely growing along with the baby. The sac is still a little small but since it's growing it seems OK. I have been released from the fertility doctor and I go see my OBGYN for the first time next week. Very exciting!

I figured the babies must be doing good because I feel nauseous about 18 hours of the day. The doctor even gave me Zofran to take twice a day and I am still plenty nauseous even with the medicine. I am trying lots of things to help, small meals, seasick bands on my arms, etc. Please chime in with any tricks you know to help with the nausea because I am open to ideas. In the meantime, I am very thankful to feel sick. It is well worth every moment! Thank you for your prayers and please keep them coming! Below are the ultrasound pictures:

Here is peanut #1. You can see his/her little arm!

Here is peanut #2, looking very good.

Here is the first picture of both siblings together! Peanut #1 is on the right and peanut #2 is on the left.

Our Babies!

We went to the doctor today for my 2nd ultrasound. We had one last week that was really too early and we couldn't tell very much. Last week we just saw 2 gestational sacs but one was very small and the doctor did not think it would develop. However, today we got to see our 2 babies and both of their hearts beating! It was beautiful and we are praising our God for His goodness! No wonder I am so nauseous! Baby #2 with the small sac from last week is measuring fine but still has a very small sac. The doctor said we will have to wait and see what happens. Everything could be just fine, or it could mean there is a problem. So, you know how to specifically pray for us and our two babies! Pray they would both develop and be strong! More importantly we know that the Lord is in control and we choose to trust Him and the plans He has for us! So you can never go wrong with praying the Lord's will to be done in our lives. We will trust Him, our hearts are steadfast.

So let me tell you about the pictures. This is the baby in the bigger gestational sac. Our little peanut #1. Beautiful strong heartbeat!

Ok, you can see peanut #1 on the right. Now look to the left, in that much smaller sac is peanut #2. This baby is measuring about 3 days behind peanut #1, which is fine. Another beautiful strong heartbeat as well. Maybe the difference in sac size is just the first in their sibling rivalry for space!

Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.