35 weeks and going strong!

Well we had our ultrasound on Monday and Lindsay, Dr. Sterling's nurse, called me today to let me know everything was great and that they are perfect! She actually said I should carry twins every time I'm pregnant. I think this is the one and only time but I am glad that it is going so well. The ultrasound Monday estimated Colin's weight at 5#8oz and Leah's at 5#9 oz so they are very close together which is great. We got some great face shots of Leah but Colin, who has been camera shy for pretty much every ultrasound, would start to turn his head towards us and then would turn away like he knew we were trying to get a picture of him. I may be a little bias but based on the ultrasound pics Leah is the most beautiful baby girl I've seen and Colin (based on his profile) is the cutest little boy I've seen :). I can't wait to meet them in person!

We had our 35 week appointment this afternoon and I am not showing any signs of going into labor anytime soon. Dr. Sterling was amazed :). He is also the best doctor ever as he told us that if we go into labor on a night he is not on call to have the nurse call him because he wants to be the one to deliver them. It was such a relief for this mom-to-be to know that my doctor who has been there the whole time and who I am familiar with will be the one to deliver them no matter what. He is so excited which I just love! He said I will only be the second patient of his to deliver twins vaginally in the last 4+ years. I am so excited about it too with them both being head down. I was a little nervous about it when Leah was not head down but she has turned and should stay that way at this point.

3 more weeks will be great for them to develop and fatten up. I just hope it flies by because I can't wait!

34 Week Update

We had our 34 week appointment last Wednesday which went great. Dr. Sterling said he would love for me to make it 3 more weeks but is thinking I will probably go sooner. The ultrasound estimated Colin's weight at 5#3oz and Leah's weight at 6#2oz. We are also having an ultrasound tomorrow (Monday) at the hospital we are delivering at just to check their weights there and also their fluid. Our doctor is not able to see much anymore on the ultrasound machines in the exam rooms so he wants to have everything checked out since we are getting so close to delivery. My parents are going to go with us tomorrow which will be fun especially since the twins are so big now. Colin and Leah have both had the hiccups lately so I wonder if they will while we're having the ultrasound tomorrow. It also sometimes feels like they're blowing bubbles so I wonder if we'll see that too. Pretty much the only thing we can see now on Dr. Sterling's ultrasound machines are their heads!

It was crazy to think this was our last Christmas just the 2 of us. We had a white Christmas (which I had been hoping for) so that was exciting. I could have done without the ice though. Our neighborhood is one solid sheet of ice and I don't know when it's going to warm up enough to melt it. We were at my brother's house on Christmas Eve when it really hit. One of Brad's windshield wipers broke so we drove home with only the driver's side windshield wiper working. It took us about an hour for a usually 15 minute drive. This is the first time in years (like 20) that Tulsa's seen a white Christmas. I hope the twins will get to experience one.

We are going to my uncle's house for New Year's Eve if the twins have not made an appearance yet and the roads have cleared by then. It should be a great time although I highly doubt we'll make it to midnight :). The only time I see midnight is when I'm waking up for a bathroom run!

We finished the twins' room and organizing their closet. We also have our bag and their bag packed and ready. I had a couple contractions early this morning but after I turned over to my other side they stopped so no real progress yet. It's getting so close now and I wonder if they will be born in 2009 or wait until 2010....I believe at 35 weeks there is no mandatory NICU stay at St. Francis where we're delivering but I need to double check this. Brad or I will update our Facebook probably from the hospital (since it's on our blackberries) and I will try to update the blog when we get home but I'm not making any promises on how soon it will be :).

Random thoughts

Well I don't necessarily have anything in particular to write about - just some thoughts on what I've been thinking about lately. I'm getting very anxious and excited about the twins' arrival. I am also a little nervous about giving birth. Dr. Sterling said I have the option of scheduling a C-section or I can try the vaginal delivery since Colin is head down but Leah has not been for the last month or so. Since she is not head down she may have to be turned once Colin is delivered if she does not turn on her own but there is a chance that she will not turn or cannot be turned and will have to be delivered via C-section. So essentially I could have a vaginal birth and a C-section. I have decided though that since my doctor believes that we can have a successful vaginal delivery for both of them I am going for that. I may end up having both but I would rather at least try for a vaginal delivery. Our next appointment is on Wednesday so hopefully Leah will have turned :).

It's so crazy that it's getting so close. I'm really only 3-4 weeks out at the most and it could be anytime. My bag is packed and the nursery is done and I believe I am as ready as I will ever be for them! Of course I'm still nervous about becoming a mom and taking care of two newborns at once but I can't wait for them to be here!

We had our birthing class on 12/12. It was an all day Saturday class which I'm glad we did instead of the4 week shorter classes. It was actually very informative and I felt like I learned quite a bit from it especially the postpartum and newborn care. I think Brad learned a lot too. I think my favorite part of the class was when the guys practiced the masssage techniques they learned :). It was kind of funny how they timed the birthing video. It was actually right before lunch! I am usually kind of squeamish (okay I passed out after getting a TB test once) but I did okay during both the vaginal birth and the C-section. I have to say I was very proud of myself. I've really tried to get over my issues with blood and haven't passed out at all when I've had blood drawn during my pregnancy (let me tell you that this is quite a feat for me).

If I do not post before then, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Braxton Hicks and Belly Pics

The last few weeks I have had Braxton Hicks on the brain. I didn't think I'd been having them but I guess I was. I kept reading and talking to friends about what theirs felt like and I was really 50/50 as to whether I thought that I was having them. It felt like the twins would ball up in separate spots in my belly and press out. I talked to Dr. Sterling's wonderful nurse, Lindsey, though last Friday and she confirmed that it was BH contractions that I was experiencing. She said I should try to stay very hydrated which should help so I've upped my water intake to about a gallon a day. I was already drinking about 3/4 of a gallon but if I need to drink a gallon of water, then that's what I'll do. I get uncomfortable sitting for very long anyways so it just gives me a reason to get up pretty frequently and walk around.

We have the nursery pretty much done. We still have a few pictures to frame and have to hang the letters for their names and to wash their bedding but we have washed all of their newborn and 0-3 months clothes, blankets, and towels and put all of them away which took literally an entire day and that was just the newborn and 0-3! We picked out their "going home from the hospital" outfits this past weekend. We optimistically picked out newborn outfits instead of the premie size as we are hoping and praying that I can make it full term (or as close as possible) and that they will be big (at least for twins) babies.

So some of these are a little old but I had to include a pic of my Halloween costume which won me first place in the Halloween contest at work! I also included a pic of me and my cousin, Jordan, who is due January 14th. My belly is um a little big bigger.

26 weeks - Decorating the nursery and holding my favorite nephew, Brody, in our Halloween costumes..

Me and Jordan at her baby shower last weekend. I think I win the biggest belly contest!

The Big 3-0

No, it is not my 30th birthday but I am officially 30 weeks today! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. Every day I look forward to meeting them more than the day before. Lately we've been having fun watching and feeling them roll body parts (I'm guessing knees and elbows) across my belly. Totally cracks us up too when we can see them (and I can feel them) "jump" around in my belly. On Monday, I felt Colin in one spot and just poked him softly and he wiggled around. I'm sure he was thinking "Stop it Mom! I was in a comfortable spot!". :)

Today we had our 30 week doctor's appointment which went great! Colin weighed about 3 pounds 11 ounces and Leah weighed 4 pounds 3 ounces! They were in the 64th and 86th percentile!! We are so excited about this since twins are usually small and a major risk is preterm labor and delivery. Dr. Sterling still thinks that I should be able to go full term and was very impressed with the size of the twins. He said it would be great if they could get up to 7 or 7.5 pounds each. He measured me today for the first time just to see and I was 39 cm from my pelvic bone to the top of my uterus. The rule of thumb is a centimeter for every week so my belly is basically full term at this point.

As this is the day before Thanksgiving, I would like to end this post by saying I am so thankful for two beautiful, healthy babies, my wonderful husband, all of our family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving!!

4-D Pics and Third Trimester

Last weekend we went for a 4-D sonogram (pictures below) which was amazing. Since this is most likely my only pregnancy, I have really wanted to do all of the "pregnancy things" and this is one of them. We got some great pictures of Leah but were afraid for most of the ultrasound we were not going to be able to get any of Colin. Thank goodness he FINALLY got into a position where she could get some pictures of him during the last half. Poor little Colin is a bit squished (okay it looks like a lot squished) by his sister who has lots of room laying on top of him. It was very cute though because they are both head down and had their little heads together as they are already best friends :).

On Wednesday, we went to see Dr. Sterling for my 28 week appointment which marks the beginning of my third trimester. Looking back on the last two, I would have to say I have definitely preferred the second to the first. My first trimester was a little rough with being sick all the time. My second trimester though I felt great, I felt the babies both move for the first time, Brad felt the babies both move for the first time, we picked out names, I had my baby showers...it was just a really great trimester. I am very much looking forward to this trimester as it will be the best in that the twins will arrive. Starting my third trimester comes with more intense feelings of anticipation and excitement as well as some nervousness. I cannot wait for them to be here and that is pretty much what I think about all day. I feel them moving all the time now and their movements are stronger and can be seen by just watching my belly which is soooo cool. After eating Mexican tonight (nothing spicy even) they were rolling around and running elbows or knees or something pointy along my belly. I know I will miss feeling them in my belly but holding them will more than make up for it! So back to the actual appointment...we got great news! My doctor said he thinks out of the 5 patients he has carrying twins that I have the best chance of making it full term and he has a really good feeling in general about me going full term. I haven't had any complications or problems or issues. He was pleasantly surprised I had not had any Braxton-Hicks contractions. My cervix measured great at the last appointment. All in all, everything is going very smoothly for carrying twins and we could not feel more blessed. It is truly an answer to prayers that everything has gone so great with all of the complications that can come with having twins. He has another patient who is also 28 weeks who he just had to put on bed rest and they have given steroid shots to so I am so fortunate to not have any of the problems so many moms carrying twins have. This weekend we are going to finish setting up the nursery and organizing everything we moved into my aunt's house that we are staying in until our house is built. I can't wait to have the nursery done and ready for our two little miracles!

Colin with Leah's head on the left side kind of squishing him... :)

Our little Leah

Colin and his cute little feet!!

This is Leah's little pouty face...so cute! She looks so peaceful.

Baby Showers

So I have not been on in a looooong time and so much has happened! First of all, I have new belly pics from the fabulous baby showers that my friends, family, and coworkers threw for me. Thank you all sooo much!! I had such a great time at all of them and we appreciate everyone's generosity so much! We have lots of fabulous things for the twins to wear, sit in, and play with which is great :).

We went to the doctor today and had an excellent visit. Leah weighs 2 pounds 3 ounces and Colin weighs 2 pounds 5 ounces which is larger than average which we thought was great. For one, they are both staying right about the same which can be a concern with twins as sometimes one will grow great and be much larger than the other. For two, they are bigger than average which is good since twins are full term at 38 weeks and the greatest risk with twins is preterm labor so we want these babies to be big :). It might be tmi, but my cervix is measuring great at 4.5 and they want it to be at least 2. Basically everything is looking great which is always such a relief to hear!

My first shower was on 10/10 and was thrown by my best friend who I have known since kindergarten, Sarah, and my best friend since high school, Angie. October 10th was coincidentally the 11th anniversary of Brad and my first date. :) It's crazy to think that 11 years after that day, I would be at a baby shower with our twins on the way.... :)

Sarah made this awesome diaper cake...so cute!!

Angie brought the cutest rattle cakes!

Me and my fellow twin mama, Jessica...

Angie, Me, and Sarah

My next shower was on Sunday thrown by our church family. Brad and I definitely think of them as our extended family and were so happy to see everyone while we were in K.C! Thank you all for you prayers and support!

Me and Julie and me and Ina...

Martha, me, Ina, Patti, and Kristi and Martha, me, Ina, and Patti

Me and my mom :)

Our shower in Oklahoma was a couples shower and it was really great to get to see Brad get to be involved in the baby showers. He has definitely been very involved in my pregnancy and has made every doctor's visit and loves feeling the babies move and kick. His eyes light up every time he feels their little movements.

Names update

Sooo I think we have decided on names.....Col(l)in and Leah :). We haven't decided one "l" or two yet but I think those are the names. :)



In my last post, I talked about moving and how we'd sold our house. Well we were supposed to close Wednesday, the 23rd. Note I said "supposed" to. Yes, long story short we are now not closing until October 9th :(. Even though it's just a few more weeks, we were very excited to be done with that house and just not have to think about it anymore!



We had our "big" ultrasound last Monday with the specialist and he said everything looked great anatomically and structurally. Leah was 15 ounces and Col(l)in was 14 ounces so she's still a little bigger but he said usually boys are bigger at birth than girls so we'll see. It was about an hour long ultrasound which was really fun since we got to see them for so long. Leah looked like a little contortionist with her legs bent over her head like she was folded in half looking at her knees! It looked very uncomfortable but she stayed in that position a while so I guess it was comfortable for her! According to babycenter.com, the average size of babies right now is about the length of a carrot. It's amazing how fast they're growing and how quickly time is passing until they get here.



Last Saturday we went to the T-MOM's (Tulsa Moms of Multiples) sale. All the twin stuff was super cute! We found some adorable boy/girl outfits. We also went to the Tulsa State Fair kick-off the weekend before last. Let me just say free fair food and being pregnant are a dangerous combination :). I think by the end of the night I had at least tried a bite of everything there. They didn't have all the fair food but they had a good assortment and did I mention it was free? I did have a grilled turkey leg and some corn on the cob so I rationalize that those offset the corn dog, cheesecake, and fried potatoes :).

Names and Moving...

So it's been forever since I last wrote but a lot has been going on. We finally sold our house (yay!!!) which is such an answer to our prayers. We close on the 23rd and so far everything is going fine which is a relief. We found a neighborhood we absolutely love down here and decided to build a house. We signed a contingency contract on a lot close to the park and pool and now that we have a contract on our house, they have started the process!!! It is now a race to see which will happen first - the move into the new house or the arrival of our twins! We are praying it is the house first but who knows :). Since we sold our house in K.C. we spent last weekend moving most of the rest of our stuff down. We had left the house staged so we still had furniture and decorations up there along with some other miscellaneous things in the basement and some clothes. We will also be back this weekend to move the rest of it and clean one last time. It is such a blessing having sold the house but it will also be sad once we close those doors for the last time.

Speaking of moving, I am starting to feel the twins move which is pretty much the coolest thing I've ever experienced. At first it felt like little muscle twitches and now it's more like popcorn popping in my belly. It's so fun and I love feeling them moving around. I am a little nervous about having two sets of arms and legs kicking and punching me once they get bigger and stronger though! :)

We went to the doctor yesterday and our twins are now sitting side by side with our girl on the left and our boy on the right. Dr. Sterling told us we could remember because boys are always right...we girls know that's not so true though :). He measured each femur and our little girl is in the 67th percentile and our little boy is in the 44th percentile which he said was fine. He did a check on major organs and everything looks good :). We still are going to see a specialist though on the 21st as he is the expert and there is a higher risk with twins so our doctor feels it's best for him to check everything out thoroughly. I really enjoy going to my appointments though and seeing them every few weeks so I don't mind an extra long ultrasound at all. It's amazing how much they grow in just a short period of time. Looking back at those first pictures of our little circles it's so crazy to see them so big now.

So now the names part of the blog. We thought we had names picked out - Braden and Gabriella (Brady and Gabby) - but it seems we have changed our minds and are back to the drawing board as far as deciding goes. Names are such a hard thing! We have some ideas but nothing solid. It's such a big decision because they will have these names for the rest of their lives and we want them to be perfect as I'm sure every parent does. Our plan is to at least have it narrowed down to three by the time they get here because we really have no idea. :) I told Brad tonight we need to at least come up with nicknames for them. They're just our little girl and our little boy right now but it would be fun to give them cute nicknames while we pick their actual names. Any ideas on nicknames?

Brody's Arrival!!

Well, Brody decided he was not going to wait (typical trait in the Creed family) and decided to come into the world 7 weeks early on August 19th at 3:18am. He weighed 4 pounds 9 ounces and was 17 inches long. Being early, there was a concern that his lungs would not be adequately developed however they were great and he had a great APGAR score of 9 a minute after birth and a score of 10 five minutes after birth. After he was born, he was prepped for surgery as he has gastroschisis which his intestines were outside of his body. They were able to put most of them back in his abdomen with the first surgery and the surgeon has been amazed at how well he is progressing. His final surgery to close up the hole in his abdomen will be this Monday. Hopefully soon after that Michelle and Brian will finally be able to hold their little boy. He is absolutely adorable and I have already told him that I am his favorite aunt. He even opened his eyes to take a picture with me last night (proving I am definitely his favorite aunt) :).

Belly Pics and Brody's Baby Shower

Last Saturday on 8/15 we attended my brother, Brian, and Michelle's baby shower for their little boy, Brody Stephen. It was a coed shower and Brad and I both had a great time. It was so fun seeing all of the cute baby things and thinking about how much fun it will be once Brody is here. Michelle and I took this opportunity to take some belly pics together and I am amazed at how quickly I am catching her considering she's 4 months ahead of me :).

Twin Pics!!!

Since our doctor is amazing and wonderful, he gives us awesome 3-D pictures at our visits now which we LOVE since they are amazingly clear pictures of our babies. Our little girl obviously is not camera shy as we've been able to get 2 great pictures of her and we have one of them together with our little boy's profile and our girl's back.

Oklahoma!

Well, last weekend we went to the official home of the Rodgers & Hammerstein production of Oklahoma (a must for living here now) at Discoveryland. It was a fantasti c show as usual and the first musical for the twins who I am sure enjoyed the show. My Aunt Peggy was able to get us free dinner beforehand and free coupons for ice cream and snow cones during the show which was absolutely delightful. It turned out to be a nice night especially given that it was August in Oklahoma.