16 weeks...I'm no good at guessing...

How big are they: Baby Center Says... Right now, they are about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces.

Maternity Clothes: I need to start searching for some more items.

Weight Gain: about 8 pounds.

Belly: Bump is bigger this week when the measured I was measuring about what a 20 week singleton pregnancy would be...

Stretch Marks: Just the ones I've always had.

Sleep:Not as good, but I think it's because Todd and Holly are restless...

Best Moment of the Week: Finding out the gender of the babies...

Movement: Feeling them more now. Baby B is right under my belly button so I feel him quite a bit.

Symptoms: They are getting better.

Food Cravings: Nothing new this week.

Gender: After a UT student spent 20 minutes or so trying to find out. There are 2 boys!

What I Miss: I'm still missing Eleanna. She'll always be my only little girl...

What I'm Looking Forward to: After finding out the gender I just want them here even more. Bring on the football...

Weekly Wisdom: You are no good at guessing...what ever you think...guess the opposite...

Milestones: We found out what they are and picked out their names for the most part.

Emotions: Really excited to have 2 little buddies.

14 weeks

How big are they: Baby Center Says... Your babies are stretching out. From head to bottom, they each measure 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and weighs1 1/2 ounces.

Maternity Clothes: I need to start searching for some more items.

Weight Gain:Not sure.

Belly: There is definitely a bump this week. My belly is more "firm" and round everywhere now.

Stretch Marks: Just the ones I've always had.

Sleep:Not as tired this week, but I do still enjoy my extra rest on the weekends.

Best Moment of the Week:We had another ultrasound at last week's appointment and they really do look more like babies now. It has been so great sharing those pictures with family & friends.

Movement: Just started feeling some flutters.

Symptoms: They are getting better.

Food Cravings: Nothing new this week.

Gender: We still haven't found out yet, but I can't wait. I hope they will take a peak on my next appointment on February 1st so we can know then. Otherwise we will have to wait till our "big" ultrasound on the 23rd.

What I Miss: I'm still missing Eleanna. This week marked 6 months since she went to heaven.

What I'm Looking Forward to: I'm looking forward to February 1st when we hope to find out what if A & B are Boys, Girls or one of each. Then we can get started full swing on their room.

Weekly Wisdom: Life is hard...take time to share your feelings with those who understand.

Milestones: No Dr. appointments for 2 weeks.

Emotions: Sad about how long Eleanna has been gone. Also disappointed that our friends Mike & Theresa miscarried their rainbow over Christmas. Mike & Theresa's daughter Ayla was born and went to heaven the same day as Eleanna in the room next to me at the hospital. She was at 33 weeks gestation and suffered a cord accident. Through our support group we have become friends and I care for them deeply. I can only hope that they are blessed with another healthy pregnancy soon.

6 months in heaven...

Six months ago we said hello and goodbye to our little baby Eleanna...

Six months ago I held her tiny hand in mine...

Six months ago I counted the perfect, tiny, toes on her adorable little feet...

Six months ago I became a Mother...

Today I love her just as much as then...

Today I miss her more than yesterday...

Today I know she's in my heart forever...

Today I know heaven's light shines a little brighter because she's there...

13 weeks

How big are they: Baby Center Says... Your babies are almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weigh nearly an ounce.

Maternity Clothes: Had say good by to my regular pants this week. After the cerlage it was just too uncomfortable.

Weight Gain:Not sure

Belly: There is definitely a bump this week.

Stretch Marks: Just the ones I've always had.

Sleep: Still really tired.

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling the babies move a little bit here and there.

Movement: Just started feeling some flutters.

Symptoms: They are getting better.

Food Cravings: Nothing new this week.

Gender: We still haven't found out yet, but I can't wait.

What I Miss: I'm still missing Eleanna. I don't think this will ever change. While at the hospital had had one of the same nurses that I had while I was in July. She gave me a big hug and we shared some happy tears.

What I'm Looking Forward to: I'm looking forward to the end of January First part of February when we will find out what if A & B are Boys, Girls or one of each.

Weekly Wisdom: When your regular pants are totally uncomfortable it's time to put them away.

Milestones: The Cerclage is complete with few complication.

Emotions: I'm glad that the Cercalge is in. I am anxious to have the weeks pass and them safely here.

Cerclage complete.

I had the cerlage Thursday.

The morning started early with our arrival at RMH at 6:30 am.

They first tried to settle us into the room where I was when I lost Eleanna. After I said something they moved me next door. They put in my IV and took some blood. I also was doing a 24 hour urine test for a protein reference for my high bp.

Dr. came in and did a quick ultrasound to check the babies. Both had good heartbeats and she made a comment that baby B had a cute foot. :)

They sent the anesthesiologist in to explain the spinal block. The spinal proved to be the most uncomfortable part of the day.

At 8:00 am they took me down to the OR. It was freezing in there. Which I do understand why. OR's are cold to promote the sterile environment. By the time we were done with surgery I was so cold I could not control my shivering.

They gave me the spinal block. It hurt. I'm not going to lie. They give you a bit of numbing meds and then inject the meds right into your spine. As I'm typing this I can still feel where the injection was. Soon after my legs began to feel like the had fallen asleep. You know that kind of pins and needles feeling. They had my legs "tied" up in the air when I lost all feeling so when they put them down it still felt like the were in the air...such a strange feeling. The surgery seemed to last a long time. I could feel tugging and pulling. When the surgery was over Dr. Platt said that my cervix was open a bit. So, it's a good thing that we did not wait on doing the surgery.

They then moved me up to recovery. At this point I was shaking from being so cold. They had to put several blankets on me to get me warmed up. I was also starving at this point. I did not get sick from the spinal at all. It did feel so strange to not be able to move my legs for at least and hour or so after.

The Dr. came in with the ultrasound and checked on the babies again. They both were really bouncing around in there. She checked over their anatomy and said that their stomach, brain, arms and legs all looked good and healthy. They both had strong heart beats again. I'm not completely sure, but I think I may have been feeling some flutters this week. :)

Shortly after they let me eat some Jello and move back to the regular room. Then I could eat some "real" food. Then we just hung out till my legs, etc. regain their feeling. Which took until 2:30... I could not believe that it took that long. It seemed to take forever.

We got home and I just relaxed for the evening and all day Friday. I felt a little uncomfortable most of the day Friday, but today. It's much better.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Now all we need to do is keep these babies cookin' till June/ July.

12 Weeks

How Far Along: 12 weeks

I'm excited to have this picture from Baby Center this week. It actually shows fraternal twins at 12 weeks.

How big are they: Baby Center Says... From crown to rump, your babies-to-be are just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

Maternity Clothes: I'm thinking it will be time to put the regular pants away. The shirts are still OK.

Weight Gain: maybe 2-4 pounds. We'l see tomorrow.

Belly: starting to bump out a bit more this week

Stretch Marks: Just the ones I've always had.

Sleep: Still really tired, and I usually have to get up to pee 1x or more per night.

Best Moment of the Week: Sharing our ultrasound pictures with Todd's sister.

Movement: Not feeling them yet but, I can't wait till we get to that point.

Symptoms: Still feeling sick and exhausted, But I'm not complaining. :)

Food Cravings: Nothing new this week.

Gender: We still haven't found out yet, but I can't wait. We plan to paint their room as soon as we know so we can get our new carpet installed.

What I Miss: I'm still missing Eleanna. I don't think this will ever change. I'm still getting "baby" mail for her. I'm sure that if I was not pregnant now it would be 10x worse.

What I'm Looking Forward to: I'm looking forward to the end of January First part of February when we will find out what if A & B are Boys, Girls or one of each.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep is good.

Milestones: I will be having the Cerclage tomorrow.

Emotions: I'll be glad to have the cerclage behind us. The babies will be "trapped" in there till they are good and ready to come out at 37 weeks.

The new year promises to be much better than the last. We are so blessed to have this opportunity. I can't wait to meet and hold these screaming babies :)

Time for Surgery...

Cerclage (tracheloplasty)

A surgical method for closing an incompetent cervix during pregnancy to prevent premature delivery. A stitch is placed around the cervix, or opening between the uterus and vaginal tract, to keep it closed during pregnancy. This is only needed in cases where a woman has a diagnosis of cervical incompetence.

• A McDonald cerclage, described in 1957 is the most common, and is essentially a pursestring stitch used to cinch the cervix shut; the cervix stitching involves a band of suture at the upper part of the cervix while the lower part has already started to efface. This cerclage is usually placed between 12 weeks and 24 weeks of pregnancy. The stitch is generally removed around the 37th week of gestation.

Thursday I'll be going in for an elective cerlclage. The picture above illustrates what will be going on. I plan to lay low this weekend and relax and catch up on some movies.