Week 19

We're in week 19 and still feeling great! :)

And there's been a lot going on this past week....

• Strangers began asking me about my pregnancy.
• We found out we are having 2 little girls; Gracelin & Isabella.
• I starting feeling the girls move around for the first time.
• Learned about some potential health risks for Gracelin. (To be discussed in a later blog entry)
• WE felt them (well, really just Gracelin) kick for the first time.

There have been about 3 different strangers ask me now about my pregnancy, all in about the last week. The first was the cashier at the gas station. She asked me, "Are you having a baby?" To which I smiled and replied, "I'm actually having 2 babies." :) And now the comments just keep on coming every few days!

So Dr Medchill told us on our visit on the 8th that he "suspected" they were both girls, but wouldn't tell us they were for sure. He through in his disclosure about how it was really too early for him to tell. He did however, confirm we would know for sure on our 3D/4D ultrasound on the 17th where we were getting the Comprehensive scan performed. So we just waited and really didn't take put too much thought into his suspicions. The wait to the next appointment went by fairly quickly but then the appointment itself took forever! They spent over 1 hour scanning and measuring alone. It was quite incredible actually. (I'll include more details on all of this when I get those pics scanned and uploaded.) At any rate, after measuring everything imaginable, the tech FINALLY tells us "Baby A" is a girl - Gracelin. We wait just as long a 2nd time and learn "Baby B" is also a girl - Isabella. At last, we've learned who is in there and couldn't be any more excited! :)

Last Sunday (1/16) I was sitting at the computer, researching strollers, and noticed a strange feeling in my belly which I had never felt before. Confused, I went back to the computer. But then it happened again, and then again. I was totally uncertain but thought that I may have just felt the babies move. Then Tuesday (1/18) came around and I felt it again, but 10,000 times more and all day long! It was the strangest and funniest feeling. The best way I can describe it is, it felt like I was being tickled but from the inside. Well, after I had felt this for a little while and knew what it really was, I was thrilled. And then I started tickling them back! This has continued on and off since then, and is just as fun every time.

I thought the tickles were fun, but I had no idea how awesome a kick was going to be! This happened just last night (Sat 1/22) and was right before going to sleep. Kenny and I were lounging on the couches watching a movie (Fantastic Mr Fox) and I per usual was resting with my hands on my belly just waiting for movement, and then BAM there it was!! A kick! My eyes went wide and then I felt it again. By the 3rd one I was sure of what had just happened and quickly told Kenny to "get over here!" Confused by my demands, I elaborated and told him "she just kicked!" He shot off the couch and I quickly replaced my hand with his. Thankfully, she ended up letting out 3 more kicks for Kenny to feel too. It was so fun! I felt her kick from the inside and he could feel her kick from the outside. I was so incredibly thrilled he was around when they decided to make their kicking debut, and of course so was Kenny. :)

As mentioned above, we did also learn of some potential health concerns for our little Gracie. I can't sum this one up quickly though, so I'm reserving this topic for it's own blog entry. In the meantime, please just keep us all in your prayers.