Movement and Moving Down the Road

There are no new updates since our last blog "Cause for Concern." We have been to the OB since that time, but she gave us her usual response of "no worries." We are returning to the perinatalogist on this coming Friday for new ultrasounds and new echoes.

Just to give you an update on what we've been up to, Randi and I have been in Orlando since Wednesday for the International Builders' Show for work. It was a seven hour drive from Pensacola to Orlando, but in that time we were able to put all potential names onto an excel spreadsheet....yes, my wife is a recovering C.P.A. For the four names we have to decide upon, we have narrowed it down to roughly 120. It will be a slow process, and we may even leave a little wiggle room at the end.

During the days at the show, we walked on thinly carpeted concrete floors for 5 hours each day and toured several model homes in the area that the expo was showcasing. During the evenings, we raided the outlet malls for maternity clothes and baby garb. Of course, we were successful in the procurement of many "cute" outfits for mother and children. I got a pair of basketball shoes. Randi was a trooper and didn't leave the floor early any day.

Randi also started to feel both Pooh and Tigger moving over the weekend. With this being her first pregnancy, she had previously dismissed it. The movement has been erratic, at best, but mainly in the evenings. I have yet to get a chance to feel it for myself, I'm sure it will come. We're sorry for being a little slack with the blog, but it's been a crazy couple of weeks. We should have more updates and photos this weekend after our doctor visit.

Cause for Concern

Randi is now at a little more than 17 weeks. On our Friday appointment with the perinatologist, we were able to get another ultrasound of Pooh and Tigger. We had a reconfirmation of our confirmation that they are both boys. Their measurements are on track for their gestational age, growth rate of their torsos, femurs, heads, and the like; all areas that would raise concerns for a child with Down's Syndrome. Although these measurements look great, the doctor saw something in their diastolic flow from the umbilical cords. Ultimately, they are having to work too hard for their nutrients. They do fine when their heart is beating, but when it pauses, their is not enough blood flow on the back end. Again, this is no cause for alarm now, since the placentas are more than able to support a six ounce baby, but it will be a problem when the placenta tries to support a three pounder. The doctor raised Randi's folic acid medications and guided her to start intaking a lot more calories daily. She has currently gained 12-14 pounds, but he wants her to have gained 24 pounds at 24 weeks. She's going to have to adjust her diet to grazing constantly during the day, instead of large meals. Hopefully, this bump in the road will correct itself with time and better nutrition, but please say a prayer for the little guys. Thanks.

OUTNUMBERED

Randi started having some pain on her left side on Wednesday that was very nondescript. The pain steadily increaseD on Thursday, and she decided to call the doctor. She went in for a urinalysis to make sure it was not a UTI or kidney stones. When that was negative, they decided to do an ultrasound. They determined that the pain was caused by her uterus expanding and was nothing to be alarmed about. The technician also made a second check of the babies and got clear pictures of Pooh and Tigger from underneath. They determined that both babies are DEFINITELY boys!! Randi is truly going to be outnumbered soon, with myself, the two male dogs, and our future twin boys. Now we know for sure that we need to get Auburn jerseys and not cheerleader outfits. Also, we can cut our list of potential names in half...not that we have come up with anything yet, but there is still plenty of time for that.

Week Fourteen Ultrasounds