We got a gold star!

These ultrasounds are from our third appointment with Dr. Intense. However, it looks like it may be one of our last appointments! The babies look fantastic! We will go back in one month for a level 1 ultrasound just to measure fluid. If all is well, it probably will be our last appointment there and they will allow our local OB to handle the rest of the pregnancy. Here are the updates from the appointment:

Baby A/William: Will finally allowed us to have a profile picture (the second picture above). He measured about 1 lbs 5 oz and looked awesome. He does measure a bit on the small side, but that is normal with twins. His fluid level was in the low 3s, which was an improvement from last time!

Baby B/Robert: Rob has finally chilled out on stealing from Will! Although, as he demonstrated in his ultrasound photo - he would love to fight. He fists stayed clinched for the majority of the ultrasound, so Will better watch out! Rob was 1 lbs 7 oz and measured the proper size for 24 1/2 weeks gestation. His fluid was in the 5s, so the levels are leveling out to a much more normal range.

Both babies were head down during the ultrasound. However, I have felt them do a few flips since then.

The doctor has little to no concern about TTTS after these ultrasound discoveries and we are very excited that the possiblity the babies will make it to 36 weeks is significant.

Today I took a trip to see Dr. Warm and Fuzzy for my gestational diabetes test. I had some warnings from people about this test and thought I was fully prepared for the experience. When I arrived, the took me to the lab to consume my "sugary drink". Friends told me it was like drinking flat, orange flavored pop. Sweet. I can handle that. I got there, it was LEMON LIME. Gross. It was about 10 oz of nasty, and you have to drink it quickly. In the process of drinking quickly - I managed to gag. The gag reflex caused the drink to go down the wrong way. In the process of trying to cough my throat clear - I managed to get some up my nose. Lemon lime sugary drink up my nose....at 8:30 AM! Don't worry. I pulled myself together. They took my blood an hour later and I'll get the results soon enough!

Weight gain total: 14.2 lbs total for mommy. Woop Woop! I am fashionably working this baby bump.

Daily kicking activity is at all time high. Luckily it only happens at certain times during the day. Typically between 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM, mid-afternoon, and then from 7 PM to midnight. Somedays are more painful then others. Currently as I write this, I feel like William might be hanging from my lowest rib like a monkey. As long as he doesn't plan on breaking that rib - we'll be alright.

The baby shower is this weekend, and I am so excited to have our families here to celebrate. I hope there are many more events that bring everybody together in the future. Please keep everyone in your thoughts as many family members will be traveling great distances by car or plane!

For those of you who are demanding to see the "bump" - I'll make sure to take plenty of pictures at the shower that will hopefully satisfy your requests!

Next update: Monday, June 28th.

Next Appointments:

Dr. Intense, July 16th

Dr. Warm & Fuzzy: July 14th

Swift Kick

I can't believe it! Finally!

For several weeks people have been asking if I've felt them kick yet. I had flutters and those were cool and all, but feeling the first kick last night was amazing.

I was laying in bed, about to go to sleep and sure enough it was way more than a flutter. I put my hand on my belly and felt it a second time! Now, I have no idea which son it was that kicked me in the side. I'm pretty sure they have been equally responsible for the bladder jumping the past few weeks. This morning I've felt them a few more times. I can't wait for David to get home this weekend and hopefully be able to catch a kick or two! Bring on the Dr. Pepper, lets give 'em some energy!

The Adventures of Registering

Our first baby shower is June 26th. When my parents came to visit a few weeks ago, I had decided that taking my mom on the baby registering experience would be a great idea. She's had kids and knows whats needed to survive. Though she didn't have twins, she still had me and my sister and that pretty much sums up the adventures she had/has.

We tackled Babies R Us first. Go big or go home right? For those of you that may have never experienced Babies R Us, I'm jealous. It can be an overwhelming experience for first time moms. Especially when they have so many options for basic things and then they throw in big words like 'scientific research' to support their product. Instead of going through every detail, I'll give you the ESPN Sportscenter-like highlights.

A) Baby Monitors: they don't sell these in discount packs for twins. sad day. However, they do sell REALLY fancy ones that come with bigger flat screen monitors then I currently have in my living room. Also, when the box doesn't provide you enough information to see if you can have 2 of the same thing and avoid technical complications...give Dad the assignment to call the company hotline on the back of the box. Immediately. Success.

B) Warning: Do not allow the daddy-to-be to have the scanner in the toy aisle. You have no idea what will show up on the registry later.

C) Bottles: How did babies survive when there was only ONE kind? I have no idea. This is the area, where I defaulted all decisions to mom. You would NOT believe the options that are out there. I can only hope we/Mom made the right decision on the brand here.....

D) Missing Assistants: Mom and I were diligently trying to wrap things up and had managed to make it to the back of the store. As we scanned the last items, we both wondered....where are Dad and Daddy-to-be? As we wandered to find them, I catch Daddy-to-be out of the corner of my eye....in the glider rocker section. I'm pretty sure his head was back, and eyes were closed. WAS HE ASLEEP!?!? I'm the incubator, I get the pass for sleeping in public.

Both David and Dad successfully found the most amazing glider rocker ever made. It has now found its home in our house, thanks to my parents.

E) Maternity Store: Because David and I live in a relatively rural area, shopping trips to Babies R' Us and maternity stores are rare. Maternity stores are fancy these days. This one had a free massage for me, fresh juice and ice water, and a nice lounge area with leather recliners and a flat screen tv for "patient" daddies. As I waited for my massage, my awesome personal shopper (aka mom) starting stocking up the dressing room with reasonably priced and fashionable items. When I returned from my massage, mom was still diligently working. Dad & David....GONE. Where did they escape to? They went to the bar & grill across from the store and enjoyed a drink. So now they get naps and drinks!?!? So unfair.

F) Homebound: I'm pretty sure I was asleep before we left the parking lot and woke up when we arrived in the driveway at home.

Next on the list, Wal-Mart. David and I would tackle this one on our own. We had Babies R' Us under our belt. We were prepared for anything. For anyone who knows me, you are probably shocked and appauled that Target is not listed instead of Walmart. Sadly, we don't live near a Target and since my shower is local we decided to make it easy on the guests to buy something in town. Again, that rural area thing calls for creativity.

A) We arrive at the Waycross Wal-mart. This isn't just your average Wal-mart. This Wal-Mart fulfills all Wal-Mart stereotypes after only 5 minutes. It serves about 5 counties in South Georgia. One of the most profitable Walmarts in the state, if not the most profitable. This doesn't mean they have good customer service or the items you need when you need them. We went to the fancy registry machine, filled out the form, and then took our registry number to the jewelry counter to get the scanner. We were then told that the Waycross Walmart doesn't have scanners to register with. However, we could write down all barcodes and then enter them online ourselves. Gee. Fun. Ain't happenin'.

B) Drive to Douglas, GA.

C) Register at a nice, calm, clean, friendly Wal-Mart in Douglas, GA - WITH a scanner.

Registering is done. Hopefully all the mommies I hope to live up to, approve.

Dr. Intense

Over the past month, we've visited the Perinatology office at Memorial Hospital in Savannah on two separate occasions. Based on these experiences, my mom has provided a nickname for this doctor (aka. Dr. Intense*).

We had an idea going in to the first appointment in mid-May that they take everything very seriously. However, I must say after the 1 1/2 hour ultrasound at the first appointment - I was nothing short of overwhelmed with LOTS of information and the most random statistical possibilities. David on the other hand was playing his part as the calm, cool, collected daddy-to-be. He still is. Hormones make things so unfair.

Here are a few things I learned at the first appointment.

A) Perinatologists don't care about mommies. They care about the babies. Don't expect to feel like you matter.
B) EVERYTHING is serious here. Don't expect magazines in the waiting area. You must watch the health tv provided or stare at the wall.
C) You must have permission to pee here. Don't worry, if you forget, they put stop signs up everywhere to remind you. By your second appointment, you will learn that it is just a game the ultrasound tech plays with you by pressing on your belly while you have a full bladder. (I broke the rules at the second appointment. HA!)
D) Your regular OB will earn the nickname Dr. Warm & Fuzzy.

Dr. Intense has informed us that they are monitoring the babies for a slight presence of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. TTTS only occurs in identical twin pregnancies, since they typically share everything. In William & Robert's case, they are sort of sharing. Robert has a little bit more amniotic fluid then William. They share the same sac, but the sac is divided by a membrane. This membrane prevents the umblical cords from tangling and harming the babies. In addition, it allows for each to have their own amniotic fluid. Here lies the issue. Dr. Intense has a scale to measure severity of TTTS. The scale is based on 'pockets' of amniotic fluid on each side of the membrane. You want them to be between 2cm and 8cm, with little difference between the two. In addition, they will take this information and compare it to the weights and see the percentage of difference. If there is a significant difference in size or fluid pockets that are too big or too small, its a red flag. At the mid-May appointment, William had a 2 cm pocket and Robert had a 5 cm. (Light Red Flag) At the appointment last week, William had a 3 cm and Robert had a 6 cm. MUCH BETTER! William is a little over 12 oz. and Robert is 13 oz. Great news! We'll go back in mid-June for another check up, but Dr. Intense has little concern that TTTS will progress further. Phew. I almost skipped out of the doctors office on Friday.

I've attached pictures of the ultrasound from Friday. Unfortunately, William will allow us pictures of only one part. Luckily, we are confident he is a boy and his constant reminders at EVERY ultrasound are helpful. One day, we might see the profile of his face.

Robert however loves to have his picture taken, and has provided you a profile picture, a leg, and footprints. I hope my dad is proud of his namesake.

Upcoming adventures:

Dr. Intense Appt #3: June 18th
Baby(s) Shower: June 26th
Dr. Warm & Fuzzy: June 22nd


(Ultrasound was done at 21 weeks, 4 days)

*Dr. Intense = Dr. Royek

Oh Boy, Oh Boy!!

It's official. 2 boys! We couldn't be more excited. The appointment with our local OB/GYN went great. The boys are measuring great, and so am I! The boys measured 16 weeks, 4 days and had heartbeats of 153 and 151. Baby A's head size was 3.2 cm and both weigh approximately 5 oz. each. I am currently 17 weeks, but my belly measured about 19. This is a normal growth difference for twins. I've currently gained 4 lbs total for the pregnancy and have been instructed to gain 4 more additional HEALTHY pounds by the next local appointment on May 25th.

The boys were SO active in the ultrasound and we had difficult chasing down Baby B to determine sex. Luckily, he finally settled down to let us peek! Since I will have a more indepth ultrasound on May 11th in Savannah the ultrasound tech didn't spend a great deal of time looking at the measurements, organs, etc. We just got to watch them move around and show us their fighting skills. She treated us to a 3D ultrasound and I've attached one of the pictures so you all can see. It is still very early in the development for a 3D so we can't tell who they look like yet. They are laying next to each other, Baby A is hiding behind the placenta a bit on the left and Baby B is stretching out on the right. Baby B kicked and Baby A pushed, so they are definetly brothers.

Since all of you may be wondering:

Baby A = William Paul Komanecky (Will)
Baby B = Robert Parker Komanecky (Rob)

Enjoy the recent pictures!

Baby Bump

Much to my dismay, my loving husband desperately wanted to send a picture of my HUGE bump to friends and family. For those of you that were not fortunate enough to receive the text, I'm willing to share with you here. I feel like this blog is a safe place.

In regards to my attire in this photo, I do apologize for the house renovation clothes I am sporting. We have lots to do before the babies get here, so time is precious. Also, for those of you that notice the spots of paint on my arm. I painted outside with low-odor paint. So don't worry, the kids weren't exposed to anything harmful! I'm not a very accurate painter, if you can't tell.

My wallet hurts...and it's only the beginning.

After 3 long months, we have officially ordered cribs. They should be here in a few days and then the assembly process begins. (for David.) The baby room is coming along, but there are still a few more projects to go. The dresser that we are going to refinish is currently sitting in the corner of the room. Every time I look at it, I get more intimidated. Luckily, that's David's project too. I'm the incubator. He's the carpenter. I think that is more than fair.

Week 13, 3rd Ultrasound
Baby B on left, Baby A on right. I can't believe how crowded it is in there already! Especially compared to the ultrasound at 8 weeks!

Week 13, 3rd Ultrasound
Baby A - top photo, looking up!
Baby B - bottom photo, laying on his/her back.

Week 9, 2ndUltrasound
Baby A - Top picture
Baby B - Bottom picture, on right. Baby is actually upside down, and the start of arms and legs!

Week 8, 1st Ultrasound.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears...oh my!

We have completed the first trimester and I'm starting to get the urge to tell the entire world about the twenty tiny toes we have on the way! David and I still catch ourselves in disbelief that we are having twins. However, based on my expanding waistband - I don't think we'll be in disbelief that much longer.

The last doctors appointment was March 30th. Both heartbeats were strong and healthy. Baby A was at 166 and Baby B was at 161.

The next appointment will be April 26th and hopefully they will behave and let us see if they are boys or girls. Lets face it, I can't hold off on decorating a nursery much longer!

We will meet with the specialist in Savannah at Memorial Hospital on May 11th. We will have a more detailed ultrasound completed at this point that will let us know more about their development. Hopefully, they will cooperate here too! In addition, we will have some genetic testing completed. Doesn't that sound like fun?