Nearing the end.....

36 weeks and 5 days. I remember the first months of my pregnancy I was so worried as to how long I would be able to carry these babies and every week was a blessing. Now we are nearing the end of my pregnancy and soon we will be holding our sweet baby girls. I have 1 more OB appointment next week, 2 more non-stress tests and an induction scheduled for 7am on 4/19, if nothing happens before then. 2 weeks ago the babies where measuring 5lbs 8 oz, and I am measuring 42 weeks as of today. My doctor says that towards the end it is more difficult to get an accurate weight and they could measure 1/2 lb-1 lb smaller or larger. So we are probably looking at low 5lbs babies or high 6lb babies. Either way right now their lungs are developed and we most likely will not need to stay in the hospital longer then necessary. I have also been asked a lot what type of delivery we will be doing. Right now both babies are head down and have been that way for many weeks. So we are planning on doing a natural (with an epidural of course) delivery.  I was nervous delivering just one baby with Alec, and now we well I will have to deliver 2, not going to lie, this kinda freaks me out, but my doctor has reassured me about the process and procedure and we just pray that everything works out during the delivery.

One of my other worries during this pregnancy was having to go on bed rest at some point but I have been fortunate to work throughout out it all. I have decided to make this Friday my last day of work. I think working up to 37 weeks with twins is pretty darn good, so I thought I would take a few days off before the babies come (if possible). So I will use next week to hang out with Alec, finish some last minute things around the house and prepare for their arrival. Then I will have a full 3 months off of work and be able to hang out with our 3 kiddos. I guess their might not be a whole lot of "hanging out" actually, instead probably sleepless nights, feedings, changing, laundry, and all the other fun that comes with newborns x's 2 :) Not only will their be many changes of having 2 newborns but also Alec adjusting to his sisters in his home, his 1:1 little world will be rocked,  but I know he will be a great big brother and be able to help out a lot. He already says he will help with bottles and last night he said he will help change their butts :) his words exactly.

I am looking forward to having spring babies so that we can be outside more, however, the way this weather is going we will probably have to bundle the babies up when we leave the hospital. We have 1 camping trip planned while I am on maternity leave. We are going to hoffmaster with some friends and staying in a camper, not a tent or pop up, so hopefully this will work out and we can enjoy a little vacation while I'm on leave.

To everyone who is reading this Aaron and I ask for prayers in the next upcoming week as we prepare for our baby girls. Please pray a safe and healthy delivery and recovery for me as well. Please pray that we will be able to take the babies home with us and that their will not be any complications. We have appreciated all of the support and kindness that have poured out to us during the last 9 months!

Stay Tuned for the next post.....which will be introducing Baby A Nienhuis and Baby B Nienhuis :)

32 weeks 5 days

I know it's been awhile since our last update. However, we have not had to much stuff going on. Our computer crashed for a couple weeks so that was one reason plus I haven't had any appointments for about 3 weeks so we really didn't have anything new to report.

Here is where we are at so far:

I'm 32 weeks and 5 days along. I had to make it to 32 weeks to be sure to deliver at Holland Hospital. So we are happy I've gone this far without any complications.

I started going 2x's per week for Non Stress Tests to Holland Hospital. These are on Wednesdays and Saturdays so at least I can schedule them on my day off and on the weekend.

Our ultrasound today showed the babies are continuing to thrive. Baby A is 4 lbs 5oz and measuring 32 weeks and 3 days, and baby B is 4lbs 6 oz and measuring 32 weeks 5 days, both babies are right on schedule. They are also still cooperating and are head down so at this point we are still planning on a normal delivery.  They are both super active and my belly moves like crazy throughout the day, they still tend to rest a lot of night so I'm thankful for the sleep I've been able to get. I'm still continuing to work my normal schedule and I'm not on any restrictions at this point, another thing to be thankful for, however, by the time I do get home from work I'm exhausted and usually spend most of the evening in relaxation mode :)

Here are a couple pics to show the progress

29 weeks                                                                      32 weeks

And this is how big Aaron thinks I will get :)



Lot's of people have been asking if we are ready for the babies...and I guess our answer is we are ready as we will ever be. Honestly, we have everything we need at this time and our blessed by the outpouring support of our family, friends, and church members.

Next appointment and ultrasound is in 2 weeks so we will see what happens from now till then.

All about Alec :)

This weekend was particularly special for us. We were able to get away with Alec and spend some quality time with just him before his sisters arrive. Thanks to Groupon we were able to stay overnight in Chicago and then head to Shedd Aquarium on Saturday.

Alec had a ton of fun going in the pool, even though he was a little scared at first, he eventually was jumping right to Aaron. He loved the city with all the trains and the lights. All the big buildings were called "castles" to him. He saw so many fish at the aquarium it and it was so fun to see him so excited. Here are a few pictures of the weekend.

           
                                                         

Alec watching the city

 

This weekend we also celebrated entering the 3rd trimester! This pregnancy is going so fast!! I go in for another ultrasound and dr. appt on Wednesday. I also have my glucose test on Wednesday so I hope that goes well too. After this week I start to see the dr. every 2 weeks instead of monthly. My ultrasounds will still be every 2 weeks as well, so again, I'm thankful I have Wednesdays off.

I also wanted to give a shout out and ask for prayers for my 6 year old nephew, Nate, who is undergoing another open heart surgery tomorrow. His last one was when he was just 6 months old. Hopefully, the doctors will be able to figure out the issue that is going on (I'm not exactly sure on all the details) but he will be in ICU all week at Devos at his surgery at the Heart Center. Please lift him up in prayers tomorrow, as well as my brother and sister in law, Josh and Ruth.

Thankful

I'm nearing week 25 week of my pregnancy, crazy to think that in 3 months (hopefully no sooner), we will be meeting out 2 little angels. I have been reminded lately of how incredibly blessed we have been. I have had numerous family, friends, and co-works help us prepare for these babies and I am reminded we are more then ready for these babies to come.

For some reason I can't upload a pic on here....so no prego pic this time.....

I am also thankful for such a easy pregnancy again. God has blessed this pregnancy in so many ways. At each appointment and ultrasound the babies are showing great health, and my health has been good too. I,  have been fortunate to still be working my normal hours at work too, only missing 1 day due to being hit with the stomach flu. It has been extremely nice to have a break in the middle of the week as I have Wednesdays off. My personal goal is to be able to work and carry the babies until the beginning of April. April 3 to be exact is our 4 year anniversary and is when I'll be about 36 weeks. April 19 marks 38 weeks and I most likely will not go over that date, so 3 months from this coming Saturday we will have our babies!

My doctor has been great and very encouraging about the delivery. As long as the babies are in a good position I will proceed with a normal birth. However, if baby A is transverse (sideways), a C-Section will most likely be done. The fact of giving birth to 2 babies is still a bit overwhelming but I know in time my nerves will be calm.

Today I had another measurement ultrasound and they sure are growing. My last ultrasound 4 weeks ago, showed the babies where just under 1lb. Now, Baby A is 1 lb 10 oz and measuring 25 weeks and 1 day, Baby B is 1 lb 12 oz and measuring 24 weeks and 6 days, both right on schedule! The babies are kicking and moving like crazy too, all day long! Fortunately, sleeping has not been an issue so that is another blessing. I think God is providing me with good nights of rest because he is trying to prepare me for the lack of sleep I will be getting when the babies come home:).

Last but not least is the NAME dilemma.....any suggestions for girl names are appreciated. We are still going back forth and not ultimately set on any 2 names, hopefully we can come to an agreement soon!

Thanks for reading and supporting Aaron and I during this time. It has been a true blessing to see everyone support us during this time.

Princesses, tea parties, and tutus......

20 weeks

 

We have had a fun filled week at our home this week filled with lots of family and friends. The fun started out on Wednesday, 12/19, when we went to our 20 week ultrasound. Everything looks great and the babies are growing right on schedule.The babies weigh about 13 oz and 15 oz so they have a long way to go yet! Prior, to the ultrasound I had done the wedding ring gender test which said we were having boys (although twins may have thrown that off a bit.) Plus the heart rates were going down at each appointment, another reason we thought maybe boys. By the time I went in on Wednesday the babies heart rates were back up to 160 and 157 and they were active as ever.......Aaron and I both looked at each other because we new this most likely meant girls (according to the old wise tale). The ultrasound tech, who is super nice and who I have had do all my ultrasounds with Alec and with twins, confirmed TWIN GIRLS! We are so excited and blessed to have these little girls join our family! Alec has said all along that he was having sisters so he must have known something we didn't.

Alec and I celebrated by making his gingerbread train :)

Thursday night we celebrated Christmas with my immediate family at our house, 10 kids, 11 adults and 1 overdue baby as well since my sister-in-law Ruth was due on 12/19. It was a lot of fun too to have everyone all together.

These are some of the best pictures we could get with the kiddos

Friday and Saturday were filled with time with friends as we celebrated the wedding of our 2 close friends, Brad and Jaclyn. The wedding and ceremony were beautiful and it was fun to all come together for this celebration.

Then today we finally welcomed another little girl into our family,  4 days overdue Brook Marie decided to make her appearance. Congratulations to my brother Josh and sister in law Ruth on your precious bundle of joy.

 

 



Healthy Growing Babies......

Today was my 16 week ultrasound. The babies are growing very well and right on schedule where there should be. They are moving around like crazy too. As soon as the ultrasound starts they start squirming around all over. Heartbeats were 137 and 150 and they are measuring about 4 inches each. We were hoping to find out genders today.......but unfortunately they could not tell quite yet. So we will continue to wait but we are super thankful that the babies are healthy and growing and that I have not had any issues or concerns either.

For those who are wondering, there are 2 sacs and 1 placenta, which means IDENTICAL and mono-di twins! (the doctor still says 95% chance they are identical because there could be a small possibility that 2 placentas fused). According to what I have read mono-di twins are the most common type of identacal twins.  There is greater risk when the babies share 1 sac. My doctor did tell me as well that they will monitor me more closely for the Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome. This is were one baby draws more nutrients from the placenta then the other one. It is rare but when it happens it is very serious.

So I will go back again in 2 weeks to see these little peanuts  again. Thanks for all the prayers and support.  We are looking forward to lots of family time this weekend and hope everyone has blessed Thanksgiving!

Unltrasound #2

Today I had my 2nd ultrasound. I will have about 14 ultrasounds if I go to 38 weeks. After 16 weeks my doctor wants me to have an ultrasound every 2 weeks. This means we will be getting very acquainted with our little ones before we finally are able to meet them.

At my ultrasound today everything looked great! The babies were moving like crazy all about, it almost looked like they were kicking each other already. It has been so surreal to think that I have 2 little lives growing inside me! I am thanking God everyday that everything continues to go well and the babies are growing strong and healthy. They are measuring right where they should be and Baby A had a heart beat of 162 and Baby B had a heartbeat of 150.

A lot of people have been asking if we are finding out what we are having and the answer is, yes. I'd like to be a little prepared with TWINS :) We might be able to tell genders at 16 weeks but it will be more conclusive at 20 weeks of course. Yesterday, Alec said that there were "little brothers in mommies tummy"......We are very excited to find out what these little ones will be.

Thanks to everyone for the love and support of our growing family. Please continue to pray for the babies and that they continue to grow strong and healthy! Here are a few pics for the babies photo shoot today :)

                                                                     Baby B

 

Baby A

 

Best shot of both babies, it's their bellies you are looking at :)