Weekly Update - One Week Late

This weekend we hit 23 weeks, which makes it 4 weeks since I have last updated. Time is flying, and I am not quite sure where to.

So let's go back to week 22. Not sure where we were at for 20 and 21. Busy I suppose.

Okay, week 22!

Leading up to that week, we got to celebrate Valentine's Day. I used to HATE Valentine's Day. I didn't understand it. I thought it was ridiculous to have one day out of the year where you are supposed to let the ones you love know it. It seemed as if single people got left out and was just a punch-in-the-stomach reminder of being single. Yada, yada, yada....

But the past few years, I see that the opportunities to express love extend beyond just a significant other or a parent or friends. We have the opportunity to show others, whether it be acquaintances, co-workers, or complete strangers something they may not ever get from anyone or anywhere else.

And yes, even though my husband does a great job of keeping me informed just how much he loves me on a regular basis, it does give me butterflies to be remembered on a "Hallmark holiday."

I woke up to a huge box of chocolates (perfection for this pregnant lady) and sweet cards with a tear-jerking hand-written note inside. Off to work I went...

Around mid-morning these beauties arrived at work for me:

{a dozen red roses}

{not from kyle, but from my sweet children - let's not talk about how many kleenex i went through after seeing this}

{sweet pink and blue bows and rattles}

The following Saturday marked 22 weeks!

Kayla and I headed out for a day of shopping, trying to find some steals for Asher and James and Mattie Rose. Oh yeah, William "yet to have a middle name" McShan finally has one. It's James, and that's what we will call him! After finding some great deals, we headed back to the Sisco's for some chili and time with friends and babies.

Asher and I had some serious bonding time that night, and I must say he looooves me! We just giggle and laughed together and then snoozed a little too.

{nothing cuter than a laughing baby in nothing but a diaper}

{and nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby}

{quick belly pic - the black is rather slimming compared to the blue shirt in the posts below}

And since we are still (and will most likely remain) on the topic of babies for a while, I am so happy to share some other news!!! My dear friend Kimberly, who was my roommate and sorority sister in college, finally announced that she is having a baby too!!!!! She is about 10 weeks behind me and due the beginning of September! It has been so nice and fun and exciting to be able to share such a sweet time with several of my dear friends who are getting to experience it too!

Will try to get week 23's update on here ASAP...

Hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Halfway There!

And still livin' on prayers! :)

This weekend we hit 20 weeks! Halfway? Really?

The whole awful sickness time period is almost a distant memory. I have gone back to work. And for the most part am doing great! This week's picture is a little late. We are a little closer to 20 weeks but it'll do.

We had our fetal survey ultrasound this morning, so we snapped a quick picture before we headed to the doctor.

My babycenter weekly emails say babies are the size of heirloom tomatoes. We'll go with it...

Jake had to show his little brother and sister some love.

And here are some pictures from today's visit. Sorry some of them are so dark. I was too lazy to get under more light.

{mattie rose and her pretty profile)

{4D shot of mattie rose-she kept her hands by her face the whole time}

{william "yet to have a middle name still" and his handsome sideshot}

{his 4D shot - he loves snuggling}

{comparison - he is on top and she is on bottom}

We found out lots of great and interesting things today while at the doctor:

-The babies' brains, brain stems, hearts, kidneys, bladders, stomachs, and lips look great!

-Mattie Rose takes up ALL the space and leaves just enough room for her brother to snuggle against some placenta. From the looks of it she is going to be a wild one and he is going to be the cuddler.

-The babies are measuring equal to each other, which is what they are supposed to be doing. Growing perfectly so far.

-They have all their fingers and toes.

-They both weigh approx 12 ounces each. Not quite a pound yet.

-I now weigh more than I ever have in my life. Which is totally okay, because I lost a too much weight early on from being so sick.

-I had my belly measured with the tape measure for the first time today. And was quickly informed that I am measuring equal to a woman with a single pregnancy who is 28 weeks along. Yes, that's right. I look two months further than I really am. I am going to be HUGE here shortly, I have a feeling.

I think that pretty much covers it...

We will see the doctor and our babies again in four weeks. I'm sure it will seem like a lifetime! Ultrasounds have been the best part of the pregnancy so far. Because there are two, we get to have an ultrasound at every visit! It is incredible to watch them grow and see their little personalities. It blows my mind to see and know how small they are, yet so well-developed.

I think that about covers it for the week. If I missed something, I blame it on the pregnancy brain. This weekend calls for relaxation and pampering. Getting what will hopefully be my first of several pre-natal massages and a pedicure on Saturday.

Love to you all!