The Size of a Kumquat???

Admittedly, I am familiar with Kumquat. They are served in regularity (in season) in Japan and are quite tasty. But still.... this obscure size references crack me up! This drawing in one of my books was much more appealing looking that the alien-like photos on the Internet or in a different book. So - while tiny - kind of remarkable all at the same time.

This the paragraph I read this weekend on the "goings-on" that made me smile: Though he is the size of a kumquat - about one and a half inches from crown to rump - your baby (babies!) has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period. A time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grown and mature.

He is swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. vital organs - including his kidneys, intestines, brain and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) - are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grown on tender skin.

One book refers to the baby as a "he". A different book refers to the growing human miracle inside as a "she". Neither Shane nor I have any idea or indication or feeling about their gender. Not knowing this puts off worrying about names and decor and buying really anything. But I am wondering whose finger nails will these little babies inherit? Mine are tiny and Lula Sargent Call-like. Shane's are big and masculine and remind me of Lloyd Sargent. Funny details!

I'm feeling good... still not sick. Tired and overly warm.... and short of breath too often. But gladly! We "took" the babies to a fabulous Halloween party - and they seemed to enjoy it! :) Shane went as Sirius Black - and I went as Molly Weasley - mother of twins. It was a Harry Potter theme - and maybe one of the most impressive parties I have attended! We will definitely be signing the babies up with Aunt Anna in hostessing/party planning classes!

I also had a speaking assignment and was worried about being able to contain my emotions. But - I didn't lose it or go into indiscernible -voice and that is what we call the power of prayer! I did find for the first time that what couldn't be contained was my body in my regular skirt. But do to time - I had to fake it and not have it zipped up all the way. Crazy - because 2 weeks ago when I wore it I would have described it as "roomy". It's like I'm pregnant or something!








We have selected the right ward!

So far everything has been going really well. I haven't felt sick - excepts for maybe a few moments when I get too hungry or right before I start eating... but certainly nothing to complain about. Especially after having spent time with a dear friend during all her pregnancies (including pulling over multiple times on freeways in Las Vegas! Sorry Linds!). I have felt tired... especially at the end of the day - which makes getting anything done around the house quite daunting. It's a good thing my husband is so quick to help or nothing would get done at all!

This week - according to the books - we have been growing multiple sets of eye-lids, knee-caps and turning little webbed arm and leg buds into something that will hopefully be more useful to Baby A and Baby B someday! We've gone from pinto bean sizing to "medium green olives". I'm not really very familiar with medium green olives.... presumably because compared to the modern world we live in we don't have a lot of martini's at our house! And I'm not sure I can think of any other use for green olives.

The ward we have moved into has about 1 million sets of twins. That may be "a bi"t of an exaggeration... but tonight at the EQ Party we met two couples with twins and last Sunday we met a couple that has 2 sets of twins... but they are grown and raised. So at least we will have lots of practical, hands on information and people to commiserate with in chaotic times to come. We have had a lot of friends and family reach out to us and we appreciate their support and interest and love.

My sweet 90 year old Grandpa told me today that perhaps the reason I'm feeling so good is that he has been praying so hard for me! This was the 3rd time in a week that I have randomly ran into him.... He knows a lot about babies! He and my grandma had 10 and they have over 50 grandchildren and I lost count of the number of great-grand-children. The only thinf that matters is that I am the #1 grand-daughter (literally) and certainly his favorite (figuratively for any of my siblings or cousins that may read this) And... like I've been saying for several months... I will take all the prayers I can get.... so add us to your list!

We are excited to visualize the progress - in two weeks we have another ultra-sound!

Photos and announcements

This is a photograph of our 2nd Ultra-Sound. The first one is even MORE vague that this one. As you can see Baby A is taking up all the room and smooshing Baby B - so I'm left to assume that Baby A is a boy and that Baby B is a girl.... but others may disagree. We won't know anything for many more weeks. Our appointment with the doctor was very pleasant and he and Shane reminisced about old times. (Dr. Steven Robison). He was friends with BC back in the day. They told us that that they would be following us more closely because of the twins and my AARP status. And since that means we have to get monthly ultra-sounds and get to visually see what is going on then that is okay with me (and Shane). I'm not sure what the insurance providers opinion on that many ultra-sounds will be!


We had fun making our announcement. Krista and My Aunt Val tied for best reaction so far. Krista let out a 15 second full-out scream, while Valeen had bursts of screams which caused my sweet dementia- stricken Grandma Romrell to say, "you guys are driving me crazy!". We went from house-to-house on Monday evening after our second ultra-sound and delivered fortune cookies to both sets of parents and almost all our siblings and sent some cookies to Sheila and to Lauren via UPS. Easton has announced that he will have to take the Cutler's bus home from school to come and help (whoever the Cutlers are???) and while I still can't believe that this is actually our situation and not a television show I am watching I am sure we won't be able to get enough help!


We also received our first blanket.... sort of. Karen gave Shane his original receiving blanket yesterday. It is very cute and only a little faded! :)








We'd like to share our fortunes with you!

We are excited to share our announcement with our family and close friends. Baby A and Baby B both have their own little sacks and placentas (or would it be placenti??) and both have strong heartbeats.


We are early to be announcing but just can't keep our mouths shut any longer. After having our second ultra-sound we are going to go ahead and spill the beans... which is about the size of both the babies right now!


Thank you for your prayers and fasting and faith in our interests. We love our family and friends and are blessed with a great and amazing support system in our lives.