Did you say steroids?

With each subsequent visit to Clifton the reality of two babies becomes greater. For those of you keeping score at home, here are the details: 30 weeks, 5 days and Baby A is 3 pounds 5 ounces (a gain of 10 ounces in two weeks), Spud is 1 pound 11 ounces (a gain of 7 ounces in two weeks). Dr. Garber was pleased with the growth and the blood flow which is consistent in both. Alison (ultrasound lady) noted that Spud now has a small bit of fluid in the belly, but Garber was not concerned. As long as the growth is good and the blood flow does not worsen, he is willing to keep going. As Jeanine was having her blood pressure checked in the hallway outside the exam room Dr. Garber was telling another patient that he would be inducing her today. Jeanine and I both looked at each other recognizing that could be us any one of these visits. In the words of the great Shaggy, "Zoiks!" The other highlight of today's visit was the shot of steroids Jeanine received - the first of two; the second we have to go back for tomorrow. I double checked the doctor's name - yep, Andrew Garber, not Victor Conte - who said he does this for all multiples since it helps their lung development. The nurse said that the shot typically also causes a sleepless night for mom. We'll see how that goes. And I'll be keeping a close eye on Jeanine's church softball statistics.

I've posted some pictures of the babies' room which is nearing completion. Jeanine and a young lady from church are working on some wall hanging stuff to add variety and eventually we'll add a second crib, but they say the two will be able to be in the same one for the first few months.

Here are this week's prayer items: 1) Lung development for the babies - since they could come any time (later rather than sooner, we hope) they need development of those organs. 2) Elimination of fluid and increase of size and blood flow for the babies. 3) The big one - that they'll stay in long enough so that when they do come, they can come home without a NICU stay required. 4) Great prayer of thanksgiving for medical insurance. Thanks for all your prayers!

Don't forget to enter your guess in the baby pool. There are three categories: gender, total birth weight, and date of birth. I'm still trying to determine a scoring system but after last week's post it's clear that the prize will be two things: 1) a Starbucks gift card and 2) babysitting - yes, we get something out of this deal, too.

Iced Coffee

First, a shameless plug for my summer craving...and I'm not even the pregnant one around here. Our friend asked Jeanine last night if she had any cravings but as I sip on my cold, caffeinated, sweetened, lightened java I'm realizing that I do have cravings at about 2:30 or 3 every afternoon for the last week. Maybe next week I'll ask them to do an ultrasound on me. Hey, if Arnold Schwarzenegger can do it, why not me? What do you mean movies aren't real? Anyway, I digress. We are now 29 weeks and five days and still going strong. Both babies were very active today and the blood flow is consistent. Growth checks will be done again next week. After last week, when Baby A showed up a little more than 50% larger than Spud, we were concerned about the discordance since we had been warned about that every week at CHOP. We asked Dr. Garber about it today and he said at this point the discordance doesn't really mean anything. As long as both babies continue to grow at their own rate and as long as the blood flow is good, or at least stable, all is well. We also asked about delivery date since one of the docs and CHOP mentioned 32 weeks being the absolute latest we'd go. Again, Garber's response was as long as the babies are growing and blood flow is good we'll keep them in there. I was pleased with that since two weeks sounds really quick. Five or seven weeks sounds better to me. Jeanine, on the other hand, is really starting to go stir crazy. So we're trying to get little outings in every day. Yesterday we went to Goffle Farm to get some sweet corn. Today, the doctor followed by cupcakes and a trip to Wal-Mart for some more Boost. Such detail...but this is the highlight of Jeanine's day. So...we're a week further along and a week closer to parenthood!

Now, no one has ventured a guess yet (to my knowledge) on the babies' arrival date. I know several of you have guesses as to the gender. My problem is coming up with a suitable prize (everybody loves a contest!) for the winner. I would offer that we'd name the babies after you but we already have names picked out. Hm...ideas? I'll get the ball rolling:

Craig says the born-on date will be Sept. 25 and the total birth weight will be 10 pounds, 13 ounces and the gender will be....hehe, you thought I'd drop that one. Guesses? Prize (whatever that is) to be determined based on how you rank in each of the three categories.

Thanks again for your prayers and thoughts. One other thing - someone asked last week about the babies shedding their skin. I asked Alison (ultrasound lady) about it today and she said matter of factly, "Everyone sheds their skin. That's why you should change your sheets if not every week at least every two weeks." Hm...yes, I guess that's right.

Back to the iced coffee.

Just a few pregnancy pictures

We haven't posted any ultrasound pictures lately because they keep getting fuzzier and fuzzier. The technician (Alison) said that's because the
babies are shedding their skin and such, creating more debris in the amniotic fluid. Interesting, said I. So here are some pictures of the proud parents and especially Mama on her bedrest. Enjoy!

Ounce by Ounce

Those little babies are getting bigger but still very little. Every ounce counts! Another stable checkup on the Broek Babies reveals that Baby A is 2 pounds 11 ounces* and Spud is 1 pound 4 ounces. However, Jeanine went into the ultrasound by herself today and isn't completely sure that Alison the ultrasound technician said 2 pounds 11 ounces and not 2 pounds 7 ounces, hence the asterisk. At any rate, both babies are growing and the blood flow is consistent once again. That puts us at 28 weeks and 5 days with hopes of getting to 36 weeks now starting to become a reality, at least in our minds. Jeanine had growing concern this week for Spud since she cannot feel that baby regularly. Alison told her that she probably won't feel Spud since Spud (I'm trying really hard not to give Spud's identity away) is underneath the placenta. However, Alison did assure her that Spud is VERY active in there. Perhaps that's why this baby is smaller...the calories are being worked off by constant activity! Anyway, we are thankful to God for another good checkup and will go back again a week from today. My mom will head back to Iowa tomorrow morning very early, she's been a great help around the house for the last week and I think she enjoyed being a part of our new lifestyle at least for the time being. Someone told me once that will change when the babies arrive. Once again we thank you for your prayers and comments and support. Much love to you all!

Those Legs

27 weeks and 5 days...two days away from another graduation day and all is well in the womb. We had our appointment this morning and my mom was able to join us. She came into town Tuesday afternoon and will be here until next Thursday so she'll get to come for the next one as well. Now only 2 days away from 28 weeks when the percentages for health, strength, development, etc. go way up, the ultrasound technician (I think her name is Allison) said that the blood flow through the umbilical chords (doppler) looks very good. Spud still has some resistance, but in comparison to last week's update is doing better. And Baby A continues on his/her merry way as well. So it was a VERY uplifting visit today and we're celebrating another milestone in their development. Growth will be checked again next week and will be compared with the last month's worth of measurements. That's always an exciting time. But she did note Baby A's healthy looking leg - we saw the shin and femur very clearly which was pretty cool. Dr. Garber also was pleased with the results today and told Jeanine to "keep eating bon bons by the pool." If only, right? In the meantime, now only four weeks and a couple of days from the next graduation day which may be THE graduation day. But we're hopeful for seven or eight more weeks until that happens. I'm not ready to graduate yet. Once again thank you for your prayers. Here's an updated prayer list: 1) Jeanine is becoming increasingly achy. Please pray for comfortable rest for her for the remaining pregnancy. 2) Thanksgiving prayers for all the help we've received with food, cleaning, laundry, and visitors who help pass the time, not to mention notes and phone calls. All are extremely helpful and we're thankful to God (and you) for everything. 3) Growth and blood flow...keep praying for God to close the gap! Thanks everyone!