Twins and an engagement?

When it rains it pours....there are a lot of special things happening in everyone's lives right now. Elizabeth's sister, Jacquelyn, is getting married next June and we had an engagement party for them this past weekend. In between childbirth classes and joining the church we had the opportunity to celebrate their engagement. We had a great time getting to meet Jonathan's family and catching up with a lot of friends we have not seen in a while.

One of our neighbors pointed out that this was the last Halloween we would both be at home handing out candy together. Starting next year I will be like the rest of the dads on our street - walking door to door with their kids around the neighborhood. I guess the girls won't really be walking around the neighborhood and I won't have to remind them to say "trick or treat" and "thank you", but it will still be one of their 'firsts' - their first Halloween. We are only 34 days away from of lifetime of 'firsts' for them and for us and we can't wait!

Are you sure you're ready?

The last time I left you, I was in route to Boston for work on Sunday. Shortly thereafter, on Tuesday night at some time approaching midnight, I got a call on my cell phone from a frantic Elizabeth. Her lower back was hurting, she had "sudden" swelling of her ankles, and there was a general feeling of uneasiness....all "signs of preterm labor". After the last couple weeks of telling folks I was "ready" for the girls to be here, I realized I may not be 100% ready. Fortunately, Elizabeth had just overdone it that day - perhaps a little too much shopping. After the "gold star" report from the doctor today, it looks like we are good to go to make it to December 4th. I have time for another class at the hospital and a few more weeks to really get ready.

Both the girls are a little over 3 lbs each - at 3lbs 3 oz and 3lb 5 oz. Space is getting a little tight in their current home and as a result we didn't get any good 3D pictures this time. Hopefully next time. Someone is certainly ready for them to get here so she can dress them in all their new clothes.

Time for a shower

This past weekend the pink was for the girls. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen so much pink in my entire life. If you don't believe me take a look at the photo gallery below. A big thanks to everyone that helped out and was able to attend. Elizabeth had a great time and we are both very appreciative of every one's generosity.

Shower Pictures

Another highlight of the weekend was getting to catch up with some of my friends. We had a little too much fun on Friday night ("my shower"), which made for a long day on Saturday. One of the funniest parts of the weekend was when our friends, Chip and Lauren, brought their 9 month old son, Hill into our room first thing on Saturday morning and put him in the bed with us. Of course he was wide awake and moving around so I had to jump up, fight through the fog of the previous evening and entertain him. It was pretty funny. The point being - this was a preview into my new life - except that there will be two little ones ready to be entertained first thing in the morning and it will be every morning. Unfortunately the weekend came to an end and I had to head out of town for one of my last overnight trips for work. Not many more of those before December 4th!

Smile for the camera

Well we finally had some luck with the 3D ultrasound this week. Check out the new pictures. The right side is baby B and left side is baby A. The girls are still growing about 1/2 a pound every two weeks weighing in at 2 lbs 6 ounces and 2 lbs 12 ounces this week. We also have a date! Elizabeth is scheduled to deliver on December 4th! I can't believe it. The time is flying by so quickly. 50 days and counting....

We rented the movie Knocked Up this weekend and I have to recommend it if you have not already seen it. While some parts were a little vulgar for younger audiences, the movie nailed so many of the issues a pregnant couple goes through. It was funny to see all those situations from the outside having just gone through them ourselves. We kept nudging each other every time there was a scene that reminded us of ourselves - and there were a lot of them.

It is back to school again this week. We have a multiples class at the hospital on Thursday. Do I see another PowerPoint presentation in my future? I will let you know how it turns out. Wish me luck.

The pink is for Team Neil not the girls.....yet

Well don't put it past my wife to host a brunch for 60+ people when she is less then 2 months away from having twins. The walk was a huge success. A ton of people showed up in support of Neil plus we raised a bunch of money for the 2007 Komen Race for the Cure. The brunch was a great way for everyone to catch up and get to know some new folks as well. We had to fill the neighbors in on what was happening beforehand so the pink balloons did not send a signal for everyone to come rushing over to see the girls.

Click here for more pictures of the brunch. If someone has the group picture from the walk please send it our way!

http://picasaweb.google.com/julianwhiteiii/2007KomenRaceForTheCure

Fortunately for Elizabeth she got to eat some of the cupcakes at the brunch after the results came back negative from the gestational diabetes tests. I had no idea that women could develop a form of diabetes during pregnancy. It only affects about 4% of pregnant women annually, but the risks are much higher for mothers of multiples. Needless to say it was a great day for everyone. Not only did Elizabeth not have to worry about a restricted diet, but Pearce and I did not have to worry about Elizabeth being on a restricted diet (see picture from Halloween in July - it is really almost Halloween now!). But enough of the pregnancy statistics.

We are heading into the 28th week on Thursday! Ideally we have another 8 weeks, but at this point we have to be prepared for anything. A new friend just had her twin boys. She had them slightly earlier then anticipated so my travel schedule is being closely monitored. It looks like day trips from here on out. I will post the new ultrasound pictures later this week.

Pearce can't wait for his sisters to get here! We are still holding out hope that he will take right to them and not get too jealous.