What's Different?

So this isn't the most attractive photo, but the only one I had. This is a photo of Torin yesterday.
And this is a photo of Torin today. Do you notice anything different about him?

How about this picture?

Or this side view?

How about from the back?

He sure does look like a big boy now! I can't believe he is 18 months old tomorrow.

New Car

A couple of weeks ago we purchased a 2005 Ford Freestyle. With the twins on the way, we decided a third row vehicle was a must. I wasn't ready to become a van mom yet and Paul refused to buy a big SUV that would eat up gas, so we compromised on this vehicle which we both love.
The best part of this purchase...we paid CASH! Thank you Dave Ramsey!

20 Week OB Appointment

Today I am 20 weeks...officially half way through this pregnancy! WAHOO! I am actually over half way there since they will be delivered between 37 and 38 weeks if I make it that far. I have officially gained 13 pounds in these 20 weeks which isn't bad considering my belly is measuring at 29 weeks pregnant. That's right...if I had one baby in here I'd be 29 weeks along already. YIKES! I knew this belly was growing, but didn't realize I was 9 weeks ahead already. Both baby girl and baby boy sound wonderful...baby girl's heart rate was 145 and baby boy's heart rate was 150. I am having some issues with this pregnancy. I have been in a battle with anemia since the beginning of this pregnancy and right now anemia is winning. My OB has decided to take me off the iron supplements I was on and get me on some prescription iron ASAP. I will try those out twice a day (along with my prenatal vitamin) for the next month and have a bunch of blood work done again before my 24 week appt. and ultrasound. They will draw another CBC, iron panel and hemoglobin check to make sure there isn't another issue they might be missing. I am scheduled for my next ultrasound and appointment on March 5th. The anemia is really getting to me. Saying I'm exhausted at this point is an understatement. I also have low blood pressure so that isn't helping the situation today anyway.
Overall, the OB said I've got two very healthy babies with the best twin pregnancy case scenario. They are in their own sacs and have their own placentas which is awesome. She said now we have to get Mommy healthy so these babies can make it in me till June. I'll be working hard at that!
Oh, I also requested that June 7th be a possible delivery day since all of us have sevens in our birthdays. I will be 37 weeks 4 days if I make it that far. She put it on her calendar right then and there and said that was the day and an awesome goal to have for myself if I can get there. So here's to June 7, 2010, as baby delivery day...HOPEFULLY!

A future in snow removal

****The videos popped up out of order. Watch the bottom one first!*****

Torin has been able to watch his Dad shovel lots of snow this winter. He is getting pretty good at mimicking him. I bet Daddy will even buy Torin his own shovel so he can help in a few short years.

The Zoo

Grandpa and Grandma Bartmann came out this past weekend and we enjoyed the beautiful weather by going to the zoo on Saturday. Torin absolutely LOVES the zoo. We spent over three hours walking around and the photo below is one of the few moments he actually rode in his wagon. He spent most of the time walking, okay running, around chasing the geese and peacocks. He also wanted to pull the wagon all by himself!

Poop

I so wish there was a better title for this entry. Torin has been struggling with this word for three months now. No, not saying the word 'poop', actually being able to go to the bathroom is the problem. The issue started getting bad around his 15 month well-check appointment. I brought it up to our pediatrician and he said to start Mirilax with him once a day to see if that would help. Unfortunately, it didn't. Torin had gotten up to having 10-12 small BM's a day and was struggling to get each and every one of those out. His temperament didn't change during the day, but we started seeing a big change in his naps and sleeping habits at night. We (mostly Paul) were getting up with him 4 and 5 times a night with stomach cramping and there were nights where he'd be awake for two to three hours at a time. I brought him back to the doctor a week ago Tuesday (the 19th) and our pediatrician was worried. Torin actually went through his 'trying to poop' routine while the doctor was in the room so he got to see first-hand what we were dealing with. He ordered lots of tests, x-rays and blood work to be done. The tests came back negative...no strep infection or blood in his stool. The blood work came back normal...no Chrone's Disease or Ciliac Disease. The x-ray, however, showed that he was completely full of poop...literally. So we were referred to a Gastroenterologist to see what the problem is. We will be seeing this specialist on the 24th of February. He will be checking for strictures and many other things that I can't pronounce nor spell for that matter. Until then, we have T on Mirilax twice a day, have to chart all of his BM's (when he has them, the size, etc.) and hope we can figure out what the problem is soon. Mirilax twice a day is helping some. With the exception of last night, he has been sleeping through the night again and taking better naps for the past week. Last night was a rough one again, which is why I'm reminded to write this post.
We will keep you updated with how things turn out after our appointment on the 24th. We hope this issue, whatever it may be, will be fixed soon.

We're having...

Twin A is a GIRL! I wish we had a profile shot of her, but they didn't give us one on the cd. We will be having many more ultrasounds as the pregnancy progresses, so hopefully we get some more shots of her. It might be difficult to read, but below are her stats...I am 18 weeks 5 days today and she is measuring 19 weeks 1 day, weighing 9 ounces. She has all of her body parts and her heart, brain, kidneys, stomach, bladder, etc. all look perfect. We are excited to be able to buy some pink!
Twin B is a BOY and he is not afraid to show his parts just like his big brother was! We got a good profile shot of him below along with his stats. He is still bigger than his sister. Here are his stats...he is measuring 19 weeks 4 days, weighing 10 ounces. Just like his sister, he has all of his parts and all of his organs look fantastic.

We are thrilled to have two more healthy babies on the way. Many people have asked on names and we haven't even begun to discuss names at this point. We will be keeping the names a secret again just like we did with Torin, so everyone will have to wait until June to find out.