We're expecting a BOY and a GIRL!

We went to the perinatologist this morning. It was so much fun! We were delighted to find out that we are having a boy and a girl (99%). Ryan, when we first got pregnant, wasn't sure he wanted to know the sex of the baby. We have since decided that we've already had too many suprises with this pregnancy. The first baby we knew the sex of was Baby A and it was definitely a boy. (I hope baby boy doesn't mind me showing off his manly parts to the world when he grows up.) This picture is a view as if he were pressing his bum to a window with a little extra package!

We were so excited. Baby brother was very photogenic and cooperative. Then we looked for Baby B. We are happy to announce that Pahnkes can actually make baby girls too! Baby girl wasn't quite so cooperative. She mostly just wanted to kick her baby brother (who happened to be at the end of her feet). Here is a picture of the foot that caused all the trouble.

This is a profile view of Baby Brother just trying to mind his own business.

This next one is Baby Girl's face. She had her hands right up by her mouth most of the time.

Here is a picture of Baby Boy's face. His arms are by his side.

They are getting too big to fit in one ultrasound picture together. They are growing fast! They both weigh 5 oz. They are healthy and happy. Everything looks like it should. (Peter, you will be happy to know that the Pahnke twins each have 5 fingers and five toes on each hand/foot.) The office was so nice and able to put the ultrasound on a VHS for us. They are going to add to the video each time we come. We're expecting another episode on May 20th.
I'm also feeling the babies now. They seem to enjoy moving around after I eat-which is good because it gives me an incentive to eat despite having a silly case of MS still. (I am doing much better with that though too! Yippee)

Thailand Trip Pictures

We went to Thailand and Hong Kong in March. We had just recently found out that we were expecting twins when we went (I was around 12 weeks), and figured this would be one of our last big trips for a while. We began in Bangkok, then traveled to a resort in Pattaya, and finished our trip with a stay in beautiful Hong Kong.


This is Ryan taking a rest by a fountain. The weather looks beautiful in the photos but it is somewhat deceiving. It was SO hot and stagnant and humid. This was a fountain near some buddhas we went to see. (We saw so many buddhas one day... it was amazing. However, that was also the day that we dropped our camera and broke it. We were able to get it fixed by a shady gentleman during the night, but we're sortof missing an entire day.)


When we arrived in Bangkok, we immediately found this tailor so that he could start on some hand made suits for Ryan. Martin (one of the friends we were traveling with) had used him when he had visited Thailand previously and recommended his work. He was very professional and kind. Ryan ordered several custom made shirts and two suits to be made. This is at the second fitting. Everything looked beautiful so the tailor exclaimed, "My dear friend, I will tell you exactly what you need. This look so smart, you must get 12 more!" We didn't order any additional peices but we are delighted with our purchase.


This is me taking a break at the palace. It was so hot and I was pregnant, tired, and uncomfy so I found lots of places to sit down and rest. The buildings were absolutely breathtaking though. Everything shimmered in the sun.


One transportation option. We took this from the palace to the reclining buddha even though they are quite close. I was reserving energy.


We found out I was expecting twins before we went on this trip. I was around 12 wks and quite tired and sick. We still wanted to go but planned for a few days at a quiet resort in between visiting Bangkok and Hong Kong. It was the perfect plan because I was able to recuperate for a few days in the middle. This is where we stayed. It was a fabulous resort/spa in Pattaya (around 1.5-2 hours from Bangkok). It is visited mostly by Europeans so they didn't want to let Ryan go swimming in his swim trunks. They only wanted to allow speedo style swimsuits in the pool. Ryan assurred him that his was an American swimsuit and even showed the lining. They weren't keen on the whole idea.


Ryan buying hats from a Thai man before we left for the island.


This is the boat that took us from Pattaya to a small island where we drank fruit juice and enjoyed the beautiful water.


Ryan and I enjoying our little beach get-a-way. After a few days in Bangkok I was in need of a few days of peace and relaxation.



Hong Kong Temple




These are the grounds of the Hong Kong Temple---tiny but very beautiful.


I didn't know that Hong Kong was central in diamond trading but while we were there we found this out and visited a jewelry factory. Ryan bought me my pearl ring there to celebrate the twins we are expecting in October.


This is outside a shopping center in Hong Kong. I didn't have a lot of shopping energy during this trip so we took a break along the water. Isn't he handsome!


On Easter, we went to see the largest outdoor bronze Buddha. It was covered in clouds by the time we left which gave it a sort of mystical feeling.

Emily Cheering

Here is a picture of Emily cheering at the championship game for women's basketball. It is her last game in middle school.

This isn't from the same game but this is Emily during a playoff game this year. 

Babies Update

Okay-this is probably what everybody really wants to see. How the babies are doing. Ryan took this picture last night before he went out of town. I'm 14 1/2 weeks here. I'm trying on my first maternity clothes! Thank you Aunt Nicole. I don't know what would have happened without her. I think I'm either too tired, too shocked we're actually having twins, or too overwhelmed to look. (I went to a maternity store this week but called my mom from inside the dressing room because I was much to dazed to make any real decisions) Nicole stepped in and sent me some that came at the perfect time.

The twins are really growing now! We heard their heartbeats last on Friday. They both have strong heartbeats and they are active, plenty of 'whoosh' kicks. Just hanging out. I'm starting to feel better, I keep hoping the morning sickness is gone for good each time I go a few meals without it, but that morning (anytime) sickness has been a persistent little bugger and keeps trying to return. We see the perinatologist next on April 20th-so I'm sure we'll have more updates then.

Here is a little black dress that Nicole sent. I love it and it is very adjustable so it should fit for a long time to come.