37 weeks

Sorry for the poor quality photo!
37 weeks + 1 day

40 Week Due Date: April 28th - But my induction is scheduled for next Monday morning, April 14th.

Weight Gain:  I gained another 3 pounds, bringing my total weight gain up to 40 pounds for this pregnancy.  Considering I'm carrying at least 12 pounds of baby, 2 placentas, and a whole lot of blood and extra fluids, I'm thinking that I will lose at least half of it after they're delivered.  Or at least I'm hoping that.  I'm just so short that carrying around this extra weight is tiring!

How I Am Feeling: Ok, so I'm not feeling so great these days.  My swollen fingers and feet are actually really painful.  My right hand/fingers get tingly and go numb from time to time throughout the day. especially when I use them.  I wake up not able to bend any of my fingers, and when I get out of bed my feet are in a lot of pain.  I'm just feeling large over all and it's uncomfortable.  I think I had false labor Sunday night, and I got really excited about it.  But things slowed down once I got home church and was getting ready for bed.  I haven't felt cramping since then.  My membranes were successfully stripped on Monday afternoon, but nothing happened after that, despite a walk and drinking Balsamic Vinegar.  Here are some photos of my lovely hands and feet:

They've been worse than this!

It's hard to tell (maybe) how swollen they are, but believe me...

Movement: They are still squirming around and loving the Lemonberry slushes I've been getting from Sonic during happy hour the past 2 days :)

Sleeping: Sleeping is tough.  It's very hard to turn sides in bed and inevitably I fall asleep on a hand or with my wrist bent, only to wake up with it numb and in then in pain!  Oy vey!

Clothing:  Still the same, but I'm managing to find some outfits that work.  Some of my maternity shirts aren't fully covering my belly!  Here is evidence:

I kept thinking, #shouldibeembarrassed as I was out for a walk :)

Activity:  I have been out for a walk everyday for the past week.  These past few days, I was hoping that it would get labor going, since I had my membranes stripped yesterday, but there has been no action whatsoever.  I went for a longer walk today, and all it did was send me literally waddling home in a panic because I had to go to the bathroom so bad.  I'm sure I looked ridiculous!  :)

Most Looking Forward To: Labor to start--or my induction!  I really didn't want to get to the place of needing an induction... just because I've heard horror stories and also just the worry that if I don't progress, then they go to Pitocin, then it's really painful, then I get an epidural, then their heart rates might drop, then they might tell me I need an "emergency c-section"... I just know it can be a slippery slope.  My doctor will start out slow, with Cervidil gel... so I'm praying that if we get to Monday, that the gel is all that I'll need!  Trying to trust the Lord.  

Thankful For:  The fact that these boys have made it to full term!  What a miracle!  (I guess bedrest worked?)  As much discomfort I am in, I am so thankful that they will be full-sized little humans.  No NICU, in Jesus' name.  No worries about their lungs.  They can come whenever they want!  I never thought I'd get to 37 weeks.  

Andy and I went out for dinner last Saturday night--thinking it would be our last childless date night!  But I think we'll have to plan for another one this weekend.  Then we'll really live it up!  

36 Weeks

Sorry, no belly pic.  I'll try to post one on Monday!

40 Week Due Date: April 28th - But my doctor will not let me go past 38 weeks, which is April 14th.

Weight Gain: Well, sadly, I gained 7 pounds of water weight in like 2 days last week.  I started to swell a ton and my cankles wouldn't even go away after a night of sleeping with them propped up.  My blood pressure has been stable and normal, so the doctor wasn't too concerned.  I see her again tomorrow, and we'll see if the weight has gone down at all.  ***Update:  I did see her on Tuesday, and my weight was stable; I hadn't gained anything else.

How I Am Feeling: I am honestly feeling pretty well, considering that I'm carrying about 10-11 lbs of baby.  My back is very very sore... and I think I overdid it with a tennis ball up against the wall the other night, and now my back muscles are tender to even the slightest touch.  But my energy is up (minus the afternoon naps that are necessary), and I overall just feel good.  I feel like I could go to 38 weeks...  ***Update:  I will see the doctor again on Monday, and she's going to strip my membranes in attempts to get labor going naturally!  In hopes to avoid induction.  I'm realllllly excited for this and hope I start contractions that afternoon!  Eek.

Movement: They are really active these days!  I've been feeling Baby B (who has been feet down for most of the pregnancy) kicking me up in my ribs, so I'm wondering if he really did flip!  But he's tricked me before with putting his little feet over his head, so who knows.  I feel them a lot in the evenings and in the middle of the night when I get back in bed after a bathroom trip.  

Sleeping: Well, sleeping is tough, but that's a given.  Some nights I toss and turn a lot, and every night I go to the bathroom at least 3 times, my max has been 5 times.  I have taken Benadryl at bedtime several nights, and that really helps, but then I wake up with dry mouth and feeling extremely groggy.  So, I don't like to do that often.

Clothing: Getting dressed has become kind of a nuisance!  haha.  It's getting hotter out, so I'm not loving pants, but I don't have any maternity shorts.  I have these OLD mesh shorts that I've been wearing around the house.  I have 2 skirts that work, but even those are annoying.  If I could walk around in my bra and underwear, I would.  The belly is just so huge that covering it with the stretchy maternity fabric is very annoying.

Bedrest: Well, last week I was officially off of it.  I have definitely been more mobile, but it does wear me out.  I went swimming at my parents' house on Saturday, and that really felt good.  I got some exercise in my kicking my legs a lot, and my muscles definitely feel sore now.  But a good sore.  I'm going to swim at my friend Lauren's apartment today (Monday), and tomorrow (Tuesday) I'm going for a walk with another pregnant girl who is 2 1/2 cm dilated already.  We'll see how long the walk will last for me, but it will be nice to exercise.

Most Looking Forward To: Meeting these little men!!!  ***Update:  I had my last ultrasound today (Thursday), and Baby A weighs 5 lbs 7 oz and Baby B weighs 6 lbs 6 oz!  What?!  So much baby!  I'm so thankful that they're growing so well!  B will definitely be the bigger brother, even though he's going to be younger (by a few minutes).  And guess what--Baby B flipped, so now he's HEAD DOWN!  Woohoo!

Thankful For: God's faithfulness and nearness.  I have been feeling really guilty for not being on bedrest but not working... and then not working for another 12 weeks once they're born.  And the financial strain this is creating.    I can't go back to work because my short term disability would end, and we need those benefits now and for the first 6 weeks post-delivery.  Sunday night I had a dream with a tiny little bird in it (I accidentally hit it with my hand and killed it, but we won't talk about that part...), and then on Monday morning during my quiet time outside, the birds were just out of control.  Like there was a bird convention going on.  All kinds of birds, too--hummingbirds, mourning doves, bluejays, crows, little cutie birds...  Just flying around, hopping around near me.  I felt like God was telling me, out of Matthew, that He takes care of the sparrow, so how much more will He take care of me.  And the sparrow even makes her home near the altar of God, so also should I find my home and rest in His presence.  I just felt peace.  He is our Provider and takes care of our every need.  I just needed a little (or in my face) reminder.  

35 weeks!

Wow, I look huge!  

I see my doctor on Wednesday and have my last ultrasound tomorrow.  We'll find out if Baby B has flipped around or not.  Praying that he has!

I'm feeling good but more and more uncomfortable with contractions.  But they're still just Braxton-Hicks... I think?  Sometimes I feel more painful twinges, but no labor.  I'm hoping for April babies, so just one more week and then I'll be ready to welcome them whenever they want to come!  :)

The nursery is coming along.  I did this chalkboard quote today that I found on Pinterest:

So sweet! 

34 Weeks and other happenings

How Far Along:  34 weeks and 2 days

Weight Gain:  I've gained a total of 30 lbs so far.  No weight gain in the past 2 weeks.   

How Big are the Babies?  Approx. the size of cantaloupes.  Baby A weighed 4 lbs 5 oz and Baby B weighed 4 lbs 13 oz last Friday.  36th %ile and 55th %ile.

Movement:  Less kicking and more shifting around.  Baby A is still head down and seems to enjoy being snug in that position.  He has less fluid to move around in than Baby B does.  Baby B is bigger and has more fluid--what a stinker! :)  Baby B has been enjoying the breech position for the past several weeks.  I'm hoping he flips around when it's go-time, but he may not.  He still sometimes kicks me down below, but he's also more just shifting positions.  I love feeling their body parts pushing out.   
Belly button in or out? It has definitely flattened out and is somewhat an outie, but not quite.  

What I miss:  Nothing!

Milestones:  I have made it this far with them still inside!  I am so thankful they're still growing away inside the womb.  I feel like I could make it to 38 weeks, but my doctor seems to think I won't get that far.

Food Cravings:  WATER.  I can't drink enough of it.  And Diet Cokes from QT.  Food wise?  Nothing really.

Aversions: Not much, just still fried food.

Symptoms: Super tired due to insomnia at night.  I've been taking Benedryl to help me sleep, but I don't want to get too used to that.  I have developed seasonal allergies, too.  Not fun!  I'm not sure if that's just par for the course living in Arizona or pregnancy-related.  

Best Moment this week: My good friend Amy was in town again (just saw her in January) to visit her sister, who lives in Tempe.  It was fun spending time with her.  Also, my doctor said I could let up on bedrest this upcoming Monday, when I'm 35 weeks.  

What I'm looking forward to:  Finishing the nursery!  Installing the carseats (still haven't gotten around to that...).  I'm also definitely looking forward to going for a stroll next week.  I can tell that I've lost some muscle tone or at least energy from lying around and not doing anything.  

Andy and I have been enjoying these last few weeks of our family just being a family of 2.  He is really my best friend, and I can't imagine doing this without him.  I just love spending time with him.  Last week was a lighter work week for him due to Spring Break, so we had a lot more time together, and I was sad when he had to go back to training school this monday!  We keep saying, "Pretty soon, it's not going to just be the two of us!"  We're SO excited to meet our boys, but I'm savoring these last childless days.  

Something I've been enjoying while on bedrest is sitting outside to do my time with the Lord or just sitting in the sun.  This sweet little kitty has started visiting me everyday, and I've fallen in love :)  It doesn't take much for me with animals!  I named her Minerva (after Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter) because my family names our pets after HP characters... hehe.  I call her Minnie, and she is just precious.  Yes, I asked my mom to bring me some cat food so I can feed her, too.  Look at her beautiful blue eyes!  She comes inside the house sometimes, too.  I have no shame.

                             

Lifelong friendships are the best. <3 p="">

Kiki, me, and Amy

33 Weeks

How Far Along: 33 weeks 3 days

Weight Gain: I haven't stepped on the scale this week, but I only gained a pound over 2 weeks at my last appt.  My total so far is about 30 pounds.  

Symptoms: Well, thanks to the magical medicine, Reglan, my "morning sickness" or extreme sour stomach/vomiting has somewhat subsided.   I have had  a couple mornings where I've gagged, but overall I'm doing much better in that department.  I have realized that it's really important that I sit up after eating, for at least 30 minutes, or else the reflux is killer.  Usually I just go lie down (doctor's orders!), but now I'm sitting.  My lower back is sore if I haven't done a good job of bedresting that day.  My stomach still tightens up a lot throughout the day (not sure the Nifedipine is helping my contractions...).

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty well, considering how large I am.  I usually wake up to pee anywhere between 12:30 and 4 am.  I also was waking up with extremely sore hips, so I added another body pillow to the mix (sorry, Andy!), and that has helped.

Preparation: We've done a lot to the nursery--I'm so thankful!  Andy set up the cribs (I helped as much as I could from the ground), and we rearranged furniture.  I set up the Expedit shelving unit (from Ikea) that will house books and toys (eventually).  My mom made beautiful curtains!  We have the crib mattresses and a set of sheets for each crib (still need mattress pads and more sheets), and we have our changing pad and lots of diapers!  The stroller is set up and ready to take the car seats.  OH!  We need to install our car seats!  Hello!  Probably the most important thing...

Miss Anything? Oh, just being about to go out and about and see people.  It's hard to be so dependent on others.  And I miss going for walks and runs.  

Cravings: IN LOVE with English muffins and Raisin bread, toasted, with Brummel & Brown butter and raspberry jam.  I'm going to have to kick this carbs habit after the babies come!

Looking Forward to:  We finally have another growth measurement ultrasound tomorrow am!  I can't wait to see how much they weigh!  I'm a little worried that Baby A has moved back to a breech position, based on what I felt him doing the other day, but maybe he's moved back...  we'll see.

I will leave you with this hilarious picture of me in one of the motorized scooters at Target!  (I really had to go to Target to get somethings for a gift I was assembling for my sister's 30th birthday.  I'm trying to be good and not cheat on bedrest!)

**Hilarious.  I just noticed that I had left something written by another blogger that I get the topics to write on from... I'm not Mormon and my grandma and another lady did not stop by my house with fruit.  hehe, oops!

Pregnancy Update! 32 Weeks 4 Days

I realize that I haven't done a weekly update in a couple of weeks.   I think it's due to the fact that I can't get out of bed in time for Andy to snap a photo, and then I always forget or don't feel camera-ready at the end of the day!   A lot has changed in the past 2 weeks.  For one, I was put on bedrest, then I asked if I could still work and she said yes, then I was put on absolute strict bedrest a week later, for the remainder of my pregnancy.  So, I eeked out a couple more days at work, and then had to start my short term disability.  Last week I was bummed about that, but this week I can't even imagine getting up early and going to work.  I feel miserable!  Now, I know that I prayed and asked to feel nauseas and sick and wanted these symptoms for years...  I am still SO thankful for this pregnancy and the miracle of these 2 boys, but I'm just being honest in how these last few weeks are feeling.  It's tough carrying two!

I think because my stomach is so huge, my reflux has been in high gear this past week.  I'm nauseas all the time, but especially in the early morning and when I get up (although, now I'm on/off awake starting around 2:30am).  I usually gag and throw up when I brush my teeth or spend a few minutes with my head over the toilet bowl.  I know, lovely.  It really is miserable!  I didn't have this in the first trimester... I think having the huge belly and hovering over the toilet/sink just compounds the awfulness.  My doctor wrote me a prescription for Reglan, which helps empty the stomach faster, so we'll see if that helps... I would think so!  I can hear the acid just sloshing and gurgling around in my stomach when I go to bed. Yuck.  On Tuesday I was so sick, we ended up going to OB triage in the middle of the night because I was dehydrated and my stomach hurt so bad.  I got a liter of IV fluids and IV zofran, which did help for the night.

The belly is so big, it's getting harder and more uncomfortable to turn sides in bed.  I'm like a big troll, huffing and puffing.  Sweet Andy always asks, "Is there anything I can get you??" and I say pathetically, "Nothing."

I saw my doctor today, and I'm 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced!  I'm currently on Nifedipine, a blood pressure medicine that is used to stop/slow contractions, and she just wants to keep me on that.  She said she'd be happy if they came at 34 weeks.  Um, that's like 10 days away!  I am partly super excited for them to arrive and to have some use of my body back, but I also am hoping they make it to more like 35 weeks.  I just don't want them to have to spend any time in the NICU.

Baby A is still head down--praise God!  We can continue to move forward with plans for a vaginal delivery as long as he stays that way.  Now, Baby B has just been having a grand ole time flipping back and forth from breech to head down.  Now I can tell when he's doing it--it feels crazy!  Like my stomach is going to burst open.  He's just enjoying himself.  If he's head up at the time of the delivery, Dr. Hollar will attempt to turn him externally, and if that is unsuccessful, then she will deliver him breech.  Yikes!  We'll see if I go for an epidural or not... that sounds quite painful.  

Next week I'll get another growth ultrasound.  They should be past 4 pounds each at that point.  I hope they've grown even more!  I want some chunky babies :)  Oh man, I'm so excited to meet them and see what they look like.  

The nursery is... coming along.  I think I'm going to recruit some friends to help me decorate.  I really have no energy even if I wanted to cheat on bedrest, and after a few minutes of sitting on the ground and getting up, etc, I can feel my contractions getting worse.  So that's not a good idea. 

Ok, so I'm feeling miserable physically, but emotionally I am excited and can't believe their birthdays are just around the corner!  Ah!

30 Weeks!

How Far Along:  30 weeks today

Weight Gain:  Ok.  Definitely think I've gained 5 pounds in the past couple of weeks.  We'll see what the doctor's office says on Friday.  

How Big are the Babies?  heads of cabbage

Maternity Clothes: Yes.  But have also broken out some regular pants and the Belly Band in the past week.  

Movement:  Kicking a lot but also slightly shifting sometimes and wedging themselves into places... like under my ribs!  Now I know what that feels like :)  They were both head down on Friday (yay!), so I'm hoping that stays true.   
Belly button in or out? Still an innie.

What I miss:  Nothing!

Milestones:  Every appointment we have, we hear how great it is that we've reached (fill in the blank) weeks... so again, 30 weeks is great.  On Friday, Baby A weighed 2 lbs 13 oz, and Baby B weighed 3 lbs 1 oz.  They're getting bigger!!

Food Cravings:  Cereal and bagels again.

Aversions: Not much.

Symptoms: Super tired.  Sour stomach/reflux is back with a vengeance in the mornings, so I'm back on Zantac 150.

Best Moment this week: I loved getting to surprise celebrate 2 awesome people in our church who got engaged this weekend!  There was a whole house of their friends hiding out when they got back to drop off their friend.  So sweet!  And we found out that Andy's brother and sister-in-law are having a boy!  Lots of Salsky boys.

What I'm looking forward to:  My shower on March 1st!

29 Weeks

I'm definitely getting bigger!  These little boys are GROWING.  Here's the latest picture of their squishly little faces...

My first week back to work was a success.  I'm feeling pretty well overall.  I have had this sore muscle ache/intense pain in my upper right diaphragm area for a couple months now, and that was pretty achey this week, but I feel good.  I'm not sleeping well, so I'm exhausted, but other than those things, I'm well!  I'm so thankful to be able to be up and about some... though I'm trying to rest a lot.  It was so great to be at church last night.  I hadn't been there in 3 weeks!  Fun to see people.  

We're getting closer to being "ready" for their arrival (which hopefully won't be for another 8 weeks!).  We are registered for the hospital Childbirthing Preparation class, which will be the evenings of March 3 and March 17th. Andy spent most of Saturday sanding, priming, and painting a dresser/changing table we bought off Craigstlist.  We still need to buy the cribs, but I'm thinking we can do that any day now.  (From Walmart).  So, the nursery is somewhat coming along.  We're keeping it the blue that we had painted last year, so we need to just set it up and decorate.  

Also, we purchased our carseats!  Yay!  Here's the first one (the second is en route... exactly the same):

It's the Britax B Safe infant carseat.  Can't wait to fill them with babies!  :)

28 Weeks and great news!

28 weeks 1 day

How Far Along:  28 weeks - Welcome to the Third Trimester!
Weight Gain:  My doctor says I've only gained 18 lbs, but I think I've gained 20 lbs or so.  I was never a fixed weight to begin with, so it's hard to say. My belly is measuring at 36 1/2 weeks today, though!
How Big are the Babies?  Eggplants

Maternity Clothes: Yes.  Loving the pants and long tank tops to wear under things.

Movement:  Yes, they are active!  But apparently they are developing regular sleep patterns, and I definitely notice they're quieter at different points throughout the day.  They are definitely up when I'm going to bed and waking up.  
Belly button in or out? Still an innie.

What I miss:  Well, I'm still so thankful to be pregnant and can't wait to meet these little boys.  But I have to say I miss getting a good night's sleep.  I've just been having these crazy vivid dreams that wake me up, and it's hard to fall asleep for some reason.  Andy is having no troubles sleeping through the night, though!  haha ;)

Milestones:  28 weeks is again a MAJOR milestone for babies.  I'm so so thankful they're still inside and doing well.  And also...  I've been cleared from bedrest!  Praise the Lord!  My doctor is comfortable with me going back to work but really taking it easy other than that.  No standing for more than 30 minutes and listening to my body really well.  I will still need to make lots of time for resting, but I'm so glad for this news.  I just have a lot I feel like I need to do in the next 2 months.  But I went to Target for about 15-20 minutes and was WIPED OUT.  So, I'm definitely aware of what bedrest did to my muscles and energy.  I will for sure be taking it easy.  Also I know that the babies are safer when I rest a lot.  

I also found out that I passed my Glucose Tolerance Test with "flying colors", and I'm not anemic!  Woohoo! 

Food Cravings:  Nothing really... but maybe pizza?  But I always crave pizza, pregnant or not!  LOL!

Aversions: Nothing.

Symptoms: Super tired.  Sour stomach/reflux is back with a vengeance in the mornings, so I'm back on Zantac 150.
Best Moment this week: The great news I received at the doctor this am!

What I'm looking forward to:  Hearing if our boys will have a boy cousin or girl cousin to play with come June!  Andy's brother and his wife are pregnant and found out the gender on Friday.  They are mailing us something fun that will tell us... can't wait!! 

Here are some other pictures of things happening lately...

 My mom completed Baby A's baby quilt!  I love it!  The Winnie the Pooh fabric is a muted "toile" style print--so it's not over the top Pooh or Disney.  It's so precious.  She did a great job!  We just picked out Baby B's fabrics.  His will be a vintage-style baby cowboys print; more of a western style quilt.  It's going to be precious! 

A lot of what I did on bedrest was read (I read a total of 5 books) and do logic puzzles/games!  This game was so fun, and I felt like a mastermind doing the whole book of puzzles in an hour or so.  It's called Chocolate Fix... you get snapshots of each box of chocolates, and you have to figure out the order of the chocolates.  It was entertaining.  I also discovered KenKen puzzles, which come on the crossword puzzle page of the New York Times magazine. It's a kind of number puzzle, kind of like Sudoku.

I was also quite proud of myself for doing these poufs for a bridal shower I'm hosting this Saturday!  Joy usually does the poufs for showers we've had in the past, so this time I had my hand at it.  To be honest, they're kind of tedious to do, but they add so much color and fun to a room, they're worth it.  

27 Weeks!

You won't find me in this vertical position for very long these days!
Oh, bedrest.

How Far Along:  27 weeks today--the last week of 2nd trimester!
Weight Gain:  I've only gained 20 pounds so far.  I haven't gained any weight while being on bedrest...  I know I should be with the boys growing, so I'm trying to eat more (healthy) snacks.  I'm definitely losing muscle mass, though!  So maybe that's why.
How Big are the Babies?  Apparently the size of a head of cauliflower... whatever that's supposed to mean.  Who comes up with this stuff?  They're roughly at least 2 lbs and 14.5 inches long.  At their last growth ultrasound, about 10 days ago, Baby A was 40th percentile for weight and Baby B was 58th percentile.  Little guys, but right on track.

Maternity Clothes: Yes but also sweats are good too :)

Movement:  They are back to their normal bouncy, kicky selves this week.  Baby A roundhouse kicks me in the early morning after my second trip to the potty, between 2-5 am.  I love it!  I really will not get over it.  I love watching my stomach move and bounce when I'm just lying down.  Last Friday we saw them again real quick on the ultrasound, and they had their little heads together, forehead to forehead.  Even though they have the dividing membrane in between, they can still bond and conspire together :)  Precious.
Belly button in or out? Still an innie, but it's flattening out.  I have the smallest belly button known to man, I think.

What I miss:  So, I am officially on strict bedrest until February 3rd, when my doctor will reevaluate things.  So  I can definitely say I miss the freedom to move around, get errands done, go to work, WALK, etc.  But this is what is best for the boys right now, so I'm trying to have a good attitude, and when I don't, I ask Jesus to help me have a happy heart :)

Milestones:  27 weeks is huge!  I have my Glucose Tolerance Test on Thursday am.  I'm definitely nervous about this.  I know there's nothing I can do about it, and my chances are higher with twins of having Gestational Diabetes.  I go in between being nervous and just not thinking about it.  

Food Cravings:  I have been wanting meat--like hamburgers and roast beef.  The Yahoo sandwich from Dilly's Deli is AMAZING.  I will have had 3 by tomorrow at lunch (a friend is kindly bringing one by!)

Aversions: I don't think there's anything right now, but sometimes I'm hungry and nothing sounds good.  I think that's just me being annoying though.

Symptoms: Um, nausea?  What's up with that?!  I've been nauseas and gagged the past 2 mornings after getting up and brushing my teeth.  I still have tightening in my stomach but nothing too major.  And when it's major, I take 600 mg of ibuprofen, per the doctor's orders.  Ibuprofen is safe (under medical supervision/direction) until 32 weeks gestation.  If you take it around the clock (which sometimes you do if you're having regular mild preterm contractions), then you need a weekly ultrasound, as it can deplete your amniotic fluid levels.  But anyway, I'm not taking it like that, so we're good.  Just an interesting fact for you!
Best Moment this week: There have been several "moments" of friends and my mom stopping by to say hi, bring a meal, or bring me coffee.  I feel so blessed.  I love our community!

What I'm looking forward to: February 3rd--my next OB appointment.  I'm hoping since things looked stable on my ultrasound last friday (cervical length stayed the same as well as the funneling), she will lift the strict bedrest orders and change them to modified bedrest...  allowing me to return to work and just really take it easy otherwise.  I would be happy with that!

25 & 26 Weeks - And Bedrest?

25 weeks

26 weeks--don't I look funny with my hair like that?  haha.
I'm not drying it these days since it requires me to stand for too long. 

 How Far Along:  26 weeks
How Big are the Babies?  size/length of cucumbers or green onions

Maternity Clothes: Yes!

Movement:  Well, yes, they're pretty active.  But over this past weekend, there's been some unwanted "excitement" involving OB triage, being admitted to the antepartum unit to monitor for contractions...  they were super busy and active until we got home late Saturday, and they've seemed to chill out the past few days.  But they are rumbling and tumbling around in there, for sure!  When we had our ultrasound on Friday, Baby A had his legs up over his head the whole time--it was so funny!  Doing his yoga :)
Belly button in or out? My little innie is flattening out!  

What I miss:  I've been put on bedrest... so I miss normal life for sure. Read below for more deets. 

Milestones:  Well, reaching 26 weeks is major for these little guys.  24 weeks is the earliest that a baby has been born and lived, and their chances of survival only grow as the weeks go by.  Obviously, I do not want them to be born anytime soon, but this is good news.

Food Cravings:  Nothing really, but fruit is still delish.

Aversions: I don't think there's anything right now!

Symptoms: I'm having tightening in my abdomen a lot more than usual... maybe these are the contractions everyone is concerned about.  And some back pain.  The great thing is my swelling has decreased significantly.
Biggest Moment this week: So, we went in for our routine ultrasound on Friday to check their growth, etc.  They both looked great.  Baby A weighs approximately 1 lb 11 oz and Baby B weighs 1 lb 14 oz.  At the very end, we checked the length of my cervix, routinely.  Unfortunately, the ultrasound tech saw that mine had shortened by 1.5 cm in the past 4 weeks, which isn't good.  There is also "funneling" of my cervix, which indicates that it might be dilating on the inside.  The Radiologist came in and talked to me about everything, asking if I've been having any contractions, etc.  Nothing that I knew of... this is my first pregnancy!  I don't know what aches and pains are good or bad.  My OB was notified and she sent me to the hospital OB triage to be monitored for contractions.  We stayed there for about 4 hours.  They only saw uterine irritability--no contractions.  But the doctor on call was very serious about everything and said that it's very important that we keep these babies in (agreed!) and that I need to be on bedrest until I see my doctor again.  I got a steroid shot and was told to come back 24 hrs later to get the second shot--these are prophylactic in case the babies come in the next few weeks--the steroids help build up their little lungs.  He also wanted me to come back the next day to get a test done-- fetal fibronectin.  If it's positive, I will be admitted; if it's negative that's great.  So, I was planning on returning 24 hrs later at 3pm Saturday, but I was woken up at 3 am by intense tightening in my belly and back pain.  I moved to the couch but really was uncomfortable for the next few hours.  I didn't know what to do, but finally around 6:30 am I paged the on call doctor, and she told me to come in now.  Sigh.  So, we went back to OB triage and I ended up being sent to the antepartum unit for observation.  Over the course of 8 hrs, they saw 5 contractions, which wasn't too bad, and my fFN test was negative.  Praise God!  So again I was sent home on bedrest.  I have a follow up with my OB tomorrow, and we'll find out if bedrest is going to last or if it'll just be for a little bit.  I'm obviously hoping to not have to be on bedrest!!  I would love to be able to keep working and lying around all day long is NOT fun to me.  Especially when I have so much I feel like I still need to get done :(  I'm definitely taking this week off of work.  This is all a little nerve wracking (to say the least), but I'm continuing to learn how to trust God in the midst of difficulty.  We're holding onto His promises of life!

What I'm looking forward to: My appointment tomorrow!

24 Weeks!

Early morning before work.

Instead of doing my usual weekly post, I'll be a little more anecdotal :)

Today I'm 24 weeks and 3 days.  I feel like my belly has grown a TON over the past 2-3 weeks.  I'm loving it!  I really feel pregnant now (read:  short of breath with stairs, hard to bend over or reach to the ground, hard to get out of bed) and sometimes waddle or hold my back when I walk!  I still feel pretty well overall, thank you, Lord!  I think some ligaments are stretching and squishing on my right side, as I'm having some intense pains in my ribs in the back and front, but that's to be expected.  I'm getting a massage tomorrow, which will be lovely!

I was going to get a massage last Friday, but I cancelled it because I needed to get an ultrasound of my left leg to rule out a clot.  I've had more swelling in my left leg than in my right ever since I started experiencing swelling, but last week I started having leg pains and was just nervous.  I don't have a clot, though, praise God!  So I think I'm chalking it up to hip pain.  My blood pressure has remained normal and stable, which is good, too.  So the swollen ankles (lovely cankles at the end of the day!) just comes with the territory of carrying twins.

The boys are so active now!  I feel them all day long and early in the morning when I'm waking up.  I love them so much and can't wait to meet them.  Their little kicks and pokes and flip flops are so fun.  I'm just so amazed with this whole process, the miracle of pregnancy and the creation of life.  What a blessing it is to carry these little guys inside me!  My belly is big and tight all day long and sometimes feels like I'm about to pop already, but Andy keeps reminding me I'm only going to get bigger :)  Crazy.  My doctor is happy with my weight gain...  I've only gained about 17 pounds, and I'm more than halfway done, so I'm curious to see where I end up.

My glucose tolerance test is in 2 weeks.  I'm a little nervous about that but trusting God in it all.  I'm trying to lay off sugary stuff, but sometimes a girl just needs her chocolate! ;)  There's a higher chance of having gestational diabetes with twins because you have 2 placentas to deplete your resources, but it's definitely not a given, so we'll see.

If you can believe it, we have 11-14 weeks until these boy arrive.  The expected arrival window for healthy twins is 35-38 weeks.  If they haven't come by 38 weeks--April 14th--my doctor will induce me.  So now I'm just saying my due date is April 14th (not April 28th, which is 40 weeks).  We are down to crunch time, it feels like, to start working on the nursery, research cribs and highchairs and carseats and strollers, etc.  We started a registry last weekend, but I'm still not sure about the carseats and highchairs. I know the highchairs aren't priority, so we may even wait on those.  Carseats, though--those are important!  A neighbor of ours with twin boys offered us their carseats, so we need to go check them out.  If they're in good condition, we might take them!

Yesterday at the hospital, I saw a mom walking to the clinic holding the hands of her identical twin boys, who were dressed alike.  It was so sweet, and it got me so excited to raise boys.  We have their names and words from the Lord to believe over their lives, and I just can't wait to meet them.  (Have I already said that??)  We're saving their names until they're born.  I want to keep some element of surprise :)

Our next ultrasound is on January 17th.  I'll post pics of the babes then.

23 Weeks

Yes, I'm brave enough to post a pic of my in my bathing suit!  Yikes.
I enjoyed a few minutes in the hot tub at my parents' house.
The temp was still pretty low, like a bath.  It felt amazing.

How Far Along: 23 weeks and 3 days
How Big are the Babies? Roughly the size of mangoes.

Maternity Clothes: Yes!

Movement:  They are moving around all the time.  Feeling your baby kick has been something I've been fascinated with for years, and now I actually get to feel mine.  It's so fun. I mostly feel them in my sides and down below in my pelvis.  I know there's still time for them to flip flop around before they settle into permanent positions for delivery, but I'm trying to imagine them head down... we'll see if that works!  I'm curious to see what positions they're in at our next ultrasound on Jan. 17th.  Someone does this move that shudders and shakes.  Is he flipping or hiccuping or what?  So funny.
Belly button in or out? Normal.  Innie, but I'm flattening a bit.  

What I miss: Well, to be honest... sleep!  My stomach feels like it has doubled in size over the past couple of weeks, and sleep is beginning to evade me each night.  No, I don't have a pregnancy pillow... I don't really want to spend the money!  I've tried with a body pillow, though, and that doesn't really help.  Side sleeping has become very uncomfortable, which is really the only position allowed.  Plus, when I sleep on my sides, my hands fall asleep from the weight of my body on my arm blood vessels--at least I think that's what's happening.  After tossing and turning most of the night, I finally propped myself up on the couch around 5 am this morning and slept til almost 8.  I told Andy that I may be sleeping on the couch for the remainder of this pregnancy!  

Milestones:  I'm officially feeling pregnant.  I still feel pretty well, considering, but my belly feels huge and sometimes I waddle or need to hold my back when I get up!  I've wanted this for ages, though, so I'm happy to be waddling :)

Food Cravings:  Still nothing.  

Aversions: I don't think there's anything right now!

Symptoms:  Still the numb tingly hands intermittently throughout the day and when I sleep.  Swelling in my lower legs and ankles.  It's also getting harder to stand up from a laying down or sitting position.  haha, I'm sure I'm a sight to see!
Best Moment this week: We enjoyed time away with Andy's family last week and ending up spending 4 nights up in Paradise Valley at my parents' new house with my brother, sister, and grandparents, too.  It has been a really relaxing past couple of weeks, and I'm so thankful.  I think I'm really taking time to rest in all senses of the word, and I feel really refreshed.

What I'm looking forward to: All that 2014 has in store!  I was so eager to take down my Christmas decorations yesterday, and I realized it's because I'm ready for this new year to get going :)  Oh, and I'm getting a pre-natal massage tomorrow.  Yay for Christmas presents!

21 Weeks!

How Far Along: 21 weeks
How Big are the Babies? The length of bananas

Maternity Clothes: Oh yes.  I've borrowed some pants, shirts, and dresses from a coworker and loving maternity.  I still have a few things of my own and can use the Belly Band to hold pants up with, too.

Movement:  YES!  Finally at the end of week 19 I felt my first flutter.  Now, their movements are recognizable, and I love it!  How can little kicks and somersaults be "cute"?!  But they are!  :)
Belly button in or out? Normal.  Innie.

What I miss: Nothing.

Milestones: Feeling their movements.

Food Cravings:  I'm not really craving anything!

Aversions: Fried food

Symptoms:  Numb tingly hands when I wake up in the morning.  Reflux.  Swollen ankles at the end of long days :(
Best Moment this week: Seeing my belly pop out and people telling me I look pregnant.

What I'm looking forward to: Our ultrasound this Thursday!  Can't wait!!

19 Weeks!

How Far Along: 19 weeks and 2 days
How Big are the Babies? They are each about the size of a mango (I think in crown to rump measurement, that's how long they are...)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Eek...  I've gained a few more pounds these past few weeks!  

Maternity Clothes: I'm still wearing most of my own clothes.  I have one pair of pants that I can still button, but everything else I have to wear a Belly Band to hold up my pants.  I just borrowed a lot of maternity shirts and dresses from my coworker, so that's nice.  I need to get some pants now, though.

Movement:  I still can't feel those little guys!  I had another appointment today, and my doctor seemed a little surprised, but she also said because of the positioning of my placenta, I might not feel them as soon as other people would.
Belly button in or out? Normal.  Innie.

What I miss: Sleeping without coughing all night--ugh!  I can't kick this bronchitis. 

Milestones: Hitting the halfway mark (counting 38 weeks as my max)!

Food Cravings: Eggs?

Aversions: Fried food

Symptoms:  Numb tingly hands every so often.  Reflux.  Swollen ankles (bummer!)--just today.  
Best Moment this week: Dr. Hollar chasing them around to hear their heartbeats as they squirmed all around my belly.

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing the boys again on Dec. 20th for our next ultrasound :)

At our appointment today, the doctor measured my uterus for the first time.  I'm measuring at 28 weeks!  That's crazy!!  Especially because I don't feel like I have really popped yet.  She said I could have a deeper pelvis and she commented on my "tight abs".  I liked that :)  Funny because I don't really have tight abs, but it was nice to hear.  I feel like my uterus is growing lengthwise but not outwards.  Oh well, I know I will get huge one day soon!