Week 27

New pictures! These were taken last week when I went out to lunch with my friend April. Thanks April!

Everything is going well, the babies kicked a bit during the 4th of July fireworks show we went to, and the nursery is coming along. More pictures once we're done.

We did get the double stroller put together last week and practiced getting the infant seats in and out of it. We'll have to do it a lot more before we're ready for them to arrive.

Week 26

So I'm home from work, but I'm definitely not stir-crazy yet! I'm sleeping a ton and eating lots. There's been quite a bit more movement as the weeks go on, so that's been fun. This week my momma's coming to visit so we can get the nursery started. Yippee! I kept putting that off until I was done working, and now I don't have to anymore. It's over 90 degrees right now, so I'm staying in the house for at least today and tomorrow. It's supposed to cool down again this week, but until then, I'm staying out of the heat!

At my last checkup, the babies' heartrates were in the 140's and my blood pressure is doing well, so all three of us are good to go!

I wanted to get the ultrasound pictures up for everyone last night and then I was in too great a need for sleep to finish up telling you all about what's going on. My last day of work is tomorrow so that I can concentrate on being a good incubator to my parasites full-time. Last night was also the first session for the Bradley classes that Marty and I are taking this summer. Even though with the twins my chance of c-section is higher, we want to be fully educated in husband-coached natural birth so when Twin A decides it's time to come out, we will be ready! Hopefully Twin B will be as adequately ready for arrival when A is. = ) For those of you who aren't sure why Twin A would be in charge - it's because Twin A is lower in my belly and will be the first to exit when it comes time.

I'm working really hard on getting lots of protein. Our Bradley instructor put it a good way: body builders eat a lot of protein to build their bodies, so pregnant women need to for the same reason - you are literally building a body. (Or two in my case!) I haven't been counting grams, but according to the doctor at the ultrasound yesterday since the babies and myself are all doing fine, I just need to keep doing what I'm doing. Which means I'm going to keep doing my modified kickboxing to get some activity in and eating lots. :) And I'll be getting more sleep once I can get naps in on weekdays in addition to weekends. If anyone else reading this is expecting twins, definitely get Dr. Barbara Luke's book: "When you're expecting twins, triplets, or quads." Lots of good info for what it takes to carry more than one baby!

I feel a lot more of the twins' activity now.. they were especially active during the ultrasound yesterday - they must have thought it was playtime! "Avoid the wand" was more like it! They couldn't be 100% sure of the genders because of their positioning (Twin A had closed legs), so the mystery remains. And it's been fun having Marty be able to feel their movement as well.

Week 24 - Another Ultrasound!

So we had our monthly ultrasound done today.. Still not the most cooperative little ones when it comes to photos, but we got a few.. Twin A is now 1 pound 10 ounces and Twin B is 1 pound 12 ounces. Those are each just above average for a singleton pregnancy, so that means we're all doing really well! Apparently Twin B likes to sit on A's head... which made the ultrasound technician's job really fun when she was trying to measure things in A's brain.

The photos! Can't forget those.. Twin A's face: the top of the head is on the right of the picture and those are most likely hands on the left side of the photo. You can see the eye sockets fairly well in the picture.



Then, we get to Twin B's face shot.. and B is facing the opposite direction, so the top of the head is on the left, and the rest of the body is on the right.


And we managed to just barely get a profile of Twin B again this time (we have yet to see A in profile!).That's the noggin on the left, facing up with the belly and a hand on the right.

More movin' (by the babies!)

So the twins are confirming their recent growth spurt as my belly is popping and I'm feeling a lot more movement now. Even Marty got to feel some of the action this afternoon with his hand on my belly. Twin A seems to be in a better position for me to feel on a consistent basis, but Twin B got up under my ribs yesterday and made for the first of many uncomfortable afternoons. LOL

I'm still doing kickboxing, but just the strength half of the hour (modified), not the cardio portion. It keeps me social, it's only 30 minutes, and I have better control over my heartrate. Everyone's keeping an eye on me to make sure I don't overdo it, so no worries. I'll have to keep visiting them after my doctors tell me I can't go anymore so they can see the progress my belly makes. = )

Our next ultrasound is next Tuesday, so not too much longer to wait for more pictures!

Movin' right along...

I guess it's a good thing that there's not much new stuff to report! I spent the holiday weekend eating and sleeping most of the time. I now take morning and afternoon naps, plus rest after dinner. It's tough work having these puppies growing in me. My paying day job was tough today.. I only got a morning nap in. Not quite sure how I'll make it through another month there, but we'll play it by ear and if I have to stop sooner, then I will. The babies are in charge now!

I think Twin A just kicked or punched me... Someday I'll feel them consistently enough to distinguish what's what. At this point I figure if there's no intestinal sound that accompanies the movement, then it must be a kid.

The belly demands food!

And once again, there really isn't much news to report. I feel a bit of pressure in my belly from time to time, but no flutters like everyone described. My last appointment with my "regular" OB went fine, everything is progressing smoothly. I'm still doing kickboxing and trying to stay active, knowing that I also need to get tons of rest when I do. We've cut down on my hours at work, and at this point are looking at the end of June for my last day at that particular job. Then of course I transition to full-time incubator for the little parasites. = ) Until then, I just get to make sure I lay down for at least 20 minutes every day when I get home from work to get the pressure off my cervix. Naps are good!!

It's amazing the amount of food I'm supposed to be eating to keep these kiddos healthy and happy. They do a good job of reminding me to eat every two hours though, you have to give them credit. LOL

I don't have any other appointments for a couple weeks, so there won't be much new to report for a little while longer. We also don't have the multiples birthing class starting until July, so lots to look forward to in the months ahead as we get prepared.

Back to the couch to lay down!

Week 21

Well, the kiddos in my belly are doing fine, growing normally, and are healthy. Twin A is 13 ounces and twin B is 11 ounces. We still aren't finding out the gender, though it was tempting when the doctor comes in and says "We know and if you want to know, too, just ask." Oy! Now we want to know!! But we didn't ask. Yet. LOL We also got a group photo today -- they wouldn't cooperate for faces or profiles, but we could see the heads together by the end of the session. (At the beginning of the ultrasound, B's feet were right by A's head, so they're moving around in there!).

Plugging Along

Not much news to report... just plugging along, doing double takes everytime I'm in front of a mirror. The belly is getting bigger! Still not really any "flutters", but a small amount of pressure every once in a while. It's also getting more difficult to comfortably turn over in my sleep. I've made turtle jokes for a while.. it really does change your sense of balance.

More on Friday after our ultrasound!

Brain in overdrive!

So many things are swirling around in my brain, and I realized there are a lot of things I didn't cover with the discovery of the twins last week. After chatting it over with my midwife, she can no longer deliver my babies, but wants updates and visits and to be on my call list when they come. She'll also champion for me if any of the Maternal Fetal Medicine doctors won't let me try for a natural birth. Yeah!

I'm now trying to be more open to the possibility of having a C-section since there are two trying to jostle for position down there, but as Marty and I have realized, my brain quickly processes enough stuff that I need to get it "out of my system" so I can get back to focusing on a natural birth for the babies.

I think I'm just inherently opposed to using drugs during delivery, and a C-section would require it. (DUH). We'll see how things unfold as we progress through the summer; since I've got ALL SUMMER to go! It's May 1st.. I've got at least 4 months. Oy.

Week 19, I think.

So I realize the babies are the real draw to this blog, but I thought I'd post a photo on how big I'm getting. This was taken last weekend when I still thought I was just getting to 17 weeks and with one baby. There's a belly popping out!

Not sure what week to post this as, so I'm going to say 19 and we'll get it confirmed as we have another ultrasound in two weeks. The theoretical baby sizes are all off now, too, but oh well. We'll be getting more accurate accounts from now on!

Week 18?

So in the ultrasound they checked the size to see how close we were to being right on the timing. It looks like one twin is measuring 18 weeks 5 days and weighs 8 ounces while the other is measuring 18 weeks 6 days and weighs 9 ounces. Healthy!! Both had the same 144 heartbeat, too.

Since it now sounds like I'm going to have regular ultrasounds, I'll keep everyone posted on what they come up with. If they were right yesterday, that moves my due date up a week to Sept 22nd.

TWINS!!?!

Well, I had my first ultrasound yesterday and they found two! Wha?! Yep.. twins. With no family history what-so-ever, Marty and I are going to have twins.

Here's some photos - no group ones yet, just individual ones... Here's "B" in profile. Head is on the left looking "up"; there's a hand above the nose/forehead. And the belly is on the right.





Face shot of "A".. Baby's looking straight at the camera with their face on the left and belly and arms going to the right.









Here's another face shot of "A".. The ultrasound technician couldn't get a good profile of A, so we got two face ones.











The last one is a face shot of "B".. You can see the head/face on the left, and arm reaching up and touching the cheek, and the belly.

Week 17!

Man, my mom and sister visited this week and all the sudden it's week 17! So I have new pants that actually fit my growing belly, which is a good thing since it's a 5-ounce, 5-inch large onion. Hmm.. I think I liked the avocado one better, much yummier. :)

Not much new to report, just the bigger belly. I'm definitely feeling like I'm in the second trimester now, a lot has calmed down and some energy has returned. Phew!

Week 16!

Well, I've got an avocado this week! 4 1/2 inches long and 3 1/2 ounces. Getting bigger! It sounds like the baby has quite the growth spurt ahead of it in the next few weeks, so that'll be fun. One possible kick at this point, I should start to feel more (and confirm that first one) in the next week or two.

I had my 16 week appt with the midwife today, I'm gaining a bit of weight (3.5 pounds), popping out of my jeans, and have a nice and strong baby heartbeat coming from in my belly. Everything is going fine, so I'll go again during week 20.

Since I posted this one late, you all won't have to wait as long for the next one this weekend.

Week 15!

Word is getting around about my being pregnant.. and now I'm officially into my second trimester. The baby is busting my tummy out and is 4 inches long, 2 1/2 ounces. No food comparison this week.. no comparison of any kind, actually. Hopefully they'll start up again next week.

So yes, I'm in the fun, awkward belly stage where even the one size too big pants I've been wearing are too tight around my middle, but there's no way I'm ready for real maternity clothes. I think I'll have to go shopping tomorrow and find something for this little interim period. Boy, my belly sure gets Marty giggling. :)

Week 14!

So now we've got a 3 1/2" long (head to buns), 1 1/2 ounce.... lemon? That's a teeny lemon that's only 3 1/2" long. The babycenter people must not have grown up in CA with decent agriculture. LOL. Lemon, it is.

Not much excitement this week. Just plugging along until the next round of checkups at week 16. Still some nausea in the evenings, lots of fatigue and sleeping, but I'm looking forward to being in my second trimester.

Week 13!

The food theme continues as this week our little lime has become a 3" long jumbo shrimp! (Until week 20, the measurements are head to rump.. the legs aren't included quite yet).

We got to hear the heartbeat yesterday! Very cool, but still a bit surreal.. "Oh wow, my tummy is making noises." Um, no, my parasite has a beating heart!! It was around 150-160 bpm. Very strong, too - just like mine! = ) hee hee hee

I do think I'm going to go with a midwife, I just didn't get the same feel from the OB's office. I might see about doing a meet and greet with another midwife just to make sure I have lots of options, but I was pretty happy with the one we met with yesterday. My next appt's are in 4 weeks, so we'll go ahead and do both again next month.

OB here I come!

So I did end up getting an appointment with an OB/GYN. Apparently one took pity on me and said she could squeeze me in. (Only partly kidding) I thought that was nice of her. This particular doctor is also affiliated with another group of midwives, and both sides of their office do deliveries at the hospital close to where I work, so that will hopefully be a good setup for me, whichever path I end up on.

Nothing exciting to report, but thank you to everyone for their congrats and excitement and support!

No peeking!

So I guess I should start an FAQ for this pregnancy..

Q: When are you going to find out the gender?
A: Not until the baby is born. No peeking!

Q: Why no pictures yet?

A: Patience! I'll know more by the end of this week, but I don't think I have my first ultrasound until week 16 - you've got a month. And you know I'll post them when I get them!

Q: Are you going to name it after me?
A: Not intentionally.

Q: Was this planned?
A: Nominally. True, I wasn't on birth control, but the rest we left to just "seeing what happens."

Any others? Bring it on!