Friday, December 28, 2012
grow belly, grow!
I'm not big on sharing my belly via pics, but I have been taking some just for my own personal memory. And, since I've had some requests to see how big I am (or small, as some say, haha!), I will post a progressive pic here for you all. :)
Thursday, December 27, 2012
31 weeks strong
Pregnant with twin GIRLS!!!
My diary at 31 weeks:
How big are the babies? The fruit of the week is a pineapple! I love pineapple, and in fact just finished one today. Why I mention that, I do not know. But yes, the girls are supposedly the size of a pineapple. Accoring to ultrasound, they are weighing in at approximately 3lb 5 oz, and 3lb 10 oz. Little sweeties!
Their big changes this week: They are fattening up and working on growing those beautiful brain cells still. During an ultrasound, Little Miss Lavern yawned, stuck her tongue out numerous times and sucked on her hand! Adorable! Little Miss Shirley was shy (as usual), and barely turned her face to give us a look. But, she did, and she is stinking precious! Her foot was all the way up by her head ... she will be a gymnist. Or, a soccer player, because she's always kicking me down low.
New news/blessings?
Total gain? 25 pounds.
Inches around? 46 (Last week was 42.5. Holy cowboy, that's a jump!)
Belly button? Innie, still.
Maternity clothes? Still the same. A little of each.
Braxton Hicks Contractions: Yep, still. I should start counting how many times a day I experience them. Tonight a few of them were so tight that my belly was so high on one side it looked absolutley hilarious! The feeling is amazing! And, I know that it's my uterus (and not my abs) that's rock hard, but I like to hope that I keep the rock hard "abs" I feel like I have now once the girls are here! Haha, fat chance, I know. I can dream tho! :)
New dance moves? I know the girls are on either side of me again and Lavern is back to being my mover and shaker. She is constantly on the move! Shirley is still my quiet one, like I said earlier, but I now know that it's her kicking me low, and she jabbed me pretty good in the ribs the other night. It made me exclaim, "Ouch!", which was a first! I was also wide awake yesterday morning from 4 am on, and both of them were bopping around. Maybe they were playing "Dance, Dance Revolution" or something? And, I'm pretty sure I have felt hiccups numerous times. Like I've said before, I am going to really miss the movements in my belly after they're born ... but am so willing to make the trade! :)
Things people say: "Your life is really going to change. No sleep, you'll never go anywhere, you'll be constantly feeding them ... (blah, blah, blah!)" I tell ya, I don't know why some people feel it's their mission in life to see a pregnant woman and try and make them feel awful or something! What in the world? I was so annoyed by a man this past weekend who saw us and then proceeded to say something similar to the above. I finally said (being smart), "You know, I don't think it will be that different. We worked for years with high schoolers, and if we can handle 22 teens all at once, we can handle this." He just snickered and said, "You just keep telling yourself that. You got to send all those teens home, you will be stuck with yours all the time." I could have pulled my hair out.
With all due respect, to anyone who would try to rain on my parade of these little girlies, I am (we are) SO STINKING EXCITED for every single aspect that comes with these precious little girls! You can point out every single "negative" you can think of that comes along with raising a little one, and I will never, ever see it as a negative. Only a blessing. When you go so long without the hope or joy of experiencing pregnancy, or having a little one, to finally being given that gift, NOTHING could steal that joy and thankfulness. Sure, there will be days I'm frazzled, or haven't slept, or showered, or have no idea how I will accomplish what I need to accomplish, but the fact that I am frazzled, sleepless, dirty, or unproductive ... well, they are just signs of the extreme blessing these little girls have brought. Bring on the dirty diapers, bring on the JOY! End of story.
Silly nicknames for the bebes? Still the same, Lavern and Shirley, Bebes, Fruit Loops. I have been having an enjoyable time with various friends and family trying to guess their names. Pocahontas and Plimpton are two of my favorites right now, along with Platypus, Pedicure, and Poland. Simply hilarious!
I don't think I've explained on here that the girls will have names that start with the letter P. Our girls have three genetic sisters, and their names all start with the letter P. We thought it would be a sweet connection to keep the P theme going, don't you think? We love that we are able to do that! And, we love the names we have picked out! That's why everyone guesses names/words that start with the letter P, haha!
Complaints? None! (This will never change!)
Feeling in general? So excited! And beyond blessed.
My diary at 31 weeks:
How big are the babies? The fruit of the week is a pineapple! I love pineapple, and in fact just finished one today. Why I mention that, I do not know. But yes, the girls are supposedly the size of a pineapple. Accoring to ultrasound, they are weighing in at approximately 3lb 5 oz, and 3lb 10 oz. Little sweeties!
Their big changes this week: They are fattening up and working on growing those beautiful brain cells still. During an ultrasound, Little Miss Lavern yawned, stuck her tongue out numerous times and sucked on her hand! Adorable! Little Miss Shirley was shy (as usual), and barely turned her face to give us a look. But, she did, and she is stinking precious! Her foot was all the way up by her head ... she will be a gymnist. Or, a soccer player, because she's always kicking me down low.
New news/blessings?
- I am feeling very thankful that I am this far along, and am not as worried about complications should I go into early labor now. I am, however, slightly freaking out about the adventure of giving birth. Oh my, how is that possible?! Yikers! I'll be fine, no worries. Just the thought of it makes me shake my head and say, "Noooooo!" :)
- I am proud to say that I did very well over Christmas with my Gestational Diabetes. Didn't test high once! My morning fasting number is still slightly higher (by only a few points) than they want, but I am trying to fine tune my routine to keep it low. I can do it!
- I'm on week 5.5 of no couch ... but did reward myself once yesterday and a few times today when I found out the girls are both still head down. But it wasn't for too long because I just got worried that they'd flip if I relaxed there too long. Back to the floor, sister!
- Traveling to Rochester for Christmas gave me the first chance to bring my now packed hospital bag along, just in case. Crazy to think that I could need it any time now in the next few weeks!
- The girls either hate or love my singing, as they go crazy moving around when I sing (Christmas music has been non-stop for me for the past few weeks), and I quite enjoy their reactions. Though, I'm leaning towards that they hate it, because when I sing fake opera getting ready in the morning, they jump around just as much. Haha, and there's NO WAY anyone likes my fake opera singing! :)
- I think I can breathe a bit better than I had been able to. I don't know if that means they are sinking lower, or that I've just adjusted to the way I have to breathe that it doesn't seem as difficult any longer?
- In two weeks I start to rotate through the rest of the OB Drs at my clinic. My Dr said, "Well, I suppose I should make you see them, or they'll be mad at me." Haha, he didn't didn't want to give me up I guess!
Total gain? 25 pounds.
Inches around? 46 (Last week was 42.5. Holy cowboy, that's a jump!)
Belly button? Innie, still.
Maternity clothes? Still the same. A little of each.
Braxton Hicks Contractions: Yep, still. I should start counting how many times a day I experience them. Tonight a few of them were so tight that my belly was so high on one side it looked absolutley hilarious! The feeling is amazing! And, I know that it's my uterus (and not my abs) that's rock hard, but I like to hope that I keep the rock hard "abs" I feel like I have now once the girls are here! Haha, fat chance, I know. I can dream tho! :)
New dance moves? I know the girls are on either side of me again and Lavern is back to being my mover and shaker. She is constantly on the move! Shirley is still my quiet one, like I said earlier, but I now know that it's her kicking me low, and she jabbed me pretty good in the ribs the other night. It made me exclaim, "Ouch!", which was a first! I was also wide awake yesterday morning from 4 am on, and both of them were bopping around. Maybe they were playing "Dance, Dance Revolution" or something? And, I'm pretty sure I have felt hiccups numerous times. Like I've said before, I am going to really miss the movements in my belly after they're born ... but am so willing to make the trade! :)
Things people say: "Your life is really going to change. No sleep, you'll never go anywhere, you'll be constantly feeding them ... (blah, blah, blah!)" I tell ya, I don't know why some people feel it's their mission in life to see a pregnant woman and try and make them feel awful or something! What in the world? I was so annoyed by a man this past weekend who saw us and then proceeded to say something similar to the above. I finally said (being smart), "You know, I don't think it will be that different. We worked for years with high schoolers, and if we can handle 22 teens all at once, we can handle this." He just snickered and said, "You just keep telling yourself that. You got to send all those teens home, you will be stuck with yours all the time." I could have pulled my hair out.
With all due respect, to anyone who would try to rain on my parade of these little girlies, I am (we are) SO STINKING EXCITED for every single aspect that comes with these precious little girls! You can point out every single "negative" you can think of that comes along with raising a little one, and I will never, ever see it as a negative. Only a blessing. When you go so long without the hope or joy of experiencing pregnancy, or having a little one, to finally being given that gift, NOTHING could steal that joy and thankfulness. Sure, there will be days I'm frazzled, or haven't slept, or showered, or have no idea how I will accomplish what I need to accomplish, but the fact that I am frazzled, sleepless, dirty, or unproductive ... well, they are just signs of the extreme blessing these little girls have brought. Bring on the dirty diapers, bring on the JOY! End of story.
Silly nicknames for the bebes? Still the same, Lavern and Shirley, Bebes, Fruit Loops. I have been having an enjoyable time with various friends and family trying to guess their names. Pocahontas and Plimpton are two of my favorites right now, along with Platypus, Pedicure, and Poland. Simply hilarious!
I don't think I've explained on here that the girls will have names that start with the letter P. Our girls have three genetic sisters, and their names all start with the letter P. We thought it would be a sweet connection to keep the P theme going, don't you think? We love that we are able to do that! And, we love the names we have picked out! That's why everyone guesses names/words that start with the letter P, haha!
Complaints? None! (This will never change!)
Feeling in general? So excited! And beyond blessed.
{The Fruit Loops are due February 28th, 2013!}
Thursday, December 20, 2012
30 weeks strong
Pregnant with twin GIRLS!!!
My diary at 30 weeks:
How big are the babies? Seriously? One site says they are as big as a head of cabbage and the other says they are as big as a cucumber. Huh? Without comparing them to totally different vegetables, the girls are supposed to be around 3 pounds each and over 15 inches long!
Their big changes this week: They have the strength and coordination to grip a finger if it were offered them right now. They can have mine any old day! Can't wait! Their eyesite is also up to 20/400 right now, only to be improving as the days go by! They can track light right now, and could see something that was right in front of their beautiful little face.
New news/blessings?
Total gain? 24 pounds. I am down a pound from last week. No biggy.
Inches around? 42.5 (Last week was 44. I've shrunk an inch and a half?)
Belly button? Innie, still.
Maternity clothes? Still the same. A little of each.
Braxton Hicks Contractions: Yep. Every night for sure, and a few during the day sometimes! I especially have them on my upper right side. So much so, I can see the muscle mound up and get tight. It really is amazing how God created our bodies!
New dance moves? These girlies LOVE to move! And I LOVE feeling them move! (I'm going to miss it!) Sounds creepy weird, but I wish my belly were transparent so I could see what they are doing! Wouldn't that be amazing? My belly is lop-sided a lot of times as well. I'm assuming it's because the girls are sitting pretty much on top of each other? My left side bulges out more on occasion and it's quite hilarious looking!
Things people say: "Oh, you must feel awful!" I don't know what exactly makes people say things like this, but I get this one a lot. Without rubbing it in too much, I just say "Nope! I feel great!" Really, this is a super blessed time for me, and I am completely loving each moment of being pregnant. Cookies, or no cookies!
Silly nicknames for the bebes? Still the same, Lavern and Shirley, Bebes, Fruit Loops ... I do call them "the girls" most often though. And, it is getting really hard for me to not tell their real names now. Maybe I'll spill their middle names soon on here. We shall see!
Complaints? None! (This will never change!)
Feeling in general? So excited! And beyond blessed.
My diary at 30 weeks:
How big are the babies? Seriously? One site says they are as big as a head of cabbage and the other says they are as big as a cucumber. Huh? Without comparing them to totally different vegetables, the girls are supposed to be around 3 pounds each and over 15 inches long!
Their big changes this week: They have the strength and coordination to grip a finger if it were offered them right now. They can have mine any old day! Can't wait! Their eyesite is also up to 20/400 right now, only to be improving as the days go by! They can track light right now, and could see something that was right in front of their beautiful little face.
New news/blessings?
- I honestly can't believe sometimes that I am pregnant, let alone 30 WEEKS along! It is so crazy, beautiful, and I am in awe of the blessing every single day. God is amazing!
- The gestational diabetes is starting to get to me a bit, only in the sense that I WANT A COOKIE! Haha! I'm going to ask my dietician if Christmas Eve/Day can be free days so I can eat all the little treats that I want to those days! We shall see what he says :) It's all good though. I will keep these girlies healthy and happy even if it means no cookies for me for the next few weeks. I can do it!
- I'm on week 4.5 of no couch.
- Tonight I started packing a hospital bag. Too early, you say? Naw. I'm just prepared ... and slightly excited!
- A friend of a friend gave us a little monitor so I can try and see if I can hear them inside. I was able to pick up both of their heartbeats today with it. Pretty cool!
Total gain? 24 pounds. I am down a pound from last week. No biggy.
Inches around? 42.5 (Last week was 44. I've shrunk an inch and a half?)
Belly button? Innie, still.
Maternity clothes? Still the same. A little of each.
Braxton Hicks Contractions: Yep. Every night for sure, and a few during the day sometimes! I especially have them on my upper right side. So much so, I can see the muscle mound up and get tight. It really is amazing how God created our bodies!
New dance moves? These girlies LOVE to move! And I LOVE feeling them move! (I'm going to miss it!) Sounds creepy weird, but I wish my belly were transparent so I could see what they are doing! Wouldn't that be amazing? My belly is lop-sided a lot of times as well. I'm assuming it's because the girls are sitting pretty much on top of each other? My left side bulges out more on occasion and it's quite hilarious looking!
Things people say: "Oh, you must feel awful!" I don't know what exactly makes people say things like this, but I get this one a lot. Without rubbing it in too much, I just say "Nope! I feel great!" Really, this is a super blessed time for me, and I am completely loving each moment of being pregnant. Cookies, or no cookies!
Silly nicknames for the bebes? Still the same, Lavern and Shirley, Bebes, Fruit Loops ... I do call them "the girls" most often though. And, it is getting really hard for me to not tell their real names now. Maybe I'll spill their middle names soon on here. We shall see!
Complaints? None! (This will never change!)
Feeling in general? So excited! And beyond blessed.
{The Fruit Loops are due February 28th, 2013!}
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Dr. T
I just have to brag on this guy for a moment. He's pretty great.
This is my OB, Dr. Thorn. From the moment I met him, he's made me feel like the most special gal in the world. I'd like to say that I'm his favorite, but I'm pretty sure he makes all his patients feel that way. Or, maybe I really am his favorite because I bring him cupcakes on occasion? Who knows, haha!
At my first appointment with him (after the first transfer was unsuccessful and we decided I needed surgery to remove two small polyps, in case they were posing a problem), he was so sympathetic, and assured me I would some day be pregnant. I felt like he cared about me like he would his own daughter.
When I saw him for the first time after becoming pregnant with the girls, I can't tell you how many times he hugged and kissed me, and then went down the hall grabbing every nurse he walked by telling them "She's having twins! Isn't that incredible?!"
He listens to me, encourages me, and is excited for my girls almost as if they were his own! I'm very thankful for him!
Some of my favorite quotes from him:
Two girls! You are the perfect woman for two girls! All that drama!
Don't be offended, but you're a girly-girl. You are!
Hon, you're the cream of the crop.
You tell that nurse SHE needs to be flexible!
Look! She's waving at you! Hi Mom!
Well of course you're not cold. You've got two heaters in there.
What does "thumping" mean?
I'm not going to B.S. you ...
Please, please. please don't let random people in Wal-Mart touch your belly!
I realize that some of those won't make much sense to you without the complete conversation, but they are still funny to me!
Oh, and right after this pic he gave me a big kiss on the cheek. :)
This is my OB, Dr. Thorn. From the moment I met him, he's made me feel like the most special gal in the world. I'd like to say that I'm his favorite, but I'm pretty sure he makes all his patients feel that way. Or, maybe I really am his favorite because I bring him cupcakes on occasion? Who knows, haha!
At my first appointment with him (after the first transfer was unsuccessful and we decided I needed surgery to remove two small polyps, in case they were posing a problem), he was so sympathetic, and assured me I would some day be pregnant. I felt like he cared about me like he would his own daughter.
When I saw him for the first time after becoming pregnant with the girls, I can't tell you how many times he hugged and kissed me, and then went down the hall grabbing every nurse he walked by telling them "She's having twins! Isn't that incredible?!"
He listens to me, encourages me, and is excited for my girls almost as if they were his own! I'm very thankful for him!
Some of my favorite quotes from him:
Two girls! You are the perfect woman for two girls! All that drama!
Don't be offended, but you're a girly-girl. You are!
Hon, you're the cream of the crop.
You tell that nurse SHE needs to be flexible!
Look! She's waving at you! Hi Mom!
Well of course you're not cold. You've got two heaters in there.
What does "thumping" mean?
I'm not going to B.S. you ...
Please, please. please don't let random people in Wal-Mart touch your belly!
I realize that some of those won't make much sense to you without the complete conversation, but they are still funny to me!
Oh, and right after this pic he gave me a big kiss on the cheek. :)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
29 weeks strong
Pregnant with twin GIRLS!!!
My diary at 29 weeks:
How big are the babies? The size of a butternut squash. The girls are about 2.5 pounds each and around 15 inches long. They are so big!
Their big changes this week: Their lungs continued to mature this week, and their brain is busy developing millions of neurons. And from my lack of smarts during this pregnancy, they are going to be smart, smart, smart! :)
New news/blessings?
Total gain? 25 pounds. I asked my Dr. if I was "too small" (see below) and he just made a funny noise and said, "You are JUST FINE! Don't listen to other people!" Love that guy!
Inches around? 44 (no change)
Belly button? Innie, still.
Maternity clothes? Somebody please tell me if I'm ever wearing non-maternity clothes and they look ridiculous, k? I put on a shirt that I had been wearing frequently in the past few months to realize it looked like I was going to blow every button off of the shirt. I doubled over in laughter, and then quickly tried to take it off to only get stuck in it!
New dance moves? This whole time I've thought that Baby A (Lavern) was more active than Baby B (Shirley) because I feel more movement on my left side than my right. But, it turns out that Shirley is pretty much sitting on top of Lavern (they are head to head, and then both of their bodies go off to the left, with Shirley's feet swinging around to my right). So, I'm not exactly sure who I'm feeling all of the time now!
Things people say: "You're due when!? With twins!? But, you're so small!" I don't really think I'm "small", but this is a constant comment I get. Sometimes, especially if it's another pregnant Mamma, it's almost said in irritation or slight anger? I usually just shrug my shoulders and say, "I'm sorry." to the pregnant Mamma, or, "Thanks!" to anyone else. I just today got a "You look ridiculously good." ... I'm not exactly sure what that is supposed to mean, but I laughed.
Silly nicknames for the bebes? Ok, ok. I need to clarify. Lavern and Shirley ARE NOT the girls' real names, haha! I've had quite a few people ask me if that is what we were naming them! Oh my! Nope, nope, nope! Those are for sure ONLY silly nicknames! :)
Complaints? None! (This will never change!)
Feeling in general? So excited! And beyond blessed.
My diary at 29 weeks:
How big are the babies? The size of a butternut squash. The girls are about 2.5 pounds each and around 15 inches long. They are so big!
Their big changes this week: Their lungs continued to mature this week, and their brain is busy developing millions of neurons. And from my lack of smarts during this pregnancy, they are going to be smart, smart, smart! :)
New news/blessings?
- I'm doing well with the gestational diabetes. I met with the diabetic clinic and they are having me keep track of ALL my food intake and monitor my blood sugar 4 times a day. Yes, that means I have to stick myself with a needle. Four. Times. A. Day. I've decided it's the pregnancy of needles! All in all, I'm doing very well with it and met with the clinic a second time and they are very pleased with my numbers. I've only been "high" once, and I ate at a Mexican restaurant that night. I blame my inability to control myself in front of a bowl of chips and salsa for the high reading. We've said our goodbyes (the chips, salsa and me), at least until after the girls arrive. :)
- I'm on week 3.5 of no couch, and pretty dang proud of myself! My bum is a bit sore from all the sitting on the floor, but it is so worth it! This week, BOTH of my girls are still head down! They will get extra kisses for keeping that up when they are born. Aw, who am I kidding? The kisses will be in abundance no matter what.
- I'm still having many a sleepless stretches at night (longest was 4 hours), but have enjoyed the little perks of being awake in the middle of the night, like feeling the girls move, move, move! They love to dance in the middle of the night!
- Birth plan is finished, and I'm quite pleased with it. And, our Bradley coach has agreed to be our doula, and I'm super pumped about that as well!
- For the past week and a half I've been feeling Braxton Hicks contractions. Just a mega tightening in my belly in various places. Makes me excited! My body is practicing to bring these girls into the world! Though, I'd like them to hang on for quite a few more weeks before that happens ... practice, practice, practice, but nothing else! :)
Total gain? 25 pounds. I asked my Dr. if I was "too small" (see below) and he just made a funny noise and said, "You are JUST FINE! Don't listen to other people!" Love that guy!
Inches around? 44 (no change)
Belly button? Innie, still.
Maternity clothes? Somebody please tell me if I'm ever wearing non-maternity clothes and they look ridiculous, k? I put on a shirt that I had been wearing frequently in the past few months to realize it looked like I was going to blow every button off of the shirt. I doubled over in laughter, and then quickly tried to take it off to only get stuck in it!
New dance moves? This whole time I've thought that Baby A (Lavern) was more active than Baby B (Shirley) because I feel more movement on my left side than my right. But, it turns out that Shirley is pretty much sitting on top of Lavern (they are head to head, and then both of their bodies go off to the left, with Shirley's feet swinging around to my right). So, I'm not exactly sure who I'm feeling all of the time now!
Things people say: "You're due when!? With twins!? But, you're so small!" I don't really think I'm "small", but this is a constant comment I get. Sometimes, especially if it's another pregnant Mamma, it's almost said in irritation or slight anger? I usually just shrug my shoulders and say, "I'm sorry." to the pregnant Mamma, or, "Thanks!" to anyone else. I just today got a "You look ridiculously good." ... I'm not exactly sure what that is supposed to mean, but I laughed.
Silly nicknames for the bebes? Ok, ok. I need to clarify. Lavern and Shirley ARE NOT the girls' real names, haha! I've had quite a few people ask me if that is what we were naming them! Oh my! Nope, nope, nope! Those are for sure ONLY silly nicknames! :)
Complaints? None! (This will never change!)
Feeling in general? So excited! And beyond blessed.
{The Fruit Loops are due February 28th, 2013!}
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)