36 weeks strong

Pregnant with twin GIRLS!!!

My diary at 36 weeks:

(Sorry for the few weeks of silence ... to say things have been a little crazy MIGHT be an understatement. Jerome had a brain tumor removed (don't worry, all is well), but my blog has been the last thing on my mind due to that. I will update more on that later.)

How big are the babies? I have some big babies hanging out inside of me! Last week they both were estimated at 5lbs 6oz via ultrasound. CRAZY to think that I have (now) 11lbs of baby in me! If anyone says to me that I'm "small" now, I will be sure to inform them they are incorrect :) They are "supposed" to be the size of a honeydew melon, if you're looking for the fruit/veggie comparison.

Their big changes this week: Their lungs still have a bit of maturing to do, but their liver and kidneys are in working order now and they continue to pack on the ounces. CANNOT WAIT to see these sweet girlies!!!

New news/blessings?

• At 36 weeks, and after Jerome's whole ordeal, my body is REALLY feeling pregs and a bit tired. We are both ready and super excited for them to arrive any day they want now. I might be hoping it's sooner than later. ;)
• I have my Diabetes under great control ... figured out that my high early morning fasting numbers were due to my bedtime snack that my dietician told me to have. Since I gave that up, I haven't tested high once in the morning. Yipee!
• I don't know how many weeks I've had this pregnancy induced carpal tunnel, but I am excitedly awaiting for it to be GONE when the girls are born. You can find me with my fingers resting upwards most of the time to relieve pressure/throbbing. My brother-in-law says I look like I'm meditating, haha :)
• Remember that night three weeks ago when my sweet Miss Shirley woke me at 4am with crazy pressure and I couldn't sit up? Yep, pretty sure that was the night she FLIPPED. Yep, Miss Shirley, as of my ultrasound last Friday, is breech. Thankfully, she will be the second born, so as long as Miss Lavern stays head down, AND as long as I end up going into labor while my Dr. (Thorn), Dr. Faust, or Dr. Debra are on call, they will let me go naturally. After Lavern is born, Shirley might be so excited with all of her new found room she could possibly flip by herself, or the Dr. can flip her, OR they can just deliver her breech. But, my girls do CRAZY stunts in the middle of the night, so I'm hoping Shirley flips back, but it's pretty unlikely this late in the game. I'll just pray for one of those three to be on call I guess! :)
• The ultrasound tech saw they both have hair on their heads during the ultrasound! So cool! Jerome was pretty excited about that and was telling everyone. Looks like all of the ribbons/bows we have will be put to good use! Can't wait!
• Our bed is up an additional two throw pillows and two regular pillows now, due to Jerome's surgery. If you're counting, that's four throw pillows, seven regular pillows and one body pillow ... plus the two of us and my giant belly. Yes, we are lost in that mess! Neither one of us have been sleeping very well, even with the help of all the pillows. But, people tell us it's just "good practice" for what's to come once the girls arrive. We shall see!
• I've developed a "pop" in my tailbone area since last Friday. Every step I take! And I believe I might be approaching a "waddle" instead of a walk, haha! Everything is loosening up and getting ready for the marathon of birth! It's exciting (and sometimes challenging) to be getting so close to it!!!
• I  have dropped A LOT ... my belly is so low now! And I finally have some lovely stretch marks. Guess my bikini wearing days are done. Haha, who am I kidding? Bikini wearing days? Bahahahahahah! What are those? :)

Weight: 193 (last week was 188, the week before was 190)

Total gain? 37 pounds.

Inches around? 48 (three weeks ago I was 45.5)

Belly button? Innie, still. Maybe mine just won't pop?

Maternity clothes? Still the same. A little of each. Jerome is afraid tho that I'm going to stretch out my "normal" clothes now. Haha, thanks?

Braxton Hicks Contractions: Yep, all the time. Two weeks ago I had two very strong ones (stronger than I had experienced) but that was it. The girls had STRICT orders that they could not come until AFTER Jerome's surgery. Thankful for my sweet little girls who listen so well!

New dance moves? Today, the girls have not stopped moving. Period. I can feel Miss Lavern's bum bulge up a lot, and see her foot run across my belly. And I'm pretty sure Miss Shirley (who is jammed up in my rib cage) has a taser and a spoon. She tases me one time and then drags a spoon across my ribs the next. I have no idea how she got a hold of them, but they will be confiscated once she's born. ;)

Things people say: "It looks like it might snow today, you shouldn't drive anywhere." "It's a bit foggy out, you should stay home." "How are the roads? You're driving slow, right?" "It's raining out, you better go home before it gets slick." "It's pretty icy here, you need to be very careful walking." Haha! These are all things my beloved parents have said to me over the past few weeks/months. They are so concerned for my safety (or more so the girls'??) it is absolutely adorable. It's like I'm 14 all over again! Even MY CAR tells me at times, "Drive carefully, ice possible." I can't escape! :)

Silly nicknames for the bebes? Still the same, Lavern and Shirley, The Girls, Bebes, Fruit Loops.

Complaints? None! (This will never change!)

Feeling in general? So excited! And beyond blessed.

{The Fruit Loops are due February 28th, 2013!}