Week 30

***30 Week Update:
We had an awesome ultrasound yesterday. The normally cold and sterile ultrasound tech was super friendly and even turned on the 3D ultrasound for us! She was super chatty and talked all about her experience with a c-section and my doctor who performed it.

Emma Cate is weighing in at 3lbs 2oz and Holden is a bit bigger at 3lbs 8oz. That's a lot of baby in my tummy! We saw Dr. Wicker who is hilarious, and he commented on how much bigger my belly has gotten. I did indeed gain some weight this week my official weight gain is 23lbs. I think that I'm holding onto a lot of fluid. My rings wouldn't come off without a fight today so I'm taking them to the jeweler this afternoon to be resized.

Both Emma Cate and Holden look fabulous. They are swallowing fluid well and their systems are working perfectly. My cervix is still holding strong at 4.65cm. Holden has turned head down and it looks like a vaginal birth is possible, even though I'm still leaning towards the c-section. I've got two (large-if they take after Mom and Dad) baby butts pushing on my rib cage and causing me grief when I have to sit up straight. I'm thinking of moving the reclining glider into the family room to sit on instead of the couch for time being.

I talked to Dr. Wicker about my contractions and he suggested I cut my hours to part-time or stop working all together. I'm not quite ready to do that yet. As a teacher, you can't really cut hours down to part-time so I'm just going to plan on leaving as soon as I can in the afternoons (luckily I have planning last period) and keeping my feet up.

Yesterday I stayed seated most of the day, kept my feet propped up, laid down for almost 2 hours at the doctor's office and still had contractions when I was leaving. I think they are going to come no matter what and my best defense is LOTS of water, keeping my bladder empty, and changing positions.

My doctors want to see me every week now and I'm nervous about scheduling all this coverage for my classes. At this point of the year, no teacher wants to work extra during their planning period and I just hate asking for it but I don't really have a choice. I've got 4 sick days left and I'm trying to hold off on using them.

Here are a few pictures of the babies from yesterday:

Holden- hand is in front of face in all of these pictures

Holden

Holden

Holden 

Emma Cate snuggled up to Holden's head

Emma Cate

Emma Cate

Emma Cate 

 

30 weeks 1 day

Please excuse the unmade bed!

I feel like this picture is most like what I look like in real life!

30 weeks 1 day

30 WEEK POST:

We're in the 30s! So exciting. I am so happy to have carried the twins this far but I am soooo uncomfortable.

This week has brought us a lot of pregnancy challenges and not a ton of positives (except for the biggest being that I am still pregnant at 30 weeks! and that I PASSED my three hour glucose tolerance test with flying colors- YAY!!!!). I've been feeling very very tired this week. The extra energy I had is dwindling. People are commenting on how huge I am and I've definitely got my waddle on. Contracts are happening a lot and I've been scared a few times when I've had several within the course of an hour in the evenings. We've debated calling the nurse line and heading to the hospital to get them check out but I'm almost positive they are just braxton hicks as they haven't developed a pattern. They come on in the evenings and I assume they are just warning signs that I need to rest, relax, and drink more water!

All of the baby blankets, sheets, and towels have been washed and organized. Tonight's mission is to pack my hospital bag. I go in for my ultrasound tomorrow and our labor and delivery class nurse has told us multiple mommies to have everything ready to go when you go to each ultrasound after 28 weeks. Scary but I'd rather be prepared!

Jay and I attended childbirth class last night and had a different teach than the first class we attended last week. The rest of the class must have thought the first teacher was awful too because only two couples (including us) came back for the second class. The class was sooo informative and real. The teacher was awesome and told us "how it really works" compared to just reading from the text provided. While I'd been considering trying a vaginal birth if both babies were head down (I have a feeling they are right now), I think I've decided that c-section would probably be better for giving the least stressful entry into this world that I could. I'm also feeling more comfortable with the length of the hospital stay after a c-section compared to the 2 day stay after a vaginal birth. That is definitely not the main reason but to two new parents of twins, we want all of the help and education we can get before bringing them home!

I'm looking forward to my mom and sister coming in town for mother's day. It will be really good for Jay to get out of town for the weekend and be relieved of his duties around the house. Hopefully he can get some rest and relax while he visits with his mom this weekend.

I have my doctor's appointment tomorrow so I'll update with more specifics and some pictures but until then...


Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Pregnancy Countdown: 56 or less days

Size of babies: A cucumber. The babies are 15.2-16.7 inches long and weigh between 2.5- 3.8 pounds (it will be interesting to see what they are measuring at tomorrow!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 25 pounds. Up 6 pounds this past week. I definitely feel like I've gained that much in my stomach. These babies had better be huge!

Maternity Clothes: Yes, tried to put on a tank to sleep in last night and the hem around the bottom was cutting into my belly! Not a pretty sight.

Gender: Girl- Emma Cate and Boy- Holden.

Movement: I had a chick-fil-a milkshake yesterday and babies went nuts. I'm feeling some definite jabs and gurgles (I'm not sure how else to explain it). Entire bodies are moving around and pushing against my insides to get out!

Sleep: Sleep is terrible. My belly weighs too much to even lay on my back on the couch to watch tv. When I lay on my sides, my hips fall asleep and I think I'm having restless leg syndrome. Last night Jay told me that I was waking myself up every 10 minutes kicking my legs. Poor Boomer got kicked pretty hard too :(. Also last night, I woke up choking again and threw up over the side of the bed. Luckily it didn't hit the sheets and Jay is SOOOO sweet to clean up after me without complaint. I'm going to talk to the doctor about adjusting my acid reflux meds because I think something is off. 

What I miss: being able to get off of the couch without assistance.

Cravings: The list so far of things I've craved the most this pregnancy: Icees, Mac & Cheese, Chocolate Ice Cream, and Coke

Symptoms: braxton hicks, acid reflux, getting incredibly hot, cramping, extreme pressure when I stand up or walk, stretch marks, itchy skin on my stomach. 

Best Moment this week: Spending quality time with Jay and hearing him talk about how excited he is to be a dad. I know I've said this a lot but I am so excited to be starting a family with him. He is going to make an awesome dad. Second best moment would be learning that I passed my glucose test and don't have gestational diabetes!

Your baby's the size of a cucumber!

Your 15.2- to 16.7-inch, 2.5- to 3.8-pound baby continues to grow.

Week 29

The best way to describe the third trimester is uncomfortable. Holden can decided if he wants to live across my ribs or in a ball on the right side of my tummy. Emma Cate is snuggled in cozily in her "A" spot. This week I've met a few more challenges dealing with getting around and getting comfortable. 

In a previous post, I mentioned that our den is now becoming our family room and Jay is freaking out a little more and more each day. I guess this is becoming a reality for him. 

On Thursday, we said goodbye to our beloved Sophie for the next 8 weeks. We are her foster family and once a year she has puppies and goes to live with the breeder to deliver and nurse her puppies until they are all sold. Its very sad for me and in the past I haven't been there when she's been picked up. Jay took a few pictures of the pregnant girls before she left but unfortunately they're on my big camera and I haven't uploaded it yet. We learned that Sophie had 8 puppies on Friday night and everyone is doing great! 

Sunday was spent at my last baby shower and ended with a successful but annoying Ikea trip. 

Jay would tell you that I am definitely in nesting mode. I still don't know if its nesting or freak out that I could be put on bed rest at any time and not everything is done. I am quite the control freak and I like things done a certain my way. I'm posting this because I will probably laugh at myself later when I am crazed and frazzled with two toddlers but for now I like to have towels folded a certain way. I got annoyed that when folding burp clothes, Jay didn't have the edges meet up perfectly. I know its crazy but I am so OCD about this! Everyone has said to have people help you with laundry and I'm hoping to let go of some of these OCD tendencies but we'll see...

Every night this week I've spent time in the nursery preparing everything. They recommend that you wash and dry cloth diapers 5 times before use so they've taken up the majority of our laundry. I've gotten all of the crib sheets done and I'm ready to make up the cribs with all the layers of waterproof-ness we've purchased! 

We attended our prepared parent childbirth class on Tuesday night. It was boring and we both new most of the information already. Jay was ready to walk out he was so bored. The material could have been discussed in 1 hour but the class lasted 3. I think we would have cared a little bit more if we were planning on a vaginal delivery but with our doctor's recommendation, a c-section seems to be the safest way to bring these babies into the world. 

I spend the morning today at my 3 hour glucose test. The test wasn't terrible. The drink was much worse than the first time around though and I had to get blood drawn four times! Good thing I've become used to needle sticks! Luckily my friend Heather had given birth at the same hospital 24 hours prior to my test and I got to hang out with her and adorable Baby Bo while I waited in between sticks. 

Yesterday afternoon I went crazy with the returns and purchasing of baby items. I hit up the Milky Way (which I HIGHLY recommend if you are pregnant or have a baby and live in Charlotte!), Babies R Us (that places grosses me out) and Buy Buy Baby. I picked up pretty much everything else we need for babies and will do a post soon on all the items I've bought and we've been given and then plan to do a follow up with what we actually used and what we needed more of.

I've also been doing the choking thing in my sleep again. Jay was awake while I fell asleep the other night and told me that I seem to close my mouth and just will not breath then I wake up gagging and coughing. I'm pretty sure it is not sleep apnea like I originally thought but more of acid reflux. In addition to my prescription acid reflux I've had to take a pepto bismol every night to help settle things. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Wednesday, May 2, 2012

How Far Along: 29 weeks

Pregnancy Countdown: 63 days

Size of babies: A rutabaga. The babies are 15.2-16.7 inches long and weigh between 2.5- 3.8 pounds (babies have definitely done some growing this week!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 19 pounds. Up two pounds this last week. Probably making up for the loss last week

Maternity Clothes: Yes, with the exception of a few maxi dresses. With the 90 degree temps I'm most comfortable in my tank tops and running shorts. 

Gender: Girl- Emma Cate and Boy- Holden.

Movement: Holden is crazy. Actually when we moves back into position across my ribs, I feel a weird tingling sensation. I know that I've felt it before I was pregnant but I can't remember what caused it.

Sleep: Sleep is decent. Starting to have insomnia again. I think its because I've been up so late working on the nursery and have a hard time winding down. I've only woken up a few nights with my acid reflux but hopefully that will change soon when I talk with the doctor.

What I miss: summer drinks. Can't wait for a gin and tonic!

Cravings: Greek yogurt with almonds has been a favorite. Ice cream continues to rank high on the list  and ICEEs have made a reappearance thanks to my wonderful husband who brought one home for me by surprise the other night!

Symptoms: continuing braxton hicks, acid reflux, general "large" feeling 

Best Moment this week: getting to see all of my old cheerleaders at the baby shower! and getting our pictures back from our maternity session. Can't wait to get the CD with all of the images so that I can share!

My Week in iPhone Pictures

29 weeks 1 day

29 weeks 1 day

Full cart at Buy Buy Baby

Got this great Mama Roo on sale because it was a display model! 

Can you tell which side Holden is living on today?

Yum Yum Orange Glucose Drink

All gone!

Belly in a Booth- not much room at Mo's

 

old desk chair

new desk chair= happy back!

.

Week 28

It's been a fun week around our house! After a stressful and busy Saturday, our nursery is almost complete and we're in love with it! Also very thankful for everyone that helped make it beautiful! 

My ultrasound last week was everything I could have hoped for and so relieved to see that the babies are doing so well. 

Is is safe to say that things are calming down around here?

I'll wait to make that statement until I take my three hour glucose (gestational diabetes) test. Yes, unfortunately I failed my 1 hour test at the doctor's office this morning. Not by much but still a fail. I'm more upset than I thought I would be about it. After reading more about it, I don't want to do ANYTHING that puts my babies' health in jeopardy. Gestational diabetes is complicated to explain. I've gotten some information here. It also seems like I'll need to start working out more. I can't really imagine this as uncomfortable as I am. Maybe I should try swimming laps...

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

How Far Along: 28 weeks

Size of babies: A rutabaga. The babies are 13.6-14.8 inches long and weigh between 1.5 to 2.5 pounds (still in the same ranges as last week). 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 17 pounds. I am actually down three pounds from last week. My eating pretty much stayed the same so I'm thinking it is just me adjusting to pregnancy. At the doctor today Emma Cate's heart beat was 145 and Holden's was 133. He must have been sleeping :)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, and even some of the tops are getting short. They did my belly measurement at the doctor today and I'm measuring at 35 weeks. 

Gender: Girl- Emma Cate and Boy- Holden.

Movement: There has been some crazy belly dancing going on in there. They also respond pretty well to rap music. I think they like the bass like their mama.

Sleep: Sleep was much better this week! I can still make it through the night (we'll 5:30am) without a potty break!

What I miss: tying my shoes without help

Cravings: None really this week. I figured that I would fail my glucose test so I started stocking up on healthy protein filled items. I had greek yogurt for the first time in forever and realized how much I missed it! Almonds have also been a yummy snack.

Symptoms: Braxton hicks and lots of trucker burps. I also learned today that I failed my 1 hour glucose test by 2 points! They want you to be at 135 and I was at 137 and 135 the two times they ran it. I'll be heading into the doctor next Wednesday for the three hour test. Until then I'm sticking to a protein and veggie filled diet. Buhbye carbs, fruits, smoothies, and sweets :(    

Best Moment this week: Seeing the nursery complete!

The other day while finishing up the nursery, I noticed my reflection in the mirror. Figured I'd take a pic of my bump busting out of my shirt.

27 weeks 4 days

27 weeks 5 days

sneak peak of our pics from the maternity session on Saturday

Your baby's the size of a rutabaga!

Putting on layers of fat, your baby now weighs in around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches.

Week 27

As I've learned last night, I've almost made it to a huge milestone. Evidently with twins making to to 28 weeks is a great step. The next big one is 32 and then 36 is basically home plate.  

Jay and I enjoyed our first baby class last night. The class was supposed to be about multiples but it seemed more like it was general baby knowledge with "but you'll need to do this with twins instead" thrown in along the way. Jay and I watched our first birthing video and OMG I know its natural but a C-section is looking pretty good to me right now... Jay was so cute and had me write down questions to ask the doctor as the class progressed. The class covered a lot about preterm labor and I feel better about knowing the signs now. The lady that taught the class was a triage nurse at my OB's office and encouraged us to call the OB nurse line at anytime if we had questions. We also talked a lot about breastfeeding and I'm still committed but overwhelmed trying to make it work with two. Evidently boys like to eat around every 2 hours and girls every 3-4 hours. I think my whole day is going to be spent feeding these little ones. We have another breastfeeding class tonight taught by a lactation consultant who specializes in twins. It will be interesting to compare the two. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

How Far Along: 27 weeks

Size of babies: A head of cauliflower. The babies are 13.6-14.8 inches long and weigh between 1.5 to 2.5 pounds (still in the same ranges as last week). 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: According to my scale, 18 pounds so far. I've averaging about three pounds a week for the past month and and am feeling huge! Everyone is noticing how big my belly has gotten and and I don't know how I feel about it. Before I had only gained inches in my belly but now I feel like I've gained a bit in my thighs too. My arms are quite puffy and cardigans are my best friends. Time to start really watching what I'm eating and getting that exercise in! My gluclose test is in a week and I waiver between stuffing my face with sugary things because I think it will be my last week or eating really healthy to get a jump on helping lower my blood sugar levels. My doctor thinks that I will probably fail my gluclose test because of my PCOS, levels at the beginning of pregnancy, and that I'm carrying multiples.

Maternity Clothes: Oh yes.Although I saved some money by wearing a pre-pregnancy dress to my baby shower. It kept riding up in the front and was a bit awkward. School is cracking down on too short dresses so I'm playing it safe in maxi-everything 

Gender: Girl- Emma Cate and Boy- Holden.

Movement: Earlier in the week movement had slowed a lot. It picked up yesterday and today. I woke up to full flips last night. I can see them moving around a lot from the outside. Most of the kicks are happening on the upper left half of my belly. Occasionally I'll get some fighting moves where I feel one baby kick or punch and then the other baby gives it right back. Cannot wait for my ultrasound tomorrow to see what the little boogers are doing in there!

Sleep: And I thought last week was tough... my back hurts so badly that I cannot get comfortable to sleep by the end of the night. I am back sleeping a ton because I just can't get comfortable on my side. I woke up at 2am last night burning up and wide awake. After tossing and turning for an hour I fell back asleep hard until 6:45. I'm going to start trying Tylenol PM at night to help me make it through the night. 

What I miss: sleeping soundly, being comfortable in my bed, being free of back pain

Cravings: Last night I wanted a McDonald's cheeseburger. I got one. It was gross and my stomach was upset all night. I've been eating candy like a fiend. Time to grocery shop so I have healthy foods to crave!

Symptoms: Major back pain. I cannot find a comfortable position at all. I haven't watched any tv lately because I can't get comfortable on the couch. I've also had a return of trucker like belches. Yuck. At our pregnancy class, we learned about braxton hicks and were told that everyone will have them at some point and that we should feel our uterus harden like a ball. I've been getting cramps that feel more like period cramps and haven't felt any hardening sensations.    

Best Moment this week: Seeing all of my best girlfriends (minus Nikki and MC) and my family at our fabulous baby shower! Pictures to come when Mom visits this weekend!

26 weeks 1 day

26 weeks 6 days

Your baby's the size of a cauliflower!

At 13.6 to 14.8 inches and 1.5 to 2.5 pounds, she's not just getting bigger, she's getting smarter.