32 weeks (or 31w3d to be exact)

Just realized I haven't shared a belly pic in a while, so here you go!

If you haven't noticed before, I "cleverly" hide my face with my cell phone in every shot.  I hate that my face is swollen (along with everything else), so anything I can do to disguise it will be done.  But do you know what doesn't hide it?  Chopping all my hair off!  I've spent the past several months growing out my bangs.  Its been a tedious process that I am still not 100% sure I of (I reallllly do like and miss my bangs), but admittedly, they made me look young and it was time for a change.  They had finally grown out to about my chin, and all of a sudden it seemed like a good idea to make all my hair the same length.  I broke the rule... the "you shouldn't make drastic changes to your appearance when pregnant" rule.  I see now that there is a reason for said rule.  My hair doesn't behave like it did before.  It is genuinely different now that I am pregnant, and it lacks the body needed to pull this off.

Funny enough, this isn't the first time I have made a major hair mistake.  In college, I had a run in with a box of hair dye that made my hair black as night, and I ended up having to color correct it.  Then there was the perm of 2006, where I was convinced to get a wave put into my hair... only my hair reacted poorly (probably because it hadn't fully recovered from the color correction a year or so beforehand), turn into a frizzy, poodle mess, and a lot of the color just drained out.  It was a sad, sad day.  Of course, I took everything I learned from Legally Blonde, jumped in the shower, and tried to wash the perm away, but that just made it worse.  Eric came home from work to find me laying in the bath tub, crying, with a bottle of tine.  My hair has never really recovered (I have to straighten it now because the curls stayed, and I have the worst frizz, especially in this wonderful Virginia humidity).

So in comparison, this really isn't so bad.  It will grow out soon enough, and for the time being I can enjoy only needing about 5 minutes to dry my hair (which is one of my least favorite things to do, along with cleaning the shower).

A week behind

I didn't even realize that I hadn't posted about my most recent doctor's appointment, and its been a week!  I think its because of the holiday and my inability to focus on ANYTHING.  But I digress...

Last Friday, I had my glucose tolerance test (yay, good times... that drink was SICK, and the fact that you have less than 5 minutes to drink it is even less fun...).  With the weekend and holiday, I didn't get my results until Wednesday, but I am happy to say I PASSED!  Words cannot express how happy I am about this.  I really didn't want to have to go back for the 3 hour test.  I was worried because, to be honest, I eat a lot of sweets... definitely a lot more than I probably should (especially now that the candy corn is out for sale; I seriously ate a whole bag in one day, I was so disgusted with myself).  According to my doctor, you want to be under 130 mg/dl, and my results were 102 mg/dl. 

BUT, along with finding out that I did good on the GTT, I found out I have an iron deficiency.  I knew it was a possibility, as she mentioned it during the appointment on Friday, but it was made official on Wednesday.  Now in addition to my daily prenatal vitamins and extra 2000 IU of Vitamin D, I have to take an iron supplement (called Slow FE).  Plus, my doctor said to be prepared and just start taking a stool softener daily, because lets me honest, additional iron can only hurt a pregnant woman's digestive system at this point.  So many pills!  To make it even better, I swear these pills smell like raw bloody meat.  It may just be me and my overactive pregnant nose, but every time I open the bottle, I want to die.  It just smells like uncooked ground beef... ick. 

On the plus side, the additional iron might help snap me out of the dreary tired funk I have been in for weeks.  Apparently, lack of iron can really affect you, and it might explain why I am exhausted literally from the second I wake up in the morning until 8 or 9 o'clock at night (basically all but 2 of my waking hours).  I've only been taking it for two days, but I hope to see some improvements soon!

In other news, this weekend will be my last out of town visit for the rest of the pregnancy.  I got the OK from my doctor to go to Blacksburg this weekend (with some restrictions and rules to follow, of course), so I can attend at least one of the home VT football games, as well as the shower my mother-in-law is throwing on Sunday.  I honestly couldn't tell you which I am more excited for... probably the football game, but that may just be because it happens first :-D.

Annnd to wrap up, here is this week's belly pic!  Enjoy!

 

200 Days!

I have been pregnant for 200 days, and am starting to really feel it!  Granted, I know this number isn't EXACT, since it also includes those two weeks where you aren't actually pregnant, but the tickers say 200, so I'm going with 200.

I am really dragging butt as of late.  Walking up and down stairs is a chore for me, and trying to keep our house clean is even harder.  My brain function is seriously diminished, so it takes me twice as long to get simple tasks at work done, which makes me feel significantly less efficient.  My feet are so swollen that my shoes hurt.  Seriously, I don't mean whiny "please rub my feet" pain, but swollen, bruised, hot, itchy pain.  My feet look like hams, and my ankles look like they are sprained.  My fingers are so swollen that I have officially had to retire my wedding rings.  And of course, my venture into Google didn't help, since now all I am worried about is Toxemia (because obviously the swelling isn't just normal pregnancy related swelling  but something serious... have I mentioned before I'm a slight hypochondriac?).

What's worse (to me, anyway) is that there was a small part of my that thought my sister (who is about 5 weeks ahead of me in pregnancy) and I actually looked about the same size-wise.  Umm, no.  My mom took a picture of us this weekend and not even close.  I am seriously double her size.  I know, I know, there's two in there, believe me I didn't forget, but I actually had been holding onto a small hope that I didn't look like it.

But now I know why people ask me every day if I will be put on bedrest; because I look like I need to be!  I think everyone at work is just waiting for me to collapse.

On a happier note, 200 days means only 2 months left in my pregnancy.  As I said before, my doctor will not let me go pass 38 weeks, so they are scheduling me for the first week of November if they haven't arrived on their own before then.  I'm getting to that point where I am scared of going early.  For starters, I would LOVE to avoid any NICU time, obviously, but I have other selfish reasons, namely working out my maternity leave.  I get 8 weeks total, so giving birth the first week of November would be perfect to get me through to January before having to come back to work (i.e. off the whole Holiday season, which is a huge plus for me!).  I also have saved up several weeks of PTO (paid time off) so I could technically stay out longer.  However, if they come early, or if I am put on bedrest and can't work, I only have 12 weeks of job protection under FMLA.  So I reallly want to make sure I make it though the month of September without any issues.  I can go out as early as October and be OK though until January, but anything before that and it will not work.  I know this seems petty, but honestly, Holiday PTO in my place of business is a hot commodity, and its been nice knowing I wouldn't have to fight for days off to visit family since I would be out on leave anyway...

I suppose that is all for now!  I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow with the dreaded glucose test.  Wish me luck, I don't want to have to do the 3 hour test!!  I will also find out if I can make the trip to Blackburg next weekend for my second baby shower (with Eric's family), so keep your fingers crossed for me!!  And on that  note, I'll leave you with a belly shot from this morning.  As you can tell, I look exhausted (thankfully I can cover most of my face with the iPhone)...and my butt is trying to keep up with my stomach.  Good times.

Zero Excuse

Literally, I have NO excuse for not blogging.  I've just been lazy... tired and lazy... and emotional.  This last week has just been weird for me.  For starters, I feel like I am back in the first trimester.  I am tired ALL.THE.TIME.  It never stops.  I'm too lazy to do anything but come home from work and sit on my butt watching Veronica Mars on Netflix streaming.  Its a sad, sad tale.

But that isn't all that's changed in me since hitting trimester numero tres.  Bring on the emotional roller coaster!!  Now, I know it was bound to happen eventually, because I've been pretty sane up until now.  But the high has died and I have become a ticking time bomb.  Case in point, on Tuesday this week, I was flying pretty high.  I was excited for my baby shower this weekend, and had gotten presents from three people that day (two at work, one in the mail) from people who weren't going to be able to make it.  I felt loved and on top of the world.  Thhhennn, I get a message from a friend who was planning to come to my shower from NC saying she would no longer be able to make it... I went from being really happy, to convincing myself I had no friends in the world.  I cried for 45 minutes that night, and for almost the whole next day, I would randomly burst into tears for no reason at all.  It was ridiculous.  And embarrassing.

Now, let me just say, I know I have friends.  I am lucky to have as many friends as I do.  BUT, the hardest thing for me is that they are all so spread out.  Most of my close friends I met in college (as is pretty normal).  Once we all graduated, it seemed like we all spread around the country, so I don't get to see them very often.  My shower this weekend is in Lynchburg, my hometown, which is several hours away from most of my friends. 

Prior to Tuesday, I had exactly two friends who were going to be able to make it; one from Richmond (who I see the most often) and one from NC.  I totally understood why people couldn't make the trip, as for many of them, Lynchburg is several hours away, so I really wasn't trying to be upset.  But the update that my friend from NC could no longer come just sent me over the edge. 

Ever since, I have just felt on edge.  Like I said, all Wednesday, I would just be sitting at my desk, and would randomly start crying.  No trigger or anything, just tears a-pouring.  I hate feeling like this!!!!  I want to go back to being happy all the time and excited about what's to come!  Ugh, I really hope this phases passes... and quickly! 

I am still really excited for this weekend, so I am trying to focus on that.  I'll miss all my friends, but I'll be able to see my family and family friends.  And in two weeks will hopefully be my Blacksburg shower with Eric's family (I say hopefully because the doctor does not want me to travel, and they said we would discuss at my next appoint, which is next Friday... fingers crossed!).  I have so much to be happy about, so I really need to work myself out of this funk!!

On another note, enjoy this week's belly shot!  Based on this week's ultrasound, both boys are measuring ahead by a little less than a week (as has been the norm for most of the pregnancy), and both weigh about 2.7 lbs.  That's almost 5 1/2 lbs of baby!  No wonder I am having a hard time breathing, and its only going to get worse!  I'd share some u/s pics, but I had the world's worse technician and literally got nothing good to show!  Oh well, the important part is that they are OK.

Catching Up

I know, I know, I've been a terrible blogger.  What can I say, work has really gotten into the way of my blogging life. :-D

I had my monthly OB appointment this week, on Wednesday 8/11, which also happened to be Eric and my 3 year wedding anniversary.  I can't believe its been 3 years, but even more so, I can't believe we have been together for the better part of a decade.  Time flies... ANYWAY, the appointment was good.  I am measuring a month a head of schedule, compared to a singleton pregnancy, and will be likely put on some restrictions in the next 3 weeks (aka, when September begins).  One of those restrictions will definitely be travel...

I have to admit, while I did expect this, it didn't stop me from being bummed out.  For starters, my MIL was planning a shower for Eric and me in Blacksburg on 9/12, since we were planning to be there for the football game.  I asked the doctor if it would be OK for me to at least go to that, and he definitely wanted to say no, but he said we would see how the next ultrasound looked.  I know missing a shower isn't the end of the world, but its still sad.  In addition, a close family friend of ours was going to plan a luncheon for my sister (who is also preggo, due in October) and I on 9/19, but it looks like that will turn into a "Welcome Babies" party later this year.  The biggest hit to me was that I would likely be missing most, if not all, of this season's Hokie games.  I know, I know, what's the big deal, right?  Except VT football season is my favorite part of the year.  I didn't expect to go to all of the games, but to find out that I likely will miss them all was sad, especially considering our season tickets showed up last week too.  But oh well, I'll get over it!!

The doctor also said they are about 95% sure I'll be getting a c-section.  Right now, both babies are breech, and I still have marginal placenta previa... both of these things could correct themselves, but they seemed to think its unlikely both will.  So we are scheduling the c-section for the first week of November, unless they come early... I hope I can bake them that long!

I'm really excited about all the deliveries I have gotten this week!  First, my uncle ordered and shipped the two high chairs we registered for.  I didn't expect anyone to buy these, but I was so excited for them to come!  Then yesterday, our crib mattresses came, and today, the bedding should be arriving (yes, I actually broke down and picked out some bedding, shocking, I know!!).  We decided to go with the Kasey bedding from Pottery Barn because it was simple with all the colors we liked.  This weekend, Eric and our close friend Brad are going to work on switching the furniture in our guestroom with the nursery so that the nursery has more space, and then I can start setting everything up!  I cannot wait!!!

So that is pretty much everything going on with me.  As it goes now, even though I am 26 weeks, I have about 2.5 months left in this pregnancy if they make it to my scheduled c-section (fingers crossed).  I can't believe how fast it is going!!  I'll leave you all with this week's belly shot, which is actually from Tuesday at 25w2d, but like I said, I'm a bit behind!  Have a good weekend everyone!!

25 Weeks

How Far Along: 25 weeks.... (24w1d by LMP, measuring 24w6d)

Total Weight Gained/Loss: ~15-17 lbs, depending on the day

Maternity Clothes: I don't think I will ever go back to regular pants again :-D

Sleep: At best, 2 hours at a time... between having to pee all the time, and finding a comfortable position, it's been hard.

Best Moment of the Week: Eric FINALLY was able to feel some kicks!  I loved seeing the look on his face.

Movement: Oh yeah, there is an octopus in there... the funny thing is, I wish I could feel them even more.  I hate when they stop!

Food Craving: Still big on the watermelon, and ice cream.  I had a major craving for donuts last week, but after eating 4, I never want to see a donut again.  All my cravings have been sweets or fruit.

Food aversions: Still eggs (scrambled or fried), although I did eat an omelet at the beach, but it was LOADED with cheese.  I'm getting better with chicken but it still isn't my favorite.

Morning sickness: I had one random spell of throwing up while at the beach in July.  I have no idea what caused it and it was over before I knew it, but its the only M/S I have had since the first trimester.

Gender: TWO BOYS!  Big healthy boys!

Labor Signs: None, thank GOD, I would freak out.

Belly Button: Reaching maximum capacity.  Some days, its totally stretched out, some days not so much, but no outtie yet.

Stretch Marks: So far, so dodging the bullet *knock on wood*

Wedding rings: Rough... I had to give up on wearing my diamond, but my wedding ring itself is also getting tight, especially with the heat.  My fingers are not a size 5.5 anymore, I guess!

Exercise: Only if sitting on my butt counts... or trying to clean the house.

What I miss: Alcohol...

What I'm looking forward to: Besides meeting the boys, right now I am super excited to switch the guest bedroom with the nursery.  We decided we needed more space for the nursery, so my parents are coming up the first weekend of Sept and we are gonna switch the rooms.  The guestroom will be tight, but oh well!!

Other NEW news this week: Nothing really...

Weekly Wisdom: I think I am too sleepy to have any wisdom.

Favorite item bought this week: Nothing bought, but I have added some fun things to my registry... I found it is 100% more fun to do online than in the store.


And of course, this week's bump shot, from this morning!

Where have you been??

I know, I know, I'm sorry, I've been sans-blogging for well over a week now.  I meant to post something before I left, but I've been enjoying a little vacation this past week, and just got back into town last night.

Every year, my family goes to Holden Beach, NC, which is probably one of my favorite places to be.  My family has been going for more than 30 years... my first trip was at the ripe age of 4 months, 28 years ago.  This was probably the first year in almost 10 years that I couldn't drink at the beach (insert my saddest face here... I missed some margaritas!!), but it really wasn't that bad, and hubby came in with Amber O'Douls in the clutch for when I was craving the taste of beer. 

My week consisted of a whole lotta laying around on the beach, reading, napping, and just relaxing.  I was pretty much terrified of the ocean, which is new to me, because I was so worried about hurting the babies.  The wind was really bad most of the week, so the waves were rough, and I just couldn't get out past the breakers to what I considered a safe distance, so instead, I spent a lot of time in the surf to cool off.  Overall, the vacation was very needed.  I swear, I wish I lived at the beach, but I am guessing the novelty wears off when you are too close.

Our close friends in Richmond watched Layla for us.  I don't know how I am EVER going to be able to leave the boys for an extended period of time.  I know its the hormones but I was tearing up leaving her last Saturday, and the whole car ride to the Ric this weekend, all I could say was "I can't wait to see Layla".  She was SO happy to see us, and she's been back by my side ever since. 

We spent the night in the Ric on Saturday just hanging with our friends, and made it back to DC about 5 minutes before it started pouring down rain (thank God, because the luggage was on the top of the car).

This morning, I had an ultrasound... I'm gonna forgo discussion for now.  Everything is good, but I haven't had a chance to get the pictures online.  So I'll do that tonight and be sure to post.  Instead, I'll leave you with a bump shot... its from today, at 23w1d (although both boys are still measuring big, at 23w6d).  I'm definitely starting to feel like a fatty, but I am at least embracing it more!

Week 22 Check-Up

Yup, today was my monthly OB appointment.  I admittedly don't love these as much as my monthly ultrasounds, but I do still love listening to the boys' heartbeats.  They are doing great.  Baby A had a heartbeat of around 150 (doc said he would be a hyper/active one) and Baby B was around 120 (much more laid back).  I was worried Baby B's was too low, but the doctor was not concerned at all.  He also put to rest all my worries about if I was gaining enough weight, if my low-lying placenta will play a big role, and why the crap I am having such a hard time breathing (which is apparently because they are big boys taking up all the space in my diaphram).

I had never seen this doctor before.  While I like the idea of seeing the same doctor each time, my practice prefers you to see everyone at least once, because they cannot guarantee who will be there to deliver you, and they want you to feel comfortable with everyone.  I have met 4 so far, and have 2 left.  After I meet the next two, I apparently need to decide who I want my official doctor for the duration of the pregnancy.  Its going to be a tough choice, because I really do like them all.  But we will see!  I think my next appointment in August is my last "monthly" once, and I'll start going every two weeks.  Its so crazy to think how fast this is going.  They will be here before I know it....

And I know I am a little late, but here  is my bump shot from this past Tuesday (21w2d)... Eric's been working on organizing the mail, can you tell?  (yup, that's sarcasm).

21 weeks (with bump shot!)

I've decided that, since I have broken the halfway mark, I might as well do one of these pregnancy questionnaires.  I think I'll try to do one every month or so, maybe more often, we'll see.

How Far Along: 21 weeks (20w3d to be exact) based on LMP, or 21w1d if you go by the measurements on the past few ultrasounds.

Total Weight Gained/Loss: Surprisingly, I haven't weighed myself in a week or so (I'm usually really crazy about this).  The last time I weighed, I was about 5-6 lbs up, so if I had to guess, I'm probably in the 7-8 lbs range now (though when I tell my husband that he gives me the "You've Got to be Crazy" look... thanks hun).

Maternity Clothes: Yeah, I moved into these pretty quickly, especially pants.  I can't wear any non-maternity pants, but I also have a few stretchy (jersey or linen) skirts that I can still pull of wearing.  Tops, I'm kinda in the middle.  Some non-maternity shirts are still fine if they are long enough, or if I wear a Be Band tank under them, but I also have several maternity shirts that I wear.

Sleep: Still waking up every 2-3 hours to pee, and I have the occasional bad night sleep, but overall, I'm doing pretty good.

Best Moment of the Week: This is falling on an "off" week, between my OB and ultrasound appointments, so I am going to go with my best moment from last week and that was seeing the babies again, especially watching Baby A with the hiccups and seeing both babies moving around so much.

Movement: Not constant, but definitely there.  I've had a few solid kicks, but nothing you can feel outside yet.  I am getting flutters and pops a couple times a day usually, and I can finally tell the difference between movement and gas, so thats a plus! :)

Food Craving: Comes and goes... mostly I just crave ice cream, alot.

Food aversions: Scrambled or fried eggs, and some chicken (mostly just plain breasts, I can eat some chicken in soups or casseroles)

Morning sickness: Thankfully no, my MS only lasted a couple weeks and was gone by 10 weeks, so I really lucked out there.  I have gotten motion sickness on the Metro, but I attribute that to the terrible driving.

Gender: Two Boys!  I was really surprised to find this out, as I was expecting two girls, or one of each, but I am really happy and can't wait to meet them.

Labor Signs: None, thank GOD!  I would freak.

Belly Button: Still there, although it its getting a little stretched out.  I hope I get the pregnancy outtie :)

Stretch Marks: None, again, thank GOD!  I hope to be one of the lucky ones considering my mom didn't get any, but I'm still covering myself in lotion and oils every day.  I do, sadly, have some old faded ones on my hips from very rapid weight gain several years ago, so I've been trying to keep that aspect of pregnancy in check and hope that it plus good genetics will save me.

Wedding Rings: Still on, although they are getting tight, especially in this heat (ugh, 100 degree weather blows)

Exercise: Been trying to walk with the hubby a few days a week after work, but the past week, it has just been too hot!

What I miss:  I'm going to be the one to come right out and say it: drinking.  I can't lie (so, please don't ostracize me), I have had a small glass of red wine on a special occasion, as well as a few sips of my hubby's beer when I was really craving the taste, but overall, I've been really good in this department, all things considered (what can I say, I'm Irish and I like the drink).  Its going to be really hard for me in a couple weeks when we take our annual beach trip and I can't enjoy a morning bloody mary or a margarita on the beach, but my sister (who is also preggo) and I have been working on some fun alcohol-free drinks to maybe trick our minds a bit.

What I'm looking forward to: Registering... I think we are going this weekend, and I cannot wait!

Other NEW news this week: In non-baby related news is, of course, the wonderful news that Layla is in remission!  Yay, yay, yay!!

Weekly Wisdom: I wish I had some, but really, I don't.  I blame it on being sleepy and dazed 24/7... If people didn't know I was pregnant, they'd probably think I was high.

Favorite item bought this week: For me, a maternity bathing suit (which I wasn't even going to buy, because I was totally cool with the whole bikini thing, but my mom wouldn't leave me alone... in her world, bikinis and pregnancy do NOT mesh).  For the boys, two super cute little outfits for the beach next year... they are zip up terry cloth "jumpers", light and dark blue stripped, with a little red crab stitched on.  SO CUTE!  I tried to find a pic online, but I couldn't... I bought it at the Carter's Outlet.


Annnd the weekly bump shot... please disregard my messy house... we are physically incapable of managing our mail (its all over our table in various "organized piles"), and Eric just put his birthday present together last night (the big car rack in the back, in an effort to have enough space in our Escape for a family of 4 plus one dog and lots of luggage when traveling).

Miss Layla and a Bump

Happy Hump Day!  I really stoked to skip out of work a little early today to go see Eclipse.  I feel like 90% of my friends already saw it last night at the midnight showing, but there is no way I could stay up until 2AM.  I go to be SO early these days. 

Tomorrow is another big day.  We have some follow up testing on Layla's chemo treatments to see how it went.  For those who do not know, several months ago, our dog Layla had to undergo emergency surgery to remove her spleen.  She had a large cancerous tumor on her spleen that had ruptured, and she was essentially bleeding internally.  Since the tumor had ruptured, she was at an increased risk of the cancer spreading quickly through the bloodstream, so Eric and I took a day to weigh our options and decided to proceed with the chemo.  The overall treatment was 10 weeks long, with treatments every other week (for a total of 5) and bloodwork/monitoring on the off-weeks.  Its been rough watching her go through it... about 2-3 days after treatment, she gets really down in the dumps, doesn't feel well, barely eats, and it last a couple days.  And as soon as she seems back to herself, its time for another treatment.  She also has been losing her hair, mostly on her face and back legs.  I feel so bad for her.  We really didn't want to ruin her quality of life, but the odds at the time of her surviving without the treatments was just a couple weeks to maybe a couple months.  If the treatment has worked, and she is in remission, she will hopefully be with us for another year or two. 

Alot of people think we are crazy for even proceeding with the treatments, and maybe we are, but we really couldn't sit back and do nothing.  I think, deep down, Eric just needed to know she would be around once the babies were born.  I think its because he feels like he will deal with  her death better if he has his children with him.  It was a huge cost to us, but we made the decision that it would be the last intervention we made.  If the cancer came back, or spread, we wouldn't do anything else but try to make her time with us happy and loving.

So everyone please keep your fingers crossed for our girl tomorrow.  She'll be getting an ultrasound and some other tests to check for residual cancer, and to see if it has spread.  We really hope she is in remission and will be with us for a while longer.  She really is our first child!

And on the baby front, this weeks bump shot for you.  Eric said I need to stop using my iPhone to take cheap mirror shots and just let him take them for me, so maybe they will improve going forward (but at least with the iPhone shots, I can cover my face... I feel like I am retaining tons of water there, my face feels swollen to me!).

18w3d BUMP

I usually try to take bump shots every Tuesday, but I've been lacking lately.  So this shot is from today.  I'm 18w3d.  At the last ultrasound, both boys were measuring about a week ahead, but my doctor decided not to change my due date (which is November 21st, 2010).  His reasoning essentially was that I wouldn't make it to the due date anyway, so the issue was moot.

Anyway, enjoy! 

Trucking Along

I had this month's OB appointment this morning.  I got to meet a new doctor today (the policy at this office is to have one appointment with each doctor as any of them could be the one who delivers you... so far, I've liked them all).  Everything seems great.  I'm at 18 weeks now (well, 17w2d to be exact) and I've gained about 5 lbs so far, which the doctor says is pretty good (low even for twins, even if I feel like a fatty).  Funny enough, when I tell my hubby how much weight I have gained, he looks at me like I'm a crazy liar and exclaims how he doesn't know how that is possible.  Umm, thanks hunny!  Of course, he then back peddles that I don't look fat, just that I have a very obvious pregnant belly that one would assume weighs more than 5 lbs.  I'm trying to not take it personally. :-)

Both the heartbeats are still going strong, in the 160s.  I am always worried that they are just hearing the same heartbeat twice, but he swore that it was two different heartbeats and both babies were fine.  We talked about some of the things I learned at the last ultrasound, namely my low-lying/anterior placenta, and the effects that may or may not have on feeling movement and birth.  We also talked about what issues might play a role in whether or not a c-section is needed.  He said about half of twin births are c-sections, and usually depends on how the lower lying baby (Baby A) is presenting.  As long as he is not breech (which he is right now, but its still early), then a vaginal delivery is possible.  But he did also say that most moms of twins opt for the c-section because most likely distress in labor effects the second baby, and they prefer to avoid that if possible.  I'm still not sure where I weigh in on the subject... honestly, I just want my babies.  Where's the stork when you need him?

At the last u/s, both babies were measuring about a week ahead of time, but the doctor did not change my due date.  He said that they may have had a growth spurt, or they could just be tall kids.  Either way, he said I won't make it to my due date anyway, so there was no need to worry about the actual date.

That's about it for today's appointment.  I'm kinda happy that I have to go to both the OB and to get an ultrasound every 4 weeks because it really helps my sanity to both hear and see them so often.  Oh, and here's this week's belly shot! 

I swear, I think this grew overnight!

Trust me, I've had a bit of a baby bump since right around the 10-12 week mark (which I tell myself is totally normal considering I am having two babies), but I woke up this morning and was like, "Wow, that just grew overnight"... so here is today's bump pic at 16w3d:

As far as how I am feeling... I'm FINE, bordering on great, even.  I swear, besides the growing belly and still feeling pretty tired, I feel totally normal.  My morning (...noon and night) sickness is gone (actually, its been gone for a while now, thankfully, I lucked out in that department) and the headaches have stopped.  Sometimes I even start to worry that I'm not feeling like crap, because at least when I felt like crap, I knew everything was OK. 

I thought by now I would be able to feel the babies, but not yet.  I did find out at my last ultrasound that I have an anterior placenta, which will delay my feeling them (as it acts like a cushion for the kicks and nudges), and I was also told that with twins, alot of the time they are just kicking each other (*shakes head* BOYS!), so I wouldn't feel them in these cases either.  I have felt what I can only imagine is gas bubbles or tummy rumblings that I something think may be them, but really its probably just wishful thinking!  I hope that by the end of the month, I'll feel my first undeniable baby movement.

And the Turpin Twins are...

...BOYS!!

Today, we went in for an ultrasound (that lasted almost 2 hours, but believe me, I am not complaining, I could have sat there all day) and I am happy to say they were able to determine the sex of both babies. At first Baby A didn't want to cooperate. In fact, he even had his hands down there covering himself, like she was shy. So they moved onto Baby B, who displayed proudly that he was in fact a boy. Both the u/s tech and the radiologist said they had no doubt it was a boy. They were still a little unsure about Baby A, but after a lot of moving around, they both seemed confident to say Baby A was also a boy.

I was able to see Baby B's boy parts easily. There was no mistaking it in my opinion. Baby A I'm still not too sure of; I am taking the word of the professionals, but even with the picture they took, it isn't that clear to me. But they were both confident, so I am going with two boys.

I am very excited for this news. I am only 15w2d today, so I didn't really think we'd be able to tell (although I was reallllllly hoping they would). I really thought they would be one boy and one girl, or both girls, so I was a little shocked to hear two boys, but I am happy. Really, I would have been happy either way, but I cannot lie, there is a tiny part of me that’s a little sad that I don't get to dress someone up in frilly clothes (at least, not when my husband is around). But I know that feeling will pass and I will be 100% excited for the boys about to enter my life. I'm completely outnumbered now, but that’s OK, they will be momma's boys if I have anything to do with it!

Everything else with the u/s went well. Both babies are measuring a little ahead of schedule. I believe Baby A is at 16w0d (suggested moving EDD to 11/18) and Baby B is at 16w2d (suggested moving EDD to 11/16). They both had great heartbeats at 163 and 160 bpm respectively, and they were both very active. I got lots of pictures, but will have to post them later, since I came straight to work after the appointment.

Also, as it is Tuesday, here is this weeks bump shot... sorry, still using the camera phone, but it’s just the easiest thing to grab in the morning. I need a digital camera with the ability to send emails, then I'd be set.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

100 Days

I have been pregnant for 100 days.  Wow.  Thats crazy.  Just 180 left to go!

I don't have much to post, but I figured since I've been taking my weekly belly shots on Tuesdays, I'd share mine from this morning.  It isn't as easy to see since I'm in a dress, but it will do.  I'm 14w2d today.  Next ultrasound is on MONDAY!!

Decisions and Updates

Why hello, everyone!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I spent this weekend in Richmond with my hubby and best friends attending our 4th year at Colonial Downs Strawberry Hill Races.  It's one of my favorite events of the year.  It typically takes place April, but this year it was moved to May, probably because of the pouring rain that April has brought us the past several years of the event.  This year, the rain was replaced by blistering heat.  I love this event because we get all dressed up, and spend the day outdoors, having fun, drinking wine.  Of course, this year, there was no wine for me, so I was the sober one, but I still had a great time. 

I am happy to say that we have FINALLY made a decision on the stroller/car seat front.  We plan to get the following:

Infant Car Seat: Chicco KeyFit 30 (pattern TBD, as hubs and I can't seem to agree, but I can't lie, I like the one shown below, its fun!)

Stroller: Combi Twin Sport in Cranberry Noche (hopefully... this is only sold at BRU and they are sold out right now)

We also plan to use a Snap N Go when the twins are first born, because every single twin parent I have talked to said this is the best way to go, and I am listening!  I still have some parents telling me to ditch the side-by-side stroller and go with a tandem, but I have heard really good things about the Combi and its ability to fit through doors, so I am pretty confident in my decision.  Plus, like I have said from the beginning, I want a stroller where both kids can see, and you lose that with a tandem stroller.  Now we are moving on to picking out nursery furniture.... so of course, I am open for all suggestions for places to look.

Today was my monthly OB appointment.  I am 13w2d.  I got to hear both of the heartbeats (which were in the 160s... could we be having girls???), which totally made up for the fact that I had to wait 45 minutes to be seen.  My next ultrasound is on June 1st.  I'll be 15w2d, but I'm really hoping they will be able to determine the sexes.  If not, then I'll be going back around Week 18-20.  Fingers crossed, as I am ready to know NOW!

And lastly, an updated belly pic from this morning... I can't really tell if there is much of a difference from last week... Any thoughts??

NT Results are IN (and a 12w2d Update)

So I got the results of my NT scan yesterday afternoon and I am VERY happy.  They are as follows:

For Downs Syndrome:
Baby A has a 1 in 8,600 chance
Baby B has a 1 in 7,900 chance

For Trisomy:
Both babies have a 1 in 10,000 chance

These results are GREAT and make me very happy!  I honestly didn't think I was worried about this, until I saw how relived I was with the results.  The nurse said these are results typically seen in someone 20 years or younger, so yay, thanks for taking 8+ years off me for a second! :)  My hubby was so funny when I told him.  He got this look of horror like I was telling him the worst news ever, while I was all excited.  I asked what was wrong and he said, "That doesn't seem like very good results."  I explained to them that they are really low risk and probably the best results we could have wished for, but apparently, he wanted to hear the risk was 1 in 10,000,000 or better.  It was cute.

Now, granted, its a little harder to know the exact numbers in twin pregnancies, since you cannot determine exactly how the blood is shared.  The test assumes 50/50 split and therefore just split my bloodwork results evenly between the two babies, but it could in reality be 60/40 or even 70/30.  You really can never know.  But, with such low results overall, the nurse did not think I had anything to worry about.

And just for fun, I decided to include a baby belly pic.  I have been avoiding these like the plague, as you all know, I have a huge issue with weight gain and feeling out of shape, but I'm trying to get over it and just be happy!  I still worry that I am a little too big for being 12w2d, but I'm going to go with it, and just keep saying "Hey, there are TWO babies in there, crazy woman, this is OK!"  This pic is from this morning.  Excuse the poor quality, but it was taken with my phone.  I'll get better and start using a real camera, I swear.

As far as how I am doing, I'm pretty good. The news from yesterday plus my ultrasound on Friday have put me in a natural high and I feel so much better. I am still exhausted, and have some food aversions (mostly meat other than beef... love the beef, hate the chicken, pork, etc), but overall I feel good most of the time... aside from the occasional nausea and headaches. Now I'm just waiting for these guys to get a little bigger so I can feel them moving around. I hope that happens earlier with twins, but who knows!