32w4d

Today was my last of the "every-other-week" appointments.  I graduated today to weekly appointments.  And, I also graduated to weekly ultrasounds starting the week of October 11th.  So I'm going to be very busy with appointments from here on out, until the boys are here (and, I guess, even after they are here, considering all the pediatrician visits in our future!).

Both boys were doing good.  Their heartbeats were in the 150s-160s, and they were kicking at the dopplar, which was fun.  My doctor put my mind at ease about the whole mucus plug incident, saying most likely it was only part of it, and even if it was all of it, it doesn't mean I need to worry.  She laughed and asked if I reached in the toilet to get it, to which I had to blush... even though I didn't do that, I definitely thought about it for about 5 minutes.  Apparently, I am not the only one, which makes me feel like less of a crazy person.

The only item of concern today was my slightly elevated blood pressure.  It wasn't terrible, but it was definitely higher than it has been.  I asked if it could be due to our Layla woes (which was hard enough to get out without crying), and she said that most likely it is.  I also expressed concern that the boys weren't moving as much the past day or two, and that I was worried my stress was effecting them. She said it is probably more likely that I am just not noticing it as much, or that my being more active is keeping them asleep.  She said try not to worry, as if I am already upset and stressed, I don't need to make it any worse.

And for those who are curious, we were able to pick up Layla and bring her home yesterday afternoon.  Our vet was great, and really spent the time with us to talk about what happens next.  He does not expect her to make it past a month, and most likely, a new rupture could happen within the week.  We were giving a medicine to help with blood clotting, and it comes with a red "emergency" pill.  They said it may be able to help for a small leak, like she had Tuesday night, but would still be delaying the inevitable.  She was in good spirits when we picked her up, but some of it was probably adrenaline.  She went to sleep quickly after we got home, and was not quite herself this morning.  I know she is feeling bad, which just breaks my heart.  Eric and I are just trying to spend as much time with her as possible before its too late, and to spoil her to pieces.  We know how much she hates the vet (considering how many surgeries and other visits she has had over her 8 years of life), so we are looking into mobile vets that come to your house.  We want her to be in a place she loves when she has to go.

Aliens in my belly

I have really enjoyed the increased fetal movement these past few weeks, but this weekend was just weird... AWESOME, but weird.

For starters, I don't think they ever stopped moving; morning, noon, and night.  They were all over the place, and strong, sometimes even hurting a little.  But the peak for me was last night, sitting on the sofa, when my belly started moving.  Not just the little pops that make the remote I'm balancing jump up and down, but random body parts starting in one area and moving... big lumps just moving all over the place.  It was so weird and mesmerizing to watch.  Eric and I could do nothing but laugh!

I have to admit, I love this part!

Kicks and Lumps

I've been feeling movement for about two weeks now, but its on a whole new level now.  Thursday afternoon, I had just gotten home from work and settled up on the sofa for a little bit, when I got the best surprise ever: A real, solid KICK (or punch, I can't really tell, especially since there are eight limbs in there).  I had my hand right on the spot where the kick occurred and totally felt it.  It was AWESOME. At first, I thought it was in my head, but a few seconds later is happened again.  Then, after those two nice solid punches to my insides, this lump started to form, to the left and slightly above my belly button.  I could gently push on it and feel it was firm, like one of them was pushing back.  I'm not entirely sure what it was, be is foot or hand or head, but it was there and so funny to me.

I just laid there is hysterics, laughing because I was beside myself, but totally disappointed that Eric wasn't home from work to experience it.  Nothing else happened for the rest of the night, but ever since then, there have been several times during the day (or night) where I definitely feel them... not just the flutters and rolls of them moving that has been present for the past two weeks, but real active kicking and/or punching.  I think I may be overcompensating the ability to feel it from the outside, since I am feeling it so much inside, because Eric still hasn't been able to feel it yet (even on Saturday night as we lay in bed, and I had three solid kicks), but hopefully it will happen soon!

These mile markers make it all worth it, right?