Sonogram Update!

I had another sonogram today to check the growth of the babies. Baby A (on my left) is head down. Her heart rate is 138 bpm. She weighs approximately 2 lbs. and 15 oz.

Baby B (on my right) is breech. Her heart rate is 140 bpm. She weighs approximately 2 lbs. and 13 oz. Everything looks good with both babies. They both have hair too! They technically still have room to turn, but I don't know if they still try to turn around.

I am 29 weeks and 5 days. I see my doctor again on Monday. My last visit with him went well. My body is doing great carrying this double load. The doctor signed off on my paperwork to allow me to take 12 weeks off after the girls are born.

Matthew and I attended our baby classes. They weren't so bad until the birthing class. I'm not sure I needed to know that I'll have to wear mesh undies with a kotex the size of a baby diaper. I'm sure you can imagine the horrified look on my face. Anyhow, it is still to be determined if we will have a c-section or a natural birth. And by natural birth, I don't mean drug-free!

We have arranged a pediatrician. I will register with the hospital and also with Labor and Delivery in the next week or so. We will tour the Labor and Delivery Unit when we do this. We also purchased our car seats and double stroller. They ship out the day after Christmas. Once they come in, I'll make an appointment to make sure we have the car seats installed correctly in my car.

I am posting pictures of Baby A that were taken today. Baby B was on her tummy and would not turn around. Baby A was sucking on her fingers.

28-Weeks Update

I officially entered my third trimester today. I can't believe I'm two-thirds of the way done cooking these babies! I only have 9 weeks to go! I am happy to report that I remain contraction free! The down side of things are that I'm a bit under the weather with my sinuses. Darn snotty-nosed kids at school think they need to share their germs with me. The nerve!

I also haven't been sleeping well. I think I've developed restless leg syndrome. I've read that it does occur in pregnancies and usually goes away about a month after birth. Boo! I even kept poor Matthew up the other night. I couldn't keep my legs still. Not to mention, turning over is a stinking process! I'm so thankful we don't have a water bed! I read that it helps to put a bar of soap under the sheets. I'm going to hunt some down and try it.

Oh, and another reason for my lack of sleep is the babies. All week around 1:00 a.m. they decide to have their kickboxing class. And yes, full out kicks and jabs. It's impossible to sleep through and usually lasts about an hour. Even though I'm dead tired after their session, I am so thankful that they are active. It keeps my mind at peace knowing they are okay in my tummy.

I filled out my maternity leave paperwork today as well. I'm trying to not procrastinate trivial things like that until the last minute. The lady that helped me went over all it's unpleasantness with me as well as the FMLA paperwork. I am allowed to take 60 days off with the FMLA and my job is secure. However, I only have 27.5 days of sick and personal leave accumulated. I will get docked my daily rate of pay for the remaining 32.5 days. My doctor has to sign paperwork for my leave as well. I have a substitute in mind for my class, but I need to contact the elementary personnel director to see if they are going to allow her to take my class. This is next on my to-do list. If I didn't have the girls until February 12, I wouldn't be required to return to work until May 16. There are only two weeks remaining of the school year after that.

I have 5.5 days until a MUCH needed Christmas break arrives. I'll get two much deserved weeks off of work and away from those germ sharing kids! Whoo-hoo! I'll also get more time with Matthew, and I always look forward to that. I plan to get the nursery finished, arrange a pediatrician, and get my lesson plans worked out for the rest of the school year. That last part sounds a bit ambitious, but I'm going to try my hardest. I think it would be wise to do anyway as I have no idea what it's going to be like juggling two little monkeys when they arrive.

Matthew and I take our first classes on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. While I am taking a breastfeeding class, Matthew will attend Daddy Boot Camp. Afterwards we will both attend a class called The Happiest Baby. It's supposed to help you soothe and calm a fussy baby and stuff like that.

Matthew took a picture of my quickly expanding tummy this morning. It now measures about 38-inches.

Thanksgiving Humor

Matthew and I enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. He scored the entire week off from work and I got a much deserved five days away from first graders! For both of us, it was a much needed break.

We spent Thanksgiving at my parent's house with my mom, dad, Ellen, Angela, Casey, Grayson, and our friend JB who drove in from Dallas to spend the holiday with our nutty family! I must say, this year's table conversation was no exception, we did not let JB down! He must be a glutton for punishment as he keeps coming back for more harassment! (I won't go in to details, but for those that must know, it did involve corn pudding.) We had some great laughs!

After dinner, Matthew and I pulled up our shirts and compared bellies! I think I've got him beat! I was 26 weeks on Thanksgiving day. My poor belly has a circumference of 37 inches now. The good news, Baby A made it back to her side of my tummy. Thank goodness! I see the doctor on Tuesday. I'll update again after that.

26-Week Sonogram

Yesterday, just shy of 26-weeks, I had a sonogram to check the growth of the babies. I don't know how there could be any doubt that they weren't growing as my tummy looks as if I swallowed a basketball! All is well in the baby world.

Baby A (left) weights about 1 pound 11 ounces and Baby B (right) weights about 1 pound 12 ounces. Baby A has a heart rate of 141 bpm and Baby B has a heart rate of 148 bpm.

The night before my sonogram, it literally felt as if a rock concert was going on inside my stomach. Both babies were especially wiggly and kicking up a storm. I actually had to get out of bed and delay sleeping for about an hour.

At the sonogram, we discovered that Baby A was no longer in the head down position. Instead, she had migrated over to Baby B's side. They were head to head on my right side with their legs stretched horizontally across my stomach. I told Matthew that it looked as if they were already plotting against us! I do have to admit. I'm ready for Baby A to go back to her own side. It's very uncomfortable having two heads pushing against my ribs.

The girls are moving a lot these days. They are big enough that you can see them move through my skin and my shirt. My kids at school are amazed by this and sometimes we will sit and watch my belly dance around! It's pretty funny. I can only imagine what they must go home and tell their parents!

I see my doctor again after the Thanksgiving holiday on December 2. The following week I will enter my third and final trimester. I can't believe how quickly this time has gone by. I must say that I feel very blessed that my pregnancy has gone so well. I am so thankful that I haven't had any complications. I'm sure my last trimester will be the toughest part of this pregnancy, but all in all I have nothing to complain about.

My 24-Week Baby Bump

24 weeks, 0 days
November 13, 2008

24 Week Update

Well, almost 24 weeks...23 weeks and 5 days to be exact. Doctor visit went well today. He is very happy with how my pregnancy is progressing. My blood pressure is 120/70. I've gained 12 pounds which is neither too much or too little. He is very happy with all of my measurements. My cervix is staying strong which allows me to go another three weeks until I have to see the doctor again.

The doctor did another sonogram of the girls. Everything is still looking good with them. Baby A (left side) is head down. He got some good pictures of her today that I will post. Baby B (right side) is head up, but was looking down towards Baby A, so no good facial picture of her today. They are starting to get their baby fat and look like babies now instead of scary aliens! I go in for another in-depth sonogram on November 24. This sonogram is to make sure that both babies are growing at the same rate.

I see the doctor again on December 2. This might be the last time I get to stretch my visits to three weeks. He said he wants to starts watching me more closely in the coming weeks. Apparently carrying twins makes women start having contractions around the 30-32 weeks. He wants to make sure I don't go into premature labor. I have a feeling I better get my running around out of my system before I'm no longer allowed to leave the house.

The babies move a lot now. We can actually see them move through my skin. Matthew got to feel a hard little bottom for the first time last weekend. I think it freaked him out a little! His reaction was priceless! Baby B seems to somersault a lot. The doctor did say that eventually they will run out of room to have much movement other than kicking, stretching, and moving side to side. Their heartbeats can also be heard through my stomach without a stethoscope!

I'll keep everyone updated as things progress with the babies and nursery and anything else that might pop up along the way!

Coming Along

Our nursery is coming along. Mom and Dad helped us paint it a couple of weeks ago. Matthew and dad put in the new floor and chair rail on Friday. Matthew and I put the crib and changing table together on Sunday.

Then we moved around every other bedroom of furniture in our house! It was a busy day, but things are finally coming together. I will post more pictures of the nursery as we get it finished. The rest is up to me. Finally! I have a project! I'm thrilled that I get to do something!

Doctor appointment tomorrow. I'll update again after that! Enjoy the pictures.

Before

After