27 Weeks! (With Ultrasound and Bump Photos)

Wow, I have been slacking on my pregnancy posts this go around.  Its not like I have been busy or anything... :)  Where do I start...

As of today I am 27 weeks and 4 days.  I went for a growth ultrasound on Wednesday and it was so nice to check on my little boys!!  Baby A measured approx 2 weeks ahead at 2lbs 15oz (83rd percentile) and Baby B measured just a couple days ahead at 2lbs 6oz (53rd percentile.)  They are some big boys!! 

They like twins to be within 25% of each other weight wise and the little boys are currently about 20% different according to the ultrasound measurements.  The measurements could be off, but they might not be either.  The doctor said that we will be watching them closely from here on out just to make sure the discrepancy doesn't get any larger... although I'm not really sure what we would do about it anyways.  He did say though that usually the problem is that one baby is a lot smaller than the other (like in the lower percentiles) but in our case, baby A is just a very big boy and baby B is doing just fine. 

As of right now, A is head down and B is transverse with his head on my right and pretty much laying sideways on the top of my belly.  The boys butts are pretty much on top of each other! So, I guess we will see if they decide to flip or move positions... which they probably will.  I haven't really made any decision yet on which type of delivery it will be... just depends on their positions and what the doctor recommends when the time comes I suppose.   Oh!  Can't forget... Cervix is measuring GREAT.  4.2cm and 3.8 with compression.  No funneling or opening up in any way! 

I have been feeling alright these days.  It is getting harder and harder to go to work and stand all day.  I saw a different doctor this week so I asked him when he recommended to stop working.  He said that I should cut back on hours in the 20s... so right now (which I can't do) and should probably stop working around 32-33 weeks.  My plan was to work until 35, but he also made it sound like these babies have a chance of coming earlier (more like 36weeks) so I might have to stop working a little sooner than planned.  I'm not sure why he thinks they will come sooner... maybe because one is so big?? I don't know... must have missed that part.

I am quickly outgrowing my maternity clothes too.  Many of the shirts that I wore all the way to the end last time are already too short!  I got a few XXL shirts from another twin mom and those are going to be my lifesaver! 

Lately I have been craving anything chocolate. Yummmm.  I mean who doesn't love chocolate anyways?

I think I forgot how much I hate heartburn... but Tums are my friend and seem to be doing the trick :)

I am up about 25lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight.  I started out at 166 and on Wednesday at the doc I was up to 191.  I need new batteries for my scale at home, but that might be a good thing. 

My mom got the girls' some "practice brothers" that we have been playing with lately.  They will kiss the babies and pet them "nice" just like we do with the cat and the dog LOL.  They will also pet mama's belly nice too.    Speaking of my belly, it is measuring as if I am 35 weeks with one baby... so I look full term!!   We are flying back to Minnesota next Sunday so I will be getting a note from the doctor so that they don't refuse me to get on the plane.  This will probably be the last time we will fly for a while because next time we would have to buy 4 tickets! Yikes. 

Other than that, not much is really new.  I am just trying to rest when I can.  Brian has been great about doing extra things... picking up the girls' toys, cooking dinner, doing the dishes, etc.  When I get home from work all I want to do is give my little girls some love and sit next to them while they eat dinner.  :)

21 weeks 5 days

24 Weeks 5 days

26  Weeks 5 Days

No pictures of Baby B's face :(  He was looking towards my back and wouldn't turn!! But look at all of that hair they already have!!

Nothing is certain

I am so thankful for every day that these boys keep cooking.  They say that at 24 weeks babies are technically viable, but it doesn't mean that they will for sure survive.

I have joined a couple of groups of ladies that have babies due in Feb/March.  Well, its only December and a few of them have already given birth to their precious little babies.  At 24 weeks one woman lost both of her twins within 3 days of birth.  Another woman gave birth to her little boy 19 days ago and kept the other in utero for an additional 10 days.  Today she was not so lucky and lost her precious boy after he fought to survive for 19 days.  It just breaks my heart that she went through so much to conceive her boys and one is gone too soon. 

I guess I just feel terrible for her and it really puts things into perspective.  People keep telling me that I shouldn't do so much and you know what? I think I won't do so much anymore.  My top priorities are taking care of my little girls and keeping my little boys cooking until February. 

Teeth

Its amazing to see such little girls with so many teeth in their mouths!! Evy was cranky last week and needed extra snuggles so I took a look in her mouth to see what was going on.  Sure enough, she had 2 teeth popping through on the top! (One on each side.)  She is now up to 12 teeth!  4 top, 4 bottom, and  2 molars on each the top an bottom.

The last couple of days Charlotte has been really into chewing on things (her toys, my necklaces, etc.) I noticed today that she was extra drooly too and, yep, you guessed it... another tooth!  That puts her total at 8.  4 on the top and 4 on the bottom. No wonder they have no problem biting their food these days.

I am thankful for....

• A healthy and uneventful pregnancy 
• Baby A and Baby B (The BOYS!)
• Charlotte
• Deals!  I try to be thrifty and get a good deal :)
• Evelyn
• Friends
• Good food and giggling babies
• Having such a great support system
• Ice cream... and not being lactose intolerant while pregnant
• Just having a little bit of free time
• Kisses from my darling little girls
• Long holiday breaks
• My mom and all the times she has been out to visit and help with the girls!
• Nanny... She is amazing and takes such great care of our girls while we are at work/class.
• One amazing husband!
• People in my Mothers of Multiples club.  
• Quiet nights
• Roasted turkey breast (the girls' favorite food)
• Sister!!!
• Teachers
• Urza! (The dog)
• Vivid dreams (I've had some very strange ones this pregnancy!)
• Way generous people 
• Xtra lucky to be a twin mom
• YOU!
• Zee opportunity to be a mom :)

24 Weeks- Viability!

I am so happy that we have made it to 24 weeks which now means that the babies could be born and would have a fighting chance.  (BUT, they need to stay in much much longer and get nice and big!)

I went to the OB and got my cervix checked today and it was nice and long and closed at 5 cm.  My fundal height measured 34 weeks (ha!) and both babies looked just fine on the ultrasound.  Instead of being head down like they were at my last appointment, they are now both transverse sitting head to head on top of each other at the top of my uterus.

I go back in 3 weeks for the glucose test, and a growth ultrasound including a biophysical profile.  The ultrasound I got today was super quick so I didn't get any pictures, but in 3 weeks I will get some more.  (yay!)

I am feeling just alright lately.  I am super tired by the end of the day and feel like its impossible to get anything done!  We haven't started the boys' nursery yet, but I am busy collecting items so that once the room is empty I will be ready to get things put together and organized.

How Life Changes in Two Short (yet long) Years

Let's flash back to November 1st of 2010.  

I was pregnant!  The betas came back lower than average, but this was my 1st pregnancy that had made it past the betas (1st pregnancy was chemical.)  I got up, just like I did every day and went to work for the first half of the day.  I always tried to take half days if I could manage it so that I didn't have to be out for so long. The morning doesn't particularly stand out in my mind, but I do remember leaving work and saying goodbye to the secretary and saying something about how excited I was to hear my baby's heartbeat.  Yep, I was one of those who didn't wait until after the 1st trimester to tell people we were pregnant.  Boy was I naive.

I drove home so that Brian and I could go to the appointment together.  We were so excited!  We thought that this was finally going to be it.  We went back to the ultrasound room and the tech started to do her thing.  She is such a sweet woman and I'm sure she hates giving bad news.  She first said something like, "I only see one sac.  That's a good thing."  And then she said something that I will never forget.  She said, "I'm sorry Jessica, but there's nothing inside."  I don't know if I really knew what that meant, but I guess I figured it out when there was no baby and no heartbeat.  I was completely devastated to say the least.  I felt like a complete fool thinking that I was pregnant for the last few weeks and really had no idea what we were going to do since we were out of embryos and out of money.

We were moved to another room to talk to a nurse, nurse practitioner, someone.  That part has escaped me.  The person we talked to recommended a D&C and I was okay with that.  I just needed to  get the baby that would never be out of my body so that I could start healing physically and emotionally.  They wanted me to wait until the next week for the D&C but I had a trip planned back to Minnesota for my mom's 50th birthday a few days later and didn't want to have to take PIO shots so that I didn't miscarry on my own while out of town.  They understood and scheduled the procedure for the very next day.  Thank goodness.  I  just don't see how I could have gone to work knowing what was happening/going to happen.

The next day they did one final ultrasound just to confirm that the sac was indeed empty... which it still was.  I had the D&C and it was the worst experience of my life.  I was under twilight sedation which seemed like it did nothing at all.... and then it was over.  I was no longer pregnant anymore. I felt more empty than I ever had before. Worst day of my life.

I'm so glad that Brian was able to hold strong for both of us that day.  He had to make the phone calls to our parents to tell them what had happened.  I just knew I couldn't do it and didn't even know what I would say.  They were all so excited for us and it just felt like a huge disappointment.

That experience changed my life and not for the better.

Somehow we were able to move on and all of the planets must have aligned so that we could do another IVF cycle.  We knew we couldn't afford another $12K plus meds for another cycle so we asked the RE for a discount.  When I called the financial office and asked what discount the RE was going to do for us, she said that he was willing to do a repeat IVF for only 3K plus meds.  I was shocked!  I knew we could figure out 3K so we decided to go into another cycle as soon as my body and the doc would allow.  I think we started in Dec/Jan.

Before that phone call I had felt defeated and ready to give up.  I didn't know if we could emotionally of financially handle it and at first wasn't sure if we should do another cycle at all.  Brian had a hard time watching me go through all of the pills, shots, etc. but said that he would support whatever decision I wanted to make and we could go forward with another IVF cycle if that is what I wanted to do.

Fast Forward two years to today.  November 12th, 2012

Today I have two beautiful 13 month old little girls that are the light of my life.  I can't imagine not having them.  They are the most interesting, funny, smart, and amazing little girls that I have ever had the chance to meet.  They amaze me every day with the cutest little things that they do and the skills that they learn as well.

I am also almost 23 weeks pregnant with my two little boys.  They will be the perfect addition to our family however crazy it might be.  I'm sure they will be just as amazing as the girls are and will add even more joy to our lives.  They are each going to have a big sister to watch over them and show them the ropes.  People say that we will have our hands full, but our hearts will be full too.

Two years ago I had no idea if I would ever be a mom and currently I have two little girls with another two on the way.   You never know what's going to happen, but life has a way of working itself out.

12 Months Old!

My little girls turned one on October 6th (so now they are just about 13 months!!)

They continue to amaze me every single day.  They do the cutest things like giggle in their crib in the morning and right before going to sleep.  Its like they get to have a slumber party every day!  They steal food off of each other's trays at meal time and they loooove to feed the doggie while they are eating as well.  They put their arms out and say what sounds like "Urza" and give him their food.  He sure doesn't mind!

They adore the cat and dog.  When they see the kitty they say what sounds like, "Its the kitty!" in a high pitched shrieky  tone and go up and pet her.  You'd think that she would run away because they pull at her fur, but they are very gentle actually.  I think the cat likes any attention she can get... even if its from 1 year olds.  The dog is another favorite "toy" of the girls.  They love to go find him on his couch (yes, my dog has his own couch) and take his chew toys out of his mouth.  He is so patient with them and I am glad for that.  They also like to play in the dog's kennel.  One of the girls will go in there and the other will shut the door and bang it a few times so it makes noise.   I'm not sure what the fascination is, but its pretty funny to watch them!  They also like to look out the window.  The door that goes outside off of our kitchen has a window that they can just barely see out of.  I think they like to look for the doggie out there and watch him chase the squirrels.

Evy did the funniest thing the other day... I was holding both girls and Evy started petting her sister and saying what sounded like "nice" while she was doing it.  I guess its okay to pet your sister too?  ha ha

Just a month ago the girls were barely walking and now they are really cruising around the house.  They do look a little like zombies though because of the way they hold out their arms when they walk.  Charlotte has been trying to run too but she will just take a few steps and then fall because she can't keep up with her own momentum.  When Evy's blankey is around she will walk around carrying it in in her mouth and sometimes with her thumb in her mouth too.  Charlotte has learned to bring you things that she should have found (paper, wrappers, random stuff.) All you have to say is, "Charlotte, bring it to me!" and she will!  Evy on the other hand will "run" away as fast as she can when she knows you want to take something out of her hands.  I guess we know who the sneaky one is going to be!

They are very curious and into checking everything out.  I had the stroller in the living room for a couple days because we used it to go trick or treating and it didn't make it back into my car where it usually lives.  The girls had such a fun time playing with it and even managed to crawl into it by themselves!!    They both also love pushing things around the living room or kitchen.  Their highchairs have a bar going across the back that is just at the right height for them.  After they are done eating, they love to push the highchairs around for a while.  They also like to push the pack n plays, toys on wheels and anything else that will slide across the floor.

Right now they are super into their stuffed animals (especially the monkeys!) Brian and I bought them a big stuffed monkey for their birthday (and a turtle) and my brother and his wife sent us two smaller monkeys for their birthday as well.  They love to play with them and Charlotte really likes to give them kisses too!!  Brian said that one day Charlotte called the monkey her "baby!"  How cute!

Speaking of kisses, the girls like to make kissy noises (especially Evy) and Charlotte likes to give you a kiss by opening her mouth and basically licking you or biting you.  Its very sweet, but so odd.  Evy will make more kissy noises at you and loves getting kisses from her mama and dada!

Charlotte can say the words: mama, dada, Urza, and Its the kitty.  (They are not super clear but we know what they are saying!!)

Evy can say the words: mama, dada, Urza, Its the kitty, hi, and nice.  (Hers are not super clear either, but mama knows what she's saying!!)

They both wear size 5.5 wide in shoes.  Their first real pair of walking shoes are the white St.ride Rite high tops.  I bought those because they are gender neutral and hopefully the boys will use them too!!

They wear mostly size 4 diapers (Sometimes 3s in Pampers) and wear 12 month pants and 18 month onesies and shirts.  They are just a little too short for the 18 month pants, but the waists are getting tighter on the 12 month pants for Evy.

Stats:

Evy:
Weight: 23lbs 2oz
Height: 29.75 inches
Head: (I have to find the paper that tells me that!)

Charlotte
Weight: 21lbs 6oz
Height: 29.5 inches
Head: (I have to find her paper too!!)

Teeth: Evy has 10 teeth!! 4 top, 4 bottom and 2 molars (one one each side)

Teeth: Charlotte has 7 teeth! 4 top, and 3 bottom.

Food: The girls are eating pretty much everything these days.  We try to feed them a very healthy diet. Every week I cook them up two huge pots of vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, zucchini and yellow squash.  I had been feeding them carrots too but I read that those can be constipating so I quit putting those in and it has helped a bunch.  They will eat up to 3lbs (combined) of lunch meat per week.  Its their favorite thing!!  (And yes, I buy the all natural nitrate/nitrite free meat!!)  They eat bananas, pears, plums, blackberries, raspberries, apple slices and pretty much anything you put in front of them.  They love avocados, yogurt, eggs (scrambled and hard boiled as well.)  They like drinking water from their sippy cups, but haven't been able to completely drop the bottles yet.  They get 3-8oz bottles of organic whole milk per day and that's about what they should be getting as far as dairy (20-24oz/day.)  They also like toast, pancakes, Cherrios, frosted mini wheats, french toast, and bagels.  We give them as much whole wheat as we can but sometimes they get the white too.

I hate to admit it, but they also loooove ice cream.  Brian and I will give them little tastes of what we are eating and they just love it!!

They are both currently sharing a crib again.  They slept together from birth-10 months and then Charlotte got sick.  We separated them because we didn't want Evy to catch what Char had.  After that, they didn't really want to go back together, but when they started sleeping in their own room they needed to since we only have 1 crib.  After a few nights to adjust, they are happy as clams and I think enjoy having one another for company.

I can't say it enough, but I just love these two little girls.  It is very hard to imagine what my life was like without them because they bring me so much joy!  There are days when its hard too, but all of the great moments outweigh the tough ones.  People ask me how I do it and there is no real secret that I have found.  I think just having a positive attitude and being patient and willing to do anything for them is all I know.  I truly believe that they are calm because we are calm with them.  Babies can sense stress and anxiety from their parents so we try not to show them that.  Do I get stressed out? Well of course but I try not to all the time.

People also think we are nutty for having another set, but I think everything is going to work out just fine.  Am I totally ready for the boys to be here? Heck no!  But I'm sure by the time they come we will be as ready as we can be :)

The past 12 (or really 13) months have been just amazing!! I can't emphasize that enough!!!

Evy & Char on a little shopping trip at the outlet mall with their new shoes on!

We are going to get that bear!!

Evy with the beaer

The kitty wanted to get in the picture too!

Pumpkin patch

Evy is trying to figure out how to make this thing go!!

Playing in the doggie's kennel

Charlotte

Charlotte with her silly pony tail

Evy with her silly pony tail

Anatomy Scan- 21 weeks!

The verdict is in... we are having two BOYS!!!

The ultrasound went great.  Both boys (woah, seems strange to not say girls!) are doing fantastic.  They were jumping around and being all crazy during the scan and that was fun to see.   Both babies are measuring about a week ahead.  Baby A is approx. 1lb and Baby B is approx. 1lb 1oz.  They are in the 90 somethingth percentile... and that's for a singleton!  These boys might be huge!  Perhaps its all the donuts??

Met with the doctor after the ultrasound and asked what I could do about the restless leg syndrome.  He said to start taking an iron and magnesium supplement and that might help.

I also asked if it would be okay to fly back to MN for Christmas (I will be 30 weeks) and he said that was okay too!  I don't have a history of preterm labor and my cervix so far is just fine (4.3cm) with no funneling so as long as I continue to be okay flying is okay too!  He did say though to practice sitting for an hour and see how that goes.  He said that might be more of a determining factor because it might get pretty uncomfortable.  We will probably also have to get 3 seats because there will be no place on my lap for a baby... nor would it be comfy at all.

20 Weeks!

Falling behind has been the story of my life these days.  I obviously think about being pregnant every day (its hard not to!) but writing about it has been on the back burner.

On Wednesday I was 20 weeks! This upcoming Wednesday (Halloween) I will be 21 weeks and will also be getting the amazing 2 hour anatomy scan that I have been looking forward to.

So far I have been feeling pretty good.  I was only nauseous from weeks 6-8 and I didn't even throw up.  I haven't had any food aversions so far which has been nice.  I haven't been super starving either, and food in general some days just doesn't sound good.  Craving? Can we say donuts?  Yep, Its pretty bad... all I want to eat is sugary stuff and things that are absolutely no good for me what so ever.

I have been in maternity clothes for quite some time now.  My belly really popped out quicker than last time.  Some of my maternity stuff is even a little bit short/tight.  I've been wearing a lot of stretchy yoga type pants to work with cute tops so nobody can tell that I am wearing athletic type pants.  Its a fairly causal work environment, so I'm gonna go with the stretchy stuff until somebody says something (which I doubt they will.)

I started out this pregnancy at 166 lbs and I think I am up to about 180/182- somewhere in there so I have gained 14-16 lbs.  (With the girls I started out at 158 and got up to 210!)

Its getting harder to do "regular" things like sweep stuff into the dustpan, get up off the floor, and pick up after the kids at school.  I get pretty tired just going to work, going grocery shopping, and doing general things around the house.  I have a feeling that the farther along I get the more help I will be needing.... maybe we can bribe our friends to come over and help out in exchange for Brian's yummy cooking.

I really realized this weekend that I have to TRY and rest a little bit more when I'm at home on the weekends.  I am pretty much going nonstop from 6:30 am until the girls go to sleep at 6:30/7:00 pm.  I think the most rest I get in an average day is while I am driving to and from work!  On the weekends I am going shopping, taking care of the girls, and attempting to get things done.

I am really feeling these little ones thump and bump lately!  My first flutters were at around 12 weeks and I started feeling kicks or punches at 16 weeks 2 days.  I consistently feel movement now when I am sitting down or not moving around a bunch.  I am feeling a LOT on my right side (Baby A) but not as much on my left side (Baby B)  I'm not sure if I have anterior or posterior placentas so that could have something to do with it.

Overall, I have been feeling pretty good.  I just get tired easily and can cry at the drop of a hat (stupid hormones!!) I only have a little over 3 months left of work until my official leave begins.  My plan is to work until Friday, February 8th (I will be 35 weeks 2 days) and then be off until the end of the school year.  That will give me about 6 months total off until school starts back up again in August.  I am seriously hoping that having that much time off will help me establish a better breastfeeding routine than I had last time.  I'm thinking part of my failure was knowing that I had to go back to work when they were 3 months old and that I would only be able to pump then anyways.  I guess we will see.

10 weeks

11 weeks

13 weeks 3 days

14 weeks 2 days

15 weeks 5 days

16 weeks 2 days

18 weeks 5 days

19 weeks 1 day

20 weeks