Preggers II -- Twins: 35 Weeks

 
How far along?  35 weeks... on Christmas Eve... so today, Monday; 35 weeks 4 days.

How I am feeling? A little bi-polar, to be honest.  Some days I feel great and I'm so excited about all that we're getting done around the house and how much time I'm spending with Tracey Ann and the fact that the twins are still growing and devloping in utero.  Other days I have a much harder time keeping my eye on the prize and remembering what good news it is that I am still pregnant.  The twins are not ready to come out yet, and so in the womb is exactly where they should still be.  Although, I will admit, I don't think it has helped me that the doctors have had us on high alert to expect the twins since mid-October.  Really, I shouldn't really have been anticipating the twins until 36-38 weeks gestation... but the doctors had us ready and anticipating them since 26 weeks, so it feels like we've been on edge expecting labor for a really long time.

How big are babies?  The size of coconuts... between 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and 17.2 to 18.7 inches long according the internet.

Sleep:  Pretty normal given that I'm 35 weeks pregnant with twins.  So I'm up about 4-6 times a night... which I guess is great practice for being the mother of newborn twins and a toddler under two.

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions:  I'm not sure... but we're getting excited to find out.

Babies Nicknames:  Babies, or Twins

  Best moment this week:  I think the whole family is nesting... since Christmas Eve all of Hubby, my Mom, my Dad and I have been working very hard on the house every day getting as many projects done, boxes unpacked, and organization in place knowing that the twins could arrive any time and that each day we spend organizing could be our last before life is very different.

Food cravings:  Just food.

Missing:  Oh, let's not go here... instead let's say that, when the babies arrive, I will miss the feeling of them moving, squirming, and kicking inside my belly at the same time.  I will also miss Tracey Ann hugging my belly and using her new doctor kit on my big stomach.  She uses her stethoscope, tweezers, and gives me shots in the stomach.  It is really fun and sweet.

 

Movements:  Yes, and I love them.  Sometimes the jabs get a little rough, but for the most part, I absolutely love them and will miss them when the babies are born.

Labor Signs:  Well, yes but just enough to make us wonder each and every night if tonight might be the night... but so far the babies are still hanging in and loving live in the womb.

Comparison:  Here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 35 weeks... and by the way, I tried on this green dress to try to wear to church on Christmas Eve -- it did not fit.  Neither did the second Christmas maternity dress I tried on...

and here I am 35 weeks with the twins... in one of the few church outfits that did fit on Christmas Eve.

and a comparison shot, just for fun...

 

General Attitude: I'm trying to focus on one day at a time... I get overwhelmed when I think about another two and a half weeks of growing.  Usually when I think about one day at a time I can stay positive and encouraged.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  All the college football that happens in the week between Christmas and New Years... and hoping that if and when I do go into labor that it doesn't conflict with some of these great games.  I know, it's silly to think about... but at this point, the babies have waited this long to be born... could they give me a nice quick labor in between bowl games, please?

Milestones: Hubby and I toured the hospital again... not really because we felt we needed to -- we had Tracey Ann at this hospital less than two years ago, but we went by the Family Birth Place to drop off Christmas cookies.  While we were there, we met with one of the nurses and she familiarized us with the nursery and neonatal intensive care unit, should we need them.  We had been so focused on the good news of making it to 34 and 35 weeks in my pregnancy, that we were kind of naive not to realize that we might still be dealing with premature babies.  Tracey Ann was never in the nursery during our stay at the hospital... but depending on the needs and sizes of the twins, that might not be the case this time.  It was nice to learn the policies and procedures just in case we find ourselves with a baby or two in the nursery... although I am operating under the strong mindset that none of that will be necessary.

Thank you for your prayers in this journey.

Preggers II -- Twins: 34 Weeks

 

How far along?  34 weeks... well, I actually missed this post from last week and tomorrow will mark 35 weeks, so I'm technically 34 weeks 6 days... but the picture is from 34 weeks.

How I am feeling? From the best of my memory, at 34 weeks, I was very excited and felt very accomplished.  At 34 weeks, I had reached a big milestone in the twins' development that the doctors were excited about; I fulfilled all of my teaching obligations this fall and was now officially on maternity leave; and we had just received the great news that the babies were over 5.5 pounds each, which is wonderful!  Now, six days later, I am still feeling glad and grateful for all of the above... but I'm also getting physically pretty uncomfortable.

How big are babies?  The size of melons... between 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and 17.2 to 18.7 inches long... but at our appointment last week, we were told that one twin is estimated to weight 5 pounds 10 ounces, and the other is 5 pounds 11 ounces... and that was a week ago.

Sleep:  Well, the good news is, I am very tired at the end of the day... the bad news is I get up often to use the restroom, and have a hard time sleeping in a comfortable position.

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions: Well, we now have decided on names for the babies if they are two boys or two girls... so I'm kind of hoping for either of those combinations.

Babies Nicknames:  Babies, or Twins

 

  Best moment this week:  We've probably had a lot -- Hubby and I took a little baby moon getaway for an overnight in Grand Junction while my mom and dad watched Tracey Ann.  It has been so nice to all be on Christmas vacation the past few days and get the house more and more ready for the babies.  Hubby and I had a Rifle date night and got to watch the movie ELF.  It is such a joy to watch Tracey Ann interact with my parents and play games and get into a routine with them prior to the twins' arrivals.  It was great news hearing that the twins are so big and growing so well... the larger they are, the more developed we expect them to be when they are born.

Food cravings:  Nothing specific... but I do get very hungry every few hours.  Food is very important to me these days.

Missing:  Oh, this is probably not a topic I should get started on.  Let's just say that I am getting very uncomfortable -- a level of discomfort I never experienced with Tracey Ann.  I have to remind myself many times throughout the day how important every day in utero is to both of the babies and how blessed we are that both babies are doing so well.

 

Movements:  Yes, and I love them.  Sometimes the jabs get a little rough, but for the most part, I absolutely love them and will miss them when the babies are born.

Labor Signs:  Well, yes... my body does seem to be preparing for labor.

Comparison:  Here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 34 weeks

and here I am 34 weeks with the twins...

and our favorite pregnancy picture to date:

 

General Attitude: I'm starting to feel ready for the twins to be born... although still trying to remind myself that they would still be premature if they were born now, and we want them as healthy and mature as possible.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  Christmas Eve and Christmas, and over a week ahead of Hubby and me home together with my parents and Tracey Ann.

Milestones: As I mentioned above, hitting 34 weeks was a really big milestone in terms of the babies' development, but also fulfilling all my teaching obligations, getting our home more ready for the twins, and having a baby moon getaway with Hubby are big milestones for us.  When you consider that we were told in October we needed to be ready for premature labor and delivery, I am just overwhelmed and overjoyed to think of how far we have come and the babies are still cooking.

 

Thank you for your prayers in this journey.

Preggers II -- Twins: 33 Weeks

How far along?  33 weeks

How I am feeling?  Really well.  This week marked several milestones and big things I could cross off my To Do list... and it even allowed for some bonus tasks to be accomplished, which makes me feel great.  I definitely am tired at the end of the days, and I am uncomfortable from time to time, but I am feeling really well and excited for Christmas and preparing for the birth of our Savior... and the births of our children.

How big are babies?  The size of pineapples... between 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and 17.2 to 18.7 inches long

Sleep:  Much better now that I'm on some specific heartburn medicine.  Also Tracey Ann seems to be sleeping more soundly as well... so I've been sleeping much better.

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions: Two babies

Babies Nicknames:  Babies, or Twins

 

  Best moment this week:  I've had several best moments of this week  -- administering the final exam for the college class I teach, grading it, and officially being DONE with those obligations; I got my last haircut before the twins arrive and combined it with a day of Christmas shopping with my parents while Hubby watched Tracey Ann; We decorated our Christmas tree over the weekend, and all of my parents, Hubby, and I have made major strides on unpacking our house.  This was a really great week!

Food cravings:  Nothing specific... but I do get very hungry every few hours.  Food is very important to me these days.

Missing:  Well, I thought I would have said something about the ability to reach up high on our Christmas tree to decorate, but I think the fact I wasn't able to decorate the high parts of the tree made it more of a family effort, which was really fun.  So, I guess I'm missing my usual throat and nose... which is currently sore and stuffed respectively.  But that has nothing to do with pregnancy, just winter.  I've been very fortunate to have avoided any and all illnesses thus far throughout the fall and winter.

 

Movements:  Yes, and I love them.  Sometimes the jabs get a little rough, but for the most part, I absolutely love them and will miss them when the babies are born.

Labor Signs:  Not yet

Comparison:  Here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 33 weeks

and here I am 33 weeks with the twins...

and a side-by-side comparison:

 

 

General Attitude: I'm really getting excited about Christmas and the knowledge that after three more work days, I will be on maternity leave -- and still have my parents here to help.  I'm hoping we can finish settling into this house, prepare for Christmas, and do more preparation for the twins before they make their grand entrance.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  Three more work days AND DONE!  Also, I am excited that every week the babies grow more and more, and I am very hopeful that we can avoid the NICU when they do arrive.

Milestones: Well, with my reaching 32 weeks, my doctor's office scheduled me for twice weekly Non-Stress Tests (NSTs)... a very ironic name given that the experience of my first one was the most stressful event, thus far, in this pregnancy.  The test involves being hooked up to three monitors, which track the babies' heart rates over a period of 20 minutes minimum.  If the babies move or squirm, their heart rates are not recorded until the nurse finds the heart rates again, and the whole process can take much longer than 20 minutes.  Mine, for example, took over 2 hours before they decided to scrap the NST and take an ultrasound to check on the babies instead.  I was at the doctor's office for over three hours.  So, that is not a great milestone, but after my first test, my doctor said that she thinks this test is only necessary once a week for me instead of twice a week.  Depending on how my next NST goes, I may be declining even the weekly testing.

Also, today being December 14 marks one month from the day they will induce labor if I have not had the twins yet.  I am officially in my last month of pregnancy.

Preggers II -- Twins: 32 Weeks

How far along?  32 weeks

How I am feeling?  I'm feeling pretty well although it is incredibly difficult to lean over a pick something up off the ground.  Every time I do, I am afraid my water is going to break.

How big are babies?  The size of squashes... which is funny to me because they probably are squashing each other by this point HAHA!  The internet says the babies are between 2.5 to 3.8 pounds and 15.2 to 16.7 inches long, but at the appointment I had last week, the doctor said the babies are about 4 pounds a piece, which is wonderful!  That is how large they would expect a single baby to weigh at 32 weeks, and twins often are not as large because of how cramped they are by 32 weeks.  This was great news to receive.

Sleep:  Pretty well although Tracey Ann has learned how to open her bedroom door and so that has impacted my sleep this week.

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions: Two babies

Babies Nicknames:  Babies, Twins or Twinsies

  Best moment this week:  I had my last appointment with the high-risk specialist from Denver this past week, and she gave us great news at that appointment.  She was thrilled with how long I've carried the babies and that we're not detecting any further complications anymore.  She gave us the green light to deliver the babies at our local hospital, assuming no unforeseen issues arise and the plan is not to see her again.

Food cravings:  Nothing specific.

Missing:  The ability to bend over and pick things up off the floor -- I had no idea how many toys and items Tracey Ann just leaves on the floor until I have had to stop picking them up... there are toys EVERYWHERE!

 

Movements:  Yes, and this week they seem to have increased.  I can now see the twins moving on the outside of my stomach regularly, and it is awesome!  I love watching them move even though I can also feel them moving.  When they are moving now, it feels more like full-baby squirms as opposed to a little kick here, or an arm there.  Two whole babies are beginning to squirm.

Labor Signs:  Nothing real yet

Comparison:  Here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 32 weeks

and here I am 32 weeks with the twins...

 

General Attitude: I think I am starting to realize that life, as I know it, will never be the same.  This is a wonderful thing, but it is also a hard concept to wrap my mind around.  My physical limitations are frustrating to me with all the Christmas decorating and unpacking I want to accomplish before the twins arrive... but the truth is, my time will not be my own when the twins are born.  It is not like I have my arms in slings, and as soon as I get these slings off, I can go back to my usual productive self.  Yes, physically, I will be more capable after the twins are born... but that does not mean life is back to normal.  Life will be getting a new normal.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  Once I have administered my final exam for the college class I teach, I am getting a hair cut and my nails done.  It will just be a trim, but it will be the last trim I get before the twins arrive, and it is a little celebration for myself for making it through this incredibly, busy and crazy pregnant fall.

Milestones: With my reaching 32 weeks, I am allowed to deliver the babies at our local hospital instead of being flown to Denver.  Also I taught my last college lecture for the semester (all that is left is to administer the final), and my parents have arrived, so we now have in-home help indefinitely.

Preggers II -- Twins: 31 Weeks

How far along?  31 weeks

How I am feeling?  A lot better this week -- I still get tired, but its amazing what five days of not working can do for my stamina and energy

How big are babies?  The size of pineapples... between 2.5 to 3.8 pounds and 15.2 to 16.7 inches long

Sleep:  Okay as long as heartburn isn't too bad

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions: Two babies

Babies Nicknames:  Babies, or Twins 

  Best moment this week:  Last night, Hubby and Tracey Ann and I were cuddling on the couch, and Hubby and Tracey Ann started talking to the twins and kissing my belly, and it was just the sweetest thing.  I know we will have periods of adjustment when the twins are born, but I hope to be able to remember and treasure beautiful family moments, like the one last night when everything is perfect and everyone is happy and loving.

Food cravings:  Nothing specific.

Missing:  Life without heartburn

 

Movements:  Yes, although they are not as frequent any more now that the babies have less space.

Labor Signs:  Not as long as I rest and put my feet up

Comparison:  Here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 31 weeks

and here I am 31 weeks with the twins...

... and I like this picture better for 31 weeks, but I don't think you can see my belly as well

General Attitude: Trying to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel -- not the end of pregnancy but ten more days of teaching work, one more college lecture, and two more weeks of the college class and then I just have to focus on pregnancy and motherhood and nesting and preparing for our first family Christmas in our new home -- and in Colorado.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  Finishing my last college lecture... and hopefully getting our Christmas tree.

Milestones: We officially have family in the state, so if anything happens, my parents are about an hour away.  Starting next week, they will be staying with us, so we will really have reinforcements here to help.