37 Weeks

How Far Along - 37 Weeks!! Full Term!

Babies' Size -  Both babies were measuring 6lbs7oz at our ultrasound on Friday. 

Total Weight Gain - This week has been another up and down week in the weight department thanks to swelling. This morning I was up 52, and I think that's pretty accurate. 

Gender - Boy and Girl!
Names - I think we know what their names will be, but I'm not feeling a big connection between the babies and their names. It will definitely be a post birth decision.  
Maternity Clothes - I'm glad I only have a week left, because even my maternity clothes are barely covering this belly.  
Cravings - Soup! It hasn't even been that cold here, but I'm all about soup. Chick Fil A's chicken tortilla is one of my faves right now. I also had a sushi craving this week, which was satisfied immediately. It will be nice when I have more than just a couple safe sushi options to choose from.  

Symptoms - Lots of swelling, pressure, round ligament pain, Braxton Hicks, and heartburn. The heartburn has been a real bitch this week. It doesn't matter what I eat, when I eat, or how much I eat, the heartburn is there. Pass the Tums and Zantac please!
Sleep - Still lots of tossing and turning, but I'm thankfully getting a decent amount of rest. I had one night that required a couple hours of upright sleeping, which I'm not a fan of. Although, I'm also not a fan of side sleeping. I can't wait to get back to sleeping on my stomach and back. 
Miss Anything - Energy. I am thankfully still feeling really good in the morning, but by lunchtime I'm pretty well spent. Thank goodness for kids that still nap. 
Stretch Marks - No new ones, but I definitely have them. 
Looking Forward To - Christmas! All of our shopping is done, presents are wrapped, and now we wait. I am so excited to have this last big holiday with Harrison and Brooke before the babies arrive. As excited as I am to meet the babies, I'm enjoying every last minute I can with my first babies. 
Best Moment This Week - Getting to enjoy a movie date with Rob today. Movie dates when I'm about to pop seem to be our thing. With H and B we went to see The Avengers a week and a half before they were born. Today it was Star Wars. I miraculously made it through the whole movie without needing a bathroom break. Impressive, I know. ;) Also, making it to 37 weeks is HUGE! 

Appointment Notes - All looked good on our ultrasound. There was a little confusion over fluid levels that had us freaked out until my OB talked to the u/s tech to clarify. We have another ultrasound tomorrow to make sure all looks good to hold out to the 28th. Mostly they'll just be checking fluid levels and positioning. I won't be seeing my OB tomorrow, and when I left my Friday appointment, she said I'll see you on the 28th. It's great to know she feels as confident as I do that we'll make it to our scheduled section. 

The Death of a Birth Plan

Long before I ever got pregnant, or even knew we would have trouble getting pregnant, I knew I was going to have an unmedicated home birth. When we first started trying, or not trying to avoid as it were, I watched The Business of Being Born. I then followed that up with lots of books and journals regarding birth. I became a major home birth advocate and knew our future baby would be born at home, or in the very least a birthing center.

Fast forward 5 years, and we were finally pregnant. I held onto the dream of a relaxing home birth during all of our fertility struggles. I was convinced I was still going to be able to have the birth I dreamed of, and then we found out it was twins. So much for the home birth I dreamed of. Yes there are women who home birth multiples, but it increased the risk enough I wasn't comfortable with it anymore.  

Thankfully my OB was on board with an unmedicated natural hospital birth. So that was the plan for 30 weeks. Then we found out I needed to be induced due to preeclampsia. My doctor was great about keeping things as natural as possible while still getting things moving. Pitocin was considered a last resort. 

I cried after that appointment as I drove home to get the house in order before our induction that night. I knew the statistics on induction and natural birth, and I knew the odds were no longer in my favor. Less than 24 hours after my doctors appointment, Harrison and Brooke were born via c-section. While their birth wasn't at all what I planned or hoped for, it was what was necessary, and we all came out healthy on the other end. 

We knew we wanted more kids, and I knew I wanted a VBAC, so we waited almost 2 years before our FET. The longer after your c section, the higher chance of a successful natural delivery. I knew an HBAC was out of the question after my delivery with H and B, so I again planned for a natural hospital delivery. 

At 7 weeks we found out it was twins again, and I was told immediately I was crazy for considering a twin VBAC. I was still laying on the ultrasound table being told I shouldn't even consider a twin VBAC. If I wasn't already crying, I was as soon as I heard that. 

My OB was more optimistic, but still was in favor of a repeat c-section. She was willing to try a natural birth if everything was going smoothly, which it thankfully is. Almost 37 weeks, no health issues this go round, two head down babies. The things natural twin births are made of.  

I started doing a little research, and it didn't take long for me to make a decision. I discussed it with Robbie, and he was very much for a scheduled c-section. By that time, I was too. It took me a while to come to terms with it, but by 20 weeks we knew we would be having a scheduled repeat c-section. We discussed dates, which is totally weird to me to plan the day your babies will arrive, and decided that after Christmas was best. 

For almost 5 weeks now we have know that December 28th is our babies' eviction day, and I've prayed every day that we make it that far. We have to arrive at the hospital at 5am for a 7:30 c-section. I still haven't packed my bag, because I'm convinced we will make it to our scheduled date.  

Life has a way of throwing curves your way. While I never dreamed I'd be a c-section mama, I am and I'm ok with it.  I never dreamed I'd be the mom of two sets of twins, but here I am, about to welcome my second set in a week and a half. All of this to say it's ok that things didn't go how I planned. As important as my ideal birth was, it's not what matters anymore. My healthy children are. I was still able to exclusively breast feed, and make other natural choices for their life. Things that were as important to me as the birth I had planned. While their birth is about them, I realized that the plan I had was more about me, and that as long as they're healthy and safe, it's all that matters. Do I still wish I could have had the home birth that some of my friends were able to experience? Of course I do, but I am just as happy with the days spent in the hospital with H and B, and the days to come that I'll spend in the hospital with our still nameless new babies. 

36 Weeks

How Far Along - 36 Weeks 1 Day

Babies' Size - I'm guessing their size is right around 6 pounds. This week we will have a full ultrasound with measurements and a biophysical profile. I'm excited to see how they're measuring. 

Total Weight Gain - I was still at 49 pounds on Saturday. Sunday I was up 2, and today I was up another 2. Water weight? So somewhere between 49 and 53. Il be watching to see if it levels off or stays at 53.  

Gender - Boy and Girl!
Maternity Clothes - Still rotating the last few items in my closet that actually fit. Sweats, yoga pants, maternity jeans, and maternity shirts.
Cravings - None. I've been eating to eat, and not really because anything sounds great. We did have Chinese food from one of our favorite restaurants last night, and it did hit the spot. I 

Symptoms - Swelling is new just within the last 24-48 hours. The bones in my feet and my ankles are almost nonexistent. I'm really hoping that it's just the result of a busy weekend and that it will minimize a little bit.
Sleep - The cold that plagued me last week is gone, so sleep has been a little bit better. Tyson has been driving me freaking crazy at night. He is having a hard time adjusting to sleep in the new house, and I know me changing positions every hour or two doesn't help. Overall I can't complain though. I did have one night where I moved down to the couch because my hips were so sore, but otherwise I've been making it from 11-7 most nights without too many issues.
Miss Anything - Being able to keep a clean house. I know that's kind of a trivial thing, but not feeling up to house work is kind of driving me batty. The energy I do have is devoted to the kids, getting things ready for babies, and all things holiday. Cleaning has taken a back seat and I'm looking forward to having energy to clean again. Until then, I'll keep the house habitable, and the mop can take a back seat.
Stretch Marks - Yep! They're still less noticeable if my belly is fully moisturized, but there's no denying they're there.
Purchases - A few things for me. A robe and new slippers to pack in my hospital bag, which I still haven't packed. I know I need to, but I feel like as soon as I do it's a sign to the universe that I'm ready for the babies to show up.
Looking Forward To - This is Brooke and Harrison's last week of school and classes. I am excited to have a few mornings where we don't have to rush out the door, and we can meander around the house all morning. I'm sure we'll still get out and do things next week, even if it's just a quick Starbucks run, but it will be nice to have a week where our schedule isn't so busy.
Best Moment This Week - Making it through another week! At this point every day is a blessing. This pregnancy has been so different than with H and B. I'm convinced staying active is the difference. By this time last pregnancy, I was miserable, swollen, uncomfortable, and just plain over it. I was hoping every day would be the day I went into labor, and this go round, I'm hoping I don't. 

Appointment Notes - BP was 122/78. Still nice and low, and I'm beyond happy about that. We had another NST this week, and little man actually cooperated. Both babies had quite a few rises and falls in their heart rate which is what they like to see. Normal fluctuation and some movement. Our next two, last two, appointments are both ultrasound appointments, so this NST was our last. 

35 Weeks

How Far Along - 35 Weeks 1 Day
Babies' Size - A couple of honeydew melons or coconuts. Both babies were weighing over 5lbs at my ultrasound a week ago. Assuming we make it to 38 weeks, I think we're going to be looking at 7 pound babies.
Total Weight Gain - 49 pounds total. I usually weigh myself every day or two, but I went for a couple weeks without the scale during our move. I'd be very curious to see if the gain has been consistent or if there was a big jump over Thanksgiving weekend.
Gender - Boy and Girl!
Maternity Clothes - I'm down to 4 tees and 3 tanks that cover my belly. And when I say they cover it, that's only if I continuously pull them down. Maternity jeans and yoga pants when I leave the house, sweatpants at home all the time. We now have neighbors that can see in our windows, so the no pants option I loved so much a few weeks ago is no longer an option.
Cravings - Peppermint everything. Coffee, pretzels, oreos, ice cream, everything. To be fair, I'd probably be craving all things peppermint even if I wasn't pregnant. I love peppermint!! Christmastime of heaven to my taste buds.
Symptoms - Lots of Braxton Hicks. I definitely notice them at least every hour, and they're often frequent enough that I have to lay down and chug some water. Lots and lots of baby movement. I can tell they are getting crowded in there. The movements they make and they things they are doing to my stomach right now are almost creepy. Very minimal sweeling by the end of the day. Nothing at all close to what I experienced last time. 
Sleep - I've had a cold over the last week which has made sleep worse than usual. I am tossing and turning a lot, but I'm no longer waking up at 6am and being unable to fall back asleep. Most days I do take advantage of nap time and I can make up for an hour of sleep then.
Miss Anything - Not worrying. I'm worried about the babies coming early, how Harrison and Brooke are going to handle things, getting the babies' room ready, making sure we're ready for Christmas. You get the idea. We have so much going on right now that it has my usual laid back self feeling on edge. Definitely not a feeling I'm used to.
Stretch Marks - Yep! I think a few of them may be new, but most of them are ones from postpartum with H and B.
Purchases - Everything!! Now that we're in the new house, I've been on a baby shopping spree. Car seats, rock and plays, double snap and go, winter baby clothes, nursing supplies and pillow, baby monitor. I think I have everything ordered that needs ordered, now I'm just waiting for a few more things to show up. Between Christmas, baby purchases, and items for the new house, our USPS and UPS drivers have been making daily deliveries. We haven't purchased a table for our formal dinning room yet, so right now that room is serving as a staging area for all of the new baby gear that has been arriving.
Looking Forward To - Finishing getting everything organized. Baby clothes have been sorted and laundered, the nursery is painted, cribs are set up. We are definitely getting there, and I can't wait until I feel like we really have everything ready to go. I should probably get bags packed for the kids and I and make arrangements for the dogs.
Best Moment This Week - Rob's work Christmas party was last weekend. We went to the party and then went out for a night cap after. Martinis for him, decaf coffee and dessert for me. We're so close to having our life turned upside down again, it was really nice to get out and enjoy an evening with just the two of us. 

Appointment Notes - We've had a couple ultrasounds over the past few weeks. Both babies scored 8 out of 8 on their biophysical profiles. Baby girl was weighing in a 5lbs4oz a week ago, and baby boy was at 5lbs6oz. My blood pressure was 110/70 at my appointment on Friday. I'm so relieved that my BP has been staying down. 

32 Weeks

How Far Along - 32 Weeks 1 Day
Babies' Size - 2 large jicamas or squashes depending on which app or picture you consult. How either of those are bigger than the pineapple last week, I don't know. I do know that both babies are closing in on 4 pounds in the weight department, and they're just over 16 inches long.
Total Weight Gain - 42 pounds, up 2 pounds last week. My goal is 50 total, so we're going to be pretty close to that as long as I don't pack on a bunch of water weight.
Gender - One with a Y chromosome, and one without
Maternity Clothes - Can I just give up on pants? All of my pants, even my maternity jeans, are getting tight on the bottom of my belly. At home I proudly wear a maternity tees and boy short underwear around the house 90% of the time. Keeping it comfy but still PG. I do have a couple pairs of loose fitting sweats that make appearances for company or if I get cold.
Cravings - No real cravings this week. Last night we had the most amazing dinner. Creamy tortellini soup, fruit salad. and cucumber tomato salad. I love TWD nights and the food that comes along with them! I think I want to repeat that meal every day this week.
Symptoms - Mostly the general uncomfortableness that comes along with the end of pregnancy. My heartburn eased up last week, so yay to that. I still am not experiencing much swelling, unless you count my booty. ;) All things considered, I'm feeling pretty lucky as far as symptoms go right now. 
Sleep - Still lots of tossing and turning and hip pain throughout the night. I tried sleeping on the couch in a recliner for a couple hours last week. It was a big fail, but it did help relieve the hip pain enough I could go back to sleep for another hour in our bed before the kids woke up.
Miss Anything - Being able to get around easily. I'm slow, like really slow. Thankfully I have two very understanding kiddos.
Stretch Marks - No new ones this week. Definitely noticing a few white ones, maybe from postpartum with H and B. If I don't lube up the belly a couple times a day, they are definitely more noticeable.
Looking Forward To - Meeting these babies!! They'll be here in 6 weeks! Also moving! After being delayed for weeks, we find out today if we'll be moving this weekend or at the beginning of next week. I can't wait to get this situated for these babies to come home. We still haven't bought anything for them, we do already have most of it, so there will be a lot of Black Friday baby shopping going on, online of course. Car seats, rock n plays, double snap and go stroller, you get the idea. It's time to start getting ready!
Best Moment This Week - Getting the OK from my OB to enjoy an occasional treat and only have to test my blood sugar twice a day. All of my numbers have been really good. The dietary recommendations they gave me are basically in line with how I already eat, with the exception of no ice cream or sweets. Once I got the ok I picked up some Talenti Peppermint Bark and enjoy a little during the kids' nap time. 

Appointment Notes - We had our first NST at last week's appointment. Baby girl held still and we got a great reading on her. Little Man didn't want to cooperate, and we couldn't keep a reading on him for more than a minute or two at a time. We wound up getting a surprise ultrasound to make sure he looked ok. My insurance hasn't given us any issues about the number of ultrasounds we've had, so I think we'll be having ultrasounds every other week from here on out to make sure cord flow, fluids, and growth are looking good. My blood pressure was 122/80. Getting a little higher than my usual, but still looking ok. Honestly, I'm a little nervous about that number. I'm usually around 110/60. With H and B the numbers went up gradually each week until we hit 140/90 and got the dreaded preeclampsia diagnosis. I know there isn't anything I can do to prevent it, but I'd really like to not have blood pressure concerns during and after delivery.

31 Weeks

Sunday is the day each week when I start a new week of pregnancy. Sunday also happens to be one of the only two days each week when I can get mine and Rob's schedule to line up for a couple quick weekly pregnancy pics. If it doesn't happen Sunday then I have to wait until Thursday. Yesterday was crazy and it didn't happen. Between no naps, spending the afternoon getting dinner ready for our TWD night, and it being dark by 6pm, pictures were a bust. Rather than waiting until Thursday, selfies are it this week. I should really invest the $20 it cost for a remote timer, but oh well.

I have officially reached the point in this pregnancy when everyone thinks I'm going to go into labor tomorrow. It started a few weeks ago, but now it seems everyone I run into thinks my water is going to break on their shoes. This past week we had to run to the laundromat to wash our comforter. A teenage/early 20s boy commented about me being ready to pop. I didn't mention that it was twins, I just said I had a few more weeks left. Harrison overheard the exchange, and he now comments on me being ready to pop all the time. 7 more weeks little buddy.

How Far Along - 31 weeks
Babies' Size - Two pineapples. Baby A is estimated at 3lbs9oz and Baby B is 4lbs3oz
Total Weight Gain - 40 pounds total. Up 1 pound last week
Gender - One little lady and one little man
Maternity Clothes -My new t-shirts came this week, and it's so nice to have shirts that cover my belly again. I'm wearing all maternity tops layered with cardigans or button downs, and wither maternity jeans, or prepregnancy pants with lots of stretch.
Cravings - ICE CREAM!! I miss my nightly bowl, but until I get at least a week or two of blood sugar testing under my belt to see how my levels are doing, I won't be indulging. I still haven't had the burger I've been craving for the last couple weeks, but I plan to change that soon.
Symptoms - My biggest issue is round ligament pain and the overall weight of my belly. I've started considering getting a support belt, but I am not sure if they're worth it. Walking with the kids has become extremely difficult because the ligament pain starts almost immediately. If you had one, or know someone who did, are the support belts worth the expense for only a few weeks?
Sleep - I go back and forth between having a really good night's sleep where I only wake up once, and a couple nights in a row where I am up every hour switching the side I'm laying on.
Miss Anything - Sleeping on my stomach. I can't wait until the day we come home from the hospital and I can sleep on my stomach. It may only be for an hour or two stretch, but I know it will be glorious. I also miss freedom to eat what I want. My diet hasn't changed all that much, but having to be constantly concerned about my carb vs. protein balance is a pain.
Stretch Marks - Lots of white ones. Most are I think from after H and B were born, but I think a few might be new.
Looking Forward To - Meeting these babies!! 7 weeks seems so close. Whether we are ready or not, they'll be here before we know it.
Best Moment This Week - Getting to see my little monkeys. In two twin pregnancies and 623 ultrasounds, I've never seen a good 3D/4D ultrasound until this week. The tech got a really good shot of baby boy. I know his looks will change between now and the time he's born, but it's crazy to see what he looks like right now. The picture of Baby girl isn't too bad, but shes got an arm or placenta in front of her face. Sorry you're so smooshed little lady.

Appointment Notes - I am down to weekly appointments now. We start switching between ultrasounds and NSTs up until they're born. Aside from the potential blood sugar issues, everything looks good. Blood pressure is still nice and low, 118/70. There was potential concern about a possible amniotic band, and they weren't able to see upper lips during our last ultrasound. I'm glad to report both babies have fully formed upper lips, and they were able to rule our an amniotic band. Yay!

Baby Boy

Baby Girl

30 Weeks

How Far Along - 30 weeks
Babies' Size - 2 cucumbers, which just happens to be one of my favorite foods right now. Weighing in at close to 3 pounds each.
Total Weight Gain - 39 pounds total. I am definitely starting to feel the extra weight.
Gender -  Baby A is a girl and Baby B is a boy
Maternity Clothes - Mostly sweats, yoga pants, and maternity tees. Leggings and maternity jeans make appearances if I need to look presentable. I finally ordered new Gap maternity tees in a size up. They will be here this week and will hopefully keep my belly covered for the next 8 weeks.
Cravings - I have been craving a big burger from Red Robin for the last couple weeks. I haven't satisfied the craving yet, but I'm hoping to soon.
Symptoms - Lots of soreness. I have a swollen round ligament that has been causing me a lot of pain. Indigestion and heartburn are my daily enemies. Sore hips and lots of pelvic pressure as well. As uncomfortable as I am on a daily basis, it's all worth it.
Miss Anything - Sleep, ice cream, and being able to shave my legs with ease. I am in desperate need of a pedicure and would just do it myself, but that hasn't been an option for weeks now.
Stretch Marks - I got stretch marks after Brooke and Harrison were born. They were never red, just white. I can definitely tell where those ones are, but no new ones that I've notices.
Belly Button - Baby Boy is positioned right under my belly button, so depending on what he's doing, depends on if I have an innie or an outie. Mostly I'd say it's popped though.
Sleep - Starting just in the last few days, sleep has been rough. My hips hurt after laying on one side for an hour, so then I roll over and wait for the other side to start hurting. I was so uncomfortable last night I wound up moving to the couch around 5 am. I also had to go to the bathroom 5 times last night, which is a big change from the once or twice a night I had been experiencing. I am hoping the last few nights were flukes, but I have a feeling sleep is now a thing of the past.
Looking Forward To - Finding out weights on these babies. We haven't been told approximate weights yet at any of our ultrasounds, so I'm excited to see what I'm carrying around.

Appointment Notes - I had my one hour glucose test last week. I found out I failed, so I had to do the three hour test. I failed that too, so I've now been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I don't know what the levels on my three hour test were, but I know two of them were abnormal. I get to meet with a nurse practitioner this week to find out how exactly they want me to proceed. I'm hoping my levels were just barely above normal, like the were for my 1 hour, and that I can still eat a mostly normal diet and not take insulin. I'll know for sure at the end of the week, but I know for sure I'll be testing my blood sugar daily. Bye bye ice cream. :(

28 Weeks

How Far Along - 28 Weeks
Babies' Size - 2 Eggplants, around 14 inches and 2 pounds each
Total Weight Gain - 34 pounds total, up 3 pounds over the last two weeks
Gender - Still nameless baby boy and baby girl
Maternity Clothes - I only have a few shirts that still over the belly. Either I'm going to have a cold belly over the next 10 weeks, or I need to buy a few new shirts in a size or two up. I'm still holding strong with my one pair of beloved maternity jeans and non maternity leggings and yoga pants.
Cravings - Iced coffee, breakfast burritos, fruit, and carbs. At the grocery store this morning I decided I needed Pop Tarts, Toaster Strudel, and Pumpkin Krispy Kremes. Apparently there will be a lot of sweet breakfast food consumed in this house over the next week.
Symptoms - Heartburn and indigestion are in full force. One night this week I spent over an hour laying in bed convinced I was going to throw up because the indigestion was so bad. Lots of contractions and cramps, nothing consistent though. General uncomfortableness, but nothing terrible.
Miss Anything - Being able to keep up with the kids on walks. I have definitely slowed down quite a bit, so they are always 50 feet ahead of me, and I constantly have to tell them to stop and wait. They're so good at being patient with me even though I move slower than an 80 year old woman.
Stretch Marks - None have broken through the skin yet, but the red marks are very visible through my skin.
Looking Forward To - My appointment this week. I'm ready to get the glucose test over so I can forget about it and eat my ice cream with no worry for the next 10 weeks.
Best Moment This Week - Reaching the 3rd trimester! We're getting so close to the end. I can't wait to meet these little munchkins. Well maybe I can wait just a little bit longer so we can find names we like.

Purchases - I had been keeping my eyes open for a Jumperoo. It's one of the few things we don't have and I knew I didn't want to buy new. We happened to see one while driving past Salvation Army yesterday, so we stopped in and bought it. It looks brand new, and as a bonus score they had a brand new Crane humidifier we picked up. Less than $60 for both. Win!!

26 Weeks

How Far Along - 26 weeks
Babies' Size - A pair of lettuce heads, around 14 inches and 2 pounds
Total Weight Gain - 31 pounds total, up 4 over the last 2 weeks. At least weight gain is consistent.
Gender - We confirmed a boy and a girl via ultrasound this week. Good to know their sexes are accurate.
Maternity Clothes - I was happy to discover that my regular Express leggings are still very comfortable to wear. I was worried they would be uncomfortable around my belly, but I find them less tight than my yoga pants, so big win there. Lots of maternity tanks layered with cardigans. I'm 90% positive tanks, cardigans, and leggings are going to be my daily uniform from here on out.
Cravings - I've been looking forward to my nightly bowl of ice cream. Turkey cheese toasties are still high on the list along with soup. Lots and lots of soup.
Symptoms - You name it, I've got it. Except hemorrhoids. Thankfully that hasn't happened yet. Lots of heartburn and indigestion.
Miss Anything - The good drugs. I came down with a cold that has lasted over a week. There were a few days I was pretty miserable, but I couldn't take anything for it. I just wanted to chug some Nyquil and pass out, but was stuck with Robitussin DM which is basically worthless.
Stretch Marks - None have broken through the skin yet, but the red marks are very visible through my skin.
Looking Forward To - Moving! I'm ready to get settled in our new house so I can start getting things ready for the babies. We have put off ordering the things we need until after we move. I'm getting antsy, but know there's no reason to buy things now just to move them in 4 weeks.
Best Moment This Week - Another ultrasound, yay!! Both babies are measuring a little ahead and their organs look great.

Appointment Notes - During the ultrasound they weren't able to see either of the babies upper lips. Not necessarily a concern, but they do want to make sure that those are fully formed at our next ultrasound in 5 weeks. There is also a slight concern about an amniotic band. My doctor said usually these things smooth out and wind up just being a wrinkle in the sac, but again it's something we will be looking at during our next ultrasound. 

24 Weeks

How Far Along - 24 weeks 2 days
Babies' Size - 2 ears of Indiana sweet corn
Total Weight Gain - 2 pound gain last week, and 1 the week before.  27 pounds total.
Gender - Still carrying the B/Gs
Maternity Clothes - Either maternity clothes, maxi dresses, or sweats. I don't like to wear sweats or yoga pants outside of the house unless I'm going to work out. I'm slowing deciding I don't give a shit and that I'll wear whatever I darn well please.
Cravings - Food. I love it all right now. I have been longing for more coffee than I'm allowed to drink. I'm not sure it it's the cooler weather, but I've really been wanting a second cup of coffee in the afternoon.
Symptoms - All of them. ;) Hip and pelvic pain, heartburn, itchy belly, discharge, swollen feet by the end of the day, you get the idea. Even with all of the lovely symptoms of pregnancy, I'm still enjoying it. Most of the time.
Miss Anything - Clothes that fit and not having to go to the bathroom 4 times per night. The other night I didn't wake up to use the restroom at all.  It was glorious until the morning when I had tons of Braxton Hicks, was seriously uncomfortable, and realized I didn't drink enough the day before.
Stretch Marks - I can see little red marks under my skin, but no stretch marks have come through yet.  
Looking Forward To - Our next appointment in a week and a half! We have blood work, glucose test, an ultrasound, and a visit with my OB all on the agenda. After my last visit we moved appointments up to 3 weeks increments. A couple 3 week appointments and then we'll be moving up to every 2.
Best Moment This Week - REACHING VIABILITY!! 24 weeks is such a big deal for twin pregnancies. So many twin moms deliver early or have to go on bed rest. Reaching this milestone is a big one for us. We were fortunate to make it to 37 weeks with H and B with almost no complications. The great news this time around is our success last time gives us an even better chance of carrying to term this time. Even with that information, it's still a relief to know that if something happened and they had to be born, they have a better chance of surviving than not. That is of course with serious medical help. 

Appointment Notes - I developed mild pre-eclampsia with H and B at the very end. I want to keep track of my blood pressure this go round, so I am going to add an appointment notes section to my weekly posts. At my 22 week appointment my BP was 120/70. Still low but a little higher than usual for me. Also worth noting, both babies heartbeats were in the low 150s. 

22 Weeks

How Far Along - 22 weeks 2 days
Babies' Size - 11 inches, 1 pound, approximately the size of 2 papayas
Total Weight Gain - Up 3 pounds last week. Yikes! 24 pounds total. I am having a hard time seeing the number on the scale climb. I know early weight gain is so important with twins, but it's still hard to see the number go up so much. I have to keep reminding myself that big healthy babies and no NICU time is the goal. I can worry about weight gain after they're born.  
Gender - One little man and one little lady. 
Maternity Clothes - All the time. Some of my maternity tanks and tees are even getting a little short. I have some sized up maternity clothes from the end of my last pregnancy that will be making an appearance soon.  
Cravings - no real cravings, but definitely some foods I've been favoring lately. Cereal, cheese toasties with turkey, and Mexican food are high on the list right now. 
Symptoms - Lots of hip and pelvic pain. By the time the kids are in bed, I am ready to get in bed and lay on my side to relieve some of the pressure. I've been noticing minor swelling in my feet by the end of the day. I have an OB appointment this Friday, and I'm curious to see if my blood pressure is up anymore. It was a gradual climb my entire last pregnancy until I made it to 140/90 at my 37 week appointment. 
Miss Anything - Energy and a good nights sleep. After a couple good nights of sleep post vacation, I've been tossing and turning a lot at night.  
Stretch Marks - Still none yet. My belly has been really itchy, so I've been slathering it with lotion multiple times a day.  
Looking Forward To - Hearing two little heartbeats this week. Even though I can feel them move daily, there's something so amazing and reassuring about hearing their heartbeats.  
Best Moment This Week - We can finally see some of their movements. Rob and I were laying on the couch a couple nights ago just watching them kick my belly button. Being able to share their movements with him is so special. 

21 Weeks

We've had a crazy last couple weeks with vacation and getting ready for vacation, so I've missed a couple weekly updates. I don't have the usual bump pic for this week, but I wanted to make sure another week didn't go by without an update. Posts should be back to normal for next week's post, but for now this will have to do.

19 weeks

How Far Along - 21 weeks 2 days
Babies' Size - 10.5 inches, 12.7 ounces - Either the size of a banana or a pomegranate depending on which app I consult. How do they decide these fruits, seriously?
Total Weight Gain - 21 pounds total.
Gender - A girl and a boy!
Maternity Clothes - Trying to put this belly and these hips and anything other than maternity is rather ridiculous at this point. I have still been trying to get away with a few pre pregnancy items here and there, mainly shirts, but I wind up pulling the tops down to cover the belly or pulling the pants up so they cover my ever expanding posterior.
Cravings - I had a wicked craving for gummy candy that I fulfilled while passing time in the airport last week. We bought every sour gummy candy the store had, and my brother and I killed the bag of candy. I've been missing lunch meat sandwiches, so I have started doing cheese toasties with turkey, extra cheesy. The gooier the better. 
Symptoms - I'm experiencing a lot of soreness at the days go on. Mostly in my hips and legs. Braxton Hicks have also started. I barely noticed them last pregnancy, but after too much walking on a long day, I definitely notice them. Heartburn and indigestion are also starting to rear their head almost nightly. I also think I may be starting to swell a little bit. That may just be my imagination though.
Miss Anything - If you asked me last week I would have said sleep. Being at home in my own bed has me sleeping great that last couple nights, so I'm going to say nothing right now.
Stretch Marks - None yet. I didn't get them last time until after delivery. I'm curious to see if they appear before delivery this time.
Looking Forward to - Our appointment next week. I don't feel baby boy near as much as I feel baby girl, so I'm looking forward to hearing two strong heartbeats to calm my worries. I'm also looking forward to some stronger more regular movement so the kids can really feel the babies move. Every time they feel my belly the say they can feel the babies kick, but I think they have yet to actually feel them.
Best Moment this Week - My brother's wedding!! Dancing with my big pregnant belly, seeing my siblings, getting to enjoy the mountains, spending a whole week with Rob and no work, feeling the babies go crazy while we were flying, all of it. 

21 weeks 1 day

18 Weeks and Gender Reveal

How Far Along - 18 Weeks 4 Days 
Babies' Size - 5.6 inches, 6.7 ounces, about the size of a sweet potato. Their actual estimated sizes at today's ultrasound are 8 ounces for Baby A and 9 ounces for Baby B
Total Weight Gain - 3 pounds last week and already another pound so far in the 4 days of this week. Total gain is at 17 pounds. All my weight gain is gauged by our at home scale. At my doctor's appointment I was up 9 pounds from my appointment 4 weeks ago, so I think my home estimates are pretty accurate. It's pretty safe to say I'm going to make it to 20 pounds by 20 weeks no problem. 
Maternity Clothes - Maternity clothes and yoga pants are my friends. I can still do a lot on non maternity shirts, and if I really want to pants with my Bella Band, but I'm more comfy in things with extra stretch.
Sleep - Lots of tossing and turning at night, but overall good sleep. I wake up on average 4 times per night to pee, switch positions, or because the babies are kicking me. 
Cravings - Anything that's easy, which could get me in trouble. While frozen burritos are super easy, there's not much nutrition there other than 20 grams of protein. I have quite a few easy dinners planned to make this week, so that should keep things on a healthier track. I posted on Instagram (@jennpargeon) earlier this week that I found Pumkin Noosa at Kroger. I have been eating some every day, and will probably continue to do so until they take it off the shelves. So amazingly good, and at 14 grams of protein, it's a perfect pregnancy snack.
Symptoms - Hip pain and general uncomfortableness sets in right about dinner time most evenings. While I'm still feeling pretty good and the weather is nice, I make sure the kids and I get out to do something most every morning. I pay for it in the evening, but it keeps us all sane, so it's worth it. 
Miss Anything - I'm going to say sleep. Even with almost daily naps, it feels like I'm not getting enough. Harrison waking up and coming into our room almost every night this weeks hasn't helped either.
Looking Forward to - Shopping and going through baby clothes. Now that we know what sex these babies are, I can go through all of Brooke and Harrison's clothes and see what we'll be able to use and what we won't. Since we're in opposite seasons, I know we'll need to supplement with a few warmer pieces in the beginning.
Best Moment this Week - Seeing the babes during the anatomy scan today. Both babies are measuring slightly ahead, and everything looks to be developing properly. Baby A's heartbeat was 143 and Baby B's was 133. It will be another 8 weeks before we see them again, so I'll staring at their sweet ultrasound pictures for the next 8 weeks. 

And now the news everyone has been waiting for. Robbie and Harrison have been firmly in the boy/boy camp for the last couple weeks. Robbie thought it was going to be two boys because when I was pregnant with H and B, I had a dream about boy twins. Harrison had previously thought it was boy/girl twins by switched teams. Brooke originally said she wanted two girls, but switched to one of each about 3 weeks ago. I have been in the boy/girl camp since the beginning, and decided Baby A was a girl and Baby B was a boy at our 10 week ultrasound. Baby A was very active, and Baby B barely moved, just like Brooke and Harrison, although they were B and A respectively.

Sure enough, I've been right this whole time. We are having another boy, Baby B, and another girl, Baby A. We are all very excited, even Harrison. Within 2 minutes of starting our ultrasound, we know Baby B was a boy. While the ultrasound tech was measuring Baby A's head we had a very obvious penis pop into frame. Little man was not shy about letting us know he was there right from the get go. It's a good thing we wanted to know, because he gave us no choice. Baby A waited her turn, but was more than willing to cooperate when it came time for leg measurements and gender determination. 

I can already see lots of Brooke's features in our little baby girl. Baby girl's profile looks very similar to Brooke's. Baby B wasn't to quick to give us a good profile shot because he was too busy sucking his thumb. I didn't even notice it, but the ultrasound tech pointed it out, and sure enough as she moved the wand you could see his fingers with his thumb in his mouth and the small movements of his lips. So adorable. Neither H or B were thumb suckers, or pacifier lovers for that matter, so it will be interesting to see if this little man is. We did finally get a profile pic in the end, and I'm not sure who he looks like. He looks like a baby, I know that.

Our balloon photo shoot yesterday was kind of a cluster, but we got decent shots so I guess that's all that matters. The wind was fighting us, balloons kept getting tangled, and we had a few balloons pop in the process. Since I was feeling boy/girl babies, I had H and B take a few extra b/g pics with all the balloons we had left at the end. I'm glad I did because this is my favorite shot of the day. :)

Cheers to keeping a balanced home!!!!!

17 Weeks

How Far Along - 17 Weeks
Babies' Size - 5.1 inches, 5.9 ounces, about the size of an onion
Total Weight Gain - Another 2 this week, bringing the grand total to 13 gained. I haven't changed my eating habits over the last few weeks, but it seems we've moved from 1 a week to 2 a week. At this rate I may make it to 20 pounds by 20 weeks.
Maternity Clothes - Lots of maternity tanks and yoga pants around the house. Still doing a few pre-preg clothes when I venture outside the house. Trying to make my shorts last as long as possible with the Bella Band. With temps hovering around 90 most days, my maternity jeans are just too hot.
Sleep - Another good week of sleep, although I wish I could get myself to sleep before 11pm. Naps still happen frequently. I can bypass a nap if I drink iced coffee in the morning, but otherwise I'm ready to lay down for a siesta by 1pm.
Cravings - No real cravings this week. I have been thinking about a Chop Chop salad from Catablu for the last couple days, but it hasn't been so bad that I've dashed out to get one. I've been eating bacon, egg, and cheese bagels a lot on the morning, and they've really been hitting the spot. Yay protein!!
Symptoms - My plantar fasciitis has started acting up a lot this week. I think the extra weight is making a big difference. I've been doing my stretches every day, but I'm still feeling lots of pain in my heels. I ordered a sleep boot to try since the usual PT isn't working. Because sleeping isn't hard enough during pregnancy, lets throw in a bulky boot to make things more interesting.
Miss Anything - Nothing this week. We had friends over last night for a chiminea and a few drinks, and I surprisingly didn't wish I had a drink in my hand.
Looking Forward to - We're counting the days until the big ultrasound! 11 more to be exact. I've been trying not to think about names too much since we don't know sexes yet. The babes mostly go by Baby A and Baby B, although we occasionally refer to them as Miles and Maizy. I'm ready to affix a gender and hopefully an agreed upon name to these babes.
Best Moment this Week - There have been quite a few of them. Anything where Harrison and Brooke have been loving on the babies ranks as a best moment of the week. There have been lots of belly kisses, and Brooke got the feel Baby B move, even though she really couldn't feel anything. We were both very excited for her to be feeling on my belly when Baby B was moving around.

16 Weeks

How Far Along - 16 Weeks 1 Day
Babies' Size - 4.6 inches, 3.5 ounces, approximately the sizes of an avocado
Total Weight Gain - Plus 2 this week, 11 total
Maternity Clothes - Yes please! Still stretching out a few pre-pregnancy shirts, but pre pregnancy pants are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
Sleep - Pretty darn good this week. I finally have added The Snoogle to my nightly slumbers, and I think I really like it. I wind up in all kinds of awkward positions when I sleep lately, and The Snoogle helps to support me no matter what which is great. It's ginormous and has forced the dogs out of bed most nights, but that's just too bad for them.
Cravings - If you follow along on Instagram (@jennpargeon), you probably saw my craving for pickles and cream cheese wrapped in lunch meat. That is my first real crazy craving. It was so good though! Mostly I'm still craving lots of fluids and fruit. Strawberries, blackberries, grapes, and apples are leading the favorites list.
Symptoms - I've noticed a little bit of hip pain the last couple days, and I'm not sure if it's from the extra weight, or if I just slept wrong. I feel like it's pretty early to be getting some in my joints, but we shall see. Lots of muscle stretching going on. I can feel that in my belly daily. Overall I'm feeling pretty darn good right now.
Miss Anything - The limited wardrobe is already kind of a bummer. I miss being able to pick whatever I wanted to wear and being able to wear it. I know, woe is me.
Looking Forward to - Feeling more movement. I am getting regular movement out of both babies now, but I'm really looking forward to some strong kicks, especially ones Robbie and the Kids will be able to feel. My favorite part of pregnancy with H and B was watching them move my stomach every which way. I can't wait to experience that again.
Best Moment this Week - After 16 weeks of no real exercise, I did a Zumba class last week. I was fully expecting it to be a disaster, but I felt like I did really well. I had to modify a few moves, and take it easy in some portions, but I kept up with class really well and had a great time doing it. I'm going again on Wednesday this week, and hope to start making it to class twice a week. If I can keep it up at least for a couple months, I will be very happy. I love walking, but I really miss being able to work up a good sweat.

15 Weeks

How Far Along - 15 Weeks 2 Days
Total Weight Gain - I was ravenous all week. Once the kids were in bed I'd sit down on the couch and be so hungry. Like I could eat a Greek yogurt, bowl of cereal, an Ensure, and still be hungry. 2 pounds gain this week puts us up to 9 pounds total.
Maternity Clothes - Still mixing and matching pre pregnancy and maternity.
Sleep - Naps are now only happening about half of the days in the week. I'm going to bed before 11 most nights and sleeping until the kids wake me up between 7 and 7:30. Lots of switching sides throughout the night, but overall really good sleep. I just wish the morning didn't come so early.
Cravings - Fruits, lots and lots of fruits. Summer fruit is so good, I just can't get enough of it. Things like apples, plums, and peaches that are easy to grab and go have been a daily treat. Blackberries are so good right now that I can't get enough of them.
Symptoms - A few random headaches that may or may not be pregnancy related. More growing pains this week, and a general feeling on uncomfortableness toward the end of the day.
Purchases - I've been on the hunt for good maternity shorts since we've had a few high 80s and 90 degree days. I found a pair that aren't terrible, so I bought them. I'm not convinced that a flattering pair actually exist though.
Miss Anything - It's been a really good week. Not missing anything.
Looking Forward to - It's still 3 weeks away, but I'm already getting excited for our anatomy scan.
Best Moment this Week - I went in for an OB appointment this week. When the nurse practitioner went to do the doppler, I told her where I thought the babies were. I've felt little bits of movement, so I thought I knew. Sure enough, as soon as she put the want to my stomach, instant heartbeats. There's nothing better than the reassurance of hearing healthy heartbeats, and finding out the flutters you felt were really movement and not just gas. ;)

Coming in a close second is eating at Chipotle. I had an aversion to Chipotle my entire pregnancy with H and B, which is funny considering how much they love eating there. Around 8 weeks I got a burrito bowl and couldn't eat it or my chips and guac. I thought for sure it was going to be at least 30 weeks before I could stand the taste of a burrito bowl. Harrison was begging for Chipotle one day, so we went for lunch. Much to my excitement, my bowl and their guacamole was just as delicious as I remembered. I now want to eat there every day to make up for the lost weeks.

First Trimester - Things We Love

I was lucky that I had a pretty easy first trimester this go round. My nausea was pretty mild compared to my first pregnancy, and having been through it before, I felt like I was able to stay on top of it a little more. I bought Sea Bands thinking I would need them, but I only put them on once. As long as I constantly had food in my stomach, I was mostly safe. I also had to stop brushing my tongue for a good 6 weeks, but that's what Listerine is for. Keeping Peppermint Candy on hand to suck on really helped when I was out and about and a wave of nausea came on. Sucking on one of those glorious sugary discs gave me a good 15 minutes to procure some food for my uneasy stomach.

My Starbucks Cold Cup is something I never leave home without. I have three of them that I rotate, so I always have one clean. I use a 24 oz cup and keep it constantly filled with ice water. The more ice the better. If I drink 4 a day, I know I'm getting enough hydration. In the early days of this pregnancy, I would fill it with carbonated water which seemed to help keep me full longer. Then after 6 weeks, it just made me burp constantly, so it was back to tap water. I can't say enough great things about this cup, and they even have cute straws and lids you can switch out during different seasons.

My biggest complaint for the first trimester was headaches. I had them last pregnancy too, but this time I would get them for days in a row. I have the ok from my doctor to take Excedrin, but I try not to unless it's absolutely necessary. I found a combination on things really helped when I would feel a headache coming on. The neck wrap is always my first line of defense. I've had others before, but I really love this one. I love that it covers my shoulders too, and I can fold the shoulder part up to apply extra heat and pressure to the base of my skull where the tension starts. Next up is the cooling eye mask. Really great for when I have pressure behind by eyes. I also substitute in a cold wash cloth if my mask isn't cool enough. Breathe Right Strips are another huge helper for sinus pressure. If you can find the lavender or menthol variety, I recommend them, but most stores don't carry them. Yes they look ridiculous when you wear them, and I have on occasion forgot to take one off before leaving the house, but they really help relieve pressure and open up your nasal passages. My headaches tend to effect every part of my head, but only on one side. Not always migraine status, but pretty darn close.

I stole Harrison and Brooke's humidifier out of there room a few weeks ago, and it has made such a difference in how I sleep. I no longer wake up dry and parched. I love this Crane humidifier because it's so easy to clean. I should probably just order a second one so I can give them theirs back. Another huge sleep help has been an extra pillow. I tried out the Snoogle, and I'm not quite ready for that yet. Having a really supportive second pillow that I can prop my leg up on has been HUGE. I can still stomach sleep with it, and I am going to hold onto that as long as possible.

I bought a Bella Band while going through our first round of IVF. I didn't love it during my first pregnancy, but it has been a lifesaver this time. Maybe because I got bigger quicker? Pair it with the hair tie trick, and I'm still wearing my favorite pre pregnancy jeans, although I'm sure not for too much longer.

I have always had problem skin, but over the last few years I've found a good combination of Mary Kay and Aveeno product that work well for my skin. Pregnancy however completely changes the game. Clogged pores and breakouts seem to pop up way more frequently. I already use a Mary Kay face mask that I love, but I decided to try adding in the Biore Charcoal Mask. It only takes a couple minutes, and using it a couple times a week has made a positive difference in my pores. It's a warming mask, so it feels awesome while you're applying it. Extra bonus!

What tings did you love during your first trimester? Anything you couldn't live without for the second or third trimester? I'm always game to try anything that will help make this journey easier or more comfortable.

Sharing the News with H and B

Thanks to some Dunkin iced coffee, I am not napping today. It's a miracle!! I decided I had better get some ish done, like catching up on the blog posts I've had on the agenda for the last week weeks. First up, how we told the big siblings to be the exciting news.

When I was going through IVF we told Harrison and Brooke that I was going to be having tummy surgery. Not too far off, and since telling them "Mommy is going to have a giant needle stuck through her lady bits, and then they're going to put a couple babies in there," isn't really something they would understand, it worked. They we're very good about understanding my limitations. They were careful of my stomach and understood that I could run and play like usual or pick them up.

Once we got to our fist ultrasound and saw everything was ok, I started picking them up again and was willing to rough house a little bit more. Once that happened, they lost sight of being careful around my stomach and I wound up getting kicked, hit, and climbed on way too much. My belly was already super sensitive, and no matter how many time I reminded them, they just forgot.

We were planning to wait as long as possible to tell them, but around 11 weeks I decided it was time to share the news. Robbie was not ready, but I was and we'd already had three good ultrasounds. I was hoping that if they had a reason to be careful around my stomach, that I'd get less feet the the baby belly. I ordered a few big brother/big sister books from Amazon, put them in a gift bag, and we shared the news. I don't know that they really got it at first, but they are definitely starting too.

They ask all the time if the babies are here yet, and we have to remind them the babies won't be here until Christmas. Then they ask if it's Christmas yet. They are both interested in the babies and often ask what they're doing. Harrison especially is all about knowing what the babies are doing, or if they like something. "Do the babies like fireworks? Do they like this song?" I think it will be really fun for them once they can feel the babies, and the babies can hear sound. I look forward to the kids waking me up every morning because they crawl into bed and snuggle with the babies and I. They ask if the babies are still sleeping and if they're hungry. Seriously so sweet, and for the record they always sleep and are always hungry.

If you ask Brooke if she wants brothers sisters or both, she always says sisters. Harrison initially responded with babies, and that was his response for a couple weeks. Now his answer changes from brothers to a brother and a sister. Only 4 more weeks until we find out!

They have both gotten much better about not climbing on my belly, and being careful when they're sitting next to me. I still have to remind them to keep their elbows from stabbing me, but it's so much better than it was before we told them. They also understand that the babies can make me not feel well. Brooke was lucky enough to walk in on me bent over the toilet. She asked if the babies were making me sick, and then came and rubbed my back while I threw up. The sweetest!

I've included my terrible shot iPhone video of us telling the kids. I was concentrating on them, and not to my phone, so you get half of Harrison's face, and no Brooke. Oh well, you can still hear their reactions, and tell that they mostly just cared about what was in their bags. Typical kids.

Books: I'm a Big Brother/Sister, Babies Don't Eat Pizza, The New Baby