33w 3d Ultrasound...

I'm not sure how to describe our babies on the ultrasound screen today.... perhaps the best description would be a ten pound bag of baby parts. Yeah, ten pounds.

Both babies are looking great to anyone with a trained enough eye to pick out which parts belong to which baby, Hubs and I just stared at the screen wondering what the heck was going on! It appears that the boys are stacked in there which makes it nearly impossible to get a decent look at baby B. The tech managed to get enough measurements to estimate the size of the boys and they are both measuring very close to the 50th percentile with only a 6% variance between them. This is all great news and exactly where we'd like them to be. 

Otherwise, everything looks great. My blood pressure and urine were both fine today and I continue to escape the swelling extremities that seem to plague pregnant women at this point, especially during the summer. 

So, until next week I just keep doing what I'm doing.... growing two baby boys!!!

From 19 to 33...

Because life is getting pretty boring around here, its time for a photo comparison over that last several weeks- this is what 25 lbs looks like is slow motion!

19 weeks & 5lbs

20 weeks & 7lbs

22 weeks & 13 lbs
uh, two weeks and 6lbs... impressive!

24 weeks & 18 lbs
followed by two weeks and another 5lbs... that's 11 lbs in 4 weeks!

25 weeks & 19 lbs

27 weeks & 19 lbs

29 weeks & 18.5 lbs

30 weeks & 20.5 lbs

31 weeks & 21 lbs

32 weeks & 25 lbs
4lbs in ONE WEEK!

33 weeks & 25 lbs.
... dark colors really are more slimming :)

So, clearly the three of us did some serious growing between weeks 20 and 24 and then again between week 31 and 32. I saw some family last week and they both agreed that I don't look nearly as huge as they had expected at this point-- I feel plenty big, but then again I guess I don't have a singleton pregnancy to compare it to.

In other news this week is a busy one on the baby front.. Today we go tour the pediatric clinic that we've chosen, tomorrow I have a thyroid appointment to make sure my levels continue to be normal at the end of this pregnancy and Thursday we have a much anticipated ultrasound (after 6.5 LOOOONG weeks!) and OB appointment. Then comes the weekend and a few more baby tasks to be completed. Hubs and I both get a little anxious when we start thinking about the very real possibility of each weekend being our last- its time to squeeze as much as we possibly can into every free moment of just the two of us. We are both beyond excited to meet our boys, but as we keep saying- life will never ever be the same!!!

33 weeks

How Far Along: 33 weeks... most likely 5 weeks or less!

How Big are the Babies? They are each about the size of a pineapple- likely somewhere around 4 lbs.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Same as last week- I'm up 25 lbs since retrieval.

Maternity Clothes: Most of the time, though I've actually worn a lot of non-maternity in the last week. I'm quickly realizing that not wearing maternity clothing is making me VERY sore. This heavy twin belly needs some support- so this week I'll need to wear something more supportive than yoga pants I guess, BOO! 

Movement: They are moving all the time, and are waking each other up with their movements more and more  lately. 

Belly button in or out? In-ish and numb! 

What I miss: I think the only thing I'm really missing is good comfortable sleep. That, and not needing to get up at night to use the bathroom-- but I can't complain about that one too much because it is just starting now. 

Milestones: Over the weekend we started getting all of our bags packed for the hospital!

Food Cravings: Chocolate milk. All.The.Time. 

Aversions: Eggs..... I'm just totally avoiding them at this point. I don't even try anymore.

Symptoms:  Exhaustion, very tightly stretched sore belly skin, numb belly button, leg cramps, lots of pelvic pain and lots of general soreness.
Best Moment this week: After an EXTREMELY painful and wakeful night of 'sleep' on Friday night I woke up to an empty bed. When I went looking for Hubs I found him sleeping on the floor in the nursery. When asked why he didn't come to bed, he said he didn't want to make my sleep any worse because he knew I was in a lot of pain. When asked why he didn't sleep on our very comfy couch or the bed in the office/guest room, he said he missed the boys and if he couldn't sleep in bed with us, their nursery was the next best thing. So stinking sweet! 

Funny Moment: Being half asleep during a surprisingly long nighttime bathroom trip and momentarily questioning if my water was breaking, but then realizing I had just drank A LOT of water the day before. I also caught a glimpse of my shadow this last weekend as Hubs and I were wandering through a park.... I'm not sure why it surprised me so much, but that big round belly made me incredibly happy. 

Tip of the Week: Drink a lot of water, get a good amount of rest and put some sunscreen on when your outside for long periods of time- you are MUCH more sun sensitive while pregnant. 
What I'm looking forward to: Our ultrasound on THURSDAY!! I cannot wait to see these boys, 6 weeks and 2 days is WAAAAAY too long!!!

I don't have a new picture this morning... perhaps a photo comparison will come later this week :)

32 weeks

How Far Along: 32 weeks... most likely 6 weeks or less!

How Big are the Babies? They are each the size of a squash and probably getting close to 3.5- 4lbs each.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I'm up 25 lbs since retrieval... I guess I'm making up for lost time.

Maternity Clothes: Most of the time.

Movement: Lots of rolling, stretching and head butting/kicking the 'exit'. 

Belly button in or out? Super shallow and it pops out on occasion. 

What I miss: SLEEP! It is so painful to roll from one side to the other!

Milestones: I made it- 32 weeks was my doctor's big goal. We are here, and while we all want these little stinkers to stay in for a few more weeks, I am feeling a lot less anxious about them arriving early.  

Food Cravings: Chocolate milk. All.The.Time. 

Aversions: Eggs..... still grossing me out, but not as badly as before!

Symptoms:  Exhaustion, inability to sleep at night, very tightly stretched sore belly skin, numb belly button, leg cramps and lots of general soreness.
Best Moment this week: Hearing their heartbeats at the doctor and hearing him say that everything looks great! Shopping for all the things we still needed for our hospital bags. 

Funny Moment: Nothing too hilarious this week. I think the funniest moments have been when the boys start moving and I'm sitting still with a tight top on- I seriously look like my belly has been taken over by aliens!

Tip of the Week: Sleep whenever you can!!
What I'm looking forward to: Our next ultrasound in a little more than a week. I cannot wait to see how big our boys are!


... and a 5 week comparison....

27 Weeks

32 Weeks

I wish the picture from this morning could have captured the madness that was happening in my belly while I was trying to take a decent picture!

Hospital or Home?

Every few days it seems like another question comes up that needs to be answered, and this time, I'm asking you! What worked best for you, or what are you planning to do when the time comes?

We were asked this week if we would prefer people come to the hospital to meet the boys, or to our home once we have all been released from the hospital. I feel like both have their perks, but at the moment I am leaning toward having people visit while we are still in the hospital. What worked best for you?

To me,  if people come to visit in the hospital, they are likely not going to stay long. The recovery rooms are seriously TINY and there isn't really anywhere to sit other than the hospital bed or the one chair that folds out into a cot for Hubs. If they come to our home, there are plenty of places to get comfy and out-stay their welcome. But, my hesitation is, am I just going to be way too overwhelmed while we are still in the hospital to have visitors in and out of our room?

31w1d appointment

I saw my doctor this afternoon, and as usual (surprising as it is to me every single time) all three of us are doing great. All the usual things were checked and fine-- urine, blood pressure, weight gain, doppler. My blood pressure was elevated slightly from my last appointment, but he said it wasn't any cause for concern just yet.

It looks like we will have an ultrasound & appointment at about 33.5 weeks and then we will be seen weekly from there on out. CRAZY! My doctor said everything is looking perfect and though he hopes these babies continue to grow for several more weeks, I am just DAYS away from the big goal of 32 weeks!

The boys have been moving a lot in the last few days and I am dying to know what positions those little stinkers have gotten themselves into. Every night when I go to bed I can feel little bums, knees and elbows sticking out of my belly in every direction. Though we have no idea what each bump actually is, it is fun to feel each of their little lumps!

In other news my belly button is changing and freaking me out. Last night I decided that I would lay down on the living room floor in an attempt to pop my back, as soon as I got down on the hard surface I ran my hand over my bare belly and the bottom of my belly button had popped out- freaked.me.out! It happened a couple more times last night when I was getting up from the laying position. I have a feeling it is going to really pop out in the next few weeks. I've kind of expected it to happen, but it just feels so weird- I can't get used to it!

31 weeks- with an odd little point right where Baby B likes to hang out!

31 weeks

How Far Along: 31 weeks... 7 or less to go!

How Big are the Babies? They are each the size of a pineapple and probably getting close to 3.5lbs each.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I'm up 21 lbs since retrieval... and away we go I guess! I wonder what the next 7 weeks will bring!

Maternity Clothes: Most of the time.

Movement: They are moving around in there- mostly when I'd rather they sleep... like when I'm trying to fall asleep myself! I guess they are just preparing me:) It is interesting to feel the differences in their movements as they grow. 

Belly button in or out? Still shallow and still funny looking!

What I miss: Rolling over at night without waking up because it is so uncomfortable.... and perhaps sleep in general!

Milestones: I made it all the way through the 30th week. It was the second 'week' goal I had for myself and the babies. Now, if I can make it one more week we will be at our third goal. I have complete faith that we can do it!

Food Cravings:  Popsicles, carrots and hummus, chocolate milk and generally anything that is quick and easy to eat. 

Aversions: Eggs..... still grossing me out, but not as badly as before!

Symptoms:  Exhaustion, inability to sleep at night, very tightly stretched sore belly skin, numb belly button, leg cramps, lots of soreness, ligament pain and bleeding gums.
Best Moment this week: The maternity orientation at the hospital where we are delivering. It would probably be kind of useless to some people, but given the fact that neither of us had ever set foot inside that hospital, it seemed like a good idea to at least get an idea of where things were and where we were heading in the event that I spontaneously go into labor. 

Funny Moment: Walking anywhere with my husband and laughing about my condition. Not even a block into our first walk this week I told hubs that he was going to have to carry my water bottle... it was just weighing me down too much! We got into a nice rhythm- walk 75ish steps and stop to either have a drink or stretch my hips- I'm sure the people in our neighborhood will get a good laugh watching us in the next few weeks!

Tip of the Week: Drink lots of fluids and rest. I seriously do not understand how twin mamas make it all the way through their pregnancy working full time- that seems IMPOSSIBLE!

What I'm looking forward to: Our appointment tomorrow, and then seeing the boys again in a little more than two weeks.