20 weeks....

How far along: 20w0 days - the girls are the size of bananas!!  I don't really get this one - so bare with me - I did not come up with this fruit measuring thing by any means!

Total weight gain: After discovering my 20 lbs gain last week, I decided to look away when the doctor weighed me this time.

Maternity clothes: Still loving them!

Stretch marks: Yes, and there are a few newer, darker ones.  Great.

Sleep: This might be wishful thinking, but I only woke up once last night! It was the first good nights sleep I've gotten since being pregnant!

Best moment of this week: Seeing the girls on the u/s for 1.5 hours!! They were getting big and moving all around!

Miss anything: Finding a comfortable way to sit at the end of the day.

Movement: I think I can feel Isla (on top) but I can't feel Zara at all due to the position of her placenta.

Food cravings: Every now and again I've wanted random candy...other than that, nothing this week!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Meat still - I'm okay cooking with it - but can't eat it.  So I picked around our chicken last night when I made dinner.

Have you started to show yet: Oooh my, have I ever!

Gender: 100% absolutely two girls!!

Labor signs: Nope

Belly button in or out: Still in, phew!!

Wedding rings on or off: Off - they are on a necklace at the moment.

Mood most of the time: After our MFM appointment I feel so much less stressed - just relived! I'm actually enjoying this pregnancy at the moment!

Looking forward to: I have an appointment with my regular doctor next week to go over the results of the MFM appointment - it'll be nice to sit and talk with her and ask some questions I have.

Stylin' & Profilin'

Only Isla would give a decent profile shot this time...so I only have one picture to share from our appointment, but, I've taken it upon myself to girly her up a bit!!

Can't wait to start girly'ing them both up come Oct/Nov!!

It's finally over...

The waiting that is!! We had our MFM appointment today - and finally got to see the girls again!

Yes, they are still both girls! Phew!! After all of the boy/girl dreams I'd been having I was really starting to doubt it! But, we are team PINK all the way as of today!! It's funny, because even though we went to an elective u/s place at 16 weeks - in the back of my mind I wasn't able to really accept that it was right until now.

More importantly: Both babies are measuring on track with singletons at this point.  One baby was 11 oz and the other was 12 oz.  This would be the 52 percentile & 74 percentile, respectively, in comparison to singletons.

Also, all of the organs (heart, lungs, brain, kidneys) spine, bones, lips (cleft palate) fluids were measuring at the right size too.  This means that as of right now the babies are healthy, healthy!!

The girls are in a sideways "L" shape in my stomach at the moment - connecting bum to bum.  Isla is laying straight across my stomach, slightly above my bellybutton.  Then, Zara is pointed up and down in my stomach.  This combo of positions might explain why I'm so huge already - and perhaps might even explain why I'm already getting discomfort!  Zara has an anterior placenta (in the front - so between her and my stomach) which also explains why I have yet to feel movement! Phew!

So - that's the update for now.  I will go back for this extensive U/S every 4 weeks with the MFM to monitor growth and watch out for any concerns.  But for now, I have two healthy, wiggly baby girls and couldn't be happier!

Good moms...

I've had so many questions lately on becoming a mom.  Thankfully, I have a great online support group of FTM (first time moms) and STM (second time moms) as well as many friends who are parents, who help me with all of these questions.  The one thing I've learned from talking to all of these wonderful women is that there is no "right" choice - no black and white, here's the manual to raising a child.  It's more about making a decision based on what you think is best at the time for you, your children and your family.  Obviously you have to be open to change - but making a decision one way or the other is not "right" or "wrong" - it's what you think is best.  And I've never met a parent who makes a decision that wasn't based on the sole fact of it was what they believed was best at the time.  

This makes me take a sigh of relief. 

"You're getting huge, but in a nice way!"

Ummmm - holy moly! 19w3d...I was convinced I wasn't getting any bigger and was worried something was wrong...Allan was nice enough to take photo evidence as proof of my ever growing belly to keep me calm...yep, definitely still getting bigger!! 

17w5d VS 19w3d

A comparison photo - I'm getting bigger, right?

48 hours...

We're moving along - and now the countdown is in hours vs weeks or days!!  Only 48 hours until our MFM (maternal fetal medicine, aka high risk doctor) appt...I'm going crazy.  I'm trying really hard to stay calm - it's just such a big appointment that I have no control over.  I don't like that. I like control.

Poor Cat...

So, I go to make myself breakfast this morning about 2 hours after I wake up (that never happens these days - I'm lucky if I make it 10 minutes!) and realize that we didn't feed Bax dinner last night.  His bowl was empty!! OMG - how am I ever going to take care of two babies if I can't even remember to feed the cat!?!?  Just call CPS now...ugh...I felt horrible for the cat, horrible for me and horrible for the babies...so I gave him a double scoop for breakfast to make up for it all - and to mute my guilt.

Poor Cat.

19 weeks - 1/2 way there!!!!

How far along: 19w0 days - the girls are the size of mangoes - thankfully we're back to a cute fruit! I mean, really? I sweet potato!? Ugh...Apparently the babies have developed a thick protective coating this week called vernix caseosa.  What to Expect When You're Expecting says this coating makes the babies look like mangoes dipped in cheese...great, back to not being so cute....

Total weight gain: Ooooh my!! I finally  looked.  I'm right where the doctors want me - but seeing the scale go up by...20 lbs in 19 weeks...yeah, that's a bit shocking.

Maternity clothes: You know, I'm in some desperate need of pajamas that fit.  Maternity pajamas just seem so small and restrictive.

Stretch marks: No more than last week - but I think I'm seeing the beginning of a few more.

Sleep: I can't get enough!! I get up so much during the night to pee that I've been taking 3-4 hour naps during the day!!  For those of you who know me - that's shocking b/c I hate taking naps!

Best moment of this week: Making it through the week without any major, or minor, complications!

Miss anything: Sleep!!

Movement: I'm still not sure.  When I'm laying down I think I can feel little flutters - but the jury is still out on a final "I felt it" decision.

Food cravings: Back to Granny Smith Apples...oh and juice!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Meat still.  These babies better not be vegetarians!!

Have you started to show yet: You know it! I'm actually interested in getting measured at my next appt to see how far ahead I'm actually measuring at this point.

Gender: Still girls as far as I know.

Labor signs: Nope

Belly button in or out: It must've listened to my plea last week - b/c it's still in!!

Wedding rings on or off: Off - they are on a necklace at the moment.

Mood most of the time: Content <3

Looking forward to: Our MFM (high risk doctor) appointment on Wednesday!

The Rolling Stones & The Bubs

Never did I ever think I'd be posting a "naked" belly picture during this pregnancy - but there is no other way to show you how cool BellyBuds are!!  They are a special set of headphones (bellyphones?) that stick to your belly.  You can then plug them into you iPhone/touch/pad and rock out to music with your baby/ies!!  Last night the bubs and I listened to The Rolling Stones together...

Oh - and my belly at 18w5d :) 

7 days...

I know, I know, it's hard to believe but in just 7 short days I will finally get to see my Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) doctor, aka, the high risk doc.  My OB's office has been taking such good care of me, and they are so wonderful about getting me in on a moment's notice, however, the further along I am with twins, the further out of their realm I think I get.  They don't specialize in twins - the MFM does.

I'm not sure how I'm feeling about this appointment.  I'm really excited to see the girls again (and make sure they are still girls - I keep having dreams that I have a boy/girl combo) and all -but I'm also really nervous.  This appointment is usually classified as the "anatomy scan," but really, it's so much more.  They measure everything from the heart to lungs and other organs to the size of the head and the spine. Because we turned down the NT Scan (early scan in pregnancy that detects any possible defects - but often gives false positives for twins) we don't know if we have any markers for anything.  We will find out, at this appointment, if the twins are healthy or if there are concerns.  That's so much pressure!!

Allan keeps telling me everything is okay - and honestly - I don't have any feeling to think otherwise - so I'm staying as positive as possible about it all.  It's just in the back of my mind.  I just want to see them again - see them moving and know it's all okay.  I was spoiled at the beginning of my pregnancy, if you can call it that, because I had so many u/s.  Actually, from week 10-15 I had one every week due to the complications I was having.  So I knew they were okay - I saw their hearts beat and their little legs and arms swimming around.  It's now been 3 weeks since I've last seen them and it will be one more week until I see them again...and time is draaaaaaaaging!!

Oh well - we'll hang in there and stay positive!! 7 days  should fly by if I can keep myself busy enough!!

It's finally happened...

...18weeks and I can't see my feet anymore...

Week 18

How far along: 18w0 days - the babies are the size of sweet potatoes! They are able to swallow, suck their thumbs and hiccup now! They are also getting strong enough that I should be able to feel them! I'm going t link you to my favorite pregnancy blog that puts week 18 in really good (sarcastic) perspective: Week 18 as told by The Pregnant Chicken.

Total weight gain: Probably a lot - my stomach is huge! I can't even see my feet anymore!

Maternity clothes: I've really calmed down on my maternity clothing purchases! Instead, I've opted to start buying baby clothes...I have a feeling that I'll need to buy more things for myself again in the near future though.

Stretch marks: They've stayed only on my stomach - in 5 awesome tiger stripes...RAWR!

Sleep: I have "pregnant insomnia" right now. No matter how tired I am I can't sleep - I toss and turn. It's lovely...no, it's not. I'm exhausted!!

Best moment of this week: I used my Belly Buds (headphones for your stomach for the babies to listen to music) for the first time! It was way cool!

Miss anything: Sleep!!

Movement: I don't know. At night I think I can feel little flutters right as I lay down - but I don't feel anything else all day. Who knows - for now it's definitely not a "Oh, that's a baby!" feeling. 

Food cravings: 'Nilla wafers...

Anything making you queasy or sick: Meat still - although it's more on and off at the moment, so when I do want it I make sure to eat it!

Have you started to show yet: Yep, I look quite a bit further along than just 18 weeks if I were having a singleton.

Gender: 3 different people (2 doctors and one tech) said 2 girls - but I keep having dreams there is a boy in there...guess we'll get our final confirmation on at our A/S

Labor signs: Nope - not even BH anymore!

Belly button in or out: In - but more shallow. Please, please, please stay in!

Wedding rings on or off: Off - they are on a necklace at the moment.

Mood most of the time: Content <3

Looking forward to: Our MFM (high risk doctor) appointment on the 26th to see the girls again, learn if they are healthy, and get a bit more information on the remainder of the pregnancy.

Annnd...we have a registry!!

I can't even tell you what a load off my shoulders it is to have a registry started!! I'm sure it'll keep changing - but it's up and running!!  It took 2.5 hours to put together - and I'm quite proud of it!!

http://www.amazon.com/registry/baby/2Z8NTNBN935JI

How do you have twins!?

There is a very strange fascination with having twins; I didn't realize this until I was pregnant with twins myself.  People want to know every aspect of a twin pregnancy and from what I can tell from my friends who have twins already - the fascination continues.  I don't mind it (most of the time) because I like to overshare - I'm an open book and I like my friends and family to feel comfortable asking questions.  I even like being on forums where I can give other people my point of view on things...but sometimes, on those forums, you get some real nutters!

Today there was one that just had me shaking my head (and it's a comment I've heard multiple times in the last 18 weeks) - it's on a forum specifically for mothers (or mothers-to-be) of multiples.  I'll paraphrase most of her post for you:

"Like, OMG, hi guys! I really want twins! I've read if you are breastfeeding your more likely to have twins - I'm breastfeeding! I so hope I get girl/girl twins b/c I really want them!!! But, I've read that you're more likely to have boy/boy twins while breastfeeding. Boo! What do you guys think!?"

Umm...what do I think? I think you're an idiot.  Okay, well, I didn't say that, but I did post this GIF (I'm in love with GIFs lately). 

I mean, really? I couldn't even warrant that with a response.  It's been an hour or so since I replied and I just can't stop thinking about this woman.  I suppose that the general public does not understand what a twin pregnancy entails.  It's not something you wish for.  

Don't get me wrong, I'm so incredibly thrilled that we are having twins and I wouldn't have it any other way now that I'm over the shock of it.  But it's hard.  No, I'm not saying that a singleton pregnancy is easy by any means - but there are many complications that can arise just from the mere fact there are two babies in there instead of one - and from the get-go a twin pregnancy is considered a high risk pregnancy.  

Now, now, don't get your tissues out for me quite yet.  I'm not looking for anybody to "oooh, poor thing" me.  I'm just wondering why you would wish for a high risk pregnancy?  It's not only high risk for the babies you are carrying, but it's high risk for the mother as well.  There is just so much that can go wrong at any moment in time.  Not to mention all of the time you have to spend in and out of hospitals, doctors offices, and u/s tech's offices just to make sure you and the babies are safe.  It's exhausting - physically and mentally to keep having people tell you what you're doing is so risky!! 

Anyway.  This is about the only thing that really gets under my skin. Well, that and "Two girls are great, but woudn't it have been cool to have one of each?"  What!? These babies are miracles - leave them alone!!!  

Okay...BSC pregnant lady rant over...thanks for making it this far...if you did ;) 

Speechless...

I wake up every morning and look forward to one thing.  One thing.  A nice, tall, cold glass of OJ.  It's been the one thing I've been able to drink my entire pregnancy.  Actually, it's almost impossible for me drink anything else (aversion?) until I've had my OJ.

Well, this morning I woke up, started making my breakfast and reached for the OJ...and it's GONE!! Gone!!! The husband must've had an OJ nightcap last night before he went to bed.  Usually (un-pregnant) this wouldn't bother me one bit - but at the moment it took all I had not to hulk-out.  WTH!? Why would you drink the last of the OJ when you have a pregnant lady living with you who counts on it for her survival!?

Men.   Pregnancy hormones.

Pregnancy, allergies and medications...oh, my!

Not quite sure what Honey Boo-Boo's mother's name is...Mrs. Boo-Boo? Mama Boo-Boo? Regardless - this post really isn't about her.  It is, however, about how much my allergies are kicking in right about now.  I look like this image (the sneezing, not redneckness) at any given point during the day.  And it's perfect that it's on repeat, because so is my sneezing.

Here's the thing.  The doctor gave me a list of medications that are okay to take during pregnancy.  Zyrtec (my allergy drug of choice) is on that list.  But, I just can't bring myself to use it.  They say that there are "no known risks" when taking it.  I can't help but think, how long has this drug been out? What are the long term studies?! I just can't do it.

As a matter of fact, the doctor gave me a prescription last week to fill to help with my swollen feet.  It was more for the pain of not being able to move my ankle than for the swelling itself.  Obviously, if the doctor prescribes it, it's okay, right? Well, I couldn't take that medication either.

I suppose, when it comes down to it, I'm not one for taking medication even when I'm not pregnant.  The only medication I can remember taking last year were the ones prescribed for my surgery and by the OB.  Other than that, there was probably 1-2 times I took something like tylenol or whatnot.  I'd like to say I became this way b/c I don't want to put chemicals in my body (please, just breathing does that these days!) but it really started in college and hasn't stopped.  You see, the girl in the room right below mine took Advil and then had a few beers - next thing you know they were finding her body 2.5 weeks later in her dorm room - dead.  The whole thing scared the bejesus out of me so much I pretty must stopped taking OTC medicine.

Now, with two other little lives on the line the whole fear of taking things is only heightened.  You may call this crazy - I say it only gives me a bit more character!

That being said - I really wish I could get over my mental block of taking allergy medicine and just take it! My eyes are killing me, my nose is sniffly and my throat is of fire.  Looooovely!

Ch-ch-changes!!

Sorry I've been MIA for awhile!!  There's been so much going on in the W household that I just haven't had much time to update!

We finalized our move this weekend - which took up every waking second of our weekend.  It's nice to be in a house vs a townhouse though! We are living in the country - so it's super quiet and Bax can watch birds all day.  I'm slowly getting used to it all!!

Also, I returned to work this week.  It's been absolutely wonderful to see everybody! But after 2 weeks of bed rest, and essentially not being challenged mentally or physically, I'm absolutely exhausted by the time I get home.  The good news is I haven't had any symptoms return - so I'm still in the clear to be here!!

That's about all I have for now - work, move and growing babies! It's been eventful!!

16w5d

Week 17

How far along: 17w0d - Zara and Isla are the size of onions. At our last u/s one baby weighed 5 oz and the other weighed 6 oz.  So, the should be at least 1 ounce up from that today, which, is right on track with singletons.

Total weight gain: Not too sure, I haven't weighed myself since last week - but my measurements have not changed...well, all except my belly - that one keep getting bigger.  

Maternity clothes: Nothing too new to add.  I did get some better bras that weren't killing me to wear!! It has made a world of difference.

Stretch marks: On my stomach...oh, yeah...also on my FOOT...so not impressed!

Sleep: I'm sleeping like a rock lately - still getting up only once a night, but other than that, it's the best sleep I've gotten in awhile! 

Best moment of this week: I finally got to buy some baby items - my house is exploding in pink at the moment.

Miss anything: Just having energy - I want my energy back!

Movement: Nope, back to nothing this week.  Or perhaps I'm so busy with being back to work that I don't notice it.  I really wish it'd hurry up and start happening on a regular basis.

Food cravings: My eating has really gone back to normal for the most part.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Meat still - wondering when this is going to stop.

Have you started to show yet: I'm huuuuuuuge!

Gender: Two beautiful girls!!!!

Labor signs: Nope - the BH have stopped - I think it's b/c I'm really focusing on getting 80-90 oz of water a day.

Belly button in or out: In.

Wedding rings on or off: Off - they are on a necklace at the moment.

Mood most of the time: Happy.

Looking forward to: Our MFM (high risk doctor) appointment on the 26th to see the girls again, learn if they are healthy, and get a bit more information on the remainder of the pregnancy.