Week 17: Onions and Hips

How far along?

17 weeks on 1/23/13!

How big are the twinkies?

 According to The Bump, the babies are approximately the size of:

 

How am I feeling?

 Very happy and excited.  LOVING feeling these babies move every chance I get.  I'm getting super anxious about the gender reveal coming up on Feb 9.

Weight?

Still at +4lbs.  I'm pretty sure, though, after this week, it will change.  We shall see...

What do I miss?

Sleeping on my belly!!!  There have been several moments where I think I'm just going to face plant into my pillow —and then remember that I actually CAN'T because I can't lay on my belly.  I've actually been forgetting that I have a baby belly and can't lay on it anymore.  It's crazy and it messes with my mind! lol

Symptoms?

My hips sure don't lie (corny, I know).  They are definitely preparing to birth two babies.  It's crazy how achy they are.  

My back seems to not be struggling with the bulging disc problem, that started last year, it's just struggling with the new tilt/shift from the growing belly.  

Much less endo episodes!
Braxton Hicks started already.  (I freaked out at first, since I went into preterm labor, at 25 weeks, with KJ; but then I learned that it is actually common with a twin pregnancy, to get Braxton Hicks earlier.)

Annoyances?

My hips... and my weird nerve in my back that doesn't cause pain, just causes the numbness and icy cold feeling on my left thigh.

Cravings?

Hard boiled eggs.  Greek yogurt.  Bananas.  Cantaloupe.  Spaghetti and meat sauce.

Highlights of the week?

We are basically finished with the crafting portion of the reveal party prep.  All we really need is to purchase the edible items.  We are in serious count-down mode!

I can feel the twinkies make all sort of movements.  It feels like they are turning and flipping, and the usual limb-spasms.  :)

Belly watch

Week 16: Avocados and 24

How far along?

16 weeks on 1/16/13!

How big are the twinkies?

 According to The Bump, the babies are approximately the size of:

 

How am I feeling?

  So far, I feel this is probably the most energy I've had yet.  :)  However, if I walk too much or stay on my feet for too long, my back suffers the most.  I've been getting real sleepy and ready for bed around 9:30/10pm.  —For me, that's rare!  (A few nights ago, I fell asleep around 10pm and didn't wake up until almost noon!!)

Weight?

Well, I know I'm pregnant... and I know I will be gaining weight; but I admit, I was shocked when I got on the scale and saw a total weight gain of 4 pounds!  (What happened to just teeter-tottering half an ounce here and there?!)

I'll get real:  with my first pregnancy, I started at 122.  After 8 weeks of bed rest, and after delivery, I weighed 176.  That change was very very hard for me.  From then to before this current pregnancy, the lowest my weight had gone was only about 164.  But then, unfortunately, I would gain it all back.  

So, when we started our IVF journey, my "starting weight" was 176.  By making healthier choices (less sugary items, less fried foods, minimal sips of decaff soda and coffee, here and there, zero sweet tea, and only water, water, water, etc.) I have been able to avoid gaining as quickly as I thought I would.  I am now weighing 180lbs.  It is still uncomfortable for me to see; but I know, with more determination, dedication, and self-control, I can continue to maintain a steady gain throughout this pregnancy.  (unless these twinkies are Hulk babies or something... haha!)

Chris had to remind me that 4 pounds in 4 months of pregnancy, from carrying twins, is a great start.  I'm so thankful for my hubby!!  He really helped me not feel so bad about the new numbers.  (again, I know that I will be gaining weight —because I'm pregnant; however, I know many of you understand where I am coming from.  Seeing brand new, never before seen, digits on the scale can sometimes be uncomfortable...)

What do I miss?

Being able to brush my teeth without gagging and/or throwing up!  I had absolutely no idea this was going to be affected.  lol  (but I'm not complaining because I had very minimal 'morning sickness'!)

Symptoms?

Lower back pain.  Weird ice cold feeling, and sometimes even numbness, on the outside of my left thigh (only an area, not the whole thigh).  Super sore and sensitive 'milk makers' —still!  :(  I thought it would be over by now.  Hungry about every hour.  Super thirsty.  Oh, and I can't forget about my halfway popped out belly button.  ;)

Annoyances?

The fact that I wake up super hungry but still too "out of it", sleepy, to go downstairs and gather some breakfast.  I need to plan ahead much better —prep something yummy at night, so I can just nook it and eat it in the morning!

Cravings?

Mexican food! —rice, beans, enchiladas.  Tacos (all kinds).

Highlights of the week?

I woke up to breakfast in bed three times this week!  (Chris had Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday off)  My hunny is doing an amazing job taking care of me and the babies as much as he can. 

The future nursery is finally getting worked on.  :D

At church, I had an amazing, overwhelming, peaceful, moment —God's love is so overwhelming... and incredible!  (every song and everything about the the 'message' seemed to make me tear up —just thinking about these two precious miracles that God is allowing me to love and carry... and how much my hunny and I have grown stronger together over the years.)

Also, we now have a swing, activity mat, and boppy, with 2 covers.  (got an amazing deal from a friend of a friend.)

Planning and prepping for the gender reveal party has been super exciting!  Chris has been a busy bee buying and getting all the decorations and details in order.  :)  *Only 24 more days until we know the genders of our little twinkies!!!

Belly watch:

Week 15: Snickers and Gender Reveal Planning

How far along?

15 weeks on 1/9/13.

How big are the twinkies?

 According to The Bump, the babies are approximately the size of:

How am I feeling?

I've been feeling sleepy and groggy.  I think my 'sickness' carried over to allergy issues.  ( I read that there is a such thing as "pregnancy congestion".  :(  Go figure!)  

I have been quite productive lately, with house chores.  That's a HUGE deal for me right now! 

I'm pretty hungry most of the day.  I'll eat a meal and then about 45 mins to and hour later I'm ready for a snack.  My mouth can't always handle all that munching.  I actually have moments where I am tired of eating!

Weight?

Okay, so I've finally hit the two pound increase.  I ended up keeping those ounces on and now the numbers are moving...

I have, however, not been as "good" about avoiding certain junk foods.  I think it's more of the little bit of this and that, here and there, that is finally adding up maybe?  I still check the nutrients of what I'm eating, to see if it's worth eating (protein, vitamins, etc.).  But I'll eat a little of 'this and that' just for the sake of eating something that I want vs what I or the babies need.  (shame on me, I know.)

What do I miss?

Sleeping on my tummy.  I can't even roll over, from one side to the other, without having to lift myself, on my elbows, to avoid rolling on my tummy.  

Symptoms?

Nausea only hit once this week.  Headaches and backaches come and go.  The worse thing, that has me really concerned, has been the paralyzing endo pains!! :(  I've been woken up by pain throughout the night or when coughing, sneezing, laughing, gagging (from brushing my teeth —happens every single time I brush.). 

Annoyances?

Chris's indecisiveness (about cloth diaper choices, gender reveal decisions...).  Maybe I was requiring too many decisions in one week?  Oh, and here's a pro and a con:  I still can't tolerate sweet stuff/sugary stuff all that much.  It's a good thing —so I don't always eat sweet stuff, like I used to.  But sometimes I just really want to enjoy something sweet.  I can't even tolerate more than a few slices of an apple.  I love bananas but I can't eat them unless they are practically ALL green.  I used to like them tart; now I need them to be tart.

Cravings?

Sweet Tea (that's not going to happen —because of the "sweet" in it and also the caffeine.).  Snickers candy bars (I've had some; but only a little at a time, so I can enjoy it).  Medium-well steak (since I read that all meat has to be thoroughly cooked, no pink, that's just not going to happen either).  I'll survive.  :)

I'm still loving cantaloupe and spaghetti with meat sauce.  (not together, of course!)

Highlights of the week?

I had a prenatal appointment on 1/4 and got to record the sonogram of the twinkies moving around.

Our Gender reveal party is set for 2/9. (Chris made some awesome invites!)  We are super excited to be able to buy and plan according to their genders.  

KJ is getting more and more excited about her baby siblings.  She loves on and talks to my belly every day.  :) 

*A few days ago, we were on a two hour car ride and I just mentioned to Chris how I wasn't feeling well, nauseated from the car ride, and she said, "Daddy, do you still have Cherrios in the car for mommy?  Mommy you want some Cheerios?  That helps you feel better!"... how thoughtful of her! ♥

Belly watch:

 

I'm now stepping into the world of "fluff"

I find myself needing some serious guidance and advice —as much as I can possibly get.

We made our very first cloth diaper purchase, on Saturday, 1/5.  I found a fantastic deal for "EUC" Indian Prefolds and homemade covers.  I was quite hesitant at first, since I still didn't feel I knew enough about what I was buying (like what do I look for in a used purchase, etc.).  My best friend has cloth diapered two kiddos, so I turned to her for advice...

I ended up making the purchase.  When I looked at the stash of prefolds, I was expecting to see more stains than what was mentioned on the posting.  I was expecting these prefolds to look a bit dingy.  What a grateful surprise when I look in the bag and see gleaming white prefolds!!!  Wow!  It was a GREAT buy!

I've practiced a few times, with the prefolds, a snappi, and a cover (which were a lot cuter than I expected, too.) on KJ's stuffed bunny.  :)  For now, it's still fun and exciting!

Practicing... I still have some more practicing to do.  ;)

I have found an overload of information, on the web, about which diapers are the best and why.  Also, I have been able to find a lot of information about maintaining and washing cloth diapers.  I've read "buy special soap" and I've read "no need for special soap".  I've read "use a sprayer" and "don't use a sprayer"... "dry in dryer", "hang dry only", "don't use softeners", "one dryer sheet"...  does it matter on the type of cloth that is being used?  Or is it really just preference?

So far, I have found some very helpful info on these sites:
www.coersfamily.wordpress.com
Cost of cloth diapers
www.youtube.com (searching for wash/maintenance of cloth diapers; or just by searching by brand of cloth diaper)

I have a lot to learn before the Twinkies arrive.  What have been the best, most helpful, tips you have come across?

14 weeks, 2 days: Prenatal visit (disappointment and concern)

I had another appointment with my ob today.  Everything went really well!  I have been so happy that I got to see the Twinkies wiggle around and show off their arm, leg, and hand movements —during the sono.

The NT scan results came back —everything was great!

Now, here's the scoop...

I mentioned to the nurse, and then the doc, how I've been really sick since Christmas.  I mentioned how, in the 11 days of being sick, I've experienced a rising temp, severe headaches, chills, aches, trouble breathing —with a crinkling/clicking sound in my chest, junky cough, severe congestion that won't go away —no matter what I take, and the most recent has been severe, severe, severe, sinus pain!  (feels as if I'm being jabbed way up in my nostril with a flu test swab.)  :(  All of this is really sick for me.  Completely out of the usual.  All Dr. R said was that it sounds like I had the flu (even though I only had a slight temp for a day —which I find it hard to believe it was the flu) and that it sounds like I have a sinus infection.  I even mentioned to him that, a few days ago, my heart was racing, with a pulse of 97 (yikes!  my norm, during pregnancy, is in the 60's), but normal bp, and that I felt my heart quiver out of rhythm several times —and that it came along with the horrible headaches.  Did he listen to my lungs?  No.  Did he look up my nose with the light/scope?  No.  Did he listen to my heart rhythm?  No.  What did he do?  He said that he was going to prescribe me Penicillin and Nasonex, and he added "they are safe for the babies".  Now, how does a doc not thoroughly check a pregnant mother before prescribing meds???  I have no idea, but I am not comfortable with this.  :(

I don't understand how checking my weight, bp, and urine, is thorough enough, especially since I have been sick for so long.  Yes, there's junk going around and I "must have" caught something.  But isn't it important to figure out what I may have caught?  Is he just that good that he diagnosis just by my words alone?  :(

I've really loved having him as my doc, when it came to treating me for endo; but this makes me uneasy now since I'm carrying two additional little lives right now.

Is this normal?  Does an OB not listen to heart sounds and lungs as part of the routine check up?  I told Chris, "What if I had pneumonia or something?!  How would he know?!" (not that I really think I did —but the way my breathing sounded, it was really bad and painful).  Chris thinks I'm just over reacting.  His response to my concern was, "It's the same as if I went to my cardiologist and expected him to check out a pain in my foot."  I, personally, don't agree; but maybe I am over reacting.

What are your prenatal visits like?

Week 14: Lemons and Fireworks

How far along? 
14 weeks on 1/2/13.

How big are the Twinkies?
According to The Bump, the babies are approximately the size of:

(pretty soon, I won't be able to hold both items in one hand)

How am I feeling?
I've been feeling fantastic! (besides fighting off the nastiest cold and sinus infection I think I've ever had.  I've been sick since Christmas day and my body does NOT feel like itself.

So, when I say I've been feeling fantastic, I am referring to feeling fabulously pregnant —finally!  I don't question whether this is real or not.  I do, however, still have my "wow, I'm so incredibly amazed that this is really happening" moments.  But I know that I am pregnant with twins.  I don't feel like I'm living out a made up story; or living someone else's life.  :)  This feels very real now!

Weight?
I'm still very happy to say that I have not gained 2lbs yet.  For sure, I have gained one pound.  I am flirting with a few ounces here and there —trying, trying, trying, to hold off on making it a whole other pound.  I do know that at some point the scale will show higher numbers; I'm just not willing to let that happen all at once.  And definitely not this early!  I have plenty of pre-pregnancy weight to 'play' with before the real pregnancy weight starts to add up.

What do I miss?
I miss showering without having to guard my very sensitive "milk makers" from the spraying water.  TMI?  Oops!  I forget that exists.

I'm really enjoying every part of the pregnancy at this point, that I haven't found myself to be missing much lately.

Symptoms?
This week has been a great one, aside from the nasty cold and sinus infection.  Nausea almost non-existant.  Moods feel stable.  Hunger, for the majority of the day, doesn't control me anymore.  (I think that will change soon, though.)

     Annoyances?
The crazy hormonal hairs that are popping up on my tummy... and chin.  Definitely keeping tweezers on hand.  ;)
Not getting a good night's rest.  :(  I had hoped that would only happen towards the end of my pregnancy and, of course, it's a given that sleep will not happen much once the bundles of joy arrive.  I haven't had a "normal" night since about September/October, right around the time when IVF treatments started.

I'm super annoyed that I've had this horrible cold and sinus infection since Christmas!

But enough about being annoyed...

Cravings?
Mmm... Spaghetti and meat sauce —still.  Cantaloupe.  Tempura sushi rolls (cooked).  Oh, and my favorite go-to night snack is Triscuits and tiny medium cheddar cheese cubes.  (I don't know how healthy or unhealthy that is... but it's my favorite right now and it helps hold me over until breakfast time.  Maybe I should go back to almonds and walnuts?!)

Highlights of the week?
Saying goodbye to 2012, even though it brought us many new challenges, great changes, and priceless memories, was an amazing, joyous, feeling!  Since 2007, each year would go by and we'd have our sad, sad, thoughts of, "I really thought we'd have another baby by now... or at least be pregnant."  Now I can definitely say that those moments are in the past!!!  It was just such a amazing feeling to start a new year with twins on the way; such an amazing blessing.  We can now say, "We are expecting our babies THIS summer!".

We had a wonderful celebration, just the three of us, to bring in the new year:  a movie, fireworks, tears of joy, and sparkling cider!

 Belly watch: