5 days to go!

How far along? 35 weeks, 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: + 11 pounds

Stretch marks? i have one on my right side that's itty-bitty, but i have a feeling that a ton more will pop up after i deliver.
Sleep: better, since i've been taking two Benadryl every night to knock myself out. =)
Best moment this week: actually having a date and time set to meet these two!
Movement: oh. my. god. these two will not be still AT ALL. when they are older, i'm going to wrap them both up in the same blanket and let them wrestle with each other, just so they can know what it was like before they were born.
Food cravings: Mary Lee donuts.
Labor signs: at yesterday's appt. i was 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and jeffry was at -1 station.

Belly Button: i can't see it anymore!

What I miss: taking a bath and having the water actually cover my whole stomach.

What I’m NOT looking forward to: i added the "NOT" in this week. i am terrified of getting an epidural.

Weekly Wisdom: nothing new to add.
Milestones: i can't believe there's only 5 days left. 5 DAYS!!!!

bigger by the week! 33 week belly pics

How far along? 33 weeks, 5 days in the pics above

Total weight gain/loss: + 10 pounds
Stretch marks? i have one on my right side that's itty-bitty, but i have a feeling that a ton more will pop up after i deliver.

Sleep: better, since i've been taking two Benadryl every night to knock myself out. =)

Best moment this week: seeing the babies on ultrasound again. the tech said she could see that sadie has a ton of hair - i'm excited to find out if it's dark brown and curly like her daddy's, or red. =)

Movement: it hasn't slowed down any, but it's more limb stretching and rolling rather than kicks and punches.

Food cravings: chocolate milk!

Labor signs: at yesterday's appt. i was still just a fingertip dilated, so no real progress.
Belly Button: i can't see it anymore!
What I miss: taking a bath and having the water actually cover my whole stomach.
What I’m looking forward to: actually meeting these two!
Weekly Wisdom: nothing new to add.

Milestones: i go next week to fill out my registration paperwork at the hospital and sign consent forms. once i'm there signing off on an epidural and circumcision, it will feel real!

32 week belly pics

How far along? 32 weeks, 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: + 9 pounds

Stretch marks? sadly, yes.... i feel like my skin is going to just tear open. i can't see them yet, but i'm 99% sure they are on their way to making an appearance.

Sleep: horrible. i've gotten to where i'm waking on my own before my alarm goes off to take my 4am procardia dose.

Best moment this week: going to the dr. on wednesday and having no changes. yay!

Movement: they do not like me lying on my side. if i lay on my left side, jeffry starts kicking and wiggling because sadie's squishing him. vice versa if i lay on my right side.
Food cravings: apple juice.... which makes me sad, because i can't drink it anymore. makes my heartburn flare like mad.
Labor signs: contractions have lessened significantly since being home and on the procardia - thank god. still had the + fetal fibronectin, which makes me nervous, but we're just taking it one day at a time.

Belly Button: more an outie than an innie now.

What I miss: getting in and out of the tub easily. i think i had my last soak in the tub last night... jeff had to come in and heave me out. it's shower city from now on.

What I’m looking forward to: actually meeting these two!

Weekly Wisdom: nothing new to add.
Milestones: 4 weeks and 3 days left!

31 week belly pics

How far along? 31 weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain/loss: + 8 pounds
Stretch marks? sadly, yes.... i feel like my skin is going to just tear open. i can't see them yet, but i'm 99% sure they are on their way to making an appearance.
Sleep: horrible. i've gotten to where i'm waking on my own before my alarm goes off to take my 4am procardia dose.
Best moment this week: getting out of the house and going to church.

Movement: keeping me up at night. it's almost to the point of getting painful when they don't settle down.

Food cravings: strawberry toaster strudel.

Labor signs: contractions have lessened significantly since being home and on the procardia - thank god. still had the + fetal fibronectin, which makes me nervous, but we're just taking it one day at a time.
Belly Button: top half is an outie and bottom half is an innie. eww.
What I miss: getting in and out of the tub easily.
What I’m looking forward to: another dr's appt. on wednesday - hoping there's no change!

Weekly Wisdom: nothing new to add.

Milestones: 5 and a half weeks left!

30 week belly pics

How far along? 30 weeks, 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: not really sure... because of all the iv fluids, i gained 8 pounds in the hospital, but my swelling has gone down siginificanly, so i'm assuming the weight gain did too.

Stretch marks? sadly, yes.... i feel like my skin is going to just tear open. i can't see them yet, but i'm 99% sure they are on their way to making an appearance.

Sleep: horrible. can't roll over, can't get up to pee easily, can't lay flat on my back.

Best moment this week: i finished two more baby blankets. since being put on bedrest, that's all i've been doing. at the rate i'm going, i'll have about 20-30 itty bitty blankets to donate to the NICU by the time i go in with these two. =)
Movement: keeping me up at night. it's almost to the point of getting painful when they don't settle down.
Food cravings: rocky road ice cream from baskin robbins.
Labor signs: contractions have lessened significantly since being home and on the procardia - thank god. still had the + fetal fibronectin, which makes me nervous, but we're just taking it one day at a time.

Belly Button: top half is an outie and bottom half is an innie. eww.

What I miss: being able to just pick up and go somewhere whenever i feel like it.

What I’m looking forward to: another dr's appt. on wednesday - my one chance to escape the house.
Weekly Wisdom: nothing new to add.
Milestones: i can't believe we're down to 6 and a half weeks left.

28 week belly pics

How far along? 28 weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain/loss: + 5.5 pounds
Stretch marks? none yet!
Sleep: better, as long as the central AC is on 69 and the window unit is going full blast at 68.
Best moment this week: my shower - now i just have more to organize and play with! =)

Movement: less kicks and punches and more rolling... they are running out of room.

Food cravings: apple juice

Labor signs: lots of contractions, but nothing progressive.
Belly Button: turning into a gross looking outie. and i'm getting that lovely dark colored ring around it too. =(
What I miss: being able to bend over and pick things up, put socks on, etc.

What I’m looking forward to: MFM appointment on Wednesday - another ultrasound!

Weekly Wisdom: nothing new to add.

Milestones: on thursday, we'll have 8 weeks left!

27 week belly pics

How far along? 27 weeks, 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: + 6 pounds

Stretch marks? none yet, but i'm getting a little religious with the cocoa butter.

Sleep: horrible! heartburn is killing me!

Best moment this week: seeing my lopsided belly. it looks like a crooked conehead. =)

Movement: all over the place. i think these two are playing dance dance revolution in there.

Food cravings: cocktail weenies with barbecue sauce.

Labor signs: lots of contractions, but nothing progressive.

Belly Button: turning into a gross looking outie.

What I miss: being totally heartburn free.

What I’m looking forward to: my shower on the 30th!

Weekly Wisdom: nothing new to add.
Milestones: 9 weeks left to go!

26 week belly pic

11 weeks left! eeeeeek!

How far along? 26 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain/loss: i'm up 3 pounds total! woo hoo!

Stretch marks? i don't think there's any yet, but i'm sure they are on their way.

Sleep: not so hot. still up at least 2x/night to pee.
Best moment this week: finally settling on and buying crib bedding!

boy version:

and girl version:

Movement: mostly concentrated around my belly button, which is very sensitive. =(
Food cravings: apple juice.
Labor signs: contractions that get worse when i'm up walking or lifting things. time for jeff to start doing the grocery shopping and laundry. =)

Belly Button: still an innie, but it's definitely getting shallow, and the top part is starting to stick out. ew.
What I miss: being totally heartburn free.
What I’m looking forward to: my shower on the 30th!
Weekly Wisdom: nothing new to add.

Milestones: i've made it to under 100 days left!

maternity pics!

major props to Melissa Cannon for doing these - she was my wedding photographer, and recently opened her new studio in Denham. if you're looking for someone to do newborn pics, kids, families, or boudoir, she is the person to go to! =)

25 week belly pic

no nekkid belly pic right now, since i have on my oh-so-fashionable maternity belt.... it looks like something you'd see a pot-bellied Home Depot employee wearing. but Melissa took my maternity pics this weekend, so there will be plenty of belly flaunting shortly. =)

How far along? 25 weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain/loss: + 1/2 pound

Stretch marks? i don't think there's any yet, but i'm sure they are on their way.Sleep: ugh, horrible.

Best moment this week: putting furniture together last night - we had to do a ton of pushing/pulling/shoving everything around to where it somewhat fits into the nursery, but we finally found an arrangement that works. this whole second crib thing is throwing us off all over again. =)

Movement: ever-present.

Food cravings: watermelon.

Labor signs: more of the every day same-ol' stuff.

Belly Button: still an innie, but it's definitely getting shallow, and the top part is starting to stick out. ew.

What I miss: margaritas. and being totally heartburn-free.

What I’m looking forward to: my shower on the 30th.

Weekly Wisdom: do not google "diastasis recti".... no, it has nothing to do with your butt, like it sounds.... but i've noticed that my abdominal muscles literally come to a point now in the center of my stomach when i am trying to get up from lying down. another twin mom i know has this, and says it's pretty commn with big bellies. basically, it's when your two most center abdominal muscles separate because of the stretching, and allows some of your abdominal organs to protrude through the opening.... kind of like a giant hernia. apparently the only way to fix it is to have them surgically brought back together, so i'm adding it to the list of post-babies plastic surgery (along with a tummy tuck and breast lift).

Milestones: i took my maternity pics this weekend and will be posting them as soon as I get them, I promise!

24 week belly pic

How far along? 24 weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain/loss: + 1/2 pound
Stretch marks? i can't see any, but jeff says it's just because i can't see my lower belly - he says they are there.
Sleep: not too hot.... i'm only comfortable on my left side or flat on my back.
Best moment this week: getting furniture! it's not put together yet, but at least all the pieces are out of the boxes. =)

Movement: as jeff would say, like two rats fighting in a wool sock. i'm feeling more movement way up high and way down low... it feels like their feet are kicking me in the colon.

Food cravings: chocolate cream pie.
Labor signs: just the everyday contractions, nothing progressive.
What I miss: being able to bend at the waist!

What I’m looking forward to: putting together furniture and shopping for bedding... if i can ever make up my mind what theme we're going with! my mind changes at least once a day.

Weekly Wisdom: not much new to add.
Milestones: i have joined the leaky boobs club. =(

23 week belly pic

please excuse the bathroom pics - this was yesterday, my first day back at work in over a week. i have to say, the only good thing about bedrest is that it's the only time i'm completely comfortable! the minute i'm up and about, the pain/discomfort/contractions start up again!

How far along? 23 weeks, 5 days
Total weight gain/loss: + 1/2 pound

Stretch marks? i can't see any, but jeff says it's just because i can't see my lower belly - he says they are there.

Sleep: not too hot.... i'm only comfortable on my left side or flat on my back.

Best moment this week: when sadie was really acting up last night, jeff put his hand on my belly... his eyes got as big as saucers and he said "i'm glad they're in you and not me!" i had to laugh. =)

Movement: it's so cool how these two have totally different personalities already. jeffry is so calm and mellow, but sadie is a spastic little thing. jeffry just kind of rolls around, but her.... it's like the 4th of july fireworks show in my uterus.

Food cravings: apple juice.

Labor signs: just the everyday contractions, nothing progressive.

What I miss: being able to fully stretch in the mornings.

What I’m looking forward to: making it to 24 weeks will put my mind at ease a little. should anything happen, that will be the marker for viability. two more days! and seeing the kiddos again next tuesday at my MFM appt.

Weekly Wisdom: not much new to add.

Milestones: the babies' room is finally cleaned out - hell hath frozen over! just kidding.... we're getting furniture this week, so jeff was antsy to get things moved into the attic (after me hounding him for a month about it). he's starting to nest - it's so cute.... i went to the grocery store sunday afternoon and he told me i needed to get a bottle of dreft so he could start washing all the baby clothes that we've been storing in bins. i come home from the store and he's in the babies' room, unpacking diapers and arranging them on shelves in the closet. =)

so, here's the before pic of the babies' room!

22 week belly pic

time to start buying bigger shorts! =)

How far along? 22 weeks, 5 days
Total weight gain/loss: probably down again due to dehydration - haven't weighed myself yet.
Stretch marks? not yet, but starting to get itchy. i'm sure they are on their way.
Sleep: aside from peeing 3 times a night, pretty good.
Best moment this week: any moment when i'm not throwing up.
Movement: i finally realize how big these kiddos are getting. i felt sadie stretch out for a few seconds today and i felt it from my pelvic bone all the way up to under my ribs.
Food cravings: apple juice.
Labor signs: other than the everyday stuff, not really.
What I miss: getting out of the bathtub on my own.
What I’m looking forward to: making it to 24 weeks will put my mind at ease a little. should anything happen, that will be the marker for viability.
Weekly Wisdom: not much new to add.
Milestones: second and third trips to the hospital are in the books.

21 week belly pic

How far along? 21 weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: probably down again due to dehydration - haven't weighed myself yet.

Stretch marks? not yet, but starting to get itchy. i'm sure they are on their way.

Sleep: actually improving! in addition to running the central AC, we pulled out our hurricane season window unit AC and put it in the bedroom... that baby stays running at 66 degrees at night. =)

Best moment this week: getting to go home from the hospital friday night.

Movement: picture two cats fighting, minus the screeching... that's what's going on right now.

Food cravings: although they give me horrendous heartburn, nachos and sunkist.

Labor signs: check my hospital post below.

What I miss: being able to put on socks and underwear with two hands.

What I’m looking forward to: just taking it week by week.

Weekly Wisdom: coworker told me the babies are going to have two headfuls of hair because of all the heartburn.

Milestones: first hospital trip is in the books.

20 week belly pics

i apologize for the loungewear, but we slept in until 1130 today and i haven't even changed out of my nightclothes yet. =)








and this pic is for all the people who have been giving me comments like, "you don't look like you're carrying two!" or "you hardly look pregnant at all!"


this is what's hiding underneath.





(and, yes, the shirt i'm wearing has a pic of a bomb on it and says "i'm fixin' to blow up". i found it at storyville - they have a booth at the farmer's market - and i couldn't pass it up!)


How far along? 20 weeks, 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: i've broke even! finally back up to 132... i hope it keeps going up!
Stretch marks? not yet, but starting to get itchy. i'm sure they are on their way.
Sleep: still miserable.
Best moment this week: when a little girl at the pool asked me if i had a baby in my tummy, i said, "i do... i have two babies in my tummy" she looked at me for a minute and said, "nuh-uh. you can only have one baby in your tummy". her mom was a few feet away from her and laughed - she said "i guess i need to elaborate on the baby talk now!"
Movement: tons of it! i feel little taps nonstop way down low (which i am assuming are little feet), and up high above my belly button is where all the thuds and thumps happen.
Food cravings: not much this week, since i had a brief relapse of nighttime sickness. but watermelon has been awesome this week.
Labor signs: tons of braxton-hicks.... mostly in the evenings. happens about every 12-15 minutes, but they don't last very long (maybe 20-30 seconds at the longest). i had a few wake me up in the middle of the night last night, so i'm mentioning it to my MFM dr. at my appt. on tuesday.
What I miss: being able to stretch. if i stretch my legs out, i get calf cramps. if i stretch my back, i get that horrible round ligament pain in both sides of my abdomen. time for a massage, methinks.
What I’m looking forward to: seeing the babies on ultrasound again this week.
Milestones: not much new to add.... although i did go outlet shopping this weekend and cleaned out the Carter's store on preemie items.

19 week belly pic

i hate taking pics in scrubs.... i always look so frumpy.

How far along? 19 weeks, 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: i've broke even! finally back up to 132... i hope it keeps going up!

Stretch marks? not yet, but starting to get itchy.
Sleep: ugh... miserable. rolling over is such a pain, and having to roll over the snoogle to get to the bathroom twice a night is a chore.

Best moment this week: getting more and more stranger comments on my belly.

Movement: apparently the babies like jewish music. i shot a jewish wedding last night, and the reception was very loud with a 7pc brass band playing classic jewish music, singing in hebrew, etc (picture my big fat greek wedding).... these two were dancing the horah along with the wedding guests. i got home at 113o last night, and they were still active at 1am, keeping me from falling asleep.
Food cravings: sausage biscuits and chocolate milk... there is a little mom-and-pop gas station across the street from work that serves breakfast every day... the owner's mother does all the cooking. so each morning i stop in for a sausage biscuit and a pint of kleinpeter chocolate milk. breakfast of champions!

Labor signs: tons of braxton-hicks, but nothing significant.

What I miss: i hate to say it, but wearing clothes that don't look like maternity clothes. i was so eager to start wearing them that now it's getting old. i see girls my age in cute little strapless dresses, heels, etc. and i get jealous.

What I’m looking forward to: getting the nursery cleaned out.... week 2 of whip-cracking has not made jeff budge yet. =(
Weekly wisdom: nothing new to add.

Milestones: not really a milestone, but jeff told me i was a pretty mommy last night. that's the first time he's used that word. =)

18 week belly pics

How far along? 18 weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: – 1 pound.... the gap is closing!
Stretch marks? not yet, but starting to get itchy.

Sleep: the snoogle is back in my good graces. my hips and lower back have been bugging me, and it's so much easier to sleep with it now than without it.

Best moment this week: getting more and more stranger comments on my belly. =)
Movement: good lord - what a difference a week makes. i can kind of tell which way they are facing based on where i'm feeling thumps. if i feel them to the outsides of my belly, i know they are facing outward, away from each other. this past thursday night, it felt like a bag of microwave popcorn going off right underneath my belly button, so i'm assuming they were facing each other and dukin' it out.

Food cravings: jello!

What I miss: getting up off the couch and out of bed easily. it's still habit for me to just bend at the waist and get up, but now i have to roll to the side.

What I’m looking forward to: getting bedding and furniture. well, first i have to crack the whip and make Jeff move the stuff from the baby's room into the attic.

Weekly wisdom: it's not really wisdom to me, just a random fact i was told at my multiples class last week. according to the nurses teaching the class, the goal weight gain for a twin pregnancy at 20 weeks is 20 pounds. i seriously doubt i'm going to pack on 21 pounds in the next week and a half.
Milestones: Jeff is starting to get a little more touchy-feely with the belly now. earlier today he was sticking his finger in my belly button (something i've always hated) and he told me he was scratching them behind the ear. lovely, apparently now i'm having puppies.