32 Weeks

Well, we have had an "exciting" week to say the least!

Last Sunday (the 15th....my birthday). I noticed that my braxton hicks contractions were becoming timable, which isn't quite normal for me. They were coming every 8-10 minutes. I rested, drank lots of water, etc. and they didn't seem to ease up very much. So I called my Dr. who told me to go to the hospital if they persisted.

And they did so we went. I got examined right away and was told I was 3 cm's dilated and was indeed having contractions. I was admitted right away and started on Magnesium to stop/slow down the contractions and was very quickly given a steroid shot to help mature the babies lungs, were I to deliver. The "dose" for this shot, though, is 2 and they need to be given 24 hours apart. In addition, in order for them to be completely effective, labor needs to be held off until 24 hours after the 2nd shot.

so once I got in bed and settled down, the contractions settled down which was good. I was hooked up to monitors all night to measure the babies heartbeats and contractions. The first night I only had 4 contractions ALL night which was good.

Throughout the entire thing, the babies were rockstars. Their heart rates were awesome and they were SO active and kept kicking the monitors off which annoyed the nurses a little, haha, because they had to keep come in to readjust. But they all laughed it off and said it was good to have such active babies.

The next morning I was sent downstairs for an ultrasound to check the babies growth, etc. They each measured in a JUST under 4 lbs a piece which is awesome for 31 weeks! They looked good and healthy and are growing appropriately.

So the 2nd day at the hospital was by far the worst. The magnesium (which I previously didn't think was that bad) kicked in and made me feel like death. I was SO hot and tired but I couldn't settle down and fall asleep. My room was ice cold but I felt like I was burning up and they had to keep putting cold packs on my head. I also felt a little sick so I couldn't get down anything but yogurt. So 24 hours after the 1st steroid shot I got the 2nd and was told my magnesium would be turned off 24 hours later.

So after resting that night, I woke up feeling somewhat more refreshed for day 3 at the hospital. I felt a bit more awake and not so physically hot. Then in the afternoon the magnesium was turned off. We all breathed a little sigh of relief that I had completed the course of the steroid shots. So now if the babies are born, their lungs would be much better off than babies who hadn't gotten the shots for this gestational age.

So after that they monitored me for another day and on Thursday afternoon I was discharged! My contractions are next to nothing now which is awesome. I am on STRICT bedrest - meaning bathroom trips ONLY. They also checked my cervix one last time before I left and it hadn't changed so that's good.

So now the plan is to just keep these babies cooking as long as possible! But now we are 32 weeks and have gotten the steroid shots so if they were born tomorrow their prognosis is very good. They would of course need NICU time to get nice and big like a "normal" newborn, but health wise they should do very well at this point. My next little goal is to make it to 34 weeks though, so we'll see!

So that's the story - so far we're all still doing well and keeping very very quiet!

Baby Shower # 2!

Last weekend we had our 2nd baby shower - what a wonderful day! We had it at my all time favorite restaurant and so many of my friends and family members were able to attend. I am just overwhelmed with the generosity shown to us. We literally got everything we needed - there were THREE things left on my 60+ item registry after the shower!!! Plus, I got tons of Babies R Us gift cards so we are truly all set with everything and can now save some money for all the other things these babies are going to need after they're here! I am feeling really prepared, which is good just in case the twins decide to come early! The nursery looks like a bomb went off in it, but it'll get cleaned at some point!

And of course, some pictures for your enjoyment!

At our house before the shower - 29 weeks exactly!


The amazing cake my cousin's wife made! Not only was it adorable, it tasted out of this world!
My mom and I!
My cousin and I!Our very large twin stroller!!!

My very best friend (and the one who took all of these awesome pictures) and I!

28 Weeks

It's hard to believe it's already been 4 weeks since my last update! As I go on day by day, I feel like my pregnancy is going slow. But then I look back and can't believe how fast it has all gone! As I type this I'm watching my belly jump around from the little babies on the inside; I still get such a thrill from it!

So some exciting things are going on - first, these babies will be here in 10 weeks or less! My C-section is scheduled for July 1st - that is, if they don't decide to come sooner! No one I know thinks I'll make it until July 1st because of how big I already am, but we'll see! We could have some June babies!

Another exciting thing is that I am no longer a working woman! My last day on the job was this past Friday and I'm now just going to try and relax and get the house ready for the babies. Happily, I won't be returning to work either, which made it possible to leave as early as I did since I don't have to worry about maternity leave.

I'm also 3rd Trimester this week! Some books said 27 weeks, others said 28 - so either way I'm definitely in my final trimester!

And finally my 2nd and final baby shower is next weekend! Of course, I'm very excited for that as well!

How far along? 28 Weeks, 2 Day
Total weight gain/loss: Up 30 lbs!
Maternity clothes? Oh yes! I'm now in almost 100% maternity clothes
Stretch marks? Yeah a few on my sides.
Sleep: It's going ok - I'm waking up more and more to pee though which is annoying.
Best moment this week: My last day of work!
Movement: Yup, lots!
Food cravings: Still don't have any consistent cravings.
Gender: We know, but we're keeping it a secret until our baby showers!
Labor Signs: Nope, but I'm getting more and more braxton hick's contractions which my dr. tells me is normal since my belly is as big as someone who is full term. Drinking lots of water seems to help.
Belly Button in or out? Still in, but shallow
What I miss: Having energy! I get winded climbing the stairs.
What I am looking forward to: I get to see the babies for a growth scan tomorrow!
Weekly Wisdom: Drink lots of water
Milestones: 3rd Trimester!

Baby Shower!!!

Last weekend my amazing mother in law threw me a beautiful baby shower for all of her friends and family! It was hosted at her lovely house and the food, drinks and games were all wonderful! I was totally overwhelmed with the kindness her friends and family showed me and our sweet little babies! It was a wonderful day and we are so thankful!

And now for some pictures!

I *loved* this game - it was squished up candy in a diaper and you had to guess what candy it was by smelling, etc.! I got 5/6 correct! :)
For the next game, everyone had to take some toilet paper and cut it to their desired length. Whoever got the closest to my belly circumference won! Me and my very best friend Marisa who, by the way, took all of these great pictures and helped me out SO much! She's the best! Me and my mom and my mother in law (to the left) who didn't pose with us for this one!The AMAZING quilts my mother in law hand stitched for us! Aren't they beautiful?!A picture of the lovely hostess - my mother in law (see how tanned she is?! She just got back from spending the winter down south! I'm jealous!)!



Some presents! The beautiful cake and cupcakes my mother in law made!

24 Weeks

Well I am very happy to report that I made it to my big milestone - 24 weeks! This is a big deal, because most physicians refer to this week as "viability." That means from here on out, if the babies are born they'd have a fighting chance at survival! Granted each day, week and month they stay in my womb, the better, but it does feel pretty good to know that if something bad happened they would probably be able to survive with a great deal of help from the NICU (Neonatal intensive care unit). But so far I have no signs of pre term labor and my cervix is long and closed! All great news!

I had a growth ultrasound late last week, and the babies are doing very well. They are growing appropriately and they each measured in at just about a pound and a half, which is exactly what they're supposed to be for this week gestation! Although I have to say, cute little ultrasound pictures are getting harder to come by. These little babies are SQUISHED. It amazes me that, God willing, we still have about 14 weeks to go!

Overall I am feeling pretty good! My belly is getting larger so it's more uncomfortable, but it's not that bad yet. My back is pretty sore like all the time though. That's miserable, but I know it's just temporary! I have two baby showers coming up in April (so, VERY soon!) and I am SO excited for both of them!

How far along? 24 weeks, 5 days
Total weight gain/loss: Up 20 lbs!
Maternity clothes? Maternity pants 100% of the time. Believe it or not, I'm still able to get away with certain non maternity shirts.
Stretch marks? A few white ones, ew.
Sleep: Sleep is actually getting BETTER! As long as I stay on my side, I'm pretty comfortable through the night, besides having to go to the bathroom 2-4 times per night.
Best moment this week: Passing THE milestone and reaching viability!
Movement: Yup, lots!
Food cravings: Eh, they come and go. I don't really crave one thing all the time. I just get a random craving and need to have it NOW!
Gender: We know, but we're keeping it a secret until our baby showers!
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? Still in, but getting shallow
What I miss: Sleeping on my belly
What I am looking forward to: My 1st baby shower
Weekly Wisdom: Rest/lie down when you can.
Milestones: Reaching viability!