We Have A Tentative Date!

I saw my peri and OB over the last 2 days.  Both appointments went fine.  The peri only did a "bio-physical" scan and checked heartbeats and the major organs.  No measurements this time so no guesstimates on weight.  He didn't mention the previa so I'm assuming there was no change.

My OB looked at my chart this morning and said, "Oh, you're 31 weeks.  I guess we need to start discussing when you want your c-section."  So, we're going to try to schedule it for October 29th - pending hospital and doctor's schedules.  If it's not the 29th, it will be the 30th.

I can't believe we have a date!

.... and in 5 days, it will be on my monthly calendar so I get to see it everyday!!!

I also got a flu shot this morning and then I was so wrapped up in having a date that I stopped at CVS and bought some travel size toiletries for my hospital bag.  Hopefully I didn't jinx myself.

Big Mama In Da House!

How far along? 31 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +25-ish lbs
Maternity clothes?  Is it bad that I've almost outgrown maternity clothes? 
Sleep: Better - still waking up every 2-3 hours but I feel like I'm sleeping more soundly.  I have learned that Christopher doesn't like when I sleep on my right side.
Best moment this week: symptom-free from previa (knock on wood)
Movement: Still regular and much, much stronger.  These babies know how to kick!
Food cravings:  I just satisfied it - fried chicken and a vanilla chocolate chip Blizzard.  So bad and yet so good.
Gender: Still a boy and girl!
Labor Signs: No but I think I have had some Braxton Hicks.
Belly Button in or out?  Ding!  Turkey's done.  It's out. 
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, shirts that aren't automatically belly shirts (see picture below),  not waking up at 2 am with heartburn from hell, being able to climb the stairs without sounding like I have asthma and the #1 thing I miss?  Not waddling like a duck!
What I am looking forward to: Meeting the twins!
Weekly Wisdom: I can't do it all.  Hell, I can't even do half!
Milestones: Making it this far.

Here's a belly pic:

30 Week Update

Saw my peri this morning and everything is still OK.  The previa hasn't moved at all but my cervix is still holding strong so that's great news.  He said we're still on track for a scheduled c-section at 36 weeks.  I can't believe the twins will here in SIX WEEKS!

The babies are both a good size.  Christopher is still measuring about a week ahead and weighed 3.13 lbs.  He is head down now but if the previa doesn't resolve, it won't make a difference. Kendall was right on track at 3.07 lbs. 

I'll start to see the peri every week from here on out.  They are most concerned about continued weight gain and activity level of the babies.  I won't get measured again for 3 weeks.

I started working from home 2 days a week.  I saw my OB last Friday and she said I should start limiting my normal activity.   The peri didn't mention bed rest so I'll keep going until they tell me I can't.  I'm as big as a singleton full-term pregnancy and I'm definitely feeling it.  The belly is getting to be a heavy load.

In other news, hubby may have found a job.  We're hoping he'll get an offer this week.  Say a few prayers - that would be a HUGE relief since his last day with his current company is 9/30.

I'm Still Here

29 weeks, 2 days and all is well.
Sorry I haven't posted in awhile - I haven't really had any news to share.  Tiffany - thanks for checking on me!  :)

I saw my endocrinologist yesterday and I've gained a total of 25 lbs.  Not too shabby considering.  I expect to gain another 10 lbs in the 3rd trimester so I'm OK with that. 

I saw my regular OB this morning.  I think those appointments are more a courtesy than anything. They don't do much these days.  Urine sample, check heart beats and I'm outta there.  I see my perinatalogist next week so we'll see if there's been any change to the previa.  I still haven't had any symptoms (bleeding) from it so I'm taking that as a good sign that things are still OK "down there".

We are just about done with all of our preparation work.  The nursery is together, we put extra shelving in the unfinished portion of our basement to store extra diapers and other bulk items.  I got tired of looking at the Pack 'n Play box last night so I put that together.

Much more than I bargained for.  I pride myself on being quite handy around the house and usually have no problems putting stuff together.  But, the instructions that came with this thing SUCKED!

Some pages only had pictures, other pages had pictures and words.  And, then I got to one page that had pictures and only words in Spanish!  What the....?

After about an hour, I finally got the damn thing together. 

This weekend, I'm hoping to get the car seats installed.  I called our local fire department and they have 2 people who are certified to install them.  It's still a little early but you just never know.  I'd rather have them in place and not have to worry about it.   I have also started thinking about my overnight bag for the hospital.  Someone asked me the other day if I had started packing and I thought, "Oh shit.  Should I"?  Maybe in another 2 weeks or so but I probably need to start thinking about things I can wear while I'm in there.

That's it for now!

Please Pass The Sugar

I passed the 3-hour glucose test.  Yippee!!

Ice cream, candy and soda for everyone!

28 Weeks, 3rd Trimester & Belly Pic

How far along? 28 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +25-ish lbs

Maternity clothes? Yes, for the Love of God, YES!

Sleep: Eh. I still wake up every 2-3 hours with 1) my shoulder asleep, 2) my hip asleep, 3) my hand asleep or All of the Above.

Best moment this week: No symptoms from the previa and hopefully a negative diabetes test.

Movement: Regularly although they are both more active in the evenings.

Food cravings: With my gestational diabetes diagnosis still pending, I've been trying to watch my carb intake at every meal.  Right now, my biggest craving is to be able to drink something other than water.

Gender: A boy and girl!

Labor Signs: No, thank God.

Belly Button in or out? It's neutral - not quite in, not quite out.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting the twins!

Weekly Wisdom: Take things one at a time - don't stress over the things you can't control.

Milestones: Making it to 28 weeks and every second closer to 36-37 weeks. 

In the mood

One of my favorite seasons is autumn. I love when the hot summer weather starts to turn cool at night so you have to reach for your favorite sweatshirt.

Football season is about to start and thoughts of chili and beer are floating around in my head.

I also love when autumn gives way to the first frost. It means Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner! My favorite two holidays.

I've been thinking about these 2 holidays quite a bit lately. I'm sure it's because the twins are due between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

But, mostly, it's because they will be here for Christmas.

Christmas has always been a big event in my family. I can remember watching cartoon classics like Frosty the Snowman and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and my grandfather teasing us that 'Ole Fat Stuff was coming down the chimney tonight. I can remember going to bed but not being able to sleep because of the butterflies in my stomach. As I got older, I remember my mom, dad and grandparents staying up until the wee hours of the morning attempting to put together toys for my little sister so it would look like Santa came. I can remember making my dad and grandfather eat the cookies and milk left for Santa's reindeer. It was always special. Every year.

Ever since we started trying to get pregnant, I've always dreamt of sharing all of the traditions and magic with my own family. My own children. After years of disappointment, I started to realize it might not happen. Ever.

I feel so blessed the twins will be here for their first Christmas this year. They won't be old enough to understand but it's still special. Just the thought of sitting with them beside the fire and Christmas tree makes me cry. Damn pregnancy hormones... I'm doing it now.

This was taken last year:

I started searching for Christmas outfits a few weeks ago.  This year, we'll have our first family photo.  This year will be OUR year to send those cute cards that used to make me gag.  This year will be OUR year to show off our beautiful children.

My heart still aches for those who haven't beaten IF.  I am so painfully aware that our road could've taken a different turn and we'd be facing another holiday season childless. I wish I knew why some of us are able to cross over to the "other side" while others are still subjected to the pain and hurt.  It's not fair.  It's just not fair.

I hope everyone can find some peace as the holidays approach.