Baby Shower & Nursery Progress

What can I say, Nick and I have a ton of people that love us. We had 80 at our baby shower. It was pleasantly overwhelming. I felt how I did at our wedding. Having so many people you care about from all different places in one room is a pretty awesome feeling. I really wish I could have had time to talk to everyone and introduce my parents to so many people who I talk about. They had me on a mission to open gifts and quickly. I was so exhausted! I was up with braxton hicks contractions all night then. I'm glad they planned the shower now because I'm not sure how I would have been able to handle it a month from now. And yes I did know ahead of time. There were actually three little birdies. lol My sister came down and helped me organize yesterday. There is still a lot to do but we got the nursery looking like a nursery. I'm getting excited now. I FINALLY got my tree done and it's seeming like things are happening now. People were very generous to us and the stuff it just so cute.

Lots of presents for baby boy and girl!

Jill, me, Nick & Jody

Full Nashville Fire Hall of friends & family



Girls I've had and have in small groups (3 are missing) They are very special to me. :)



Twin Balloons

Chocolate Favor



Diaper Cake that my sister made

The tree is finally done and no more Robin on a ladder!

One of the birdhouses on the tree, we have 2 more to hang yet.

Bunnies on door

Closet after Shower

Crib and New Shutters

Dresser top

Docs Appt Feb 15 2008

Thank goodness we had a really good docs appt. We had a Dr Johnson who was the sweetest man. He took time and answered our questions and asked me if I would be more comfortable being seen every 2 weeks. He also thought it was silly to have the ultrasounds and docs appts the same week. He didn't have the ultrasounds back to look at. I gained weight. I weighed 117. The girls heartbeat was really loud and faster this time at 150 something and the boy's was 140 something. He measured me but I forgot to ask what I measured. Nick and I really liked this doctor. He was so sweet. I wish I could keep going to him. He said he's old school. :) He said if I were working outside the home he'd tell me to stop. He said I need lots of breaks with my feet up and laughed when I told him about my swelling legs. He said that's going to get much worse. The nurse told me to cut back salt and drink as much as I can. It freaked me out when I saw a huge lump on my leg above my sock. I stopped wearing anything but anklets since then.

My body is certainly starting to tell me when enough is enough. It's not taking much at this point. The last two days I've been miserable with rib and back pain. I swear the lil boogers must of had a growth spurt and are pushing out my ribs. I've always had rib issues so I knew it was coming. I feel better today. The contractions are coming often now. I'm figuring out how to manage them. I have one every time I have the pressure of having to go to the bathroom. I have them after walking or standing. I try and drink water and rest until they let up. They aren't painful just uncomfortable. I've not been real worried about keeping track of them as far as having 4 in an hour since I'm having them so often and I know my cervix was fine on the ultrasound. Nick is getting more sympathetic. It's ridiculous because I can't pick anything up I drop while sitting. I have to stand and then crouch down. I've noticed a big difference in my breathing capacity and I've been getting heartburn every night all night now. I'm not sleeping much....it's becoming a pattern of........sleeping on left side, waking up from pain in my hips, rolling to back until back hurt enough to have to move...i have a big pillow to keep me from my right side...if i start to go too far right the ligament pain starts and then I have to move to a chair until it stops....then back on side.....then getting up to take tums......getting up to pee......sitting up in bed to try and stop the heartburn......then all of it over again and again. The idea of a recliner is seeming more like a good idea.

I'm starting to realize that I've got to limit everything and focus on what it important to me in a day. I found out Sunday that it was too much. It may have been because we had a wedding on Saturday and I was exhausted and in pain after that. I sat most of the time but the standing in between was enough. Our church moved to two services and Nick signed up to teach 2-3 yr olds during the first service every sunday. I'm on the schedule to help him every other week. Getting up at 7 and spending that first service with just a couple little ones was hard for me. I mean they are little, you have to get down with them and they freak out when their parents leave. The getting up and down and holding...was too much. We helped with the 4-5 year olds before and that was different although at this point probably still exhausting. We went to the second service at 11 and I had constant contractions the whole time and couldn't stand during worship which was embarrassing to me. I told Nick I need an end seat for bathroom breaks from now on. Then we have youth group at night with the teens. Right now we only have one running vehicle so we've gotta figure it out. Nick's gotta get the caddy running to be able to drive to church separate. I hate to spend any money on it right now but something has to change because I can't do all this every week at this point. I told Nick and he knows that my heart is really with the teens Sunday nights and I'd rather save my energy up for that. I love the little ones too but my gifts don't lie there. Nick is awesome with them and has the energy for it, me not so much. I can have deep conversations with teenagers and text them all day long and never get sick of it. I'm going to give helping out with the little ones another shot and see how it goes, I just feel bad not being able to really serve them like I should.

Ultrasound 24 weeks

We had a really good ultrasound appt. Everything is right on track so far. Both babies this time weigh 1 lb 7 ozs. Still on track with what a single baby would be at 24 weeks. I think to myself.....they are going to get HOW much bigger??? I feel huge now. lol Their heartbeats were 148 beats/minute. I told Nick I swear the girl is getting bigger because my belly button seemed to have shifted to the right for a few days. lol It centered again. Was kinda funny though because she did catch up and they are the same now. It is really hard to get a good look at them now. There are arms and legs everywhere and it's hard to tell which baby they are attached to. They are also much closer now. Last time the boy was crossing over to the middle and sitting on her head. This time the girl was over the middle on his head. They are positioned the same as last month. The girl is head up and the boy is head down. They have always been opposite so far. Her feet are very low and there is no wonder I feel like she's going to kick out of me. lol They are busy little babies in there. Moving constantly. That's the other reason it's so hard to catch good pictures of them. Here are the main Yea God's of the day.......my cervix is still long, there is plenty of fluid in each sac, each placenta looks healthy, blood flow through the umbilical cords is good, the babies are the size they should be, and their hearts are beating beautifully with all 4 chambers.
Boys Hand

Boy XRated View

Boy Profile

Girl laying on Boy's head

Girl's head and belly

24 weeks

We got to talk to the high risk consultant there and ask questions. I'm going to try and write down what she told us before we forget. She told us more in a few minutes then anyone so far. She talked really fast but was very frank and honest with us. She said she went to the same docs we're going to for both of her babies. She said they deliver a lot of twins. She said that contractions with twins are normal at this stage. Basically my body thinks I'm 30 some weeks pregnant because of size and it's reacting. She said WE WILL end up going to the doctor/hospital because of contractions with twins and to expect it to happen. Your body will think it's time before it's time because of the size of your uterus. She said to go to the hospital if I have four or more contractions in an hour or if they become more painful, she said obviously go if there is blood or leakage. If I end up at the hospital and my contractions keep coming they will give me a medication to make them stop. I forget the name of it but she said it's a miserable med for the mom and makes you sick but most times it stops labor. Then I'd be sent home once they are under control. She said the big goal is to make it to 34 weeks. If I deliver before 34 weeks I'll have to be given steroids to help speed the development of the babies lungs as they try and hold off labor until it gets to them. That's 10 weeks! She made the comment that I'm still at the comfortable stage now. lol I thought that was funny.....I can't even imagine how this is going to progress. She said YOU WILL GET HUGE! We also talked to her about c-sections vs vaginal delivery. She said people in York for the most part are only trained to deliver vaginally if both are head down. They could both be that way and stay that way through delivery or the 2nd baby could turn causing me to have one vaginally and one by c-section. She said that's the worse case because you're body will be exhausted from the first birth and will have a much longer recovery for the surgery of the 2nd baby. She also said sometimes the first baby is born and the second one goes into distress and it's heart rate lowers causing them to have to do an emergency c-section. Then she said if I go into preterm labor, the c-section will be the best. Then there are the scheduled c-sections, basically if I end up so miserable they may schedule the c-section for the health of both me and the babies. In that case she said that 34 weeks is the key to hold out for. She said recovery and overall scheduled c-sections have the best outcome. There is less infection and you're well rested going into the surgery and there is less stress. Nick keeps saying I should insist on a scheduled c-section. In many ways it would be much easier. She said the babies can turn up until the end. They will have less room to move as the weeks pass but it depends on when my body decides it's had enough. She said in a single pregnancy usually at 34 weeks or so the baby usually assumes position for delivery and they might not make it to assuming the position. She said to pay attention to when I'm having contractions. Contractions can get worse from lack of water, not emptying your bladder enough, too much time on your feet and stress. She said to get used to sitting for as much as I can while I do things. She said I shouldn't be roaming the mall at this point or be on my feet for any length of time. She also said sometimes there is nothing you can do to stop it, your body may not be able to handle the weight anymore and it may not have been anything you did or didn't do. Nick asked about bed rest and she said absolutely not unless I go into preterm labor and it's the only way to keep them in before 34 weeks. She said that is old school thought and bed rest is actually very risky. You can get blood clots that are fatal. It's crucial you move around just make sure there is lots of sitting as well. Good thing is even at 24 weeks, the babies have a chance of survival outside the womb now. The longer they can stay in there the healthier they will be.

Saturday I had three contractions right in a row and it was right after a ligament episode. I was kinda a mess. I thought the ligament pain was done and we needed to get to a youth meeting so I jumped in the shower and the pain started again and then the contractions all in the shower. Nick was taking a nap so he didn't hear me. I couldn't put weight on my right leg and I think I just panicked causing the contractions. Then I get out and had a nosebleed in BOTH sides of my nose. I was thinking seriously.....STOP. lol

I've been having the sciatic nerve pain, lower back pain and pain in my right side. Mom said she'd pay for me to have a pregnancy massage and now I'm at the point where I want to try one. I have that scheduled for the 25th. We'll see how that goes. The lady told me it relaxes the mother and in turn relaxes the babies and can prevent preterm labor. I don't know if she was feeding me a line but the doctor did recommend it as being very helpful.

First Contraction

I had my first contraction yesterday morning. It was really strange. I was still in bed and all the sudden my whole belly got tight and hard. It didn't hurt at all which was even stranger. I just laid on my left side until it passed. It lasted about 30 secs or so. I called the docs to ask when I should be concerned and they said if I have 4 in an hour or start having them every 15 mins to call them.

We had our first labor class last night. I was really hoping there would be another couple expecting twins but there wasn't. There are a lot of people in the class and all but 2 are expecting boys. I felt rather ridiculous trying to do the stretching. I can't breath when I bend because it pushing my uterus into my lungs. I didn't realize how much flexibility I've lost either. Nick really wants to get a birthing ball. lol It actually was the most comfortable option for squatting. What a ridiculous scene that was. Pregnant women and their "coach" squatting in different positions. Almost all the women in the class are due April 20th. lol hmmm.....was happened 9 months before? There were a few due in March and the rest were other days in April. We had to go around and introduce ourselves, tell our occupations, due date, sex of the baby, names if we have them picked out, and our biggest concern including birth through when the babies are 18. lol I get all nervous with that stuff. Nick says he does too but you can't tell with him. I get all shaky and red and forget the questions. I was amazed that there was only one couple that didn't know the sex of their baby. Everyone finds out now. I honestly don't know how you'd not know if it's a boy and you have an ultrasound later on. It's pretty obvious!!!

I've gained around 15lbs now which is normal weight gain for a single pregnancy now. I doubt I'm going to gain the 50lbs they talked to me about unless some serious gaining starts happening. I'm anxious to see if the babies are still on track. As long as the babies are on track I don't think they will be concerned. So far they have been taking what they need from me.

23 Weeks and counting!

I finally felt the girl move from the outside of my belly tonight. It was starting to concern me how much I feel the boy and rarely feel the girl. When I do feel her kick it's very light. Tonight she was kicking like a champ. :) I always feel her very low and many times she puts pressure on my bladder to the point that I have to go to the bathroom right away. She usually moves within a few minutes thank goodness.

Nick and I registered at BabysRUs. That was completely overwhelming. I was glad I got advice from Nancy ahead of time. There is so much stuff and lots of choices for everything. Nick and I have no clue. lol The employees there told us to register for more than we think including formula and diapers because you'll get coupons for the things you register for. I was surprised that Nick was picking all kinds of stuff....I was freaking out with him and that scanner. He was out of control. lol

I'm getting anxious again for the next ultrasound. Feb 12th. I really want to know how these babies are laying. I think they still move a lot though. They will measure my cervix on the ultrasound again and hopefully it will still be in good shape. I wish the docs appts and the ultrasounds weren't in the same week. It seems like so long in between. I want to know everything is okay, more often. My twin books say I should be going every 2 weeks after 20 weeks to be checked and the docs I go to won't increase it unless there is a problem. They say that because you also get an ultrasound, that's someone seeing you twice a month. The docs appts and ultrasounds have always been a few days apart which seems kinda silly to me. I still don't feel comfortable with all these different docs and it makes me nervous that they treat my high risk twin pregnancy the same as all the others. I'm looking forward to seeing another doc this time. I'm hoping I get to speak this time and ask some questions. I'm going to try and get Nick to go along. He's good at asking questions and supporting me that way. He's also been very helpful and thoughtful with me since it's been much harder for me to do simple things.

Bending over to pick things up can be difficult. the way down isn't bad. It's getting back up. lol My socks are getting harder and harder to put on. I wish it was flip flop weather. lol But then I'd have to somehow paint my toes. I would love to get a pedicure about now. Mom said she'd pay for me to get a pregnancy massage but I'm still scared to call and schedule it. I don't know why but I feel weird with someone touching me. Nick just said it better be a woman. Well duh...but even some strange woman touching me seems strange. The more I hurt though the more I am changing my mind. The doc told me it could really help. I've been loading on the cocoa butter and so far I haven't seen any stretch marks. I'm afraid to say that too soon though because I'm sure I have lots of stretching to go. I do have that strange line down the center of my belly. I read about it and they have some long fancy name for it but it's where your abdomen muscles separate to allow room for the growing uterus. Pretty crazy. It's a mystery why that changes your pigment but they say it shows up in darker skinned women more often. My belly button is pushing out and my belly is nice and tight like a brand new volleyball only bigger. I pretty much have realized that my body is no longer my own. Babies have taken it hostage. Hormones do some crazy things. My feet are bigger I swear. My shoes are tight. I told Nick this and he didn't believe me. It's not just an excuse for new shoes. I've been wearing my clogs every day anyhow but I know people who say their feet grow a shoe size and don't return after pregnancy. That would stink, I like my shoes and we can't afford to replace them. :( Heartburn is showing up everyday now. The preview for the Ben Stiller movie about throwing up in your mouth isn't near as funny to me anymore. Laying down makes it worse but I can't prop up and sleep on my side. It's quite the dilemma. Getting in and out of bed has become a sport. There is an exact way it must be done to prevent ligament freak out. I have to have everything available for the night. Heating pad, tylenol, belly wedge, extra pillows to prevent rolling and for between my knees, water, eye drops because I can't take my dry eye medicine now and of course saline drops for my nose since I get so stuffed up. I rotate from left side to back. Left side is supposed to be the best for the babies. It allows the babies to access the most oxygen and nutrition. I lay that way until my hip starts to ache then I switch to my back until I start throwing up in my mouth or my back hurts, then back to the side again. My ultrasound tech said I won't be able to lay on my back for long because the weight of the babies with cut off my blood flow and I'll pass out if I do. She said doing what is comfortable is usually best for the babies and the only thing that will eventually be comfortable will be left side laying. Believe it or not I do get some enjoyment out of this most times. I feel the babies kick a lot when I'm still before I FINALLY fall asleep. lol Physically I've just been really tired. I slept 12 hrs last night. I don't remember turning my alarm off. I'm still making two trips to the bathroom at night. The trips seem more urgent now then before. lol My legs and belly are red like they are sunburned. Blood flow going crazy. I can always feel my own heart beating in my chest. I've had low blood pressure so far which is really good. Hope it stays that way. I've not had much of an appetite though. I thought by now I'd eat a lot. I have a lot of feeling sick in my stomach days still but at least they no longer lead to throwing up. I get dizzy spells when I stand too long. I just don't know how I'll feel day to day. My back has been hurting more and more but not lower back as much as my rib area. I'm really thankful I haven't had too much pain that way. And THANK THE LORD I haven't had long episodes of the ligament pain lately. I get sharp pain every now and again but it only has been lasting minutes instead of hours. At this point I feel pregnant for sure but I'm not miserably uncomfortable and that I'm thankful for! I can still laugh at most of it.

I'm starting to have crazy dreams of things happening and Nick not being around. Then I wake up panicked. I do need to get more comfortable calling the docs and asking questions. I did this past week and they did put my mind at rest.

We start our child birth/baby care classes this Thursday. I'm looking forward to that. Hopefully that will answer a lot of my questions. I started reading another twin book that my mom got me that has been really good.

Time for bed.