Week 34

We made it to week 34!! I'm really not sure how much longer we'll make it, but at least this first, and very important, milestone was made! I figure every extra day from here out is a blessing so we'll take what we can get.

I guess my belly has grown some in the past couple weeks... maybe I shouldn't have worn the slimming color of black, ha! :) (Jason laughs every time he sees how big my stomach is... even thin layers of clothes seem to hide its actual size). I can no longer fit into typical large and xl maternity shirts without the bottom of my belly showing, and even some of Jason's larger tshirts don't do the job anymore.

My dr. appointment last week showed that the babies are doing good and I'm holding pretty steady. I'm still taking procardia which is helping ease some of the abdominal contractions (still not experiencing much back or pelvic pain with them), however my dr. will probably take me off of it within the next couple weeks. Once that happens I will probably start having true contractions. Our next appointment (on Tuesday) will be another growth check so I'll have an update on sizes.

I've definitely hit the uncomfortable stage; I'm hot most of the time and don't sleep much at night (which I realize is just good practice). Unfortunately, all of my nighttime movements mean that Jason doesn't sleep much either, but thankfully this is the start of his spring break week so maybe he can get caught up on sleep before the babies come. I'm also starting to swell, a little in my hands, more so in my feet.

I'm also getting anxious... I know the end is near, but I hate not being able to know exactly when that is going to be. I'd much rather know an exact date than monitor every feeling and movement. We're definitely ready to meet these little guys though! :)

Again, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We'd love to make it another 1-2 weeks, but we realize it's in God's hands and he'll bring these 2 safely into the world when the time is right!

Week 33

We have graduated to a new fruit set this week. Here's an outline of what these little ones will be up to in the next few weeks:

Your baby's the size of a honeydew! (Or durian fruit?, butternut squash, coconut)

He weighs about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches.

• He's keeping his eyes open while awake.
• He's also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.
• His bones are hardening.
• Her skin is getting smooth and soft and her gums are rigid.
• Her liver and kidneys are in working order.
• Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too.
  

I'm still feeling pretty good. No big changes so that's good. We have our next appt Monday morning so hopefully things are still holding steady. Next Thurs (March 29th) will mark our first goal of 34 wks and then we'll just keep going from there!

We thank you so much for the prayers and support! We're definitely nearing the end which is exciting and scary at the same time! :)

Maternity Photos

With Meg on bed rest, we decided to just shoot some maternity shots at the house, that way she would be up as little as possible. I think they came out alright, and will definitely do the job of documenting the experience. Enjoy!

Week 32

So we have made it to 32 weeks! To say that these past couple weeks have been intense and have passed slowly is an understatement, BUT I am still at home and we're making it day by day.

It's been so very nice being home. You don't realize how much you don't like the hospital until you're in it. I kinda thought it would be very similar to being at home- laying down, watching tv, wasting time online, but it was very different. I'm sure I could have made it more like home if I had to stay longer, but hopefully the next visit will be to have these little ones!

I had a follow up appointment this week (and I'll have another one on Monday). They measured the babies and they are weighing 4.3 and 4.1 (Brooke being bigger than Barrett). My doctor was very happy with their weights (there must be something about being over the 4lb mark that's better if you should deliver early). And I am holding steady. My doctor did not feel a lot of pressure on my cervix and thought that the babies might be laying a little higher than previously seen (all due to the Procardia which I take 4 times a day). My belly size is measuring 38 weeks so I'm still growing! They are still ok with me driving myself in and as long as the ultrasounds aren't running behind they do a good job getting me in and out.

I am definitely feeling some of those late pregnancy symptoms: reflux, difficulty sleeping, waking up multiple times at night, and the babies are burrowing and kicking my ribs like crazy! As Jason said though, it's better that they're pushing on my ribs than my cervix! They are moving a lot, and I guess still have some room to turn around, or at least Barrett does. Evidently he's just pushing Brooke out of the way and claiming as much space for himself as he can.

I think we're going to try and do some maternity pics this weekend. Jason will just take some basic shots- nothing fancy, but that way I can have them. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do them or not and then I realized that this may be our only pregnancy so I think it would be a good idea. I will for sure get another belly pic taken and posted soon!

I guess it's also time to officially pack a hospital bag so that'll get done this weekend too. I didn't want to jinx myself and pack one and then have to go to the hospital like the next day, but since I've already been there once and for sure will be again in the next few weeks it's probably necessary! :)

back home!

Meg was able to leave the hospital today and drive back home herself. I made her promise she wouldn't walk the half-mile it takes to get from the hospital to the parking garage, and she obliged. As they wheel-chaired her out, she ran into the head NICU nurse who told her every day the kids stay in the womb is 2 they won't spend in NICU. That's great news after hearing about wimpy white boy syndrome (poor Barrett).

She's very relieved to be back at home with the 4-legged kids and looking forward to a more comfortable bed without someone prodding her every few hours. Her doctor is still optimistic we'll make it to 34 weeks, and with twins, they don't pay much attention to cervix length once you get to this point. They just want her to stay hydrated and pay attention to any signs of labor.

Even with them saying that, I've advised Meg to do headstands when she's not eating.

"Turn that baby right side up by J. Star, on Flickr"