28 Weeks- Update on Me!!

We are officially in the 3rd Trimester!!! Can you even believe it???? I can't!! Hell, I still can't believe I am actually pregnant, that there are actual babies in here, and that there will actually be babies in my arms in less that two months!! I am still just Alice in Wonderland - in a make-believe fantasy world. After all of the trying to conceive, heartbreak, months and months of wishing and hoping, we are really in a semi-safe zone. (Of course I am still freaking out - I haven't yet opened #2 of things we are getting at baby showers, just in case something happens - I know - I am insane, right??? I really need to relax)

Birthing classes are going very well. Well...if you ask ME, they are going really well. If you ask Jake, well, thats a different story. He's not as gung ho as thinking they are worth the $100. If you ask him, he says he can give me a massage at home for free. LOL - they make the boys give massages to us at the end of each class, ya know, learning how to be a "support person" and all. (but the thing is, he is forced to give me a massage too, and its wonderful!!)

Names....oh, to find a name for these little munchkins. We are still no closer to naming them. I know we still have time, but we just can't decide. Every week we like something different. So, we promise we will tell you when we've decided! You guys have voted on Jackson and Julia on the separate names poll, and Jacob and Jillian on the twins poll. So, you all are obviously no closer than we are.

We, so far, have had three FABULOUS showers. I honestly could not have asked for more special showers. They were all so special in their own separate ways. I will talk about them later in separate posts. But I am so excited!! We have received so many beautiful and useful things. We only have to buy a few things here and there ourselves, which is such a blessing. I never in a million years would have believed it. We have one more left, which Jake's work is throwing for us.

Nursery is looking beautiful, if I do say so for myself. I will post updated pictures soon, but I want to get a couple of more things done first. I just am in love with it. So classy and beautiful. It is exactly how I wished it would be.

The maternity photos are done!! I haven't seen all of them yet, as I don't have the CD of images yet, but I was able to get a sampling. I will post them all once I get them, but here are a couple....

How far along? 28 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +28 pounds. Still under where I need to be, and I honestly am eating like a cow. I think I probably don't need to worry too much though b/c apparently I will gain about 11 pounds this trimester. Yikes.
Maternity clothes? I haven't bought anything in two weeks - yippee! And probably won't buy any more. My showers are basically done, as are the maternity photos, so no more pictures! LOL
Best moment this week: Wow, this question is hard this week. We had a great u/s doctors appointment - my doctor said I was the "model twin patient". Everything is just going perfectly, which is amazing. She also warned me that anything can change in a day, BTU I'm still happy. The three showers are done, and they were all perfect - I couldn't ask for better friends and family.
Movement: They are still moving around like crazy! The girl is still diagonal, but now she has flipped completely backwards. Her head is now on my right side, and her feet on my left. The boy is now diagonal as well, with his head on my lower right, curved around my belly button up with his feet more to my left. Absolutely crazy how they have moved so much in two meets!
Waist Diameter: 42.5 inches. I don't understand this at all. I feel HUGE. And I am! I am currently measuring 37 weeks (for single pregnancy). So, I am growing, growing. Just not out, which I don't understand. I really expected this one to be much larger.
Food cravings: Mmmmmm...chicken biscuits. Mmmm....baby shower cake...Mmmm, anything spicy or chocolate....
Gender: Baby Stribs are a boy and girl. No extra parts.
Labor Signs: No, thank God. Everything is still closed up nice and tight.
Belly Button in or out? We are still in outie-ville.
What I miss: I am now so achy when I wake up in the morning, after I do things in the nursery, after I do laundry or any housework, or after working a long day (Oh heck, let's face it I feel like a 90 year old woman now). Everything is achy. My hips, legs, shoulders, etc. You name it.
What I am looking forward to: Getting the nursery 100% completed. And at our next doctors appt, we get to do another growth scan - woohoo!
Milestones: Is there a better milestone that to be in the third trimester now??? I think NOT!
Realization of the week: I cannot do everything I used to do, and I need to be ok with that. Now is the most important time to take it easy. I need these babies to stay in there as long as they can!!

28 Weeks - a Chinese Cabbage

These are late - sorry!! I am actually 29 weeks, but I like being on a every 2 week update schedule, so there are from last week that I forgot to post.

Literally.....huh? A chinese cabbage? These are just getting silly. However, they usually feel like cabbages in there.

Baby Stribs - 28 Weeks

How your baby's growing: By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. (Mine weighed over 2 pounds at my 26 weeks appointment- so we must be way ahead of schedule)She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

How your life's changing: You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester. (Oh Great!!!)

At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. (Already have been for a while now) Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. (Oh I can already have the babies by this point) Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. (Already done, and passed - Whew!, LOL - just kidding mom) Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (Mine is, so I have already has two shots throughout this pregnancy so far - yea...)

Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. (Well, I haven't "relaxed" or slept well thsi entire pregnancy, so hmmmmm) If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.

Birthing Class #2 (a little late)

Sorry for the late post. Our second birthing class was last Wednesday, and our third is tomorrow, which reminded me to update on class #2. Ooops!! Pregnant Brain - what do you expect??

We were a little tardy to class number 2 by about 15 minutes and I felt really bad..but we had to eat!! And by the time we got there I had to go to the bathroom soooo bad, but decided to wait b/c I felt like we were in trouble when we got there. The good news was is that there were mini pumpkin cheesecakes there as snacks, and they were quite yummy!

The class over all was, I think, good?? This class was all about labor, which hopefully, won't pertain to me as I am expecting a c-section, but thats beside the point. We got to watch multiple women go through a natural childbirth and through all stages of labor (NATURALLY!!!) I know there are probably a few of you out there that did this, and more power to ya, but no thanks for moi. And I do mean, NO THANKS. Those poor women looked miserable. And even worse was they kept putting time frames up on the screen, so then it went from 2 hours, to 4 hours, to 8 hours, to 16 hours, to 24 hours, etc. CRAZY SCARY. And what was worse is we (again) had to watch the births and again, these women really need to take into consideration that they are on a birthing class video and might have needed to groom a bit down there. That almost made me sicker than anything, LOL.

Anyway, the next part we focused on was breathing and we breathed through some contractions and I think I did outstanding at that, (although no contractions, LOL, so it was pretty easy). Then Jake learned how to be a perfect support person. He learned how to give a labor massage and at the end of class he got to massage me for a good ten-fifteen minutes. Woohoo! I REALLY loved that part. He didn't say, but I am almost positive he loved it too. Ha!!

Our homework for this week's class is to bring a "comfort bag", which will include all kinds of things from your house to help you through labor, like massage tools, music, pictures, etc. I wonder if I can bring my kitties.

Ultrasound appointment, week 26

We had yet another ultrasound this week! I get so excited when ultrasound week starts. On Sundays, you will hear me say, "YAY! It's BABY WEEK!", then "YAY! IT'S BABY DAY!" on my appointment day. I get so excited. If I could get an ultrasound every day, that would be great. I don't know what I would do if I was just carrying a singleton and could only go every few months. I would go nuts!!

Anyway, babies are doing great!! Baby Girl Stribling is measuring just behind her brother, weighing just at 2 pounds. The u/s tech asked if any of us have long fingers (when she saw hers), and I sadly said that nothing on me is long, so I guess she is taking after Jake in that arena. I don't really remember the heart rate exactly, but hers was in the high 150's (I wish I could remember them both each time, but I just can't! Maybe I'll instruct Jake to write them down next time) Baby Boy was measuring a little heavier, at 2 pounds, 3 oz. He is a few days ahead of 26w3d, (26w6d) and she was a few days behind (26w). I am so excited to hit the 2 pound mark. It just sounds so much heavier, since we saw all those poor 1 pound babies at the Baptist NICU. His heart rate was in the 140's. Positionally, they are still weird. She is diagonal with her head up in my ribcage and her feet on my left side. Baby Boy is horizontally still with his head on my right, his legs on my left. He moves up and down, though, and they are sometimes head-to-head. They also measured the kidneys, arm and leg bones, and heads. They are both doing great and measuring really, really well.

I am doing good as well. Still an excellent appointment for me. Nothing bad going on. My cervix has shrunk a little, but it's still good and long, so that's good. Both placentas are nowhere near my cervix too, which is good. Ovaries are still out of control, but oh well. The tech always does a vaginal u/s to measure my cervix and check out my ovaries at each appointment. She saw the left one immediately, as it looks like Antarctica over my cervix, and she dug around until finally I was like "OW!". She said she was looking for my right ovary, and I said, "Oh, you won't find it down there, its up next to my ribs, you just should have asked." I also had to take another glucose test to check for Gestational Diabetes, so hopefully that will come back looking good again. We go back in two weeks! YAY!

Pictures are below in another slideshow, since they are so many(thank goodness we had a different u/s tech this time!)

Classes have begun!!

We attended our first birthing class this week. It will last for 6 weeks, going once a week for 2 hours. It wasn't too bad. It was actually pretty good. We did a "get to know you" game at the beginning, which of course, Jake LOVED. Then we learned all about the anatomy of a pregnant woman. You would think after TTC for 2.5 years and my scientific knowledge of EVERYTHING pregnancy related I would know it all, but it was actually pretty interesting. There were about 10 couples in there including us. We were the only twin pregnancy, and everyone thought it was so cool, and they were of course jealous. (I love feeling so special all the time with these twins!) They may not be as jealous come week 3 when we want to pull our hair out, though. They also gave out free samples of two different brands of formula. Jake and I took it upon ourselves to help ourselves to two of each. After all, we are having twins. Its our right.

The best part of the whole night (besides having cookies there) was when I made Jake try on the pregnant suit. he, of course, LOVED (yet more sarcasm) that I had my camera handy. He also, love his heart, agreed that it was very heavy and very hard to tie your shoes, among other things. The bad part of the pregnant fat suit? It's considered a to be at a full-term pregnancy, and its as heavy and big as I am now. Awesome.

26 Weeks - Update on Me!

We are now at the 26 week mark! Yahoo!! I cannot believe how fast this is all flying by. Its absolutely insane. This weekend will be a first and a last for me. Sunday is my very first shower - YAY!! Its going to be in Knoxville. A mixture of my girlfriends will be there, and my mom's friends as well. We are doing a brunch on Sunday. However, Daylight Savings Time is Saturday night, which worries me. Prater's Law will tell you that half of the ladies will not show up b/c they forgot to set their clock. I am SO EXCITED though. One of my sister's friends, Shelley, will be there taking pictures too. She is a photographer, so I wanted to have some really pretty pictures taken of a shower, and since she lives in Knoxville, all the better! Now...what to wear, what to wear???

As for my last, this Saturday will be my last UT football game :( I just don't think I can do it any more this season. I am getting bigger and bigger and don't think I can waddle around UT stadium. The good news is that we really don't play anyone else of huge importance, but I am still sad. I'll miss Ole Miss, Memphis, Vanderbilt and KY.

The date for my maternity photos has been set! We are doing them on Sunday, Nov. 8th. I have been kind of worried about how late they are (um, have you seen how big I am?) so hopefully they will still be pretty and I won't look like a barn. Again...what to wear, what to wear??? They will be inside and outside. I am going to have a few outfits to wear, so I need to really buckle down and decide on this. Jake's going to be in them too. He is really excited about being a model.

How far along? 26 weeks, 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: I am officially at the +24 pound mark. Yikes. I am two weeks behind the "gain 24 pounds by 24 weeks". But, I have also gained 6 pounds in two weeks. Don't you see now why I am worried about my maternity pictures? I seem to be expanding at a very fast rate! Here's hoping that my face is even visible in the pictures, and they are not just all belly.
Maternity clothes? I think I probably have enough. I REALLY hate buying maternity clothes. Its such a waste. And I also have some other things that are normal clothes that work as maternity. However, I have four showers coming up (one where professional pictures will be taken) and my maternity shoot coming up, and let me tell you- I am DYING to buy more maternity clothes!!
Best moment this week: We got the nursery painted!! Well, actually my sister Ginny and my mom came up this weekend and put up chair rail and painted the nursery. It looks so pretty. I appreciate their help so much. Now, all we are waiting on is the rug to come (is supposed to ship on 10/30), hang the chandelier, (will be hung next Wednesday!) and put up all the cute accessories I have bought.
Movement: They move around like crazy, but the girl is very dominant in this arena. Her head is up next to my rib cage, and is diagonally down my left side. The boy is now breech, and his feet are way down my right side. Needless to say, I feel the girl constantly. Its quite evident too, b/c when I lose my breath, thats when I know she is moving. She seems to love the rib cage area.
Waist Diameter: 42 inches. I inch in two weeks!
Food cravings: Still on the chicken biscuits. Thats about it these last two weeks. Still nothing strange. Since I don't eat pork products, I half expected to crave them constantly during my pregnancy, but nope! Really, though, all I am concerned about is my protein and water intake, and that is enough to drive you crazy. I am supposed to get 100 grams of protein and drink a gallon of water per day (almost 5 liters).
Gender: Baby Stribs are a boy and girl. No extra parts.
Labor Signs: Nope, but our Multiples Class teacher told us we can tell its a contraction if our belly is as hard as the bridge of our noses. Well, my belly is so hard and tight anyway, it just makes it all the harder to tell. So, here's just hoping pre-term labor stay very far away.
Belly Button in or out? Oh....still out.
What I miss: being able to do stuff myself. I am an independent person when it come to things. I hate having to ask people to do everything for me. Or I hate everyone being so careful around me. I appreciate and love these people all dearly, but its just hard to accept.
What I am looking forward to: our next doctor's appt in two weeks, my shower this weekend, and getting our nursery near completion!!
Milestones: I am so thankful to be past the 2 pound mark (the babies now weigh two pounds). This is alot less scary to me. I know as the weeks go by it will get less scary and less scary. I just need to have faith that everything will be ok.
Realization of the week: I know I say this all the time, but sometimes it just hits me that we will actually have two human beings to care for soon. We go on and on registering for things, buying things for the nursery, planning for their arrival, and talking about them all the time. But sometimes it just literally hits me that there will be BABIES in this world that belong to Jake and I! We will be responsible for two human beings at one time and forever after this! It is so crazy to think about. It is just amazing and so scary all at the same time.

26 Weeks - an English Hothouse Cucumber

Okay, this is getting ridiculous. I have no idea what an English Hothouse Cucumber is, and it just looks like something dirty.

Baby Stribs - 26 Weeks

How your baby's growing: The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days. (HeHe!!)

How your life's changing: Are you rushing around trying to get to childbirth classes and prepare your baby's room while still taking care of all your other daily tasks? Make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest. Around this time, your blood pressure may be increasing slightly, although it's probably still lower than it was before you got pregnant. (Typically, blood pressure falls toward the end of the first trimester, and it tends to reach a low at about 22 to 24 weeks.)

Preeclampsia — a serious disorder characterized by high blood pressure and protein in your urine — most often shows up after 37 weeks, but it can happen earlier so it's important to be aware of the warning signs of this condition.

your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.