PUPPPS

Did you guys think this would be a post about doggies?? Ha! I wish...

Nope, it turns out all the itching and scratching I have been doing is not a result of stretching, winter skin. Nope, apparently I have PUPPPS (Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy). It is very common in first pregnancies and usually occurs in the third trimester at 35 weeks (or earlier with twins). They also think sometimes it develops due to the male DNA. So, its usually women who are delivering a boy during their first pregnancy, which I am. (thanks boy) There is no cure for it except delivery - NICE! And some pictures I have googled are really gross looking. I don't even look like I have any type of rash. I do have some stretchmarks, but you really can't see any rash unless you look really really close.

It is very, very itchy and at times I want to claw the babies out. But, they did tell me about some lotion that is helping a bit. If it doesn't get any better then they will send my to my dermatologist for a steroid shot.

But, I guess I will survive it. If this is the worst that will happen, I'm ok with it :)

An invention idea

I have a marvelous idea for an invention. Something maybe with these huge claws on it that will satisfy my need to scratch myself. Every part of my body itches. Yes, I know its winter time, and yes, I know that this is a little common in the winter. But, let's try multiplying that by 1,000 since I am pregnant. And forget about my poor stomach. You are talking about the winter itchies, stretching skin, and stretch marks. I am scratching so hard sometimes, these poor babies probably think I am trying to come in and get them out.

Wonder if this will work... too harsh maybe?

Where's the beef?

Okay, this weight thing is finally starting to annoy me. I know most pregnant women gain weight at different times and in different ways.

I haven't gained an ounce in almost three weeks. Not an ounce! So, all in all, I have gained about 7 pounds total, and I am almost in week 18. My doctor says its fine, but I am getting concerned. I have not been able to exercise at all, and I have pretty much eaten everything I have wanted to. So, I don't get it. Normally, I wouldn't care. In fact, I should be rejoicing. But, the problem is that I am supposed to gain 4o-45 pounds. And knowing Prater's Law, I am going to gain 30 pounds in a week or something. I am just wanting this to be a gradual pound here and there, ya know?

I.N.S.O.M.N.I.A

Why can't I sleep? Is this normal, or is this b/c I am the home to multiple babies? Three times I have gotten up in the middle of the night lately (2-3am) and watched TV for several hours, until I finally fall back asleep around 5am.

I seem to have "popped" in the last week (will post a belly soon, I promise). I think that may have something to do with it. I am constantly aware of my stomach while trying to sleep. I am so terrified I am going to do something to hurt them. Plus, reading about it certainly doesn't seem to help. Basically you can't do the following while pregnant:

lie on your back

lie on your stomach

lie on your right side

So that basically leave sleeping on my left side - doesn't give a while lot of options, huh? I read online that a full body pillow helps, so that you can put your head on the top, your stomach along the center, and put the bottom between your legs to help with leg and hip pain. Well, there is only so long you can lie like that before you are desperate to roll over. Especially when you are getting up in the middle of the night anyway to pee, and have to fall back asleep, which is so hard to do now that you have started cramping. *sigh*

At least school hasn't started yet. I am welcome to take naps as much as I want. I haven't today, and since it's 4:30, its likely I won't get to. But thats ok, because we are eating pizza tonight, and I would much rather trade pizza for sleep - who wouldn't?

No Morning Sickness

So, far, I haven't had the slightest bit of morning sickness. I am still not convinced if that is a good thing or a bad thing. "They" say that the more morning sickness you have, the healthier your baby. And since I have two in there at the moment, you would think it would be off the charts. I have been SUPER tired, though, and SUPER hungry (which is not good as I still haven't been given the clearance to do any exercise). Plus, my mother says she didn't have morning sickness with me, Ginny, or Leslie, and we're fine. So, I am trying not to get too worried about it.