16 weeks - update on me!

shirt down and shirt up

Woohoo! 16 weeks! Flying by, I tell you. Football season is right around the corner, and my big belly is going to look fabulous in orange. A beautiful pumpkin, I bet. We just got back from a trip to Las Vegas and I did well I think for a preggo. I got to eat a bunch, and hung out at the pool, and if I was gambling, noone smoked at my table, so all was good! These babies are very well traveled. They have been to Atlanta, New York, Hilton Head, and Las Vegas so far. Wow! Now, this is either really great to get to travel before the babies get here and our life will change in an instant, or really sad as we have gone on so many trips. We need to get in saving money mode pronto.

How far along? 16 weeks, 3 days (will post a new belly pic soon)
Total weight gain/loss: Still doing really well, maybe even too well. I have only gained half a pound since my visit two weeks ago, putting my total weight gain at 6 or 7 pounds. That made me promptly go to the nearest Jack in the Box for a chicken biscuit. (They serve breakfast all day!) However, according to this post, I should expect a growth spurt, which will probably mean on the outside as well as the inside, LOL.
Maternity clothes? Nope, none since my jeans I bought at 14 weeks. Best moment this week: only going up half a pound since two weeks ago, and that INCLUDES all my Vegas eating!
Movement: I "think" I am starting to feel flutters. I don't know for sure since this is the only pregnancy I have ever had, but I am thinking thats what it is.
Food cravings: Again, nothing too weird. Love me some chicken biscuits though. I think the only real thing I am supposed to focus on is my protein intake and water intake. I am "supposed to get around 80 grams of protein a day, which is crazy hard.
Gender: Still a boy and a girl! No extra parts in there!
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? I am destined to be an outy girl. Its half way out and shows through my clothes already. *sigh*, and I am only 16 weeks!
What I miss: The no drinking is Vegas was hard, but only for the first day. then I got used to it and didn't care.
What I am looking forward to: I am buying a crib off Craigslist tomorrow. It is a Bratt Decor, which I have been looking for even before I was pregnant. They are really nice and expensive and what all the celebs buy (LOL) I am getting a STEAL on this one, and I figure I have plenty of time to find another one as a deal. There is no way I could especially buy two at normal price, so Craigslist is the way to go.
Milestones: Getting closer and closer to 20 weeks, then I'll stop freaking out. Am still in "scared mode". Trust me, this is a big risk-taking venture for me to buy a crib already.
Realization of the week: That I am pregnant!! Really, for reals, pregnant! We are REALLY going to have kids in a few months. Seriously???

16 weeks - guacamole! Mmmmm...

Baby Stribs - 16 Weeks

How your baby's growing:Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop. (Ummm, yes, am guessing my body is pumping waaay more blood, as that would explain the weekly/daily nose bleeds I am getting - gross, but true)

How your life's changing: The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

Ultrasound appt at 16 weeks

Baby Boy Stribling

Baby Girl Stribling (alien face Stribs)

Doesn't she look just like Jake? - Ha!!

I am feeling oh so special. I love all the attention at the doctors office. Those poor women with only one baby. How could they stand not having an ultrasound every two weeks? I have a bi-monthly date to see my babies, and it is awesome. When I called to set it up this last time, I asked if I was also getting an ultrasound, and the lady was like, "Ummm, no, were you under the impression that you would always have one?", and I was like, "Ummmm, YES, are you kidding me? I want one every time!". Luckily (ha, ha) my ovaries are so wacko, that my doctor does want a ultrasound every time.

Next up is a super fun thing that goes along with pregnancy - the 24 hour urine test. Woohoo! This Sunday I have to carry a big gallon jug around with me, and collect a day's worth of peepee. They have to check a full day's worth to check protein levels. I just feel sorry for the poor person's whose job it is to do this.

Then at 19 weeks we get another big, long scan. They will then again measure everything on Baby girl and Baby boy: head, spine, kidneys, bladder, heart, etc, etc.

I will try to scan in pictures from today. They aren't very good :( Baby Boy was being a rock star for the camera and Baby girl was being camera shy. She finally faced us head on and looked like a weird alien baby. And I told Jake she is taking after his looks. Then I got to chuckling and couldn't stop and the ultrasound tech had to wait until I finished b/c the babies were going nuts, LOL.

Baby J's

We are trying to stick with J names for the baby boy and girl. Jake is the third generation of "J" first name and the same middle name, so we have to stick with a "J" for him. So, we are trying out J names for girls too. We are having a hard time agreeing on anything. We are very different in terms of what we like. Which, I definitely think all parents go through, right? So, for the meantime, we are going to think J's, and if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But, we are going to try. Any ideas out there?

Dr. Appt- 14 weeks

We went last week and met with a specialist at Vanderbilt Radiology and Imaging. They wanted to do a complete scan of my right and left ovary. It was scary-looking to say the least. They are now stretched up and down, b/c due to the babies, they have nowhere to go but stretch upwards. She literally was using her little hand instrument to scan all the way up into my ribs!! So, they are literally from my uterus stretched up to each set of ribs - still huge, still covered in cysts. The are both doing fine, its just I am still not allowed to do any movements. They keep telling me everything will be normal once my hormones regulate themselves...We'll see...

On to the exciting stuff. Here is sweet little picture of Baby Boy Stribling and Baby Girl Stribling. Also, a cute one of Baby Boy's "parts". Definitely a Boy! We confirmed Baby Girl's, but couldn't get a good picture of hers.

Baby Girl Stribling

Baby Boy Stribling

Baby Boy Stribling's "Parts" :)

(He's going to love this picture when he's older - I just know it)

14 Weeks - update on me!

14 Weeks! (well, actually, almost 15, but I have neglected posting in a while - sorry about that!) I know I say this at every post, but I can't believe this is going so fast. And on the flip side, I CANNOT wait to meet this sweet little baby girl and baby boy. Jake and I are finally now to the point where we are so excited. I have since been obsessed with naming these little ones, as well as bombarding him with nursery ideas. He wants none of that and assures me we have plenty of time. But I can't help it. I am so excited. I can't wait until they have names. I have already been talking to them like they are in front of me, and it would be nice to know who I am talking to
:)

How far along? 14 Weeks, 6 days
Total weight gain/loss: WooHoo! Still doing good. 6.5 pounds so far, as of our OB appointment on Thursday, August 6th. Although, I am still not certain on what pace I am supposed to be gaining said weight. They say that the 2nd trimester in when you start packing on the pounds, because the babies are starting to weigh more and all the mess around them is too. If I am supposed to gain 45-50 pounds, I just hope they all don't surprise me at once.
Maternity clothes? I bought my very first maternity piece of clothing - a pair of jeans from Old Navy. I really can't fit into anything else with a waistband, so I have been mostly wearing dresses, which have been great to wear during the summer.
Sleep: Still can't sleep very well. I cannot get comfortable. Poor Jake. I toss and turn most of the night, then will get up and go in the bonus room. I am trying so hard to sleep on my left side, but most of the time wake up on my back. I did get about 3 nights of really good sleep this week, so maybe it's looking up. Although, I go back out into the field tomorrow (Monday) so sleep will be important now!
Best moment this week: Getting to go to Vanderbilt Imaging. While we though they were just going to do a complete sonogram of my yucky, HUGE ovaries, they ended up measuring everything on the babies!! It was so fun, and very unexpected. We saw and measured the kidneys, spleen, abdomen, spine, leg bones, arm bones, brain, etc. They are measuring a little ahead of schedule and growing so fast. They are weighing about 4oz. each. They were kicking into each other's sacs as well, and I was like, "Good grief, they are already fighting"
Movement: None yet!
Food cravings: Still nothing weird, just alot of my normal foods. Love the spicy foods, and love to finish it off with "a little something sweet"
Gender: Last week, it was also a great surprise when we were able to see their "parts". Girl and Boy!!! So, we ended up finding out very soon. Most find out at 20 weeks, so I am very happy!
Labor Signs: This is just a scary question.
Belly Button in or out? Uggggg....I am going to be an outy mamma. It is closer and closer to getting there.
What I miss: Sleep...but I don't care!
What I am looking forward to: Naming our babies and start the nesting process!
Milestones: I am "officially" out of the scary first trimester!
Realization of the week: How completely blessed and lucky we are. I was at our favorite little sushi place here in Brentwood, and the waitress was asking me what we're having, etc. And I told her, and she said, "Oh, WOW! You have hit the jackpot!". And I was thinking, "You know what? We certainly have!"

14 Weeks!

How your baby's growing?

Diet Crystal Light lemonade!

From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches (about the size of a lemon) and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! (Baby Boy Stribling was on his 13 week ultrasound - precious!) Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

How your life's changing: Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. (A TAD??? I look like I am at least 5 months along with a singleton!) Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.