Pediatricians & Backaches & Kicks..oh my!

We've had a fun couple of days because we can feel the babies moving/kicking all the time now from the outside of my belly! They are most active at night, after dinner is made and I'm finally relaxing for the day. Thankfully, they aren't big enough (only 1 lb each) to keep me awake, but they are very active as I'm drifting off to sleep too.

My back has continued to hurt and always in the same spot. I'm convinced that one of the babies is sitting on a nerve or something because if I push on the right side of my belly, the pain is temporarily relieved. I know the back pain will only continue to get worse as they grow, but truthfully as I read through my pregnancy books, it could be much worse. I have had a pretty uneventful pregnancy and I'd like to keep it that way. :)

After talking to a few friends at work, I decided which pediatricians I'd like to meet and interview. Last week, Craig and I met with a doctor who had been recommended by several people. I went prepared with a typed list of questions and he actually said he appreciated my list...haha. What a guy. All of the questions were answered, he had a great sense of humor and he also has twins!! We both left the office feeling very confident that we didn't need to interview anymore pediatricians because we had found ours! We found out that our pediatrician or one of the others from his office (depending on who is on call) will be in the delivery room with us. He also told us that one of the pediatricians from his office will visit us each day we're at the hospital after their birth. We were quite impressed with the amount of time they will be spending with us and our new babies.

Many of you have asked me to write an update on how I'm feeling and what I'm craving each time I blog. Here is the latest: I feel pretty good most days and my energy level has been great. However, today I had to take a 40 minute nap when I got home because I was really dragging. I'm up to 3-4 trips to the bathroom during the night even though I stop drinking fluids 1 hour before bed. My belly has grown 1 1/2 inches in 2 weeks, so I'm learning how to get around with a larger middle. Work is getting a little bit harder because I can no longer bend down to help kids. I have also retired the child size chairs for a larger, office-type chair for comfort purposes. I'm also still extremely absent minded. I forget EVERYTHING!

As for cravings, my latest thing is carbs....LOTS of carbs. I've been craving sweets, bread, potatoes, pasta, pretzels...really anything loaded with carbohydrates. I also continue to love milkshakes, something I was hoping would pass.

I have a doctor's appointment next week, so I will add a little update then.

21 weeks

Here's the belly!! My how it's grown since 18 weeks.

Nursery Bedding

We decided on this bedding not only because we loved it, but because it came in two great colors....one for our boy and one for our girl. Perfect. April will be our month to get the nursery ready. We've been busy getting the room next to ours cleaned out and ready for our two bundles. When we finish decorating and getting everything set-up, I will post pictures.

Movement!!!!!!!

Our babies are serious movers and shakers! At the end of last week I was at work, helping a kiddo and I swore I felt Cherry move. I didn't want to get too excited though because I thought I might be imagining things. I wasn't. They both move around so much and it's one of the most amazing things I've ever felt! It is unlike anyone described to me. It feels like pressure on the inside of my tummy, then I can feel wiggling. I'm already so in love with these babies! Looking forward to Craig being able to feel them too.

I keep getting asked if we have names picked out, and that's a big negative. We have lists of boy and girl names, but we've made no effort to narrow them down. We're thinking if we make a decision before we have them, we might just keep it a secret. I know, I know...some of you hate secrets, but we like them. :)

A delayed thank you!

I've been meaning to send a HUGE thank you to my FIVE lovely lady friends who have loaned me tons of maternity clothes!!! I have only had to purchase a few items. Thank you to Megan, Chelsea, Amber, Christy and Katie!!! I knew there was an advantage to being the last of my friends to have babies. :)

19 weeks

I cannot believe I'm already halfway through this pregnancy...and that's if I make it to my "maximum capacity" (38 weeks).

My appointment yesterday went well. My doctor is happy with the ultrasound pictures and says I'm doing great. Hard to believe, but I only gained 3 pounds in the last month even after eating a ton of food and laying around for a week in Mexico!! I'm measuring the same as a woman pregnant with a single baby at 27 weeks! Now I understand why my back has been bothering me. The past few days I've had a hard time sitting for long periods without getting a backache. I think it might be time to go get my first pregnancy massage. :)

Above is an 18 week belly picture while we we were in Mexico (hence the swimsuit). It was taken on our first day there (hence the super white I haven't seen sun in 6 months skin).

I'm off to take a nice bubble bath...maybe that will help my back. Ahhhh....

Let's try this again

Sorry about the small font. I can't seem to figure out how to enlarge it. I'm going to try to reload the videos too.

We're having......

a GIRL and a BOY!!! We feel so lucky to be able to experience raising one of each. Congratulations to those of you who voted for one of each. The 7 year old boy with Down Syndrome at school was 100% correct, as he predicted baby A to be a girl and baby B to be a boy. He was quite proud of himself when I told him today.

Our ultrasound was very interesting as the ultrasound tech looked at each of the babies hearts, kidneys, spines, brains, etc. She assured us that both of the babies look very healthy and are developing perfectly! They are each about 8 oz and 7-8 inches long (although she didn't measure this). Now that they are bigger, all the measuring is done with the head circumference, the femur length and abdomen size. They are both measuring at about 18weeks 5 days. Our girl (Apple) was quite a mover and shaker. She was very active during the whole ultrasound! She also put her hand up when the tech was trying to get a 3D image of her (kind of a "talk to the hand" moment). Our boy (Cherry) was more calm, although still moving quite a bit. During his time in the lime light, his sister decided she should put her back end in his face. So funny, but poor guy! The first video below is our boy with his sister's bottom in his face. The second is of our little girl. You can clearly see her arm and toes. Cute.

I still have hives, although they look a lot better. I've started taking Benedryl for itching...and sometimes they itch REALLY badly! The Benedryl seems to help control it. Other than the hives, I still feel great! My belly is getting firmer and I continue to gain a good amount of weight. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow, so I will update with anything interesting (if there is anything).