I can feel her!!!

Last night as we were lying in bed dozing off, I could feel Apple moving. I put my hands down low on my belly where she "lives" and I got to externally feel her kicking for the first time!! This is a big deal because her brother who "lives" at the top of my belly always takes the limelight and moves, kicks, pushes, etc constantly. She is low and deep enough that I feel her moving but it cannot be felt from the outside of my belly by anyone, even me. Hooray for another pregnancy highlight! :)

Birthing Classes and Dr. Appointment

It's only Tuesday, but it's already been a busy week for us! Last night we had our first birthing class. It was pretty interesting. We learned lots of things, but the primary focus was on relaxation techniques for labor. We learned about how to do massage during contractions, and ways to labor more comfortably by walking around and moving into various positions to ease the pain. We have classes for 6 weeks, 2 hours each week. By the time we're done I suspect we will be much more comfortable with the whole labor and delivery process. One of the most exciting things we learned was that the hospital we're delivering at is very well regarded. The class is in no way affiliated with the hospital, so that was great to hear. We were told that they are 1 of only 50 hospitals in the U.S. that is "baby friendly". That means that the babies will be given to us right after delivery and will remain on my chest to bond for at least the first hour. The apgar tests will also be done while they are on my chest. In most hospitals the baby is taken to be weighed, measured, etc. That is not the case at our hospital. The other aspect about "baby friendly" is that no bottles or pacifiers will be given to them without us okaying it first. In fact, they are a pro-nursing hospital and do not allow formula samples to be given to their new parents. We found all of that reassuring because we would really like to be successful with nursing and need all the help we can get because we know it will be very hard with two!

I also had an appointment today. My intention was to ask her several questions, including my most pressing question about being done working at the end of May. I have been thinking for a week or so that the end of May would be a good time to be done. I will be 32 weeks along at that point and if I only make it to 36-38 weeks, I would like to have some time to relax at home before the babies arrive. I also think I will be too big to effectively do my job. Unfortunately, my doctor said I'm doing so well that unless something changed with my health or the babies, she would not write me a note to release me from work. That wouldn't be a big deal, but I would like to use my short-term disability benefit that I've been paying into for the last year and a half. On a happy note, I'm doing really well!! My glucose test came back in the normal range, so no further testing for gestational diabetes. I'm measuring at 33 weeks and I'm only 26 weeks, which is normal for a twin mommy. I only gained 2 more pounds in the last 3 weeks, but she is very happy with my weight.

I will see the other two doctors in the office before I deliver, in the event that one of them is on call and is our delivery doctor. I will also begin seeing my doctor every 2 weeks and will have another ultrasound in 4 weeks (when I'm 30 weeks along). I will begin non-stress tests at 34 weeks and those will be twice a week. They are routine for multiples and designed to measure the babies' heart rates when they are moving, as well as monitor any contractions I may be having.

Our doctor also told me that by our 36 week ultrasound, we will better know the final positions of the babies and will be able to make a decision about our options for delivery.

Whew...this is a long post!! I think I covered it all. Until next time...

25 week ultrasound

Our normal ultrasound tech is recovering from foot surgery, so we had a new lady today. She was very nice, but not as skilled at getting good baby pictures as our regular lady. However, she did tell us that both babies are doing great!

Apple is still way down low and fairly deep and now weighs 1 lb 12 oz. She was all curled up in a ball with her hands and her feet in her face (sounds comfy, huh)? Her head is on my right side and her butt is still pretty darn close to her little brother's face,more towards the left side. They don't measure length at this point, but one of my books says they should be about 13 inches.

Cherry was all stretched out and quite active today. He takes up the top part on my belly with his head on the left side and the rest of him stretched over to the right side. He is completely transverse. We could see his face when she first started the ultrasound, but by about halfway through he decided to roll over and face my back. He weighs an ounce less than his sister, at 1 lb 11 oz.

We will see what happens with their positions as far as either of them being head down at our next ultrasound, in about 6 weeks. That visit should give us a good idea of whether a vaginal delivery is even feasible.

As you can see, I put up a couple pictures. The first is of our little man's profile. The second is of her face and you can clearly see her nose.

Changes

Life is full of change and obviously preparing for twins has been full of change for Craig and I. Yesterday I finally tackled the "bomb went off" room aka the nursery. All the things from my shower, plus many things given to us by friends were taking over all the floor space in the room. So, I began sorting through things and hanging up the little bitty clothes that our babies will soon be wearing. After several hours, that room is beginning to look like a nursery and the little clothes hanging in the closet have both of us excited about the huge change our lives are about to take.

Another big change as of Friday, is that everyone at my job has had their hours cut. I will now be working 32 hours a week instead of 40. While this isn't a big deal for us, it will impact my Aflac short term disability policy that I was planning to use for 8-12 weeks after the babies are born. My benefit amount will now be based on 32 hours/week instead of the 40 hours I've been working for nearly 2 years. Like I said though, life is full of change and I will adjust and make the best of this as well. My tenative plan, as long as everything continues to go well with the pregnancy, is to be done working May 31. I will be 32 weeks along then and I think that's a good time to take some time off to rest, finish last minute projects and enjoy some time to myself before I'm a full-time mommy!

We have another ultrasound this Wednesday. I will post pictures if we get some good ones! I'm interested to see if Cherry's position has changed. He moves around constantly and I keep feeling his head or butt pressed up against the sides of my belly. He was up and down last time we had an ultrasound, so I'm thinking he is now side to side.

6 months!!

My eyes look a bit scary in this picture, but just focus on the expanding belly. I have 2 little stretch marks to go with my belly. Try as I might to avoid them with twice a day Cocoa Butter applications, they came. Oh well, the joy of pregnancy.

Baby Shower and Sugary Drinks

My doctor's appointment this week went really well. I only gained 3 lbs in the last 4 weeks (not as much as I would like), but the babies are obviously still growing well. My belly is now measuring at 30 weeks!! Yowsa! No wonder people keep asking when I'm due. :) I asked my doctor about a pain I've been having on the top right side of my belly. She examined the area and pushed on it a bit, but concluded that my ribs are expanding and that's why it's so tender. Ouch. I guess I will have to get used to it though, because as I get bigger I'm sure my ribs will continue to expand. I was given the fun, extra sugary, orange drink as well. My "glucose challenge" will be just a few days before my next appointment. As most of you know, I will drink the a fore mentioned delicious drink (I'm trying to convince myself that it will be good) in 5 minutes, then have my blood drawn exactly 1 hour later. This is a test for gestational diabetes. I believe I will receive the results at my next appointment, which is scheduled for April 20.

We also have an ultrasound scheduled for April 14. We are looking forward to seeing how much our little babies have grown!

I've been feeling increasingly sore by the end of the day. My belly and back need a break by 5:00. I've been coming home to put my feet up and rest for most of the night. Some days, I even take a little nap before dinner. I'm really hoping to work for awhile longer, but my body may have other ideas. I've been asked several times how long I plan to work. My answer is that I have no plan. I will know, or my doctor will tell me when I can no longer do my job. My biggest concern is that I want to make sure I'm doing my job well. If I can no longer run my kids programs at school, I will need to call it quits. For now, I'm still working full time.

Last Sunday my friend, Ivy and my mom threw me the best baby shower a girl could ask for. I had friends there from Germany, New York and Denver as well as many friends from Coeur d'Alene and Moscow. My sister-in-law surprised me by being there.
It turns out she's a great liar too! She had tricked me (not an easy task) into thinking she wouldn't be able to come. What a nice surprise. My friend, Christy, who came from Denver was also a surprise and I hate to admit I even cried when she walked in the door. I was just so overwhelmed with feeling loved and cared for by all the guests...there were 30 in total! Such a wonderful celebration for the babies! Needless to say, their room is full of all kinds of great gifts!!