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I'm really enjoying being done with work. My time at home has been a mix of relaxation and actually getting a few things done. Thankfully, the baby stuff is essentially ready to go, so I've had time to do other things. I still wake up early as if I were going to work, but now I have time to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine, read, watch TV, take a nap, and occasionally get something productive accomplished. I'm currently working on organizing all my recipes. I'm taking them from an overstuffed box of folded recipes and putting them in a nice recipe book with dividers. I love to cook, so even though I worked on it for over an hour yesterday, there is still much more to do.

I've been feeling pretty good, aside from typical pregnancy aches and pains. My back still bothers me, but that's not surprising. I'm still sleeping really well I I count myself lucky for that. And despite what everyone told me, so far I can still eat a normal amount of food. We will see how that goes as the days go on and the babies continue to push against my stomach. I've noticed a shift in my energy level. It seems like simple activities such as grocery shopping have become quite a chore for me. I usually need a break after being on my feet for even 30 minutes or so.

Now, I present to you the latest belly shot. Do you think it's getting bigger?

Screech!!

My smooth sailing pregnancy came to a screeching halt yesterday. On Wednesday morning I noticed that my ankle (only one of them) was pretty swollen when I woke up. Not a big deal I thought, happens to most pregnant women. Then, while eating lunch at work I noticed some very odd squiggly lines that were flashing like a strobe light in my field of vision. Uh oh. I instantly thought of the pregnancy books I've read. Vision changes usually indicate a problem with blood pressure. I called yesterday morning to get into the doctor. Unfortunately, my doctor was out yesterday but they got me in with another doctor at the office. They tested my urine for proteins....passed that test with flying colors. Then the nurse took my blood pressure. It was pretty high considering how low it had been only one week before. I was diagnosed with mild preeclampsia. :( Preeclampsia, if kept under close watch can be controlled, but not improved. The doctor told me it won't get better until the babies can be delivered, and that it will likely progress. He also mentioned that I would likely not make it to the full-term 38 week mark, but would instead deliver around 36 weeks (June 30). For now, I'm not on bedrest but he wants me to take it very easy and keep my feet elevated above my heart when I'm relaxing.

It's a good thing I'm done with work today because he was going to ask me to be done. The news of getting preeclampsia has been difficult for me. I'm a very active person (even at 7 months pregnant) and it's so hard to be told I can no longer do all the things I wanted to do before the babies arrive. The good news is that it's not too bad yet and at least we have nearly everything ready for the babies arrival. I'm trying to focus on the fact that I need to relax anyway, so this is just a way to force me to do so. It will be a long time until I can take naps whenever I please, so I will try to take advantage of that situation.

All in all, the news could have been so much worse! I've made it to the 3rd trimester with no complications and very few symptoms. I feel lucky to have had that experience.

3rd Trimester!!!!!

I'm 7 months pregnant now and officially in the 3rd trimester! I know I keep saying it, but it's hard to believe we're in the home stretch...it's gone so quickly! It's crazy to think that in a maximum of 10 weeks we will be parents of not one, but two babies. Wow.

I had an appointment today and my doctor was surprised I wasn't experiencing any Braxton Hicks contractions yet, but she was glad I wasn't. I gained another 3 lbs in the last two weeks and I'm still measuring 7 weeks ahead...so I'm the same size as a mom carrying one baby at 35 weeks!! My blood pressure was normal, which becomes a big concern as we approach the end of the pregnancy because preeclampsia is more common with multiples and high blood pressure is one of the first symptoms.

My doctor also agreed to help me try to get some Aflac benefits during the time before I have the babies, which is great news. Now I don't have to go all that time without pay. Well, if it gets approved by Aflac.

I have some great "from the mouths of babes" one liners to share...have I ever mentioned how much I love working with kids?! A three-year old at school told me the other day that when our babies are born they're going to say, "Wah, we want to go back in your tummy". :) Another child (6 years old) who has autism, was staring
intently at my belly a few days ago. After some time, he said, "Why you not have a kaleidoscope on the outside so we can always see what they're doing?". Um, good question...but a kaleidoscope? Hmmmm....

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.

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. :)