First trip to Labor and Delivery

Gestation: 24 weeks

Weight Gain: 34.5 lbs

Food of the week: Coke...I haven't liked Coke for years, but I actually crave it now

Twins length: Approx. 12.5 inches each

Twins weight: Approx. 1.5 lbs each

Well, Tuesday evening, Willy and I had to go to Labor and Delivery due to my having contractions every 4 minutes for 2 hours. By the time they hooked me up, I was having them every 2 minutes for about 25-30 seconds each time. Since they were under 40 seconds and weren't dilating me any, the dr. classified them as Braxton Hicks. They decided to go ahead and keep me overnight for observation to make sure they dikdn't turn in to real contractions. We learned around 3 am or so that if I laid on my right or left side, they would stop, but as soon as I was on my back, sitting up, or standing, they would start back up. They are saying that due to my extra amniotic fluid my uterus is irritated. I will probably contract pretty regularly until the twins arrive. Great times! At least at this point I can say that I am starting to get used to them for the most part. The evenings can be pretty rough, and the nights are pretty long.

The other part of our trip was watching The Great Twin Hunt. Twice the nurses had to find their heartbeats, have them at the same time, for a minute. Both times took 45 minutes to accomplish this feat. They brought in an ultrasound machine to locate them, then would quickly switch to the monitor to get their heart rate. The boys moved TONS, which made it hard to hear. There would be one nurse keeping tabs on Lucas and another looking for Caleb. As soon as she found Caleb for 5 seconds or so, Lucas would move around. It was hard not to laugh at the boys, and when I did it made tons of noise also. Both times when we finally caught them, their heart rates were great.

I was sent home Wednesday morning without bedrest orders. I am so relieved to still have the freedom to get up when I want and my body lets me. My OB said to take it really easy, which I am. Speaking of which, it is time I get back to my post on the couch. My back is screaming and contractions are kicking up some.

Define taking it easy...

Basics:
Weight Gain: 30 lbs (yes, that's 6lbs in one week!)
Diameter: ???
Food of the week: Funnel Cake Sticks from Burger King

I've been trying to take it easy this week. It's really hard to do, especially with two energetic little boys. And the fact that I am a pretty active person and have a hard time sitting still. Even though I've taken pretty easy, more so every day than the previous, I still get Braxton hicks contractions worse every night. Last night I actually had to call the oncall doctor because they averaged every 5 minutes for almost 2 hours. Since they were only 30 seconds in duration, he said to lie down and relax and that they should fizzle out. If they became 1 minute in duration, to call him back. Luckily after 30 minutes of lying on my side, they "fizzled" out and we were able to come home from Mike and Dru's. A big Thank you to Dru for keeping the boys yet another night!

So today I am truly taking it easy. I am not leaving the house, and only leaving the couch for feeding and caring for the boys, potty breaks, and occasionaly checking facebook and email. Let's see how my body handles this tonight. Hopefully it will be an uneventful night.

This week was Colton's last week of school until summer school starts. I truly hope the weather is nice enough over the next couple of week so they can spend plenty of time outside playing and using up all that energy they have.

I'm not eating as much as I have been. The past several days I just don't seem to have the room anymore to put copious amounts of food in my stomach. It was so much fun while it lasted. Now it's back to snacking during the day. Good-bye all-you-can-eat buffets. Our relationship was amazing while it lasted.

And a big THANK YOU to my amazing husband who picks up my slack around the house without so much as a second thought. This house would fall apart without you...or the ants would carry it away. I honestly have no idea how I would survive this pregnancy without you and your support. I love you, Willy!!!

22 weeks

Basics:

Gestation: 22 weeks

Uterus measuring: 28 weeks

Weights: Lucas 1lb and Caleb 1lb1oz

Girth: 48 inches

Weight Gain: 24.5 lbs

Food of the week: Vanillla Ice Cream with strawberries and reeses pieces, all covered with chocolate syrup







I had my 22 week check up today. The boys look great and sounded great! I seem to have more fluid than normal, making my uterus a little bigger than normal. I should measure about 26 weeks, but am measuring at 28 weeks. My doctor is going to bring me in more often and keep me within 100 miles of home. I have also been having braxton hicks contractions daily. She said it is normal and with the extra fluid I will probably even have contractions earlier. If I have 6 or more in an hour, I am to go to L&D. And I have been told to just take it easy.

Lucas is lying across my cervix, which is where he has been for quite awhile. His head is pretty low, which I feel quite often. He is already stubborn and wouldn't give us a good profile view, though. Caleb is up high with his head resting on my lungs. Which I often feel, also.

The past couple of week have been kind of rough. I hurt much more and am having a hard time being on my feet for more than 20-30 minutes at a time. It also seems as though my ankles are beginning to disappear. Which isn't something I've experienced with the other 2 pregancies.

Willy has been extra helpful, which I am grateful for. Colton came down with strep throat, but seems to be better, but it looks as though Ethan may have it now. On the flip side, Ethan is finally potty trained making things a little easier on me.







Caleb
Lucas

Family Vacation

Willy and I decided to take the boys to Grand Country Inn last weekend as a last getaway before the twins arrive. Travelling is getting uncomfortable for me and tends to wear me out quickly. We spent one night in their hotel and were able to play in the waterpark for free both Saturday and Sunday. It was so much fun! The boys really had a blast. Colton loved going down the really big waterslides all by himself. It really made me realize how big he is getting.
The food at the Grand Country Buffet was AMAZING!!!!! There was so much to choose from. It was the best buffet I've ever eaten at with the best ribs I've had in years! It was so good that we even chose to eat there for breakfast the next morning. We also received a 20% discount for signing up with the VIP card, which is free.
I am really glad we had the chance to do this with the boys. I know that it's going to be more difficult over the next year or so to do stuff like this. It was so much fun and we definitely plan on doing it again when things slow down a little.

20 weeks

I will be 20 weeks tomorrow. The twins will be about 11 inches from head to toe. That is 22 inches of baby inside my belly. Or the length I was when I was born. Good Grief!



I am feeling really good right now. I think I have found a happy medium of resting and working/playing. The boys also seem to be on a great track, which helps quite a bit. I truly love the difference between being 3 and being 4. Thank you, Colton. I have also found a great combination of pillows for sleeping, which helps tremendously. Just hope poor Willy still has a little room left as I grow bigger and bigger.



We don't go back for another ultrasound until May 13th. I am really excited to see Lucas and Caleb again. They move pretty much all day long anymore. It seems like one is always awake unless I am lying down then they both wake up. The other night Caleb was pounding away at my upper ribs. It felt like my heart was beating about 2 inches lower than it should be. He finally quit when I rolled over. It is truly an amazing thing to feel two babies moving inside me at once. What a blessing!



Here is the 20 week belly pic: My orange tank is in the wash, but the red one is the same size. I seem to consistenly be gaining about 2.5 lbs a week right about now.

How Twins Are Made

I came across this in a twin group and thought I would share it...


How Twins Are Made...

One of life's great mysteries solved...

Getting Rougher

So, last week was kind of rough for me. One of the twins (assuming Caleb) hung out in my ribs for 3 days causing some crazy pain. It hurt to do pretty much anything. Luckily he didn't start pushing around til dinnertime or so. That meant Willy was around to help out quite a bit. I am so grateful to have him!!

I am learning the meaning of taking it easy. It's harder than I thought it would be to not do quite so much. Although my couch does help some. I love that couch!!

We managed to be kid-free Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. We had dinner out and managed to register for the twins. I even let Willy convince me to ride in a wheelchair through Wal-Mart. He is doing so well looking after me.

Colton and Ethan have had excellent behavior the past couple of weeks! I am so excited every night when I put them to bed and I don't feel drained. I am so proud of how well they are doing. We are also potty training Ethan. This will be our last round. I am determined and I know
my stubbornness will win out over his.

Well, as I head into the half-way point of the second trimester, I must say I'm not doing too bad right now. I know it's going to get harder, but the blessing of Lucas and Caleb is so wonderful. I am sure I will forget it all once they are in my arms.

Good Night!!