William Alexander and Andrew Stephen will be delivered via c-section on Friday, November 19th around 5:30 PM, unless, of course, they decide on their own to come earlier than that!
I had my OB appointment yesterday, and all went well. Since we were 36 weeks, 5 days, we all agreed we needed to get the surgery on the schedule. I don't think my doctor, the nurses nor I thought we'd actually go as far as we're going. I hoped all along to make it at least to 37 weeks, and well, we've made it! Or at least we will be there tomorrow.
As for yesterday's appt, my blood pressure was a little high at first, but came down to normal pretty quickly. The boys both still have great fluids, their hear rates are still right where they should be, and I'd gained almost 2 pounds! I have my next appointment on Tuesday.
This is a short update, but that's about all I've got! I'll update again next week!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
We are 36 weeks today!!!
Somehow it seems as if this has been such a quick pregnancy, yet at the same time it seems years ago we were going to the fertility specialists hoping this was the last time we'd have to try! Isn't time just amazing that way?! And here we are...36 weeks pregnant with our twin sons!
My last few appointments have been good, with the exception of one scare last week (but that turned out to be ok, so no worries!). I'd been just moving right along, but last week, there was a bit of protein in my urine. That, along with my blood pressures showing a steady rise, sent me to Labor & Delivery for more observation and a pre-eclampsia check. All turned out ok and I was sent home with a list of symptoms to watch for and my doc changed my weekly appts to twice a week. I went to my next appt on Tuesday 11/2, and everything was fine. My urine protein test came back a bit elevated, but not enough to worry about. My BPs are consistently steady and fine although a little higher than "normal" but lower than a problem (lower 130's over upper 80's). My weight hasn't budged in the last three appts...I assume it's because I'm so full of babies I just cannot eat that much at a time, but trust me, I'm hungry and eating! LOL! I have started to dilate, but barely, and that's all good! My appt went so well, in fact, my doc said if I feel fine and there are no changes I could skip the second appt of the week and just return next Tuesday instead! Yay Team Pope!!
So, I've been lying low...really low...and these boys are just hanging in there! Grammy Gloria has been such a godsend to us! I know this pregnancy has progressed as far as it has because she's here taking over all my physical mommy duties! I haven't made dinner, done dishes, taken Allan to school or done laundry in four weeks now! I don't believe the thank you's I say each and every day are nearly thank you enough for the help it's been having her here! At first I'd only thought about the help I'd need after the babies came (which thankfully I'll have with my parents!), but I'm so relieved for the help I've had these final weeks and just don't know how I would have done it without her!
Allan, of course, has loved his Grammy time! It's been especially good since Tom is traveling again. The job here is Jacksonville is over, so he's been off to the races! We haven't been used to him traveling so much in quite a while, so it's an adjustment for us all. We're now taking bets on whether he'll actually make it to the OR for the big event or if he'll be meeting our guys a day after they're born! Tom is in New Mexico right now, and will be there for at least a couple weeks...or until he gets "the" call...whichever comes first!
I'm hoping to talk to my doc about setting a surgery date at my next appt, but even if we set a date, it doesn't mean I'd go as far as that date, so we're really just in wait and see mode. Apparently the average gestation for twins is 35 weeks, so we're already doing better than average. My doc says he's seen less than a dozen go to 39 weeks during his entire career. I'm still hoping for making it at least another week and getting to 37 weeks. The longer they're in me, the better their chances for less complications once born. So far, so good, so I'm just hoping for it to continue!
Here are some pictures Gloria took of me yesterday. I'm getting bigger, and I'm definitely getting more uncomfortable, but it's so worth it for the little guys that will come into our lives soon!
Allan had a happy Halloween! I was bummed I couldn't walk with him and watch the joy a child gets out of this holiday. Tom and Gloria walked with him, though, and told me he really got the hang of it this year! He came home all sweaty and tired, but loved passing out candy to the kids still coming to our house! Gosh I love that boy so much!! Here are a couple of pictures of him before heading out.
I will try my best to update again after my next appointment! And if a delivery happens before that, well, then I'll update as soon as I can get a handle on my new adventure of a life! Much love to you all, and a big thank you to everyone for the continued good thoughts and prayers getting us through the end of this pregnancy!
My last few appointments have been good, with the exception of one scare last week (but that turned out to be ok, so no worries!). I'd been just moving right along, but last week, there was a bit of protein in my urine. That, along with my blood pressures showing a steady rise, sent me to Labor & Delivery for more observation and a pre-eclampsia check. All turned out ok and I was sent home with a list of symptoms to watch for and my doc changed my weekly appts to twice a week. I went to my next appt on Tuesday 11/2, and everything was fine. My urine protein test came back a bit elevated, but not enough to worry about. My BPs are consistently steady and fine although a little higher than "normal" but lower than a problem (lower 130's over upper 80's). My weight hasn't budged in the last three appts...I assume it's because I'm so full of babies I just cannot eat that much at a time, but trust me, I'm hungry and eating! LOL! I have started to dilate, but barely, and that's all good! My appt went so well, in fact, my doc said if I feel fine and there are no changes I could skip the second appt of the week and just return next Tuesday instead! Yay Team Pope!!
So, I've been lying low...really low...and these boys are just hanging in there! Grammy Gloria has been such a godsend to us! I know this pregnancy has progressed as far as it has because she's here taking over all my physical mommy duties! I haven't made dinner, done dishes, taken Allan to school or done laundry in four weeks now! I don't believe the thank you's I say each and every day are nearly thank you enough for the help it's been having her here! At first I'd only thought about the help I'd need after the babies came (which thankfully I'll have with my parents!), but I'm so relieved for the help I've had these final weeks and just don't know how I would have done it without her!
Allan, of course, has loved his Grammy time! It's been especially good since Tom is traveling again. The job here is Jacksonville is over, so he's been off to the races! We haven't been used to him traveling so much in quite a while, so it's an adjustment for us all. We're now taking bets on whether he'll actually make it to the OR for the big event or if he'll be meeting our guys a day after they're born! Tom is in New Mexico right now, and will be there for at least a couple weeks...or until he gets "the" call...whichever comes first!
I'm hoping to talk to my doc about setting a surgery date at my next appt, but even if we set a date, it doesn't mean I'd go as far as that date, so we're really just in wait and see mode. Apparently the average gestation for twins is 35 weeks, so we're already doing better than average. My doc says he's seen less than a dozen go to 39 weeks during his entire career. I'm still hoping for making it at least another week and getting to 37 weeks. The longer they're in me, the better their chances for less complications once born. So far, so good, so I'm just hoping for it to continue!
Here are some pictures Gloria took of me yesterday. I'm getting bigger, and I'm definitely getting more uncomfortable, but it's so worth it for the little guys that will come into our lives soon!
Allan had a happy Halloween! I was bummed I couldn't walk with him and watch the joy a child gets out of this holiday. Tom and Gloria walked with him, though, and told me he really got the hang of it this year! He came home all sweaty and tired, but loved passing out candy to the kids still coming to our house! Gosh I love that boy so much!! Here are a couple of pictures of him before heading out.
I will try my best to update again after my next appointment! And if a delivery happens before that, well, then I'll update as soon as I can get a handle on my new adventure of a life! Much love to you all, and a big thank you to everyone for the continued good thoughts and prayers getting us through the end of this pregnancy!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Finally...an update from me!
Let me apologize to all of you that have been nagging me for a couple of weeks! I'm so sorry I didn't update for so long! In this case, no news has been good news, so there's nothing to fret. Even though I'm going to the doctor more often now, the news and pictures are less to report.
I will be 33 weeks pregnant tomorrow! My goodness, how quickly it seems we are reaching the end...or new beginning, if you will! My blood pressure has been great the last several weeks, which both my doctor and I are surprised and thrilled about. My uterus measured 42cm today (fundal height is typically matched with weeks pregnant, so I'm definitely the size of - or bigger than - a regular single pregnancy). My weight has been up and down the same two pounds for the last 3-4 weeks. Currently, my overall weight gain is 19 1/2 pounds. I asked my doc about this today and he said he's OK with it. I don't have to gain much more, if any, so long as the babies and I continue to grow and do well with everything. I think the further I get the harder it is to eat. My heartburn is back with a vengeance, so much smaller, more frequent meals is what I need to do from now on. I'm hungry, and I'm eating, but I get full very quickly.
The babies are both doing very well! The bigger they get the harder it has become to measure them accurately and even get any more good pictures. My doctor did a measurement today, but said it's probably the last time he'd be able to get a good read. The problem is they are getting pretty squished in there, so it's difficult to properly measure each of them, and if the measurement isn't accurate, then it's pretty much worthless. So, assuming today's measurement was accurate, Will measured 5 pounds, 3 ounces and Drew measured 4 pounds 13 ounces.
With the measurements now not being the focal point of the appointments, the focus is put on the amniotic fluid around each baby, as well as my cervix. So, both babies have great fluids and my cervix is closed and long (what it should be). In addition to the weekly doctor appointments, I have also been having NST's done in the hospital's Labor & Delivery floor. For those of you not in the know, NST stands for Non Stress Test. The nurses strap a heart rate monitor on each baby, along with a contraction monitor to the uterus. I'm then handed a clicker type thing that I press each time I feel movement. The point is to make sure the babies heart rates are properly accelerating with their movements. Basically, my doc said since we're not really using growth measurements to verify babies are doing well, we rely on these tests to show their still doing great!
So, no baby pictures, but here is my latest, taken a week ago, at 32 weeks.
I have been just blessed to have Tom's mom Gloria here the last couple weeks. She's really just taken over my regular daily "duties" and given me the opportunity to really take it easy. I've taken many much needed naps, and have been able to keep my feet up a lot. It's also much easier on my mommy guilt to know that Allan is so well loved and taken care of while I was feeling very guilty for neglecting him!
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers! We're getting to the finish line!! Again, I'm sorry I went so long between updates! I promise to try to keep this blog updated in a more timely fashion. :)
I will be 33 weeks pregnant tomorrow! My goodness, how quickly it seems we are reaching the end...or new beginning, if you will! My blood pressure has been great the last several weeks, which both my doctor and I are surprised and thrilled about. My uterus measured 42cm today (fundal height is typically matched with weeks pregnant, so I'm definitely the size of - or bigger than - a regular single pregnancy). My weight has been up and down the same two pounds for the last 3-4 weeks. Currently, my overall weight gain is 19 1/2 pounds. I asked my doc about this today and he said he's OK with it. I don't have to gain much more, if any, so long as the babies and I continue to grow and do well with everything. I think the further I get the harder it is to eat. My heartburn is back with a vengeance, so much smaller, more frequent meals is what I need to do from now on. I'm hungry, and I'm eating, but I get full very quickly.
The babies are both doing very well! The bigger they get the harder it has become to measure them accurately and even get any more good pictures. My doctor did a measurement today, but said it's probably the last time he'd be able to get a good read. The problem is they are getting pretty squished in there, so it's difficult to properly measure each of them, and if the measurement isn't accurate, then it's pretty much worthless. So, assuming today's measurement was accurate, Will measured 5 pounds, 3 ounces and Drew measured 4 pounds 13 ounces.
With the measurements now not being the focal point of the appointments, the focus is put on the amniotic fluid around each baby, as well as my cervix. So, both babies have great fluids and my cervix is closed and long (what it should be). In addition to the weekly doctor appointments, I have also been having NST's done in the hospital's Labor & Delivery floor. For those of you not in the know, NST stands for Non Stress Test. The nurses strap a heart rate monitor on each baby, along with a contraction monitor to the uterus. I'm then handed a clicker type thing that I press each time I feel movement. The point is to make sure the babies heart rates are properly accelerating with their movements. Basically, my doc said since we're not really using growth measurements to verify babies are doing well, we rely on these tests to show their still doing great!
So, no baby pictures, but here is my latest, taken a week ago, at 32 weeks.
I have been just blessed to have Tom's mom Gloria here the last couple weeks. She's really just taken over my regular daily "duties" and given me the opportunity to really take it easy. I've taken many much needed naps, and have been able to keep my feet up a lot. It's also much easier on my mommy guilt to know that Allan is so well loved and taken care of while I was feeling very guilty for neglecting him!
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers! We're getting to the finish line!! Again, I'm sorry I went so long between updates! I promise to try to keep this blog updated in a more timely fashion. :)
Monday, September 20, 2010
29 weeks and all is still going well!
I had my appointment on Thursday and it was the fastest I've ever been in and out of the office! It was great! The babies are making it harder to get good images, since they're getting rather squished in there, but we did manage to get a great shot of Will this time!
Will measured 2 pounds, 13 ounces (which is about 29 weeks, 1 day), and Drew measured 3 pounds, 5 ounces (which is about 29 weeks, 3 days). Will's heart rate was 141 and Drew's was 138.
I gained another 2 pounds in the two weeks between appointments and my BP was 104/71. These are good numbers! Because I'm pushing 30 weeks, though, I'm now being moved to weekly visits, so my next one will be this week on Thursday 9/23. Here's an updated pic of me, the babies and of course Allan...we are all growing, growing, growing!
Tom is out of town again. He will be traveling a lot more now, which stinks for timing, but is good he has work! Gloria (Tom's mom) will be here in less than two weeks to help out with daily duties in hopes of keeping these babies in longer! I'm excited my parents also booked their trip to come out after (assuming after, anyway!) the babies arrive! My sister is also looking into options for her, so I'm hoping it works out that she can come visit, too! The nursery isn't quite finished, but the guest room looks great, with some new decor and furniture so our family can stay for extended periods and enjoy a nice room!
I got my flu shot while at my doc's office, and Allan got his flu shot the same day, too! Big guy did pretty well. Only cried when the nurse actually got the needle ready to poke, but stopped before we left the exam room. So proud of him! He then told me he wouldn't cry when he was five for his next shots because it wasn't so bad! Now I've just gotta get Tom to get a couple shots...that's the big baby I'm dreading!
Apparently there's quite a nationwide outbreak of whooping cough. Many parents and caretakers are passing it on to babies that aren't yet immunized. So, we are making sure Tom and I get our Tdap booster shots (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis). Tom isn't happy at the thought of two shots he needs to get now! His reaction was something like "I didn't have to get shots when Allan was born"! The nerve :) My response was something like "Things are different. These babies are due in Dec, not May, and you will do what I say!" He understands and will get his shots!
For those planning to visit us, you may want to look into your flu shots early, too. I would hate to turn any visitors away at the door because they didn't get their shot!
OK, I think that's enough of my crazy mama rantings for now...but know I'm serious about the flu shot! ;)
And because I can't just sign off without an Allan update, here you go! He is doing great! He likes school, his new friends and teachers. He also likes homework!! (I'm going to do my best to keep it that way!) He gets a worksheet with about 4-5 different things to do. The sheet comes home on Monday and is due on Friday. He wants to do it every day when he gets home from school! I love it!!!
He's also very excited Grammy is coming in just a couple weeks, and that Nana and Papa will be here after the babies come! Frankly, I'm just as excited...and relieved!
Till next time, I hope you all stay happy and healthy! Thank you to everyone for your continued good thoughts and prayers for our family!
Will measured 2 pounds, 13 ounces (which is about 29 weeks, 1 day), and Drew measured 3 pounds, 5 ounces (which is about 29 weeks, 3 days). Will's heart rate was 141 and Drew's was 138.
I gained another 2 pounds in the two weeks between appointments and my BP was 104/71. These are good numbers! Because I'm pushing 30 weeks, though, I'm now being moved to weekly visits, so my next one will be this week on Thursday 9/23. Here's an updated pic of me, the babies and of course Allan...we are all growing, growing, growing!
Tom is out of town again. He will be traveling a lot more now, which stinks for timing, but is good he has work! Gloria (Tom's mom) will be here in less than two weeks to help out with daily duties in hopes of keeping these babies in longer! I'm excited my parents also booked their trip to come out after (assuming after, anyway!) the babies arrive! My sister is also looking into options for her, so I'm hoping it works out that she can come visit, too! The nursery isn't quite finished, but the guest room looks great, with some new decor and furniture so our family can stay for extended periods and enjoy a nice room!
I got my flu shot while at my doc's office, and Allan got his flu shot the same day, too! Big guy did pretty well. Only cried when the nurse actually got the needle ready to poke, but stopped before we left the exam room. So proud of him! He then told me he wouldn't cry when he was five for his next shots because it wasn't so bad! Now I've just gotta get Tom to get a couple shots...that's the big baby I'm dreading!
Apparently there's quite a nationwide outbreak of whooping cough. Many parents and caretakers are passing it on to babies that aren't yet immunized. So, we are making sure Tom and I get our Tdap booster shots (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis). Tom isn't happy at the thought of two shots he needs to get now! His reaction was something like "I didn't have to get shots when Allan was born"! The nerve :) My response was something like "Things are different. These babies are due in Dec, not May, and you will do what I say!" He understands and will get his shots!
For those planning to visit us, you may want to look into your flu shots early, too. I would hate to turn any visitors away at the door because they didn't get their shot!
OK, I think that's enough of my crazy mama rantings for now...but know I'm serious about the flu shot! ;)
And because I can't just sign off without an Allan update, here you go! He is doing great! He likes school, his new friends and teachers. He also likes homework!! (I'm going to do my best to keep it that way!) He gets a worksheet with about 4-5 different things to do. The sheet comes home on Monday and is due on Friday. He wants to do it every day when he gets home from school! I love it!!!
He's also very excited Grammy is coming in just a couple weeks, and that Nana and Papa will be here after the babies come! Frankly, I'm just as excited...and relieved!
Till next time, I hope you all stay happy and healthy! Thank you to everyone for your continued good thoughts and prayers for our family!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Time flies...memory goes with it!
I can't believe I haven't updated the blog since my last appt yet! For those that regularly read, I apologize...and all is well!
Of course I didn't write down all the stats from my last appointment (on 9/2), so I cannot remember the exact numbers for statistics. Both babies are doing just fine, though, and so am I. My BP has been creeping up a bit, but nothing to worry about yet, so that's good! I still take it twice a day at home and my doc reviews my notes at each appt and he's fine with where they've been. I gained another pound and a half and both babies gained on track, too. I do remember I was 27 weeks at the appt and measured 37 weeks. The doc did say that at this point on I need to really start taking it easy. If I worked outside the home, he'd have me start leave now. Basically, the way he put it, my body could start thinking I'm finished, since I'm measuring the regular size of a regular pregnancy. So, to continue keeping these guys safely in my uterus, I am to take it easier. So far, though, everything is still going pretty well, and I feel pretty good. I do get tired pretty easily and have been getting more uncomfortable, but nothing unbearable...yet!
We are still not quite finished with the nursery, but we're getting there! Allan's new bedroom set is great, and all the nursery furniture is now in the nursery. I've been going through clothes and blankets and, well, everything, to get the room ready. It's coming together day by day and I'm super excited!
Allan started school this week, too. Real preschool. Homework and everything! He's doing well and likes to go. His head teacher is pregnant, and due next month, so he'll have an adjustment when she leaves, but I'm hoping he does well through the transition. He's just so grown up lately...it kills my heart sometimes!
The big news of big help coming is Tom's mom, Gloria, will be coming to stay with us beginning October 1st and will stay until after the babies arrive! This is a HUGE stress relieving thought, since I get a little more concerned about the "what if's" with each passing week. I will be 31 weeks when she gets here, and it'll be a great blessing to have help with daily tasks and especially with Allan during the end of the pregnancy.
That's about all I've got for this update. Sorry it seems a bit lacking. I promise more pictures and more news with the next update! My next appointment is in about a week, on 9/16.
Of course I didn't write down all the stats from my last appointment (on 9/2), so I cannot remember the exact numbers for statistics. Both babies are doing just fine, though, and so am I. My BP has been creeping up a bit, but nothing to worry about yet, so that's good! I still take it twice a day at home and my doc reviews my notes at each appt and he's fine with where they've been. I gained another pound and a half and both babies gained on track, too. I do remember I was 27 weeks at the appt and measured 37 weeks. The doc did say that at this point on I need to really start taking it easy. If I worked outside the home, he'd have me start leave now. Basically, the way he put it, my body could start thinking I'm finished, since I'm measuring the regular size of a regular pregnancy. So, to continue keeping these guys safely in my uterus, I am to take it easier. So far, though, everything is still going pretty well, and I feel pretty good. I do get tired pretty easily and have been getting more uncomfortable, but nothing unbearable...yet!
We are still not quite finished with the nursery, but we're getting there! Allan's new bedroom set is great, and all the nursery furniture is now in the nursery. I've been going through clothes and blankets and, well, everything, to get the room ready. It's coming together day by day and I'm super excited!
Allan started school this week, too. Real preschool. Homework and everything! He's doing well and likes to go. His head teacher is pregnant, and due next month, so he'll have an adjustment when she leaves, but I'm hoping he does well through the transition. He's just so grown up lately...it kills my heart sometimes!
The big news of big help coming is Tom's mom, Gloria, will be coming to stay with us beginning October 1st and will stay until after the babies arrive! This is a HUGE stress relieving thought, since I get a little more concerned about the "what if's" with each passing week. I will be 31 weeks when she gets here, and it'll be a great blessing to have help with daily tasks and especially with Allan during the end of the pregnancy.
That's about all I've got for this update. Sorry it seems a bit lacking. I promise more pictures and more news with the next update! My next appointment is in about a week, on 9/16.
Friday, August 20, 2010
25 Weeks...can you believe it?!?!
Let's start with the good...actually, there's nothing bad to report, so it's the only option!
Yesterday's doctor appointment went well. Here are our statistics for those that love the facts: I turned 25 weeks yesterday. My weight went up another 3 pounds (in just over 3 weeks) for a total of 17 pounds gained so far! My uterus measured 35 (which is what a single pregnancy would measure at about 35 weeks...no wonder I feel so big!!!) My blood pressure is holding steady in the mid 120's over mid 80's. I'm still to check it at home twice a day and call if there's an upswing.
Here are pics of my 25 week belly!
Poor Allan keeps getting knocked in the head!
Allan does love kissing his brothers!
Just another shot of me.
The boys are also still doing well. Before giving their stats, let me give you their names!! Baby A will now be known as Will, his full name will be William Alexander. Baby B will now be known as Drew, his full name will be Andrew Stephen. We are very excited to know their names and share them with you all!
Both boys were moving around throughout the ultrasound (which isn't surprising, since they seem to move a ton in general). Will's estimated current weight is 1 pound, 13 ounces and Drew's is 2 pounds, 2 ounces. According to certain statistical info I've read, average for a single pregnancy at 25 weeks is 1 pound 11 ounces, so the fact that both boys are still measuring average of a single is GREAT NEWS! Grow, boys, grow!! Will's heart rate was 160 and Drew's was 158. Higher than it's been the last few appointments, but again...they don't seem to stop moving!
These pics are all of Drew. Poor Will is smooshed down near my cervix, so we couldn't get any clear face shots of him. But, both boys did prove (Will, quite proudly) they are still boys.
This is a regular ultrasound shot of Drew looking at you.
This is a 3D shot of Drew looking at you.
This is a 3D shot of Drew's profile.
My next appointment is in two weeks, on September 2nd. Also, sometime in the next two weeks I'm to have my one hour sugar test (the test dreaded by most moms, since the sugar drink you have to drink in the lab is just gross). I think that just about covers the medical update.
On our personal side, life has been fun, hectic and hot!
Allan officially starts preschool in just over a week! Here in Florida, it's called VPK, which stands for Voluntary Pre Kindergarten, and is subsidized by the state. We put Allan into a pre-k class for three year olds in January and he has loved it and has learned so much in the two days a week he's attended. We kept him in through the summer so it won't be as big a deal as if he'd been out, as far as "first day of school" goes for us, but I still have a hard time believing he's such a big boy! Beginning Sept 1, he'll be in the official VPK program, which at his school is five days a week from 8:00 - 1:00. We had orientation this week, to meet his teachers and hear about the day to day program. I'm excited for all of us to start this new journey. I cannot believe my baby is getting so grown up!
I've been trying to keep busy with fun activities with Allan throughout the summer, too, but it's been dreadfully hot and humid! We're currently in another stretch of temps and humidity pushing the heat index into the 110's! I believe we're still in the running for breaking the record of consecutive days in the 90's...we're at 45 or something like that! So, when I'm trying to come up with activities, you can safely bet I'm thinking of indoor places! I want to especially play this coming week...after that we'll only have afternoons together!
More news for big boy Allan is that we've ordered his new bedroom set and it should be delivered sometime next week! He'll be getting a new bed, dresser with mirror and nightstand! (While we were at it, we ordered a set for the guest room, so there will now be someplace to unpack your bags when you come visit!) Allan's currently still using the changing table/dresser that is part of the nursery set, so once his new furniture is here, that can be moved to the nursery and we can completely finish it!
Tom has been working hard on getting the nursery complete. He built the inside of the closet last weekend and it looks GREAT! So great, in fact, I'm hoping he'll continue the work in Allan's closet and our master closet, too!
Work in progress. Allan's always there to help his daddy out!
Finished the inside! (Now just needs to put the doors on a track so the slide instead of open out.)
I found some mirrored decals that are the safari themed animals, but we didn't want to just stick them to the walls, so we got crafty! We stuck them to paper and put them into picture frames! Also, we got their letters for above their cribs, but instead of just hanging the letters, we stuck them to the inside of a shadow box frame and will hang the framed names above their cribs. I'm so excited for the room to come together. I'm hopeful we will have it picture ready by the next update in a couple of weeks!
I've definitely been in "nesting" mode and wanting to get everything ready. We've gone through all of Allan's baby items and organized it all into age ranges. I'm anxious to get the closet finished and the dresser in there so we can finish the room and get things organized!
My fabulous "family of friends" here are throwing a shower to celebrate Will and Drew this weekend, too! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive group of friends...especially those I've gotten to know here, but all of you all over! Thank you for all the kind thoughts and prayers! We appreciate every one of you so much!
Yesterday's doctor appointment went well. Here are our statistics for those that love the facts: I turned 25 weeks yesterday. My weight went up another 3 pounds (in just over 3 weeks) for a total of 17 pounds gained so far! My uterus measured 35 (which is what a single pregnancy would measure at about 35 weeks...no wonder I feel so big!!!) My blood pressure is holding steady in the mid 120's over mid 80's. I'm still to check it at home twice a day and call if there's an upswing.
Here are pics of my 25 week belly!
Poor Allan keeps getting knocked in the head!
Allan does love kissing his brothers!
Just another shot of me.
The boys are also still doing well. Before giving their stats, let me give you their names!! Baby A will now be known as Will, his full name will be William Alexander. Baby B will now be known as Drew, his full name will be Andrew Stephen. We are very excited to know their names and share them with you all!
Both boys were moving around throughout the ultrasound (which isn't surprising, since they seem to move a ton in general). Will's estimated current weight is 1 pound, 13 ounces and Drew's is 2 pounds, 2 ounces. According to certain statistical info I've read, average for a single pregnancy at 25 weeks is 1 pound 11 ounces, so the fact that both boys are still measuring average of a single is GREAT NEWS! Grow, boys, grow!! Will's heart rate was 160 and Drew's was 158. Higher than it's been the last few appointments, but again...they don't seem to stop moving!
These pics are all of Drew. Poor Will is smooshed down near my cervix, so we couldn't get any clear face shots of him. But, both boys did prove (Will, quite proudly) they are still boys.
This is a regular ultrasound shot of Drew looking at you.
This is a 3D shot of Drew looking at you.
This is a 3D shot of Drew's profile.
My next appointment is in two weeks, on September 2nd. Also, sometime in the next two weeks I'm to have my one hour sugar test (the test dreaded by most moms, since the sugar drink you have to drink in the lab is just gross). I think that just about covers the medical update.
On our personal side, life has been fun, hectic and hot!
Allan officially starts preschool in just over a week! Here in Florida, it's called VPK, which stands for Voluntary Pre Kindergarten, and is subsidized by the state. We put Allan into a pre-k class for three year olds in January and he has loved it and has learned so much in the two days a week he's attended. We kept him in through the summer so it won't be as big a deal as if he'd been out, as far as "first day of school" goes for us, but I still have a hard time believing he's such a big boy! Beginning Sept 1, he'll be in the official VPK program, which at his school is five days a week from 8:00 - 1:00. We had orientation this week, to meet his teachers and hear about the day to day program. I'm excited for all of us to start this new journey. I cannot believe my baby is getting so grown up!
I've been trying to keep busy with fun activities with Allan throughout the summer, too, but it's been dreadfully hot and humid! We're currently in another stretch of temps and humidity pushing the heat index into the 110's! I believe we're still in the running for breaking the record of consecutive days in the 90's...we're at 45 or something like that! So, when I'm trying to come up with activities, you can safely bet I'm thinking of indoor places! I want to especially play this coming week...after that we'll only have afternoons together!
More news for big boy Allan is that we've ordered his new bedroom set and it should be delivered sometime next week! He'll be getting a new bed, dresser with mirror and nightstand! (While we were at it, we ordered a set for the guest room, so there will now be someplace to unpack your bags when you come visit!) Allan's currently still using the changing table/dresser that is part of the nursery set, so once his new furniture is here, that can be moved to the nursery and we can completely finish it!
Tom has been working hard on getting the nursery complete. He built the inside of the closet last weekend and it looks GREAT! So great, in fact, I'm hoping he'll continue the work in Allan's closet and our master closet, too!
Work in progress. Allan's always there to help his daddy out!
Finished the inside! (Now just needs to put the doors on a track so the slide instead of open out.)
I found some mirrored decals that are the safari themed animals, but we didn't want to just stick them to the walls, so we got crafty! We stuck them to paper and put them into picture frames! Also, we got their letters for above their cribs, but instead of just hanging the letters, we stuck them to the inside of a shadow box frame and will hang the framed names above their cribs. I'm so excited for the room to come together. I'm hopeful we will have it picture ready by the next update in a couple of weeks!
I've definitely been in "nesting" mode and wanting to get everything ready. We've gone through all of Allan's baby items and organized it all into age ranges. I'm anxious to get the closet finished and the dresser in there so we can finish the room and get things organized!
My fabulous "family of friends" here are throwing a shower to celebrate Will and Drew this weekend, too! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive group of friends...especially those I've gotten to know here, but all of you all over! Thank you for all the kind thoughts and prayers! We appreciate every one of you so much!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
21 weeks, 5 days...as big as 30 weeks...
I had my appointment on Tuesday (sorry for the delay in updating the blog!) and all is still going well. My BP was completely normal (110/68), and my charting of BP over the two weeks was normal, so I don't have to be seen again for 3 weeks. Unless of course it starts to creep up over the next week, then I'm to call and change my appt to two weeks. Hoping all stays on track. I gained four pounds in the two weeks, according to their scale, but I'm not sure that's accurate. It's fine if it is, but I don't think it was since I weigh myself every day at home, and was closer to just over 2 pounds gained. But the doc said sometimes it can be water and timing, so nothing to worry about...unless I show up with higher gains at each visit. It's not that it was totally high (and I'm at a total of 14 pounds gained) but at this stage, I should be closer to 1 pound a week, maybe 1 1/2, not 2. Although, looking at my pics, I still cannot believe it's only so little. Looks like a heck of a lot more has been put on. I measured at 30 weeks for a normal single pregnancy...and I'm just now 22. I'm a bit (ok...a LOT) scared of how big I'm going to actually get! I accidentally pushed Allan off a step in the garage because my belly was bigger than I realized and I didn't stop before it smacked his head and down the step he went...laughing, thankfully!
The twins are still on track and doing well. Baby A measured 21w6d, weighs an estimated 1 pound, and had a heart rate of 138. Baby B measured 22w2d, weighs an estimated 1 pound, 2 ounces and had a heart rate of 140. I'm really starting to feel them move a lot lately. Started after my last post, and really only on one side. But within the last couple of days I'm feeling them all the time and from every which way! Only a few of the movements can be felt outside yet, but one shot was a big one and my belly totally moved like an alien! I love this part of pregnancy!!!
This is hard to tell, but it's a face with his arm up and hand in front of him. He had been waving to me.
This is a 3D shot I think of the same pose. So hard to know.
And this one looks like we could have a thumb sucker on our hands!
We are still putting the nursery together. After the score of the one crib, we realize they don't match. Well, they match enough that we're not giving in to buying another one, but they're different enough to be noticeable (which had me in tears...darn hormones!). We did misplace the hardware from Allan's crib, so we had to purchase screws for it from the company, which was a bit nerve wracking since they don't make this crib anymore! Nothing's ever really just easy for us, is it?! It's frustrating not to have it work out the way I pictured it perfectly in my head, but as a good friend pointed out, the boys certainly aren't going to care, and if that's the worst of my problems, we are doing pretty darn good!
This is a shot from the hallway looking through the bedroom door as you'd walk into the room.
This is looking to the left of the cribs. The only place the glider will be able to go so it can be reclined.
This is taken from the corner by the closet looking to the bathroom and into Allan's bedroom.
And this is another shot of the two cribs, showing they're definitely similar, but different in size, and different in where the mattresses will be placed in each crib.
Hopefully my next blog entry will show the new decor and bedding and it will all come together!
There's not much else to report. We all had colds this last week, but appear to be over them now. The outside temps are crazy hot these days. Today and tomorrow are in the high 90's, maybe even hitting 100, but with the heat index, it puts today at 106 and tomorrow at 110! Who the heck scheduled the timing of this pregnancy?! It's almost too much for me just to walk to the mailbox in this stifling mess! Allan and I are hoping to meet up with friends tomorrow at a park...I don't know how long I'll make it, but we'll try it out! I've been told it's a great shady park with a breeze from the river, so hopefully that'll hold true tomorrow! Otherwise, I've been trying to keep Allan busy with indoor activities. We've been to Chuck E Cheese's, Chick Fil A (a fast food place with great indoor playareas), and O2B Kids (a great indoor place we can spend the entire day!). It's been good and cool and keeps him busy, however I have a feeling that's why we caught the summer cold, too!
Assuming all continues to hold steady with my BP this week, my next appointment isn't until Aug 19th, so until then, take care, keep cool and stay well!
The twins are still on track and doing well. Baby A measured 21w6d, weighs an estimated 1 pound, and had a heart rate of 138. Baby B measured 22w2d, weighs an estimated 1 pound, 2 ounces and had a heart rate of 140. I'm really starting to feel them move a lot lately. Started after my last post, and really only on one side. But within the last couple of days I'm feeling them all the time and from every which way! Only a few of the movements can be felt outside yet, but one shot was a big one and my belly totally moved like an alien! I love this part of pregnancy!!!
This is hard to tell, but it's a face with his arm up and hand in front of him. He had been waving to me.
This is a 3D shot I think of the same pose. So hard to know.
And this one looks like we could have a thumb sucker on our hands!
We are still putting the nursery together. After the score of the one crib, we realize they don't match. Well, they match enough that we're not giving in to buying another one, but they're different enough to be noticeable (which had me in tears...darn hormones!). We did misplace the hardware from Allan's crib, so we had to purchase screws for it from the company, which was a bit nerve wracking since they don't make this crib anymore! Nothing's ever really just easy for us, is it?! It's frustrating not to have it work out the way I pictured it perfectly in my head, but as a good friend pointed out, the boys certainly aren't going to care, and if that's the worst of my problems, we are doing pretty darn good!
This is a shot from the hallway looking through the bedroom door as you'd walk into the room.
This is looking to the left of the cribs. The only place the glider will be able to go so it can be reclined.
This is taken from the corner by the closet looking to the bathroom and into Allan's bedroom.
And this is another shot of the two cribs, showing they're definitely similar, but different in size, and different in where the mattresses will be placed in each crib.
Hopefully my next blog entry will show the new decor and bedding and it will all come together!
There's not much else to report. We all had colds this last week, but appear to be over them now. The outside temps are crazy hot these days. Today and tomorrow are in the high 90's, maybe even hitting 100, but with the heat index, it puts today at 106 and tomorrow at 110! Who the heck scheduled the timing of this pregnancy?! It's almost too much for me just to walk to the mailbox in this stifling mess! Allan and I are hoping to meet up with friends tomorrow at a park...I don't know how long I'll make it, but we'll try it out! I've been told it's a great shady park with a breeze from the river, so hopefully that'll hold true tomorrow! Otherwise, I've been trying to keep Allan busy with indoor activities. We've been to Chuck E Cheese's, Chick Fil A (a fast food place with great indoor playareas), and O2B Kids (a great indoor place we can spend the entire day!). It's been good and cool and keeps him busy, however I have a feeling that's why we caught the summer cold, too!
Assuming all continues to hold steady with my BP this week, my next appointment isn't until Aug 19th, so until then, take care, keep cool and stay well!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)