And the genders are... Friday - August 31, 2007

I am now 17 weeks along and the belly feels and looks like its closer to 25 weeks. The latest ultrasound photos are posted - click on photos to enlarge. I’ve gained 18lbs, which is GREAT and just a little behind the best case scenario. Sadly, I feel enormous already!

Last week I got to peak in at the babies again. It was a quick ultrasound just to check heart beats – but still fun to see them. All seems to be going smoothly. Apparently, 50% of twins are born via c-section. I think I would opt to not do the c-section, but that will of course depend on position and health of the babies. On the other hand - there IS something to be said for being able to schedule the birth date and plan child care for Gabby during that time! Hmmm… Also, the MD said she won’t let me go past 38 weeks.

So… on to the EXCITING STUFF!! Today we had another ultrasound appointment to check anatomy and gender. We’ll do this every 4 weeks, and probably more frequently as I near the end of the pregnancy. First, the important news… the babies are looking to be VERY HEALTHY! HOORAY!! All the major organs were checked, bone measurements, body parts, location of the placentas and the cervix is still nice & closed-up. They also estimated approximate weights. Here are the stats:
Baby A: 6 oz
Baby B: 7 oz.

Both babies overall measurements are putting them at approximately 17+ weeks – which is great, since we already know they’ll have less time to grow in the womb. Lots of wonderful news today and we couldn’t be happier. Now onto the FUN news! Drum roll please… we are ecstatic to say that we’ll be expecting TWO BOYS in January 2008! The “anatomy” was very evident of the male gender.

Please continue to keep the boys in your thoughts & prayers. We are hoping they stay safe and sound in mommies belly for at least another 19 weeks!

The belly keeps growing! Wednesday - August 15, 2007

Today I am 14 weeks and 5 days along. The photo posted was taken early last week. I can’t believe it—I’m showing like a singleton pregnancy at 20 weeks and feeling large. Speaking of large… I’m finally doing a fine job of catching up to where they want me to be weight-wise with the twin pregnancy. I’ve now gained almost 15lbs. The MD’s want me to gain 25lbs by week 20, and between 40-56lbs by 35 weeks. I put on 30lbs with Gabby by 40 weeks, so I’m thinking it is definitely do-able!

People keep asking what the biggest differences are between this pregnancy and my pregnancy with Gabby… so here they are:
1. If I feel something odd/weird… I worry a little.
2. I’m obsessed with reading triplet and twin blogs.
3. I don’t feel a bit guilty when I pig out.
4. My belly itches!
5. Ummm… doesn’t the photo say it all?! I didn’t have a belly like this with Gabby until I was at least 20 weeks along.
6. I was MUCH MORE crazy the first 12 weeks of this pregnancy than I was with Gabby. And, I mean crazy to the point where I recognized that I was crazy. POOR DAN! But, being the fabulous hubby he is, he handled it well (OR, he’d at least round the corner before making faces at me).
7. The pregnancy books I had while pregnant with Gabby don’t really apply… you TRULY have to go out and buy MULTIPLES pregnancy books. There are so many more concerns, risks, research and recommendations that you just can’t find in the average singleton pregnancy book. 8. At 8 weeks, pants started getting tight and I don’t think I could snap my “skinny” shorts or jeans by week 9 or 10. Always such a traumatic transition! With Gabby, I think I was almost 14 weeks along before I couldn’t fit into my regular jeans & shorts.
9. My belly already tightens up when I go on long walks. I don’t believe this started happening with Gabby’s pregnancy until I was at least past 20+ weeks along.
10. I slept ALL THE TIME during my first pregnancy. I would go to bed sometimes as early as 8pm, and sleep in until 11am on the weekends. This time, the stress of a multiple pregnancy put the kibosh on my sleep for the first 12 weeks... and I've also realized I just don't have time to sleep with having a 21 month old.
11. This pregnancy has been SO extremely stressful. With Gabby, my first 13 weeks were filled with so much excitement and anticipation to start showing!

Things I don’t miss while pregnant:
1. Feeling guilty for eating a whole block of cheese in one day.
2. Feeling guilty when I missed a run/workout.
3. Feeling tired throughout the day.
4. I definitely don’t miss that wonderful “time of month”.
5. Dan being so willing to help me “get stuff”. Picture me lying on the sofa saying “Baby, can you please get me…” And, Dan getting it because he knows it’s harder for me to get up off the sofa than it used to be.
6. Using the time I would have normally been running to read.

Things I miss while pregnant:
1. I miss running.
2. I miss sleeping on my belly.
3. I truly miss fitting into my Seven jeans.
4. I miss eating maguro when we go out for sushi…. Ok, ok… so I have cheated a few times. But c’mon… I CRAVE it!
5. I miss it being easy to get up off the sofa or out of bed.

We’re off to Minnesota tomorrow to visit with family and friends for five days. This may be the last trip to Minnesota for a while - possibly until Christmas of 2008. We’ll have to see! I know for a fact I couldn’t handle traveling with twin infants and Gabby by myself… and even with Dan, we’re outnumbered. And, I swear… the plane ride is actually the EASIEST part of traveling with kids. The check-in and security process always seem to be the most stressful and frantic moments of the trip. Although… that could also be because we’re usually running late and on the verge of missing our flight!

The twins are growing strong! Friday - August 3, 2007

I am now 13 weeks along. Today, we went in for another ultrasound and follow-up appointment with our high-risk maternal-fetal medicine specialist/MD. It was a great day and we've posted the latest photo of the twins.

Both babies checked out wonderfully. They both have healthy heart beats, and both are measuring the same size from crown to rump @ 6.79cm, which is approx. 2 days ahead of their gestational age. This made us really happy because last Friday, baby B was a little behind in growth measuring @ 5.16cm, while baby A measured 5.79cm. It seems baby B’s been very busy!

Much to our delight, the MD entertained us with a very early gender check. To give you a little background... a fetus first begins showing genitals around 12 weeks. But for several weeks, both sexes will have genitelia that extend from between the legs. So, with an ultrasound scan you’re best bet of getting an accurate “sex” scan is between 17-19 weeks. At this stage (13 weeks) sex can be guesstimated by the direction the nob points. IF the nob points upward (or toward the head) it will most likely be a boy. And, for girls, it typically points out or downward. We had a difficult time making a guess with baby A, partly because of position. But, the MD placed a confident bet on baby B being a BOY. Very exciting… and Dan, of course, is thrilled!

This week is the first week I’ve felt good in 9 weeks. I haven’t had the urge to throw up or felt like passing out until 1:30pm every day – hooray! I've gained 9.5lbs, which I am very proud of as there is a lot of pressure on me to gain weight early on with the multiple pregnancy. My belly is sticking out like it did with Gabby at about 19 weeks. I can’t fit into any of my normal shorts, pants, or skirts that don't have an elastic waistband. It's like a singleton pregnancy on speed—you grow outward so much faster. And, you KNOW you're showing when the checkout person at Whole Foods looks at you and says "How are you - you're not about to pop, are you?" Yes - this really happened to me yesterday. I almost fell over... in my head I was trying to think of a good comeback but couldn't get past the fact that I'm only 13 weeks and with Gabby I wasn't even showing yet. Whateva!

The official due date is on February 9, 2008 (40 weeks), but twins arrive on average at 36 weeks, so we’re expecting them in January 2008.

Please continue to keep the babies in your thoughts and prayers. While it's easy to say you hope for a girl/boy gender-wise... our ultimate hope and goal is to end up with two healthy and strong little kiddos!