Happy Easter!

Hope everyone is having a Happy Easter.  My Grandmother and one brother were in town for Easter so it was nice to spend some time with them.  Yesterday after a day of bed rest, the hubs and I went to my parents for our Easter dinner.  It was incredible.  My Mom's cooking is absolutely amazing.  She never fails to disappoint!

My family, minus one brother and his family...love them!

Pretty Easter napkins

 A pear bunny my Mom created!  I failed to get a pic of the bunny though... 

Beautiful table setting

 The most delicious pork tenderloin I have ever had.  Hands down.

Best.dinner.ever.

To top it off, homemade Lemon Meringue Pie.  Even the crust was homemade.  I want another piece.

I was given the OK to go to church and then Easter lunch with my family today.  This was a wonderful treat for me!  It was nice to get out.  The hubs is holding a Lily my parents had in the church in honor of my Grandfather.  We enjoyed a beautiful church service and then went to my parents country club for lunch.  Was another delicious meal.  I'm sure the baby's weigh close to 2 pounds each after this weekend ;)  Will be back tomorrow for my 25 (!!!) week post!

OB appt. today

My appt. today was very uneventful, but that's a good thing!  It was nice to get out of the house if nothing else.  Oh and I drove for the first time in a month!  My blood pressure is great, the babies heartbeats are perfect and all looks good.  My belly is measuring 27.5 weeks pregnant!  Wowzers!  My doctor said that typically for a single pregnancy you measure the weeks that you are.  So if I were only having one baby I should measure around 24 weeks.  But with TWO babies they want you measuring a few weeks ahead.  My OB was very pleased where I was measuring.  My OB got the report from Dr. Xmas that all looked great at my past appt. with him.  She was telling me how pleased he was with everything.  The babies are growing as they should and my cervix is looking very good.  I was given the OK to go to church for Easter this Sunday!  Yay!  My OB wants to see me every two weeks, so next appt. will be at 26 weeks.  At my 28 week appt. will be my gestational diabetes test.  I have zero complaints!  I'm feeling GREAT...I don't feel pregnant except for my growing belly and very active babies. :)

24 weeks

How far along? 24 weeks

Baby’s size? Around 12 inches long.  At our last appointment on Friday both babies weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces.  Right on target...in fact, a little ahead :)

Total Weight Gain: Haven't weighed myself in a while...will know tomorrow at my OB appt.

Stretch marks? No

Sleep:  Surprisingly great

Best moment this week: Having my brother and sister in law (and their sweet daughter) visit and help us around the house.  The hubs and my brother in law put together all the nursery furniture...soooo exciting!!!!  Oh and of course, having a great doctor's appt. on Friday was awesome.

Miss Anything? Everything I was able to do when not on bed rest.  Even the little things in life.  

Movement: Tons!

Food cravings: Still the same...can't get enough eggs, avocados and smoothies!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope!

Gender: Girl and Boy :)

Labor Signs: No...cerclage seems to be doing it's trick!

Symptoms: Nope

Belly Button in or out? It's still making it's way out

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy most of the time...until I get annoyed with bed rest.  But then I remind myself that this too shall pass.

Looking forward to: My OB appt. tomorrow.  This means I get the ticket to leave the house for a couple hours, whoop whoop!  I'm hoping my OB will give me the ok to go to church on Sunday for Easter...we shall see.  Also, my Grandma is in town from NY so looking forward to spending time with her.  

Update

Many people have been wondering how my doctor's appt. went yesterday, so here it goes...

All went well, but that is after I had a slight heart attack.  The ultrasound technician took her time looking at the babies, checking out their hearts and brains, measuring their bones, etc.  They look good!  Little boogers are both now 1 pound 6 ounces.  Growing like weeds.  Everything looks great for them and they are right on target for what they should be.

They always do the regular ultrasound first and then a vaginal ultrasound to check my cervix.  The doctor and nurse can see the cervix somewhat from the regular ultrasound, but they get a better look at it from doing a vaginal ultrasound.  So here comes the heart attack part.  After my regular ultrasound (doctor is not yet in the room) my ultrasound technician told me that they were going to do a Fetal fibronectin test on me.  This test is done basically like a pap smear (a little more uncomfortable) and it tests to see if I will go into labor within the next couple weeks.  As the nurse left the room and we were waiting for Dr. Xmas, I immediately began freaking out wondering if the nurse noticed that my cervix wasn't holding and that she thought I may go into labor soon.  My mind was running like crazy.  My palms were sweaty...I was sweaty.  I was shaking.  I prayed.  I thought, I can not have these babies in 1-2 weeks!  They are still so tiny and need much more time in their Momma's belly!  I don't want them to have to spend a few months in the NICU!  Also, I don't want to go back into the hospital right now...I just got out.  The hubs was there telling me to relax.  I was trying to take deep breaths, but that really wasn't working too well.  

Dr. Xmas came into the room.  He didn't say anything about my cervix, but went on to prepare for the fetal fibronectin test.  He mentioned that he was going to do the test now because it had to be done before the vaginal ultrasound or the results would not be accurate.  He told us that if things looked good from the vaginal ultrasound that he would not send the test into the lab to get results and he would just throw it away.  But, if the ultrasound didn't look good, then he would send the test in.  Dr. Xmas could tell I was a nervous wreck.  He did the test, then came the vaginal ultrasound.  A "DAMN" came from Dr. Xmas's mouth..."your cervix looks awesome!!!"  That is the moment I could breathe again.

Dr. Xmas was very pleased with how everything looked!  Hallelujah!  He wants to see me back in two weeks (April 5th) for our next appointment.  If my cervix looks as good as it does now, then he will lighten up on my bed rest!!!!  Woohoo!  This means I could *possibly* go back to work (desk work only--no personal training) if all looks good in a couple weeks.  I'm not banking on going back to work at all, but at least more freedom would be WONDERFUL!  Looks like this procedure is really what my body needed and I'm so pleased that so far all looks good.  Please pray that it stays this way and these babies continue to cook!

In my previous post I mentioned that my brother and sister in law are here visiting and helping the hubs get the house baby ready.  They put together the dresser for the nursery and I love it!  Ignore the wall art and stuff in the babies room...most of this will go.

We've also enjoyed lots of snuggle time with our sweet niece, Grace.

 

23 weeks

How far along? 23 weeks

Baby’s size? Size of a mango...not sure how that's bigger than a spaghetti squash from last week.  I don't get these fruit/veggie sizes, I'm about to give up on them, haha.

Total Weight Gain: Last I checked was up 20 pounds which is right on target for twins

Stretch marks? No

Sleep:  Much better now at home :)

Best moment this week: Coming home!!!!  

Miss Anything? Not being able to get up and do stuff around the house.  It kills me, especially because I feel good.  All I want to do is organize, clean up the kitchen, dust, etc, but I can't.  Soooo hard, have to tell myself no all the time!

Movement: Yes :)

Food cravings: Still the same...can't get enough eggs, avocados and smoothies!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope!

Gender: Girl and Boy :)

Labor Signs: No...let's keep it that way Baby A and Baby B...ya hear me??!

Symptoms: Nope

Belly Button in or out? It's still starting to poke out!!!!!  Not fully out yet, but it's making it's way.

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or moody most of the time: Usually pretty happy.  It's not easy mentally or physically being on bed rest but I'm trying to make the most of it.  

Looking forward to: My follow up appt. with Dr. Xmas this Friday.  I'll be a little nervous for it, but it has to be done.  Then my brother and sister in law (and their 1 year old daughter) will be here visiting and helping get the house ready for babies this weekend!  Looking forward to seeing them :)

Home!

After 17 days in the hospital, I am HOME!!!!!!!  It feels so, so, so good.  I am on modified bed rest at home which prohibits me from working, driving, and doing household chores.  As my dr. tells me, I am on "house arrest."  I can go the restroom, take a shower, make a sandwich, let the dogs out in the yard a couple times a day, go up and down the stairs no more than twice a day, and that's about it.  When I'm not doing those things I will be laying on the couch.  I will most likely have weekly doctor's appts. and these will be my big, exciting outings of the week.  So happy to be home :)

One foot in front of the other

One foot in front of the other...

Yesterday, I got the green light (hence the big green belly) to start walking for 20 minutes, 3 times a day!  This news was music to my ears!  Yesterday, the doctor decrease my Indocin medication and I did two, verrrry slow 20 minute walks.  It's amazing how much strength and stamina you loose when being in the bed for two weeks.  I was shocked.  I told the hubs that it really puts things in perspective for me.  I also feel that after going through this I will be able to be a better personal trainer and can better understand other people's certain circumstances such as recovering from surgery, pregnancy, bed rest, etc.  I am monitored every morning for an hour to see if I have any contractions or an irritable uterus which I was having earlier.  This morning my uterus was calm, so that is good with the decreased meds and increased activity.  

Today my last dose of Indocin was given to me at 5:00 am!  And today, I did three close to 20 minute slow walks.  I am curious as to how tomorrow's monitoring goes...cross your fingers and say prayers it goes well!  If that goes well and Saturday morning's monitoring goes well, then home I go!!!!!  But honestly, I won't believe I'm going home until I'm in the car.  We have had too many false calls on thinking I was going home and I didn't, so really taking it one day at a time, but secretly hoping and praying I get home SOON.  Going on day 15 in the hospital is no fun at all.

Many of you have asked if I have felt bad.  Honestly, I feel amazing.  If I wasn't on bed rest I would be feeling incredible.  It's probably a blessing that I am on bed rest, because if I wasn't I would probably be over doing it at home and work without even realizing it.  It takes a lot for this busy body to slow down.  I was never having contractions, but was told I have an irritable uterus.  Basically what this means is that my uterus was having very mild irregular activity (not strong enough to be called contractions).  It usually wears off, but can become full blown labor if not monitored carefully.  Not what you want in your early 20 weeks of pregnancy, but honestly, I think any pregnant Mother with multiples has this!  I'm just lucky enough to have a doctor who is SUPER conservative!!!  Of course the main issue was my opening cervix, not as much the irritable uterus, but of course they still want/need to monitor it.  I have yet to feel any cramps or contractions or anything of that sort, and that is a blessing.

Physically, I feel good...or as good as anyone could feel being on bed rest.  Mentally, I feel pretty good as well.  I have my ups and downs for sure.  Is this bed rest related or hormone related??  Probably both!  Oh my poor husband.  He has SO much on his plate right now.  He has been wonderful throughout all of this, I owe him.  Perhaps I'll birth him two precious babies to make up for all of this?? ;)

22 weeks

gotta love rough hospital pictures...

How far along? 22 weeks

Baby’s size? Not sure as we have not had an anatomy scan since 20 weeks, but I'm sure they are at least a pound each now and the length of a spaghetti squash.

Total Weight Gain: Not sure but with all this bed rest I'm sure something significant ;)

Stretch marks? No

Sleep:  Good, despite being woken up 500 times during the night....gotta love hospital sleeping.

Best moment this week: A few things...having my ultrasound go so well today!  Being allowed to get outside (in the wheelchair of course) for 20 minutes a day.  You wouldn't know how glorious it is to get out of this room and breathe some fresh air for just a few short minutes!!!!!!  My highlight of every day now!  And having my mother and father in law come for the weekend.  They helped the hubs put up a mantel over our fireplace that has been needing to go up for a while and also visited with me.  It's always nice to have help with house things and company when you're on bed rest!  

Miss Anything? Home.  My bed, my own food, my husband, my sweet puggies, etc. (the same as last week)

Movement: Yes...many dance party's going on in this belly!

Food cravings: Still the same...can't get enough eggs, avocados and smoothies!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope!

Gender: Girl and Boy :)

Labor Signs: Not since last week!  All is calm here for now.  Plan is to decrease the meds that I'm on and see how I do with that, then increase my activity level and see how I do with that, then if all goes well...GO HOME!  Hopefully I will be able to go home late this week or early next week.  Prayers please!

Symptoms: Not many this week....I still feel great, despite being on bed rest.

Belly Button in or out? It's starting to poke out!!!!!  Not fully out yet, but it's making it's way.

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or moody most of the time: I was in a bad mood yesterday, but today has been much better.  Always puts a smile on my face when I get to see our babies on the ultrasound screen and that's how my day started off today.  Plus the good news that we got at our appointment was that the cervix has lengthened since my procedure!!!!!  All this makes me a happy Momma :)

Looking forward to: Of course going home, but also having the hubs feel the babies move.  He could definitely feel the babies move now, it's just a matter of getting his hand on my belly at the right time!  Every time he puts his hand on my belly they stop, go figure.  I know it will happen soon though as I can't wait for him to feel his son and daughter who are going to steal his heart in a few short months :)

Here are a couple pictures from our ultrasound this morning:

Below is Baby boy B...he is laying on his head...such a little booger already.  I think he was mad b/c I hadn't eaten breakfast yet for this appt. as they woke me up and took me straight to the appt.!  So he said, "Mom, until you give me food I'm not showing my face!" haha

Below is Baby girl A...she had SUCH a precious profile picture this morning.  Can't stop looking at this picture and her precious little nose and lips...can't wait to smother these babies in kisses!

21 weeks

A little late to post this and sorry no picture...you all know it's been a crazy week!

How far along? 21 weeks

Baby’s size? At our last appt. on 2/27, Baby A was 12 oz. and Baby B was 13 oz.  I would assume that they are verrrry close to one pound each now! :)

Total Weight Gain: About 16 pounds?  Again, haven't weighed myself in a while.

Stretch marks? No

Sleep:  Good, despite being woken up 500 times during the night....gotta love hospital sleeping.

Best moment this week: Being finished with my cerclage that happened yesterday...and most importantly, the fact that it went well.  I have the most incredible doctor's EVER.  

Miss Anything? Home.  My bed, my own food, my husband, my sweet puggies, etc.

Movement: Yes, I love it!

Food cravings: Still the same...can't get enough eggs, avocados and smoothies!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope!

Gender: Girl and Boy :)

Labor Signs: Hopefully not any more!  My cervix was starting to shorten, so I had the cerclage done yesterday (sowing up the cervix).  This should be what I need and should keep these babies cooking for a few more weeks!  I also have an irritable uterus.  I wasn't having flat out contractions (thank goodness), but very slight irritation with my uterus.  Good news is the past few days have been calm and quiet with my uterus...let's hope this continues.  I'm being monitored for this as I type...

Symptoms: Not many this week....I still feel great, despite being on bed rest.

Belly Button in or out? Still flesh with my skin...I told my hubby the other day that when I run my finger down my stomach there is no way of me knowing if I have a belly button or not...it's that flesh and all stretched out...pretty crazy.

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or moody most of the time: Well it's def. been a hard week as you can tell from my previous posts.  I am trying to stay positive and in the end I'm so happy because I have these two little miracles and fighters growing in my belly and that makes me light up with happiness.  I just still don't understand why we have had to fight a VERY hard battle this past couple years with getting pregnant and now staying pregnant, but I know when our sweet babies are born we will forget all about this...

Looking forward to: Going HOME!  Still not sure when that will be.  Everyone keeps asking, but honestly we just don't know----and either do the doctor's.  They really take everything one day at a time here which makes sense.  

Life's troubles

I had my first, big hospital breakdown last night.  It's just hard for me to understand why God is making all of this pregnancy stuff so hard on us.  It all started with not getting pregnant...then fertility treatments...then a miscarriage...then OHSS that landed me in the hospital for a few days...then other pregnancy issues in the beginning of this pregnancy...and now...this.  I just don't understand.  Sometimes I wonder if this is God's way of telling me I should have never gotten pregnant in the first place...and that hurts.  But I know that is NOT true.  I have always wanted to be a Mom....always.  I played "Mom" of my baby dolls when I was young...never much into barbie dolls, but man oh man did I love my baby dolls.  I just wish God would give us a break.  Give us a break from this hardship, these bills that are flooding in, the stress, the unknown, etc.  It's not easy.  I know the end result will make up for all of these hard times...I just know it.  In a few months I can not wait to hold our sweet babies and smoother them in kisses, cuddles, and let them know that they are safe in Mom and Dad's arms.  Sorry for the downer post...hopefully I will have some positive news to report on soon!

20 week appoitment

The hubs and I went to see our Multiple Specialist Wednesday for our 20 week appointment.  The babies are looking so healthy and perfect.  Baby A weighs 12 oz and Baby B weighs 13 oz.  The dr. was VERY happy with their weight gain in the past few weeks!  That makes Momma happy!  All the protein, fat, fruits and veggies (and of course sweets!) I'm eating is making these babies plump and I love it.

The appointment went very well until my dr. checked my cervix.  He noticed that it is starting to open from the top.  I'm not dilated now, but if things were to progress I could be dilated soon and that's not what they want right now obviously.  So, dr. put me straight into the hospital.  I have been here since Wednesday and don't know when I'll be going home.  I'm here until at last Monday.  I do know however that I will be on bed rest when I go home.  Bed rest for a few weeks...wow, I never thought this would happen to me.  Isn't it funny how we make plans for ourselves and God has a totally different plan?  I guess that's called life.

Not to mention I celebrated my 30th birthday on Thursday while in the hospital.  Thank goodness we went to Spain and really celebrated it there!!!!  I was showered in love though from friends and family calling, texting, visiting, etc. so all in all it was a happy birthday day.

What am I most sad about being on bed rest now?

-I can't get the house and nursery baby ready like I wanted.  I had all these grand plans like reorganizing/cleaning out closets, making some meals to stash away in the freezer, giving the house a thorough cleaning, getting the nursery all ready and waiting for the babies and the list goes on...

-Shopping for the babies.  Thankfully I have finished my registry but all we have for the babies so far are the cribs and dresser.  We have *some* clothes (not much) and a couple other random items...but not a whole lot.  I was looking forward to doing more shopping, but as my Dad reminds me "all you really need for newborns is food and diapers" haha.

-Missing my baby shower in South Carolina.  My sister in law and many good friends were throwing it for me on April 20th in Greenville.  The invitations are already made and about to go out.  I was so sad to tell these ladies that we have to cancel it.  Breaks my heart.

-Not being able to travel anymore.  We were planning on going to Raleigh a couple more times and then to SC.

-I hope I can make it until my baby shower in Richmond in early May when I'll be 30 weeks!!!!  But we will cross that bridge in a few weeks.

-I am not the type that likes being waited on, so this is hard.  I especially hate it for my hubs that has a lot on his plate with work, then taking care of me, the house, the yard, the dogs, meals, etc.  I know he is more than happy to do all of this, but I still hate it.

-I can't wear all my cute maternity clothes...well I can, but not many people will see them!

-Of course you all know I'm a VERY active woman.  So bed rest for a few weeks?  Yozers, tie me down.  haha, no really I am listening very well to the dr's orders as I only want the best for these babies!

-Speaking of being active, I always thought I'd have an active pregnancy---not too much, but exercise a few times a week...doing prenatal yoga, stretching...you know...all the "right" things.  Well, God has other plans.

Although there are many things I'm worried and sad about by being on bed rest for this long, I also am SO thankful in many ways.  As I sit here typing this post in the hospital I hear a newborn screaming...the funny thing is, I love the sound.  We will have this times two in a few weeks.  I can not believe it.  I am so thankful that these babies are healthy...that's all I've ever prayed about this whole pregnancy and so far, I'm getting what I wanted and I thank God for that every day.  I will do whatever it takes to keep these babies cooking for a few more weeks.  My goal is to make it to 34 weeks but we will see.  I am also so very, very thankful for my husband, family and friends.  Everyone has been so generous, so kind, so loving, etc.  It means SO much to us and we thank you!