My parents just left us today after a nearly week-long visit. It was wonderful to have them here to help with the boys. I don't know what I'm going to do without them! Yesterday my in-laws came over for dinner and we had a fabulous flank steak from Let's Dish. (I highly recommend it. It's the Flank Steak with Onions and Balsamic Glaze.) My parents, DH and in-laws secretly discussed my casual attitude toward my "restricted activity" and declared that I needed to be off my feet for double the time and doing half as much. I appreciate their concern and while I admit that I'm probably doing more than my doctor had in mind, I don't think the twins are in danger. I wouldn't take that sort of risk with the lives of my children.
I can't say that I blame them for being concerned. I've developed this exaggerated walk to take pressure off of my pelvis - a rolling waddle. I also wince a lot. I sigh a lot. And I get out of breath easily since the babies are pushing up into my lungs. So I'm sure they took one look at me and concluded that I was about to have the babies last night.
On an unrelated note, we're searching for a stroller option to carry one toddler and two infants. Any suggestions?
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
20 and 1/2 Weeks
Doctor is apparently correct about me needing to take it easy and I am apparently stupid for not following her instructions. However, I do not think the doctor was correct in her diagnosis of my skin issue. PUPPS sounds awful. What I have on my skin is not awful - not remotely.
The Braxton Hicks (BH) are another story. Went to the March for Babies today. The stress of getting there with my two kids and my parents was pretty intense. I started having BH at the Supreme Court. They continued until I got to the car and sat down. They started up again once I got out of the car and so my family (husband, mom, and dad) confined me to a recliner in the family room. The BH stopped... until I got up to check my email - and now John is saying that I have to go lay down.
The Braxton Hicks (BH) are another story. Went to the March for Babies today. The stress of getting there with my two kids and my parents was pretty intense. I started having BH at the Supreme Court. They continued until I got to the car and sat down. They started up again once I got out of the car and so my family (husband, mom, and dad) confined me to a recliner in the family room. The BH stopped... until I got up to check my email - and now John is saying that I have to go lay down.
Friday, January 18, 2008
20 Weeks
According to my doctors I'm only 19 weeks, 5 days but they're using "the wheel" and it measures from the first date of your last period - which is not accurate in the least. So by my own calculations, I'm 20 weeks tomorrow and I'm going with my own calculations since I'm a math whiz. :)
Doctor appointment was slightly alarming. Last night I woke up with cramps at 3am. Not regular cramps but felt like I was in labor cramps. Worried but not panicked, I went to the bathroom and then settled back down in bed - because I've read that laying down can help. It helped but I was up for a while trying to determine whether or not each little twinge of pain I felt in my abdomen or back was labor. Sooooo, add the fact that I've been getting Braxton Hicks contractions fairly regularly in the evenings - when I'm running around taking care of both boys, making dinner and trying to keep the house in livable shape - the doctor decided to place me on what she calls "modified, modified, modified bedrest."
Really what she did wasn't a huge surprise and amounts to some activity restriction - not bedrest per se - which apparently most doctors recommend to many M.O.M.s. I'm not allowed to lift anything heavier than 5 pounds. Mr. Cubby will need to lose a bit of weight if he expected to be carried upstairs. I actually am allowed to pick him up but I'm not supposed to do much carrying. And after a busy upright activity - cooking dinner and eating, for example, I need to recline for a while. Not a big change from what I do every night anyway. ;)
She also said that it's possible the discrepancy between the two babies could be caused by a difference in the nourishment they're getting from their placentas and that less activity on my part will help if that is the situation. Since the placentas might be fused the possibility of Twin to Twin Transfusion can't be ruled out - though neither me nor my OB nor the high risk specialist seemed too alarmed about it at this point.
I also appear to have developed PUPPS which stands for "Itchy Red Spots All Over." The itching is only starting to develop and the red spots are concentrated primarily on my belly at this point but the Dr. predicts the itchiness will get worse and will spread.
Everything else is fine. My blood pressure is nice and low. My belly is measuring exactly 20 weeks.
Doctor appointment was slightly alarming. Last night I woke up with cramps at 3am. Not regular cramps but felt like I was in labor cramps. Worried but not panicked, I went to the bathroom and then settled back down in bed - because I've read that laying down can help. It helped but I was up for a while trying to determine whether or not each little twinge of pain I felt in my abdomen or back was labor. Sooooo, add the fact that I've been getting Braxton Hicks contractions fairly regularly in the evenings - when I'm running around taking care of both boys, making dinner and trying to keep the house in livable shape - the doctor decided to place me on what she calls "modified, modified, modified bedrest."
Really what she did wasn't a huge surprise and amounts to some activity restriction - not bedrest per se - which apparently most doctors recommend to many M.O.M.s. I'm not allowed to lift anything heavier than 5 pounds. Mr. Cubby will need to lose a bit of weight if he expected to be carried upstairs. I actually am allowed to pick him up but I'm not supposed to do much carrying. And after a busy upright activity - cooking dinner and eating, for example, I need to recline for a while. Not a big change from what I do every night anyway. ;)
She also said that it's possible the discrepancy between the two babies could be caused by a difference in the nourishment they're getting from their placentas and that less activity on my part will help if that is the situation. Since the placentas might be fused the possibility of Twin to Twin Transfusion can't be ruled out - though neither me nor my OB nor the high risk specialist seemed too alarmed about it at this point.
I also appear to have developed PUPPS which stands for "Itchy Red Spots All Over." The itching is only starting to develop and the red spots are concentrated primarily on my belly at this point but the Dr. predicts the itchiness will get worse and will spread.
Everything else is fine. My blood pressure is nice and low. My belly is measuring exactly 20 weeks.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Nearly 20 Weeks
Yesterday the babies weren't too active until the evening. I was worried. But then they started tumbling around again after their older sibs were in bed. I try to be alert to kicks during the day but it's much easier to feel them when the house is quiet.
Belly watch: I got bigger this last week. I'm not in the small belly club anymore. I'm about the size I was when I was eight months w/ Mr. Cubby. The church mom's I talked to today said that they still weren't sure just by looking that I'm expecting - but I think they were just saying that because most pregnant mom's don't like being told they look pregnant since that can easily be interpreted as meaning they look fat.
Today it's snowing - a lot. I like to make fun of Virginia snow hype because I grew up in the Midwest and snow is not a special event. But today, after driving in the stuff, I concur that the warnings are not hype. The roads are slick and snow-covered. The snow had only been falling for about an hour before I drove home from Mom's Group (Church Mom's not PP Mom's) and it took me two tries to make it up my driveway - it's not a steep incline. That's never happened to be before here in Old Dominion. So I've been calling John every hour and telling him to leave work now.
Will's school dismissed at 1:30. A carpool mom is picking him up and bringing him here. He should be home soon. Mr. Cubby just went down for his nap. I'm going to let Will watch a movie so I can catch a nap too. It's in the Mom's Handbook on page 123, second paragraph - "When pregnant, especially with multiples, feel no guilt about showing movies to your children if you are in need of a nap."
Oh and speaking of TV, I couldn't take it. I'm watching again. I decided that I'll give up TV for Lent. It's not that I was missing good shows - it was just too much effort to find good books to read once I had read through "Growing Up Brady."
Belly watch: I got bigger this last week. I'm not in the small belly club anymore. I'm about the size I was when I was eight months w/ Mr. Cubby. The church mom's I talked to today said that they still weren't sure just by looking that I'm expecting - but I think they were just saying that because most pregnant mom's don't like being told they look pregnant since that can easily be interpreted as meaning they look fat.
Today it's snowing - a lot. I like to make fun of Virginia snow hype because I grew up in the Midwest and snow is not a special event. But today, after driving in the stuff, I concur that the warnings are not hype. The roads are slick and snow-covered. The snow had only been falling for about an hour before I drove home from Mom's Group (Church Mom's not PP Mom's) and it took me two tries to make it up my driveway - it's not a steep incline. That's never happened to be before here in Old Dominion. So I've been calling John every hour and telling him to leave work now.
Will's school dismissed at 1:30. A carpool mom is picking him up and bringing him here. He should be home soon. Mr. Cubby just went down for his nap. I'm going to let Will watch a movie so I can catch a nap too. It's in the Mom's Handbook on page 123, second paragraph - "When pregnant, especially with multiples, feel no guilt about showing movies to your children if you are in need of a nap."
Oh and speaking of TV, I couldn't take it. I'm watching again. I decided that I'll give up TV for Lent. It's not that I was missing good shows - it was just too much effort to find good books to read once I had read through "Growing Up Brady."
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
19 Weeks
We had THE sonogram last Friday. The tech asked if we wanted to know what the genders are and we both shouted "yes!" at the same time. "Well, I'll do the first one for you," she said. "Baby A is presenting and - oop - there you have it - it's a boy." I have to admit that I said a silent prayer then that the other one would be a baby girl. I've heard that there can be a fair amount of fussing around while the tech tries to ascertain girlness on girls since she's usually looking for an absence of something. But there was no fussing here. She found our baby and announced - "It's a girl."
So we're having a boy and a girl. Both babies seem to be in good health. The boy is measuring about 20 weeks and a few days. The girl is measuring right about 18 1/2 weeks.
This sonogram marked our first meeting with the high risk specialist. The doctor we met is one of three in the practice. He was polite and explained generally how we'll be working with them along with my OB. No warm fuzzies at the practice but I get the feeling they know what they're doing.
I was disappointed when he told me that vaginal deliveries are "rare" but since he's probably not going to be delivering me - and since the majority of his patients are ones who develop complications outside of a simple twin pregnancy I didn't sweat it too much.
Right now the babies are in pretty good position. The boy is on my right side "knocking at the door" as John likes to say - head down and ready to go. The girl is behind the boy but to the left. She's farther up and it would be easier for her to flip if either of them did. While I do like the freedom planning a c-section offers, I really don't like the idea of surgery. So for now, I'm planted firmly in the "praying to give birth vaginally" camp.
As I edge closer to my due date - which admittedly is still a long way off - I'm edging closer and closer to insisting the doctor let me try to give birth without an epidural. I know it sounds crazy and it's not that I forgot the pain of birth. Believe me, I have not and will not EVER. How some people can forget it is beyond me. But all I've read leads me to believe it's the best for the babies and it's the best for me. I am open to doing "natural light" like my friend Maura did (having a little epidural.) My biggest concerns are the spinal headache, paralysis (I know it's rare but come on - when someone stabs your spinal column with a needle there's a risk), vomiting and nausea, and an increased risk of needing a c-section.
So there you have it.
In other news, Go Packers. What a nail biter Saturday's game was. Thanks to the Giants who pulled off an unexpected win against the Cowboys on Sunday giving us home field advantage for the NFC Championship. This will be the first NFC championship the Packers have hosted since the 1996 season. They won the Super Bowl that year... against the Patriots.
So we're having a boy and a girl. Both babies seem to be in good health. The boy is measuring about 20 weeks and a few days. The girl is measuring right about 18 1/2 weeks.
This sonogram marked our first meeting with the high risk specialist. The doctor we met is one of three in the practice. He was polite and explained generally how we'll be working with them along with my OB. No warm fuzzies at the practice but I get the feeling they know what they're doing.
I was disappointed when he told me that vaginal deliveries are "rare" but since he's probably not going to be delivering me - and since the majority of his patients are ones who develop complications outside of a simple twin pregnancy I didn't sweat it too much.
Right now the babies are in pretty good position. The boy is on my right side "knocking at the door" as John likes to say - head down and ready to go. The girl is behind the boy but to the left. She's farther up and it would be easier for her to flip if either of them did. While I do like the freedom planning a c-section offers, I really don't like the idea of surgery. So for now, I'm planted firmly in the "praying to give birth vaginally" camp.
As I edge closer to my due date - which admittedly is still a long way off - I'm edging closer and closer to insisting the doctor let me try to give birth without an epidural. I know it sounds crazy and it's not that I forgot the pain of birth. Believe me, I have not and will not EVER. How some people can forget it is beyond me. But all I've read leads me to believe it's the best for the babies and it's the best for me. I am open to doing "natural light" like my friend Maura did (having a little epidural.) My biggest concerns are the spinal headache, paralysis (I know it's rare but come on - when someone stabs your spinal column with a needle there's a risk), vomiting and nausea, and an increased risk of needing a c-section.
So there you have it.
In other news, Go Packers. What a nail biter Saturday's game was. Thanks to the Giants who pulled off an unexpected win against the Cowboys on Sunday giving us home field advantage for the NFC Championship. This will be the first NFC championship the Packers have hosted since the 1996 season. They won the Super Bowl that year... against the Patriots.
Monday, January 7, 2008
18 Weeks
Slowly my belly is showing what the rest of my body has known for eons. I can't pass for pregnant with strangers yet but I'm working on it. John was hoping that I'd be visibly pregnant for his company "holiday" dinner in a few days. Alas, that is not to be.
Carrying "small" is a mixed bag. On the pro side - I hardly have any stretch marks on my belly (I have them by my elbows - go figure). I also fit comfortably in my pregnancy (and even some pre-pregnancy) clothes through out the 9+months. No mu mus necessary. And I didn't have a huge belly in my way when tying my shoes or putting on socks or setting the table. On the con side - lack of sympathy would have to be the worst. People giving me the double take in church when I can't stand for the whole Gospel reading. Me having to talk up the fact that I'm pregnant because I'm afraid John might forget. (Not that he would). I get people who know I'm pregnant and are concerned I'm not eating enough. I get worried that the babies are growing inside my liver rather than my stomach, where they should be. (That was for Heather - even though she doesn't read this).
In other news, John can now feel the babies kicking. That happened over the weekend. It's more fun when John can feel them move. And with two it isn't such a crap shoot - he can usually feel something. With Mr. Cubby it was more challenging early on. He'd kick and move and then kick somewhere else - completely random. Two don't have as much room to move so the kicks are in the same area, more or less.
My nighttime nausea isn't completely gone. I still feel gross when I start getting tired. It's not constant and it's nothing like the debilitating nausea I had four weeks ago.
Speaking of being debilitated - I've stopped watching TV. Right around Christmas I realized that I was spending waaaay too many nights sitting mindlessly on the couch and WISHING that I had gone to bed hours ago. On Jan. 1 I decided no more. Plus, it's all crap now with the Writer's Strike (TM).
Not watching TV has had a positive impact on our family life. I find that I'm making eye contact with my kids more often. Also talking to them more. Also getting more sleep. And reading some very good books - Growing Up Brady by Berry Wililams (aka Greg) - for example. John didn't quit TV per se but since I won't watch it with him he doesn't watch it much anymore - just a few minutes here and there mostly about DECISION 2008 (TM).
I find the news coverage of the Writer's Strike (TM) stupid and silly and boring. The Post was delivered to our house today - probably a mistake, unless they're doing a "free week" - and I read several the Post's articles on the Writer's Strike (TM). The articles made me think that if this strike continued much longer the sun might blow up and life on Earth would cease. It's TV for crying out loud. Do I really have to watch The Office to be happy? No. Don't get me wrong. I love The Office and I'm hoping that it didn't jump the shark when Pam and Jim hooked up - but I don't HAVE TO watch it. In fact, I'm pretty happy so far. There's no 24, no Office, no Bionic Woman, no Battlestar G'smacktica. But I have my life back. (I made an exception for G'smacktica. If and when it comes back on, I will watch it w/ John otherwise our marriage with be in jeopardy).
I say, let the writers strike. Don't we all want to do something more with our lives than watch TV? Except for Packer games. They're in the playoffs for crying out loud.
So back to the topic of motherhood: Earlier today John and I had a tearfully funny moment when Will tried to speak a sentence. Will is very hyper and tends to speak very, very quickly and has difficulty with enunciation. Today, while sliding around the kitchen on his back we heard him say, "Is this a turd that has icy doves ringing in it?" I couldn't stop laughing. I had tears rolling down my face. Obviously that wasn't what he actually said but we both heard, "Is this a turd that has icy doves ringing in it?" He doesn't know the word "turd" by the way. We still don't know what he was talking about but he was very pleased that he had said something that made us laugh so hard.
And on that note - good night.
Carrying "small" is a mixed bag. On the pro side - I hardly have any stretch marks on my belly (I have them by my elbows - go figure). I also fit comfortably in my pregnancy (and even some pre-pregnancy) clothes through out the 9+months. No mu mus necessary. And I didn't have a huge belly in my way when tying my shoes or putting on socks or setting the table. On the con side - lack of sympathy would have to be the worst. People giving me the double take in church when I can't stand for the whole Gospel reading. Me having to talk up the fact that I'm pregnant because I'm afraid John might forget. (Not that he would). I get people who know I'm pregnant and are concerned I'm not eating enough. I get worried that the babies are growing inside my liver rather than my stomach, where they should be. (That was for Heather - even though she doesn't read this).
In other news, John can now feel the babies kicking. That happened over the weekend. It's more fun when John can feel them move. And with two it isn't such a crap shoot - he can usually feel something. With Mr. Cubby it was more challenging early on. He'd kick and move and then kick somewhere else - completely random. Two don't have as much room to move so the kicks are in the same area, more or less.
My nighttime nausea isn't completely gone. I still feel gross when I start getting tired. It's not constant and it's nothing like the debilitating nausea I had four weeks ago.
Speaking of being debilitated - I've stopped watching TV. Right around Christmas I realized that I was spending waaaay too many nights sitting mindlessly on the couch and WISHING that I had gone to bed hours ago. On Jan. 1 I decided no more. Plus, it's all crap now with the Writer's Strike (TM).
Not watching TV has had a positive impact on our family life. I find that I'm making eye contact with my kids more often. Also talking to them more. Also getting more sleep. And reading some very good books - Growing Up Brady by Berry Wililams (aka Greg) - for example. John didn't quit TV per se but since I won't watch it with him he doesn't watch it much anymore - just a few minutes here and there mostly about DECISION 2008 (TM).
I find the news coverage of the Writer's Strike (TM) stupid and silly and boring. The Post was delivered to our house today - probably a mistake, unless they're doing a "free week" - and I read several the Post's articles on the Writer's Strike (TM). The articles made me think that if this strike continued much longer the sun might blow up and life on Earth would cease. It's TV for crying out loud. Do I really have to watch The Office to be happy? No. Don't get me wrong. I love The Office and I'm hoping that it didn't jump the shark when Pam and Jim hooked up - but I don't HAVE TO watch it. In fact, I'm pretty happy so far. There's no 24, no Office, no Bionic Woman, no Battlestar G'smacktica. But I have my life back. (I made an exception for G'smacktica. If and when it comes back on, I will watch it w/ John otherwise our marriage with be in jeopardy).
I say, let the writers strike. Don't we all want to do something more with our lives than watch TV? Except for Packer games. They're in the playoffs for crying out loud.
So back to the topic of motherhood: Earlier today John and I had a tearfully funny moment when Will tried to speak a sentence. Will is very hyper and tends to speak very, very quickly and has difficulty with enunciation. Today, while sliding around the kitchen on his back we heard him say, "Is this a turd that has icy doves ringing in it?" I couldn't stop laughing. I had tears rolling down my face. Obviously that wasn't what he actually said but we both heard, "Is this a turd that has icy doves ringing in it?" He doesn't know the word "turd" by the way. We still don't know what he was talking about but he was very pleased that he had said something that made us laugh so hard.
And on that note - good night.
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