Pregnancy pictures

Some people have been wondering what I look like preggo....so here it is! Enjoy!

And here is one from Christmas. Almost 30 weeks pregnant with twins in this picture.

Twins: 30 weeks pregnant

How far along: 30 weeks (less than 8 weeks to go!!--they won't let us go longer than 38 weeks) We are hoping to make it to at least 35 weeks!

Size of the babies: We don't know for sure, but hopefully around 3 lbs each this week!

Total weight gain/loss: 39 pounds!!! AHHH! That is a lot!!!

Cravings: Nope

Morning sickness: Nope

Sleep: A little better lately since I am SOOOO tired these days. I usually have to lay down for a little bit during the day too.

Other pregnancy symptoms: I have developed this lovely hive-like rash all over my belly this week called PUPPS. It is extremely itchy and nothing can cure it....except childbirth. Apparently it happens more in women carrying multiples and boys (double whammy for me I guess!). So for now I just have to deal with it by taking antihistamines and topical anti-inch creams.

Baby Movement: They are wild boys lately! Last week I felt twin A completely flip over in my body. Sure enough...this week at the doctor...he was no longer head down L The doctor said to prepare myself for having a C-section since space is getting kinda tight in my belly and he may not flip head down again.

Favorite maternity clothes: Nothing. Everything is too small now and makes me itch!

Weird dreams: Hmmm..nothing lately

How is pregnancy different than expected? I am a planner....and sometimes you can't always plan how things are going to go when you are pregnant.

Highlight this week: Well....I wouldn't call it a highlight, but today I am going into "temporary-retirement". This is my last day of doing in-home daycare until after the boys arrive and maternity leave is over L We have had a few pregnancy complications over the past three weeks that have led to this decision.

About three weeks ago the doctors found that Twin A had low amniotic fluid and I was almost put on bed rest, but luckily his fluid has stabilized over the past few weeks and hasn’t dropped any lower. Then, two weeks ago the doctors found a ‘prominent lateral ventricle’ on Twin B’s brain. Basically, he has a spot on his brain filled with fluid and they don’t know what causes it or what the outcome could be. They have referred us to Dr. Drake—a high risk doctor here in Des Moines so we are going to get it checked out next week. Please pray for good news!

With all these new changes and stressful circumstances it was getting very difficult for me to balance doing daycare and taking care of my pregnancy (we NEED to make it to 35 weeks so these boys don't have to stay in the NICU long!) I go to the doctor 2-3 times per week and Andrew was having to come home from work to watch my daycare kids for me....when I really needed him to be at the doctor with me. My body just hasn't bounced back from having the flu a few weeks ago and therefore I think it is time for me to take it easy until the babies arrive. I am to the point where I can no longer pick up kids, lift them onto the potty or sit on the floor with them. It wasn't fair to the kids and it was getting too difficult for me to manage.

I thought I would be able to keep working until the babies arrived and therefore I am having a difficult time accepting that I need to take a break. I feel guilty for "leaving my daycare families hanging" (although they have all found other daycare for the time I need off) and I feel guilty that I don't have any income for the next few months (although my husband says it's okay). BUT...I keep telling myself that the longer these babies stay inside my tummy....the faster I will be able to go back to work (less NICU time, less maternity leave, etc.)

So...for now, I guess I will try to enjoy being "temporarily retired". Stop on over to visit us because I might go crazy spending this much time at home alone! Thanks again for all the support and prayers!

Twins: 28 weeks pregnant

I realize I never finished my "To be continued..." from my last post, but I have had a busy month so you will have to wait longer. Andrew and I STILL haven't watched our wedding video yet. Maybe I will get it all done by our next anniversary :)

How far along: A little over 28 weeks, but I am measuring @ 35 weeks (compared to a singleton pregnancy). Since my last appointment four weeks ago, I have done 8 weeks worth of growing! Yikes! That is big! No wonder why my body hurts!

Size of the babies: Had a doc appointment Thursday and Ferb (Baby A) weighs 2 pounds 3 oz. and Phineas (Baby B) weighs 2 pounds 8 oz. (P.S. those are not their real names. We are keeping those a secret!) That is FIVE POUNDS of baby in there already and they still need to get bigger!

Total weight gain/loss: 32 pounds! WOWSERS!

Cravings: Nothing. It is getting too difficult to eat. Not enough room for food and babies!

Morning sickness: Nope, but I did have the flu this week. That was pretty awful! And I am having a difficult time bouncing back from being sick.

Sleep: TERRIBLE! I hurt everywhere! It takes me a while to fall asleep and I usually wake up 4-5 times/night either to rotate or to pee. No more sleeping in either because the babies get hungry. I guess they are just preparing me now for those "all-nighters"

Other pregnancy symptoms: My whole body hurts and it is getting difficult to breathe.

Baby Movement: Yep! They are movers! They are really active right before bedtime.

Favorite maternity clothes: Nothing. Everything is getting too small :(

Exercise: I am still doing a prenatal swim class twice a week and I get a good workout during the day watching 3 two-year olds.

Weird dreams: I have a reoccurring dream about their arms or feet poking out of my stomach and I keep trying to push them back in. Creepy!

How is pregnancy different than expected? Never knew how difficult it would be to do simple things like put on my socks, shave my legs, put on shoes, wash my hands (my stomach is so big I can barely reach the sink), drive a car, etc.

Highlight this week: Didn't have a very good week because I was sick, but we DID have our 28 week doctor appointment today and got to see the boys. Andrew was able to join me this time (he usually has to stay home to watch the daycare kids) so that was even better! We didn't get the best news though..... we found out that Ferb has low amniotic fluid compared to Phineas. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to increase the amniotic fluid so bedrest may be just around the corner for me. We go back on Wednesday to have another ultrasound done to determine what the next step should be. Please pray for little Ferb (and Phineas too) because they still need to "cook" a little longer! We are hoping they can wait until Febrauary to make their debut, but they may decide to arrive sometime in January.

On a happier note.....look at all these super cute clothes!!!

Can't wait for our little soccer players to be here! Andrew bought them their first teeny tiny soccer ball. So cute!

Super cute little monkey outfits! Who doesn't love little monkeys on babies butts?

My sister made onesies that say "Twin A" and "Twin 1". We call them that instead of Twin A and Twin B :)
Here is a picture of us (from four weeks ago) before we went out for dinner on our anniversary. Note: I have done 8 weeks worth of growing since this picture! Yikes!


I will post another update on Wednesday after our ultrasound and doctor appointment!