36 weeks!!!!!!!

I don't really have much to say except "HOLY CRAP I AM 36 WEEKS PREGNANT!!!!!" That means it is a maximum of 2 weeks until we get to meet these two. I am SO ready to be done being pregnant and move on to being a mom! My sister-in-law is convinced I am going to go into labor on Saturday...guess we'll just have to see! Can't wait to update this blog with a picture of the two munchkins!

35 weeks and 7 years

Yesterday was a big day...first of all I've hit 35 weeks! Woohoo! And, of course, it was our 7 year wedding anniversary. Never in a million years did I imagine that we would be married 7 years and not have a couple of kids running around but hey, I am just so thankful to be where we are today. Including the time before infertility where we tried to adopt a baby internationally, we have been trying to become parents for nearly 5 years. Crazy! But now, we are merely weeks (or less) away from meeting our babies. The thought of that overwhelms me. I am just so thankful! Obviously the timing wasn't what I would have chosen if given the option 7 years ago but now that we're here, I can't imagine it any other way.

Last week two of my closest friends each had their 3rd little boys. For once I could snuggle those little babies and not grieve the fact that I may never get the chance to hold one of my own. I am so excited that our kids are going to be so close in age! By the end of 2013, SIX of my closest friends will have had babies this year! Imagine how much fun we are all going to have with our kids! Amazing timing.

In the "twin pregnancy is tough" category (stop reading now if you want!) I've really really been struggling with sleep. I don't think I've slept longer than a 2.5 hour stretch in almost 2 months. Most nights I'm up every 1-2 hours. Either I have to pee, I get a contraction (which are getting more painful!) or my leg/hip falls asleep and I have to walk around to get feeling back. Ugh! It definitely takes it's toll on your body! Yesterday I was feeling almost delirious from lack of sleep. At least I will be well-prepared for the crazy nights up feeding the twins. Poor T, he claims me grunting and groaning as I haul myself out of bed doesn't bother him but I don't see how it can't!

I leave you with the gorgeous crib that T made (the second one will be done closer to when they need their own). He also made the mobile! I have such a multi-talented husband! He is currently working on the dresser/changing table. I am so lucky!

34 Weeks

Another week down! Had an OB appointment today and he is just thrilled that I've made it this far. Everything is perfect at the moment, they are growing well, both are head down, my BP is good, my non-stress tests are great...he sees no reason that I can't get all the way until 38 weeks! That would be nuts considering how scared they were that I was going to deliver at 26 weeks when they put me on bedrest! T and I are just so thankful that everything is working out. Finally!

Mother's Day was weird. The past couple of years I have done everything in my power to avoid seeing people other than my mom on Mother's Day because it would make me too emotional. Two years ago I accidently went to church on Mother's Day without thinking about what day it was and boy, was that a mistake. "Please, would all the mothers stand and receive flowers from the sunday school kids"...every woman around me stood and there I sat, tears filling my eyes. Definitely did not make that mistake last year. This year I went and really appreciated that EVERY woman in the church was acknowledged, not just the mothers. I wonder if someone had complained. I received a lovely bouquet of flowers from T and two beautiful red roses from my mother-in-law, one for each baby. However, I don't think I'll ever be a huge fan of Mother's Day. It was hard to feel like celebrating when I know that so many people are feeling like I've felt over the past few years...grief-stricken and lonely. Somehow when the twins are old enough I'd love to instill a tradition that we write a card or something to someone we know who has either lost their mother, lost a child or are unable to have a child. Something to acknowledge "the other side" of this holiday. We'll see. So...if you are reading this and Sunday was a tough day for you...know that I was thinking about you and hoping that next Mother's Day will be the one that you are dreaming of.

Chunky babies!

Nearing 33 weeks! I've now been discharged from the perinatologist as well as the home-care bedrest program because I am "too stable"! That's a good thing! My last ultrasound with the peri on Thursday (32 weeks 2 days) showed that I am growing some good-sized twins! Twin A is approximately 4lbs 11oz and Twin B is approximately 4lbs 15oz! CRAZY! They are large even for singletons at this point in a pregnancy! No wonder I feel so huge! I'm thrilled though, knowing that with a short cervix, they could still come early but at least they will be good weights. The though of carrying them until 38 weeks makes me feel a little nauseous...they are going to be massive by then! Let's aim for 36-37 weeks! Although of course, the longer they stay in there, the better! Sleep is becoming nearly impossible. I am up every 1-2 hours to pee (Thank you Twin A for pressing against my bladder!) and if I don't have to pee, I am just super uncomfortable. Rolling over is like an Olympic event! I am trying my best to enjoy these last few weeks as much as possible since this will more-than-likely be my only pregnancy but it's getting harder and harder! They are definitely getting squished in there...they no longer "kick" it's more like shifting around. My belly looks like it has a couple of aliens in there some evenings!

On another note...May 21st is our 7 year wedding anniversary. Since this will be our last anniversary without children I'm trying to think of something nice we can do. Normally we would go away for a weekend (or even a longer holiday) around our anniversary but that's not going to be possible this year. I also don't have any nice clothes that fit that would allow us to go out to a fancy restaurant. Hmmm...any suggestions? I'd love to make it a special evening.

31 weeks

Sorry I've been majorly neglecting my blog...just not a lot going on here! Had another ultrasound last Thursday. Cervix is 2.1cm and babies are growing well. They will likely take me off the "official" bedrest program that I'm on next week if everything looks good at that ultrasound. I am so sick of the dildo-cam! I thought I'd be done with it after graduating from the fertility clinic but when you have cervix issues they do measurements with the wand! I think I should tally up how many dildo-cam encounters I've had since this all started! Luckily my 32 week ultrasound will be the last time they need to measure it....the end is in sight! 

T and I have spent the last few evenings sorting through bags of used baby clothes that people have given us, washing them and hanging them in the babies' room. Now it's really feeling more real! We have a closet full of baby stuff! During one of my allowed bedrest outings, we went to a local Carter's store and man was it hard not to buy out the whole store! There is soooooo much cute stuff out there! I think not knowing the genders really helps curb the spending because if I had known what we were having, we would have come out of there with a lot more than the $50 worth of clothes that we did end up buying! And we both promised each other we were "just looking" and wouldn't buy anything....HA! Well, I'm trying to write thank you notes for the shower a couple of weeks ago and keep getting distracted. Better get back to it! 

Two Spoiled Babies

29 weeks! Yippee! Bedrest is getting boring but hey, it will all be worth it in the end! Luckily I've had quite a few visitors and lots of people bringing by food so T doesn't have to make dinner every night when he gets home from work. I wasn't able to go to Easter dinner with my extended family so this Thursday my aunt is going to bring my grandma to come visit (about an hour trip) since I didn't get a chance to see her at Easter. My grandma is SO excited about the twins! She is quite frail and for a long time I wasn't sure if she would live long enough to meet any children we had...so I am thrilled that it looks like she will get to meet my babies! She is such an amazing woman, truly an inspiration.

My shower on Sunday was amazing! Totally a surreal experience to be surrounded by so many amazing friends and family who are all there to celebrate these babies! We were showered with lots of lovely gifts. Quite a few of the gifts were handmade, which makes them even more special. Last night I just sat in the babies' room with all the presents and couldn't help feeling overwhelmed with gratitude but some sadness as well. We are just so blessed and it's hard to understand why this happened to us when so many others are still struggling with infertility. Just doesn't make sense but I am so thankful. As far as pictures of the shower, my sister-in-law was my "official photographer" and hasn't sent me the  pictures yet. I'll try to remember to post a couple once she does.

Well, my friend and her 6 week old daughter should be here soon to have lunch with me! Helps keep the boredom down when you get to cuddle a sweet little baby!

Ultrasound Update

Just got back from my ultrasound with the MFM doctor. My cervix hasn't shortened any further which is great news! He thinks that my "incarceration", as he put it, has really helped. Babies are growing great, even better than the last ultrasound (likely me taking it easy has allowed more calories to go to them). Baby A is approximately 2lb 12oz and Baby B is about 3lb 4oz. Both right on track. Supposedly it's normal for fraternal twins to have a bit of weight discrepancy. I go back again in 2 weeks. Yay! Come on babies! Now I've realized that I need to start thinking about giving birth. I told T the other day that I have been so focused on getting me and the twins through this pregnancy and into a "safe zone" that I've kinda forgotten that I actually have to give birth to them! I picked up some great books on birth and breastfeeding at my midwife's office today. I definitely have lots of time to read these days!