I think I'm gonna miss this pregnancy thing....

More on that in a minute....

But first I forgot to mention in my last blog that I called the doctor last week to inquire about moving the csection up to a morning time.  I got a call back several hours later from the nurse who told me several things.
My doctor ONLY does afternoon and evening scheduled csections.  She said because he has so many patient appointments and also has to do rounds at the hospital during the morning (because he is the head high risk perinatologist).  Soooo, I am stuck with the 2pm surgery time and there isn't anything I can do about it.  And so I'll just assume it was meant to be that way and go with it.  The nurse suggested I have Justin get up at 5am on the day of surgery and make me a breakfast of my liking, because the last thing I can eat or drink is at 6am.  I said that sounds like a plan, but knowing myself all too well, I know I will be too nervous to eat.  She said I will be in the hospital for 96 hours from the 2pm on the 3rd, so I get to stay until Sunday.  She said I will appreciate all the help, advice, and recovery time while I am there.  

I confirmed all this information with Missy last week at our appointment. The only thing I'm not sure of is if I am supposed to arrive at 2pm, or surgery is at 2pm, so I'll have to confirm again on Thursday my arrival time.  

So, I have been thinking a lot the last 4 days about how I am mentally feeling and I finally realized a couple things.  People keep asking me if I am excited for the babies to come and can I not wait until they are here.  And I feel like honestly my reaction was sort of like, "what are you talking about?" and almost not being able to understand why I didn't feel a sense of excitement and I couldn't figure out why.  I felt like I had no emotion or excitement to give them the answer they were looking for.  And then after some reflection I figured it out.....

For 3 years we were so focused on getting pregnant.  Everything we did revolved around if it would help us get "pregnant".  And then when it didn't happen on its own we turned to medical help to get "pregnant".  And we spent 2 years doing medical treatments with the ultimate goal of getting "pregnant".  In my mind, that was the goal, "get pregnant".  So in February when we found out we were pregnant, it took quite awhile for it to sink in that we had finally reached our goal, "to get pregnant".  And.............

Well..........we reached our goal!!  but I never thought beyond "getting pregnant." Because why?  Because that was the goal, there wasn't a thought beyond that because that was too big to think about.  So I guess my brain has just been in the mode of well..... I did it, I got pregnant, and that's it.  It hasn't registered that there are actual babies in that pregnant belly and that the pregnancy goal is just the precursor to the ultimate goal.  The goal that I never let myself imagine for the entire 3 years until about 4 days ago......actual babies.  Pregnancy wasn't the goal, that was just the next step to get to the goal......having children! Aaahaaa! Light bulb moment!  So let's just say I'm having to re-wire my brain to stop thinking that pregnancy was ultimate goal, and that pregnancy was just the 9 month build up to the goal.......babies!!  I'm not there yet, but I'm hoping when they get here next week (Ahhhhhhh, so soon!) my brain will wrap around the concept that THEY were the ultimate goal and not this big ol' belly.

More on this big ol' belly......I'm gonna miss it!  I think I said before I wouldn't miss it, but I take it back, I take it all back.  For all the complaining I have done and all the side effects and pains it has caused on my body......I'm still gonna miss it.  It has started to feel somewhat normal, and I'm wondering what it will feel like to not have it there anymore?  I am also trying to enjoy every moment these last few days of the girls moving and kicking and sloshing around in there. (painful rib kicking and all). Ok, now I'm crying!  Hold on a sec.....  And as I sit here typing, they are moving like crazy and I am just tying to take it all in.

And I guess another reason it is hard for me to wrap my brain around this whole thing is because well.........it is a life changing experience.  And being like most other humans on the planet, I'm not great at "change", and it's scary and unknown.  I love my life now, and I KNOW I will love it even more once the girls are here, but the fear of the unknown new world I'm about to embark on is well......scary.  I'm a type A personality and I want to be in control and know exactly what is going to happen and know how to be prepared and well......I can't, and that's scary to me.  

Well now that I've laid it all out there, I'm hoping I don't sound crazy or heartless or I don't know, weird.  

And I guess I'll just sum up for you the week to this point.  Let's see.....I haven't cried quite as much since last weekend, I've done more relaxing, my swelling is back in my hands and feet, my belly is tender to the touch because my skin is stretched so thin, I've read 3 baby books that made me feel much more competent about my knowledge and common sense abilities, and I can't get enough milk to drink!

And today is Thursday evening already which means we had our last and final doctor appointment today!!!  Again, we did the usual ultrasound with biophysicals on both girls, and again everything looked great!!  We met with the doctor and he reviewed a couple things regarding next Wednesday. He said I will need to arrive around 12:30pm to check in and start the process and just assume that he will be late and the csection most likely will not start on time.  Gotta love his honesty!  Then he said plan on up to 1.5hrs in the operating room, sometimes less, sometimes more then on to recovery for several hours.  Which means I won't be back to a regular room with the girls till early evening.  Our hospital is a "room in" hospital and they like the babies to stay in your room with you as much as possible and they have one nurse that takes care of both you and the babies, which is nice because you aren't dealing with a bunch of different people.  The doctor also said at the gestational age of 36.5 weeks the percentage of multiples or any baby at that point with lung issues is very low, somewhere around 6%, and he doesn't anticipate them needing to go to the NICU, but he said don't count it out on account of some of the on-call surgical pediatricians will automatically make them go there for a through checkout because technically they will be 4 days short of full term for twins.  

The last ultrasound picture we will get!  A profile of Baby A!

He also showed me where the incision will be which is much lower than I thought, which is a good thing.  My belly measurement this week was 47cm!!! Holy moly!! Crazy!  And I gained those 2 lbs I lost last week so I'm back up to 29 total lbs gained.  Not bad for a twin pregnancy.  Anyway, I also expressed my anxiety about everything to him and he said it was normal.  (still doesn't make me less anxious!) 

Our last doctor visit!  Yay!!

And now it is 11pm on Thursday evening which means I have 5 days, 13.5 hours until we check in at the hospital!  And shortly there after our "ultimate goals", our 2 teeny tiny baby girls will arrive in the world!  Wrap your brain around it Jenny!

I will update like I normally do on Sunday again with my 36 week belly photo and a last belly photo before we leave for the hospital on Wednesday. Then I'll try to send out a blog after the girls arrive on Wednesday evening or Thursday.  I cant' wait to share the news of their arrival and their names with the world!!  


Wow, the time is here!!  Can't believe it!  In just a few short days and hours I will be a MOM!  Yes, I will be a MOM!  Sorry, had to say it twice to get it to start to sink in!  

That is all for now!
Love to all-

Jenny & Justin +5

35 weeks pregnant.....

And I am officially 100% physically ready for the girls to be here and to not be pregnant anymore.  Mentally and emotionally I'm about 90% there or else I am just losing my mind due to hormones!  I have been a hot mess all weekend just emotional and crying cause I am very uncomfortable, sleep deprived, and just plain crazy!  Baby B is up really high in my belly and she is constantly making it hard to breathe and every time she moves it feels like my ribs are breaking.  I'm trying to be positive, but at this point it is extremely hard!!  I have not been able to go to sleep till like 2am several nights in a row, even with unisom, so thank goodness for my Ipad and Pinterest!

I spent Monday and Tuesday this week mostly relaxing and doing a couple tasks around the house.  I was pretty tired both days and my energy level was quite low.

Wednesday was Justin and my 3rd Anniversary!  Wow, can't believe it has been 3 years already!  For some reason I had quite a lot of energy today and felt good so I took advantage of that and I ran several errands during the day while he was at work.  We decided that we would just do a mellow dinner tonight of pizza and salad and celebrate more on Thursday evening.  Justin did surprise me though with a beautiful diamond locket necklace for my anniversary gift!  It is beautiful and perfect to put a picture of the girls or all 7 of us in it.  I just have to figure out how to get a picture that small. I love it and it was a perfect anniversary gift with the girls coming soon.

Our 3rd Anniversary spent at home

The beautiful vintage-style locket Justin got me for our anniversary!  Love it!

And my beautiful flowers for our anniversary!  What a sweet husband I have!

Thursday was again our weekly doctor appointment and ultrasound. We just had to do the routine ultrasound and biophysical which should be quick and easy by now, but every week there is less and less room in my belly, so determining whose body parts are whose is getting tough and for some reason the girls like to play shy whenever I get into the ultrasound room.  They could be crazy in my belly and the second I get in there they go to sleep.  Anyway, we finally got it completed and everything looks great, but babies both continue to be in breech and transverse positions, so that means the csection is still on.  Oh, and funny thing Baby A is folded completely in half and her one foot is over her head and she is holding onto her leg.  Definitely have a gymnast on our hands!

Profile pic of Baby A and her lips is all we could get this week

We saw Missy this week and discussed several things.
1. The protein in my urine sample is gone, so the possibility of maybe having preeclampsia is not an issue anymore.
2. My swelling had gone down quite a bit in my ankles, feet and hands since my last appointment.  Missy said it is normal and it might return or it might not. (FYI, it has returned as of Sunday)
3.  I lost 2lbs this week, probably due to the swelling subsiding temporarily, but nothing to worry about, so total weight gain is 27lbs and my belly is measuring a whopping 45cm.
4.  I told Missy my anxiety about surgery and needles etc, so she went through step by step from the moment we arrive at the hospital what will happen for a normal routine csection of twins.  She also mentioned things what could happen if the girls need extra help or care.  It did make me feel somewhat better to wrap my brain around what will happen, but I'm still nervous about the whole ordeal.
5.  Then she did a swab culture test for strep B, which if I have it, it can be passed onto the babies during delivery, so I would need to go on an antibiotic.  Not sure when I will get those results.  She also checked my cervix to see if I was dilated at all and she said no I am not at all.  She asked about contractions and I said I still just continue to have the tightening ones several times a day, but nothing painful or with cramps or back pain, which she said is awesome for this point being pregnant with twins.  

Sooooo, I think that is about it for the doctor appointment.  Everything looks really good and we will not do another weight/growth check before they are born because they were a really good size at the last check.  I will have one last appointment and ultrasound next Thursday and as long as everything continues to be normal and uneventful the next time we will see the doctor will be the day the babies are born.

After our appointment Justin and I continued our anniversary celebration and got a couples massage.  I was really looking forward to it, except for the fact that I specifically told the spa I did not want the same girl I had 2 weeks ago.  They told me it was someone else, and what do you know we walk in and who comes to get me for my massage, but the same freaking girl!!!!  Ugh,  I was pissed, but at that point what am I going to do?  There was no one else there to choose from and  I wanted a massage because my body hurts so bad..... so crappy massage or nothing???....so once again I got a massage from this girl who massaged me like I have coodies or something.  Needless to say, we have decided we will not be returning to this spa, which sucks cause we have consistently been going there and had good service up until about the last 6 months.  Maybe it's just my crazy pregnancy hormones being picky, who knows! But this spa has been voted off the island.

Justin and I then continued the celebration at home with a fondue anniversary dinner with cheese and chocolate!  It was yummy and delicious!  The only thing missing was the champagne.  It was different this year celebrating at home because we usually go out to a big dinner or head to the winery where we got married, but the mellowness of this year was a nice change, at least for me because going out to dinner is a big task at this point and I'm just plain tired (and I don't really have any cute clothes left that are long enough). 

Justin celebrated his 22nd (32nd) birthday on Friday!  I love it that he is catching up to me in age!!  We both say now that we are celebrating our 22nd birthday over and over and will always be 22!!  It feels much better than saying we are in our 30's.  We celebrated that evening with some of his family at his Aunt's house.  I felt pretty good all day that day and evening and it was nice to see his family and enjoy the nice cooler weather we have been having here all week. Thank you weather gods for helping my swelling go down temporarily.

Justin's Birthday

So that leads me back to the first part of this blog.  Yesterday and today (Sunday) I have just been VERY uncomfortable and emotional (like uncontrollable crying).  I am so grateful to have made it this far with no health issues and healthy babies as well, but wow, I am glad there is an end in sight!!!!!!  10 more days!!!!!  So for the next 10 days I just want someone (hint hint Justin) to cuddle me, hug me, wait on me hand and foot, carry me everywhere, and feed me when I'm hungry.  Is that asking too much?  I would also like that masseuse lady from Denver that gave me the best massage of my life to come into town and massage me everyday for the next 10 days. Is that possible? Someone please say yes!!  

The best part about feeling emotionally and physically overwhelmed and out of control at this point is that I am now feeling more excited and ready to meet the girls!  For a long time I think I have been mentioning I couldn't wrap my brain around them being here, but now I can't wrap my brain around being pregnant anymore than 10 more days, so the thought that them being here means I won't be pregnant anymore excites me!  It's funny how that mind transition just kind of happened the last couple days, cause I didn't think it would.  


I realized I forgot to post a picture of my final nursery room craft project, which was a hat tree to hold all the little hats and beanies I have for the girls.  I love it!  Thanks mom for all your help making it!

My original design!  Love it!  It only holds 12 hats, but I have like 30 for the girls to wear.

It is now time to try and get up out of this chair, and make my way upstairs and try to get comfortable and get some sleep!  10 days people, 10 days!!!

Oh, and here come the belly photos:

Wow, that is what I look like after crying for hours today.  Sorry if I scared anyone!

The front view which gives you a better perspective!  Again, WOW!

Lots of love-

Jenny & Justin +5

34 weeks pregnant

Wahoo!!  I have survived another week!  I definitely feel like I have slowed down a little more mentally and physically.  Wednesday I was having a hard time breathing most of the day and I was feeling pretty sore and looking pretty swollen by the days end.  

Justin and I went to our weekly doctor appointment and ultrasound again on Thursday and we were both excited because we were finally going to get a growth/weight estimate again on the babies.  We made a wager before the appointment about how much we each thought each baby weighs.  

Shana did our 21st ultrasound (yes, can you believe we have had that many!) this week and told us we would not be measuring my cervix length any more because at this point it is ok if it starts to get shorter.  So, we started with the Biophysical testing again and this time both babies cooperated and we were able to complete all 4 tests within a couple minutes and both passed again with flying colors! I have to say, watching them breathe is so freaking cool!!  I could watch that and their little hearts beating for hours.  She then did all the measurements to get an estimate of their weights.  This includes measuring their head size, abdomen size, and femur size and these measurements some how calculate and give them an estimate of each baby's weight.  At this point Shana said the calculation has a +/- 1/2lb margin of error.  So what did she say they are weighing?? I couldn't believe it!! Baby A is approx 4lbs 11oz and Baby B is 5lbs 5oz!!!!!! Wow, they are WAY bigger than we both thought, which is awesome!  So that means I have about 10lbs of babies in my belly.  Holy smokes!  

Our first and only 4D picture!  That stuff in front of her face is fluid and umbilical cord. Not sure if this is A or B.

Profile of Baby A; she was practicing breathing

Another shot of A

Profile shot of B with her hand above her head on the right

 We then headed to see the doctor and he confirmed that we are scheduled, for a c-section for October 3rd at 2pm.  He said the babies are still in the same positions, so no change there.  I asked him about when the perform the c-section will he know who is A and who is B when they pull them out?  I wanted to know because we have named the babies based on how we know them in my belly, so we want to make sure each baby gets the right name.  He said no problem, he will know who is who and there won't be any confusion.  The doctor mentioned I had a little hint of protein in my urine sample which can be a sign of preeclampsia.  I'm not exactly sure what that is, but it can be dangerous he said, but since I am not showing any of the other signs of having it he said we will just wait to see what next weeks sample looks like.  He said to make sure I take it easy, keep my blood pressure low, and if I start to have headaches to notify him right away.  He said 32 weeks and 34 weeks are major milestones in twin pregnancies, so the fact that I haven't had any issues and I have officially made it to 34 weeks today is huge!! Yay for me!!  He did make mention several times during our talk that the babies could come at any time now, so we should make sure our bags are packed and we are ready at any time now.  

I asked about the difference in weight between the babies and he said it is a normal range because of the +/- 1/2lb margin of error.  He said they are an awesome weight and he thinks they will be anywhere from 5-6.5lbs when born, which is awesome!  And if we make it to the October 3rd scheduled date they most likely won't need to go to the NICU, which would be AWESOME!  Also, I gained 1 lb this week for a total of 29lbs and my belly is a whopping.......44cm!!!! Yep, I gained 3cm of belly this week! Wow, I never imagined it would stick out 44cm.

I headed out to dinner Thursday night with 3 of my girlfriends to my favorite restaurant.  It was nice to put on a cute outfit, be social and just hang out and chat for a couple hours.  They also gave me lots of good advice and info and I learned that I might want to ask about pushing my c-section time up to a morning appointment if possible for a couple of reasons, one major one being that you have to fast before the c-section and they said it is easier to do over night rather than starve till 2pm in the afternoon.  I will ask about it at our next 
appointment on Thursday.  

I look like I am smuggling a watermelon!!

Friday, Saturday and today I have been pretty mellow, taken some naps, ran a couple small errands, read some of my baby books, but for the most part just been more low key.  It feels nice because I am not sleeping very well at night anymore no matter what I do or what medicine I take, so the best sleep I get is in the morning from about 6am-930am and then my afternoon naps.  I also decided to write a letter to the babies, that I will seal in an envelope and put in each of their memory books for them to read sometime in the future.  It just includes my feelings being pregnant, my hopes and dreams for them, advice, and some of my favorite quotes about matters of life.    

Oh and I forgot to mention my funny story!  Justin and I went to Kohls a couple days ago and he dropped me off by the front door and I stood outside waiting for him while he parked the car.  While I was waiting this older women walks towards me from the parking lot, walks right up to me and says, "I just want to take you straight to the hospital". Ummmm, I didn't know what to say.  I just smiled, looked at her and kinda went , ha.....ha ha.  I mean what do you say to that?  And who says that to a perfect stranger?  Justin walked up and asked why I had a weird look on my face and I told him what the lady had said to me, and he asked if I said back to her, "well, I just want to drive you straight to the old folks home.". Oh, we had a good laugh about it, and I wished I would have thought of that when she said it!  People are funny!

Here is the beginning of my 34th week belly photo:

Here is my usual belly shot, but I didn't think the side view was actually doing it justice of how big it really is, soooo

we tried taking one from the other side, but still it just wasn't cutting it, sooooo

here is the front view!!!!!  This gives you an idea of how big it really is!

That's all for now!  I'm gonna try and hold these babies in for at least another week, but we'll see what happens!

Love to all-

Jenny & Justin +5

4 weeks to go!

4 weeks to go! (As of our last doctor appt on Sept 6th)

Yes people that's what I said!! Let me say it a little louder, WE HAVE 4 WEEKS UNTIL THE BABIES ARRIVE!  I am 33 weeks pregnant this week and feeling every bit of it.  

My swelling has increased in my feet and my face (so please no more pictures).  My right foot seems to now be in competition with my left foot for which can be more swollen.  They don't hurt or anything, they just look like big foot feet.  The pain in my pelvis also has increased and getting up or rolling over or walking or moving is quite painful.  And, like always there are many other pregnancy sides effects like the carpal tunnel in my hands, and peeing all the time, and being out of breath and exhausted.  But like I have always said, overall it isn't much to complain about and I am just so happy that I am healthy and the babies are growing strong and healthy.  I'll take what feels like a broken pelvis as long as they are ok.  I do have my weak moments where I just start crying, sometimes because everything hurts and sometimes I have no idea why I am crying.  I do feel like the more I keep busy and move actually the better I feel and the more I just lay down for long periods the stiffer my muscles, bones and joints get and the more they hurt.  I don't want to sound negative and I hope I am not coming off that way, but I just want to be honest about the physical things I am feeling along the way and express my true emotions.  Most people have told me I look great and don't look at all like I am carrying twins.  Not sure if they are just lying to be nice, but either way I'll take the compliments.

On Wednesday morning last week, Justin and I headed to what was our 5th pediatrician.  Having not been 100% on numbers 1-4, we decided to give it one last shot. (thank you Maggie for the recommendation) And......we loved #5 who is a younger female pediatrician, in a group practice, who doesn't use nurse practitioners, who is affiliated with our hospital where we are delivering, so she will come to the hospital, and whose office is 5 minutes from our house!  We both loved her and she met all of our criteria, so Yay!!!  Cross it off the list, deep breath.

Wednesday I also went and got a massage which was nice, but I think the masseuse was afraid to touch me cause I look so pregnant, so it wasn't that great of a massage, which is not something I thought I would ever say about a massage.  Who doesn't like a massage? Ha, well apparently this girl!

Wednesday was a packed day and Justin and I went that evening and made a ton of meals that we can freeze and then cook once the babies arrive.  The place is awesome and if you haven't ever been the place is called Time for Dinner.  Their recipes are amazing, super easy to prep, and then you just pop them in the oven.  We made 28 dinners and 16 breakfasts for $200.  Super good deal and no stress when we want a good dinner.

On Thursday we had our weekly dr appointment and ultrasound.  Ultrasound was first like always and Shana was back, which was a relief!  She told us on top of doing the regular stuff, we would also be doing something called a Bio-something?? Ha, I can't remember what it was called, so I'll update with the actual name next blog.  Ha, anyway the bio-thing has 4 components.  Within a 30 minute time period she has to visually see each baby practice breathing, kick or have a large body movement, have ample amniotic fluid and a good heartbeat.  I don't think they usually do this with single healthy baby pregnancies, but apparently with multiples this is quite a common test.  Well, both babies passed with flying colors, so again, big deep breath.  And all of the other regular measurements and tests look totally normal and good as well.  Oh, Justin just told me the test is called a Biophysical.

We saw Missy this week instead of the doctor, which again is always great with us.  She asked how I was feeling and I am always brutally honest and tell her all about my aches and pains and she always says that they are all normal and nothing to worry about.  She brought up the whole delivery issue and we told her about the conversation we had with the doctor last week.  She said that was great that we had opened our mind to all options for delivery, but after today's ultrasound and how far along I am it looks like the babies are going to be making the decision because Baby A is still breech, and Baby B is transverse, which means neither are in position to deliver vaginally and have been in those positions for many weeks now.

I think this is a profile picture of Baby B, but it is hard to tell because she is so squished in there.

  And with them only getting bigger by the minute, there really isn't much chance that they will both turn around, just because of the space constraint, aka my belly doesn't have any more room.  So, with only a little over 4 weeks to go at the time of the appointment, she decided it would be best to tentatively schedule a date for c-section delivery.  She said we can always cancel it, change it or whatever, but getting it on the books with the hospital is good.  She checked with the doctor before we left and told us that he likes to deliver twins between 36-37 weeks and told us our tentative date is October 3rd.  It could happen before that if I go into labor anytime after Sept 23rd, but if I went into labor before Sept 23rd they would most likely stop it because it is a little too early.  We will confirm the October 3rd date at our next appointment, but I'm thinking that is going to be the day.  Wow, as I type this that means we have 22 days until the girls arrive, WOW!!!

Oh and I gained another 2lbs this week for a total gain of 28lbs, and my belly is measuring.....wait for it......41cm!!!  Yes, I am over term at 32.5 weeks ha ha ha!

Thought you would like to see my belly body guard.  If Justin tries to put his hand on my belly she goes after it! Hilarious!

My mom and stepdad Bruce came in town Friday for a long weekend to help us get all the last minute things done for the babies and around the house.  We spent Friday afternoon installing video camera monitors and fixing our TV's, (well Bruce installed and fixed them while I supervised from my glider), and mom and Justin put together the bouncer and the swing.  Saturday, my furry baby Annie got to get her staples out, FINALLY!!  Yay!  She was so happy, except for the fact that she had to wear the cone 1 more day to let things heal 24 hours more after the staple removal.  Then Saturday afternoon my mom, Justin and myself headed to Target for a stock up trip, so that we will have an ample supply of toiletries, dry food items, household products, you get the idea.  Well, I'm pretty sure we looked like those crazy people on that extreme couponing show because we had 2 carts FULL of stuff!  Oh, I forgot to mention I decided to utilize one of those scooter carts at Target which was hilarious, because when we were almost done, my scooter cart died (not sure if it was because my basket was so loaded down or what), so Justin ended up having to push his cart which was overflowing against the back of my scooter to make it to the checkout.  The girl who checked us out asked us why we were buying so much stuff and I just pointed to my large belly.  Oh, also I forgot to mention I had planned this trip for many weeks and had a coupon for 95% of the items we were buying, so the coupon scanning took about as long as scanning all of the items did.  The checkout girl asked me if I was an extreme couponer and one man even walked up behind us in line and asked if this was some sort of TV show.  I just kept laughing though the whole thing.  But in the end, my coupons saved us $70, so I was happy and we now have a stockpile to last us a couple months.

I could not stop laughing!  Justin got his workout for the day.

 Sunday we went to brunch with my mom and Bruce and then hung out and finished up some more house/baby projects and my last craft project.  Whew!  I think I can honestly say, we are done and ready for these babies to arrive.  Well..... at least the house is ready and we have supplies coming out our ears.  Thank you mom and Bruce for all your help!  We couldn't have done it without you!

 Monday and today I got to have lunch with some of my girlfriends which was really nice and just chatting and hanging out with them is relaxing!  Today, I also got to go have my hair done with my amazing hairstylist, Trish!  So I now have a new cut and beachy colored locks and am ready to look good when I head to the hospital.  It makes me feel a little better when I look at myself in the mirror and try to focus on my hair rather than how swollen I think my face looks.  He he!!  Thanks Trish!  I always love going to get my hair done with her because it is so relaxing and we just chat it up the whole time.  It really makes me feel good!

So I think that catches me up for the week.  We have a busy week or two coming up with another doctor appt, our anniversary, and Justin's birthday.  Never a dull moment around here!  

Here are my belly pictures for the week:

Mom and my belly.  It looks as big as she is, Ha ha!

Yea, I didn't know what a Durian fruit was either, so Google it.

Love to everyone!

Jenny & Justin +5

I am 8 months pregnant with twins......

and everything seems to be getting bigger by the minute including my belly, feet, hands, and lips.  I'm not sure if it is all this humidity and rain we have had the last several days, but WOW, I am feeling very puffy!!  

Thursday last week I stayed home all day and took care of Annie.  I wasn't making her wear the dreaded cone on her head because I felt guilty about the look she would give me when she had it on, but I would shortly learn my lesson.  By thursday evening my belly felt like it had grown again!  It is so strange to say, but it's almost like I can tell when it stretches further.  

I woke up Friday morning and noticed Annie's incision/staple site on her side was not looking great and it was oozing (sorry to be gross), some sort of pinkish cloudy liquid.  I kept having to tell her to leave it alone, so I decided to call the vet to get her opinion.  Well, I called and talked to the tech Anita, and she said yes, bring her in and she would take a look at it because the vet had actually gone into labor and had given birth earlier that morning.  (Yes, I swear every doctor we go to right now is pregnant!)

We headed to my weekly doctor appointment first and then decided we would take Annie after.  The ultrasound this week was with the weird lady again, who says very snide remarks and you can't tell if she is joking or serious.  At one point Justin and I were asking a couple questions about what things were because it is soooo hard to tell what is what now because everything is so smushed in there.  And the weirdo ultrasound lady said something like, "You guys are funny."  But not in that like we are ha ha funny, like as in we are stupid funny.  I don't know, I just don't like her and she rubs both of us the wrong way.  But she said everything looks great with me and the babies, so that is all that is important.  Cervix, heartbeats, amniotic fluid levels, organs all look normal and good.  Oh, and we weren't able to get any pictures because both babies were facing my back this week, sad face!

We then went to the other room to wait for the doctor.  I'd almost forgot what he looks like because we haven't seen him in several weeks.  He came in and we immediately began discussing my progress.  He said he is very happy with how everything is progressing and that everything looks super normal and there isn't anything to worry about at this point.  He always asks me if I think I am in labor, and I always say NO, because, How the heck do I know what labor feels like??  I guess I have gotten the answer right up to this point because he always agrees with me after I answer and says, NO I don't think you are in labor either, whew, ok passed the test!  I told him I was noticing the tightening about 5-6 times throughout a 24 hour period and he said that was ok and normal.  He asked if I wanted to schedule my c-section and that is when I told him I was kinda on the fence again about what I wanted to do.  There are positives and negatives to both ways, but forcing myself to have major surgery if it isn't necessary doesn't seem like something I should just jump into.  I am going to have 2 babies to take care of after, so being in the best shape possible for them is ideal.  If I'm not having to recover from major surgery, to me that seems all the better.  So we agreed we will not schedule anything now.  He said there are several scenarios of how this could play out:

1.  I could go into labor on my own and they would do an ultrasound.  If the baby further down in my pelvis is head down, then he and I will decide if I want to try delivering them vaginally or c-section. 

2.  I could go into labor on my own and they would do an ultrasound, and if baby further down in my pelvis is breech, I have NO choice to make and it is an automatic c-section.

3.  He will schedule an induction somewhere between 36-37.5 weeks along (if I haven't gone into labor), do the ultrasound and then either one of the 2 scenarios above would apply.

4.  I can schedule a c-section between 36-37.5 weeks.

5. WORST case scenario:  I am either induced or I go into labor on my own and first baby is head down, and I choose to try and have them vaginally and then for some reason can't and end up having to have a c-section.  Which means I go through labor AND have major surgery.  THIS scenario is the biggest reason I would lean towards just scheduling a c-section, because I have been told by MANY friends that going through both labor AND a c-section is the worst and the recovery is awful!

Soooooo, I am going to I guess go with a 1-3 combo and play it by ear for now and just hope for the easiest, least painful, safest thing for me and the babies is what is going to happen.  

I also asked the doctor a couple other questions.
What about skin-to-skin contact right after the babies are born.  He said with twins this isn't possible because they are born in an operating room, no matter what, and will be whisked away to be monitored, so we can do skin-to-skin, but it won't be till I am in recovery which can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour after they are born.

I asked about having my AWESOME hospital music playlist being played in the operating/delivery room when the girls are born.  He said Justin is welcome to bring his iPhone in and play the music, but honestly he said it will be the last thing on my mind at that point.  He kinda laughed when I asked him about it.

Then the doctor felt my belly and measured it.  He said it felt normal and not too tight which is good for this point and it is measuring................39cm!!!!  Wow, pretty much full term!  Crazy!  Also he said I gained 6 lbs this week.  Ummmmm, not sure how I  didn't gain any weight last week and 6 lbs this week, but whatever, I am up to 26 lbs gained total, which he said is fine.  

Oh, so the last thing I forgot to mention above is that the doctor is thinking the babies will be born somewhere between 36-37.5 weeks which gives us a little clearer timeline of September 30-October 10.  He said probably not further than October 8th, but the furthest he would stretch would be the 10th. Wow, so that means the babies could be here in less than 4 weeks, or sooner if I go into labor on my own!!!!!!  Insane!  I CANNOT believe how fast time has gone by!  

Ok, I have to calm my brain for a minute because less than 4 weeks is really soon, deep breath....sigh.

After the doctor appointment I headed back to the vet with my furry baby Annie.  Anita the tech checked her incision site and said it did not look good, so she flushed it and cleaned it up and gave us a 10 day antibiotic to make sure that she didn't get an infection.  Also, she said Annie has to wear the cone ALL THE TIME, until she gets the staples out.  Sad face, for me and Annie.  So from Friday until now and continuing till Saturday the 8th, Annie will be a cone head, and we will carry her up and down the stairs every time she has to go outside, hand feed her and give her water, and lift her up and take her with us around the house wherever we go.  I tell you what, she is definitely helping us practice our nurturing skills.

My sad faced Annie with her cone!  

Here she is trying to sleep in her normal spot under the covers! All you can see is the outline of the cone, funny!

Friday night, Justin and I had what will probably be one of the last nights out with a huge group of my friends for a dinner party.  It was so awesome to see everyone and just be social.  I feel like I haven't seen my friends much all summer, and I know when the babies come my social life will be non-existent for awhile, so I am treasuring every moment I get to spend with them.

Most of the rest of the weekend we spent relaxing and Justin tried to keep me from doing things around the house, which is not an easy task.  If I have any sort of energy I feel like I should take advantage of it and get something ready for the babies or do laundry or make a list or something!!!  We went to a family gathering on Sunday to celebrate the holiday and his mom's birthday.  It was nice to see everyone there because this will probably be the last time we see the extended family on that side as well before the babies come.  

A couple people mentioned to me on Friday and Sunday that my belly looked like it had dropped.  I'm not sure if it is because that is what naturally happens at this point, or because it is so heavy it is just falling down, HA HA!  But I did look at it yesterday (Monday) and realized that it is sloping downward more because it is harder for me to see my belly button now.  Hmmmm, my ever changing belly!!

Here is my view from above looking down

Oh, also my feet are so freaking swollen I had to go buy flip flops in a size 10!!!  I wear a 7.5 or 8 normally, but I had to go up enough sizes so that the flip flop strap was loose enough.  So, since my feet haven't grown much in length, I now look like I am wearing boats because they are so long on me, but they are  the only thing I can get on my feet.  Crazy!

In the last several days I have noticed the tightening in my belly has increased in frequency to about 10+ times a day, but still nothing close together or painful.  I am also getting more uncomfortable and it is getting harder for me to get up off the couch in the evenings and it is very painful on my pelvis getting up several times during the night to go to the bathroom.  I am thinking I am going to be SUPER ready by week 36!  At least physically I will be ready, not sure if I will ever feel mentally ready!

Today (Tuesday), I had my last chiropractic appointment with my chiropractor because she is going on maternity leave and supposed to have her baby next week.  I will continue to go get adjusted by the doctor she has filling in for her for at least the next couple weeks, because I think it is really helping me not have back pain.  Justin and I also took Adel (Delly as we like to call her) to the fun doggie swimming event that our local pool has on the last day of the season.  It was so fun!  Here is a video we took below:  (not sure if I did this right or not, so you might not be able to view it)

Well I think, that about wraps it up.  Here is my 8 month belly photo!

Love to all!

Jenny & Justin +5