36 Weeks With My Boys!!!

 

Some of our maternity shoot.

36 Weeks!

 

 

August 1st, 2013

Symptoms: Well, we only have one more week. I can hardly believe that all these weeks have come and gone. We are scheduled for August 9th for c-section unless Baby B moves his bum! Right not Baby A is head down, but his brother has his legs in the way. They will check them right up to the last minute. I would love to have a regular delivery that comes on its own, but whatever will be will be. We are just praying for healthy babies and delivery.

I have truly enjoyed every moment that I possibly could. We have take well over 500 photos. Sound ridiculous, but we just couldn't help it. I didn't want to look back and wish I had a photo of me pregnant doing this or that, etc. As uncomfortable as I am, I know that I will miss feeling these babies in my belly. It has never gotten old and truly is a miracle. I always asked my friends if it feels like an alien, it was something I just couldn't grasp. Well, it feels like pure Heaven. I do look forward to meeting them, but do not want to rush these next few precious days. My sister comes to town on Monday and my dad will be back in the country on Monday. I am so glad that the boys have waited on their Papa.

I have definitely noticed a significant decrease in my comfort level. I always have a head and feet in my ribcage which significantly effects my mobility. I can barely touch my feet and I am someone who puts lotion on my feet like a thousands times a day. When I get out of the shower I feel like I have just worked out and find myself resting on the counter. LOL  For the past week I have taken a nap for 30-40 minutes every day. Out of nowhere, I would just pass out. Crazy! This may not sound weird to most of you, but those who know me know that I am not a napper. I haven't napped since I was 18 months old. Who naps in the daytime?!?! That is what I used to think. My sister on the other hand is a professional napper!  My sister could sleep anywhere growing up and this would always leave me bored, especially in the car. My back hurts, but it is also so stiff. Exercise helps with this tremendously. It really allows for a deep stretch to loosen the muscles. I honestly do not know how I would have handle twin pregnancy if I had not stayed working out.

My Braxton Hicks contractions that I have been having for well over two months have become much more uncomfortable. They make it hard to talk, walk, breath, or think. I can feel the outline of my uterus when it contracts and it is funny how it is uneven. Baby B's side is very up and down and what a normal pregnant belly might feel like. Baby A's side is turned more sideways. Hard to explain.

I never knew my feet could hurt so bad and it actually feel as if they have lifted weights nonstop. I guess they do lift my weight all day. When I get up in the middle of the night to go the bathroom..shocking...I walk like I am 90yrs old. My feet are so stiff I almost scoot across the floor. they need a warm up before they start working for the day. I also know that I am retaining some fluid because I can feel it in my hands, feet, and face. I have this fear of my ring getting stuck. Freaky!

Oddly enough, the past few days I have had less indigestion. I cannot figure it out unless the babies have dropped down. They still feel like they are pretty high up in my business, but my mom said it looked like they dropped. Maybe my BFF Aciphex has kicked into high gear. I had to switch to this a couple weeks ago because Pepcid wasn't cutting it.

I hate complaining about the pains of pregnancy, so I always feel guilty when I start listing the pains. However, I do want to document these "joys" because I want to be able to look back if I get to be pregnant again with one. I want to remember everything we go through while bringing life into this world. I do not wish these pains away because the alternative would be to not be pregnant. I think the pains make the joys that much sweeter. I feel so blessed to have experienced the pains because these are conversations that I thought I may never have, experiences I thought I would never live. I feel so very fortunate to be able to be apart of the pregnancy conversation. For so long I sat by in such pain while others talked about the pains and joys of pregnancy. I am also so grateful for that pain because I am very aware of what others around me might be feeling while struggling with infertility. What a blessing to bring life into this world.

We were without power last week from Tuesday night until Friday evening. When I heard my two fans shut off Tuesday night I thought I better fall asleep as soon as possible. So, I put my ear plugs and tried to get to sleep as fast as possible because I knew that every minute it was going to get hotter!. It was eerily quiet. I had not heard wind like that in years. Rocky slept straight through it. Positives are that it wasn't last Summer and/or the twins had not already been born. It could have been much worse and thankfully I had my Aunt's house to go to.
 

Exercise: CrossFit, but haven't been able to go as much as I would like. Maybe 1-2 times per week.

Belly Circ: 39.5 inches. Whoa!

 

Weight Gain: 38lbs

Cravings: Pregnancy eating has been fun other than the indigestion. I have enjoyed me a McDonald's breakfast weekly for the past few weeks, but last week I got over that. Too much indigestion. I had to say goodbye to my sausage biscuit, regular biscuit, hash brown, and small OJ - $4.86 please! Now the thought makes me want to vomit. Still love a cheeseburger and fries. I have also been really loving some Van's Gluten Free Waffles and have been craving cinnamon lately. Oh, and Zoe's spinach rolls with chicken! YUM!!!
 

Ultrasound:  Growth Scan:

Baby A- HR 151 and Weight 5lbs 8oz

Baby B- HR 148 and Weight 5lbs 2oz

 

Baby A is still head down, but Baby B has blocked the exit with his bottom and legs so he is still the presenting twin. If he doesn't move we will still have to have a c-section.

 

I have feet kicking my ribs (Baby A) and feet kicking my cervix (Baby B)! I feel double special!

 

 

  

My mom and I right after hearing that I had power again at 35 weeks!

 



   

36 Weeks!

 



   Our last Saturday night before the boys are here! We had a wonderful date night, sitting on the same side of the booth per Rocky's request, at Red Rock Canyon Grill. You're going to want to go and get this dessert- Something Chocolate! 

    

 

 

Rocky ready to help with my twin nursing pillow! Ha!



34 Weeks With My Boys!!!

The only way we can get photos together sometimes.

34 Weeks!!!

July 18th, 2013

Symptoms: This was my last week of work and thank goodness. I am on my feet running from room to room seeing multiple patients. For example, on Tuesdays I would see anywhere from 25-40 patients. It isn't not only the physical part, but the mental! My brain is slower and I have to use 3 x the energy to answer the same question. It is crazy. It started taking me like 3 days to recover from one day of working. I do wear a maternity support belt that I bought for $34 dollars at Pea in a Pod.  Here is the link if anyone is interested in one.

 http://www.apeainthepod.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=198590113&MasterCategory_Id=MC32&Media=FroogleDataFeed_09_2011&mr:trackingCode=F5B3EDF0-FF29-E211-96D6-BC305BEDEAD8&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=22528134146&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=41985029546&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=PLA%20-%20Support%20Belts%20%26%20Shapers&utm_campaign=Product%20Listing%20Ads%20-%20Search&gclid=CPXR8ovg17gCFYdxQgodMAMAuA

I wear it when I stand for long periods or exercise. It is not comfortable to wear while sitting. Most importantly it is easy to take on and off and it is not HOT! I believe it really does help while exercising as well. When I take the belt off, specifically after exercising, I notice how heavy my uterus actually is. It really provides good back support which is great for obvious reasons. I probably would have never bought one unless my mother told me to. After all these years, she has pretty much been right about everything so I thought I better listen. :)

Me pretending to sleep in my super comfy nursery chair while Rocy works in the nursery. Being a supervisor is just one of the many benefits of being really pregnant! Twins just gives you that much more excuse.

 

Exercise: CrossFit! I actually went to a community wide Girls Night Out that our gym was hosting. Even though I am not my best at 6:30 at night I am glad I went, it was a blast. There were a few other pregnant girls there as well!

Belly Circ: 38.5 inches

Weight Gain: 33.5

Ultrasound: Well, against the odds Baby A has decided to flip back vertex. He is now head down. I was totally shocked. They are both looking to my right. Baby B hasn't moved the entire pregnancy. He is stretched out with his head by my ribs and feet down and to the left in his brother's space. No wonder Baby A can't get comfy. Baby A now has his head down with bottom all the way to my right side and legs up, but he is more in a V shape. My doctor was even surprised that they had turn. So a regular delivery is possible again. We shall see. Baby A profile below. Baby B was hiding his beautiful face....again.





 

 

More belly pics. I hope I don't regret these as I continue to blossom. Blossom just sounds better. 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Pregnant belly just cracks me up!

32 Weeks With My Boys!!!

 

32 Weeks!!! 

July 4th, 2013

Symptoms: Rocky and I spent the entire holiday weekend doing things to get ready for our boys! We have really tried to hang out with each other as much as possible. We have started eating breakfast at Savoy's for the past several Saturdays. So gooooood! I always bring a cinnamon roll home to eat later. They are the best ones that I have ever eaten. We have been eating out a lot because I doubt that will be something we get to do a lot in the beginning after the twins make their debut. I still feel pretty good considering. I have a greater need to rest more, but I can't complain! I do have to take pepcid twice daily because the indigestion is quite a monster and gradually worsening. I also started swelling in my ankles off and on. Mainly when sit in same position and stand for long periods. I sat a restaurant the other night for 3 hours and when I left my ankles felt so swollen. Rocky has started rubbing my feet every night and this really helps. A couple months ago I asked Rocky to please rub my shoulders and he said that he can't because he injured his thumb. I about fell over. Injured your thumbs?!?!?! When???? He said skiing. I told him what a convenient time to have a thumb injury. I told him this will be his physical therapy and it starts now. Ha! Fortunately, the have since healed. :-)

The above photo was taken at my work shower. We were so overwhelmed by their generosity. It was a wonderful day.

Exercise: CrossFit

Belly Circ: 38 inches

Weight Gain: 32lbs
 

Ultrasound: BPP which stands for Biophysical Profile. Mainly they just look for a certain amount of movement in a certain amount of time. They also watch to see that both twins are practicing breathing. They do not do this continually because obviously they do not need to breath in oxygen but they do practice breathing periodically throughout the day. On ultrasound you watch for their diaphragm to move up and down similar to what a spasm would look like. Hiccups count as "practice breathing". When they practice breathing they are actually breathing in amniotic fluid. Life in the womb is so amazing which should not be shocking because we have an amazing Creator! All of the things that occur in the womb do not happen by chance, they happen by Divine Design.

Two heads are better than One.



Singleton vs Twin pregnancy at 32 weeks.
    


My best friend Jenn and my grandmother on the 4th.

    

My 1st two boys.

32 weeks!

 

 

30 Weeks With My Boys!!!!

30 Weeks!

June 20th, 2013

Symptoms: Well, I turned 34 today and what a wonderful gift I have been given. My parents came down to celebrate at Wild Fork. Our boys are still healthy and growing. We have a family group text with my cousins and my sister made a statement, "Natalie, you were meant to carry twins".  I thought to myself, yes I was. The Lord knew before history began that I would carry twin boys and I was made to do this. I started crying because I felt very special. This plan was set in motion before I was even born. It really made me stop and think... this is why we need not worry, but trust in God's perfect plan for our lives. Why worry about something that is going to happen when it is going to happen. I am so glad that the Lord taught me this lesson because I know I will need this as a new mother!

My maternity pics are scheduled for tomorrow!

We also had our birthing class and it was really fun even though I didn't really learn anything new. I know Rocky learned a few things. ;-) Maybe a couple he had wished he never learned. Out of the 15 couples present we were they only ones pregnant with twins. There were 12 boys and 4 girls. I was shocked!! Below is us after our class. We take photos of everything, big and small. We just try to cherish every part of this journey that we thought might never happen. It is so much fun!!!

Photos after class in the parking garage at St. John with our goody bags!

  
 

Belly Circ: 37 5/8

Weight Gain: 28 lbs

Ultrasound: Last week at our 29 week ultrasound baby A deicided to go breech. Dang! He has been head down the entire time. I guess he was sick of his brother kicking him. So, if nothing changes we will plan on a c-section. I pray he turns, but it seems unlikely given that space is a hot commodity in there. Either way, we are so grateful to have healthy babies so it does not matter. If I had my choice I would prefer to go into labor on my own and deliver both vaginally. However, that is just a preference and we have zero control over these things. I cannot control it, so I cannot worry about it! We had another growth scan on today. Baby A weighed 3lbs 2oz with heart rate 135. Baby B weighed 2lbs 15oz with heart rate 141. Baby A's head was bigger than his brother, but Baby B had a bigger belly. I cannot wait to see if this stays true when they get here. My nephew had a bigger head and I just love a good size noggin on a baby! LOL I have had cervical checks for a couple weeks now. Cervix is soft, but no dilation.

Wait, I'm not ready...

30 Weeks

    

   






 

28 Weeks With My Boys!!

                         

28 Weeks!

June 6th, 2013

Symptoms: The upper right side of my abdomen, just below my ribcage towards the center has been numb for several weeks now. It is very odd, but it correlates to the part of my back that hurts. The numb area has started to become sore and tender to touch and at night the pain wraps around my side to connect with the back pain that is located directly across from the numb part-right by my right scapula. So strange how it has evolved over the past several weeks. I feel so blessed to still be working and not on bed rest. We are so grateful that so far our twins are still healthy and have decided to stay put....for now.

Exercise: Crossfit, running. I will say that my CrossFit exercises have definitely been watered down and augmented with the various stages of pregnancy, They are so good at 918 CrossFit to make sure that I remain safe while staying fit. People I used to keep up with or stay ahead of have quickly passed me. But my goal is just to remain active. I keep myself at a certain level of exertion.

Belly Circ: 37 1/2 inch

Weight Gain: 26 lbs
 

Aversions: CHICKEN! GROSS!
 

New Craving: Pizza- I like it anytime

Ultrasound: Another growth scan on May 30th. We have a growth scan every 3 weeks along with other appointments weekly. My sister was able to be at this appointment. Both babies weighed 2.1 lbs, which means they are not too big and not too small. Baby A is still head down and Baby B is still head up! I also had my glucose test and I passed. thank goodness!

Photo on left you can B's head with A's foot already kicking his brother in the head.
Photo on right you can see Baby A winning cutest cheek award! Find the eye socket and cheek is right below.

  

 

27 and 28 weeks respectively.


   

   



My cousin Margot and I, she is 17 weeks and I am 28 weeks! We spent the weekend at their Ranch in NW Arkansas celebrating her son's 2nd birthday and her older sister's(my cousin) 30th birthday! My stomach is obviously about to eat hers.
   

I love these photos of Rad touching my belly! He's such an angel! He points and says, "Baby A and Baby B". I am so grateful that God gave me over 2 years with this little boy before having my own.

      

 

26 Weeks With My Boys!!!

26 Weeks!

 

 

My precious nephew Radcliffe taking time to smell the roses!

 

 

May 23rd, 2013

Symptoms: My back pain has increased while sleeping. My stamina has decreased some. However, overall, I am feeling good considering that I am growing two humans! I love saying that! I know that regular exercise has increased my stamina so even though it has decreased it is still good considering. My best friend Jenn let me borrow her pregnancy pillow-it is the big c-shaped one. I didn't realize how huge they were. I have to admit that it sat by my bed for a few weeks, I was almost scared of it. I didn't know how to use it. Sounds stupid, I know. I have now started using it and I am starting to really like it. I would not make it without my Bed Buddies. You heat them in the microwave and they provide moist heat. They are amazing and I use them daily and nightly! They really help to relax my back and neck muscles. I usually just go to sleep with them, but the other night my back was hurting so bad in the middle of the night that I got up to heat it. I think I need a heating pad. I do not need another reason to get out of bed. My bladder has that part covered x 3 times per night.

Snoogle Chic Total Body Pillow

Exercise: Crossfit, running. I have been running less and mostly just crossfit.

Belly Circ: 37 in

Weight Gain: 24 lbs
 

Aversions: Same.
 

Cravings: A few staples have been cheeseburgers. I crave them weekly. And I never get tired of my absolute favorite food...french fries. I have loved them dearly since I can remember. I do try to eat a good amount of protein daily along with my vegetable green smoothies and veggies. Lunch has become my new best friend. I have always been a dinner gal, but that can be fatal these days.

Ultrasound: Cervical length 3.25cm. This is still considered good and no bed rest needed!

Baby A - HR 152
Baby B - HR 138

This entire time Baby A has been vertex, head down, and Baby B has been breech. Baby A has decided to go transverse with his head on the right and his feet toward the middle. We are still hoping to have a regular delivery if possible. The main factor is Baby A, for me to even have a chance at a vaginal delivery he has to be head down. The doctor would prefer that they are both down, but he said he is comfortable trying to flip Baby B is Baby A is vertex. I told my doctor it would be worth it to me to try for a normal delivery even if that meant I ended up in a c-section with Baby B or even both. I know that I may never have another pregnancy and I would love to have at least one normal delivery. Obviously, the health and safety of the babies exceeds this desire by leaps and bounds. 

  

Last week I was able to feel both babies move at the same time. It was so fun and it never gets old! I am just dying to feel them more! It is my most favorite past time these days.

I had my maternity photo consult last week, but the photographer said I wasn't big enough. So we have postponed them for two weeks-May 31st. I am having my photos taken by Brenda Horan. I am hoping they work out then because my sister will still be in town, but at the same time I want to look big enough for maternity pics.


    

    

One of our cribs and the dresser was delivered this week. One was sent with the wrong hardware so we have to wait a little longer.  It is so surreal having cribs for our babies in our house. It's hard to imagine that their will actually be babies in those cribs, let alone our babies. I cannot wait to meet them and hold, but I do not think on this for too long because I do not want to miss any of the joys of being pregnant today. I do not want it to go any faster than it already is. I may be getting more uncomfortable, but I am so grateful to be pregnant so I want to thoroughly enjoy all the joys and pains of pregnancy. I may never get to be pregnant again, so I cherish every day!

Our cribs!

I put 2 pics so you can get the feel. Ha!