Almost There...

I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted.  A lot has happened since then.  On January 13th and 14th I had my baby showers.  They were absolutely amazing.  The decorations were so cute with balloons, a giant stork, yummy cakes, lots of food, and fun games.  I was so overwhelmed by the amount of people that came to support me and all of the presents I received.  I feel SO lucky to have you all in my life.  After the showers, there wasn't much left that Rob and I needed to buy.  I was also shocked at how much room these tiny babies' things are already taking up in our house and know it will only get worse as they get bigger.

I've been continuing to go to the doctor with increasing amounts of appointments.  My last appointment is today and the c-section is tomorrow.  Everything has been going perfectly at these appointments.  The boys haven't had any complication so far and are growing at a great rate.  They are going to be tall and are weighing in around 6.5 lbs each according to the scans.  The other thing I'm told EVERY time at a ultrasound or non-stress test is how active these boys already are in my belly.  They rarely stop moving.  Jake (babyA) loves pushing up in my rib and continuously kicking my left rib.  I swear he knows exactly what he is doing.  Alex (babyB) still moves a lot, but he's been deeper in my stomach so I feel his movement less even though he's still a wiggly baby.  They seem to mimic each others movements too.  When one baby kicks, the other one kicks.  When one rolls around, the other rolls around.  I've actually seen proof of this on the ultrasounds as well... so I'm not just making it up.

I just finished my last day of work.  I've been working half days (afternoons) at school since mid January.  This has saved me!  Before, I was so exhausted by lunchtime I could hardly hold my head up.  When you add in errands and a billion doctor appointments, I couldn't even go home right away after school to rest up.  The half days have allowed me to sleep in (which is hugely helpful after tossing and turning all night) and schedule doctors appointments before or after work.  I have more energy for teaching so I can actually enjoy it.  Today, my last day before the babies arrive, I'm just going to relax at home.  I've heard I won't get to relax again for 18 years, so I better make today count!  I'll update more after the boys are born!  I won't let another two months go by...

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years Eve to everyone!  If I last until midnight tonight, I have my sparkling grape juice for toasting.  Please have a real drink for me.

Last week was Christmas and we were lucky enough to have Sue, Ron, and Dan come up to celebrate with us and my parents.  There was lots of yummy food and even presents for the babies.  Surprisingly, my appetite is not like what you would expect of a pregnant woman starting her third trimester.  I think my belly is so full of babies that I have little room for food.  Over Christmas we discovered that I need to eat in shifts to get a proper meal down, otherwise I get a very uncomfortable belly.  Speaking of bellies, I got to dress up as Santa for Christmas.  Rob was a great sidekick in his elf costume, but Herky left a little to be desired as a reindeer.  He was more interested in eating his antlers than anything else.  Needless to say, the antlers ended up in the garbage can not too much later since they were torn apart.  I'll have to get the pictures as proof!    

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year.  Cheers!

Christmas is almost here!

Less than a week until Christmas!  Have you been naughty or nice...

We have the Christmas tree up and it's been standing (without toppling over) for a full week.  Rob had a blast putting up the 10 foot tree, that he so desperately wanted, by himself.  It was quite funny watching him trying to tie it to the roof of the car, get it through the front door, and try to keep it in an upright position.  I often heard, "It's falling, try to catch it Aimee."  The next sound you would hear is "Crash."  In my head I was trying to catch it, but my body did not agree with that idea.  Nonetheless, it is up and decorated in time for Christmas!  Hip Hip Hooray!

Winter break started today and it is so wonderful to have some time off.  One thing that I've become quite good at is napping.  I practiced today and just might make the Olympic team if I keep up this record.  Overall, I've been feeling good... just very very large.

I had another ultrasound today and the babies are looking good at 26 weeks.  Baby A is 2 lb 4oz and Baby B is 2lb 3 oz, which are both great weights so far.  I DID get the 3D pictures today, which was sooo exciting.  They look a bit squished in a lot of the pictures... imagine that... but the one I posted is the one I think is the best.  I hope you all have a Merry Merry Christmas and find some time to rest up.  I recommend napping... try it some time if you are up to the challenge.  

 

Fresh Paint!

Over Thanksgiving, Rob and I got a lot done around the house.  We painted the nursery and put a new countertop in one of the bathrooms.  By the way, I use the word "we" loosely since I was more of the moral support who cooked food when Rob got hungry.  I still got tired watching him work.  Does that count?  So here's some nursery pictures.  It's far from completed, but a fresh coat of paint has gotten us started.  

Just about finished

Rob painting

Quote from 4th graders in line for lunch:

Student 1:  Whoa, did you see Mrs. Redding?

Student 2: Yeah, she's right there.

Student 1:  Look how fat her belly got. 

I almost turned around and commented, but then decided to let it go...

Another Successful Ultrasound!

I just had another Level 2 ultrasound and they want me to come back in two weeks and then every month after that.  I'm excited to be getting so many chances to see the babies.  Everything went well and there were no red flags for Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome or anything else!  Yay!  The babies are very close in weight at 1lb 3oz, and 1lb 4oz, which is also good news.  I asked the ultrasound technician about the machine since there was a button that said 3D and 4D.  She was so sweet and said that yes, this machine can do all of the fancy ultrasounds.  She offered to do some 3D/4D ones while we were waiting for the doctor.  I was SO excited, but trying to sound like I was able to keep cool and composed.  Then as she was finding the babies again so she could switch over to the other type of ultrasound, both boys decided to turn face down.  I was so bummed.  I hope I get the same technician next time.  I would love to see their cute little faces.

In general, they are kicking a lot.  Their kicks are getting stronger and stronger.  You can feel the strong ones from the outside pretty well.  Rob was laughing at me at the store the other day, because I kept getting kicked in the bladder and had to go to the bathroom.  I'm glad I can provide him with entertainment :-)

We bought some paint and are getting ready to paint the nursery.  This is starting to seem more real... as if my growing belly wasn't enough to make it seem like the real deal.  Haha.

Quote from a 3rd grader:
Student: Mrs. Redding I want to buy the babies a present.  I'm going to buy them bows, leggings, and a tutu.
Me: That's an awfully nice idea, but they are boys.
Student: Okay...(long pause) then no tutu.

Finally the Weekend

Profile of Baby A

This week seemed to go by soooo slowly.  I had a total of 3 doctor appointments after school and completely felt like a zombie by the time Friday came along.  The good news is that all of the appointments went well and I got tons of new pictures.  I went to the level 2 ultrasound on Wednesday and it was different than I thought.  It wasn't a 3-D ultrasound, so I don't have pretty pictures of the babies' faces.  The way the doctor explained it was that the level 2 ultrasounds are more detailed and zoom in on parts of the body as a diagnostic ultrasound.  He stated that the 3-D ultrasound is just for entertainment purposes.  Everything went well and he didn't see anything concerning about the boys.  They each weighed 11 ounces and had a total of 20 fingers and toes, two developing brains, 2 hearts with 4 chambers each, etc.  I left there with this loooong roll of pictures that their machine had printed out.  I felt like an extreme couponer leaving the grocery store with this 7 foot receipt.    The two highlights of the ultrasound (besides the fact the boys are healthy) were t

A Hand and Fingers

hat I got to see Baby B yawning.  It was THE CUTEST thing!  The two of them were also having a punching match.  The were both breech and facing each other.  They kept taking turns punching each other through the thin membrane between them.  You have to wonder, if they know what they are doing?!?  I think I have a lot of wrestling in my future.

The top of both heads

 I'll be going back in two weeks for another level 2 ultrasound.  I assume the pictures will mostly looks the same, but they want to check to be sure they don't develop twin to twin transfusion syndrome.  If the boys get this, it's almost guaranteed they will get it between 18-24 weeks.  So they are just being safe.  If you are wondering what twin to twin transfusion syndrome is... it's basically when one twin takes the nutrients from the placenta and the other can't get much.  This leads to one twin getting much bigger and stronger than the other.  

A foot 

Next week I have conferences Tuesday and Wednesday night as school.  My main job at conferences is to translate for parents that don't know English.  I hope I can stay awake that long.  Luckily, we get a day off on Thursday and Veteran's Day is Friday.  I'm predicting that will be a weekend full of napping and homework (for the two classes I'm taking).  Otherwise, everything else is going well.  I'm feeling lots of little kicks.  Every time Rob comes to feel they seem to stop though.  He's felt a kick or two, but that's about it.

Student Quote: from a fourth grade who is also a twin
Student:  Mrs. Redding, you look even bigger than yesterday!
Me:  Thank you.
Student:  Oh no, that's not a good thing!
(...and she continues running off to her bus)

Surprise Appointment

I went into my doctor during my plan/lunch period today.  I haven't been feeling that great lately and was worried. Everything turned out okay and I got to hear both heartbeats again.  That never gets old!  It's amazing that there are two babies in there and their two little heart beats sounds so distinctly different.  The doctor said even though I'm still 18 weeks, I'm measuring like I'm 28 weeks.  Wow!  I know that you are bigger with twins, but geez!

Student quotes from 3rd graders~~

"Guys, you need to be quiet!  You don't want Mrs. Redding's babies to have to cover their ears!"

                                      AND

Student: Mrs. Redding, when will the babies come to school with you?
Me: They come with me everyday.
Student: Oh yeah, I forgot they were here!