33 weeks

Wow, I can't believe we are at 33 weeks already. It's weird how time goes by so quickly yet so slowly at the same time. Four more weeks until full term.

This week the Twinjas skeletons are hardening. This week they may be going through a growth spurt.  That could explain why all I want to do is eat and sleep. The amniotic fluid has maxed out this week so I have more babies than fluid. This explains why I am constantly feeling pushes and nudges.

I had a doctors appointment yesterday and everything looked good. Babies had strong heartbeats and my cervix was still closed. Baby girl is sitting really low so the doctor warned me that I could start seeing on myself. Oh joy. I have been doing my kegals so hopefully it won't be an issue.

The doctor says that twins have a mind of their own so they can decide to arrive at anytime. I like the date 8/5/13.

I've started having random braxton hicks contractions. They have been pretty mild. I still want to labor without pain meds but since I haven't been able to complete my hynobabies I'm not sure if I will be able too. I need to research some alternatives.

33 Weeks
Total weight gain: 34 pounds
Maternity Clothes? I left the house this week so I was able to wear one of my dresses.
Stretch Marks? A few on my hips. Stomach is still clear though.
Sleep? I miss sleep. Some nights I just cry.
 Best Moment this week? Hearing their heartbeats
Miss Anything?  Sleep
 Food Craving? Fruit. Beef.
 Gender prediction? One of each. I was right!
 Labor Signs? Braxton Hicks contractions
 Symptoms? Some nausea.
 Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy, nervous
 Looking forward to? Making it to week 34. Finishing the nursery.

Five things you should never say to a pregnant woman

I am always amazed at the comments people make to me because I am pregnant with twins. It's like they just don't have a filter. I asked some of my other friends who are preggers if they have experienced the same and it turns out I am not alone. So we compiled this list of things you should never say to a pregnant woman.

1. Are you sure you aren't having twins?  Or any comment about a pregnant woman's size, large or small.

Would you normally comment on a woman's weight? I hope not. Pregnant women are especially sensitive about their size. We worry if we are gaining too much or too little and how that weight gain will affect our growing baby.

Your best bet? Tell her she looks great!

2. You're just pregnant. This comment usually is made by a man.

We're not just pregnant. We are growing life inside of us. It takes a lot out of us.  Between the first trimester morning sickness and the third trimester aches and pains, it isn't an easy task. Pregnant women deserve a medal.

Your best bet? Tell her she looks great and offer her some ice cream.

3.  Speaking of aches and pains. If you ask a pregnant woman how she is feeling and she is actually honest and admits to her misery, don't respond with "well you asked for it'.

I can honestly say that I did not ask for it. I did not ask to be put on bedrest at 28 weeks. I didn't ask to cry every not before bed because everything hurts. I certainly didn't ask to have trouble breathing. I asked for a baby and I was lucky enough to be blessed with two miracles and I will suffer through to bring my two miracles into the world.

You best bet? You look great and you're doing a great job. Can I get you some ice cream?

4.  Are you sure you should be eating that?

Unless you are the pregnant woman's doctor, there isn't any need to comment on her diet.

Your best bet? That's right, You look great, can I get you some ice cream?

5. If you find out a woman is pregnant with multiples. Don't respond with "better you than me" or any other similar negative comment.

Multiples just mean multiple blessings. Sure the thought can be overwhelming at times, but how is your negative comment helpful.

You best bet? You look great, how about a double scoop if ice cream?

What were some comments that drove you crazy during your pregnancy?  What are your favorite comebacks?

32 Weeks

Another week down, we have made it to 32 weeks.  If I wasn't so big I do a little dance. According to babycenter.com the babies should weigh about 3.75 pounds, but we know from last week that they way a little bit more than that. I should be gaining about a pound a week, and half of that should go to word the babies. Hopefully with twins that doesn't mean I will pounds a week with each of them gaining half a pound. That would give me about 13 pounds worth of babies at 37 weeks.  I won't have another ultrasound for 4 more weeks, so I probably won't know their final wait until delivery day. I am still hoping to make it to 37 weeks but I'm not sure if my body can handle it.  They have toenails fingernails and real hair now.

32 Weeks
Total weight gain: 33 pounds
Maternity Clothes? Yes, since I am at home all the time I live in Michael's t-shirts and boxers
Stretch Marks? A few on my hips.
Sleep? I miss sleep. Some nights I just cry.
 Best Moment this week? Getting my maternity photos
Miss Anything? Cold Cuts, Sleep
 Food Craving? Candy
 Gender prediction? One of each. I was right!
 Labor Signs? I think I am occasionally experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions
 Symptoms? The worst this week has been pain in the ribs from them kicking and the shortness of breath
Belly Button in or out? Starting to pop out a little.
 Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy, nervous
 Looking forward to? Making it to week 33

31 Weeks, five days

31 weeks and five days today, each week is a milestone. I am having some panic attacks at the thought that they will be here and 3 to 6 weeks and I don't think we're ready. Michael has time off this week so the nursery should be finished by the end of the week. My mom has been working on washing all their clothes, it makes me sad that I can't do it myself.  I do have the cloth diapers to prep so I guess that makes up for it . I really do hate being on bed rest .

 According to thebump.com the twinjas should be about the size of pineapples,  I don't think they're quite that big though. They probably weigh about 3 pounds but I found out today they are overachievers. Baby Girl is 4.5 pounds and Baby Boy is 4.2 pounds. They should be heading into a growth spurt . They can turn their heads from side to side and they're starting to plump out some more. They're moving a lot more now and that is very exciting, even if their favorite time to move is 2 o'clock in the morning.

As for me I haven't noticed any Braxton Hicks contractions yet . I do have trouble breathing but that's probably due to my uterus pushing up against my lungs. I've started my at home hypnobabies course, but I do need to spend more time focusing on that.  I am still hoping for a natural childbirth without drugs even though Michael thinks I'm crazy. This week I'm going to work on getting my hospital bag packed . I've settled on a pediatrician and I'm excited about that. The office is just a few blocks from our house, and she is a mother of twins too .

31 Weeks
Total weight gain: 33 pounds
Maternity Clothes? Yes, though  I am starting to outgrow some of my maternity shorts and skirts. The dresses still work though.
Stretch Marks? A few on my hips.
Sleep? Sleeping on my sides makes my hips hurt, so I wake up every hour or so to switch sides, of course switching sides is not as easy as it sounds.
 Best Moment this week? Discovering S'mores Blizzard
Miss Anything? Wine
 Food Craving? Nothing specific this week.
 Gender prediction? One of each. I was right!
 Labor Signs? Shortening and funneling of the cervix
 Symptoms? Shortness of breath, itchy stomach (not scratching though), heart palpitations, fatigue and strangely the hair on my legs stopped growing.
Belly Button in or out? Starting to pop out a little.
 Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy, nervous
 Looking forward to? Finishing the nursery.

Ultrasounds and Maternity photos

My last entry I mentioned my ultrasound but there were some details I didn't get to share that I want to make sure I remember.  Happy thoughts to help me get through these next few weeks. I may repeat myself.

Baby Girl weighed about 4.5 pounds and has a head full of hair. Baby Boy weighed about 4.2 pounds with some peach fuzz.  Both babies are head down, Baby Boy has head tucked up under his sisters chin, like she is comforting him.  At the time, Baby Boy had a full tummy and had his hand between his legs. Baby Girl was practicing her breathing and was playing with her umbilical cord.  They are both so big we couldn't get any decent shots of the Twinjas.

I had some maternity photos taken at 27 weeks by my dear friend Nicole. I think they turned out great and I really appreciate her taking the time out of her busy schedule to take and edit the pictures.  I am going to share a few of them today.