The Nursery Has Begun!!!!

Well after 3 more of our furniture pieces arrived, we figured it was best to start this nursery process (and we also decided that we will be staying in our current place for a bit longer). It began with emptying our "spare bedroom...i.e. walk-in-storage closet". We (or "I" as Luis would say)...have accumulated quite a lot of "junk" in the past 3.5 years we've been married!! It is actually quite ridiculous. Knowing we needed to completely empty that second bedroom led to the infamous question, "where is it all going to go"....so we started the process of MAJOR organization and cleaning out!!! I was very impressed with my ability to part with a lot of my treasured items..but I did (and I have to admit it felt good)!!! So basically everything is out of that room now!! We spent 2 solid days doing this and I still feel like the house is a mess (got to love how that works)!! Well we got the dresser together as well as the glider and one of the cribs (we will probably do the second one tonight)!! It is very exciting to have it come together, even though there is still SO much to do!!!! I will post pictures of the progress soon!

26 Weeks!

Week 26: Cucumber

Average size: 14 in. 1lb. 13oz.

The network of nerves in their ears are better developed and more sensitive than before. They may now be able to hear both our voices as we chat with each other. They are inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of their lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when they are born and take that first gulp of air. And they are continuing to put on baby fat!

Just a Little Update!

Went and had my routine u/s with the radiology dept. (every 5 weeks), and everything is looking good! The girls are growing great! Baby A was measuring 25weeks 5 days, and Baby B was measuring 25 weeks 6 days..so both are a bit ahead. They were also both 2 lbs.!!! Also a little ahead for their age range!! It was so good to see them again...they are getting so big and getting more squished (didn't get too many good pics). And I can't believe how much more active they have gotten (well that I can feel) in the past week...I feel them constantly throughout the day now, and see my belly move quite regularly!

Below is one pic from the u/s..nothing special, I just thought it is interesting how close they are getting. It's a top view of both of their heads..the little squiggly line at the top is the membrane that is separating them!

WHOA Baby Belly!!

So at my apt. yesterday my OB measured my belly...according to a singleton pregnancy I am measuring at 34 weeks!!! WOW!! I know twins measure bigger (obviously), but it just seems so weird to hear that!! Maybe I will have some good sized babies!

Another cool milestone...I saw my belly move from the outside!! It was so cool and so weird! Nothing too extreme but definitely noticeable...but basically you could see my belly move up and down..then both starting kicking and it got really wild ;o). I just continue to be amazed with each new thing!!

Oh and I passed my 1 hour glucose test (gestational diabetes)!! Woo Hoo!

25 Weeks!

Week 25: Rutabaga
Average size: 13.5 in. about 1.5lbs.

They are beginning to exchange their long, lean look for some baby fat. As they do, their wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. They are also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. Blood vessels are developing in the lungs to prepare for their vital function after birth, but for now they are filled will amniotic fluid and are practicing breathing movements. If you were to shine a flashlight on your abdomen, the babies will turn their heads toward the light because the optic nerve is now working. Fingerprints, toenails and fingernails are fully formed and the spine is straightening out. Taste buds are developing at this point and they are even able to distinguish sweet tastes. Their swallowing reflexes are developing, and dexterity is improving. They can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in their palm.

Well, things are still going pretty good, but I am definitely starting to notice some changes!! I am much more tired in the evenings. I get worn out more easily. Bending is getting a lot more challenging!!! And I officially have swollen feet and ankles!! But other than that, I really have NOTHING to complain about. I am healthy and babies are healthy!!! The belly is definitely growing larger and larger and the belly button has officially "popped out" completely...I also have the brown line (Linea Negra) emerging more visibly (runs up the belly)! It is fun to see the change and I am loving every minute of it (even the cankles) ;o)

Below is a 25 week belly picture. I have a doctor apt. today along with my GD (gestational diabetes) test! Hoping all goes well!!

24 Weeks!!!

Week 24: Ear of Corn

Average size: 12 in. little over 1lb.

The babies are growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts them at just over a pound (My ob said that they were each almost a pound at my 20 week u/s…uh oh…do I have some big girls on my hands)!!. Since they are almost a foot long, they cut a pretty lean figure at this point, but their bodies are filling out proportionally and they will soon start to plump up. Their brains are also growing quickly now, and the taste buds are continuing to develop. Their lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help their air sacs inflate once they hit the outside world. Their skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Things are still going good, getting bigger and beginning to feel a little uncomfortable here and there..but just trying to take it easy and not overwork myself. I am learning that I need to "sit and relax" in the evenings and that everything doesn't have to get done right away! The girls are getting much more active these days (or that I can feel). It was always amazing to see how much they moved and kicked on the u/s screen but I could never feel it. Now I am feeling it more and more!! Kicks (felt from the outside) are still subtle and far and few between (thanks to my anterior placentas), but I am definitely feeling them from the inside..turning, poking, etc. It's really very cool and it blows me away that I have 2 little lives inside me!!!

Luis Felt First Kick!!!!

It was so great!! I have been feeling very few and very sporadic larger "thumps" the past few days..and if I catch it quick enough I can slip my hand there and usually catch one (only does it about 2-3 times and then done)...well I was sitting down and Luis was standing behind me, I felt one (from baby B), put my hand there, felt another, so I grabbed his hand and put it on my belly..waited for a moment and then she did it!! The look on his face was priceless!!! I don't think he could have smiled any bigger....for the rest of the day he kept saying "I felt my baby kick"!!!It's the little moments like these that melt your heart!!!

23 Weeks!

Week 23: Eggplant

Average size: 11 in. just over 1lb.

If I turn on the radio and sway to the music, with their sense of movement well developed by now, the babies can feel me dance. Blood vessels in their lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that their increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing them for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as the dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze them when they hear them outside the womb. The formation of tiny capillaries are giving the babies a healthy pink glow. Eyes are also forming, and they will soon perfect the “blink” – perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes!

Update and New Pics!

Well I had a regular ob apt./checkup yesterday and she said everything is looking really good!! Babies look great and everything with me is looking great!! She also concurred that both babies are girls..always nice to get that second opinion!! She does a real quick u/s just to see how things are going. I can't believe how big they are getting!! They are getting much closer to each other now..and kicking right through the membrane that separates them! Baby A was laying on her tummy with her skinny little butt up in the air, and legs tucked under..while my OB was trying to get a pic of it, you could see Baby B's little feet kicking through on the right side of the monitor..too funny!! Below are 2 pics of Baby A in her tummy sleeping position! (click on image so you can read the words).