How are you feeling?

It seems like everywhere I go, people want to know "How are you feeling?" I truly appreciate the question; however, my positive, optimistic (yet realistic) self is finding it harder and harder to give truthful yet positive responses.

In all honesty, yes, I feel ok.  There are definitely people in this current condition of mine who are much worse off, and probably very few who are doing better.  So when you look at it that way, I am thankful.  I mean, I don't feel like running any marathons (like that lady who ran the Boston Marathon at 34 weeks pregnant #crazytalk), but I felt the same way about running a marathon 24 weeks ago when I wasn't "with child(ren)".  I do, however, feel completely up for laying in a float at the pool, or on a warm beach (with an umbrella), however, work seems to be getting in the way of that.

Like with any pregnancy, there are going to be some symptoms that are less than desirable to endure.  After having been pregnant once before, I think there are some elements of this pregnancy that have been easier, mainly because I had an idea of what to expect (and knew there was a definite end in sight...hello nausea).  So for anyone who may be wondering "how I'm feeling", here's my breakdown of what's going on with my body today (based on typical pregnancy woes).

1. Nausea - Hallelujah! I passed this milestone WEEKS ago! With Grady, my nausea was primarily in the evenings and lasted from 6 weeks to 18 weeks.  With H&H, the nausea plagued me every waking moment from 6 weeks to about 18 weeks.  The timeline was almost identical for both pregnancies, but the intensity was definitely more with the twins.  (I am in the lucky group of people who didn't become physically ill from the nausea, though there were definite moments of weakness where I was concerned I would lose the battle with my will to avoid hugging the toilet.)
2. Heartburn/Reflux - I've had some this time, but NOTHING like I did with Grady (for this I am grateful, but not naive enough to think I'm out of the woods yet).  My heartburn experience with Grady was one that had me thinking I was about to meet my maker.  Legit, I went to the ER because my heartburn was so bad.  I was a big baby about it and I feel no shame for this.  The way I described the pain to the doctors caused them to check me for gallstones, but then they delivered the news that I likely needed Prilosec daily (and to avoid my bi-weekly Mexican dishes that I was craving). (For the record, I took the Prilosec, and continued my same eating habits.  I am my own worst enemy.)  During this pregnancy so far, I had about 2 weeks where I thought things were going to be the same in the heartburn department, but it's kind of leveled out.  (Even though my craving of choice with H&H seems to be pizza.  Ask me any night of the week what I want to eat, and that is my answer.  Any kind of PIZZA.)
3. Swelling - I have already encountered the effects of pregnancy swelling (though right now it's off and on, nothing consistent).  My cankles emerged at about 21 weeks, but for the last 2-3 weeks have not returned.  When I did have swelling, my legs hurt so bad and I felt like I was having shin splints.  I have tried to drink more water since that started happening, and I've noticed a little relief; however, I also realize it's almost June.....in Alabama.....and I deliver at the end of August (ideally).....in Alabama.....The. Swelling. Will. Return....it's inevitable.  (I didn't swell with Grady until about 37 weeks.)
4. Leg/Foot Cramps - OH MY HOW I HATE THESE!!!! I had them a few times with Grady (after 30 weeks), but WOAH!  This time, I've had several cramps already that don't seem to want to go away. Nothing helps them.  I mean NOTHING.  I feel it coming on, and just look at Kevin and apologize, because once the cramp hits I am such a baby and I want him to help me, but I want him no where near me.  It's a lose, lose situation.  He's a champ about it, though and doesn't even make fun of me about it anymore.
5. Hip pain - These hips don't lie, and the pain that I've started to experience in the last month is no joke.  It's one of those scenarios where if I'm sitting too long in the same position at work, I feel sharp pains, or if I'm standing too long, I feel sharp pains.  Basically, the trick seems to be finding a happy balance between moving enough (but not too much) and sitting (but not in the same position for too long).  Still working to master this, because the hip pain makes walking a little complicated.  I didn't experience this AT ALL with Grady.
6. General discomfort - I have it.  Every pregnant woman has it. The timeline of when the real discomfort kicks in just seems to be accelerated with twins (makes sense).
7. Baby Brain - If you don't believe this is a thing, you're in denial (or haven't had a baby).  The affect being pregnant has had on my memory is one thing (basically, don't expect me to remember ANYTHING unless you write it on my arm in Sharpie), but it has truly depleted my motivation to do just about anything productive (that needs to get done).  We are having babies in 12 weeks (providing we don't go into labor before then).  I have yet to pick out a paint color for the nursery, there are 2 boxed cribs (unassembled) sitting in my study, I need to buy one more infant carrier car seat, I need to go through Grady's newborn and 3 month clothes to see what I have and what I need, I know we need more bottles and blankets (and diapers, ohhh lawd the diapers).  I haven't made the first baby purchase for these kiddos, and we're less than 3 months from meeting them. Might. Wanna. Get. Started.
8. Sleep deprivation - I have a toddler, so of course, I would love more sleep.  Grady doesn't sleep too bad, but he's my little 5am alarm clock on weekends that I can't reset for a different time. (Week days he sleeps until 6:00-6:30am, why we can't reverse these wake times is unknown to me.)  I haven't had much trouble sleeping yet (once I can finally get comfortable enough to fall asleep), so doing pretty good in this department.  I realize that in the coming months I will basically be a zombie, so I'm soaking it up while I can.

I'm sure there are other things that just aren't currently on my mind, so they didn't make the list.  I've reached the point where I feel the need to physically "carry" my growing belly around, so I'm looking into a good support brace for that.  At this rate, in the next few weeks I will be in danger of tipping forward if I'm not too careful (I'm a little front heavy these days).  

I'm moving at a much slower pace these days, and it's frustrating sometimes to realize that I now have physical limitations.  Grady is getting better about walking up the stairs on his own, because I just can't carry him up them anymore.  And it is pretty clutch having a toddler around who understands that when mommy drops something, he needs to pick it up for me (he's super helpful with that sort of thing).  I've also got that pregnant waddle strut going on, and can't even deny it. I've reached that point where I feel "really pregnant". 

The positive experiences I'm currently having are being able to feel these sweet movements of both boys.  For the most part I can pick out which one is moving and kicking.  Harrison is definitely our more active baby right now (I don't think he is ever still).  Hudson seems to be a little more low key and just likes to remind me he's there every now and then (he does use my bladder as a punching bag, and we're gonna have to have a talk about that).  Despite the aches and pains, and the low energy and lack of motivation, I absolutely love to just lay on the couch and feel those babies moving and growing. It's a special little miracle and I'm so glad that God choose us to experience this.

I continue to look forward to my bi-weekly ultrasounds to check on the babies, and will have my next one on June 4th.  My goal between now and then is to select a paint color for the nursery (one step at a time, right?). 

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our family and this pregnancy.  It means so much to us, and it's working!

p.s. Unrelated to my pregnancy, but closely related to praying for our blessings, when my mom and I were shopping this weekend, I saw a framed quote that really puts things into perspective.  So here's some extra little food for thought today.  (I have no clue who this quote belongs to, but it really made me stop and think about what is important in this life.)

22 Week Update

Update

This morning we had another ultrasound check up on the fellas, so I got to see their precious profiles this morning (not a bad way to start your Monday morning).  This visit was basically just to check the fluid measurements around the boys and make sure their bladders were still growing like they're supposed to, and everything checked out like it should.

Since the boys were being semi-cooperative today, they went ahead and did the echo cardiograms today instead of waiting 2 more weeks.  Both boys had good strong hearts (which makes me so happy and relieved).  Mid-way through looking at Harrison's heart, I started to feel a little dizzy and sick.  Laying on my back for too long these days isn't really an option for me, so I got to finish the ultrasound on my side which helped out a lot!

I'm so fascinated by this entire process and the information technology today can provide us with.  To be able to see their little hearts beating away and watch how they both interact with one another, it's truly amazing to be able to witness this miracle God has blessed us with.

What's new with me?

Not too much has changed with the way I've been feeling lately.  I can definitely feel the weight and pressure (and kicks and movements) of these guys.  I get tired a little quicker and only feel like propping up my feet by the end of the day.  However, I still find plenty of time to play with Grady.

How's Grady doing with the changes that are coming?

Not too much has changed in Grady's world (other than getting a big boy bed room a few months ago).  This weekend we made it to a new exhibit at the McWane Center (the Itty Bitty Magic City), and we even went to the park for a little while Sunday afternoon before it started to storm. We sit and play at home just like we always have (he has a new obsession with STICKERS, and apparently my growing belly is the perfect place to put them all).

Grady isn't 100% sure about having brothers yet.  Quite frankly, he's protesting it.  He will get there eventually (or at least he will have to), but for now, it's fun to get his reactions when we ask him about having brothers.

Some more pictures that go along with today's post:

Harrison (my wild child...always moving)

Hudson

Harrison was sitting on Hudson's head this morning when we started our ultrasound.

Pretending to drive a sports car at the museum on Saturday.  No big deal.  They said he could take a picture in it, and as soon as they opened a door for him he ran and hopped right into the driver's seat.

Grady loved to play in the water, and watch the balls go through the tubes in the Itty Bitty Magic City

LEGO Builder Grady

Sticker fun....every night

That's all for this update.  I go back on Thursday to visit my doctor and make sure I'm doing good, and then we have our next ultrasound check on June 4th.  I will update more then!

(I'm also attempting to upload weekly "bump" pics on the Twin Bump Pics tab.  Go and check that out to see how big these boys are getting. =)

Happy Mother's Day

This is my second Mother's Day to celebrate with my Gradybug. He and Kevin went all out this year (mad props to Kevin, since I'm guessing most of this effort was his).

I woke up this morning and Kevin took care of breakfast (Hardee's biscuits still count as effort). Then he and Grady handed me a Mother's Day notebook with this beautiful entry for this year. 

I mean block letters and everything! So impressed. They also got me a picture frame and a canvas to hang in my bedroom that says "Love You More...", because that's what I always tell them. (Tears)

Another little piece to my Mother's Day 2015 is the minivan we purchased yesterday. 

Kevin and I have known for several months now that we needed to get a bigger car (the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Camry aren't exactly 3 car seat friendly).  Naturally, I wanted to avoid the purchase of a minivan AT ALL COSTS. We researched SUVs with 3 rows (and bucket seats in the middle), and shockingly there aren't a ton of those options (of the used and not too expensive variety, because let's get real, were on a budget these days).  We brought the idea of a van into discussion, and like smart rational people do, we made a pro/con list. After we had finished running through the SUV and minivan, we were left with the results I had feared.....we were getting a minivan. When the ONLY con on your list is that "it's a minivan", how can you even justify a different purchase? 

All of you minivan mamas out there know what I'm talkin about. This thing is awesome. I can carry 3 children (still gonna have to figure out the complete logistics of that in a few months), and click on my keys to open the doors. It's got tan leather seats, a DVD player, sunroof (say whaaaat), about 20 cup holders, compartments for storage everywhere, and don't even get me started on how much storage that trunk has! 

I mean, Grady seems to be ok with it so far. Not even on the road for 10 minutes heading to see Gani, and he gone! 

I think it's safe to say that once Hudson and Harrison join our crew, we will all fit in here very nicely for the next few years. 

I'd say Mother's Day has started out pretty good this year. 

Best pictures we could get (can we say distracted).  Oh well, at least it finished with a big ole hug!

Level 3 Ultrasound

Today, Kevin and I went to have a level 3 ultrasound to check on the progress of our Twinkies. We got an overall good report from the specialist, but like with anything in life there are certain complications that we were made aware of during our visit.

Despite all of the scary stuff they have to tell you about, I'm very happy with the results we received today on these sweet babies!  I'm not going to worry too much about the complications until something comes up (we're all in God's hands), and we will just continue to pray for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery of 2 strong and healthy boys.

Our original due date was set for September 20th (based on a 40 week gestation).  Since we're doubling up on what has to fit in the available storage space and needed nutrients, they're telling us that 36 weeks is full term for twins, and they don't recommend us carrying these type of twins beyond 37 weeks.  That being said, looks like we're going to have some late August babies (if all goes according to plan).

We ask that you please pray for our family and pray that these babies both get what they need to develop and grow strong (and that we all stay together until the end of August - kicks, punches, barrel rolls and all).

Now for all the fun stuff we learned today:

Twin Update

The doctor confirmed what our last ultrasound had shown and we were informed that we have what they call Mono/Di twins (Monozygotic/diamniotic).
(Instead of giving all of the details, if you have time and are interested, you can check out this website).

Basically, in our situation, there was one egg (that's the monozygotic part) released and fertilized, which then split into two, forming our Hudson and Harrison.  They both share one placenta (the baby's life source), but they each are in their own amniotic sac (there's the diamniotic part).

This is the best image I could find on google to describe what's going on with the twin's current housing arrangements

Right now, Baby A is positioned transverse along the lower section of my growing belly, and Baby B is all kinds of up in my right ribs (booty down).  Baby A is around 13 oz in size currently, which puts him in the 29th percentile.  Baby B is 14 oz, and that puts him in the 40th percentile.  Even though there is a small difference in size right now, the doctor informed us that until their size percentile difference is greater than 20, they don't get too worried.

Today, they wanted to check the babies organs to make sure they're developing properly, and they checked the fluid levels around each baby.  Everything on the organ front checked out as fine during this visit, but we will do more scans in the coming weeks to monitor them.  Fluid levels also looked the same for each baby, which is very good and makes mommy and daddy happy. 

Disclaimer:  I'm not usually a fan of posting ultrasound pictures (because they usually look a little weird), but we got a decent profile shot of each baby today and then Harrison decided to stretch out really nice for us and show off his skinny legs (soon he's gonna run out of real estate and be a little more confined).

Potential Complications

Part of today's visit, that wasn't as fun (but definitely necessary), was the information we received about potential risks for this type of twin pregnancy.  

1.  Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (click here if you want more details) - It's important for them to check the fluid levels around each baby and their bladder sizes frequently in order to catch any signs that the twins have developed TTTS.  Through the shared placenta, there's a chance that one baby can become a donor baby with decreased blood volume, and then the recipient twin would receive increased volume.  This is dangerous for both babies, and can onset at any time throughout the pregnancy.  For this reason, I will receive an ultrasound every two weeks to monitor the fluid levels and we want these to stay as balanced as possible!  The doctor did say that this happens in about 10% of identical twin cases, and that's why they want to monitor it closely.  (It's also not too bad for me that I get the additional scans to check on the boys, which means added reassurance for me each time they check out ok.)

2.  Due to the placement of the placenta and how each baby connects, with mono twins there's a possibility for one baby to (as my doctor put it) get a bigger slice of the pie.  Meaning one baby will get more of the nourishment and be bigger than the other.  Based on how our boys looked today, she said she had no reason to be concerned about this right now, and actually she would expect Baby B to be smaller, and he is in fact a little bigger at this point. 

3.  Organ development of the twins is also a concern.  We didn't get a good image of Baby B's heart today (little booger was a little too active and wouldn't chill out for a second).  We will go back at 24 weeks and do an echo cardiogram of each baby to see how their hearts are developing.  Everything else looked normal today, so we will just pray that they keep on moving in that direction.

4.  Like with any pregnancy, there are risks of complications with me as well.  I'm at an increased risk of blood pressure issues (preeclampsia) and of course diabetes.  So far, we're doing good, and I just hope it continues in that direction.