Week 30. And then some.

You get this again.  Because it is easier.  Paragraphs seem quite overwhelming right now.

1.  I am 30 1/2 weeks.  I have sworn not to complain because I have sent up a gajillion prayers to get to this point and I know how many women would tell me to shut up.  As they should.  So, I won't complain.  Let's just say the X-Large maternity whale shirts that I bought 3-4 weeks ago?  They are not quite covering the belly anymore.

2.  And I refuse to compare myself to full-term singleton pregnant bellies.  Because it makes me feel a bit jealous. Not jealous of the fact that they are losers and are only having one kid.  But because their bellies look like mine did at approximately week 5.  I know I should be huge and chubby.  So, I will not compare. At least not out loud.  Inside my head I am pretty sure I could be giving birth to a T-Rex.

3.  My students have named Herbie and Puckett "Billy" and "Emily."  I am not sure how that got started but it is going to be weird calling them by other names when they are born.

4.  We have cancelled all of our magazine subscriptions in order to save money.  We figured we needed to save the money and we will not have time to read them either.

5.  I am pretty sure we have picked out names.  This was not fun for me- it felt like a lot of pressure. And Dave hated every name I did or ran it through his "16-year-old-locker-room filter" and decided that certain names just wouldn't work, even if we absolutely loved them.  I don't know if I should be impressed if that filter in D's head still works like it did 15 some-odd years ago.

5.  Pictures from October 15- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.   Fergs still loves to join in.

6.  My very thoughtful coworker and friend (who serves me ice water every morning) remembered October 15 and brought me flowers.  Amazing woman with an amazing heart and an amazing memory.  Thanks, little one.

7.  I am also trying to get as much Christmas shopping done now as I can. No matter what happens, I will not be going shopping.  I will either be a whale and whales cannot and should not go shopping.  Or I will be home with Herbs and Puckett and I refuse to take them out Christmas shopping.  And I will probably refuse to change out of sweat pants.  So, I won't be going.

8. I got a package in the mail from my old coworker/boss.  She is a woman, I must admit, that I kind of idolize.  She is not only an incredibly talented educator, but she has a heart of gold and a sense of humor that rocks my world.  Thanks for the adorable, onesies, JS.  I especially love the bears brushing their teeth.  And oh look, there's my belly.



9.  My mom's neighbor also visited me at school the other day.  She dropped off a whole slew of gifts for me.  An adorable wall hanging for the nursery and some ear warmers for me that I'll definitely use for recess duty.  But the best part of the gift? Just look at these things! Obviously, her sewing talents are ridiculous.

Square-toed quilted boots for Herbie.

Round-toe quilted books for Puckett.

10.  Another package came this week too.  From Dave's parents and sister and family.  It was a box filled with goodies for us and the babies.  Dave's sister made us yummy bread and cookies. And they also included some baby clothes and blankets that they had acquired through (I am assuming) my other sister-in-law.  Then, also, there was an ear thermometer (that I was too cheap to register for) and some handmade, sewn car seat covers.  I had looked on Target.com for some and registered for some, but they were super expensive and a lot more cover than what we need here in Kansas.  She made these and they fit the carseats perfectly--complete with zippers and velcro face cover flap things. I think I should get a job writing product descriptions.

11. No belly pics.  As that requires energy. And a wide-angle lens, which I don't have.

12.  I have another Dr. appointment on Thursday.  I will have an ultrasound, which will include a biophysical profile, meeting with the doctor, and a non-stress test.  I'm pretty sure I'll be there until midnight at this rate, but I don't care.  They are doing everything they can to make sure they are growing the way they should, have the muscle movements that they should, and are practicing breathing as they should.  I'll sit there for days if I need to.

13.  I don't remember the last time I read a book.  That is sad. Maybe that is why I am becoming dumber.

14.  Does Eli Manning look like he is a 13 year old boy?  Like he should be going to a private boarding school for pre-pubescent boys.  No?  Just me?

15.  The baby room is starting to be done.  By that, I mean that if babies came we would be fine.  We just wouldn't be able to walk around that much.  Here's a sneak peak.

One crib came.  Not sure where the other one is.  Stuck somewhere. I need to call but that would require my cell phone to work inside my house.  Ugh.  The cribs we ordered were one of the top five on Consumer Reports for safety, construction, and ease of putting together.  They also convert to toddler beds and full beds.  And, kitty cannot get in it.

The dresser D painted and the frame my sister got my after Maggie died (it has the e.e. cummings quote on it). I'm still not sure what picture to put in it.  Ideas?

The bookshelf on the opposite wall of the dresser.  Momentos and baby books, etc. I've picked up along the way.  The blurred parts are either pictures of inappropriate things. Or the first letters of their names.  You choose.

 One of my favorite parts of the shelf- can't forget my original babies, Maggie and Nugget.  Since no place makes hawk anything, I went with the birds instead.

One of my favorite Curly Girl prints (see up close at the top of this entry and I used it in this post right after Maggie was born) and a bull for D that I spray painted. On the driveway. In a box.  When it was windy.  Wife Fail.

The cribs will eventually go along the right wall under the long, skinny window.  The desk and tubs and piles o' crap will be moved.

16.  I think that is it.  I am full of baby. I love it.  I wish December would be here already.  And they cannot wait to meet everyone.

October 15

1.  Monday is October 15- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness day.  Please light a candle at 7 pm to remember those who have lost children through miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes.  Last year I lit candles in honor of Maggie and in honor of other families as well.

This year, I will do the same.
I will light a candle to remember Maggie and Nugget.
And I will light others to remember
Violet
and Owen
and Isaac
and Faith
and Harrison
and for the unnamed.
And what could have been
and what should have been.

And I will add another candle this year.
On Friday I learned of another family that will experience loss soon.
At 5 1/2 months pregnant, they know they will lose this baby, but it is a matter of when.
Thoughts that no one should have to sit with.
And decisions that no one should ever have to make.
Ever.


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2. I passed my 3 hour glucose test!  They called the afternoon after I had finished and said that everything was fine. 4 hours in the blood lab of the clinic was not that great. I read a lot of People magazine and talked to a lot of people.  Unfortunately, no old lady fights this time.

3. The nursery is getting closer to being done. Clothes are washed and folded and put away.   Some things are hung.  We still don't have cribs and for some reason I cannot get myself to order them. I know which ones I want (they can convert into toddler beds and full-sized beds later on, which hopefully will save us some money).  But, it just seems like that big thing and once I get it, something will go wrong. The same with the milker (as D calls it).  Those things are expensive and I guess I just want to make sure that this is actually happening before dropping that kind of cash.

4. Herbie and Puckett are still moving around and continue to dig around and set up camp.  They are active little things, especially over the last few days. It's fantastic.  And, if it means that Puckett is growing extra chubby while she's squatting in my ribcage, I will take that.

5. I have another appointment on Wednesday afternoon for my regular check-up and to get my Rho-Gam shot. Not looking forward to the shot, but I'll do what I have to do.

6.  My parents saved my rear again.  I got a flat tire on Friday, they came and put the donut on and took it to get repaired. I ended up with 4 new tires and new windshield wipers.  But, I'd rather be safe driving than not and I'd rather this happen now instead of later.   Mom also found a steal of a deal for some baby clothes--most stuff was 99 cents or so, so we were able to stock up on some sleepers and things.

7.  And a beautifully written article from Still Standing Magazine.  Go read it.

13 + 1 Things

1.  Puckett is currently kicking the crud out of the right side of my abdomen.  It's fantastic, but I'm curious if her unending movement and endless twitching is a sign of what's to come.  She may have inherited some of her father's ADHD. If so, she should crash and burn within a matter of minutes (does anyone have a husband who can be leaping off the walls and sprinting throughout the house (and singing the Beach Boys) and 5 minutes later be asleep and snoring on the couch?  It baffles me.).

2.  My week was kind of a bummer.  I will try not to be Debbie Downer (that ones for you jjrrmgt ladies) but I did help myself to a healthy does of pregnancy hormones and wailing on the couch.

3.  I went in to do my glucose/diabetes testing.  I got fruit punch flavor and it wasn't too bad.  Melted lollipop or snowcone maybe?  Two things regarding this:

• There was a smack-down in the blood lab.  To keep a long story short, 2 60 year old women were going to have a cat fight due to some money one of them owed on a dog or whatever.  And, instead of stopping the fight, all of the people at the lab just watched and listened.  
• I failed my glucose test.  I was 5 points over. I wasn't actually really shocked and I know it's not the end of the world- that if I do have gestational diabetes, that there are meds, diets, etc that will help with that.  I lost it when the lady told me that I would need to fast and come to the clinic at 7:30 am and it would be pushing it if I would make it to work by 12:15 (which would be my time to report back to work if I took a half day).  So, now I will use another sick day (which could be saved for munchkins) to sit in a nasty blood lab, drink a nasty drink, to find out what the deal is.  Hoping I can keep myself busy- but the phlebotomist told me I couldn't leave, smoke, or sleep.  So, now I don't know what I"m going to do.

4.  If you are a teacher, you will understand my angst and pain with this one.  We talked about and read over our new Common Core Standards this past week.  I got to the part about teaching mythological characters so that kids can determine the meaning of new words ("such as Herculean..." it read).  I couldn't decide if I should cry, crap my pants, or go stuff my face. I did none of the above.  I waited to get home to do 2 of the 3.  

5.  My mom washed about 15 loads of blankets, hats, bibs, clothes, etc that were baby clothes from my sister.  She is a gem of a ma.  Remember when I said Herbie would be buck-naked? Not so much the case- especially once he is a little older.  I think I should be fine with clothes once they get older, but the small newborn/premie clothes are still slim pickins'--my sister's kids were beasts (cute but fatty) and I have a feeling mine will not be quite as big (at least I am hoping).

6. I got a great dose of friend time yesterday.  Several of us met up to go to a Barn/Craft sale (if you live near south-central Kansas, you should hit it up--look for it on The Rusted Chain website to find out when it is next year.  I didn't buy much, but there was a ton of vendors and lots of fun stuff (and people) to look at.

7. After the barn sale we went to some consignment shops, ate lunch and what not, and then headed to the big town of the 'Ta so they could help me register. I was totally fine with Dave not joining me for several reasons.  #1- when I told him that we should probably register he said, "Register to vote? You're already registered."  Huh.  Sign #1.  #2- if I recall any of the registration for our wedding, he wanted to scan other things, such as bags of candy, DVDs, and boxes of cookies.

So, I went with friends.  And it was quite enjoyable.  I didn't scan a thing.  Instead, a dear friend took ahold of it and went to town, which was perfect.  The other two said which items I needed and which I could without.  To say the least, I was a bit overwhelmed.  It seems like it would have been easier 20 years ago, when there weren't 3,757 kinds of baby monitors- with or without video or wifi/smart phone capability.  Just stuff 'em in a dresser drawer and you can hear their muffled cries that way. Easy smeasy.  But, I think we've got it done.   We obviously didn't register for the big things or the totally unnecessary things (like the cutest clothes known to man kind), but I feel like we're at a good place now as far as baby tools are concerned.

8.  After all of the walking from yesterday plus the charlie horse cramps I had in my calves last night, I wouldn't mind either being a quadriplegic today or having a motor scooter.  My first choice is obviously the motor scooter.  Please don't get all offended.

9. I spent most of last night organizing clothes and separating them by sizes and genders.  Clothes for the next few months are hung and folded and, I guess, ready.  And I loved every second of it.  This is something I've been praying to do for so many years now.  

10.  Newborn baby socks may be the best invention of all times.  They are like little backpacks for baby carrots they are so small.  Or maybe sleeping bags for Lego guys.

11.  D has been a gem to help me out a ton the last couple of weeks. He's been unloading all of the baby stuff into their room, getting dinner ready, massaging my swollen feet (gross, I know), unpacking things, making schedules for me so that I can take my meds at certain times, vacuuming, doing the dishes and yardwork, offering to help me grade papers, and still making me laugh.  

12. I met with Dr. Eck after my glucose stuff (and they ran my blood work so that I could get my RhoGam shot at my next appointment. Vomit.).  She said that my belly is measuring that of a 34 week pregnant singleton woman.  And I need to cut back on my sodium and put my feet up more so that they are less Flinstone-ish.

13.  About 8 weeks away from hitting the 36 week mark (which is the average for when twins deliver). How in the world did that happen? That is so fantastic.  I can't wait to hold those little things. And, the weird thing? I can't wait to hear them.  Their little squeaks and loud cries.

14.  Isn't 13 a bad number to end on?

I keep forgetting

And, one more thing...

A long time ago.  Like a long time ago I was in elementary school.
And I met this girl.
And we were in the same handbell choir.
And we both curled our hair
and wore sweet outfits in the 80's.

We lost contact but reconnected with the help of the face-twitt-my-tube.
She is now kind of a big-deal blogger
and mom to three boys.

And awhile back she did a review of the movie "The Odd Life of Timothy Green."
I haven't seen it yet.
Not planning on it until I can rent it.
But, even as a mama as three, she got it.
I mean, she Got. It.
She knew that it is the story that a lot of couples have.
It is story that no one wants, but many of us have.

Go here to read her review of the movie 
and then browse her blog for some ideas of what you should be doing instead of sitting on the couch.

Almost 27 Weeks

Herbie was looking a bit down in the dumps.  He was sad because Puckett had her feet smashed against his face for most of the appointment.

Puckett did not cooperate for a 3D picture, but we were happy with a profile view.

I had another ultrasound (we have started the every two week appointments) today and I go back on Wednesday for my Glucose thing, my needle-is-the-size-of-a-hose-Rho-Gam shot, and my appointment with Dr. Eck.

How Far Along: 27 weeks on Wednesday

Size of Babies: Herbie (boy) was measuring 2 pounds, 2 ounces and Puckett (girl) was measuring 2 pounds exactly.  Both had feet that were about 5 centimeters.  They are right on track with all the normal singleton statistics.

Baby Foot and tootsies.  Squee!!!! This are adorable.

Weight Gain:  I am up about 32-35 pounds, which goes right along with Dr. Luke's goal of 1 pound to 1 1/2 pounds a week.  I can eat consistently but not in large amounts like I used to be able to.  But, I am still packing on the pounds.

Belly:  Continuing to grow as it should be; starting to get in the way when tying shoes, scooting into the table; bending over, etc.  It gets tired of hanging there after a day of work, but other than that, I love it.  And I love seeing it move and twist.  I will find out on Wednesday how I am measuring compared to a singleton--I am guessing 33-34 weeks if I am continuing on track like I have been.

Sleep: I actually can't complain at all about this.  I have been sleeping pretty well minus the bathroom breaks and such.  I am getting way more than I will, so I am enjoying my slumber.

Movement:  They are both moving a lot lately and depending on their positions, their kicks and movements are almost uncomfortable (almost, but not....).  They are still able to flip positions and such, so now both are bottom down (little stinkers) and finding ways to annoy each other.

Puckett, in fact, moved to a quite gymnast-like position- where she was folded in half and her legs and feet were up on top of her head.

Other things:

• We are slowly getting the nursery ready.  Although I still feel like it is early, I know that the average 36 week delivery mark for twins is only 9 weeks away. And when I think of it like that, I freak out just a little bit.

Awesome cell phone pic.  Our start to the nursery.  The box in the corner is all of Maggie and Nugget's things.  The cribs will go along the wall on the right.

• We haven't bought a ton of stuff, but instead, I am collecting up Maggie's old clothes and going through bags that my sister had from her kids.
• If I didn't buy anything, Herbie would be buck-naked for the first few months of his life.
• I did wash some of the clothes and sorted them.  The toughest part is I am not sure how much they will weigh so I am not quite sure which size clothes I will need.  And, Maggie's due date was in July.  So, a lot of clothes are from opposite seasons so I may have a garage sale.  Or we may just try for another kid.  And then end up like the Duggar's.
• And speaking of the Duggar's, their daughter Josie was born at about 2 pounds. I looked her up to see what my little ones look like. 

Source here.  Josie weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces when she was born.  And my little things are bigger than that!