33 Weeks!

Here we are at 33 weeks. Where did the last week go? Feeling somewhat re-energized after my self-imposed bedrest yesterday, but I still have a little case of the sniffles. I would much rather be in bed than at work, especially on a day we usually get off. However, this year Columbus Day was sacrificed so we could have Monday through Wednesday off the week of July 4th. I suppose I can't complain too much, except I'm much more in need of the time off now than I was in July. But I digress.

First, a shout out to Fuschia (my sister-in-law, remember?) who is celebrating her big 3-0 today. And an advance happy birthday to my brother (who did maternity pictures) who will be 32 on Wednesday! When I was little I used to swear I'd be older than him someday. I think I'm finally happy that isn't possible!

Here's a quick photo from the wedding we were at Saturday. I'm actually belly to belly with Blue's sister, who is expecting her third in March. I wasn't sure if she'd want her photo up here so I cropped her out. I'm so excited for our babies to grow up together!

Can I just say I'm loving my hair here? I used rollers for about a half an hour then hair sprayed the crap out of it and I had lovely waves all day. I should do that more often, because it really wasn't hard.

This week the babies are durians, which if I remember correctly are a really really stinky fruit. They also look quite terrifying.

thebump.com

They could grow up to an inch this week, and as we've seen in our growth checks, they gain about a half a pound each weekly. They keep their eyes open when awake, which is kind of cool. Their skin is becoming less translucent and is looking more like mine (to which Blue would laugh and say "But your skin IS translucent." I get it, I'm pale.) or Blue's (who is Mediterranean and thus a darker, olive tone).

I cannot wait to see who they look like!

Baby Yawn

Today I had my now-weekly ultrasound and non-stress test (monitor babies' heartrates and check for contractions). After quite a wait, I finally got in to the ultrasound. Babies are looking great. Baby Girl still refused to show her face, but we got some major cuteness from Baby Boy. During an attempt to get a 3D image (didn't work out, sadly), we caught Baby Boy yawning. It was seriously the cutest thing ever. I think I even teared up. Just seeing our little boy yawning, his little tongue sticking out... he's a real little baby in there!

Here are some play-by-play photos:

Baby Boy, chilling

The start of a yawn

Open mouth, with a little tongue sticking out.

And now we have a demon child.

That last one reminds me of this guy:

In any event, it was way cuter on the screen than it's coming across in these photos.

And they didn't check growth this week. Apparently that's next week. Ah well. Judging by my new stretch marks they are growing fine.

To see for yourself how fat I'm getting, I had my awesome coworker take some more pictures of me this week.

Compare with four weeks ago:

My belly is way wider, I think. It was so cute and round at 27 weeks.

I can't tell as big a difference from the side. Belly might be sticking out a bit more.

In very exciting news, the babies have a birth date! I'm scheduled for a c-section for November 14th at 8am. I believe it's 1 month and 18 days away. And 1 month and 9 days until I'm done with work! Cannot come quickly enough. I've said it before and I'll say it again, commuting is exhausting these days.

And now it's pretty much bedtime. Except I want to catch that new show Elementary if I can stay awake...

Baby Bump Photo

Here's what I'm looking like at 27 weeks and 3 days! I bought some new, professional pants from Destination Maternity on Monday, and a red shirt that will transition into fall. I'm outgrowing half my brightly colored, summery shirts anyways, so it's good timing.

Front view

Side view

Quite a change from that first photo in my Audrey Hepburn capris, no?

Wow, my hair was so much shorter!

No wonder I split my capris... And I have 8 weeks left, at the least? Oy vey.

26 Weeks, Baby Shower, Maternity Shoot

It's been a busy week! First of all, I'm now 6.5 months along. Time is simultaneously speeding up and slowing down. Two more weeks and I'll be into the third trimester!

This week the babies are heads of lettuce, which amuses me given the number of salads I've eaten this summer.

From thebump.com

Their hearing is fully functional, and they respond to light. I need to try shining a flashlight at my stomach one of these days. Soon their eyes will be able to open, and they have eyelashes already!

As for me, I feel lucky that a lot of the not-so-fun things haven't been happening (yet). I can still sleep relatively easily other than trips to the bathroom to pee. My back isn't killing me, and my ankles aren't swollen. I just get tired more easily and can't walk long distances (sorry, old omelette place. Switched to one closer to work!). I do have to say I'm done going to baseball games for the duration. Blue and I went to one Friday and while the game was fun, the seats were not. Plus my team lost. Not cool.

I had my baby shower up by where I grew up over the weekend. My mom put together a really cute theme, "Double Dip," and we had a sundae bar and cake pops shaped like ice cream cones (made by my sister-in-law). I got lots of cute outfits, great books to read to them, and useful things like a changing mat, stroller (Chicco Cortina Together), car seats (Chicco Keyfit 30), high chairs (by Graco), one of the cribs (thanks Mom!), and other things I am forgetting. But Blue and I feel incredibly lucky to have such loving and generous friends and family. We really can't thank them enough!

Overwhelmed at the generosity.

Opening a "cupcake" made by my sister-in-law. We'll call her Fuschia.

So as you can see, my sister-in-law, whom we'll call Fuschia because of her intense love of bright pink, made these adorable "cupcakes" as gifts for me. She rolled baby outfits, blankets, and this Pooh snuggle thing into the shapes of cupcakes, complete with cupcake liner and individual boxes. She SO should go into business doing this. She's very creative and crafty like that. She's also the one who made the cake pops. I'll try to get some pictures from my mom of that and other baby shower things.

Here's a picture of me and Fuschia. She even dresses awesomely!

Red and Fuschia. And a crib full of gifts!

One other fun thing from the shower was that I revealed genders, which was exciting. But I'm not sharing here yet, sorry!

The following day, my brother (fantastic photographer) did a maternity shoot for me. Blue got roped into a few photos, and otherwise played assistant, and Fuschia took some behind the scenes photos. It was fun, and perfect weather for it. Here's one sample shot that will be my 26-week photo for you guys. He's still working on tweaking the rest of them.

Beamer Photography

Can we say "Hello, belly"?

More to come from this session in September!

Belly Photo

So I was feeling rather cute last night before we headed off to Infant Care 101, so I had Blue take a picture. I might make this one of my outfits for my maternity shoot on Sunday, although jeans might be a bit hot...

25 weeks, 2 days

I feel way huger than I look here. Maybe stripes were minimizing for once? It's kind of crazy how many things with horizontal stripes are marketed to pregnant women. And I own a bunch of them. I guess embrace the roundness when it's for a good reason?

I'm also rocking my new glasses in this photo. They are blue (hard to see here). I rather love them. They made me dizzy at first because they are like three times stronger than my old glasses or something like that. Apparently I am both nearsighted and farsighted and should wear glasses all the time. Who knew? Yay astigmatism!

More on Infant Care 101 another time. I'll just say that we now feel very confident in our ability to diaper a teddy bear.

22 Weeks!

Number of weeks...Two-Two! (This should be said in a sing-song manner like we used to do when playing bingo on camping trips. I miss campground bingo. But I digress.)

Four weeks to go until the third trimester. What the heck!? On some level I'm glad it's going quickly, but on pretty much all other levels I'm a bit panicked that in less than four months two babies are going to be relying on me and Blue for everything. And as they get older they are going to expect me to have all the answers, because I'm Mommy. I guess I could always call MY mommy, because to me she still has all the answers.

In any event, at 22 weeks the babies are anywhere from 13 to 21 ounces. Knowing our kiddos, they are probably definitely over a pound each. They are the size of papayas.

This explains why my ribs have been hurting. There is probably a papaya baby (or two) wedged in there. And here I thought my long torso would save me from that kind of ache.

They are growing eyelashes and eyebrows, and are sleeping in cycles that usually last about 13 hours. I feel nudges when I get up in the morning and later at night, so they must be sleeping most of the day. Won't THAT be fun after they are born and we want them to sleep at night.

I'm feeling pretty good myself, other than the rib pain. No stretch marks (knock wood), no cankles, just a belly button that is getting ever-closer to being flat. So. Weird. On the plus side, I've had a few people recently tell me that I had the pregnancy "glow." Woo. Judge for yourself:

"Glow" could also be "sweat." We were walking on a hot day.

I also had my first real craving today. Woke up from a nap and HAD to have chips and dip. So off to the supermarket we went. So worth it. So delicious. Kind of ruined my appetite for dinner, but oh well!

21 Weeks!

This week makes 21 weeks along. I've known I was pregnant for 119 days, and there are about 133 days to go until my official due date (but as I've said, they will come early). Crazy! Sometimes it feels like just yesterday I was shaking reading the word "pregnant" on the test--and had no idea it was twins!

Look at that belly!

The countdown continues!

What are the chances this shirt fits until I deliver? I made it before I knew it was twins so I was just counting on a "regular" pregnancy. That said, it IS a size XL. So we'll see...

This week the babies are supposedly the side of pomegranates.

But as we saw at my ultrasound last week, they are likely already 13 ounces-plus each, so they're a bit ahead of thebump.com's prediction. Which is okay, since they just use averages. Some babies weigh more, some weigh less. I'll take bigger (and hopefully healthier) over smaller any day! Of course, once (if?) stretch marks appear I'll likely change my tune.

If you've been paying close attention, you might have noticed that they went from 6.5 inches in length last week to 10.5 inches this week and be wondering if they just had a superhuman growth spurt. Well, no. Up to now length has been measured from "crown to rump." This week, length begins being measured from head to toe. So now their legs are being included.

And they are exercising those little legs more and more against my insides. But I'll take it if it means I know they are doing okay. I think it's mainly Baby B so far because the nudges have been higher and Baby A is lower, but he or she might have snuck a leg up towards my ribs for a jab or two for all I know.

This weekend I decided to break my no-booze rule a little bit. And by little, I do mean little.

Guess which glass is mine?

I still really want an ice cold beer, preferably Yuengling. About 15 weeks to go...maybe 17. I can do it.

Vermont

I mentioned last week that my brother took a few photos of me when we were up at a wedding in Vermont. He's done his photographer thing and made them look even awesomer by tweaking color and other magical things. I love them! I can't wait for him to do a longer maternity shoot in August (I hope!). So here's me right around 19 weeks:

Beamer Photography

Beamer Photography

In other exciting news, I am 90 percent sure I've felt some nudges from what I think is Baby B over the past week. Usually it's when my arms are crossed over my belly when trying to nap on the train, or when I'm sitting too close to the desk at work. It's a sensation unlike anything I've felt before, so I think I can confidently say it's not gas! It's been happening almost every day and is very reassuring. I'm still looking forward to my anatomy scan tomorrow to make sure they are on track and healthy, of course!

And now I'm also paranoid that they are going to team up on me and break some of my ribs. I read about a woman who had four ribs broken by her baby kicking... And what can you really do about that until after they are born? So I'm hoping they are gentle with their mama...

Probably Halfway There

Eighteen weeks. INSANE! Given that the average delivery for twins happens at 36 weeks (though I hope to hit 38, for their sake), I am very likely halfway through my pregnancy.

And so far, it's been surprisingly easy and awesome (knock wood). I know as I get larger I'll get achier and sleep less and pee more (if that's possible), but I'll take that as it comes. One week at a time. That's what's gotten me this far so quickly (it seems).

Check out that baby bump:

And a front-view of my countdown shirt (and super comfy skirt):

Skirt: Old Navy, $19.94

This week, the babies are supposedly the size of sweet potatoes! This should make Blue happy, as he loves sweet potatoes. I don't really get the fascination, as I much prefer a classic baked potato with butter, salt, sour cream, cheese and bacon. Although that might just be the babies talking...

From thebump.com

I think our babies might be a bit bigger than this based on our last ultrasound, but since I have another one tonight, I'll try to get more accurate measurements.

I'm highly amused by the fact that they might get the hiccups. I keep picturing jumping beans. Or popcorn popping. I'm still a little sad I don't feel them yet, but I suppose I should count my blessings that they aren't distracting me from work more than I already am.

So there you go. Sweet potato babies!

Week Sixteen!

Week sixteen means I am getting ever larger. But still feeling cute!

Not so bad from the front

Definite baby bump from the side. Shirt: Motherhood, $26.98

Sorry for the wrinkles. I'm terrible at putting laundry away and just pulled this out of the bottom of a laundry basket this morning.

This week, the babies are the size of avocados. Which is pretty cool, because I love avocados. Especially when wrapped in bacon. But I digress...

Together, they weigh about a half a pound. This explains why I seem to be gaining weight this week (finally)! I think I'm up nearly 10 pounds now. Phew. And today I actually feel hungry, rather than apathetic. Progress!

So, this week the babies' ears are developed enough that they can start to hear my voice. I imagine I sound like the adults on the Peanuts cartoons.

They say (whoever "they" are) that if I read them a book repeatedly throughout the rest of pregnancy, that after they are born, they will recognize the book when I read it to them and it can be comforting to them because it is familiar. They obviously won't understand the words, but they will recognize the ebb and flow of it as long as I read it the same way. I think I'm going to pick this book:

I used to love when my mom read it to me as a kid (and, not going to lie, even when I was sick in high school). She would quack and honk and it made me laugh every time. My copy is old and falling apart, but I'm hoping my kids will love it too. And sadly they don't print it anymore.

The babies are also developing their scalp patterns, even though they might not be growing hair quite yet. So if one of them is going to have a cowlick, it's being set in stone this week. Both Blue and I have cowlicks, so I think our kids are pretty much doomed. They are also growing their teeny tiny toenails. Which we are going to color code with nail polish to tell them apart, if they look super alike as babies.

Speaking of nail polish, I did my own toenails in bright pink Monday night. I figure soon I won't be able to reach (or see) my feet, so I might as well do it while I can!

Countdown Continues

I hit 15 weeks tomorrow. Crazy!

Front shot

Definitely a bump there now!
   

This week they are the size of navel oranges. Here's a cute graphic from thebump.com.

Totally crazy how big they are getting! I'm kind of shocked I'm not bigger than I am, with eight inches of babies! Within the next few weeks I should be feeling some flutters from their movements, although they are moving around a lot right now, testing out their tiny muscles.

Sorry I don't have more today. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have some nursery "before" shots for you. Get ready for a messy office/guest room. I can't wait to get it cleaned up and organized as a nursery!

Maternity Fashion

Gone are the days of mumus and oversized t-shirts. Maternity fashion is IN in recent years, and there are lots of options out there.

With the help of Old Navy, Motherhood, and my mother (who insisted on buying me some maternity shirts--thanks Mom!), I think I'm in for a very fashionable pregnancy. Probably more fashionable than I was before. Actually, definitely more fashionable than I was before.

Today, I feel like Audrey Hepburn.

Just a larger, less perfectly made up version.

capris: Old Navy, $23; shirt: Old Navy, $26.94 (talk about random pricing)

I am positively in LOVE with these capris. I think I will have to buy a non-maternity version for next summer, because I just feel so freaking adorable. I might even buy them in white. I can walk the city with confidence, knowing I don't look like a totally bedraggled, shapeless, pregnant woman. I might even call myself a cute pregnant woman.

I even have a bump now!

P.S. I love the shadow on the wall that makes me look 9 months pregnant already.

Yeah, babies! Starting to make mommy look preggo instead of just a McNugget addict! Way to go!

I think someone on the subway even let me have a seat that opened up because of it. Either that or I just looked REALLY tired at 7:45am. Whatever the case, I'll take it!

Now, time for a wine and cheese party at work at which I will drink no wine and hoard as much cheese as I possibly can. Bon appetit!

Let the Countdown Begin

You may have heard of a little website called Pinterest. It's an addicting wonderland of images of things ranging from recipes to DIY projects to photography tips to, yes, nursery and baby ideas. You create "pinboards" full of things that you like, are inspired by, and/or want to try yourself.

I started pinning almost a year ago in boredom, which has left me somewhat prepared for planning our nursery and coming up with baby announcement ideas. It's also shown me that documenting my growing size can be done in many, many, many ways.

Exhibit A:

This obviously requires a lot of thought each week and some creative penmanship skills. And a chalkboard. This path is not for me.

Exhibit B:

This one requires Photoshop (not a problem) and notable cravings and aversions. All I'd be able to write is that I get near-migraines on an almost daily basis and come home from work exhausted and useless. Also, I'd need some sexy black clothes, which I'm just not feeling right now. (P.S. She is so much further along than 12 weeks, right?)

Exhibit C:

This one is by the blogger at onelittleminuteblog.com. She also makes and sells them. I should have just bought one instead of trying to make my own in my own lazy way. DIY is not my forte (someday ask to see my Halloween 2011 crafts). But I gave it a go freehand with some fabric markers, and this is the result.

Week 6:

It's not pretty, folks. But it'll have to do. Maybe  I'll switch to the sexy black outfit idea when I have more energy. Or maybe just putting on some makeup would help. But for now...

Week 11

I'm not sure if that's baby belly or just all the food I've been allowing myself to eat over the past two months...