Week 21: No Rest For The Wicked

They say this is the golden time of pregnancy. I'm going to call it tolerable. For the most part things are feeling mostly comfortable still... Not so sick, can eat things normally... But I am having a heck of a  time  with activity. Now I'm no Jillian Michaels but I can usually hold my own, especially when it comes to lifting, walking, crouching, climbing the stairs in the house, etc. Yes, even this little exertion gets my heart thumping in my ears and me panting for breath. Sad but true and something I am not used to. I do  not like being physically incapable but I will tolerate it for the next few months. I suppose its only going to get worse. Had to stop kick boxing a few weeks ago mostly due to time restrictions but I'm going to be honest and admit that I will not be back for a long time. Still am proud I kept at it until the 19 week mark. I think I might join pregnant people yoga once all these courses settle down... Ha, if  that happens. Things are not looking any lighter for the next month. I will have to cool it eventually, but for now still have a pregnancy course, photo course, dnd, various friend visits, work, gardening... Its tough making life and living life at the same time.
Well here I am looking a little more pregnant. And yes I know I have a keen sense of style!

So on Thursday night, mostly due to exhaustion, I had my 4th emotional breakdown since this all started. They are pretty funny, retrospectively of course. Sometimes its uncontrollable crying over sad movies, if not, then irrational worries and laments. Its tough being full of hormones. Proudly though, I've only had 2 baby brain episodes. Once I packed my cell phone away with my dice in Jen's cupboard, where luckily she thought to look, otherwise it would have been a week until I found it. Second, I ended up wearing Matt's sandals in to work instead of mine and didn't notice until I got there, too late and far away to change them. Again, things I can only assume will get worse. Oh well, at least they are funny.

On Saturday we tried another shopping escapade. There was suppose to be a 50% sale at Babies R Us but it was super lame and we just ended up buying sheets, cuz nothing else was on sale. Then we went up to the baby store for the richer than us crowd. Checked the prices and left. So checking things off the list has been a little slow, needless to say. Either way, I feel we will be better at getting things after the baby course. No rush right now... Yet...
Today, we gardened and finally bought a compromise of a patio set. It looks better than expected and at least I can lounge the summer away in some comfort. It was another long day and I am pooped and will probably be sore tomorrow. Once I'm done this blog its early to bed or me!

This week the baby size veggie is... Spaghetti squash... Ooookay. They are developing better eye sensors, their hand gripping abilities, and sprouting more hair this week. Considering we are going to have curly haired hobbity babies they better start growing that hair now! One the plus side I am almost 95% sure I felt some distinct kicks from baby girl the other night. Still hard to tell what a lot of the sensations are but those ones felt fairly obvious. Hopefully, more to come soon. In honor of the  babies I colored my nails accordingly at my pedicure! Dorky... Yes! Fun.. Also yes!

Alright, this was a along one. Time to sleep now. Kittens say "about time."
PS Although my feet do not look swollen in this picture it has begun depending on my salt/water intake and activity. I will try to keep it at bay because swollen feet really suck.

Week 20: Tickled Pink AND Blue

The big ultrasound day was Wednesday and as far as can be told everything is going well and everyone is healthy! Yeah! Because one can worry about such things and I surely have been. But the "funnest" news so far... We are having a little boy AND girl!! I know I would have been happy with any outcome, and their healthiness is by far the most important thing, but I can't say I wouldn't have chosen one of each if I could have. So there ya go. Good news all around. Twin A is the baby girl and B is the boy.

The week, in addition to this news, was (as I mentioned) action packed. Monday: plant shopping road trip. Tuesday: baby photo course. Wednesday: ultrasound. Thursday: started macro photo course. Friday: Heather from Quebec came to visit for the weekend. Monday: another plant shopping road trip!! And work all the week long too. Phew! I am looking forward to a quieter week. Have some plants to pot up and some yard work to do and once that is done guess we better get some baby planning on the go. We signed up for a twin birthing class which should help us know what to prepare and that starts next Monday. Should be interesting...

So far I still have yet to feel anything very obvious as far as baby kicks which is kind of disappointing. But I was also disappointed by how I was taking so long to 'show' and now I am kind of glad that I'm still on the small side because we still have a long way to go. Maybe I should also be grateful that I don't have any kicks waking me up yet... Perhaps they will come. Or perhaps my super thick uterus, and my mega abs will hold all of that at bay. Time will tell, and my dr said first time pregnancies don't usually feel things until 22 weeks. In the meantime I might have to believe that I am starting to look a little pregnant now. Maybe this week I will give in and go look at maternity clothes. For the first time at work a stranger noticed and thats saying a bit because I am wearing pretty baggy scrubs for the most part. Good, because I'd rather look pregnant than fat!

This week the babies grow to the length of a large banana. I might still report this whole fruit business because it is funny but I am beginning to doubt its accuracy, especially when there are two. Still, it basically says that the proportions are the same as a normal baby but can fit in the palm of your hand. Its crazy to think we all started so small! Also, the babies are hiccuping and swallowing... the amniotic fluid, which they say is flavored by the things I eat! Hope they like blueberry bagels! Alright, that is all for now.

PS for the record the 2nd physio/acupuncture was followed by four days of headaches. I am officially skeptical. Not sure if I'll go back... Hmm. Also, pills still essential. Forgot this am and brought up my bagel in the clinic sink. Ah well... Things are going well otherwise, small pains for big rewards!

Week 19: 30 Years Young

Officially turned 30 this week even though I've felt 30 for the last 4 years. Can't say the babies didn't poopoo my 30th year bash but I am pretty glad they did. It just means that I'll be a mommy by the time I hit 31. The whole mothers day thing does get one to be a little reflective on such things. Mom feels a lot like wife; it's a title that I've always wanted but might take some getting used to.

This week I'll say my biggest grievence has been my perpetual snotty nose which is saying a lot... Basically meaning that the week has been pretty uneventful as far pregnancy problems goes. Hopefully things will carry on this way. I had to cancel my physio follow up so I dont know if it would have helped with the headaches or not. I dont know if i will go next week... Will see how the headaches go in the next few days.

Well I'm going to finish this post retrospectively! I just ran out of steam as the week somehow was crazy busy and the week after was no better. I wish I had the energy of that little pink battery bunny.

Anyway this week the babies grew to the size of mangos... I'm not even sure I know how big mangos are, ha! They are mostly done developing their baby boy and girl parts now which is why one can find out the gender at the ultrasounds. This was a tough one for us as we had decided, when there was just one baby, that we wanted it to be a surprise. I cant remember any real legitimate surprises in my life so I kind of thought I was due. Well... The whole twin thing definitely trumped that concept. Now I'm thinking I maybe don't need any more surprises. Plus it helps for planning, plus we don't have to decide on so many names, plus I kinda feel like this pregnancy needs just a little bit more 'fun' in it. So as of Wednesday we should have a better idea of what we are expecting. Its actually got me pretty excited to see how things are going, watch the babies float around my uterus, and find out what's in store, gender wise. I've had dreams about baby girls and baby boys, but I feel because the babies heartbeats and size are so similar that we're probably getting two of one or the other. Guess wee'll see soon!

Week 18: Twins Means Once and Done

Well this would be the official halfway point if we make it all the way to 38 weeks. Half way feels pretty good. Vomiting is hopefully a thing of the past as we've had some pretty good mornings; not all of them, but most. I still can not eat like the proverbial pregnant woman, who is suppose to eat her own meals in addition to her husbands, but this is probably ok. Just don't let me get into any cookies!

This week I have tried to deal with the headaches that randomly pop out of the blue. As a Tylenol addict I have found it pretty hard to resist taking meds for such things, and of course, the nausea made my stomach a trampoline for pills. Anyway, I mention this to the doc as I had to leave work early last week because of one. She figures maybe they're headaches related to spine/neck tension and referred me to a physiotherapist. Well, I said why the heck not give it a try. So I go, the therapist confirms there is some tension there. I'm thinking she'd probably find tension in a jelly fish, but still she massaged things that felt stiff and knotty, perhaps there's tension there after all. After some massage and aligning techniques she suggests acupuncture. Ok, I'm game and it was pretty interesting. You can really feel things pop when she hits the right spot! After that she suggest some electro-something-or-other and that was interesting as well. Self administered electro massage was actually pretty relaxing. All in all, it was very interesting. This is my way of describing something I am not entirely sure about and I am still withholding judgement. So far I was sore for 2 days after, but have only had 1 headache. I go back on Thursday and maybe will decide if it is worth it after that. I am already feeling some back pains so I do feel like she had some valuable advice for how to stand better. Perhaps it will be useful after all.
PS Bathing in the dark is very good for headaches! Even though the cats were very concerned about what I was doing. After being annoyed about the bathtub when we bought the house I believe it may become one of my favorite things.

This week the babies grow to the size of mangos. They gain better control of their limbs so anytime the stretching and kicking can start. I am told it feels like gas bubbles? but have yet to feel anything super obvious. We'll see how that develops in the weeks to come.

And still, aside from work and appointments, the weeks remain fairly eventful. Started book club with some new gals. They had picked a self help book called The Happiness Project. It was not exactly my cup of tea, but her chapter about children obviously held particular interest for me. Perhaps I may implement some of her ideas to help slow down the babies younger years. If we only do this once I want to try to an enjoy it as best I can. Today was a beautiful Calgary day. Hot, sunny, everybody was spring cleaning! Matt and I organized the garage which we didn't do when we moved due to the plant relocation project last autumn.  It felt good, and looks good, and I feel that garage is now ready to accommodate our expanding family.

Next week mom and I start a baby photo course. Looking forward to it a lot! Should be fun! And there's a whole lot more on the plate but I'll save that for next time. Luv luv!