Our Temporary Nursery

Here are a few pics of the "nursery" we have put together for when our babies come home. While it would be nice to have all of their furniture in their own rooms in our new house, they really won't know the difference between a pack-n-play and their cribs for the first few weeks anyway. At least that's what I keep telling myself! We are so ready to be settled, but at least this process has taught me some patience, which I will be needing lots of in the future!

Another OB Appointment

We had our weekly check up with the OB today and things are progressing well. I am measuring 38 weeks, my BP was 110/70 and my iron still slightly low at 11.8. I will continue on the iron supplement until delivery, which will be scheduled as of now for sometime during the week of Dec 7th. However, the doctor doesn't seem to think I'll make it that long since my cervix has thinned and I am already dilating.

I have also developed a condition known as PUPPS, which is nothing serious and more annoying than anything. It simply means my entire body itches 24/7, and nothing seems to help. I have these little red dots on my skin, which is considered a rash of some sort. Ah, the little known facts of pregnancy! It is nearly impossible to sleep or rest comfortably (as if it weren't already difficult!). He told me I could try benadryl, and if it doesn't work he will send me to a dermatologist. The only real cure is delivery. Darn sensitive skin!

We go back next Friday for another check-up. It won't be long now!

Dan vs the Double Stroller

Since we are going to be delivering our babies in GA (and hopefully moving soon afterwards; we hope to get a closing date this Thursday), we decided it was time to get some of the basics we were previously waiting to purchase. These things included, first and foremost, the stroller and car seats. It is amazing how much space these 3 items alone take up in a car! We are certainly going to have to change our method of packing when traveling in the future!

The car seats come pretty much ready for use out of the box, but the stroller took a little more effort. I took some pics of Dan while he was putting the stroller together, including proof that he actually referenced the instruction manual (which made me breathe a sigh of relief it was put together correctly!) We also put our temporary nursery together as well, including washing 5 loads of clothes, blankets, burp cloths, etc. I have to give most of the credit to Dan for the work, as I was only able to supervise! Pics to follow soon of our temporary nursery. In the meantime, here are some pictures of Dan and stroller...with a little help from our cat, Piper, as well!

OB/Peri update

Last week we had two doctor appointments, and we are getting excited that we'll get to meet our babies in just a few weeks! Monday we went to the OB for a basic check-up. My BP, iron and weight all look good. The babies are still measuring around 37-38weeks. We spoke with Dr. Alarcon regarding possible delivery options and time-lines. He said they won't schedule me to deliver until 38 weeks because they want their lungs to be as developed as possible. While it seems like forever, I can deal with the discomforts as long as they are healthy. I will go back next Friday and we will begin to look at the calendar and try to schedule a date if possible. Unless baby girl turns, it looks like I will be a scheduled C-section.

Then we went to the perinatologist on Friday, and my friend Karen was able to come to the appointment with us. How often do you get to see twins on an ultrasound? The good news is they are both right on track from a growth perspective. Baby girl has really hit a growth spurt, and unbelievably they are both weighing the same...4.6 lbs each! His heartrate was around 156 and hers was around 150. Their measurments were right on track and Dr. Nathan is pleased with their progress. Baby boy is still laying head down oblique across my abdomen and baby girl is transverse across my abdomen, which means almost certain c-section.

I will go back in 3 weeks, and he said they could probably schedule me for delivery sometime during the 37th week. He will discuss the options with my OB as his concern is that my uterus can only stretch so far, and I am vertically challenged to begin with! So it looks like we'll be delivering sometime between Thanksgiving and the first of Dec (unless the babies have plans of their own!) That is only 3-5 weeks away, and I am counting every second! I can't wait to feel "normal" again, and even more, I can't wait to finally hold our little boy and little girl!

Groundhog Day

I'm sure everyone remembers the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray. That is pretty much how life has felt for the past few weeks! Every day is basically the same. Breakfast, trying to find a comfortable position, once finding said comfortable position having to go to the restroom for the hundredth time, re-finding said comfortable position, snack time, restroom, lunch...well, you get the idea! But I am counting down the days until we meet our two little bundles of happiness, and all the pain, discomforts and worries will be worth it!

I have two doctor appointments this week (OB Monday and perinatologist Friday), and we are hoping they will provide some more information regarding delivery, how much longer, etc. It looks like we won't be able to close on the house in NC before they arrive afterall, so we are making new arrangements to deliver in GA at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. Dan in on his way to Charlotte now to pick up some things from our babies shower in August, so we can begin preparing a temporary nursery here. Although it is not the ideal circumstances we had anticipated, we are making the best of it and rolling with things as they come. The babies won't know they didn't come home to a fully decorated nursery (or even a crib!) right? We figure they'll be living in the pack-n-play for the first few weeks, anyway. At least we'll have lots of people in GA to help us out in the beginning (hint, hint, wink, wink!)

Atlanta Babies Shower/Going Away Party

This past Sunday our friends Karen and Yvette hosted a babies shower/going away party for us, even though we aren't quite ready to leave Atlanta yet. We are still in the process of closing on the house, but that is another story for another blog post! But as the pregnancy is progressing and I'm getting more uncomfortable, we thought this would be the best time to have the party. Once the babies arrive, it will be even crazier, and we may be moving in a short period of time without much time to plan.

It was wonderful and bittersweet at the same time to see everyone. It really started hitting me that we will be leaving lots of great people and great times once we move to NC. And it reminded me that we will have to visit often! I think we also broke a record for the most pregnant women in a room not attending a birthing class-5 at one time...7 babies total, 5 boys, 1 girl and one surprise!

Thanks to everyone for being so generous and giving up your Sunday afternoon to spend time with us. We are glad to know we will have so many babysitters! =)

Here are some pics from the memorable day:

6.6 Pounds of Babies!

I went for my check up with the perinatologist Friday and just like usual, one baby cooperated, and one didn't. Is this a sign of what's to come? This time our little girl was posing for the camera like she was on Project Runway, while our baby boy had his face buried so deeply it looked like he was in the witness protection program! We were barely able to get his head measurements.

Our baby girl had a heart rate of 141 and weighed 2lbs, 14 oz. Quite the growth since my last appointment! She had her eyes open, was yawning and stretching her arms (well, as much as she can in that tight space!). It was pretty amazing to see her so active, especially since her features are more fully formed now. She was laying completely horizontally across my abdomen. Her measurements looked good and were within the "normal" range.

Our little boy had a heart rate of 153 and weighed 3lbs, 8 oz. He was laying diagonally across my abdomen, so not only is he taking more of the nutrients right now, he is taking more of the space! I'm sure his sister will remember that after they are born! Her face was laying right by his little booty. We weren't able to see his face clearly this time because we couldn't get him to flip over, but thankfully his measurements were also in the "normal" range and that is what really matters.

Dr. Nathan was slightly concerned with their weight variance (18%). He would like it to be less than 20-25%. But so far it is ok and we are just going to monitor it throughout my appointments. I am now going to the OB every 2 weeks and the perinatologist every 2-3 weeks. The appointments are one of my few adventures out of the house since I'm still on restricted activity. My cervix was measuring a little short again, so he told me to continue to stay off of my feet as much as possible. Dr. Nathan seems to think I'll be able to get to 34-36 weeks as long as there are no unforeseen problems. I can't believe we'll be parents by Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Anniversary!

Dan and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary yesterday. It's hard to believe we have been married for that long, and what a wonderful present we received this year. Actually, two wonderful presents! Since Dan has been traveling so much, and I'm on bed rest, it was a pretty low key day-which was perfect!

We try to stick to the traditional gift giving, and the 6th year gift is candy or iron. The candy part was easy (snickers and smarties!) but the iron part a little more difficult. We agreed that iron was a type of metal, and decided to go that route instead. He gave me a heart locket and two little heart lockets to match, and I gave him a die cast Atlanta Braves OCC replica motorcycle. And we had breakfast for dinner...yummy!

Happy 6th Anniversary, Dan. I love you more today than the day we said "I do!" Thank you for the two most wonderful presents ever! Hope you enjoy the memories...and here's to countless more.

!

It's Official

I went to the perinatologist yesterday and although there has been some slight improvement, he thought it would be best if I go on short term leave until the babies are born. He said that because of all of the walking and driving involved with my job, after 2-3 days back at work I would be right back where I was a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately I can't really do my job from home, and I don't have the option to work half days. I know I should enjoy the downtime, but I wish I could be more productive with all the time off! Never again in my life will a doctor say "you know what...take it easy for 8 weeks!" He told me to keep my walking to a minimum, so luckily they eased the restrictions a little bit.

It looks like Dan will be traveling to Cleveland Mon-Fri until November (the babies could come any time after that), but we are making the best of the situation. We know it is only for a short period of time. We are also making progress towards purchasing our house in NC, and we are so optimistic we are planning a going away/baby shower for October 18th. Both the sellers and us have agreed to the terms of the contract, and someone from the bank has been assigned to review the paperwork. We hope to have a close date within the next two weeks, and then the planning/coordinating really begins!

Joni's baby shower

It was so nice to get out of the house for a little bit on Saturday, and even nicer to celebrate at my friend Joni's baby shower. We bonded when we both worked at GSK, and have remained friends ever since. Ironically, we are due within 1 day of each other (if I was to make it to 40 weeks). She and her husband Mark are going to be surprised at delivery as they have decided to not find out the gender. Here are a couple of pics from the shower.



I also wanted to say THANK YOU to my wonderful family and friends for all of their phone calls, dinners, movies, books and well wishes. It has definitely made the days bearable, especially since poor Dan is stuck in Ohio every week for work. I am blessed to have such kind and giving people in my life. THANKS!!!!

Another week of bedrest

I went to the perinatologist on Friday and Dr. Nathan thinks it would be best for me to stay on strict bedrest for at least another week because the babies are still giving me contractions and my cervix isn't yet at the "acceptable" level. I will go back a week from today for another check-up and then we will try to make a long term decision as to my work status. I am using vacation and sick days for now, but they are quickly running out!

Unfortunately Dan had to leave for Cleveland early this morning for another week. Luckily his flight left on time, considering the days and days of rain we have had with severe flooding at times. My dad and stepmom will be in town tomorrow evening to visit for awhile and cook dinner, and I have some friends coming over on Wed evening to keep me company as well. Thank goodness for them, and for TIVO, the movie channels, and good books. I am hopeful I'll be able to go back to work on a limited basis for at least a few weeks, but I think I am in the minority in my beliefs. We'll see....

Follow up with the OB

I went to see the OB yesterday and the good news is my infection is getting better and the cramping is subsiding some. Unfortunately I am still contracting and measuring the size of someone 36 weeks pregnant (I've gained about 21 pounds so far). Yikes! No wonder my body is getting ready for labor...it thinks it is only a few weeks away! She is keeping me out of work for now and has modified my "taking it easy" status to no sitting and laying on my side only and "watching Oprah" as she put it! After I see the perinatologist on Friday, they will make a decision regarding my work status. I hope I can go back on a limited schedule, but I have to do what is best for the babies. I guess I'll be watching lots of movies and reading over the next several days considering there isn't much else I can do from my side. I am trying to enjoy the down time, because once the babies come it will be crazy to say the least!