26 Weeks

How far along? 26 Weeks 6 days.  (The size of a scallion) My belly is 42in around, however, it is starting to grow in every direction now.

Stretch marks? None. Varicose Veins

Sleep: I was EXHAUSTED this week!  I'm not sure if it was because I was sick, the HEAT, or just the fact I have two babies growing inside of me, but wow it was rough!

Best moment this week:  This week was really rough...so just knowing that the babies were okay was a good thing!

Miss Anything?  Being able to move comfortably!!!  Everything is starting to get very uncomfortable...which I am not use to because I never really got that way with the boys.     

Movement:  All the time! When I was hooked up to the monitor the poor nurse couldn't get good heart readings on the babies because they kept moving non stop!  The nurse said, "moms poor insides have to be all beat up!" 

Food cravings:  It's been too hot to crave food and the sickness did NOT help!  

Symptoms:  Heartburn. Ligament pulling...I just picked up a belly harness so that has helped a lot.  I look ridiculous, but it makes things feel so much better.     

Anything making you queasy or sick: I had the flu or something very similar to it Monday-Thursday.  It was AWFUL!!!!  I had fever, chills, aches, migraine, racing heart, I just felt like crap!!!

Labor Signs:    Braxton Hicks

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: SICK!  I wasn't very happy and my temper/patience has shrunk big time!!!  I sure hope I find both soon!

Looking forward to:  Week 27- I have my glucose test and Steve and I are taking a tour of the hospital tomorrow.  Labor Day Weekend,  For cooler weather...I'm very thankful we had a mild summer! 
Other:  Babies heart rates varied from 130-160 while I was hooked up to the monitor.  And then when I went in for an appointment on Thursday with a fever still, I believe the heartrate was 138 and 150.  I had a dream this morning that it was one of each.  We will see soon enough!
I also saw my sister-in-law this weekend who is exactly one month behind me and her belly is so little compared to mine!  It made me remember why my first two pregnancies seemed like a breeze.  :-)

Mom+Flu Sickness+Pregnancy= Total Disaster

Well folks I spoke too soon!!  You know how I said two weeks ago was so crazy....I should've just kept my mouth shut!  However, I'll probably insert my foot into my mouth again so I better be careful!!  BUT this week was awful, I was sick, sick, sick!  And I found out real fast being pregnant, having two typical boys, and being sick is NOT meant to be!!!!  I mean really, Steve is AMAZING, but mom's just aren't meant to get sick!!! 
It didn't help that we had a really messed up week of "daycare" since our regular sitter couldn't start until Wednesday.  So that alone threw us for a loop.  Luckily, I have great parents that can help out at drop of a hat and let me tell you they DO!  Thanks mom and dad!!!  They came down Monday to watch Cael in the afternoon.  I got home from work on Monday evening and just felt achy but assumed it was because I was really busy at work and sat at the computer a lot.  Went to bed, woke up about 2ish and could just tell I had a fever and a migraine to go with it!  Took Ibuprofen and tried to go back to sleep, which is NOT easy due to the fact I have two positions I can lay in, left side, pillow under belly and pillow under leg, or right side, pillow under belly and pillow under leg.  Both are neither that comfortable!  Woke up again at 4, headache getting worse and now I have the chills!!!!  And I mean shaking and just can't get comfortable....so it is time to wake up Steve!  I am not sure what I really wanted him to do, but I just didn't want him to feel out of the loop on what was going on with me!  Well, that didn't last he asked what he could get me and then 5 minutes later he was back to sleep.  I mean seriously didn't he see me violently shaking over here and not being able to get comfortable...okay, okay I'm not 100% sure what I wanted him to do for me, and he did get me whatever I needed, but if I'm up he should be too, right?  ;-)  Oh ya, and apparently the babies thought it was PARTY time in mommy's belly and were going crazy!!  Which I was very happy for them to be moving, but at that moment I just wanted to feel better and to sleep.  Bowen also ended up sleeping on our floor that night because he was nervous about school.  I couldn't catch a break that night!
Tuesday, up, called the Dr. and of course they wanted to see me in triage.  Again, thankful for my mom, she drove me to the hospital after dropping Bowen, who clung to me and would not let me leave!  I got a room and they hooked me up the heart rate machine!  Everything about having twins has been so different!!  I worry more, I am uncomfortable 90% of the time, my tummy is just big and uncomfortable, they move at opposite times and then sometimes at the same time (never allowing mommy's belly to rest) heartburn is ALL DAY long!  When hooked up to the machines there is double of everything...again obviously!  It's harder to get up and down.  Babies heart rate was great, my fever was down, but I still had a splitting headache.  They drew blood, tested my urine, and monitored my heart rate because it was higher than normal, but everything else looked great!  The Dr. gave me two Vicodin and sent me on my way.  Well folks I am not sure what Vicodin does to you, but it makes me LOOPY!!!!  I "walked" out of there got into the car and could barely lift my head.  Went straight to bed and didn't move until about 3ish.  And that is when I started shaking uncontrollably again.  Took my temp and it had risen to 101.  Called the dr, again and they told me to take more Ibuprofen and call back if it kept going up.  Did you know that inside your belly is 1 degree warmer than your body temperature...which is why they don't want your temp to get above 102.

Wednesday, I felt a little better, still not great and still had a fever, but it wasn't as bad.  So I decided to go to work...ya probably not a good choice, but one I made anyway.  I did okay until 5:00 and then I should've just came home.  I crashed once I finally got home.   

Thursday, still had a temp and the only way I could keep it down was by taking Ibuprofen, felt like I was drugging my babies!  I called the Dr and they made me an appointment.  Ran more tests, but also ruled out a bunch of things.  The Dr. was pretty sure that I had what the boys had last week and it just took me A LOT longer to get over it!!!  I think she was right, I rested, took the night off, and felt much better! 
HOWEVER, that was when my belly started hurting and I mean I couldn't walk the pain was so sharp!  However, you know when you get to the point where you have called the Dr so many times that you don't think they are going to believe you anymore.  And again, this is the difference between twins and having one.  I am way more paranoid with the these babies.  However, I did not call and just assumed it was my ligaments stretching and pulling, but yikes it hurts!
They of course felt better on Friday and finally I realized it was time to get a belly support band.  It has done wonders!  I looks crazy, but helps a ton!
Then on top of being sick, we have been wheeling and dealing on a van, Bowen has been crying EVERY day we drop him off, and Cael loved our sitter the first day and then realized she was here to stay the next day and wanted NOTHING to do with her!  It all will take time and we all just need to get into a routine....and then the babies will arrive and all hell will break loose!!!

Where does the time go?!?!

Does anyone else feel like these past two weeks have flown by?!?  Maybe it is because Bowen started school or because I had a full week of work or that Steve had one last week at his night job or that both boys were sick Tuesday and Wednesday...I'm not sure but whatever it was....these two weeks flew!!
My first week of work went good.  I was definitely ready for Friday to come.  Kuddos to the moms or dads that take a year or two off of work and then start back full time.  I guess it is very similar to teaching when you get the summer "off".  That first week of school is always tough, but it is always nice to get back into a routine!

We had orientation at school and Bowen ended up having a fever when we got home.  Which continued all day Wednesday.  He then decided to share it with Cael....which meant he probably wasn't faking it to get out of going to school! :-)  However, that also meant he could not go to school on Thursday, his first day!  So he had to miss the first day of Kindergarten...he was definitely thrilled, mom was NOT!  In the long run, it may have been a blessing because he was actually ready to go on Friday!  I dropped him off and he was a little hesitate but did not cry or cling to me!  Cael on the other hand had a really rough first couple of hours.  He whined, "I want Bo!" Where's Bowen?"  and then when we drove by the school it started all over again.  However, I couldn't blame the kid, I also missed him!!  I couldn't wait for Bowen to come home and see how his day went.  We were very eager to greet him off of the bus!  We all survived and Bowen enjoyed his first day!

Quick update on my new Job

So far so good!  Today was my third day and things are going very well!  Steve told me multiple times, while I was staying home, that I needed to leave the house, but I didn't quit realize how much he was right!  Supper time and bed time are both a little crazy, but we will get adjusted.  Steve's last night at his night job is Friday, so that will also help a ton because he will get home that much sooner.  Bowen starts school on Thursday, which will also help us all get into a regular routine. 
However, I can't believe he is going to KINDERGARTEN!  (TEAR)
It is still a learning experience and will be for a while, but to leave for only 6 hours 4 days a week and come home to the boys greeting me at the door yelling, "mommy's home!" with big open arms waiting to be swept up in a giant hug, is just priceless!  When you are home all day, everyday you hardly ever get to experience that and it is something I am glad I get to experience again because these two amazing little people will only do that for a little bit longer! :-(

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 Weeks 6 days.  (The size of an ear of corn)  HIP HIP HOORAY we made it to week 24!!!

Stretch marks? None. Varicose Veins

Sleep: Getting better.  Cael has been sleeping much better (I probably just jinxed that) and I usually only take one bathroom break.  I also don't get my nap now since I started work, so I think I'm just extremely tried.

Best moment this week:  The ultrasound.  This is always one of my favorite things....and with twins I have one every 4 weeks.  

Miss Anything?  Being able to play with the boys comfortably!  Yesterday, I was pitching the ball while sitting on a chair!          

Movement:  All the time! Baby A also gets the hiccups often. 

Food cravings:  Nothing really this week  

Symptoms:  Heartburn.  I had shooting pains in my lower, right side, stomach, which the Dr. told me it was just my ligaments stretching!  SUPER!     

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, and finally got rid of the sinus thing.  I have great pregnancies!!

Labor Signs:    Braxton Hicks

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, I started my new job on Wednesday and it went GREAT!  It is definitely more crazy around supper/bed time, but I still get to spend most of the day with the boys and still get out of the house to keep my sanity.  It is the best of all worlds.  At least until Bowen goes to school on Thursday, but we will all adjust.

Looking forward to:  Week 25...This pregnancy is taking forever, but each week crossed off the list is another milestone!  
Other:  24 Week Ultrasound:  Baby A cooperated this time and Baby B did not!  Baby B's leg was up by his/her face the whole time.  Both heart rates were 154.  Baby A weighs approx. 1lb 11oz (50th percentile) and Baby B weighs approx. 1lb 13oz (60th percentile).  I have gained 23lbs and my uterus is measuring at 30 weeks.  The doctor said everything looks great and everybody is doing VERY well!!!  Bowen thinks Twin A is a girl because he thought, from the pictures he/she has a lot of hair.  We still did NOT find out the sexes!  He has thought Twin A is a girl this whole time and Twin B is a boy.  So we will see if he is right.  I still feel two boys! 

23 Weeks

How far along? 23 Weeks 6 days (they are the size of large Mangoes)

Stretch marks? None.  Varicose Vein, basically on the back of my right leg

Sleep: Depends on the night.  My leg cramps started getting worse.  Heartburn is bad all the time (and was with the other two boys) but worse when I lay on my left side.  Also, rolling over from side to side since I can't sleep any other way is getting more and more difficult.  I try to get a 20 minute nap or so every couple of days, but that will change once my job starts

Best moment this week:  My boys are the sweetest!  I absolutely adore when the come up to my belly, lift my shirt, and either talk to or kiss my belly!  It melts my heart every time!  Even when Cael does it at the most random times like during church!

Miss Anything? Still being able to sleep comfortably!          

Movement:  I can't wait (well I can, because I don't want them to come too early) to meet these babies.  Baby A was my mover, kicker, and the one that refuses to give us a good picture.  Baby B was the one who lays so nicely, will have little movements, but nothing huge and we have great pictures!  HOWEVER, that changed this week!  Baby B is a MOVER!!!  After supper time, almost every night the outside of my belly goes CRAZY, all on Baby B's side!  Bowen just thinks it is the funniest thing!!  Baby A still moves, but apparently Baby B didn't want to be known as the "laid back one" anymore.  

Food cravings: Doritios! (seriously, can't it be healthy things?!)

Symptoms:  Heartburn and I came down with a nasty Sinus bug! Which makes sleeping that much more challenging!      

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Labor Signs:    Braxton Hicks

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but overwhelmed this week.  I start my new job on Wednesday, trying to find daycare, trying to stay stress free, and get everything ready for Bowen to start school in a week makes things a little overwhelming!

Looking forward to:  Week 24!!  That was one of my goal weeks!  If I were to deliver at week 24 the survival rate is very good!  HOWEVER, with that being said, we are praying that we do NOT deliver this early and are REALLY hoping to hit week 38!!!  But my next goal is week 31.

Other:  Week 23 Doctors appointment went great!  Babies heart rates were completely different this time, 138 and 150!  Last time they were the exact same at 140.  I have gained a total of 19 lbs.  My stomach around still measures 41 inches this week and my uterus was measuring at 28 weeks.  The doctor says everything is right on track!  I have another ultra sound next week, which can't come soon enough.  

Schools about to start....

Are my kids the only ones that are just starting to sleep in?  We are one week away from school starting and NOW they decide to sleep in?!?  All summer long we have gotten up anywhere from 5:30 to 6:30 (6:30, being hallelujah sleeping in)! BUT not the last three days, it has been 7:30!!!!!  Seriously, where was this 2 months ago when we had no where to go and no schedule?  We were just sitting down starting breakfast today and I told Bowen that next week we would be leaving for school at this time.  It always amazed me when I taught that people were hardly ever late the first day/week of school, but come November-May, they file in at all different times in the morning.  Yep its official I will probably be "that mom", especially after the twins arrive.
Another thought...why is it you always have plenty of time to get out the door, but when it is time to ACTUALLY go out the door, you all of a sudden are running WAY behind schedule and neither kids have their shoes on, and one usually has to go to the bathroom, And you realize you forgot the snacks, the diaper bag, the drink, the "blankie" and where did you last put the keys?  Finally, you get out to the vehicle to find one kid climbing all over the seats, refusing to get into his own seat, and the other one is shouting things at you that you have just realized that you forgotten in the house, but don't have time to run back in to get.  Also, you are now in a full blown sweat, wondering why you even showered this morning and if you remembered to put on deodorant!  FINALLY, after a wrestling match to get the one child into his seat, we are ready to go and then realize we are almost out of gas!  YEP this is a typical day everytime we leave the house!  So, how is it that I am going to get 1 kid dressed, because the other 3 don't need to be until after we get home (who is really going to pay attention to them), fed, teeth brushed, bathroom break done, bag packed and into the car by 7:50 especially because we don't get up until 7:30?  Ya, I'm not sure how I am going to do it either, but I guess I will find out soon enough!!!  Its just another thing parents do on a regular basis which is why we are NEVER early!

What am I thinking!?!?

I haven't posted in a while because I have been (not so) patiently waiting to hear if I am as crazy as I think I am...and it's official I am CRAZY!!  :-)  I got a JOB, I interviewed on Tuesday and they called me Friday afternoon!!!!!!!!  Seriously, who gets a job 24 weeks pregnant and with twins?  Apparently, this girl!!  I will be an Administrator Assistant for Teacher Education for The University of Upper Iowa at the Waterloo campus.  I am only part time and will work M-Th 1:00-6:00.  I am excited, but VERY nervous at the same time!  I haven't worked for over 2 years, but it is time (okay I will admit the timing isn't perfect, but it will all work out, it always does, right?)  Did I also mention I may possible start on Wednesday?  Yes, in one more day!  I found out Friday night and have been frantically trying to find daycare for the kiddos.  Bowen starts school on the 14th and thank God for my mother-in-law, my parents and a couple college students, we (I) may have it figured out.  At least the first three weeks.  Steve, also, can quit working at night and we can hopefully, finally, get back into a routine.  Well....at least until the babies arrive!  So, there you have it ladies and gentleman I am living proof that you CAN get a job pregnant and with twins!

The second reason I have not posted in a while is because Steve's sister, Sherrie and her family were home visiting from Colorado.  So, Bowen and Cael were busy seeing and playing with their cousins.