25 Week Bump

I wrote everything (and took that slap-dash pic) below a few days ago, before we left for Georgia. But now I'm here, and having the best time!!! I missed my family, all my girlfriends, and am definitely enjoying all the wedding festivities! My body is starting to revolt against me though, so today I'm definitely taking it easy. Good thing it's a day of pampering ;)

Well, I've been cleared to go to Danielle's wedding/our epic NYC vacation!!! I'm still a bit nervous about how long we'll be gone, since yesterday I vacuumed my stairs and felt exhausted after. BUT my doctor doesn't seem worried at all about our flights, which is what [initially] made me the most nervous. So feeling hopeful that everything will be fine!

How far along? 25 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain: 25 lbs. Yep, it's in my medical record and everything

Maternity clothes? Full on maternity. I'm trying to find something perfect to wear for our baby shower, but I'm either overthinking things or there just isn't the perfect dress out there
Sleep: Started taking Pepcid before bed at the recommendation of my doc, and it's changed my life. I'm no longer waking up from horrible heartburn. Win!
Best moment this week: Being cleared to fly and getting my hair done. Nothing beats being pampered.
Miss Anything? My sister!! It makes me sad that I've gone this far in my pregnancy and haven't really been able to share it with her. BUT good thing I'm seeing her next week :) 

Movement: Getting strong kicks now. Like entire belly shaking kicks. Earthquake tummy.
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: No! So long stomach issues!
Gender:  Still our little boy and girl

Labor Signs: Nope. Although any kind of pains make me think it's labor signs. Deep down, I know it's round ligament pain and/or indigestion but I still pay attention to them.
Symptoms: Still have such low energy. A few hours of activity is still my limit. I forget what it's like to go-go-go all day. How the hell did I ever go to Disneyland??
Belly Button in or out? Still in! I figured out the band-aid trick to cover up the gaping hole that it is, and shall be using it for D's wedding :)
Wedding rings on or off? On. I don't want to give them up!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Although I did snap at David last night when he kept pulling me down to kiss him as he lounged on the couch. Even though it was sweet he kept wanting to give me kisses, he thought I was being coy by pulling away. But oh no, bending over like that was not good, and I finally had to yell STOP IT. It was a totally irrational response but I'm going to chalk it up to hormones. And obviously I apologized right after ;) 
Looking forward to: Getting my nails and toes done on Thursday. Thanks, Danielle for getting married so that I can treat mahself

24 Week Bump!

Such a great week!! Finally took the 3 hour glucose test that I've been putting off since I failed the 1 hour one when I was like...8 weeks :/ But good news--not diabetic!! Hooray for healthy mamma!! (not anemic either, yay!) And we just got back from our monthly ultrasound and the beans are right on schedule for their size! Clare is 1 pound 10 oz and Jack is 1 pound 11 oz :) I hope they stay that close in size. The ultrasound proved to be very entertaining as well, since Clare flipped up in me, and now has her feet right on top of Jack's head. She was stretching out her little legs, basically kicking Jack right in the face. So much that he finally put his arm up to block the kicks. It was hilarious! Me, David, and the tech were all dying laughing. And here I thought that she was the calm one!! I'm sure it's going to be a running trend that I can't keep up with these two ;)

How far along? 24 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain: still about 20. Not sure, I'm going to get weighed on Friday so I haven't bothered doing it at home. I've decided not to care really about it anymore, since the babes are growing perfectly, I don't have diabetes, and I still try to eat healthy(ish) and often. 

Maternity clothes? Yep. And excited to wear the pretty maternity dress I got for Danielle's wedding next weekend!
Stretch marks? Still no
Sleep: Oh, sleep. I love and hate you. I miss my first trimester when I could sleep soundly for 12 hours straight. Yep. Said it. I miss my first trimester.
Best moment this week: Finding out I don't have diabetes (glad those 4 needle jabs brought tidings of joy), seeing the beans on the big screen, and hearing that they're growing nice and big and strong. 
Miss Anything? My sister!! It makes me sad that I've gone this far in my pregnancy and haven't really been able to share it with her. BUT good thing I'm seeing her next week :) 

Movement: Still all the time. I don't know any of their 'triggers' (like, drinking OJ or more movement at night when I'm resting). They seem to move about whenever. But I've been noticing more movement when I'm standing or walking. It used to just be when I'd sit
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: Still the heartburn battle, but it's not constant (yet). I have been sticking to milder foods just in case, which has been helping. I ate some tikka masala the other night....what was I thinking.
Gender:  Still our little boy and girl

Labor Signs: Nope
Symptoms: Nothing new
Belly Button in or out? In but nearly flat
Wedding rings on or off? On. I've got my 'fat' ring all ready to go though. It's starting to get HAWT here
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Seeing extended family next week, D's wedding, and our NYC trip! Lord, keep these babes healthy during our trip!!!!!

A Grateful Heart

Just a quick post.....

Since finding out that we're having twins, I've found myself scouring the internet/instagram for twin mom communities, advice columns, and daily blogs. They have been so helpful in preparing my mind for the adventure we've found ourselves in. 

But something that a lot of these writers of blogs, websites, and instagrammers have in common is infertility struggles. Since twin pregnancy is a very common result with ivf treatments, a lot of twin moms inevitably went through ivf. These moms are so brave to be sharing their stories about infertility and the real struggle it can be to start a family. I feel so absolutely blessed to be a small part of their community, just by carrying twins myself and  I'm infinitely aware just how lucky David and I are that we haven't had infertility struggles. 

I feel a bit guilty now thinking back to how betrayed/scared/regretful I felt when we first found out we were having two babies instead of one. I now see that God really was just doubly giving, and it's been all of the ivf mommies I follow who have helped me come to this state of gratefulness. 

Thank you, brave women who share your stories. I'm sure you do it for your benefit, and the benefit for others struggling with infertility, but it has helped me tremendously as well.

Clare and Jack, I can't wait to have you here with me. I know I'm already your mommy, but I can't wait to give you a hug, and thank you for coming into this world exactly as you should have. Two by two, leading me to lionhearted women who have unknowingly made me more humble, grateful, and loving.

xo

23 Week Bump

David was being such a dork, making me laugh my butt off when he was taking this week's photo, and he was so proud that he got 'candid' shots. I had to put this one up in honor of all the times he makes me laugh (even though I look like a total goob)

This week has again been blessedly uneventful. I did have a little moment of panic (I mean...I can't go a week without panicking about something) when I realized Clare doesn't move as much as Jack. At least, I don't think she does. She's on my left and Jack is on my right and most of the movement I feel is heavily on my right. Luckily I Googled this phenomenon of one twin moving more than the other and turns out it's totally normal. Which makes a lot of sense, I suppose. But things like that only make sense once your irrational fears are put to rest. Phew! 

How far along? 23 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain: still about 20. 22? Idk...it depends on what pre-preggo weight I'm going off of. According to the charts at my doctors office (i.e. when they actually started tracking my weight...) I've only gained 17 pounds. But I know better!!! Either way, my doc said I look great, and as long as I'm gaining, I'm doin' good

Maternity clothes? Yes. And sadly, I don't fit in any of my pre-pregnancy clothes anymore, with the small exception of sleepwear (um, little night gowns are my best friend ever!), some leggings and jackets. But all my summer dresses--forget it. I never realized before this that all my dresses have a cinched waist. And the few that don't no longer accommodate my HUGE boobs. I do have quite a few super cute maternity things, but I still miss my larger wardrobe.
Stretch marks? Nope!
Sleep: Heartburn woke me up a couple nights this past week, which was super annoying. What 26 year old gets heartburn!? It blows my mind the way that my body is reacting to growing two little humans. I mean, it should be NBD amirite? But other than that, I've been sleeping great, hooray!
Best moment this week: Going to our checkup after a month of no appointments, and hearing again that the babies are great (both head down and facing each other!!) and the placentas look great. I love me some good news :)
Miss Anything? It seems like such a trend, but I still miss being my old size haha. It hasn't stopped me from gaining weight, or taking it easy, and it helps that David acts like there isn't a giant belly between us when we snuggle. BUT, I'm still not loving rolling out of bed or feeling like I'm going to tip over when I bend down (ahem...shaving my legs or painting my toes? Ya, that counts as yoga now)

Movement: All the time, and David feels and sees their kicks all the time too. It's been fun
Food cravings: The other day I reeeeally wanted grape juice, but I didn't get any and I'm not too put out about it, so I'm wondering if it was a real 'craving'. I think that week of loving orange juice way back when was my only real craving.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really. Eating too fast makes me feel woozy. I feel like half my problems come from eating. Not eating enough, or often enough, or too late in the day, and apparently now too fast. I feel like I have to sit with a plate of rice in front of me and just eat one grain at a time, so by the time the day is over, I'm full! :/
Gender:  Still our little boy and girl

Labor Signs: Nope
Symptoms: Heartburn, aaaaaand that's about it
Belly Button in or out? In but nearly flat
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Another fancy ultrasound next week. And our doc appointment that will clear me for flying to Georgia for D's wedding (not like I haven't been 'cleared' this whole time. My doc hasn't even looked concerned that I'll be flying/traveling for 10 days. I know it's all in my head, but still! A girl likes to have peace of mind!) 
Not looking forward to? The three hour glucose test I've put off forever that I have to take next week as well :/ I'll be at the doctor's a lot this week....