19 Week Update

How far along: 19 weeks!

What are the Twins up to?: Our babies’ sensory development is exploding! Their brains are designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that they may be able to hear my voice now. 
The twins weigh about 8 1/2 ounces and measure  6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a mango. Their arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of their body now. Their kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on their scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on their skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Maternity clothes: I am very close to giving in and going shopping. My mom and I have discussed a maternity shopping trip within the next few weeks. I think I am going to just stick to essentials and try and buy as little as possible!

Sleep: Sleep is still going well! I have a feeling within the next 4-8 weeks that is going to change… so I am going to enjoy it while I can.

Best moment of this week: 19/20 weeks Doctor’s Appointment! Joe and I went to the Dr. on Tuesday and saw our little ones again. This appointment was to perform the anatomy scan. The technician looked them all over from head to toe and took TONS of pictures. This took about an hour and a half… but it was nice staring at the babies for that long. Both little ones look really good. They were measuring a few days ahead of schedule and were about the same size. We will have to go back in 2 weeks however because our little girl was not cooperating and they could not get a good picture of her heart.

Miss anything: This week my sister and I were talking about how we use to go to Kona Grill on Sundays for half price sushi! It made me miss the Philadelphia Rolls that I love so much.  

Movement: The stabs have continued and they are not everyday. I began to worry since I am almost 20 weeks and have had no significant movement. I talked with my Dr. and he was not concerned. He said “We can see them moving on the ultrasounds and that is all the is important”. He did explain that with 2 they are quite squished in there and may not have enough room to create a strong kick or punch yet.

Food cravings: My cravings have not been too severe. I tend to still love the things that I have always loved. Mexican food, bread, and breakfast food. These babies have good taste in food!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Why hello morning sickness… you and I have become quite familiar with one another! So it’s still here, but still manageable. Can’t complain too much!

Have you started to show yet: My mom still says I’m huge! I also had someone at work ask me this week if I had told my class yet since it is quite obvious that I am pregnant.

Gender: One of each!

Labor signs: Still too early…

Belly button in or out: In still!

Happy or moody most of the time: Still been a little weepy this week. Our life in all in boxes and moving is crazy. I know that things will improve once the move is over!

Looking forward to: Well, I guess I am excited to see the twins again in 2 weeks. It is so hard waiting 4 weeks between appointments. But, once I hit 30 weeks I will be going twice a week so I guess I had better enjoy it now.

Fun Twin Fact #4: 40% of twins invent their own language. (This had better not happen… I can’t stand not being in the loop!)

Gender Reveal Party!

What a wonderful night! It was so wonderful to see all the people in our life that love us so much. As I looked over the people in the room I was so happy! They all had been there for us in so many different situations and our love for them is something I cannot even describe!

My mom’s house was packed. I don’t think she has ever had 30 people all at one time in her new house. I must say, she did a wonderful job making it work! The backyard was set up with twinkling lights and blue/pink lanterns. She even did better inside with more lanterns, balloons, mason jars, and even a candy bar! I cannot thank her enough for her party planning skills and hard work!

Food and Drinks:

The night began with some yummy pizza, pasta, and garlic knots from Oggis (Our favorite pizza joint)! We made the pizza trays using planter pots and white plates. I loved how they turned out! Drinks included blue sherbet punch and pink strawberry wine punch… and beer for the guys of course. My mom served the drinks in mason jars ties with twine and beads. Dessert was enjoyed ALL night at the candy bar and was topped off with a beautiful cake from a local bakery (lemon with raspberry filling and white with custard filling). 

Entertainment:

Guests were asked to cast their vote for gender as they entered the house. Joe had created a voting card that had little silhouettes of each option (boy/boy, boy/girl, and girl/girl). Once the gender was announced we picked one name out of the winning basket and awarded a prize! The best entertainment of the night was the photo booth. Everyone had a great time going in and out of the booth and using the props! It was so fun to look over the photos after the party and re-live the memories! Here are some of the highlights….: 

 

The Reveal:

Joe and I thought long and hard about this reveal. We weighed all our options and considered having the tech place the gender in an envelope and doing the typical balloon or cake reveal… But in the end we decided to find out before the party! Joe and I knew for about 2 weeks before anyone else! It was kind of fun and a special thing we were able to keep just between us… for a bit. Joe created a video for the reveal and I thought this would be the perfect way to announce and preserve this memory forever! He worked EVERY night on the video and would not let me see it until that night. I couldn’t wait!

We gather everyone into my mom’s living room and this is what they saw….

http://vimeo.com/72563906

  

What a special night! I would like to thank all of you who took the time to attend. We are so blessed to have such caring and compassionate people in our lives!

17 Week Update

How far along: 17 weeks!

What are the Twins up to?: My how our babies have grown! They are about the size of your palm (the size of a pear), weigh about five ounces, and are developing some body fat (join the club, baby!). Their heart is now regulated by her brain (no more random beats) to beat 140 to 150 times per minute — about twice as fast as yours! What else is up? They are practicing the survival skills they will need at birth — like sucking and swallowing.

Maternity clothes: I am still scraping by with only a few maternity items. I have barely purchased anything. I have realized since I like a-line dress, many still fit me. My goal is to make it a few more weeks before purchasing more maternity items. There are so many other exciting things to spend money on!

Sleep: Sleep has improved!! Joe and I will be moving within the next month and for now we have decided to sell our king bed. Since we know we are selling it, we have been sleeping in our queen bed in the guest room. It is a softer bed and being closer to Joe seems to help me sleep.

Best moment of this week: Setting up for the gender reveal party has been so fun! My mom has gone above and beyond to ensure the event is tons of fun! We have been decorating, setting up the candy bar, and ordering props for the photo booth! SO EXCITING!

Miss anything: This week I had my first longing for coffee. I have not craved it at all since I have been so sick. However, this week Joe had a big cup with white chocolate creamer and it spiked my interest! Decaf coffee may be in my future.  

Movement: Still no… I have felt what I would describe as stabs. They are few and far between and I don’t quite know if they are the babies. Still waiting….

Food cravings: I have been into Chinese noodles. I love how they are filled with veggies! We have a Chinese restaurant near our house that serves their noodles with veggies and chicken. This has been one way I am able to stomach grilled meat.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Morning sickness is still here! I have had a few mornings where I didn’t think it would come… but then… SURPRISE! It is kind of sad that I have gotten used to it and it is my new normal.

Have you started to show yet: My mom says I’m huge! I still look down and don’t see much but many have told me that I am showing. I think we see our bodies differently than others.

Gender: YES!!  YES!! YES!! Soon all will know!

Labor signs: Too early… 35 weeks is the goal!

Belly button in or out: In still!

Happy or moody most of the time: I have had a few emotional moments this week. It has been hard to sell the first home we bought together. Moving is stressful and I am not much help. This has lead to tears… but I know all the decisions we have made are for the best!

Looking forward to: Our Gender Reveal Party… AGAIN…

Fun Twin Fact #3: Fraternal twin girls have twice the chance of giving birth to twins than singletons.

16 Week Update

How far along: 16 weeks!

What are the Twins up to?: Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your babies will double in weight and add inches to their length. Right now, they are about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. Their legs are much more developed, their head is more erect than it has been, and their eyes have moved closer to the front of their head. The twin’s ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of their scalp has begun, though their locks aren't recognizable yet. They have even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, their heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

 

 Maternity clothes: I bought my first maternity dress this week. I thought I could get by without one, but I soon realized I was wrong. I wore my new dress to “Meet the Teacher Night” at school. I thought the dress made me look SO pregnant.

 

Sleep: I am still not sleeping great. I turn so many times during the night the Joe keeps asking “Are you OK?” I feel bad that I am keeping him up, but I just cannot get comfortable. I know it is only going to get worse. I may talk with my Dr. at my next visit to see if there is anything I can take to help me out in this area.

Best moment of this week: Find out the gender of our little ones! It was amazing how clear it was and how I could even tell the gender before the tech announced the news! Only a week or so until we can share!!

Miss anything: This week I am missing sleeping on my stomach. I am such a tummy sleeper and have missed it!!! I cannot wait until I can return to this position! 

Movement: Still no… I wish it would start! I have done a lot of reading and many women don’t feel movement until 20 weeks or so. This brings me some sense of peace since I am a worrier. I will just need to continue to wait patiently. 

Food cravings: This week I was in the mood for bread a lot (the worse thing for you)! I wanted rolls and garlic bread nonstop… I had to refrain at times! I am still not really into eating meat. I am trying my best since I know my little ones need their protein. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: I am still not over the morning sickness. My trigger is bad smells. I can smell anything even when I am two rooms away! If the trash needs to be dumped I know it as soon as I wake up… morning sickness soon follows! Zofran is still my friend!

Have you started to show yet: I have noticed a pop this week! I can see a little bump and certain clothes really extenuate it. 

Gender: YES!! Can’t wait to share!

Labor signs: Nope… not yet! Thank goodness.

Belly button in or out: In still! It’s early 
 

Happy or moody most of the time: I am feeling good this week. I have had a few teary moments… certain songs or things on TV make me cry… but in all I am doing great! There are so many things to be grateful for!

Looking forward to: Our Gender Reveal Party!!!

Fun Twin Fact #2: 22 % percent of twins are left handed, compared to 10% in singletons.