Bump Update Weeks 20-23

How far along: Weeks 20-23!

What are the Twins up to?:

Week 20: The halfway point

Halfway into your pregnancy, or 18 weeks after conception, you might be able to feel your baby's first movements, also known as quickening. If you've been pregnant before, you might have begun feeling your baby's movements a few weeks ago.

By now your baby might be about 6 1/3 inches (160 millimeters) long from crown to rump.

Week 21: Baby can swallow

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Twenty-one weeks into your pregnancy, or 19 weeks after conception, your baby is poised to gain more weight. By this week your baby is becoming more active and is able to swallow.

Week 22: Baby's hair becomes visible

Baby B-GIRL                                                                                        Baby A-BOY

Twenty-two weeks into your pregnancy, or 20 weeks after conception, your baby is completely covered with a fine, down-like hair called lanugo. The lanugo helps hold the vernix caseosa on the skin. Your baby's eyebrows might be visible.

By now your baby might be 7 1/2 inches (190 millimeters) long from crown to rump and weigh 1 pound (460 grams).

Week 23: Fingerprints and footprints form

Twenty-three weeks into your pregnancy, or 21 weeks after conception, your baby's skin is wrinkled, more translucent than before and pink to red in color.

This week your baby begins to have rapid eye movements. Your baby's tongue will soon develop taste buds. Fingerprints and footprints are forming. For boys, the testes are descending from the abdomen. For girls, the uterus and ovaries are in place — complete with a lifetime supply of eggs.

With intensive medical care, some babies born this week might be able to survive.

Maternity clothes: I went on a shopping strip during week 21 with my momma! It was not a fun experience. I soon realized that the women working in maternity stores work on commission and they would NOT leave me alone. What I hope would be a fun and relaxing shopping day, was stressful. The lady kept bringing me clothes I would NEVER wear! By the end of our outing I was exhausted, but I did get s few cute items. I am lucky to still fit into some old dresses and leggings have been my best friend!

Sleep: Sleep has become a bit harder! As these little ones continue to grow… they are making it hard for momma to get comfortable at night. I sure do miss sleeping on my stomach!

Best moment of this week: Finishing our move! Joe and I sold our house and spent a great deal of time within the last month packing and organizing. It was very stressful and in no way relaxing! The good news is… WE ARE DONE! The house closed a few weeks ago and we have been enjoying time together again. We are currently living with my mom until the babies come. This will allow for us to save a ton of money and it has been so nice having her help! She is spoiling us with home cooked meals and delicious lunches at work! I am so lucky to have her help and support.

Miss anything: With the weather cooling down and fall arriving, I am missing Pumpkin Spice Lattes. I loved when Starbucks came out with the Latte every year and have heard many friends discussing that it is out again! This has made me miss my coffee J

Movement: Movement has still been few and far between! I went to the Dr. at 22 weeks for a quick scan of our baby girl’s heart. While at this appointment I was able to see that they are moving around A LOT! I just can’t feel them all the time. The ultrasound tech told me to count my blessings. She explained how with TWINS movement is never ending. She told me that once I start feeling them there will be no end in sight… until birth!

Food cravings: I still don’t know how many “Cravings” I am really having. I am hungry ALL of the time, but I tend to gravitate towards the foods I have always loved!

Anything making you queasy or sick: The sickness is still here. It has subsided some in the last few weeks and I have had days where I didn’t get sick at all. But, when I think “Yes, that is the end”, it seems to always return!

Have you started to show yet: Oh goodness yes! I am now getting the questions of ‘When are you due?”

Gender: One of each! Boy and Girl!

Labor signs: Still too early…

Belly button in or out: In still! Thank goodness…

Happy or moody most of the time: I have been very happy lately. Every time we get to go to the Dr. and see the babies, I am so overjoyed! I have seen them a lot lately, so I am quite cheerful!

Looking forward to: Going with Joe to registrar! We figured that since they will be here before we know it… we had better get some things! At this point we have gotten nothing! But, I do have stroller and cribs picked out… so they will be ordered soon!!!

Fun Twin Fact #5: Once you have fraternal twins, you are 3 to 4 times more likely to have another set! (Ummmm… not ok)

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!