Science Project

I am not a big fan of the month by month photos although if I had a blog and a digital camera (how crazy that when JT was born I was still using film) when I was pregnant with JT, I probably would have done it. And really despite what people say, who wants a photo of themselves at their largest? All of that said, I have lots of people who have asked me what I look like, how I feel, and is being pregnant with two that different.

So let's get the first part over with quickly, here is what I look like (note it is 9 PM hence the glasses and tired look):

I am officially 38 weeks here. A medical miracle according to mu OB who can't believe that someone my size can carry basically 12 lbs of baby. Now I am a wee 38 weeks but that belly there measures at 44 weeks. So basically I am on track to have the appearance of an elephant's gestation period. And note that I am limited now to the ever cozy yoga pants as maternity jeans/pants just can't stand up to a 44 week belly.

How do I feel? At this point I feel like a science project. For the last month, I've gone to the doctor once a week and every week I start with an ultrasound, which can last up to an hour and then I see my doctor and we check to see if I am dilated, double-check my blood pressure, measure me, and then listen to the heart beats. Heart beats can take a while as well as my OB has to find a baseline and if they move, she has to restart. The last two appointments, my doctor checked my blood pressure multiple times in hopes that if it spiked at all, she could admit me to remove the babies but of course, I have "perfect" blood pressure and little to no swelling.

I am obviously a wee bit uncomfortable. Sleeping is tough. I also have giving up on bending over. I've been driving Rick crazy by sweeping around the house and leaving little piles of debris to be scooped up. I think the first time he thought there was some ghost in the house as he couldn't figure out how such nice piles of dirt appeared; he quickly caught on to my ways. I have some awesome acid reflux, which I've had pretty much since late summer. I also impressed my OB b/c if my freak show prego way, you can feel my Xiphoid sticking out, since the girls ride so high and have basically pushed by sternum out as far as it can go. This makes wearing a bra pretty much the most painful thing. I can go an hour or so and then it just gets uncomfortable.

Letter I is your Xiphoid:

I am not sure how much different being pregnant with two is than one. I am definitely more tired although some have argued that it is because I am older now than I was with the boys. For about the last month I am physically done by late afternoon and I definitely enjoy the nap. I told Rick there are days that I feel like hibernating. It has really been a blessing to work at home; I am not sure I would have been able to to work in an office for this pregnancy. I think the other big difference is the whole movement of the babies factor. Trying to determine who is moving and if both are moving. Having weekly ultrasounds has helped because I know where they are sitting (which right now is one on top sideways and one trying to be head down but she moves back and forth to being sideways as well). The other noticeable difference is just how much sooner you have to slow down. I am positive that at 30 weeks with the boys I wasn't worried about bed rest or moving slower. This time around it has been all about making each week until at least week 34 and then after that to have everyone on alert that they could arrive at any moment. I think I have some very sweet friends who are just as ready as I am to have these girls out and stop wondering when it will be! The odd thing, is that while my stomach is definitely bigger I have gained less than with both boys although truth be told, I started out weighing more than I did with either boys. I am keeping my fingers crossed for some successful nursing and good calorie burning.

And so here we are with 2011 almost to an end. I've given up on guessing their arrival. Clearly these ladies are asserting themselves early and ensuring we know they want to run things. They obviously don't care that I've met my deductible (there is a difference - twins are expensive!), that I could use them as a tax credit for 2011, and that I had some time off at work I would have liked to burn before using my 2012 time. So we look to January 3rd as their official date (since that is the day I am scheduled for c-section). I think at this point we are all beyond ready and not ready at the same time.