16w2d Appt

Let's start off with how my morning started. You gotta love Monday's especially after a long holiday weekend. I can never sleep on Sunday nights after a break. My mind races about things I have to do the next day, I'm paranoid I'll miss my alarm, etc. Last night was no different. I couldn't fall asleep. I ended up reading in bed until about midnight. The last time I looked at the clock it was about 12:20. I got up about three times to pee throughout the night. I was hot and flopping around. It was not fun. After about 5am I didn't sleep much because I kept looking at the clock. It's actually a good thing I did. I had double checked to see if I had set my alarm for the right time when I went to bed, but I never actually turned it on. I ended up getting up about 10 minutes before it was supposed to go off anyway.



I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but I've been super phlegmy lately. Every morning I'm blowing snot out of my head and hacking up nasties. Well this morning in the shower I start coughing to get out the crud, and I feel like I'm going to puke. Of course I don't want to puke in the shower, so I'm basically choking to avoid coughing anymore. I finally get out and can use the sink. I manage to finish getting ready, only gaging once while drinking water (for some reason I can only sip water in the mornings or else I gag...???). I go out to my car and it's frozen. So I start it up and get out to scrape windows etc. I start coughing again...and stopped myself from puking, but I couldn't completely calm down, my mouth was still watering. I go back in the car trying to breathe slow and calm down. Nope, didn't work. I jump out of the car and manage to get just off the driveway before I lost it. Happy Monday to me. I hope my neighbors didn't see.



Anyway, on to my appointment. I get there and have to fill out three pages of medical history, pee in a cup, step on the scale, check my blood pressure, a pap smear, a breast exam, two ultrasounds of the babes and my cervix. He manually checked my "birth canal". I was informed I had good birthing hips and could easily deliver a 9 pounder...thanks doc. I also got to have 5 vials of blood drawn. The only thing I didn't do was give a saliva sample and I think that would have completed all the samples I could give...The doc also informed my that I have very large breasts - really? Gee doc, I hadn't noticed. He asked me if the babies would ever see them. I said probably not. I don't want to commit to being tied to a chair all the time, but they will get as much breast milk as I can pump. He seemed happy with that.



He went though all the standard medical history questions and told me about the tests they were going to do with my blood. Everything seemed pretty routine. He said everything looked good. The babies are getting big. I can't even see their whole bodies on the u/s anymore. I got a good shot of both this time. They are both laying on their backs, face up. One of them you can even see the ribs. It's very cool. I'll post them in the next day or two. I have to get over to my MIL's for her to scan them.



He suggested I take an iron supplement. I also needed something extra for calcium since I'm only getting about 2 servings a day. He mentioned Tums, which is perfect because I've been eating those suckers every day for heartburn, so I'm good with that anyway. For the mucus issue, he suggested Claratin. I'll have to pick up some of that and see if it helps. If I can get that under control then I won't be coughing, then gaging then puking almost everyday.



Well, I think that's the full recap. I'll be going in every two weeks for them to check my cervix. Hopefully we'll get to see the babes again too. I love watching them on the u/s screen.

Preparing the nursery

We have (mostly) emptied out the room that will be the nursery. All that's left in there are two items that are too heavy for me to help move, and some stuff in the closet. I was really concerned about the size of the room. I didn't think I'd be able able to get two cribs, a dresser and a glider chair in there comfortably. Well, after taking out the full size bed, the 40 some odd inch TV, and all the other junk that was in there, it really makes it feel bigger. We just have my cedar hope chest and TV stand to move..but they're both heavy.

We did all that cleaning on Saturday. Sunday we brought in one of the cribs we got and managed to assemble it without instructions and without killing each other. It's actually a pretty nice crib. One side slides up and down, the mattress can be lifted up higher, and there is even a drawer on the bottom for storage. Amazingly we had all the parts and figured out where they all went. It's a Christmas miracle - lol.

We've decided we'll only use one crib for at least the first few months, until they roll around too much and disturb the other's sleep. From what I've read online that could last from 2 months to 6 months. Doesn't matter to me, we have crib number two in the garage and can put it together when needed.

I also went through the clothes and pulled out the items that are gender neutral. My mom offered to "pre-treat" them for stains and stuff - and I know she's itching to get her hands on some baby clothes. There were actually quite a few items that could be neutral. I wish boys could wear jean skirts, one of the items is an overall skirt with leather fringe at the bottom. it is SOOOO cute. I really want a girl just so she could wear that outfit with some little boots. Ah! Cute!

I'm really dying to find out their genders...hopefully they won't be shy when the time comes! I have restrained myself and have not purchased one baby item. I just can't bring myself to do it until I know what they are.

I can't wait!

The announcement...

So, this morning we had our quarterly staff meeting. It is a mandatory meeting, so all 35is staff were there. At this particular meeting, the president of the association I work for gives out the awards to employees who have been there for 5 year, 10 years, etc. This year is my 5th. So he calls my name, I go up to the front to accept my (actually really nice) embroidered jacket, and he says something about do I want to share my news...

Well of course I couldn't say no - although I really wanted to! I hate speaking in front of people. It was bad enough earlier when we had to go around the room and introduce ourselves to the new employees who have started int he last few months. So I say something like "uh, ya, um, so I'm pregnant with twins!" Every claps, etc. It was nice, but dang, I was embarrassed. Thanks Mr. President :0)

Last night, some of the staff (about 15 of us) and their spouses, went to a local bar/restaurant to do some socializing outside of work. Well, one fairly new guy brings his wife. I totally recognized her from my doctor's office. She actually works for a company who helped re-brand our company, so I have been in meetings with her before. Anyway, I thought when I saw her at the doctor's office I recognized her, but I never thought that she and this new guy were married (their last name is pretty common). Anyway, as soon as I saw her and made the connection my heart went out to them. They were going to Dr. M for the same reason, to get knocked up. A coworker I was sitting by (who referred me to Dr. M) told me this couple had been trying for a really long time and are now talking about adoption as they are approaching their 40's.

All of this is to say that when I "had" to make my announcement this morning, I felt really guilty, because I know the feeling of trying for so long and hearing other people getting pregnant. I really want to go up to him and explain that I know what he and his wife are going through and explain how I got pregnant. I can't though, because I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate me finding out their situation from another coworker...

Anyway, it's been an interesting morning, and that was just the staff meeting. We have our holiday party starting in about an hour, and that is always interesting too.

Update

I just wanted to let ya'll know that things seem to be completely back to normal since the scare on Monday. I haven't spotted again since that morning (thank God!). Although, I practically check the toilet paper with a microscope every time.

I never did go in to see the doctor about it. I figured it's pretty "normal" and it wasn't red and there was no cramping. Poor Hubby has been pretty freaked about the whole thing. It made it worse that the poor guy had a dream shortly before I came home that morning that I miscarried both of them at 20 weeks. It's put him in a funk the last couple of days. I'm trying to stay positive for him and convince him that all's good in the hood...I know we'll both feel better after my next appointment. It seems like forever until then (the 28th). Darn holidays got in the way! :0)

Well, I gotsta get back to work. Just wanted to give you quick update.

Helluva morning!

This morning was a scary morning. I woke up (with a lingering headache from the night before), I went to the bathroom and discovered...spotting. I was so scared! It wasn't bright red, but it was pink. I know brown spotting is pretty normal, but I didn't know about pink. The whole time I was in the shower I prayed and prayed that everything would be fine.

When I got out of the shower I checked again, and there was less spotting. Then debated whether to just call the doctor's office when they opened or just go there before I go to work. While I was debating I brushed my teeth. Of course, I ended up throwing up. There was nothing to throw up, it was mainly dry heaves, but it made me nervous that the force of my stomach muscles would make me bleed more. Before I left the house I checked again. Nothing. I decided then I would just call the doctor when I got to work.

I called and said I started spotting pink blood this morning, but it stopped. The lady I talked to said as long as it wasn't red and it stopped then not to worry, but to call back if it came back. Well of course the stress and the worry aggravated my headache and it got way worse. I was hungry but couldn't bring myself to each much so the combination was bad for work. I just couldn't concentrate and I was on the verge of tears all morning.

Finally at 11am I asked my boss if I could leave. I just was not being productive and my head was screaming. She told me to go ahead and go. I came home and crawled into bed with hubby and started crying and told him what happened. He just rubbed my back and consoled me. He told me I to call the doctor's office again just to make sure what happened was normal or if I should come in and have an u/s done or something. Especially since my next appointment is still two weeks away, we would both be worry the whole time.

I called and the same lady I talked to earlier reassured me to not worry. She said spotting happens a lot, and as long as it isn't red and I don't have cramping than everything should be fine.

So here I am at home. Hoping my headache goes away soon and of course going to the bathroom every 20 minutes to make sure all it clear. So far so good.

14 weeks, and what a day!

I did it, I finally did it. I bought maternity clothes today. My mom and I ventured a little north to Mo.ther.hood and I got some tops and a couple pairs of pants. I hate clothes shopping and maternity clothes shopping isn't any different. Pants are hard for me. If I find them to fit in the waist they are too short (I'm nearly 6ft tall). I did find one pair of jeans and one pair of work pants that will work. I really wanted at least two work pants...but I guess I can always go back later.

My mom made her first purchase of baby stuff today. While I was trying on clothes she stumbled upon little ducky and cow socks. They are so darn cute. The duck ones have little pom poms on the heel and the cow ones have little cow tails on the heel. Cute! She whipped them out a couple of times while we were in the car to look at them. She's so funny.

In the meantime, while we were shopping my MIL was doing a little shopping too. Her boyfriend has a cousin who has 2 year old twins. They were looking to get rid of some of their stuff so my MIL went up to Seattle to pick up stuff for us. She brought back two cribs, clothes, high chairs, strollers, and some other odds and ends. She got it all SUPER cheap. I'm so excited. It is so weird to have baby items in my house that are mine and not going to someone else at their shower or something. The couple who had twins had boy/girl twins, so we got a combination of both for the clothes. Either way we'll get to use some if not all of it.

It was a very good day. Now we just need to clean out the room that will be the nursery. I can't wait to start on it. I want to have it done in plenty of time for me to sit in there and daydream of the babies...

13w3d

I can't believe I'm at 13 weeks already. My, my, how the time is flying.

Good news - my "morning" sickness is pretty much gone (knock on wood, cross my fingers!). Of course smells still make be feel nauseous, and I'm still mucoussy, so I gag a few times a day, but other than that I'm not sick. Yay!

Although, financially I really hope I don't have to go on bed rest too early or even at all...I'm secretly hoping I do, because work kicks my butt. I can't believe how tired I get. I work in a freakin' office and sit at a desk most of the day. Granted, I don't think I'm getting enough sleep during the week, so I'm sure that contributes to it, but man, by the end of the day I'm pooped. On the weekends I've been averaging about 12 hours of sleep at night. During the week I get maybe 7-8. I've always required a little more sleep than the average though. If I could get 9-10 I felt good.

My appetite hasn't changed much. I'm still pretty ravenous, but nothing sounds good. I eat a lot of cold cereal, fruit...and some cheese or peanut butter crackers. That's about it. Cooking food in the house still grosses me out. In fact almost every night when hubby sticks his usual chicken strips and tater tots in the oven, I either go to bed, or turn on the hood fan and crack a window to get the stank out. Seriously. Ew. And those two things in real life don't stink. I know. Crazy.

I talked with my boss yesterday a little about possible dates when I would go on maternity leave. I think she was a little surprised at the wide range of time it is. Basically, if I went on bed rest at 28 weeks, which is what the doc told me to prepare for just-in-case, I could be leaving mid March. My goal of 32 weeks puts me in mid April, and if I get so lucky to go to "term", 36 weeks, that's mid May. So really...we just need to be prepared for anything starting in March. The other person who works in my department with me, and would be mostly my back up while I'm gone, is going on maternity leave in about two weeks. Thankfully though, she'll be back in full swing by February, so we're covered :0)

Hm...I'm trying to think of any other updates... Oh, I still haven't gotten maternity pants yet, although now I'm getting desperate. I have them all in my virtual shopping cart, and I'll be able to "check-out" on payday. Yay!

Well folks, that's all I can think of at the moment. I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season!

12w6d appt

All is still good. We did a belly u/s this time. I was more comfortable, but much much less clear. It was hard to see the little buggers. Doc had a hard time measuring them too. He even said how he was embarrassed at the quality of the u/s. They both had good heart beats. I asked about getting to hear them and he said with twins he relies on the u/s, because when you hear them you don't know who's is who's and if you are listening to the same one twice. I get it, but it still would be nice to hear.

He also elaborated a little about how to be ready for bed rest at 28 weeks - just in case. Also, our next goal is 32 weeks. Hubby asked about the gender scan. Dr. M said at 20 weeks they'll be able to tell us with 85% accuracy, and at 24 weeks at 99% accuracy.

My next appointment is in 3 weeks and he said we'll do a full prenatal appointment with my health history, blood draw, and other stuff I can't remember. I'll be 16 weeks then. Wow!

That's about it. Oh, someone asked about belly pics...ya, not going to happen. Maybe when I'm huge, but right now I look like a fat girl who's getting a little fatter...so not much to see.

Well, I hope you all have a great weekend! Ta ta for now!