21 Weeks- Update, YO!

How far along? 20w,6d- tomorrow is 21 weeks!

Babies are the size of: Bananas or Carrots, depending on your liking :)  About 10.5 inches each and about 3/4lb each. That seems large to me!

Total weight gain: 5lbs!  I've finally started to gain some weight.  5 months along and 5lbs gained- I think we are doing pretty good.  I was getting worried for a bit but I keep telling myself that at the anatomy scan both babes measured dead on and we couldn't have asked for more, so I must be doing something right!

Maternity Clothes: If it's not maternity I just won't wear it.  Comfort is a must have!!!

Stretch marks: Nothing yet, and I am so thankful!

Sleep: I have good nights and bad nights, but nothing too terrible yet.  

Best moment this week? It's Christmas today!  Our last Christmas before the babies come and I've been pretty emotional about it all.  We spend Christmas Eve with hubs' family at his Grandma's house every year.  We open gifts in order of great-grand kids, grand kids (our generation), and then the kids (hubs' dad and siblings).   The twins had special gifts for them under the tree- keepsake hand/footprint kits.  I blubbered.  Then today we opened the gifts my parents sent over.  Inside was the book "The Night Before Christmas" that my mom read to us every year, that my grandparent's had bought.  It's from 1987 and has a beautiful message my my parents, now grandparents, and was signed by MY grandparents back in 1987! Holy moly I lost my shit and cried and cried this morning.  It is the sweetest thing ever and I cannot wait to read it to the babes every year.  

Miss anything: Wine... oh the wine.  I've had a couple sniffs of a glass of wine and man did that smell amazing.

Movement: YES!  It's started within the last two weeks I guess and it is the weirdest thing ever.  If I sit at my desk and push my belly just slightly against the desk to get some pressure I can feel them (in the afternoon) and then usually after dinner they go crazy.  Hubs still hasn't been able to feel them from the outside yet but I've laid my hand on the belly and felt them once or twice.  

Food cravings: I was going through an oreo and milk phase (cookies at 8am anyone?) but not much now.  Just more food, all the time.  

Have you started to show yet? It's getting bigger and bigger every week, I swear!  

Gender: We have a baby boy and a baby girl!  We couldn't be more excited!!! 

Belly button in or out? It's in, but stretching out... it's very strange.

Wedding rings: on or off? ON, and I don't plan on taking it off!

Looking forward to: Picking up the crib and dresser in the next few days.  I've been getting clothes and all sorts of things and I have no where to put them, so I have everything just scattered all over the nursery floor.  I'll be able to wash everything and get it set up!  

Right now we have prime rib cooking in the oven for Christmas dinner so I am realllly looking forward to that in an hour or so :)

I hope everyone has had an amazing Christmas!  You know you did good for someone else when they haven't put down their gift all day long.  Hubs got an iPad this year... Santa must have put him on the nice list!

The night we put up our tree- so freakin pretty!

A few weeks ago, 49ers vs Seahawks- I look big here!

Ruxin enjoying the fireplace.

We ordered the stroller right after Thanksgiving- it's a biggen!

Hubs' co-worker sent him home with a HUGE bag of baby girl clothes,

there has to be at least 50 items PLUS towels and hats! We feel very blessed.

Ruxin again by the fire- he loves it!

At my company Christmas party two weeks ago.

(Large, thick stripes are NOT preggo friendly just FYI!)

Ruxin sportin' his Santa outfit!

Our beautiful tree this morning.

(If you can't tell I'm obsessed with Christmas)

Little bit of the snow we've had so far, although it's pretty bare today.

  

Obligatory holiday photo- I must have one every year!

Gifts the twins got this year!  That is the book my mom read to me and my brother

every Christmas Eve, and now I'll get to read it to my kids.  

21 weeks tomorrow!  Only 15-17 more to go... dayum!

We Have Genitalia!

Hubs and I went to our anatomy scan today.  The place was nice and cozy!  We had to wait an hour though after our appointment time to get seen; the couple being seen in front of us were having complications.  I felt awful for them... I couldn't even begin to imagine getting there all excited to see your child and then finding out something is wrong.  As soon as they told us that was the reason for the delay I couldn't be angry anymore.  I am so thankful for what we have and our good fortune.

Now... on to the goods!

The appointment lasted such a long time.  She measured arm and leg bones, counted fingers and toes, looked at the brains, the hearts, placenta's placement and made sure the cords were good and blood was flowing, four eye sockets, no club feet, all that jazz!  Both hearts were beating around 153 and 155 bpm.

It was amazing; they were moving all over the place and FINALLY look like real babies!  Hands waving, thumb sucking, I layed there speechless for most of it.  I'm a huge cryer and super emotional even without being knocked up but I held it together.  I shed a few tears when she said Baby A was a BOY and that "there is no mistaking it".  Then Baby B a GIRL...I think I'm still in shock.  I am so, so, so excited- there aren't enough words!

One placenta is in the front and one is in the back... I think baby girl's is in the front which is on my right side so that may be why I'm not feeling much on that side right now.  I have definitely felt my first movement on the left :) .  It is such a strange feeling... it literally does feel like something is crawling under my skin LOL.

Little girl is measuring exactly dead-on at 17w6d and she is 8oz.  Little boy is one day behind at 17w5d and he is 7oz.  We have the ideal twin situation (separate sacks and placentas) and are set up for the least amount of complications.  I hope this is an indicator of what to expect!  Doctor also confirmed our due date essentially means nothing and these babies will be born in April!  If I can get to 36-37 weeks we are doing great, and if I make it to 38 weeks they won't let me go farther than that.  At that point there won't be any room anyway and they'll need to come out.  So essentially, I'm half way there! Oh, and since baby boy is also "Baby A" medically (indicating he is closer to the cervix) if we deliver vaginally or c-section he'll be born first... so we have a big brother!

I feel like I am forgetting so much from the appointment. It's all a bit overwhelming.  I already have a date for Saturday to hit up the baby consignment shop for their 50% off sale!

Baby boy, the nurse actually said "there is no mistaking it"

Baby Boy- this even LOOKS like a boy face!

Baby Girl

Baby girl face!

Side by side, our son and daughter!

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a wonderful time with family, friends, or whoever you spend time with on Thanksgiving. Here's to lots of food and good company!

16 Weeks- Update, YO!

How far along? 16w exactly.  Boy time is starting to fly by!

Babies are the size of: Two mangos and up to 5" each.  No more puny fruits!

Total weight gain: I'm still a 1/2lb short of hitting my pre-preggo weight.  I ate a lot today so my belly looks huge tonight.

Maternity Clothes: My quest for maternity clothes may never be satisfied.  I found another solid pair of work pants thankfully... now I'm just trying to figure out how many times I can wear them during the week before I become a weirdo.  A friend did let me go through her huge tubs of maternity clothes and I found a lot of tops so I'm set there.  I think I just need a good set of maternity tights and I'll be able to rock some dresses I have.  Screw pants!

Stretch marks: NO, thank god.

Sleep: Not doing bad here, not doing great.  I toss and turn A LOT at night and of course I wake up every time I roll over.  yippee.

Best moment this week? We did have an OB appointment yesterday- it was so good to see the babes. They also look like real babies now on the screen which is awesome.  We saw the spines and ribs.. and even hands waving.  

Miss anything: Still sushi, and wine.  Other than that I am really liking this.

Movement: Maybe? Possibly?  Doubtful... I don't even know.  It's still pretty early to feel them but it is possible.  I've felt stuff... but nothing that isn't just a muscle spasm or gas.  It will happen soon enough!

Food cravings: Not much in the last few weeks, just more food in general. I was hungry this morning so before going to work I made a packet of instant mash potatoes, put them in tupperware, then ate 1/2 the packet for breakfast.  Hey.. I was really hungry!

Have you started to show yet? Ohhhhh yes.  It's pretty obvious I'm not smuggling a basketball under my shirt or anything.  Especially to those who know me.  

Gender: Don't know yet but our anatomy scan is in two weeks.  THANK GOD.  I cannot wait to see what they are! However, we aren't going to have the doctor tell us, we want it written down on a card that we will open on Christmas.  I love the idea of this but I'm losing faith I can hold out that long.  Don't anyone let me near that card!!  Hubs may have to lock it away somewhere.  

Belly button in or out? In still but still giving me that donut look, although not as harshly since the belly is expanding.  

Wedding rings: on or off? ON, and I don't plan on taking it off!

Looking forward to: The big anatomy scan.  They have super high-tech machines so we should get to see really clear images, plus they may have those 3D ones.  And, they offer a video of the whole thing.  Not sure about the video but the option is nice!  Also, we are going to make the big purchases on Black Friday: two cribs, a dresser, the double stroller, and two car seats.  I've got everything picked out so I'm hoping we can get a deal or two.  

Oh, and one thing I do not like is having to pee all the time!  I was able to sit through a 2hr,20min movie with no interruptions.  As as soon as it was over I went to the bathroom but then went again within 20 minutes. Ugh annoying!

I like to think Bella was just listening to the babes.

15w6d appointment.  I swear, there is something wrong with their machines.

The top one is NOT a really creepy face... it's just bad.  Pretty sure

that's the spine on the left.  Baby below looks like a turkey leg.

99 Days Preggo!

According to my due date, I am 99 days pregnant.  Crazy to believe!  I'm starting to finally show every day...when I wake up there's a bit of a baby belly there.  It's easier to think "oh, she might be pregnant" now rather than "damn that bitch ate a fatty lunch!".  

Also on the plus side, I think I'm starting to enjoy this.  I'm no longer getting sick and hurling all the time (MS can kiss my fat ass!), and besides the crazy hunger I'm doing good.  The early first trimester exhaustion is gone as well... although I am still going to bed by 8pm every. freaking. night.  And a big meal makes me want to pass out faster than holding my breath!  Having constant food on hand has been a struggle so I end up getting too hungry and then gorging.  

I've been thinking a lot about Christmas lately.  Not just this year's holiday, but Christmas Future! EVERYONE knows this is my absolute, hands down, favorite time of the year.  Thinking of the babes being here next year and all the year's we'll get to celebrate... I'm constantly wiping tears away from my eyes. Imagining the look on their faces the first year they get a bicycle, opening Christmas pj's, sharing our traditions with them (hot chocolate while driving around looking at Christmas lights, anyone?).  Damn... there I go again.  As scary as it all seems sometimes knowing we have two on the way, I feel just as blessed. These babes are going to be so loved and well taken care of not only by us but by our entire families.

IF changes the way you view things... everything.  Towards the end of our journey my expectations of family totally changed.  Where once I was adamant we were having three children and I was carrying all three and no c-section would ever "tarnish" my birth experience, I was just begging for one.  I didn't care how we made that happen... adoption, baby snatchings, a nice stranger leaving a basket on our front door... I did not care.  I think that makes me see everything now as so special and sacred.  Birthday's, holiday's, Sunday dinners, first trips to the zoo... Hey, I'm an emotional gal as it is and I know the hormones aren't helping but damn.  This is going to be so effing awesome.  

Hubs and I made our second official trek into BBRUS this weekend and got to test out our stroller and car seats.  (By the by, if you've never operated that stuff before.... that shit is hard to figure out!)  The babes are going to need so much crap! But, I love it.  This is what I was put on this earth to do, what I have been dreaming about for years.  It's still a little early for buying a lot of stuff but I'll be scoping out Black Friday sales for the major items: cribs, dresser, stroller, and car seats. Figure it can't hurt!  Plus, there might be some awesome scores on diapers... I need to get our stock up!  One blog I read broke down how many diapers and what sizes you need for the first year.... times two we'll need about 6,000 diapers!!! I don't plan to have that many sitting in a closet but we've got plenty of storage room and I plan to stock up as much as possible.  Best tip I've gotten so far?  Buy lots of different brands so if you find you or babe doesn't like one kind, you aren't stuck with a year's worth of wasted moolah.  That, and Target and Walmart cheapies are pretty awesome.  Thank you fellow mamma's and papa's! 

All in all, I'm feeling really good and really excited.  I just can't wait for them to be here!  There was a freshly bathed four month old in my office on Friday and let me tell you, he smelled AMAZEBALLS!  I need to stop wishing the time to go faster since we'll never have this time again, but it's so hard to be patient and wait.

Love!