Doctors & NST's

At this point in my pregnancy, I am going to the doctor a LOT. Or so it feels to me. I see my OB once a week. And I go to her office for Non-Stress Tests (NST's) twice a week. And then I get ultrasounds every 2-3 weeks. Mind you, none of these appointments take place in Grand Haven, they are all in Grand Rapids. And, mind you also, that I am not allowed to drive. So, I'm feeling a bit like a 15-year-old with no driver's license but an awesome social life. 

I went to see Dr. Bitner today and sure enough, at just over 29 weeks, I am measuring at 40 weeks. Translation, I am very big. I am as big as most people are when they are ready to deliver. That's big! And I think it's pretty safe to assume that I'm about as uncomfortable as most people are when they're ready to deliver. 

Yet, I hope and pray to make it at least 6-7 more weeks. 

I can do it, too. I'll get up to go to the bathroom 7 times a night! I'll sleep with 84 pillows in my bed to try to be comfortable! I'll take the heartburn and reflux, the contractions and swollen limbs! I'll wear the same thing every other day! I'll sit here on the couch every day and look out the window! I'll beg for rides and ice cream and strawberries - and once in awhile, yes a Diet Coke or, get this, a Dr Pepper! (Who knew.) 

Bring it on, just keep these babies in me!

p.s. Everything else was fine today at the doctor. No worries, no signs of imminent labor.  (But nothing allowing for any bed rest changes, either.) I am under doctor's orders to try to get a massage though. :) Seriously.

7 Years!

Every year on our anniversary, I look at all our wedding pictures and take some time to remember that day. It always reminds me of that song, "What a Difference a Day Makes." One day you're "single," the next, you're committed to this one person for the rest of your life. For me, that day, May 25, 2001 was by far the best day of my life. (Which I can safely say because my children have not been born.) I look back at my pictures and remember how incredibly happy and thankful I felt. I have been blessed with the greatest husband, and that feeling of happiness and thankfulness has stayed with me.   I was 22 when we got married, and that day I thought my heart couldn't possibly hold any more love and joy inside of it, it was just so full. But I am more in love with my wonderful husband today than I was the day we got married! Happy Anniversary, Adam!

  

Ultrasound Day

I am now in my 29th week of pregnancy, and it was time today for another ultrasound! I will say that I had pretty high hopes today that the doctor would declare me ready to go back to some version of regular life. However, after the ultrasound we were able to consult with the doctor, and it turns out that there will be no changes to my current restrictions. 

For those of you who like to know the medical parts, my placenta has moved somewhat, but not enough. It is still covering a portion of my cervix, and therefore is still considered placenta previa. The doctor told us that for most people, previa's resolve themselves by 28 weeks, and so while it is still possible that my previa will resolve, he sounded like we should be prepared for bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy. 

The good news is, it's bed rest at home. If I were to have another bleed, the doctor told us I would likely be admitted to the hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy. That is one reason that they are cautious and having me stay on such restricted activity - we want to avoid contractions, but also really want to avoid another bleed. I am still at risk of pre-term labor because of the previa, but also because of twins. 

So bed rest at home means I am still able to "escape" from time to time, as long as wherever I escape to, I don't drive myself there, and I can sit down with my feet up while I am there. And of course, leaving the house is for "exceptions" not for every day. But the nice thing about that is that I've been able to go to my own baby showers! 

It's been hard on Adam, though, as he is carrying a lot on his shoulders. But he is gracious and kind as always, and he doesn't complain. 

Now for the fun part - the babies are doing really well!! Baby boy is weighing in at about 3 lbs 4 oz and Baby Girl at about 2 lbs 15 oz. Their growth rates are good at this point, although we've been advised that their growth will probably slow down a bit - or that tends to be the case at least w/ twins.

Baby Girl has now come out from behind my right ribs, where she has had her head planted for quite a while - now her head is over by my left ribs, and her feet are over playing footsie w/ her brother's feet...right under my right side ribs! (She's lateral.) So, I feel lots of "alien" movements over there. I put this profile picture of her on here because - frankly, Adam has the rest of the ultrasound pictures at work with him to show off to his co-workers. He let me take these two home with me.

Boy Boy showed off one of his new tricks - opening his eyes!! It was so great to see him "looking" right back at us. He is now in the head down position, and active as ever. He actually looks kind of like he's smiling in this picture, and his cheeks even look kind of chubby, although we know that that's not really the case.

Thanks again for everyone who's praying for us and these beautiful babies. We are so crazy about them already and are just so thankful that they're healthy and doing well.

New Wheels

When we did our baby registry, Adam and I decided that Adam would take ownership and be in charge of picking out the stroller for the twins. And my husband, being the absolute wonder that he is, did a lot of looking around, researching, reading, to find the right stroller.

And he did a great job. He found the Kolcraft Contours Options Tandem. It is a fantastic stroller, you can see a demonstration online at kolcraft.com. Well, on Saturday, along with a ton of other great gifts from great friends, we got our stroller! The great thing about this stroller is that it will hold two infant carseats, but also has two seats for older kiddos, so this stroller will not soon by outgrown by the twins.

Of course the first thing Adam did after the shower was to put the stroller together. So, now we have a fully put-together stroller in our living room. It's a joy to look at, and it brings to mind all kinds of dreams and images of strolling around with Baby Boy and Baby Girl.


And... speaking of new wheels.... Adam also bought a small motorcycle. Small, and only 70cc's, Adam is very excited about his new hobby. You can read about it in his own words at adamnavis.blogspot.com.