Anticipation of Change

The anticipation of the arrival of these babies has been making me a bit unstable lately. Our "to-do" list still has a few things on it and I think both Tidy and I are sensing this big change coming and reacting in our own ways, which are not always concordant.

I really want this last month (or less) to be a time when we can relax a bit, enjoy each others company and relish in the last remaining freedom and quite time that we have while we wait, excited and hopeful to finally meet these babies we have so longed for.

Because we react differently to these types of situations, we sometimes butt heads. My natural tendency is to organize, make lists, and want to get things done A.S.A.P, so we can then sit back and breath, while Tidy's nature is to not....Although, he has really been fantastic lately at getting some stuff done that I haven't even thought of, like getting Pog to the vet to get her current on her shots and making sure that the new doors we ordered are in and the guys we have can come over to install them.

I also think that some of these late pregnancy hormone changes has been making me shorter tempered and quicker to react. Either way, the blissful balance I have seemed to maintain thus far is starting to falter. I think I need more yoga :-)

Last night, we went to a friend's house for dinner and just stopped for a bit to sit around and talk and eat. It was nice and a good reminder that I can get what I want to get done and also still make time to enjoy the present moments.

I know, deep down, Tidy and I are both terribly excited about the change to come, but with any change, even one that you have been waiting for, for what seems like an eternity, there is always some part of you that wants to hang on to the present, because that is what is known. Make sense? I hope so. I don't mean for anyone to interpret that we do not 100% want this amazing gift we have been given, it's just the reality of the moment. Change is coming, a big, beautiful glorious change, but it's still change and with that, comes just a slight bit of anxiety.

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On the baby and mamma health front, we are all doing great. I went to my OB this past Wednesday to check in after our ultrasound a 2 weeks ago. He's very pleased with their growth and the fact that they are growing the same. Baby A was estimated at 4 lbs 3 oz and Baby B is 4 lbs 7 oz. We couldn't be happier.

Position wise however, that's another story. Baby A, the one who used to be head down and 'presenting' is now transverse and also higher up in my uterus. Baby B is closer to the exit and breech. At 34 weeks with twins, there is not much hope that they will turn head down, but rest assured I will be doing all that I can in these next few weeks to encourage them to turn. I started some Chiropractic care this week and I've been seeing my Acupuncturist. I've also found a fantastic website called: spinningbabies.com. Has anyone had luck with any of these methods? If a C-section is in my future, I know that I will come to accept it and focus on the positive of having our babies, but I am still very scared and sad at this possibility. I know some of you readers out there feel very strongly that I should just accept this fate and be happy for what I do have going well. And honestly, I will get there. But it's not a switch that I can just flip, I think it's more of a gradual grieving process.

Health wise, I am doing well too... no signs of increased blood pressure yet or major swelling, although we are expected to have a warm week starting today, so we'll see how that goes. I am looking at my toes right now and they could definitely use a pedicure... hmmm... maybe I'll have to do that on my way to Target this morning for the last round of returns from our showers.

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And now the stats & a belly pic (34w0d):

Status: 34w2d

Weight Gain: At the OB this past Wednesday, I was up 39 lbs. 

Symptoms:  I still have a bit of carpel tunnel,  but the braces that I wear to bed at night are helping a bit. And so are Tidy's comments about my "bowling wrist guards" and how he hopes it helps me pick up that "7-10 split"...  Also helping is the moxa stick that I use to encourage vertex positioning. It also seems to help clear out some of the fluid retention in my wrists. Also, this past week I've been a bit more "hormonal" that I have in the past, crying easily and getting a bit worked up over small things. I hope this passes.

Cravings: None to speak of

Aversions: None to speak of

Exercise:  Still doing my once a week prenatal yoga and once a week prenatal pilates. I hope to make to the pool this weekend to do a little light swimming too, just to get the blood flowing and help with the minimal fluid retention.

Best Moment of the Week: At my OB appointment this past week, my doctor looked at me with a bit smile at the end of the appointment and said, "We're getting there! Things are going really well. 34 weeks is a fantastic milestone. I'm very happy with how well nature has been working here for you." And it just made me happy and realize that we really really have a big chance that these babies are going to be in our arms, healthy and thriving very soon. I still have to pinch myself that this is really happening.

What I Look Forward to: Hearing that one of my close blogger and IRL friends had a healthy labor and delivery of her much awaited for baby. She texted me yesterday saying she was starting to see signs of labor. I am on baited breath waiting until I get the phone call or text saying they are heading to the hospital. Sending her tons and tons of strength and hope for the delivery she has dreamed of for so long.

Growth Update

33 weeks tomorrow.

Average twin gestation is somewhere around 35 or 36, depending on who you ask.

EEP!! They could be here soon.

I'm hoping for at least 37 weeks, but as we all know, I have no control over this, or very little at least.

I went to the Peri yesterday to check in on the babies growth and things are going fantastically!! Both measured just over 4lbs and are right on track for their gestational age. If you remember, a few weeks ago, the growth scan showed that baby A seemed to not gain enough weight and they were starting to diverge a bit in their weight difference, so we had to go back for another one just over 2 weeks later (ie, yesterday). This concern from the Peri caused my OB to think maybe we would be heading towards an early C-section because there was potential that at least one of the placentas was not functioning optimally.

But that scan a few weeks ago seems to be just a fluke, either operator error (ie a tech who wasn't taking good measurements) or just a blip in their growth. Either way, I am happy to report that they are doing very well, on track and close together in weight. This gives me much more hope that my OB will let them stay in longer as opposed to scheduling an early C-section and also hope that I may be able to attempt a vaginal birth. I go back to talk with him on Tuesday next week, so we'll see what he has to say.

Now, we just have to get these babies turned head down. They seem to still be moving around in there since their position is different than they were a few weeks back. As of yesterday, baby A (who had been the closest to the exit  thus far) is now transverse (read: going from left to right) and fundal (read: higher up, ie, away from the exit). Baby B is now closer to the exit and breech. I have no clue if there is still time for them to flip or not. I think the chances are getting smaller as it gets tighter and tighter in there. And I know that I really have no control over it, but I did get a few yoga poses that I can do to "encourage" them to move head down. So, if nothing else, doing those will help to make me feel like I am doing something.

In other news, we are finally getting some last minute projects done and putting a few things away in the closet and dresser. However.... our crib situation has taken a turn for the worse! Long story short, they are back ordered and the date got pushed back even further... Far enough that we likely won't be able to get them in time.  This means, tonight, I will be researching cribs, once again, and hope that we can find two, in stock that will get here in time.

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And now the stats:

Status: 32w6d

Weight Gain: I will weigh in again next week.

Symptoms:  Carpel Tunnel!!!! I must be having some water retention in my wrists that are irritating my nerves. I wake up here and there with some mild pain and numbness. SOmetimes it persists during the day. I was able to get some oh so sexy wrist guards to wear at night to bed, so we'll see if that helps. Other than that, I am still feeling fairly lucky with little to no complaints.

Cravings: None to speak of

Aversions: None to speak of

Exercise:  Friday: 1 hr prenatal pilates, Monday: 45 min prenatal yoga;

Best Moment of the Week: Spending some good quality time with friends this past weekend and last night. It's so neat to feel the excitement from them as we near this long awaited event of meeting our babies. I treasure all of their support and hope they know how much it has helped me and Tidy these past years.

What I Look Forward to: More finishing the nursery this coming weekend! We painted shelves last weekend and put the dresser, changing pad and studio couch in place. We also hung a sweet picture and a few other details. This weekend will be putting our final wall hangings up, picking out some window treatments and finishing the wall decal. I promise, pictures to come, very soon.