13 Week Update – Hello Second Trimester

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A few months ago when we were in Vegas for IVF, I told W that I wanted to get a Pandora dice charm for my bracelet. He insisted that I shouldn’t because, “What if it doesn’t work or what if you need 2 (ha)”? Well, Las Vegas came and went and no dice! W left the day before Mother’s Day for Finland and didn’t say anything to me before he left (except for jokingly pulling a few bags out of the car and saying “Happy Mother’s Day”! It was dry cleaning.) I know I’m still baking but I must admit that I was a bit disappointed. I didn’t say anything because I knew I was just being sensitive. He got back at night, later in the week. He told me that he had gotten me a Mother’s Day present. I was half asleep and didn’t think much of it, maybe some dirty dry cleaning this time? He gave me a little box wrapped in pretty paper with “Van Der Burgh Chocolaad” on it. I thought that they must be the world’s smallest truffles. I said I’d try them the next day but he said he wanted one before he went to bed so I opened it up and it was a Pandora box with my TWO dice charms! He had remembered and gotten them at a stop in England. What a sweet guy! I think I’ll keep him.

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In other news, I received and assembled the stroller! I have the car seat attachments and car seats still in boxes but I couldn’t resist playing! I made myself feel better by telling myself that I needed to assemble it in case anything was damaged during shipping. I can’t wait to have two little somethings to put in there! Of course, my husband HAD to have the black on black. No silver frames for that daddy! We opted for the Baby Jogger City Select after much research and many recommendations.

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Above all else, the highlight of the week was seeing our little peaches on ultrasound at our first trimester voluntary genetic screening. Everything measured perfectly! Baby A was sucking on it’s hand the entire time. Baby B was also active, pushing against the sac. We were also able to see Baby B moving its little mouth and swallowing fluid. They are so precious and I can’t believe how much they grow between sneak peeks!

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I’m going to skip the long weekly questionnaire since most of the answers remain the same in these weeks. I’m excited to be able to say that I’m in my second trimester!! I still feel huge and growing every day. I have had an awful head cold/sinus infection this week and had to miss 2 days of work. I wasn’t able to take anything for it so it was especially fun. I’m starting to feel a little better now. Other symptoms remain the same with headaches being my number one complaint. Looking forward to feeling some consistent movement in the next few weeks. Next official US scheduled for June 9th. ImageImageImageWeek13-11

12 Week Update

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     We’ve had a pretty uneventful week in a good way. I might be a little controlling and overzealous, but I’ve started preparing things early! This week we ordered the stroller, car seats and cribs and I bought two adorable bouncy seats! I decided that I should start doing things while I have the energy and then maybe I’ll be able to coast through the last part of pregnancy without stressing (yeah, right).

   I had an appointment today. Good news: I GET TO STOP PROGESTERONE! After 70+ intramuscular injections of progesterone alone, I’m OVER it! I must admit that I’m a little nervous to stop it, but Dr. C says if the placentas aren’t doing their jobs by now, progesterone supplementation isn’t going to help.

   Still no lifting anything more than 10lbs. I was made aware that this restriction would remain throughout pregnancy. (Say what?!? How do people with kids live?) I have a feeling this is one of the restrictions that doesn’t get followed well. I am being careful. My mom told me today that my purse was too heavy. I think I responded with something like, “??????!!!!!#####*******”.

   Also during Dr. C’s Debbie Downer speech, she told me that I couldn’t go to Singapore later this month. At first she was on the fence about it. She asked me why I was going and I told her to tag along with my husband and lay on the beach. She didn’t like that answer. She said that if it wasn’t vitally important to go, she’d tell me no. She says textbook says yes but she and the money, time, blood, sweat and tears it’s taken to get here says NO.

   I was concerned with how big my belly had gotten and continues to get daily. She said, “I’m not sure if you’re aware how pregnancy works. There’s actually something growing in there and with you- it’s two!” Funny, funny! She didn’t sympathize with my size concerns, needless to say. She says I’m right on track and measuring 20 weeks. Yikes!

  Precautionary genetic ultrasound (nuchal translucency screening) on Friday since we are having twins, and it was IVF. As always, I’m looking forward to seeing our little plums.

How far along: 12 weeks and 4 days today.

Maternity clothes: A mixture. Maternity pants, for sure.Still wearing non-maternity skirts, dresses, etc.

Stretch marks: Not yet. Itchy though!

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well! Still only up 1-2 times. 

Best moment of this week: Getting to spend time with W and getting the OK to stop progesterone!

Miss anything: Still the same. Exercise, being able to lift things, alcohol, **Jimmy Johns**, cold lunch meat in general, bleu cheese and caffeine. 

Movement: Not yet! I can feel hard lumps where they are laying and I swear I’ve felt a couple of flutters, but nothing consistent.

Food cravings: Not really.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not eating enough, or quickly enough!

Have you started to show yet: Ohhh yes.

Genders: Too early to find out.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy! Happy! Happy!

Looking forward to: Our next official ultrasound on 5/16!

Symptoms: Same as the last update: Exhaustion, some heartburn, and headaches. Just a tiny bit queasy off and on. I wouldn’t call it morning sickness though. I find that I’m able to eat less and less without feeling completely stuffed. Lots of grazing days in my future!

11 Week Update

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   I’ve told some girls that I feel like I might eventually give birth to two fully grown adults by the time this is over! I’m over 1/3 of the way through this pregnancy and I’m looking every bit of it! I’ve been doing pretty well since the last update. I’ve started working back in the Neonatal ICU on nights and my body just isn’t what it used to be. It’s been going good but I’m exhausted by the end of the shift. The unit is brand new and beautiful and the team of girls that work there couldn’t be nicer or more welcoming. I’ll always miss my Alabama NICU girls though!

   Daddy finally got to see the (more baby looking) gummy bears wiggling all around on ultrasound! They moved a little and were being very chill when the US tech gave them a quick jiggle with the US wand – they woke up and started moving around again! We are loving watching the videos about the weekly development. It’s truly amazing how quickly every detail is put into place. Here’s a link to the video if you’re interested.

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/video/pregnancy-week-11.aspx

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How far along: 11 weeks and 4 days today.

Maternity clothes: I gave in! I bought maternity leggings, capris and scrub pants and my belly said, “Ahhhhhhhh!”. Other than that it’s been non-maternity skirts and dresses!

Stretch marks: Not yet. Itchy though!

Sleep: Much better than previous weeks. I’m usually only up 1-2 times a night now. Loving my new body pillow.

Best moment of this week: Having W back in town and getting to share my aches and pains with him!

Miss anything: Still the same..Exercise, being able to lift things, alcohol, Jimmy Johns, cold lunch meat in general, bleu cheese and caffeine. 

Movement: Not yet!

Food cravings: Not really.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Saprinos pepperoni calzone at work at 2am apparently! Besides that, I still haven’t REALLY been sick. Just a little queasy off and on. I think it may be dehydration related too. Trying to stay on top of my water intake! 

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes, whatever it may be.

Genders: Too early to find out.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Always the next appointment and our next official ultrasound on 5/16!

Symptoms: Exhaustion, some heartburn, and headaches. Just a tiny bit queasy off and on. I wouldn’t call it morning sickness though. I find that I’m able to eat less and less without feeling completely stuffed. Lots of grazing days in my future!