Maternity Photos

Everyone knows I think very highly of my friend, Mischa, and his amazing photographic abilities!  So for all my non Facebook followers, here's a little sneak peek of his amazing talent!  Thanks Mischa for taking such great photos for us!!!  Can't wait for him to photograph the girls!!

32 weeks & Scheduled Expiration Date :)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Today I had my first NST (Non Stress Test).  It was actually enjoyable.  I went into the doctors office and they have this giant oversized recliner for me to sit in.  They attach me to 3 different monitors: One to monitor Baby A's heartbeat, one to measure Baby B's heartbeat, and one to measure my contractions!  My job is to push a button anytime I feel the babies move.  When we started out they were pretty sleepy so the nurse gave me some apple juice and sure enough, the party started.  I sat on the monitors for about 45 minutes.  At one point, my dr peeked his head in and said, "DO YOU FEEL THAT?"  I responded, "YES, of COURSE I feel that!"  He said, "you just had a Mt Everest Contraction"  I have to laugh at the "do you feel that" comment... such a man thing to ask.  lol.  Anyways, everything looked great!

First NST session

After the NST test, I had my weekly appointment with my OB.  He gave me a high 5 for only gaining 1 lb!  WOOT WOOT.  I was pretty excited about that too!  He measured my belly and I"m now measuring at a whopping 41 weeks!!  He also said we should go ahead and schedule our c-section date.  So we did!  If the girls decide to come on MY schedule we will be meeting them on May 23, 2012.  Sounds like a great day for a birthday to me!!  I'm so excited and am feeling the pressure (no pun intended) to get things prepared for the girls.  They will be here in exactly 4 weeks from today!

To celebrate, here are a couple pics of the joys of the end of my pregnancy:

I'm running out of room to drive...

My favorite seat in the house- the yoga ball

My 32 week twin belly

31 Weeks- Labor & Delivery Fun

April 20th, 2012 (Friday)

Today, I am 31 weeks and 4 days pregnant!  This week has been a turning point in the pregnancy for us.  On Wednesday, I was feeling pretty terrible.  I was achey, tired, my hands and feet were swollen, and I just didn't feel good.  I spent most of the day lounging in bed.  On Thursday, I felt even worse.  I knew immediately that I was going to be in bed for the duration of the day.  I always thought staying in bed all day would be a treat... not so much. Those days are my least favorite.  All this extra weight keeps me from EVER being comfortable in bed.  But I'm definitely aware of when I need to stay in bed.  Anyways, on thursday I was feeling nauseous throughout the day, my hands and feet were pretty swollen, heart burn was at an all time HIGH, and my contractions were a little more noticeable than the average day.  By around 3:30pm, I had really begun to notice that I was having a lot more contractions than I usually do.  I decided I would drink some water, take a warm shower, and lay down to rest to see if they would ease up.  After my shower, I downloaded a contraction timer app for my iPhone and began to time the contractions.  For the next hour, I was having contractions every 6-7 minutes lasting about 45 seconds.  I knew I was over my "limit" of acceptable contractions.  I knew I needed to call my dr but I really did NOT want to call.  I knew once I made that call, he was going to send me to L&D.  So I guzzled some more water and decided to give it another 30 minutes.  After the 30 minutes, they were about 5-6 minutes apart.  Before calling the doctor, I called Joe and told him I was having a lot of contractions and that I was going to call the dr and was pretty sure we'd be headed to L&D.

I really did not want to call my Dr.  I didn't want to goto L&D.  So, I waited until Joe got home before calling.  When I finally called and spoke to the on call Dr, she told me to go straight to L&D.  Even though, I knew this is what we were going to be told, I was still shocked.  We realized that we are horribly unprepared.  I began tossing some things in a bag and asked Joe to call his brother and Mom to see who could come stay with Ryder.  Joe's brother didn't answer.  His Mom picked up and said she was on the other line and hung up.  That was pretty awesome.  I had a "duh" moment and said, "I'll call Terry."  He didn't answer either.  I decided we'd just get Ryder ready and he'd come with us until we got a hold of someone to pick him up.  Luckily, Terry called right back and said he'd be right there.  Joe turned into the stereo typical Dad racing around the house doing odd chores.  Finally, I asked, "What are you doing?"  He said, "I don't know what to do. I just need to do something."  I smiled and said, "get a bag, put a change of clothes in it, pack your phone, charger, and laptop, maybe a few snacks..."  I got myself ready and heated up some leftovers for Ryder.   Terry was like super Poppy and was here almost instantly!

On the drive to the hospital, my contractions felt like they were coming on top of each other.  We arrived at the hospital around 6:30pm. Its been so long since we've been there, I don't even remember where L&D is.  I told Joe just to park, I was walking in WITH him.  We walked through the main entrance and asked where L&D was.  Instantly there were two nurses with wheel chairs.  I told them I could walk and they looked at me and said, "No.  You are NOT walking.  We'll give you a ride."  The began congratulating us but I was feeling so loopy and just trying to deal with the contractions that I was pretty out of it. I didn't say a word.  Finally, I hear Joe say, "It's not really congratulations, she's only 31 weeks."  The nurse started walking faster.  When we got to L&D I immediately asked to use the restroom but they said, we'll take you straight to a room.  Joe stayed and registered me.  The nurses kept commenting on how amazed they were they hadn't seen me already.  They said they see most of the twin Mommies at least once before 31 weeks for SOMETHING! They had me give a urine sample and put me on the monitors.  It turns out my contractions were coming every 2-4 minutes.  The nurse told me she was going to check my cervix, do a test to see if I was in labor, and start me on an IV.   Luckily, my cervix was closed and I was not dialated. She did the FFN test (tells them if I'm going into labor) and told me it would take an hour for the results.  In the meantime, they'd start an IV and continue to monitor me.  

I really HATE IVs

Hanging out wishing the contractions would stop but forcing a smile...

A few hours passed and we still hadn't heard the results from the test.  I was irritable and just wanted to go home.  I felt A LOT better.  The IV was finished and we were just waiting on those results.  I pushed the red button and asked if the results were back.  The nurse came in and told me they were negative.  She asked how I was doing with the contractions.  I told her I wasn't having them anymore.  She explained that I was still contracting regularly but it was a good sign that I wasn't feeling them anymore.  She excused herself to consult with the doctor.  She came in a few minutes later and told me I was going to get to go home!  (Best news I heard all night!!)  I got a big lecture about not waiting so long next time to come in and was told to follow up with my OB first thing in the morning.  She said this was just typical preterm labor without progress and that if it picked back up, I was to come right back.  

Blowing this pop cycle stand!!

Today, I had a scheduled appointment with my MFM for an ultrasound.  Babies looked great.  Fluid levels were normal as well were the bladders and blood flow.  After that appointment, I needed to head over to see my OB.  Apparently, my MFM sent over my report right away and it was his recommendation that I be delivered between 36-37 weeks.  Dr. R and I talked about dates and also said he wanted me to start coming in weekly for Non Stress Tests (NSTs) on the babies.  I will go in every Wednesday and be monitored for 30 minutes and will then have my regular appointment afterwords.  He advised that I inform Joe that he should always be on high alert on Wednesdays because if the NST's show any distress, we'd be headed for delivery that day.  

So, its been a lot to digest this week!  I realize that these babies are coming and we just shaved a good week, maybe 2, maybe more off this pregnancy. I'm so ready to be done being pregnant but so not ready for the girls to be here.  Joe will be feverishly working on clearing out the room and setting up the "nursery" this weekend.  

Nika: The BEST kitty I've EVER had!

April 15, 2012 (Sunday)

Today is such a sad day.  After much attempts to keep Nika alive, we have come to the realization that its time to say Good Bye.  Our first baby, little Nika-loves (as we called her), was put to sleep today.  It was absolutely heart wrenching to make this desicion and to say good bye to her.  Joe and I both stayed with her until she took her last breath. 

Nika came into our lives 12 years ago.  I'll never forget that day. I had been trying to convince Joe for about a year that we should get a cat, but he was very resistant.  I went into a pet shop and saw her.  She was sooo cute. I knew that she was meant to be OUR cat.  I asked the shop manager to reserve her for us and went home to persuade Joe.  After much discussion, I convinced Joe to just come look at her.  Upon arrival, Joe said, "How can I say No to her?"  It was love at first sight.

Nika's first day home with us

Settling right in as part of the family

She was spunky from the day we got her

She received the nickname Nika loves because she was so loving to everyone!

Part of the family from the beginning- even wanted to drink from our glasses

Nika very quickly became part of our family.  She really was Joe and I's baby.  When we got her, it was my first glimpse of what a great daddy Joe would be.  HE used to come home from work EVERY DAY and pick her up and hold her like a baby and he'd say, "Who's the prettiest kitty in the whole world?"


Daddy loving on "the prettiest kitty in the whole world"

 Nika has been a part of our family for 12 years!  As hard as it was to say Good Bye, she was the best cat ever and it was all worth it for the amount of love and happiness we shared with her.  One of my favorite things about Nika loves, is that she used to always lick my forehead.  As soon as I would pick her up, she'd give me a great big kiss to show her love:

Nika's "I LOVE YOU" kisses

As loving as Nika was, she also developed a lot of SPUNK when we brought home her buddy, Batman.  She wasn't too found of him at first, but she quickly warmed up to him and they became the biggest snuggle bugs.

Showing her excitement for our new kitty

Okay, I give in!  We can be friends :)

Nika has been with us through so many important parts of our life: 

Nika on our wedding day

Getting a little snuggle before the big day!

Watching for Daddy to come...

Giving my baby girl some love before I walk down the aisle

Super Bowl Victory celebration



Practice before Ryder comes home



Meeting Ryder for the first time




Snuggles before date night




Getting Crazy with Batman




Will you take me to Hawaii with you?



Before kids, yes, my cat slept under the covers with me!



Watching over Ryder

Here, kitty kitty

Nika even helped with laundry

Her favorite Christmas present: Christmas Ribbon

Our little family before kids..

Guarding the remote control

Our sweet Nika Loves!  We love you!!

 

30 Week Milestone

30 week belly shot

It's official, on Monday we reached a BIG twin pregnancy milestone: 30 weeks!  Dr Rosenberg says if we deliver now, our hospital is fully equipped to take care of them and keep them healthy.  The likelihood of them suffering any long term affects are slim! (I'm doing the happy pregnant dance... hmmm... we may need to video that for an upcoming blog post ;) )

Anyways, on Friday, we had our ultrasound with the MFM.  Both girls are HUGE!  Baby A is 3lbs 3 oz and Baby B is 3lbs 4 oz.  The size discrepancy is pretty much GONE!  It's amazing!  Our girls ARE amazing!  It's such a huge weight off my shoulders to not be non stop worrying about that.  Girls are still working on their acrobatics and my belly moves into some funny shapes to prove it.  Baby A is head down and ready to go, but Baby B is hanging up high in my ribs in the transverse position.  Both heads are on my right hand side.  During the ultrasound you could see that they continually smack each other in the face and touch each other.  I'm pretty sure they are fighting for space, they are definitely looking pretty crammed inside my 5'2 frame.

Baby B's profile at 30 weeks (29w4d to be exact)

This week has also yanked me out of my state of denial.  Even though I've been living this pregnant life for sometime and have watched my belly grow to an enormous state, and feel them move non stop- I still in the back of mind wasn't 100% sure we would bring home 2 babies.  Miscarriage really does a number on your mind.  It doesn't help to be in a group of pregnant twin Moms and to have seen almost 1/2 of them lose one or both of their babies.  It's a constant reminder that there really is no guarantee until you are holding your babies in your arms.  It also reminds me how truly lucky we are that our pregnancy has been progressing well.  Now that I'm living more in reality, I guess we should maybe clear our "storage" room out and buy some baby gear for these kids.... Yeah, I think we'll get on that.

Today, I visited my OB.  Since Ryder is on spring break he got to go with me.  On the way to the office we talked about how to behave in the dr.'s office and what Ryder should expect when we got there.  Upon walking in, Ryder peaks his head into Dr. Rosenberg's office and says, "Hi Dr Rosenberg-ER (lol), I'm Ryder and I'm 4!" (D'oh, your 3 kid... your 3!)  They chatted for a minute and then Ryder went with me to give the urine sample.  I explained to Ryder that I was going to pee in a cup and the look on his face was PRICELESS!  I started to attempt this amazingly difficult ritual and said to Ryder, "well, maybe I'm going to pee in the cup...?"  When I looked and realized I made it, Ryder started clapping and screaming... "Good Job, Mommy, you did it!!! "  It was a good thing I was still sitting on the toilet or I would have peed my pants... instead, just peed in the potty like a big girl ;) We dipped the stick and gave our sample to the nurse.   We then headed back to the exam room.  Ryder flirted with the nurse while she weighed me and took my blood pressure.  For all you curious minds.... I'm approaching 200lbs!  I've gained 65lbs to date... i know what you are thinking,  "I like big girls and I cannot lie..."

When Dr R came into the exam room, he told Ryder that he needed his help.  Ryder perked right up.  Dr R moved a chair over to the bed and asked Ryder to climb up.  Ryder had a very special job to do.  He squeezed the gel all over my belly.  Then, Dr R gave Ryder the doppler and let Ryder push the button to turn it on.  He even got to hold it while we listened for both babies heart beats.  Ryder was so proud of himself, when we got to the car he said, "I'm a real doctor, Mommy, I helped Rosenberg-ER."
It was so much fun to take Ryder to his first appointment with me.  I was so proud of his behavior and I know he's going to be an AMAZING big brother!!  Truly looking forward to seeing the way he loves his sisters!  7.5 weeks and counting....

Enjoying a little Mommy & Ryder donut date after the appointment :)