Mothers of Multiples, 2006 Edition

[Twinmamas]

AmyE
Amy E, 34
DH: J, 34
Married: 10/2002
TTC - whoops! a few months early
DC: DS, 4/05
EDD: Dec 28, 2006
birth date: December 6, 2006 (3xwxd)
Julia Grace, 6 lbs., at 3:24 p.m.
Benjamin Luke, 5 lbs. 13 oz., at 3:25 p.m.

angelgirl8
angelgirl8, 28
DH: dave, 28
Married: 7.6.03
TTC: 1.04
BFP: 6.2.05 after 2nd IVF
EDD: 2.8.06 (40wEDD)
Birth date: January 10, 2006 (35w5d)
Babygirl: 4lbs, 14oz, 11:08 a.m.
Babyboy: 4lbs, 2oz, 11:09 a.m.

Bernie
me: 30
DH: 34
Married: 1/18/2003
BFP: 6/29/05
U/S showing twins: 7/8/05
EDD: 3/8/2006
birth date: 2/24/06 (38w1d)
Amelia Sara, 12:30pm, 5lb 15oz, 19"
Maxwell Philip, 12:32pm, 5lb 8oz, 19"

blisswc
birth date: November 4, 2004
Ania and Alex

Brink
Me: Tina, 36
DH: Dan, 37
Married: 6/2004
TTC - 3 months
40w EDD: March 19, 2007
DC: DD, 9/05

cari2
me: 32
dh: 30
married: 9/03
fraternal twin girls: born 8/05 at 35 1/2 weeks

Cath
Catherine - 33
DH - 35
Married - 11-10-01
TTC - 11-03
BFP - 9-15-06
Found out that I'm expecting triplets on 9-27-06
EDD - May 23, 2007 (40 weeks)

cbiggers
Me: Casey 34 (almost anyway)
DH: Brian 34
IF due to endometriosis
m/c June 2003 - Triploidy
Successful IUI April 2004
Caroline Louise and Isabel Jean
born: 12/04/04 (36w5d)

charmcitygirl
me: 31
DH: charmcityboy, 33
Married: 3/04
TTC: nope, not even trying to get pg!
BFP: 1/26/05 U/S shows twins 2/11/05
EDD: 9/19/05
boy/girl twins
birth date: 8/14/05
Jake and Arizona (Zoe)

Isobel
Me: Isobel, 30
DH: CG, 32
Married: 04/27/02
TTC: for a year and a half before the BFP
BFP: 6/16/06
EDD: 2.20.07 (forty weeks)

Jenean
Me: Jenean, 30 (formerly known as gymwidow)
DH: Seth, 30
Married: 6/22/03
TTC: 6/22/05; success with IVF w/ ICSI
BFP: 10/2/06, u/s showing twins 10/10/06
EDD: 6/12/07 (40w)

journey
Me - 26
DH - 36
Married - June 17, 2001
DS - William Clark June 6, 2003
b/g twins; 40 week EDD: 2/11/05
birth day: January 28, 2005 (38w0d)
Catheryn Jean @ 3:42 p.m.; 6lbs 4ozs, 19 3/4"
Nathan Richard @ 3:44 p.m.; 6lbs 8ozs, 20 1/4"

jrsygirl
Me - 31
DH - 32
Married - September 7, 2002
BFP: 8.18.05 ( DH birthday!)
EDD: 4.28.06 (I'm sure it will change once I see my OBGYN since this is based on a single)
birth date: April 5, 2006 (3XwXd)
Paige Kelly: 5lbs. 7 oz.
Cole Robert: 5lbs. 8 oz.

kakirk
me: Katie, 27
dh: Todd, 32
married: 8/17/02
angel twins Tess & Sam, 5/6/04
boy/girl twins EDD: 7/28/05
Birth Date: 7/8/05 (37w3d)
Harrison Kirkpatrick, "Hank", 7.2 lbs.
Camilla Margaret, "Lily", 6.5 lbs.

kat
Me: 36
DH: 40
Married: 9/02
IVF: 6/05
Positive beta: 6/23/05
EDD: 3/2/06
birth day: February 15, 2006 (37w5d)
Alexander, 8lbs1oz, 21.5", arrived 2:27 p.m.
Audrey, 7lbs10oz, 20", arrived 2:40 p.m.

khouse
Me: Kenan 32
DH: Brian 31
3rd IUI April 2004 - 3rd times a charm! :-)
Proud Mommy to Delaney Thea and Devon Wade
Born: 12/04/04

klm2klh
Me: Kristin, 31
DH: G, 31
Married: 09/15/01
BPP: 07/25/05
EDD: 03/26/06
Ultrasound showing twins: 10/28/05
birth date: March 10, 2006
Nicholas: 5lbs 12oz, born at 6:12
Campbell: 5lbs 14oz, born at 6:22

LDS Angel 19
Me: Michelle, 23
DH: Aaron, 24
Married: 9/4/04
Other Children: Allison, our angel, born and died 6/17/05
TTC: 9/05
BFP: 11/16/06
U/S showing twins: 11/29/06
40 week EDD: 7/27/07

LoveBeingAMommy
Me:31
DH: 31
Married: November 2002
TTC: September 2006
BFP: October 6, 2006
EDD: June 15, 2007 (40 weeks)
Any other children: DD 5/04

Lovin'it
me: 25
DH: 31
Married: 11/16/2001
BFP: 6/29/05
U/S showing twins: 8/22/05
Ella and Nina's EDD: 3/9/2006 (Dr. thinks they will be here by Valentine's Day!)
birth date: 2/15/06
Nina: 5 lbs. 13 oz
Ella: 5 lbs. 9 oz

MiamiBeachTwins
SAHM
Love: 9-17-04
EDD: 8-25-06
Twins: 8-15-06
FurKids: 2 Cats

mittyrd
Me: Missy - 36
DH: Steve - 37
DS: Jake - 10/7/03
Married: 11/9/02
Identical boys due 9/25/05
Birth day: 7/1/05
Matthew Ryan, 8:06 a.m.
Samuel Jay, 8:09 am

morningdew
Me: 35 (as of last week)
DH: 33
Married: 6/02
DS born 3/30/03
TTC: 7/06
BFP: 8/18/06, u/s showing twins 9/12/06
EDD: 4/30/07 (40w)
Baby Girls!!

mrsblud
Me: Julie (29)
DH: Brett (26)
Married: 12th October, 2002
m/c: January 04
Pg with 100mg Clomid and 1500mg Metformin
Emma and Brandon
birth day: 12/24/04 (36w1d)

MrsPuls
Me: Sarah
DH: Shaun
Married: 11/10/01
DS: 11/23/03
TWINS EDD: 1/28/05
Gender: Boy and girl
Birth date: 12/13/05 (33w3d)
Lucas: 4lbs 14oz
Aubrey: 4lbs 5oz.

natgirl
Me: Natalie
DH: Jeff
DD: Sophia, born 3/28/04
Twins due 3/11/06!
Birth date: January 28, 2006
Mark: 4 lbs, 5 oz and 18.5" at 1:48 a.m.
Isabelle: 5 lbs, 5 oz and 17" at 1:51 a.m.

NJMom
Me - 35
DH - 45
Married - September 14, 2002
Fraternal Boys
birth day: February 15, 2005 at 33wks
Jacob Michael 4lbs 10ozs
Brayden Matthew 4lbs 5ozs
#3 due 12/06

Phen
me: Phen (35)
dh: (30)
Married: 4/20/02
Birthday: 7/13/04 (37w5d)
Thomas 3:31 a.m., 7 lbs 9 oz, 18"
Alexander 3:33 a.m., 6 lbs 3 oz, 19.5"

PilotsWife
Me: 37
DH: 35
Married: 4-30-04
BFP: 4-15-05
40 Week EDD: 12-24-05
Boy/Boy Twins
(Brit'sBride on WC)
Birth date: November 25, 2005
Aidan Morgan - 10:02 p.m., 4 lbs. 9 oz.
Ryan David - 10:03 p.m., 5 lbs. 9 oz.


QPDoll
Tina, 31
DH = Travis, 30
Married 7/4/03
fertility issues: PCOS/IR
Conceived on 4th month of metformin and first month of clomid
Expecting di/di boys
40 week due date: August 14, 2005
Adjusted due date: July 31, 2005
Birth Date: July 23, 2005
Peter Randall at 9:20 am, 7lbs 3 oz 20” long
Nathaniel James at 10:30 am, 6 lbs 19” long

relly
Married: 11/8/3
TTC: 11/8/3
M/Cs: March 2004, May 2004, November 2004
BFP: 8/18/5, IVF #2
EDD: April 26, 2006
birth date: March 21, 2006 (35w)
Brycen Peter, 3 lbs. 14 oz.
Devon Elisabeth, 4 lbs. 7 oz.

Saathei
Me - 22
DH - 24
Married - August 29, 2003
Fraternal? (not sure) girls twins; 40 week EDD: 6/2/05
birth day: April 24, 2005 (34w3d)
Thalia Barbara @ 10:26 a.m.; 4lbs 6ozs, 17"
Michaya Leita @ 10:27 p.m.; 4lbs 9ozs, 18"

Sage
Me: Megan, 30
DH: Scott, 30
Married: 08/17/02
Children: Ashley, 8/18/05
BFP: Early July 06
Ultrasound showing identical twins: 08/09/06
EDD: 03/02/07 (40 weeks)

Sunmoonstars75
Me=Sara, 30
DH=Andy, 32
Married 09/28/02
birth day: March 8, 2005 (36w)
Audra Elizabeth 4:36 pm
Amelia Grace 4:37 pm

2labradogs
me: Lynn (34)
dh: 42
Married: 8/29/02
Birthday: 02/20/2004 (37.5 wks)
Identical Twin Boys
Chase - 9:30am, 6lbs 14oz, 19.75 inches
Tyler - 9:31am, 6lbs 8oz, 19.75 inches

Tandis
Me: 30
DH: 32
Married: 04/26/03
TTC: April 04 - pregnant on our first IVF attempt
BFP: 7/24/06 (blood test)
EDD: 3/29/07 (40w EDD)

vancouvergirl
me: 35
dh: 37
married: august 1998
dd: 6
ds: sept 18, 2003
dd: sept 18, 2003
1st IVF attempt
37 1/2 weeks
5 min apart

In our hearts, Astro's Steven Alexander and Ryan Philip, Jad's sweet boys, and jenahdawn's darling girls.

[Twinmamas]

Birthdays and Duedates

September 18, 2003: vancouvertwinboy and vancouvertwingirl (vancouvergirl)
February 20, 2004: Chase and Tyler (2labradogs)
July 13, 2004: Thomas and Alexander (Phen)
November 4, 2004: Ania and Alex (blisswc)
December 4, 2004: Caroline Louise and Isabel Jean (cbiggers)
December 4, 2004: Delaney Thea and Devon Wade (khouse)
December 24, 2004: Brandon and Emma (mrsblud)
January 28, 2005: Catheryn Jean and Nathan Richard (journey)
February 15, 2005: Jacob Michael and Brayden Matthew (NJMom)
March 8, 2005: Audra Elizabeth and Amelia Grace (sunmoonstars75)
April 24, 2005: Thalia Barbara and Michaya Leita (saathei)
July 1, 2005: Matthew Ryan and Samuel Jay (mittyrd)
July 8, 2005: Harrison Kirkpatrick ("Hank") and Camilla Margaret ("Lily") (kakirk)
July 23, 2005: Peter Randall and Nathaniel James (QPDoll)
August 14, 2005: Jake and Arizona ("Zoe") (charmcitygirl)
August 2005: two girls (cari2)
November 25, 2005: Aidan Morgan and Ryan David (PilotsWife)
December 13, 2005: Lucas and Aubrey (MrsPuls)
January 10, 2006: Girlbaby and Boybaby (angelgirl8)
January 28, 2006: Mark and Isabelle (Natgirl)
February 15, 2006: Ella and Nina (lovin'it)
February 15, 2006: Alexander and Audrey (kat)
February 24, 2006: Amelia and Maxwell [Mia and Max] (Bernie)
March 10, 2006: Nicholas and Campbell (klm2klh)
March 21, 2006: Brycen Peter and Devon Elisabeth (relly)
April 5, 2006: Paige Kelly and Cole Robert (jrsygirl)
August 16, 2006: Kaliyah and Jazariah (MiamiBeachTwins)
December 6, 2006: Julia and Benjamin (AmyE)

due February 20, 2007: two girls! (Isobel)
due March 2, 2007: two boys! (Sage)
due March 19, 2007: two boys! (Brink)
due March 29, 2007: two babies! (Tandis)
due late spring, 2007: three babies! (Cath)
due April 30, 2007: two girls! (morningdew)
due June 12, 2007: two babies! (Jenean)
due June 15, 2007: two babies! (LoveBeingAMommy)
due July 27, 2007: two babies (LDS Angel 19)

due dates are 40-week EDDs unless otherwise indicated

[Twinmamas]

FAQs
Can you breastfeed twins?
It's been done by many twinmamas. The twinmamas on this thread who didn't BF (or pump) were usually unable to for reasons OTHER than having twins.

We do recommend finding a lactation consultant *with experience in helping BF multiples* prior to the babies' arrival, though. We strongly encourage that. Like get off the computer now and go call the La Leche League to find a multiples-experienced LC in your area!

Is bedrest a requirement during my twinpregnancy?
No, but there's a very strong possibility that you'll be put on some sort of restrictions. A twin pregnancy is a high-risk one, and even if you're having a fairly trouble-free twin pregnancy, you'll need to rest: your body is working harder than ever to grow those babies.

What are the chances I'll make it to full-term with the twins?
Full-term for twins is actually not 40 weeks, but rather 34-36 weeks, which is actually when most of the twinmamas here have delivered.

Should I not gain more weight than I would with a singleton pregnancy?
Dr. Barbara Luke has done studies showing that mothers of multiples who gained an average of a pound a week for the first 24 weeks and 2 lbs. a week for the rest of the pregnancy end up delivering healthier babies who spend less (if any) time in the NICU. She advocates twinmamas try to eat 3,500 calories a day. Take it from us...it's hard, but it's worth it.

How long into my pregnancy will I be able to work?
The answers vary, but almost none of us were able to work up to delivery. Some were put on half-time work restrictions in the early second trimester and told to stop working altogether by the start of the third trimester, some were put on bedrest in the second trimester and were able to work from bed/home. We think it's wise to plan for the "worst" and prepare for an early departure from work.

Eek! They're HERE!
Elizabeth Lyon (a twinmama) has articles she calls "sanity savers" about living with your twins once they're on the outside


For Your Reference: Best Books for Twinmamas

best twin pregnancy book (technical): When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060542683/sr=1-1/qid=1156444494/ref=sr_1_1/104-5495183-3136726?ie=UTF8&s=books) (a/k/a The Dr. Luke book)

best twin pregnancy book (semi-goofy but sorta helpful): Twinspiration (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1589792807/ref=sr_11_1/104-5495183-3136726?ie=UTF8)

best raising twins the first year book: Ready or Not: Here We Come! (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974699004/ref=pd_bxgy_text_b/104-5495183-3136726?ie=UTF8)

best raising twins toddlers and beyond book: Ready or Not: There we go! (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974699012/ref=pd_cp_b_title/104-5495183-3136726?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155)

[Twinmamas]

K, y'all... our new thread is open.

If you have any updates, please post them in red. Also, if anyone has ideas for things to put in our FAQs, please either post 'em or PM 'em to me (the Twinmamas account), and I'll put them in that post.

THANKS!

[angelgirl8]

wow, a brand new thread!

thanks, madame threadmistress.

i hope everyone had a wonderful new year's.

cbiggers...thanks for the reassurance. i hope the girls are feeling better!


well, my babies will be born this year. more specifically, this month! ACK!

can you update my due date to 2/8/06? i know that's wrong, too, but it's my correct 40 week date!

[cbiggers]

Hey Phenny - One idea for FAQ, though I'm not sure how to make it brief: How long did you work into your pg? That question seems to pop up a lot but I am not sure how to shorten the answer. Just a thought! Thanks for starting the new thread!

[kat]

Yay for the new thread, and happy new year everyone! Hope all is well with our preggo moms and all those adorable twins (and adorable moms!).

As for me.....I think I've finally confirmed that I do indeed have the pelvic joint "separation" that my doctor mentioned a few weeks ago when I explained the pain I've been having. The past few days it's gotten worse, and it's been really difficult to walk (I've been crawling to the bathroom).

I checked out a few websites re: "pubic symphysis separation" and I've experienced just about every symptom on the list....including "may feel great discomfort during fundal height measurements at OB's office due to pressure OB puts on pubic area to take the measurement." So I guess my doctor was right, although there's not much they can do. My mom is bringing a cane to me today, which we hope will help; if not, I'll ask my doctor for a walker.

Other than figuring out what's wrong with me, that's about all that's new. We've made it through a month of bedrest. I think the bedrest has made the joint problem worse, but whatcha gonna do? I think my poor DH is especially happy that we're having twins, because it means I won't be pregnant again and he doesn't have to listen to me whine again :) (we'd always planned on having just two kids).

I've been talking to the kids a lot lately, trying to convince them that it's in their best interest to have a birthday as far away from Christmas & New Years as possible......and yet not on their momma's b-day (which is next week). I don't want to share birthday cake. :D

[Bernie]

Nothing much to report here - but I wanted to wish everyone a very happy new year!

Thanks for the new thread Phen!

[cbiggers]

kat - I had that pelvic separation pain from very early on and it continued for a while, even after delivery. Sorry to say that!!!! But, man, I know what you are feeling. There were times where I could barely walk it hurt so bad and forget about touching my pelvis or anywhere in the near vacinity. Youch!!!!!! I hope you feel better soon!

[blisswc]

I have not been around here in ages, but there are a lot of familiar names...can I join again?

My children are Ania and Alex, born Nov. 4, 2004.

BTW: SOrry to hear about the pelvic pain. I totally get it. I have been in quite a bit of pain since the kids were born and just had an MRI. Turns out my pelvis spread so much during pregnancy I tore a ligament and need surgery. Ugh.

[khouse]

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Phen: Thanks for the new thread!!!

Kat: My birthday is also next week ... when is yours??? :D

Have a great week!

[mittyrd]

Happy New Year!

[Jad]

Happy New Year!

Some (although not nearly enough) overdue SO's---

Bernie - Sorry to hear you got the couch-potato order, but go you for having such a short hospital stay!

Kat - Did you ask your question about 34 weeks? Although it sounds like it may be a moot point. Can't P just carry you to the bathroom? ;)

angel - I'm so glad they're watching the babies more closely now -- and that Dave got the growth scan moved up. You are so close and all that monitoring is going to ensure those babies come out whenever they need to!

I just have to say that I am so very excited for all of you 30+ week preggos. You'll be meeting your babies so soon! And giving me some adorable pictures to help get me through five more months of this! ;) :eek:

And speaking of pictures, Phen, nice to know that someone is answering all those questions about whether or not twins count as carry-ons. Too cute. :D

As for me, I go back to my OB tomorrow for my 16 week appointment, and I will be armed with a page of questions that I need answered about how they plan to manage this pregnancy. There are enough stresses that I don't need my OB office adding to them. Wish me luck!

[lovin'it]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/emmabarrus/DSC02988.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/emmabarrus/DSC02989.jpg

Threadmistress...I am naming my girls Ella and Nina and my husband is now 31.

[PilotsWife]

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm sorry to hear there are some sick babies and twin mammas here. I hope you are all feeling better pronto!

As for those of you who traveled this holiday - my hat is off to you! I can't imagine traveling more than 5 minutes down the road to the pediatrian's office. The very idea scares the heck out of me!

Angel - like khouse, my story sounds *EXACTLY* like yours. Baby A (Aidan) and Baby B (Ryan) were only an ounce or two apart for almost the entire pregnancy - up until 34 weeks, when suddenly the weight difference between the two was more than 20%. I too started the non-stress testing and biophysical exams - appointments twice a week. If there was any stress to Aidan (he was the smaller baby), the plan was to deliver them. They were born two weeks later (due to symptoms of pre-eclapsia). At birth Aidan was 4 pounds, 9 ounces at birth and Ryan was 5 pounds, 9 ounces. At their first month ped appointment (last week) Aidan weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and Ryan was 8 pounds even. I know its very stressful and you're worried - just remember that you're very close to that 36 week mark - it goes very fast - I have a good feeling that your babies are going to be fine!

MrsPuls - Congratulations on Lucas & Aubrey's homecoming!

Kat - I'm sorry about your pelvic pain, but congrats on staying home :D

lovin'it - beautiful belly shots!

Bernie - Sorry you had to experience the hospital food early - I'm glad you're at home and that your restrictions have been eased ;)

Phen - You always have such adorable shots of your boys - you have an incredible knack for having your camera ready to capture the moment.


We have been muddling thru this last month - very much sleep deprived. For the first 4 weeks, DH and I slept on the sofa (we have a large sectional - we each had a "wing" of the sofa) while the boys were in their PNP - it seemed easier to get up from the sofa then from bed at 3 AM. We finally moved back to our bedroom. The boys were in their own bassinettes (sp?) for a whole 2 nights and now they are sharing one of the cribs in their own room. (Ryan stretches and moves a lot, when he hits the sides of the bassinette, he'd start screaming.) It is such a shame about the bassinettes - they are beautiful and truly hardly been used! (They are the Eddie Bauer "B" is for Bear from BRU.)

The boys have been great - just trying to sync their eating schedules again (we were doing pretty well, but then my ILs were here for 5 days for Christmas and the schedules went out the window! :rolleyes: Now there is about an hour an half between them!). We've had a few issues with gas, so we're trying new bottles (was using Avent, now using Dr. Brown). I also have some concerns with some congestion - the Ped said there is nothing in their chests, and anything we may be noticing is in their nasal area. So, I'm thinking about getting a humidifier for their bedroom. However, my mother said she read that humidifers can be an issue because of the bacteria that can form in the water and then dispersed in the air. Anyone else know about this? Suggestions??

We need to start investigating day care choices (I go back to work end of February) - the very idea is terrifying me. Does anyone have an agency or know a nanny in the Northern NJ area that they can recommend?

[Twinmamas]

Updated to here! (welcome back, Bliss!)

[Phen]

I did a quick little FAQ entry about working per your suggestion casey. How's that sound? It was off the top of my head and definitely needs work. Are y'all feeling better now?

Geez, that sounds PAINFUL, kat! I am laughing because my DH is also into the one pregnancy, two babies idea. He called it "maximum efficiency" long before we even found out I was carrying twins!

How are you doing with bedrest, Bernie?

Great to see you, bliss! How are your kiddos doing? Geez on the torn ligament. I imagine they'll ask you not to lift the kids for a bit after that surgery. I had surgery last week and they told me not to lift anything over 10 lbs. for 4-6 weeks. I made it 5 days...and I was psyched I made it that long!

Good luck at the OB's, Jad. I hope it's a boring appointment. ;)

What a beautiful belly, lovin'it. :)

Thanks for the compliment on my photos, PilotsWife, but the truth is, I had the camera surgically attached to my hand ;) . No, I just take a ton of photos and the beauty of a digicam is that EVENTUALLY you get a good one if you take 100. I'm sorry about the bassinnettes being a bust; maybe you could at least sell them at the next twinsale and try to get back the $$? I wanted bassinettes, too, but I was worried they'd be used for a second and a half and so we didnt' get them in the end.

As for the humidifier, I'd heard a variation on what your mom said...that YES it will spew bacteria/mold into the room but only if you don't keep it clean. Keep it clean (the water tank and the filter) clean and you're set!

I got my wonderful fabulous couldn't-have-survived-this-summer-without-her nanny from enannysource.com (http://www.enannysource.com/). I also tried a nanny agency in Memphis but I didn't like a single one of their candidates they gave us.

I'm making a New Year's Resolution for my boys: we are going to get out more and meet other kids their age! My local mama friends and I are always saying "we should have a playdate" and then never do it...now we will! (I have decreed it, so it shall be) Plus now that the boys' morning nap seems to have been pushed back to 10 a.m., I can start taking them to church. Before you think I'm completely insane, I'm not talking about taking them to the actual service...just the church nursery! But it is a lovely nursery and I think the boys need to start meeting other kids their age. So we will start there.

Happy new year to khouse, mittyrd, Jad, and everyone else. And Happy birthdays (pending), too!

~ phen

[kat]

cbiggers: so sorry to hear you had the pelvic separation pain, too....but I'm hoping (in some ways for selfish reasons :) ) that you're better now?

Welcome back, bliss!

khouse: mine's the 11th (next Wednesday)....you?

Jad: are you having the u/s at your OB's appointment tomorrow (today)? Or is that another day this week? I owe you a call...

lovinit: nice belly!

PilotsWife: so good to hear that you've survived the initial weeks - you sound great!

Phen: I dunno.....I'd bet there are plenty of subjects I could photograph for rolls and rolls and after 200 pics wouldn't have anything near as good as your boys. :) Good luck with your New Years Resolution!

*********
Nothing new here, which I suppose is good news. Four weeks ago today I was admitted to the hospital. And it's likely that within four weeks from today, we'll have met our twins.......which freaks us both out every now & then. :D

[lovin'it]

I think it finally hit me that these kids are almost here! I am soooo scared of the delivery. Up until tonight, I had not thought about it...I am scared!

I am from Brazil, aka Land of the C-Section. I am so afraid of the vaginal delivery. My doctor is planning on it unless baby A flips.

Is it weird that I am wishing for a C-Section? I think it is most likely a cultural thing.

What should I expect from a vaginal delivery? I am super-intolerant to pain...great, huh?!

:( Soooo...scared!

[NJMom]

Happy New Year everyone!

Thanks for the new thread Phen. I LOVE the picture of your boys. They are so cute - I can't believe how big they are getting!

Lovin'it-great belly shots. You look terrific. Can't help you with advice on a vaginal birth (I had a c-section) but just remember, there is always pain medicine so you will be fine either way!

Angel-try not to worry too much. It's great that your doctor is watching the babies so closely so I'm sure they are going to continue to do great!

kat and khouse Happy Birthday (a little early!)

Journey-do you have anything planned for Nate and Catie's first Birthday yet? Jacob and Brayden's first Birthday is right after theirs (Feb 15th) so I've been looking into ideas. Can you believe they are almost a year old already???

[Jad]

Back from my OB appointment. They tried to cancel my growth scan for the second time in a row. Needless to say, I protested. So they measured the babies, and they're almost exactly the same size. Yay! The doctor that I talked to was good. According to her, the discrepancy between what the doctor's are recommending should decrease substantially after my next appointment at 19 weeks. I'm willing to wait and see. But I'm feeling better for the time being.

Oh, and I got signed up for the study to see if progesterone shots help prevent preterm labor. Got my "compliance" shot, so looks like I'm back on the PIO wagon. :p

PilotsWife - Congrats on reclaiming the bedroom! Sounds like the boys are doing really well! I'm no help on the humidifier thing, but I've heard they're wonderful. Hope you find something that works for you!

[vancouvergirl]

i noticed that i have the oldest set of twins in the group so i thought i'd post my thought of the day. as my twins get older, i appreciate their twinhood more and more. i have never tried to emphasize their twinhood, just the opposite really. still, there are clearly positives to having twins and at age 2 that is becoming more obvious to me. the bond between them is absolutely amazing to watch. and to think it's lifelong. they will always have that someone who understands them completely.

i guess what i'm trying to say is that i surprised myself with my first baby by loving her more and more each day and experiencing love like i never imagined. it's the same with these little ones, in addition to increasingly being surprised and overwhelmed by the love they have for each other.

[jrsygirl]

JadGlad to hear this appt was better. I too am getting the progesterone shots. a nurse comes and sticks me in the butt once a week. They actually haven't been too bad although everyone warned me they were horribly painful shots.. At this point I think I can take anything.


23w3d Update
All is OK in my world. I am getting so huge. I need to take some new belly shots. I can barely put my socks on these days let alone tie my shoes. Thank god for slip ons!

Today I am back at work after being off for over two weeks. I'm exhasueted and definitely ready to go home, take a warm bath, Let B rub my back and sleep. My Dr appt last week went well. The babies are looking great and the Dr says I'm looking way better than he expected and my cervixx is still longer than most singleton pregnancies at this point so the Dr is happy about that. As I mentioned I'm still getting my weekly progesterone shots to ward off preterm labor. Who knows if they are helping or if someone just decided I deserve a boring pregnancy from here on out.



We started working on the nursery..It's coming out really cute so I have to take some pictures. We got a ton of stuff for Christmas. Someone very close to us bought our Zooper stroller which is an amazing gift. We got a ton of clothes and the baby monitors we wanted.


We bought our cribs and bedding ourselves as well as the glider we wanted. I'll take some pics when we get the bedding and the other crib in! Hopefully soon!

[khouse]

Kat: Mine is tomorrow. When you said "next week" in your post over the weekend I thought you meant this week! :o Anyhow, if I forget on the 11th, Happy Birthday to a fellow Capricorn!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone GREAT baby vibes! So many of you are so close to delivery and to experiencing such overwhelming joy with the birth of your children! It is a very exciting time for so many of you!!!

A couple pictures of the girls on Christmas Day!

Delaney sitting in her new chair! They LOVE this thing! :)

http://images.snapfish.com/345958%3A%3B%3B%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3262%3E%3B%3A4%3E4% 3C7%3EWSNRCG%3D3233439%3B896%3B8nu0mrj

Devon with a bow on her head ... compliments of Daddy! :D

http://images.snapfish.com/345958%3A%3B%3B%7Ffp338%3Enu%3D3262%3E%3B%3A4%3E4% 3C7%3EWSNRCG%3D3233439%3B895%3B5nu0mrj

Have a great week!

[Journey]

Great new thread. Thank you so much for starting it! Happy New Year everyone!!! Looking forward to all the 2006 twinnies!!!!

lovin'it - Great belly shots! You look wonderful!

PilotsWife - Glad to hear your boys are doing so well!

phen - I think you will have as much fun on the playdates as your boys will. I started taking Will to some before the twins were born, and it was so enjoyable to see him so happy out playing with other kids. He still loves getting out and the twins seen to be enjoying it as well. (Talking to other grown ups is just a bonus :) )

NJMom - Ahh yes, the 1st birthdays. I cannot believe it is almost that time already. I am not sure exactly what I want to do yet, but I really need to nail something down. The time has gone so fast and I am having a hard time believing that they are almost one. I keep thinking that there has been some sort of mistake and we accidentally skipped a few months along the way. No such luck.

jrsygirl - Looking forward to those pictures. :)

khouse - Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day. Beautiful Christmas pictures of your girls.

As for us...I have two full time walkers. I am starting to think they have forgotten how to crawl. I guess the one thing saving me is that our house is already child proofed because of Will. I have noticed that the twins are so much more independant than Will ever was...I wonder if it because they never got "all" the attention to themselves. They will not eat jar babyfood anymore, and are pretty much eating what we eat. They will eat the gerber meatsticks and pastas, but nothing off a spoon if I try and give it to them. Natie's favorite thing to do is stand on his hands and feet and look upside down through his legs. It is very cute. I have gotten a few pictures but need to get them developed.

Their first Christmas was wonderful. I wish I could post some pictures, but my digital camera broke. It was such a special day and they all looked so sweet in their little outfits. And, like NJMom mentioned, their 1st birthday is coming up in a few weeks. Wow...already...

[QPDoll]

I just noticed the new 2006 thread was up! Thanks Phen!
Kat I had that pelvic seperation thing too, but thankfully, after delivery it was completly gone. Oh how well I remember that awful pain though. Tylenol PM became my dearest friend by the end of my pregnancy.

Bliss! Great to hear from you again! Sorry about needing surgery. Blek. When will you have it?

Jad Glad to hear your appointment went well today!

lovin'it Awesome belly shots! Beautiful twin belly! I had really wanted a c/s, mainly because I was afraid of the pain. Figured it was easiest and the lowest risk. I was scared of deliverying A vag and then needing a c/s to delivery B. In the end, I went with a vag delivery (A was head down, B was breech). I chose a vag delivery because of the quicker recovery time, and i didn't have much help after the boys were born. It turned out wonderful, and really, there wasn't much pain. Thank goodness for the epidural! LOL I was scared of that too, but it was easy! I really was terrified of all of it though. They were able to turn my baby B during delivery of Baby A, so both were delivered head down.

Angel My twins were also within an ouce or two of each other during the entire pregnancy, up until 34 weeks when baby A's weight shot ahead of baby B. They were born at 37 weeks and A weighed 7lbs 3oz and B weighed 6 lbs. Now, at 5 months, they are 2lbs difference. A (Pete) weighs 17lbs, and B (Nate) weighs 15lbs. Pete is much broader shouldered/built like a linebacker. Nate is built like a baseball player, thin and muscular.

PilotsWife Sorry to hear about the bassinetts. I know the ones you have and they are beautiful. Dr. Brown bottles rock! We had invested lots of $$ on the Ventairs, but in the end switched to Dr. Browns. We got a screaming awesome deal on EBay from a fellow twinmamma ($25 for 25 bottles).

Phen Great resolution! My boys love watching the kids at the church nursery. Okay, so we only make it to MOPs so far, but Im hoping to actually get to a real church service one of these days. LOL

Vancouver I love to hear about the bond between your twins. It seems so amazing to me. :) Thanks!

jrsygirl post pictures-post pictures LOL

khouse freaking adorable!!! I love the bow picture! And golly, they have the most amazing eyes, beautiful!

Journey I can't wait to see pics of your family! Walking, iesh! Terrified of the though!

[QPDoll]

My boys are starting to interact with each other. Its cute. Mostly, they just reach over and pull or poke at each other: ears and arms are their favorite things to tug at right now. LOL I set them down on top of each other the other day, just to see what they would do. Nates on bottom, Petes on top.

http://pics.livejournal.com/bluegingham/pic/000wb7xe/s640x480

They take turns poking at each other :
Pete is eating Nates arm

http://pics.livejournal.com/bluegingham/pic/000xapey/s640x480

Pete love playing with his tongue. Its always hanging out, even with a bottle or a paci in his mouth. LMAO

http://pics.livejournal.com/bluegingham/pic/000wxr6a/s640x480

People ask me all the time, how do I tell them apart. LMAO I don't think they look anything alike! Pete has red hair, Nate has brown. Pete has blue eyes, Nate has hazel. Pete outweighs Nate by 2lbs and has a competly different build.

http://pics.livejournal.com/bluegingham/pic/000x06xd/s640x480

Anyway, not much new to really update with. They are getting tons easier, and sleeping and naping are going better. They are eating solids now, Pete is a chowhound and I can't shovel it in fast enough without him getting POd, and Nate could take it or leave it.

[vancouvergirl]

QPDoll, those are the cutest pictures!! i can't even pick my favorite.

[kat]

Drive-by to say happy b-day to khouse (adorable pics of the girls)!!!! And to tell QPDoll that those pictures are so damn cute, too!!!

[mrstim]

Can I ask all you twinmama's a question??

When did you begin wearing maternity clothes???

I was a twinmama and didn't know it, but now I'm just a singleton (7w6d) The doc told my friend who just went through the same thing that since her body had began the process of growing for two that she'd continue to grow somewhat faster, if not as fast as if she had twins. My doctor hasn't told me this, although I am going to ask him tomorrow if that's the truth.

I'm just at wits end - none of my clothes fit (well, about 3 tops and 3 skirts) and I don't really have a whole lot of extra cash to spend on transition clothes, so I'm thinking about saying to hay with it and just yanking out what maternity I have so that I can be comfortable and clothed, but I feel so stupid and silly for wearing maternity this early.

Thanks!
A

[Phen]

Happy belated birthday, khouse!

Your wrestling boys are so adorable, QP. :)

mrstim, I was in full-out maternity clothes by 9 weeks, but I'd already been wearing maternity tops for at least 2 weeks by then, and had been scraping by with regular pants two sizes too big (for my pre-preg size) by that point. I got a pretty noticeable belly before we even found out I was carrying twins (at 7w1d).
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3cc23b3127cce9f21df1fdb0100000016108AaOW7Zs4ZMk

Hope that helps!

~ Phen

[Bernie]

QPDoll - Your boys are adorable! I love the one of Pete eating Nate's arm - you can't help but smile!

mrstim - I don't think I broke out the maternity clothes until week 14 or 15, but I was wearing clothes a few sizes bigger than normal from weeks 10 or 11 on, I think.

khouse - happy belated birthday!

Nothing much to report here. While I was initially upset about stopping work, I now can't imagine how I would be functioning at work every day. I'm uncomfortable enough sitting on the couch - not sure how I would handle sitting at my desk! And it is nice to have more time to plan for the arrival of these babes. I'm just so excited that they are going to be here soon (although hopefully not too soon)!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

[jrsygirl]

OK, OK...here is a picture from this week: 23w4d
http://photobucket.com/albums/v231/hbd511/th_23w3d.jpg
I'm still working and feeling OK. Getting more tired but I'm going to work as long as I can and save time for when the babies come.

We're starting to look for a nanny because we've decided I need to keep working because we want to buy a new house, i make more money and have better benefits than DH, and to be honest..I can't imagine not working. Of course I'm sure I'll be changing my mind as soon as I meet our twin babies!

I don't know if anyone else was this way but I still feel a little detached from this pregnancy. After struggling so long with getting PG, not to mention all the problems I had with this pregnancy I guess I had my mind conditioned to think this might not work out. Now that I'm at 24 weeks its starting to get real.

QPDoll: Your boys are absolutely adorable! i love seeing pics of all these babies!
mrstim I stared out by wearing lots of loose clothes and ones a size or two bigger. Luckily when I first got PG it was summer and all this flowy peasant style tops were in style which helped because they were just cut with more room. I probably started wearing maternity clothes about 12-14 weeks though all the time.

[relly]

Happy New Year Twin Mamas and Twin Mommies to Be !

Thank you for the lovely new thread Phen.

Khouse – Happy belated Birthday! Such cute pics of your daughters.

QPDoll – They are adorable.

Jrsygirl – nice belly shot. I will also need to go back to work, our health insurance is from my company, DH’s company doesn’t offer it. As far as who will watch the twins, I’m hoping I’ll initially be able to rely on family while I go back part-time then I’d like to go the nanny route also.

I’d love to see more holiday pics of all the twins.

[Journey]

QPDoll - Too darn cute for words! Their sweet little faces just kill me!!!

jrsygirl - Great belly shot! You are looking wonderful.

[klm2klh]

QPDoll - Thanks for sharing the pictures of your beautiful boys! They really are adorable.

Well so much for my plan to work until 35 weeks! It looks like I will be joining some of the other March twin moms on the couch. I had a doctors appointment on Wednesday (my regular doctor was away, but I saw someone else). Apparently my blood pressure was still a little high. We had a quick ultrasound and saw that both the babies are now head down (yeah!). She also checked my cervix, which she thought was thinner than she would have liked it.

At that point she told me that she wanted me to stop working. I was pretty shocked. Not that I have a problem with stopping, but I honestly never expected that I would have to. I had planned to work another 6 weeks or so. She also wanted me to get some bloodwork done. She then came back and said that she thought that it would be best to admit me to the hospital so we could get an ultrasound and the tests done as soon as possible. I was extremely upset, but agreed that it was the best thing to do.

So we went over to the hospital (the clinic is at the same location) and I was admitted to the antepartum unit. Almost right away they sent me for an ultrasound. It took a while because there was a student doing the measurements on the first baby, but they are about 2 lb 12 oz and 12 lb. 10 oz. They also did a vaginal ultrasound to check my cervix and the tech told me that she thought it looked okay.

We went back upstairs and I had my blood drawn and we finally had a chance to meet with my nurse. Eventually my DH left and went home to get me some things.

I was there until around lunch time today. Apparently all of my tests came back okay and my blood pressure was great the whole time I was there, the doctor also said that my cervix measurement was borderline. So I have been released into a home care program where a nurse will come to my house check all the things they were checking at the hospital (weight, temp., pulse, blood pressure, and babies heart rates). It is so nice to be home.

I am not sure what will happen with regards to working. I have been told that my time off is "ongoing", but for at least 2 weeks. I talked to the human resources people from work and they are couriering over my short term disability stuff. I have a feeling I may not be going back.

But everything is good, I am feeling better about the whole situation and the babies are doing well and that is what is most important.

Of course, now DH and I are a bit panicked about getting the rest of our baby stuff picked out in case I have to go on more restrictive bed rest.

Also, here is my 28 week belly shot:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df22b3127cce960f6d7adddb00000016108BbMmTJm4c8

[kat]

Cross-posted from March Mommas thread:
My back is screaming at me to lie down, so I'm going to forego most shout-outs tonight......but I wanted to post a quick update after the u/s and OB appointment today.

********

So today we had an ultrasound......both babies are still head down (yay!) and will likely stay that way (well, at least the bottom baby will....the little girl may flip around after he's born).

At my OB's office, we learned that I am still 3+ cm dilated, so no change there (yay!). My cervix has shortened a little (boo!) but not enough for my doctor to do anything about it (yay!).

And the funniest/best part of today? Take a guess at how big the twins are measuring (by ultrasound). Are you sitting down? :D Twin A (boy) is 5 lbs. 11 oz. and Twin B (girl) is 5 lbs. 5 oz.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

That is ELEVEN POUNDS OF BABY and I'm only at 32 weeks. My doc had a good laugh because the ultrasound report came back with a note that said "at risk for macrosomia," (they're in the 90th percentile for size) which is next to impossible with twins. But we're all thrilled, even if it is scary to think how big they might be at birth.

She also told me that once we get to 34 weeks, they won't attempt to stop labor any more if I go into labor. She'd like me to get to 36 weeks, but 34 weeks is also a huge developmental milestone.

Oh, and Twin A (boy) has moved waaaaaay down (he's at -2 station). Let's just say that in order to find his head, the u/s tech had to ask me to take my pants completely off. Feels like he's moving into my leg! :D

Happy Friday!

[lovin'it]

KAT! Great news....it made me smile! Bedrest is paying off!

[mittyrd]

Kat: :eek: Good for you for growing such big babies!! Yikes - I'd like to see your belly shot!!

QP: They are adorable. Really. I love the pictures.

Jrsygirl and klm: Cute bellies - they both look tiny and adorable!

Mrstim: I was in maternity clothes at 6-7 weeks but probably would have been more comfortable in them even earlier.

The twins had their 6 month check up today. Matt is in the 25% for weight, length and head circumference for a 6 month old and Sam is in the 3%!! :D That is amazing given that their adjusted age is only 3 months! I'm so proud of them. The doctor could not believe how big they are. She was very proud of them as well. We survived their first cold. Thank you synagis!!

Did someone say post pictures??
My 3 favorite boys:
http://images.snapfish.com/3459834%3C4%7Ffp337%3Enu%3D3257%3E3%3B%3A%3E357%3E WSNRCG%3D32334489339%3B%3Anu0mrj

Something struck their funny bone:
http://images.snapfish.com/3459834%3C4%7Ffp336%3Enu%3D3257%3E3%3B%3A%3E357%3E WSNRCG%3D3233448934748nu0mrj

[Phen]

Aaaaa mittyrd! lookit them laughing! Oh your little guys look fantastic. :)

WAY! TO! GO! Kat! At this rate, you're gonna take the Biggest Twins at Birth crown from me, I think.

Oh klm, I'm glad you're feeling okay about the latest developments. Nice belly shot! I have to say, I had to laugh about you joining "some" of the other March twinmamas on the couch...there are a ton of you March twinmamas, aren't there?! hee.

Forgive me if you've already said, but are you doing anything for your kiddos' big First birthday, Journey?

I know what you mean about feeling detached, jrsey. But I have to say, that feeling went away the more the boys moved and (this sounds a little silly) developed personalities in-utero, and especially when I stopped working and was home all day.

I'm glad to hear bedrest is turning out to be not-half-bad for you, Bernie!

relly requested more holiday pics, and I would like to comply with that request!

Here's my guys messin' with the tree
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc03b3127cce9667559c8fa100000016108QZN2TNm4bQ

"Hurry, Mama! Open it faster!!"
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc09b3127cce96676a22ba6100000026108QZN2TNm4bQ

Sharing is VERY HARD. (funny thing is that they were fighting over an empty gift bag)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc09b3127cce96676a153b6600000016108QZN2TNm4bQ

Their grandfather gave them each a little battery-powered 4-wheeler. Alexander loves it; Thomas cries when we put him on his.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc07b3127cce96676a782c2200000025108QZN2TNm4bQ

Toy Overdose! (our poor playroom hasn't recovered yet)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc07b3127cce96676a79ad1300000026108QZN2TNm4bQ

~ Phen

[NJMom]

Wow, what great pictures everyone! All these boys are just so cute! I will have to post one of my boys too. I haven't done it in so long I forget how to do it. Once I get a minute to try to remember, I will post some pictures.

klm2klh and jrsygirl-great belly shots!

kat-wow that's terrific! I'm glad your babies are doing so well! You must be getting so excited!

I can't get over that there are so may March 2006 babies due. You are all getting so close. Try to hang in there, the pregnancy can definately be tough towards the end but you all seem to be handling it really well.

Now that the holidays are behind us, I have starting planning a First Birthday party for my boys. I found some cute stuff online so I ordered everything yesterday. (Phen, I had to order the same crowns that you had for your boys - they were so cute!) I can't believe they are going to be a year old already! Where did the time go?????

[angelgirl8]

xposted:

well, one of the doctors in my office called yesterday to say my blood results were finally in and i do have cholestasis of pregnancy.

so they moved up my delivery date to jan. 17th (from the 24th) unless something looked awry on any of my tests this week.


BUT, my doctor called today and she spoke to the MFM and neither of them are happy with the cholestasis results. so this is the plan:

1. i'm having an amnio today to test for lung maturity. they'll do a test on baby A since they find that the more stressed baby (baby B) is usually ahead in terms of lung maturity.

2. if the lungs are mature (based on the amount of surfactant in the amniotic fluid), they'll deliver me TOMORROW.

3. if the lungs aren't mature, i think we're still at that jan. 17 date, although i could be wrong!

[kat]

OMG, angelgirl!! I'm sorry about the cholestasis diagnosis, but somewhat excited that they're coming soon! Even 1/17 is only next week. And it seems like just yesterday you were getting that call from the clinic and announcing your pregnancy on the IVF boards!!!

You've done such a great job (and been through sooooo much) to get them this far. Anxiously awaiting news!!

Also anxiously awaiting pics of NJMom's boys!!!

Phen, those pictures are adorable and they CRACKED ME UP!!! I absolutely love the one of them fighting over an empty box!!! Priceless.

And since I doubt I will be carrying these munchkins until 37 weeks, I doubt I'll be taking away your crown any time soon. To console myself, I guess I'll have to dig out the "practice" tiara I used to walk around with in my wedding-planning days. :D

mittyrd, LOL re: the belly shots. I'll have to take some this week & post. Strangely enough, I'm still measuring "only" 38-39 weeks (or at least I was as of last Friday.....I feel as if I've grown since then).

Good to hear your boys are growing so well!! And I cannot believe they're that big already! Weren't they just born yesterday?? :) They're so cute!

lovin'it: thanks!

[relly]

Angel – oh my gosh, how exciting! I hope both babies lungs are doing well. Good Luck.

Klm2klh – sorry about the bed rest, glad to hear you’re at home and not at the hospital and that you and your babies are doing well.

Kat – my oh my what big babies you have, nice job.

Mittyrd – all 3 are so adorable, the twins have gotten so big.

Phen – love the glowing tree pic, and the empty box “sharing” pic, precious.

[mittyrd]

Angel: Holy crap! Can't believe they might be here tomorrow!!

Kat: Anxiously awaiting your belly shots :D

Phen: As usual, your boys are soooo adorable!

[Bernie]

angelgirl - I can't believe you might see your babies tomorrow! Good luck!!

mittyrd and phen - thanks for posting those pics! Your boys are so adorable!!

[Journey]

klm2klh - You look great!!! Great belly shot. :)

kat - Sounds like you have some big healthy babies in there!!

mittyrd - What beautiful boys you have! They are getting so big!

phen - Have yet to decide what to do for the big birthday. Better get on that! Your boys are too cute. I love all the pictures!

angelgirl8 - WOW!!! You might have your babies tomorrow!?!?!? Keep us posted! I am so excited for you and cannot wait to see your beautiful babies! You have done an awesome job with your pregnancy. Not too much longer...

[natgirl]

HELLO twin mommies! It has been a very long time since I have posted here. I am sorry that I am such a terrible member of this thread!! I have no excuses except that I get too tired by the end of the day to post and I am running around all the time with Sophie. That is getting harder and harder by the day.

First of all, let me say Happy New Year to you all! COngrats on all the new babies! And, gosh, what beautiful babies there are here! The pictures of everyone's children are so adorable. It makes me so excited to see my twins!

We had a dramatic day today as I got diagnosed with Cholestasis of Pregnancy. When I logged on and saw Angel's post, I sort of panicked! Good luck Angel and I hope your babies lungs are nice and mature! When my doctor called with that diagnosis today,she made me come right in for a biophysical profile on both babies and more labwork. The babies look great on u/s. Good fluid, nice heartrates. But, now I will have to go in twice a week for u/s, NST, and doctor visit to monitor for any fetal distress. I just hope the babies hang in there a bit longer. It is too early for them to be born!

Sophie has been very aware that things are changing. She saw me taking out her 0-3 month old clothes and is getting more avoidant about any talk about babies. She even said "No babies...babies go!" the other day. It's gonna be a tough transition for her.

I am so very exhausted all the time and ACHY! Everything hurts. I know this is normal and will only get worse, but it is getting me down. I'm very hyperactive and the fact that I can't do much anymore is killing me. I still don't have the nursery ready and I have a lot of things I need to get done, but I have zero energy. DH works too much to be helpful, so my mom is doing almost everything. She is 70 years old! I feel awful about it, although she says she doesn't mind.

Well, that is enough whining for me. I hope to stay more current on the thread.

~Nat

[Phen]

TWO itchytwinmamas?! Wow! I was telling angel on LJ that I thought I had ICP when I was pregnant with my boys, but it turned out to just be a bad case of the itchies. FINGERS CROSSED that everyones' lungs are mature and are healthy as can be...and that you can get a few more things done soon, nat. :)

~ Phen

[Bernie]

Hi ladies-

Just popping in to drop off this bit from Angelgirl's LJ:

did not do amnio, babies not growing well. baby A in 24th percentile (5lbs4oz), baby B less than 3rd percentile. spent many hours at hospital, suspected preeclamsia, possible clotting issues from the cholestasis.

finally let me go home after begging and being in so much pain from hospital bed.

heading in right now for c-section sometime today.



Hopefully she will be reporting here soon with news of her babies!!

[Bernie]

Nat - I can't believe you were diagnosed with cholestasis too - what are the odds? I have a friend who went through this IRL, and I remember how miserable and itchy she was- I'm so sorry you have to go through this too!
Hopefully those babies stay put a while longer and continue to grow nice and big. Good luck!!

Nothing much to report here. My OB appointment yesterday was pretty uneventful (sheesh - he didn't even measure my belly!). Looking forward to my u/s on Friday so I can see how big these kids are.

Hope everyone is doing well!

[mittyrd]

Oooohhh - Good Luck Angel - Can't wait to hear the news!

[jrsygirl]

Good luck Angel!!


I had a 24 week appt today. It was pretty ho-hum. Everything looks good. I was borderline on my 3 hour gest. diabetes test so they said they will probably want me to do it again at about 28 weeks.
The long awaitedquestion has been answered as well..they told me o bring my disability papers to my next appt (2 weeks) because they're giving me another 4 weeks to work. She didn't necesarily say "bedrest" but she certainly doesn't want me commuting to the city everyday.

The good news is that the babies are growing, big and about the same size. (1lb 8oz). and more importantly my cervix is still really long so they decided against a cerclage. She even said if I asked 10 weeks ago how I'd be at this point she would have said on my back in bed- and she's shocked I'm not. So I guess thats good :)

[PilotsWife]

Good luck Angel - can't wait to hear about the happy arrival!

Glad to hear your appointment was boring Bernie :)

Natgirl - I hope you are as itchless as possible - great news that babies' look strong and healthy!

I need a reality check from you experienced twin mommas please - would you please share what your typical daily routine looks like (or looked like around the 6 - 7 week mark) - I realize that "typical" is a misnomer but I need to know if what our day looks like is in line with everyone else in terms of development and my organization :o . I've been reading along with the December 05 Mommies thread - but those are singleton babies and it's really hard to judge where we are since there are double the number of babies. DH and I have watched a few episodes of TLC's Bringing Home Baby - and neither of us can help but sometimes yell at the screen - "You only have one! You slacker, stop complaining!" I realize one baby is not easy, but when you have two, sometimes you can't help but think, god this would be cake if there was only one. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade in either of my boys for anything in the world and can't picture just having one of them, I guess I'm more than a little tired and worried.

[charmcitygirl]

pilotswife if memory serves... at 6 or 7 weeks, jake & zoe were still sleeping quite a bit and i was waking them every 3-4 hours for feedings, round the clock. literally, there was just a lot of sleeping, eating and pooping ;)

so on saturday the hub took the kids to his parents house for the day while he did some work over there and watched football. i took that opportunity to work on getting our guest room/office cleaned out and let me just say:whew! so freaking exhausting. that was the first time i'd been alone in my own house since the babies were born and i really overdid it. not to mention that i missed them like crazy... it was also the first time that i'd spent the entire day without them. when i saw dh walking up to the house, i practically knocked him over trying to get ahold of those kids!

in other news, i've been kinda wacky the past few days. been having some nightmares about the babies... one of which included them being kidnapped. then i find out last night that a girl i know (not well) was abducted in iraq on saturday. her translator was killed and her driver escaped. she's a journalist who has been living in the mideast for a few years now. it's crazy and i just really wish i didn't know about it.

so enough about that.... so excited to hear about angelgirl's babies. the sexes are a surprise, right?

[mittyrd]

Charmcity: I heard that journalist was from the Boston area. Are you from this area?

Pilot'swife: I always say if that I had a singleton everything would be such a piece of cake too. Although when I did just have a singleton I thought it was the hardest thing in the world at the time. In fact, looking back, the twins have been easier than DS was but maybe that is b/c I am "experienced" now.

[charmcitygirl]

mittyrd no... she dated a friend. i was living in nyc at the time. they broke up a few months after she left to live and work in jordan. i remember that she couldn't get to the mideast fast enough.

[khouse]

Sending wonderful & healthy baby thoughts and vibes to Angelgirl!!!

[Phen]

Am SOOOO impatient to hear about angel's babies' arrival! I thought about her all day long and, I must admit to pestering DH with questions about the night the boys were born. (like "do you remember when...?" "and remember when...?") Lots of nostalgia here today, I can tell you!

jrsey, hey, I think 28 weeks is just about when I stopped working. GO YOU! for doing better than the OB expected!

Let's see...Pilots Wife, I am trying to remember life when the boys were 7-8 weeks old! I think my help had all gone home by then, so it was just the two of us. I think that is also when I was given the go-ahead to re-join Weight Watchers, so I started taking the boys to weigh-ins and meetings about then (it was our Big Outing of the day, plus the WW leader turned out to be a twinmama herself [though hers are in their 40s] and she would cheer me on and coo over the boys). I read back in the boys' LJ (yes, I have a blog for the boys. At first I thought it was kinda silly but now I find it helpful!) and it looks like we did start doing Daily Outings (whether walks in the park, WW weigh-ins, or a grocery store run) at about 8 weeks. Know what's funny, though? I wrote this when they were 9 weeks old...great minds think alike, eh, mittyrd?
I'm not feeling like I fit in anywhere.

All the new mamas I know IRL only have one baby and I can't help sometimes feeling jealous about that. I can't run in a store real quick if I have the boys with me (as fast as I am about setting up the DuoGlider and popping the SnugRides in that sucker, it still takes 5 minutes at each end, and I don't dare wake them up half the time) and when we want to go out to lunch with Tom and some friends, we have to automatically eliminate a ton of restaurants because the stroller won't fit in there [or the two carriers won't fit].

Yet I'm also getting angrier and angrier by some people's throwaway comments about having twins (mainly "oh I couldn't do that.") It makes me mad because I think that's rather like they're putting themselves down...why do they think they couldn't Do What Needs To Be Done for twins? Why do they doubt themselves?

I don't think I'm a supa-supermom because I have two. I just get through each day (yes, like the creaky old AA anthem: "one day at a time"), and y'all must trust me on this. I have all kinds of fears that each boy is being neglected emotionally in some way because I have another one to tend to besides him. But going into this with a "ohhhh I couldn't do this!" mindset?? I dunno. It makes me mad. Irrationally mad, I know.

Anyhoo.

Hope your birthday was great Kenan...which means that Kat's is comin' up very soon!

I know you're all shocked, but I don't have any photos to post today.

~ Phen

[lovin'it]

Am SOOOO impatient to hear about angel's babies' arrival! I thought about her all day long

SAME HERE! I have "guarded" LJ and here like a dog....hoping to hear something!

I have my 32 week appointment with the perinatologist tomorrow. I hope I have good news...any news.

I went to the OB yesterday and the first thing he said to me was..."8 more weeks." I wanted to kick him. I am planning on 4 more weeks. It puts me on 36 weeks and that is good enough, isn't it?

I am desperate here...I can't sleep, nothing fits me, nothing fills me...as in food, 4 weeks sound very attractive.

Sorry...I am in a terrible mood lately!

PS: One more thing...the OB said that because I am a Latin-American woman, pregnant for the first-time, and having twins...I have a 60% chance of developing toxemia (which I believe is pre-ecclampsia, right?) So, yeah...great day at the OB!

Hugs...Emma

[srnka]

Hi, all of you wonderful twinmamas. I need help.

My best friend will be having twins in June. And I would like to give her something that would make her life easier in the beginning. Unfortunately I live far far away from her, so I can't really offer my own help. But what products made it easier for you in the very first weeks.

She will also have to stop working in March. It's the law there for high-risk pregnancies (she is considered high-risk because she's over 30 and expecting twins) so I was thinking of getting her a gift certificate for a nice foot massage and pedicure to help releiving those tired feet from carrying 3 people. Does that sound like something you would have wanted?

[charmcitygirl]

srnka a pedicure... oh how i dreamed of pedicures ( i was on bedrest and couldn't get 'em). yes, a pedi would be a great gift for a twinmama. other helpful things, especially if she won't have a lot of help after the babies are born, would be cleaning service and food delivery. in the beginning, i really like having a sling, a boppy, bouncy/rocker seats, and the thing i needed most of all but didn't have enough of was preemie sleepers. cute outfits are nice and all, but they were (and still are at 4.5 months) still mostly in sleepers and rompers.

singleton jealousy yep, here too sometimes. mostly it's when i need to run quick errands, or if i have a baby in a sling and i think on a whim, it would be nice to go for a walk. then i start thinking about what it would take to get them out for a walk and i just bag the whole thing. it would be much easier in nicer weather. in the cold, it's just too much bundling to go out on a whim. it's really frustrating sometimes. i go to the grocery or out shopping and i see all these mommies with their one baby and it just seems so easy. i just can't do that. but none of that is to say that i wish i only had one. i really am just crazy about jake and zoe and if i can't take them to the grocery, so be it ;)

angel where are those babies already?!

[NJMom]

I am also impatient to hear about Angels babies!!!

srnka-a pedicure is a great idea because your feet get really sore. Another idea is a couple preemie outfits, bouncy seats or a swing are also helpful.

jrsygirl-glad your appointment went well. I stopped working at 28 weeks too. I had a 1 hour plus commute each way and the doctor said it was too much. Are you in Northern NJ? I had my boys at Morristown Memorial, what hospital are you going to deliver at? Morristown was excellent. The nurses/doctors in the NICU were outstanding.

lovin'it-hang in there, you are sooo close. I felt the same way you do when I was at 32 weeks, I had had enough.

PilotsWife-When my boys were that age we were still basically waking them to eat about every 3-4 hours and still not getting much sleep. I didn't take them out too often but did venture out to the park or the mall once in a while.

I too have definately had singleton jealousy. My boys are at the stage now where they have outgrown the carriers but don't walk yet. It takes FOREVER to get all their stuff together to go out, then I have to put their socks on at the last minute (or else they take them off before we get outside) then coats, then take each of them one at a time to put them in the stroller at the bottom of the stairs, just to push the stroller out to the van and put them in their car seats. By the time we finally get going, I am exhausted! I try to limit my outings to one stop per outing so I don't have to go through this routine 2 or 3 times. It would be so easy to just carry one baby out to the car and that's it! I totally adore my boys and wouldn't trade having them for anything, but one baby at a time would definatey be much easier.

One more thing Pilotswife, I saw and episode of TLC's Bringing Home Baby where they came home with twins but the girls mother was basically taking care of the babies most of the time!

BTW, don't you all hate the expression "Double Trouble"?

[relly]

Kat – Happy Birthday!

I had an appt. yesterday, all is just fine, the babies are 1 lb. 6.5 oz and 1 lb. 8 oz at 24 wks.

Hoping we here about Angel’s babies soon.

[Bernie]

Happy Birthday kat!

We had our hospital tour last night. After the tour, they brought us and another couple expecting twins to the NICU (which I guess isn't a part of the basic tour). The NICU staff was wonderful and friendly, and it was very nice looking, as far as intenstive care units go, and I hope that is the last time I have to go in there!

Towards the end of the tour, we passed by an open room, and the couple inside were cuddling with their newborn twins! Turns out that I had met the couple in the waiting room at my OB's office on Monday, right before they were sent to the hospital. Not sure why, but seeing those babies made me very teary!

Speaking of my hospital -- I'm watching A Baby Story right now, and they filmed this episode there (the one with the Giants kicker). Pretty cool.

I hope we hear from angelgirl soon!

[kat]

Thanks for the b-day wishes!!!!

As I just posted in the March Mommas thread, I am cranky today and not much in a posting mood......I've had better birthdays. :D Anyway, the damn pelvic pain was sooooooo bad yesterday that P came home from the office to find me literally whimpering on the couch (he initially thought I was in labor). I couldn't get up and felt so completely helpless. Walking to the bathroom (only a short walk from the couch) took 20 minutes. It feels just like an ankle sprain....only it's in the pelvis so crutches won't help; instead I have to walk on it.

Today is a little better but I didn't sleep for longer than one hour at a time last night (actually I was pleasantly surprised that I managed to sleep for an hour at a time).....which meant that I was constantly in "dream" sleep....and boy oh boy did I have some doozies!!! Incredibly bizarre.

Friday I have an appointment with a rehab medicine doctor and then an appointment with my OB. We're going to have to get our hands on a wheelchair between now and then.....or else I'll have to allow about four hours to get from the front door to the doctor's office! :D

Babies are both fine -- I think they've moved even lower (he was at -2 station last Friday), or at least I think she's joined him in "dropping." We'll see what my doctor says; maybe it's all in my head.

Is it terrible to think "once we get to 34 weeks (on 1/20), I'm going to do everything in my power to INDUCE labor"??? Maybe when I actually get to 34 weeks I'll think differently, but now that's how I feel....even though I should hold on as long as possible.

SO ANXIOUSLY AWAITING angelgirl's NEWS!!! I've never gotten into LJ so those of you who do will have to keep us updated!!!

[Phen]

Am watching LJ like a hawk and there is still no post from Mr. angelgirl. Hmph.

~ Phen

[khouse]

Quick post:

I am slow today ... what does LJ stand for? Oh, maybe Live Journal??? :o Yes, can't wait to hear news from angelgirl or Mr. angelgirl! Very exciting!!!

Kat: Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

Phen: Thought of you today when we purchased our blackout shade for the nursery!

NJMom: We hear the "double trouble" saying constantly and my DH just looks at them with a big smile and says "for us it is a double blessing".

Hope you are all doing well!

PS: Srnka: A pedicure/foot massage is a GREAT idea! As a matter of fact, those were my favorites once the babies arrived!

[lovin'it]

Hi girls...

As I said yesterday, I had my 32-week appointment with the peri this afternoon. Before I go into that...I need to tell you about the awful night I had. Baby A has finally found my ribs and what an awful pain it is when that child kicks me there.

So...I did not sleep one lick...nothing...I watched the clock changing the times...I tried to find a comfy position...nothing. Then, at 7am, I made myself some breakfast. I ate it and DH gave me some Benadryl. It knocked me out for about 3 hours.

Then, we were off to the Peri. I wasn't seen by the usual Peri...which is okay...although I love her. The babies are super healthy and looking good. Baby A is head down. She is 4lbs14oz. She is my rib kicker. She was sooo active today during the visit. Baby B is breech. Another wild child....super healthy, looking good. The Dr. gave me a 3D picture of her. She is sooooo cute. Has the cutest lips! She is another big girl...4lbs12oz. I have about 10 lbs of baby in me, people!:eek: My husband was so emotional throughout the whole thing...:p

My kids are almost as big as yours, KAT!

The Peri said to hang on until 37 weeks....argh! 36 sounds sooo good to me...unless I can figure out how to sleep...then, I will go as long and they want me. She had no sympathy for me...just told me that I am 5'4'' and so petite...it's normal. :rolleyes:

No bedrest, no restrictions...(I am not complaining...I NEED to work...and my job is very laid back) so, she walked me to get my first NST. Took another hour there and everything looked good. Baby B had hiccups....so, that is why it took so long.

On a side note...It's amazing to me what lack of sleep can do to a person. I have clinical depression normally. Thanks to the pregnancy (and A LOT of therapy)...I haven't had to deal with it...I have felt great. On Monday, I brought up to the OB my fear and concern about PPD, so, he counseled me to talk to my Psychiatrist. Yesterday, I had a chat with her and she told me to go on 50 mg of Zoloft. I started it today...but, I noticed how low I feel today...and I know it's all thanks for not sleeping! Incredible!

NJMom - Thanks for the sympathy...it's reassuring to know that you have all been where I am.

Been thinking about angelgirl all this time. Hope everything went well with her.

Thanks for being here ladies...It's nice to chat with people that have been where I am!

Hugs to all...

[jrsygirl]

Can I askyou twinmamas a question? How much do you spend a week/ or month on formula and diapers ? DH and I are trying to budget for my maternity leave and I want to be realistic.

NJMom: We're in Monmouth County- I'll be delivering at Monmouth Medical which is south of us a bit but the closest in terms of NICU - i think its a level 3.

[relly]

Lovinit – you are an inspiration, keep on doing what you’re doing!

Where oh where is the news on Angel’s babies . . .

[kat]

Can I askyou twinmamas a question? How much do you spend a week/ or month on formula and diapers ? DH and I are trying to budget for my maternity leave and I want to be realistic.




Obviously I can't speak from experience, but I've been buying diapers and the prices (on sale where I can) have been between 19 and 30 cents per diaper. From what I've read, in the beginning we can expect to use approx. 150 diapers per week.

I'm planning to breastfeed so I can't help you on the formula question - have absolutely no idea how much it costs.

I'll bet the "views" on this thread are skyrocketing, just waiting for news from angelgirl!!!!

[Phen]

I am about ready to start calling NYC hospitals to find out about the angelgirl babies. No joke.

How much did we spend on diapers and formula? Well, as kat mentioned she's doing, I did a lot of pre-shopping for diapers, using coupons (register coupons are especially good deals and combined with the ones the diaper companies send you? Even better). If it's a particularly good sale, I'll buy sizes they're not even in yet. And since last summer, I've been taking advantage of the monthly deals they run on amazon...usually either Pampers or Huggies will have a special there where if you buy a random number ($69 or $89, it ranges) worth of their products, you'll get a $20-$40 amazon gift card. Combine that deal with free shipping and it's often a HUGE savings over "regular" stores (for me, anyway. I don't have a Sam's Club or similar within an hour's drive of me, so even if it's a slightly better deal to buy from SC, I'd still "lose" the money on gas etc.).

I did the same with formula (buying on amazon -- they sell bigger canisters of Similac Advance than our WalMart or anywhere). Until I ran out of coupons, anyway. And don't forget that twins are supposed to get a free case of formula from each of the formula companies ... you go through your ped's office to get them (from the formula reps). My ped's nurse lied to me and said she couldn't get the formula from the Similac rep, but one day I ran into the Similac rep in the parking lot and talked to him ... he gave me the most enormous stack of Similac coupons. I think the boys stopped drinking formula before I ran out of those coupons.

Anyhow, on average, I'd say we were going through about two and a half big $21 tins of formula a week. I know that sounds like a lot, but keep in mind that for the first five months, Alexander was on a High Octane formula (double the powder for his bottles than Thomas had) for his VSD.

~ phen

[Phen]

I overlooked some posts!

srnka, the only thing about the pedicure/foot massage idea is that a lot of doctors won't allow them for pregnant women until close to delivery, as some foot/leg massage may trigger pre-term labor. Products that made it easier in the beginning? A Boppy (though I didn't BF, and BFing twinmamas may recommend something else), the double stroller, baby monitor. TiVo...

I got tired just reading your post about going out with twins, NJMom! There's a little article in the brand-new issue of TWINS Magazine that is about Going Out x 2. I had hoped it would have some helpful tips, but it was mostly a longer version of what you just wrote (only not as funny)!

Sounds like your babies are growing very nicely, relly! Does your OB tell you anything like if they're measuring on-target for singleton babies their gestational age?

Oh, I loooove the sound of your hospital tour, Bernie, especially the bit with the newborn twins. :)

kat, don't forget, if you can ever get out of the house (stop laughing!), a lot of stores (grocery stores, Target, etc.) have those little motorized scooters you can ride on around the store. I wonder if you could rent one to ride from your couch to the bathroom... ;)

Hey, how is the blackout shade working for y'all, kenan?

Excellent weights there, lovin'it! I cried a lot when my OB asked me to go to 39 weeks (when we set the csection date when I was around 34-35 weeks). The next week I went in and started to beg to get an earlier date and he said "oh, okay!" and scheduled me for a day shy of 38 weeks. Of course, the boys decided to come a day earlier than that, but still... maybe closer to the date the OB will change his mind?

~ Phen

[charmcitygirl]

a free CASE of formula?! i need to check that out asap!

[Candy]

Hi Twinmama's!

I was hoping you guys can help me out. I recently met a woman with 8 month old twin daughters. She has NO help at all. (She lives next door to my dad. He introduced us) Her DH works a lot too. She rarely ever leaves her house, so I plan on going over there atleast once a week to take walks with them, play with the girls while she showers, etc. Not sure what else I can do other than giving her adult interaction & such.

One of the girls doesn't sleep much at all. I recommended the book Health Sleep Habits, Happy Child. It helped us quite a bit, and I know there's a small twin section in the book. Any other books to recommend? She doesn't have much time to read though as I'm sure you all can relate.

I guess what I'm wondering if you can guide me toward some twin mama support groups, play groups, etc.

Please PM me so I don't take up too much space on your thread.

Thanks so much!

:waving: Hi Journey & Phen!

Candy

[PilotsWife]

srnka - I heard the same as Phen - that pedicures could cause pre-term labor due to certain pressure points that could be stimulated during the massage (but I'll tell you I sure wanted one as my due date approached!) As for things I've learned that you desparately need in the beginning (in no particular order) - BIBS - can't have enough of them (and I had seriously under estimated the value/need for them!), PREMMIE SLEEPERS - like what Charmcitygirl said - can't have enough and this is what my boys wear 24/7 - nothing easier (for both us and them ;) ) - in fact my first adventure out of the house at 2 weeks of age was to Babies R Us to buy many more premmie sleepers (I was tired of washing the same 4 sleepers - I had plenty of 0 - 3 months, but hardly any premmie). This leads me to the next item - BABY STAIN REMOVER (formula can leave some nasty stains!) and finally - lots and lots of BOTTLES (because repeated washings make mommy's hands look about a century old!)

Charmcity - I would imagine it would be *so* easy to overdue it when there is no one home - no interruptions - wow! What my closets could look like - but boy, my back would kill me!

Kat - around 33 weeks I started to feel so aweful from acid reflux (I couldn't hold down any food I ate after 6 PM and kneeling at the porcelin throne every night) and feeling so big, I cried to my husband that I couldn't do it anymore and I wanted them out! I started quoting Rocky - "just cut me Mick" - Hang in there - you're almost there!!!!

Lovin'it - Yes, toxemia is the same as pre-eclampsia. Re: lack of sleep and depression - you are so brave. Depression runs in my family and I was on Wellbutrin (spelling?) about 2 years before I got pregnant. I had been/am terrified of suffering from PPD (I read Brooke Shields' book for all the help/support I could get). The other day I had been running on negative sleep and I totally broke down on the phone with my mom - she is now convinced that I am suffering from PPD and is begging me to call my OB and ask her to call in some anti-depressants. I've since gotten some sleep and feel a lot better but fear that those feelings are just lurking a few inches below the surface. My 6 week appointment is tomorrow - I should mention this to her, but right now it, I feel a bit funny mentioning all of this.

Forumula & Diapers - I haven't priced out diapers, so I can't say anything about this. Formula: 1) we got 2 cases of free formula from Similac and 2) we've been buying the pre-mixed formula - 6 bottles (one case) is between $28 - $34 dollars - for twins, a case lasts about 3 days (at least right now).

Phen, Charmcity & NJMom - thanks for the schedule info! Can I ask you when did your schedule start to change and what did it look like? Once they started to get more active, how did you balance getting things done with interacting with them? And when I say get things done, I mean like laundry, dishes, etc? I need something to model my day after - please help! And I feel like a bad mommy not interacting with my boys more....I am going to my first twins club meeting on the 25th - I can't wait!

(ps - this has taken me forever to write - sorry if it is a bit rambly...)

[lovin'it]

PilotsWife - I'd say better safe than sorry! I'd go ahead and mention it to her. She'll write you a prescription and you can fill it whenever you feel you need it. Right before I got pregnant, I was on both Zoloft and Wellbutrin. I did a lot of research on both and figured out that neither have any influence on babies. I got pregnant while taking it. I did stop taking it after a while...as I said, I have felt fantastic. A lot is thanks to therapy and a lot to hormones that the babies have given me.

I have found myself lately wondering if I really wanted to be a mom or thinking that the world is over once I have kids...or even worse....having them and not wanting them. I know that is not who I am. I wanted these kids more than life itself. I was ready to have them when I made the decision to get pregnant...so, I know that depression is starting to come back to me!

But...I will show depression that I am bigger and stronger... ;)

[Phen]

Found this tonight. Y'all will surely appreciate this.

15 Dumbest Twin Comments
15. "I could never do it." (Oh really. What would you do? Would you put them on the curb with signs around their necks that say, "Free to a good home. My mom can't do it."?)

14. "Do they have different personalities?" (No. They are the same human being divided into several parts.)

13. Said by a stranger, "They're identical, right?" Mom answers, "No. They're fraternal." Stranger response, "They are NOT!" (OK. You're right. I have no idea what I'm talking about. These are not my children. I thought it would be fun to borrow them from a mom down at Baby Gap. It's been more than an hour. I guess I should return them.)

12. "Are they 'paternal' twins?" (Yes. They have a father. There was only one virgin birth.)

11. "Just wait till they're older. It only gets harder." (Thank you. I woke up this morning hoping I'd receive a word of discouragement while pushing a cart of preschoolers down the cereal aisle.)

10. "When one cries, does he wake the others?" (No. Multiples cannot hear each other's cries because they all communicate with their special telepathic language only.)

9. From a perfect stranger: "Were they in the same sac?" (Hello. Nice to meet you, too. Will you be sharing your gynecological history with me as well?)

8. "Are they developmentally behind?" (Well, let's see. They're 3 years old and thus far, all their graduate school applications have been denied. We'll get back with you on that.)

7. "How do you do it?" (Haven't you seen the Nike commercials?)

6. "Are they natural?" (Nope, their arms and legs are made of silicone.)

5. "You must be SO busy." (Are you volunteering to clean my house?)

4. "Did you take drugs?" (Well, there was this one time in college....)

3. "What do you do when they all cry at the same time?" (Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I go to Starbucks.)

2. Said to a mom of boy/girl twins: "Are they identical?" (Uh. Not exactly.)

1. Only one comment could be voted No. 1. Drum roll, please. After a stranger had been informed that the toddler boys were twins, she asked a simple question: "Are they brothers?" (Enough said.)

~ Phen

[lovin'it]

Phen - You have made me laugh once again today! The one asking if they were natural was my favorite!

BTW, people ask me all the time if I took drugs! I guess it's the days we live in!

[charmcitygirl]

phen that list is so funny... i think i've been asked 95% of those questions already.

lovin'itI have found myself lately wondering if I really wanted to be a mom or thinking that the world is over once I have kids...or even worse....having them and not wanting them. once they are here, believe me, you'll never question wanting to be a mom. my pregnancy wasn't even planned and i was petrified when i found out i was having twins. i spent my pregnancy trying to convince myself that it was all a mistake and that i really wasn't having twins after all ;) but now that they are here i don't know any different. thank god they are my first kids.

formula/diaper costs i am really spoiled... my mom mostly buys formula and diapers. with my formula checks, though, formula is about $16/can and they go through a can in ~2.5 days (~$45/week). i haven't bought diapers in a few months (i got 5 cases at my shower) so i'm not too sure about that but we go through about 12-15/day now, maybe 15-20/day in the beginning. also, don't forget about wipes (i got 2 cases at my shower so i don't know the cost of these either).

pilotswife re: schedules now that J&Z are napping more regularly, i can get things done around the house during a nap. or while they "play" together. here's what yesterday was like (they are 5 months):

8:00am wake, get changed & eat
8:45am go down on activity mat for play; quick kitchen cleanup
9:15am mommy joins them on mat for some tummy time/play
9:45am whining begins... pop in baby einstein; more kitchen cleanup
11:00am eat, get changed, then nap; vacuum
1:30pm more play time for zoe, jake still napping
2:30pm zoe screams her head off... rock to sleep, jake wakes briefly & goes back to sleep
4:00pm wake from nap, eat, get changed
5:00pm start getting ready to go to nanny's (my mom) for dinner
5:35pm strapped into car seats, getting ready to snooze for 1/2hour
6:15pm walk into nanny's, get passed off and sit and listen to nanny talk for 1/2 hour about her day
7pm-10pm lots of action from aunt & uncle, grandparents, quick cat naps here & there
10:45 get home, get changed, eat, sleep.

most days are similar to this. walks and outings get shoved in there sometimes but now that it's winter we don't do that much. dh generally takes over when he gets home from work around 6pm. that's when i make dinner, do laundry, take time for myself. but i always put them to bed around 9:30-10:30pm.

i think they started to nap more regularly at around 3 months. before that, they really slept all the time, with little bursts of alertness. i would put them in their crib to look at the mobile, put them on their mat, maybe do a little tummy time. really, there's not much you can do with them when they are so little. i felt the same way... i was worried that i wasn't giving them enough play/attention. now i can see that they can/will play independently, and together. you will def. get alone time with each baby at some point b/c they won't always nap at the same time. oh, and i try to sneak in naps or shower when they nap in the afternoon. or i'll shower during their morning nap. not that i get to shower every day... ;)

and you thought your post was rambling....

[Bernie]

cross posted from march moms

Just got back from my growth scan. Both babies are looking good. Baby A is about 4 pounds, and baby B is 4 pounds 3 ounces. The best news was that there has been no change in my cervix. It's still measuring about 2 cm, and it hasn't dilated at all. So it looks like this forced rest has been doing me some good! But Baby A is still breech, so it looks like I am definitely heading towards a c-section.

Still no word from Angelgirl, huh? I've been checking her LJ like mad!

pilotswife -- Are your guys still in preemie sizes? I've been trying to figure out what size stuff they will need at the beginning.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend!!

[kat]

STILL no angelgirl news???!??!?!?!?

Phen: hilarious list. I'm sure I'll get a ton of those. Right now, I just get (after I tell them we're having a boy & a girl), "Oh, how wonderful! So you're done then, right?" I mean, yes, in our case we plan to be done. But since when is that something to be assumed or something you discuss with strangers??

And I would LOVE one of those motorized scooters! Instead we got a (free) rusty old walker (see below). Not exactly the same thrill. :)

Bernie: yay for no dilation and a nice long cervix!! And your babies sound like they're growing really well, too (so double-yay!). Good job on the bedrest!!!

*********

I spent the entire day in hospitals & doctors offices. First to the rehab medicine doctor for my pelvis problems. Long story short, it's not as bad as it could be but things are definitely out of whack (did you know that you get double the relaxin when you're expecting twins?). I already had hypermobile joints (and the relaxin makes it worse), so I suppose it's not surprising to me that my one big pregnancy problem has been joint-related.

Anyway, I also went to the Physical Therapist, who showed DH some stretching-type exercises for me (where he manipulates my hip) -- turns out that one side of my pelvis is turned the wrong way and this is supposed to help.

She also gave me a (free!) donated walker -- looks like it's been through WWIII but who cares -- it helps to take my HUGE weight off the pelvis, so I snagged it up. I've gained 52 lbs. so far during this pregnancy (and I was almost 20 lbs. heavier than normal before I got pregnant, thanks to Clomid and the IVF drugs). I am not kidding when I say that I weigh more than many football players on tv. How wonderful is THAT??

Then I went to my OB's office for my regular appointment. Unfortunately (or maybe not ;) ), I am now 4+ cm dilated (from 3+ last week). Cervix is still about 2 cm, though, and baby A is still "only" -2 station.....so although she won't yet ease up on the activity restrictions, she DIDN'T SEND ME TO THE HOSPITAL. Oh, the joy! :D

She said we've officially reached the point where they wouldn't try to stop labor if it started in earnest. She also said that because of all the discomfort I'm having (and the fact that the twins are not small LOL), she'd agree to induce at 37 weeks instead of the normal 38.....but of course none of us feels very confident that we're gonna get there.

Now I desperately need a nap (a full day of activity when you've spent the last 6 weeks on bedrest really wears you out, you know?). Plus I only had four or five hours of crappy sleep. :)

The kids are moving like crazy.....baby A (the boy) is also head-butting my cervix....I think he wants out. :D

Happy weekend, everyone!

[QPDoll]

On a side note...It's amazing to me what lack of sleep can do to a person. I have clinical depression normally. Thanks to the pregnancy (and A LOT of therapy)...I haven't had to deal with it...I have felt great. On Monday, I brought up to the OB my fear and concern about PPD, so, he counseled me to talk to my Psychiatrist. Yesterday, I had a chat with her and she told me to go on 50 mg of Zoloft. I started it today...but, I noticed how low I feel today...and I know it's all thanks for not sleeping!

I also have a history of depression and was fearful of PPD, with good reason. I started on paxil before the boys were born and it made a big difference. The hormone drop, lack of sleep, and overwhelmed feelings still made PPD really hard for me, even with the paxil - however I wasn't being monitored at the time. I think if I had been, they would have upped my dosage. It should have been upped. After a couple of months, with experience, sleep and hormones leveling out somewhat, the PPD greatly improved.

[QPDoll]

Can I askyou twinmamas a question? How much do you spend a week/ or month on formula and diapers ? DH and I are trying to budget for my maternity leave and I want to be realistic.

We purchase supplies at Costco, and we often have coupons. We average about $300 a month in baby supplies.

diapers - $60 a month (big bulk box of Huggies at Costco)

formula - $200 a month - ginormous can of Similac Soy from Costco. We often have coupons for $5 off each can, we trade Infamil coupons for Similac with people online. For whatever reason, we get infamil coupons but not Similac.

wipes - about $30 a month. We just get one big refill bag about once a month.

Oh, buy infants Tylonal at Costco too. Its about $12 for 2 bigger sized bottles. In the regular store, its about $8 for one tiny bottle.

[QPDoll]

I too have definately had singleton jealousy. My boys are at the stage now where they have outgrown the carriers but don't walk yet.

BTW, don't you all hate the expression "Double Trouble"?

I fear that stage, and its fast approaching for us. Its hard enough to get loaded with them in carriers, Im dreading when they outgrow them and still aren't walking yet.

I too, have singleton jealousy from time to time. Don't get me wrong, I love my boys and all that, but man, twins seem like quadruple the work. My SIL always wanted twins and she came to help us out the week they were born. She looked at me in the wee hours of the morning and said that she didn't know how any does this. Its hard, and she wouldn't wish it on her worst enemy. Of course, that first week is hard, but it does get better! But there are days when I just don't know what Im doing to do to survive. Days when they just both want to be held, neither will sleep, nor when they do sleep its not at the same time so Im still holding screaming babies all day.

Yesterday, I went to the grocery store by myself with the boys - for a *major* grocery trip (unlike just picking up a loaf of bread). Of course, it was pouring-ass raining outside (ahh....Washington). The boys were in the side-by-side stroller because I can't push the tandem one one-handed. So they got wet because it doesn't have a cover. We look like a freak show and everyone has to stop and comment. Im pushing the stroller and pulling the cart. At checkout though, they opened a lane for me, unloaded my cart, loaded my cart, and then loaded my groceries into the Durango. (too bad they can't come home with me and unload too.) I got home, dropped the boys infront of the TV (*gasp* yes, the TV!), still in their carriers so they couln't roll into trouble and I unloaded the groceries. By then, they were very antsy for a bottle, but thankfully, Baby Einstein kept then entertained long enough for me to bring the groceries into the house.

Speaking of crying and screaming babies. Nates reflux is getting really bad again for some reason, and golly, its non stop screaming going on here! And he wont sleep. He took a one hour nap yesterday. Thats it. And then wouldn't sleep unless we were holding him. Finally we just let him CIO (which I hate doing because of his reflux), but in the end, what could we do??

[mittyrd]

Phen: Thank you for the laughs this morning!

The twins decided to be nice and sleep through the night :D but Jake decided the joke's on us b/c he decided to get up at 2 am, take an hour to fall back to sleep with his foot in my face and then start his day with a "hi momma, hi dada" and a kiss at 4 AM. (loved the kiss though) Oy, we just can't win...

[Jad]

Just got back from our "babymoon," so I'm a little behind. We went to sunny Mexico. The doctor wasn't *thrilled* with the choice, but he said that he wouldn't tell us *not* to go and that if we *were* going to do it, 17 or 18 weeks was the time. So we went. :D And the funny thing is, I worried less about the babies there than I do here.

I promise I'll read through what I missed and come back with comments, but I have a quick question first and then a present. My question. How early did you all have Braxton Hicks contractions? Anything in particular seem to bring them on? I think mine started at like 15w3d, which seems so very early that I can't help but worry. At my last appointment (16w) my cervix was still fine, but I had a ton yesterday and I was a big mess. I want so much to enjoy this pregnancy and not worry so much, but it's really tough.

Now my present. 17w1d twinbelly. :D

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df35b3127cce9682ac057f1c00000025138AaOGzZy5cs_

[Phen]

copied from angelgirl's LJ tonight:
fastest post ever. more information than you ever needed to know from a very harrowing experience to follow.

suffice it to say: my babies are here. i am home from the hospital with one of them and the other is in the NICU doing okay. we are floored by these babies. i never thought i'd feel this way. amazing.

will have more words after sleep.

NOW: i never got to do this, so anyone want to play "guess the sexes"?!

Beautiful belly, Jad! I'm afraid I can't be much help on the B-H (I never really could tell that's what they were, which I guess that means mine weren't bad), but I hope they ease up for you soon.

~ Phen

[AusMarchBride]

Phen, you just beat me to it, I was coming in here to post angelgirl's update :D

[Phen]

Great minds think alike, right? ;)

~ Phen

[AusMarchBride]

Phen Great minds think alike, right?

Well, the great minds part I'm sure is true for you, not so sure for me, but I'll run with it ;)

[Bernie]

Congratulations angelgirl!! Very glad to hear the good news! Hope you're recovering okay!

[Jad]

Hooray for the angelbabies! I'm happy beyond words that they're both doing well. :D :D :D

Still behind on the catching up. My bad. :o

[mittyrd]

Angel: Congratulations!! I can't wait to hear your story AND the sexes!

[relly]

Congrats Angelgirl !

My guess - both boys. Take care and looking forward to hearing more.

[kat]

Oh. So. Happy that angelgirl and her babies are doing well. CONGRATULATIONS, angelgirl!!!!!

(And just so you know, your short post had a wonderful effect on me....because I am having a very cranky, uncomfortable, sore, tired, miserable, I-can't-believe-some-of-you-made-it-to-36-weeks-without-killing-someone kind of day.....and it's good to read your post and "remind" myself what the prizes are at the end of the journey. :D).

Thanks, Phen (and similarly-great-minded Ann) for posting that - those of us who don't have LJ (or, rather, don't ever go there) really appreciate it!!

And Jad, that belly shot is AWESOME! I should've had P (your P, not mine LOL) take all of my pregnancy photos. :D You look fantastic, and I hope you feel fantastic after the babymoon......even with the BH stuff. I'm not much help in that department, but I know angelgirl had a bunch of them -- she may have even started a thread or two about them in "Pregnancy" and/or "Parenting". You might want to take a look-see over there to see if she mentions how far along she is when they started.

[khouse]

Congratulations Angelgirl & family!!! My guess ... both girls! :-)

[QPDoll]

How early did you all have Braxton Hicks contractions? Anything in particular seem to bring them on?

Beautiful twinbelly!

I started having noticable BH contrx around 16-19 weeks. Over-doing it and not drinking enough water would bring them on. Too much walking (like going to Target to register) would bring them on. Sweeping the floor would bring them on. I ended up going on "house arrest/bedrest" at 19 weeks, meaning limited activity. Full out bedrest around 26 weeks I think.

[mittyrd]

For those of you whose twins are no longer sleeping together:
1) when did you separate them?
2) was the transition hard for them?
3) how did you place the cribs in their room (next together, across the room from each other, etc.)?

I am really torn about separating them although I do think once they transition (and I expect it to be hard at first) they may end up sleeping better. I guess my real issue is that to separate them, I need to take them out of my room and put them in their room and I am still too nervous about not having them in my room. Oy vey, I need to make a decision about this.


Speaking of having them in my room, we ended up with all 3 last night :rolleyes: We lost our heat and Jake was freezing and ended up snuggling next to his mama all night. OK, I loved it, but I am TIRED!!

[QPDoll]

For those of you whose twins are no longer sleeping together:

1) when did you separate them? 4.5 months, when they started kicking a lot at night and ended up kicking each other a lot.
2) was the transition hard for them? I don't think they even noticed a difference. It was harder on us than them...they were growing up!
3) how did you place the cribs in their room? Their bedroom only allowed us to place them end to end against one wall.
[/QUOTE]

[cbiggers]

Oh, I've been MIA and missed so, so much!

First, congrats to angelgirl on sweet angel babies! I am anxious to hear the full report. Since I saw 9 week old boy/girl twins today, I'm going to throw out boy/girl.

Jad - Beautiful belly shot! You look great!!!! As for BH's, I had them from early on, though I can't remember exactly. But, I know it was before 20 weeks. I ended up on full bedrest at about 28 weeks, on terbutaline to calm contractions. I don't know if those qualified as BH's, or real contrax. Not sure of the difference. Anyway, I had some sort of contrax for a very long time!

For those of you whose twins are no longer sleeping together:
1) when did you separate them?
2) was the transition hard for them?
3) how did you place the cribs in their room (next together, across the room from each other, etc.)?
1. I think around 3 months. Isabel stopped wanting to be swaddled and would kick and squirm too much.
2. I don't think the transition was hard on them, but it was hard on me. I didn't want them to be "lonely."
3. Our nursery is tiny and the cribs are in an L-shape against the walls.

kat - You can do this!! Hang in there. You are doing great and I promise you'll make it through without actually hurting anyone!;)

We are doing well here. After two weeks of sickness, during which I went back on my crazy medicine (Paxil), we are now all better and doing well. The girls are just growing up like crazy. Their new favorite word is "Wow." They'll point at anything and say Wow. It is so darn cute. Here is a recent pic of them in their new "lounge" chairs.
http://images.snapfish.com/345%3A67%3B3%3A%7Ffp336%3Enu%3D3236%3E459%3E%3A48% 3EWSNRCG%3D323346%3C4%3B%3A%3C3%3Bnu0mrj

[Phen]

1) when did you separate them?
8 weeks, when they both caught colds and slept in their SnugRides, in their own cribs. We tried, but couldn't fit, both carseats in one crib. Plus it was time, anyway; Thomas kept whacking Alexander in the head.

2) was the transition hard for them?
Not that we noticed, no.

3) how did you place the cribs in their room (next together, across the room from each other, etc.)?
They are on opposite sides of the room from eachother, but it's a TINY room, so they are still able to throw things at/to eachother. Actually, we had to put Thomas' crib at an angle because otherwise he was messing with the blinds and breaking off the slats.

Here's a photo of them in their cribs (I snuck up on them after a nap)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df32b3127cce96c3189d148e00000016108QZN2TNm4bQ

And this is our New Favorite Game. One boy lies on the Aquadoodle mat and the other one drags him around the room. The poor Aquadoodle never gets used for its original purpose anymore! (and, yes, that is a Santa hat on Alexander. We can't get him to stop wearing it.)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df32b3127cce96c163b195af00000015108QZN2TNm4bQ

~ Phen

[khouse]

Hi All!

Answers to questions:
(1) When did you separate them: We put them each in their own crib at about 3 months when they were able to roll over and move around.
(2) Transition: They really didn't notice much. I think Delaney had a bit of trouble falling asleep the first night only because she would usually tilt her head a bit towards Devon's.
(3) Cribs: Our nursery is large enough that they are able to be on opposite walls. Here is a picture ...

http://images.snapfish.com/345%3A6%3A2%3A9%7Ffp336%3Enu%3D3262%3E%3B%3A4%3E4% 3C7%3EWSNRCG%3D3233475679%3C59nu0mrj

I have been meaning to "thank you" all for your birthday wishes! You sure do know how to make a girl feel special!

And Phen: We had to special order the type of blackout shade we wanted. But once we get it installed and we try it out, I'll let you know how it goes! :)

Update on our end ... Delaney & Devon are doing great! Delaney has started walking but also crawls if she finds that she has fallen on her way to her destination. Devon is finally showing some interest in walking but is quite tentative. She has decided that for now, she'll stick to crawling!

Here are a couple photos from tonight's dinner!

Devon ...
http://images.snapfish.com/345%3A6%3A2%3A9%7Ffp337%3Enu%3D3262%3E%3B%3A4%3E4% 3C7%3EWSNRCG%3D323347567%3B55%3Bnu0mrj

Delaney ...
http://images.snapfish.com/345%3A6%3A2%3A9%7Ffp336%3Enu%3D3262%3E%3B%3A4%3E4% 3C7%3EWSNRCG%3D3233475679%3C55nu0mrj

Now that you have all seen my girls up close ... can you believe I still often get the question: "Are they identical?"

Have a great week!

[sunmoonstars75]

Hi there! Long overdue, I know!

The girls' cribs are right next to each other - I thought I had a better pic, but I don't (the edges of the cribs are in the bottom right of the pic):

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5da11b3127cce9137f2f66ae000000016108AZM2jho3auP

We separated them about four months, about a month after we moved them from our room to theirs. Then they started waking up every.single.night right about six months, so on a whim I put them back togther and they slept more soundly. They went back to separate cribs around eight months, there just wasn't enough room in the crib for both of them, and they were bothering each other too much.

YAY! For angelgirl and her little babies! I am terrible at guessing, so I guess I will just wait in anticipation for the news and names ;)

We probably go through a box of 100 diapers every eight-ten days or so maybe? And we are supplementing, so we don't go through as much formula, but we probably go through one big can every two weeks. It's less now that they are eating more, I remember right when I back to work and my supply tanked, we were going through almost a can a week.

I don't know if anyone is interested in the recipe, but after I ran out of wipes I received from my showers, I started making my own and it's been cheaper and the girls don't get nearly as many rashes! It's pretty easy too:

~1.5 cups water
1 tbsp baby oil
1 tbsp baby shampoo
(some people say you can add tea tree oil for anti bacterial properties and lavender oil for scent, but I haven't gotten that fancy yet)

Mix together, pour over about a half a roll of paper towels. I cut the roll in half lengthwise first, then fold them in the wipes container. I'd say I go through about a batch a week.

The girls are doing so well - they are ten months and running us like crazy. Never mind all of the toys in the house, their fave toy this weekend was the new box of diapers Grandma and Grandpa brought - they pushed it around, walked around it, and played peek-a-boo with each other around it. Maybe my mom did have it right by not getting them much for Christmas.

Hang in there to those close to the end, and keep it up! So many cute twins and twinbellies round these parts, I can't stand it!!

[NJMom]

Congratulations to Angelgirl! Can't wait to hear all about those babies. Glad you all are doing well. My guess would be boy/girl twins.

Jad-great belly shot. You really look terrific!

Mitty:

1) when did you separate them? We took a long time to separate them, they were about 8 months old (they were born 7 wks early so I guess it's comparable to 6 months). We didn't have a need to do it sooner, they slept very well together
2) was the transition hard for them? it didn't really seem to be.
3) how did you place the cribs in their room (next together, across the room from each other, etc.)? they are back to back

I love all the pictures of all these beautiful twin babies!

[natgirl]

Oh the pictures are killing me!!!! So, so cute!!!

Congrats to Angelgirl! I can't wait to hear more news! My guess is 2 girls.

Quick update on my news: I saw the MFM doc last week. Babies were both 4 lbs at 31 weeks. She suggested that I deliver in my 35th week because of the Cholestasis. That means the babies will be here in 3 weeks! I can't even begin to grasp that thought. I am going to be put on the schedule for a c-section (because of their current positions) sometime between Feb 5-Feb 10th. I'm still hoping they will turn so that I can at least try for a vag birth, but,I know this is not likely. Oh well.

The nursery is almost ready. i just need to do a ton of laundry!!

[charmcitygirl]

cute pics all around!

1) when did you separate them?
4.5mo. jake started to get the sniffles so i decided to separate them. on the first night jake slept in the cosleeper in our room and zoe slept in her crib. the next night, since zoe was stuffy as well, i put them in their own cribs.

2) was the transition hard for them?
they did fine. as everyone else said, it was harder on me. there were some night wakings but i think that had to do with them being sick and not because they were separated. at 5mo they are sleeping fine and in their own cribs.

3) how did you place the cribs in their room (next together, across the room from each other, etc.)?
the cribs are on opposite parallel walls even though the nursery is small. i have a rocking chair between them and there's just enough space to get to the crib.
__________

we've had a few rough nights lately. on saturday, dh was at his parents painting and then stayed to watch football. j&z napped well (they've gotten off track with their naps recently) but started to fuss around 7:30pm. both got changed and ate but still were fussy. then the tag-teaming started. one would cry, then the other, i'd settle them and it would start all over again. so frustrating. dh called around 10pm to say he was on his way home and all three of us were crying. we realized we've had it so easy. i didn't get them to sleep until 11:30pm. i thought that they might let me sleep in the next morning but at 8am, like clockwork, they were up. i had dh get them and bring them downstairs but i ended up getting up anyways. so i decided to go shopping and to the grocery. he had a rough time with them b/c they wouldn't nap. i got home at 3pm and took a short nap. they went to bed with minimum fussing though :)

on saturday, they turned 5mo.

oh, and before the great meltdown of 2006, zoe rolled over--back to front. and i missed it! i had walked out of the room for maybe 20 seconds and when i came back she was on her belly. she did the same thing with dh on sunday. no rolling since. and she started blowing raspberries on friday. now she's obsessed. her tongue is constantly hanging out of her mouth. it cracks me up.

yesterday, after much debate with dh, we decided to give them some cereal. i wanted to wait until they are 6mo but since the ped said they could start at the last appt, dh has been chomping at the bit to start. they each only had about 2 spoonfuls and did okay. this morning, jake was less interested. zoe hasn't pooped since. i'm going to add a little prunce juice to hers tomorrow instead of formula and see how she does (she usually poops 1x/day).

went furniture shopping and ran errands yesterday and both babies did really well. before we left, i told dh & my mom that i guarantee someone will ask if zoe's a boy, and sure enough, 2 people did... she was wearing head-to-toe pink. it's funny... jake really looks like a boy and no one asks if he's a girl. i wouldn't say zoe looks like a boy, but i guess she's not totally girly-looking.
__________

angelgirl no guesses, but can't wait to hear about the birth. hope everyone is recovering comfortably!

[klm2klh]

Congrats to angelgirl - my guess is 2 girls

I also thought I would post a quick update about what has been going on with me lately. We've had a few rough days. Last Monday I had an ultrasound and the babies were both doing well (about 3 lbs each), but my cervix was short (about 1 cm). My docotor had me come over that afternoon and she did an exam and figured that it was about 1.5 cm, but it was soft and definitely different from when she had checked 3 weeks before. So we decided to do the steroids which I had on Monday and Tuesday.

Everything seemed fine until Friday, I was feeling like something wasn't quite right. Up until that point I had been having a few (maybe 2 or 3 in a whole day) contractions (or what I assumed were contractions). I could only feel them if I actually had my hands on my belly. Anyways, on Friday I seemed to be having a lot of them. My nurse called me that morning to see how things were going and I mentioned that I was a bit concerned so she said that she would stop by. She wasn't scheduled to come, but she came anyway :) . She sat with me and confirmed what I was feeling were contractions and she felt 3 in about 20 minutes so she recommended that I go to the hospital. She called the hospital to tell them I was coming and she stayed with me until he got home - can I tell you how much I love this woman?

We got to the hospital and they hooked me up to the monitors. Both babies were fine, but I was indeed having a lot of regular contractions. The doctor came in and checked my cervix and told me that I was 1 cm dilated. She then started talking about the possibility that the babies were going to be born that night! I got extremely upset, but my DH was amazingly calm and reassuring and made me feel so much better.

We also had a consult with a neonatologist who came to talk to us about the prognosis for the babies if they were born and things that we could expect and how long they might be in the NICU. I have to admit I was so overwhelmed that most of it went in one ear and out the other.

At least they were well prepared in case the babies were going to arrive. They had arranged for an additional neonatologist and nurses to be available. The doctor even said that hopefully it would be Murphy’s Law that they were so prepared that maybe they babies wouldn’t come after all. Fortunately that was the case. She checked my cervix a couple more times and there were no changes so they finally sent me over to the ante-partum unit to spend the night. The next morning they did a non stress test and finally released me that afternoon.

Monday I had a doctor’s appointment and everything was still okay. She mentioned that last week I was a tight 1 cm dilated and this week it was a loose 1 cm (whatever that means). We’re still optimistic that I can hold onto these babies for a while longer, but I am taking it day by day.

Thanks for listening - I know that many of you have probably been through similar experiences and know how I am feeling.

[PilotsWife]

just a quick post -

Congratulations to Angelgirl and welcome babies! I'm going to guess boy/girl twins.

Charmcity – thank you for the real life schedule! I just bot the Baby Whisperer, however at this rate I think Aidan and Ryan will be 5 years old by the time I finish reading!:p

Bernie – A & R moved into size 0-3 months around the 5 to 6 week mark. If you'd like, I have a few unstained preemie outfits you are welcomed to :)

1) when did you separate them? We did this last night (7 weeks, 3 days) - we had A & R in the same crib, sleeping with their heads on the opposite ends but when their respective sleep sacks were getting closer to the other's face, I got nervous and we decided to separate them.

2) was the transition hard for them? It didn't seem to bother them, though they woke about an hour earlier for their middle of the night feeding - but this could be a fluke - or gas (this is becoming a biggerand ongoing problem for Aidan :( )

3) how did you place the cribs in their room (next together, across the room from each other, etc.)? A & R's cribs are across the room from each other, on parallel walls.

[PilotsWife]

klm2klh - I'm sorry you had such a rough few days. It sounds like you have an awesome support system! I'm very happy that your babies have decided to stay put for awhile :D :D

[mittyrd]

Thank you everyone for all of your responses. I still haven't made the move to separate them. They seem to find such comfort in sleeping forehead to forehead that I keep imagining them being up all night looking for each other :( Maybe on the next long weekend I have off, I'll do it then. Jake is only using his crib now for naps so I don't think it will be too traumatic to move the crib out of his room and into the nursery. However, it will be very traumatic for me to move the other crib out of my room. I'm sure I won't be able to sleep for days after that. I don't know if I'm just nervous b/c of their traumatic beginnings or what it is but I know I need to move on...

Klm: I'm sorry for everything you are going through. It is comforting to know that they will be prepared for when the time comes.

Charmcity: We also have rollers and raspberry blowers! They just started this week. They also started on cereal this week. It's been slow going - they haven't made up their mind if they like it or not. Although last night they ate alot b/c they were starving and I was trying to hold off on their bottles. But when it was time for their bottle, Sam wouldn't take it although Matt took 10 oz :eek: (that's the most he has ever taken). It certainly has not helped them sleep more during the night. Every 4 hours like clockwork. Still. Ugh.

Someone sent this to me earlier:

>> Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a
>> lullaby.
>> I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
>> I never thought about immunizations.
>> Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on.
>> Pooped on.
>> Chewed on.
>> Peed on.
>> I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
>> I slept all night.
>> Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors
could
>> do tests.
>> Or give shots.
>> I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
>> I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.I never sat up late

>> hours at night watching a baby sleep.
>> Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I
didn't
>> want to put it down.
>> I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't
stop
>> the hurt.
>> I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
>> I never knew that I could love someone so much.
>> I never knew I would love being a Mom.
>> Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart
>> outside my body.
>> I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
>> I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
>> I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so
important
>> and happy.
>> Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the
night
>> every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
>> I had never known the warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The

>> wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
>> I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.
>> And before I was a Grandma, I didn't know that all those "Mom"
feelings
>> more than doubled when you see that little bundle being held by "your

>> baby"...
>>
>>
>> __________________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

[jrsygirl]

Wow the thread has been so active..I can't remember the last time I posted an update..

I'm getting bigger day by day. I'm so jealous of you March Mama's that are almost there!! Sleeping is so uncomfortable that I hardle get any and therefore neither does DH. the dog of course is doing great in that department.

Yesterday I stayed home from work and went to the Dr because I was having some pains and thought i might be leaking amniotic fluid.. The pains they could find no cause for except that the baby girl is breech and is probably kicking my hip/ pelvis. As for the fluid they did the little test and it was not amniotic fluid. Thank god! I've had enough excitement in this pregnancy thank you very much.

My last regular appt. (last week) the dr. gave me my 4 week notice for stopping work. My last day is going to be Feb 10th which will put me just shy of 29 weeks. Hopefully I make it that long. I've already cut back my hours slightly which doesn't say much since I commute an hour to the city and used to stay at work until 7pm.

I'm still getting my weekly progesterone shots which is hard to say if they are helping but my Dr is impressed at how long my cervix still is. Whatever..they're not hurting so I'm glad we were able to get them covered by insurance.

klmhang in there!
charmsorry your babies gave you such a rough day

[saathei]

Wow, for some reason I didn't spot the new thread until today. Yipe!

Thalia and Michaya are doing marvelously. Crawling EVERYWHERE, getting into EVERYTHING - it's nuts! They are such handfuls now. This morning, Thalia played her favorite game - try to grab the kitty's tail. The cat was not amused. :D They're eating solids 2-3 times a day now, which is fun. Overall, things are going pretty well...

Except getting them to sleep. I hate that they can wake each other up now, and I hate that they won't just GO TO SLEEP when I put them down. Last night we did a bit more bedtime prep than we usually do, and it really helped, but naptimes are still a mystery.

Good luck [klm2klh - if it makes you feel any better, I had a remarkably similar experience, and then my babies weren't born for another 3 weeks. Hang in there!

[kat]

Just a drive-by to tell klm2klh (cuz I don't think I did in the March Mommas thread) that I had a similar experience except my cervix WAS changing when I was being monitored that first night in the hospital.....and here we are six weeks later, still pregnant. So hang in there -- every day counts at this point and even at 30 weeks there is usually a pretty good prognosis for your babies. Hope they decide to stay put for a while!!!

Took belly shots last night (I don't think I look as big in them as I do when I look in the mirror).....but I have to wait for DH to upload them to our network (only his computer will accept the camera software, for some reason....and it's upstairs, where I am not :)).

[lovin'it]

Hello Twinmammas!

I just got back from my 2nd NST! Thank goodness for a nice night of sleep...so, laying on the hospital bed was not so bad this time. I went in prepared to hear bad news...this morning, I had a nightmare that one of the babies had died. Well...thank goodness it was just a nightmare. The babies are doing wonderfully.

Baby A continues to be head down. Beautiful heartbeat...lots of fluid around her.

Baby B...is definately our wiggler. Last week, she was breech. She has been breech since the start...but, to our surprise...today, she was HEAD DOWN like her sister! How is that possible? I didn't think there would be much room for them to move...let alone flip like that. She also had lots of fluid around her and great heartbeat!

I am still working full-time...but, extremely uncomfortable. I am either always tired or always tired. My legs are the size of an elephant's leg. My shoes don't fit and I am still always HUNGRY!

But....I continue to smile! I am happy to be the carrier of two healthy little girls who seem very eager to come to this world healthy as can be.

My husband continues to be the happiest, most sensitive dad-to-be around. During the NST...he had belly-laughs everytime the babies would kick the monitor on my stomach. Before I put my clothes back on...he kissed my stomach and had a "talk" with the babies telling how proud of them he is! What did I do to deserve such a sweet man in my life?!

Relly...thanks for telling me that I am inpiring to you. That put a smile on my face all day long!

Hugs to all...sorry for being so grumpy lately. I am really happy...just not used to be uncomfortable!

PS: The nursery is almost ready...it looks wonderful considering the fact that we did it on a college-student budget!

:)

[Phen]

running through

It's been a good week for Hollywood twinmamas. First Geena Davis (had twin boys in May 2004) won a Golden Globe, and today, this was reported:

Actress [Holly Hunter] has given birth to twins, People magazine reported Tuesday, citing Hunter's publicist. Telephone messages left Wednesday for publicist Nicole Caruso were not immediately returned.

People reported that the children are the first for Hunter and her partner, British actor Gordon MacDonald.

The 47-year-old Hunter won a lead actress Oscar in 1993 for her role in "The Piano."

~ Phen

[Bernie]

Just dropping off my 33 week belly shot --

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df38b3127cce96ed72ada0d100000016109RcNmTZp4

I'm starting to get stretch marks on my hips - blech!

Hope everyone is doing well!

[natgirl]

Beautiful belly Bernie! I'm just a couple of days behind you but I think my belly looks bigger. :rolleyes: It might just be my imagination because I feel humongous. You look great!!

I have my official delivery date: Feb 8th! I'll be 35 weeks and 4 days. Not too bad. I'm 99% sure it will be a C/S. Both babies are lying transverse as of today and I doubt they will change.

[BLovin' itB]: I totally empathize on the discomfort. I'm so uncomfortable too. Not much longer for us though!! :)

Hello to all the rest of the mamas! If I never seem to do shout outs, it's because I am laying on my side and typing one-handed on the laptop. It takes forever to type a sentence this way!

[angelgirl8]

i have about 30 seconds to come in and update this thread and a few others!

my twins are here! they were born at 11:08 and 11:09am on january 10, 2006.

i was put in for an emergency c-section on the 9th after developing cholestasis and after it was discovered that both babies weren't growing well.

my baby A is a girl (as i suspected) and weighed 4lbs, 14oz at birth.

my baby B is a boy (as i suspected) and weighed 4lbs, 2oz at birth. he was in the NICU for 7 days but is home now with us, at a huge 3lbs, 15oz.

DH isn't comfortable with me posting the babies' names right now, so i'm going to have to leave that out!

we're all home and doing very well...some growth problems still, but we're working on that. there were also some complications at birth (with me) but all seems to be on the way to being resolved right now.

we get no sleep and have to pretty much force the babies to eat, but i know they'll grow!


all in all, i'm just about the happiest woman on earth. i know this isn't even close to what i wanted to write, but my brain is pretty much non-operational right now!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df01b3127cce96a8ee0ec47100000016108AZNXDhqzbtO

[KRL626]

Angelgirl Lurking in this thread but I remember you from another one! A fellow NYC mom who's little boy shares your babies' birthday!! Wanted to wish you a a big Cograts!!!! So happy for you :D

[Bernie]

angelgirl - I think I already said this in your lj, but they are just amazing! I'm so happy they are home with you!

[kat]

angelgirl: you made this preggo cry. :D They are absolutely precious and I am so happy for you and your DH!!!! Congratulations!!!

Oh, and Capricorn babies are the coolest. :) I'm quite envious....LOL.

[Phen]

BEEEYOUTIFUL. (both angelgirl's babies and Bernie's twinbelly)

Hi natgirl! Feb. 8 sounds like a great birth-day. Doesn't it feel great to have an end-date? Like even when it's a super uncomfortable day you can tell yourself "I will be pregnant for no more than [fill-in-the-blank] days!" I remember that the last week before my csection date, I'd wake up DH every morning squealing "3 days left!" "2 days left!" The last morning I got to do that (they decided to come a day early), DH responded "2 days left to what?" Har-har, buddy. I was not amused.

~ Phen

[natgirl]

Yay Angelgirl!! What gorgeous babies you have! Congratulations!! Can't wait to hear more about the birth and how you guys are doing at home.

Hi Phen! You are so right. I have been counting down! 18 days to go. So funny about your DH..He sounds like he has the same sense of humor as my DH. :rolleyes: Fun, isn't it?

[Journey]

Angelgirl - CONGRATULATIONS on your beautiful babies!!! I am so glad you have them home with you. Enjoy your new family! Looking forward to updates and more pictures!

[relly]

Angelgirl – congratulations! Your little baby girl and baby boy are just beautiful!! I hope you’re feeling well and can’t wait to hear all about it.

[Jad]

Ok. I suck, and I'm never gonna get SOs done for the week I was gone. Because a) I still know *nothing* about being a twinmama and b) I'm resigning from my job in a few weeks and am feeling guilty about posting from there. But I did read. And y'all scared the heck out of me thinking about how I'm ever gonna get out of the house with these kids after they're born. :p

But thanks for the BH info. And I'm glad to see from QPDoll and cbiggers that I'm not a total freak of nature. :) Of course, now, I've decided that I can't tell the difference between BH and moving babies. That is my number one order of business at my OB appointment tomorrow. Actually, it's number two -- second to the big u/s and finding out whether I've got me some boys or girls! So very excited. Of course, that means we're gonna have to start buying things soon. And I am utterly perplexed by baby gear. But I will do my very best to try not to annoy you all with silly questions.

Hope all the soon-to-be mamas are still doing well. Especially you, klm2klh!
natgirl - Keep counting down those days. Feb 8 is right around the corner!
Bernie - You look mahvelous!
jrsygirl - That's great that you got the stop-work order! I gave it to myself because early on my OB said they might not ever give me one. Can't wait until I'm done!
kat - How'd your weekend of activity go? I overdid it a bit on Saturday, so no trip north for me. :rolleyes:

And I think I smell dinner finishing up. I'm sure I still didn't get a full round of replies in. But, oh my, it smells good. So you'll have to forgive me. ;)

[NJMom]

Just a quick drop in to say congratulations to angelgirl! Your babies are so beautiful! I'm glad you are home and all are doing well.

natgirl-you're almost there! Try to take some time to read a book or watch movies before your little ones are here! You must be so excited!:o

[klm2klh]

Like everyone else, I just wanted to say congratulations to angelgirl on her beautiful babies!

[QPDoll]

Jad You will be amazed at how 'accomplished' you will feel when you do something like get out of the house. I try to make a point to get out of the house at least every other day, if not every day, with the boys. Today we just took a walk in the stroller around the neighborhood. Tomorrow, we are going to the mall to pick up their pictures from JC Pennys (they have a mulitples discount!). The boys were two weeks old when I took them to the zoo. I pushed them in the stroller for about 5 hours, in the heat and everything. It was soo nice to get out of the house after all the bedrest I did. Anyway, getting out of the house will probably be confusing at first (did I pack enough diapers, etc.), but you will get the hang of it quickly. And it will be nice to get out.

Enjoy your time at work before you quit!

And no question is silly...ask away!! :D

[mittyrd]

Angel: Congratulations on those beautiful babies!!

Wow, there's a lot of babies coming soon....

DH had to plow yesterday (we had a lot of snow) after work so he dropped off the babies and left :eek: It was tough getting all 3 fed and changed and ready for bed and into bed by myself! Whew - I was exhausted after that.

We started cereal 2 weeks ago and I have noticed that the days the babies get it, they are up 2-3 times during the night. As an experiment, I didn't give it to them yesterday and lo and behold they slept from 11 pm - 4:30 am! So, they are not getting cereal for another week or so to see if they can tolerate it better. THe same thing happened when Jake was little - I tried it at 4 months and then held off until he was 5 months old.

We've had a couple of rough nights (last night was good). I think Jake is having night terrors :( He wakes up totally hysterical and then it takes a few hours to settle him down. He is out of his crib now too and has figured out how to climb into bed with us whenever he wants. I have to admit I love it though b/c he is so snuggly then. Anyway, I'm a tired mama!

[Jad]

Quick drive-by to say that it looks like I'm joining mittyrd in the land of identical twin BOYS! The only concern is that there's a calcification in one of their stomachs. The OB said she really has no idea what it is, but that we'll just wait and watch and see what happens. The fact that it isn't indicative of anything in particular makes me feel a little better. But we'll see if a little internet searching can't fix that. :rolleyes: Anyway, must grab food. Laying on that exam table can really take it out of you. (Did I mention I'm measuring about 29weeks! :eek: :eek: :eek: Guess we know where all this food is going.)

[jrsygirl]

Jad I don't want to freak you out but if you're going to do some internet searchig you'll see some scary stuff on the topic. I know because I went through something simila at about 16 weeks..one of my twins had calcification in the stomach and its a potential marker for both downs and cystic fibrosis.
The good news is you were probaby screened for cystic fibrosis at some point (DH and I both were as part of our fertility testing) and if you or your DH do not carry the gene it can't be that...and if there were no other markers evident its not a risk for downs either.
We had two markers so I wound up having a placental biopsy for peace of mind. (It turned out negative) That was at about 16 weeks and the calcification has since disappeared and apparently they are quite common.
I'm suprised your OB didn't give you any insight as to what it *might* be though..
One other thing the specialist we saw at Columbia told us is that unless the calcification spot is brighter than the bone color it is often just that the machine doing the scan screen contrast is off.

Regardless.. don't stress. the calcifications are aparrently very common and turn out to be nothing!

[kat]

I know I just spoke to you on the phone, Jad, but congratulations again on the two little boys!!! My poor daughter is going to be outnumbered at our play dates. :)

mittyrd: sorry to hear about the night terrors!!! Poor little guy. I'm 37 and my nightmares still freak me out -- I can't imagine (or, rather, can't remember) how scary they must be for a 2 year old!!

**********
Had another OB appointment today. I'm now up to 5 cm dilated and about 50% effaced, but neither is a big deal. I just can't go into baby-birthing-labor until tomorrow night at the earliest cuz I have a VERY VERY VERY long overdue haircut appointment tomorrow (I was due for a cut BEFORE I went on bedrest, nearly 8 weeks ago). Yes, it may seem silly but I know I will feel so much better with this shaggy stuff cut off my head......and lord knows when I'll get a chance to get it cut after they're born. So they're not allowed to show up until after tomorrow's appointment. :D

Seriously, though - she also is back to saying 38 weeks (instead of 37, which is what she said last week) for induction. I just keep telling myself there's no way I'm going to get that far (otherwise, the thought of another 3-4 weeks off this is very depressing). My friends who've had singletons don't really understand until I tell them it'd be just like if they'd gone into the doctor at 40 weeks pregnant and the doctor said it'd be another 3-4 weeks (and expected you to be happy about being told there's an end in sight). Um, no. 3-4 weeks sounds like an eternity at this point and frankly I'd rather they were born early next week instead. :D

As my "haircut" reference above shows, I've (well, we -- DH and I -- have) decided to ease up just a bit on the bedrest. I'm not doing very much, but I'm allowing myself to do a little more now that we've made it to 34 1/2 weeks. For example, I did my own laundry yesterday. And that's all I could do for the whole day...but it was something. Need to get SOME stamina back for labor and the first few days after delivery!!! Plus, I think it's helped my pelvis pain -- I think the bedrest was actually making that worse. Of course, now my back hurts more than it did before (cuz it's having to carry this ginormous belly) but at least my DH can massage my back (unlike the pelvis).

So basically at this point I'm just waiting......and laughing at all the emails and phone calls I get if I don't return an email or phone call quickly enough ("oh, you must've had the twins!" ....um, no.....I'm just too beat to email you back right away LOL).

[Bernie]

Jad - Congratulations on your boys!!! I hope the calcification issue turns out okay.

My ob set my c-section date for February 24 - I'll be 38w 1d. I know that keeping these babes in as long as possible is a good thing, but I cannot imagine how uncomfortable I am going to be by that point! On the bright side, the nurse who did the scheduling said that she has only worked with 2 sets of twins who made it to 38 weeks -- I'm hoping I won't be the third!

[Jad]

Thanks jrsygirl! My OB was actually pretty good about explaining, so I shouldn't give them trouble this time. (I'll save that for when they're really annoying me. ;) ) It's my bad because I was rushing to get my news up. They did mention CF, but, like you, DH and I were both screened when we did our initial work-up with the RE last year. Neither of us are carriers, so that's highly unlikely. Other scenarios were rubella and some other type of infection, but she didn't think those were likely either. She looked for other markers (of CF and Downs) and didn't see any, which is why she left it at "unexplained".

But I'm so glad to hear yours disappeared and that all is well! Do you remember by when it was gone? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the same thing happens with us!

kat - I'm still in the no-way-will-it-come-to-38-weeks camp, but I do think you'll be able to get that haircut tomorrow. :D

Bernie - Well, you still look great, so while I'm in the prediction making business, I'll say mid-February. How's that sound? ;)

[jrsygirl]

jad I want to say it was lightening at about 22 weeks and it was completely gone on my scan today (26 weeks) so it took almost 10 to disappear. One other thing my dr told me was that she could have swallowed a tiny blood clot or something that was in my fluid. ( I had a few hematoms early on that resulted in a ton of bleeding.)
I'm sure its nothing..as you will see if you start looking around its pretty common.

I totaly forgot in my long post before...Congrats on the twin boys!! It seems like lately there have been a lot of boy/girls!! Two boys will be so cool!

[Journey]

mittyrd - I feel your pain on doing the night routine by yourself. I know when my DH is gone it is an exhausting evening. Hopefully Jake is sleeping better soon.

Jad - IDENTICAL BOYS!? That is wonderful!!! Hope the calcification turns out to be nothing.

We are all set for the big 1st Birthday this weekend. We are going spend their actual Birthday (Saturday) as a family and then have a little party for them on Sunday. I am taking them in for pictures on Friday and then the 1 year check next Thursday. I am anxious to see how much they weigh. Nathan is a big boy and Catie is not far behind. I am still having a hard time believing they are turning 1 already. It is such a special time, though. I never imagined being able to love all my babies more and more each day, and yet I do. They are such a blessing in my life. I am going to have my pictures put on disk when I develop the film so I will be able to post a few pictures since our digital is out of commission.

I made them shirts that say "I Love my Wombmate" and they turned out pretty cute. (I saw the design on a website.)

[QPDoll]

These are our late 5 month pictures (we just got them back today) Petes the bigger twin with red hair, Nates the smaller twin with dark hair.

http://pics.livejournal.com/bluegingham/pic/000z7k3y/s320x240

http://pics.livejournal.com/bluegingham/pic/000z4c31/s320x240
Nate
http://pics.livejournal.com/bluegingham/pic/000z1dxg/s320x240
Pete
http://pics.livejournal.com/bluegingham/pic/000yz1ct/s320x240

[mittyrd]

Jad: Congrats on the identical boys!! :D I may be prejudiced but I think you got the best kind to get :D

QP: What beautiful boys you have!

Journey: I never imagined being able to love all my babies more and more each day, and yet I do. They are such a blessing in my life. Awwww! It's funny, if you remember, I was a complete mess when I found out I was having twins and not exactly the happiest twinmama on the block but now I feel the same.

[relly]

Jad – identical twin boys, how exciting, congratulations! Hope the calcification disappears quickly.

Kat – I so understand about wanting your hair cut first, that cracked me up. It must feel so good to be up and about, albeit exhausting, you’ve been such a good trooper.

Bernie – congrats on setting the date, Feb. 24th. I am so hoping to go 38 weeks, which is easy for me to say since right now I’m only 27 weeks.

Journey – happy 1st birthday to Catie and Nathan, hope the weekend is wonderful!

QPDoll – they are just so adorable!

I had an appt. yesterday, the babies are now 2 lbs. and 1 lb. 14.5 oz at my 26 wk u/s last week, which the midwife said is just fine and they’re doing well. My belly is measuring 39 cm. I, unfortunately, am not so fine. I guess there was something they found in my urine sample. So I was sent to the lab immediately after my appt. for a urinalysis and some bloodwork. And starting this morning, I will be collecting my urine for the next 24 hours, ugh. I did notice after my shower yesterday when I was putting on lotion that my feet and ankles seemed just a bit puffy. I’m hoping this is all due to the cold I’ve had for the past10 days. It’s over with now but I definitely was not eating all that much, nor getting enough fluids while I was sick.

[jrsygirl]

Relly- sorry about the problems you're having..hopefully its' nothing!!
I have to say..I think you and i have the same due date and I cannot fathom making it to 38 weeks!! I am already so uncomfortable and huge I can't imaging what I'll look and feel like in 10 more weeks if these babies haven't come!
Way to think positive!!

[Journey]

QPDoll - What awesome pictures!!! Your boys are beautiful!!! :)

relly - Hope everything turns out OK with your samples.

jrsygirl - Hang in there!! You are doing awesome!!

[kat]

Aren't twins (especially those in the 90th percentile for size) supposed to RUN OUT OF ROOM at some point in the pregnancy? I swear these two have still managed to stake out enough real estate to STILL pummel me with kicks (and now thbt they're bigger, some of the kicks are really starting to hurt!). How on earth do they still have room to haul back and whack me? I feel like my uterus is actually BRUISED in spots!! Little meanies. :D

[Jad]

QPDoll - Look at your little men!!! They have the most adorable smiles. And my MIL has said so many times that she hopes we have a red head. I can just hear her now "Well, you've got two, surely you can just trade one of them for the red head." ;)

journey - Good luck at the big party! What color icing did you go for? :)

mitty - I'm totally watching you and Phen and QPDoll and all the other boy moms now. I feel totally clueless! But so glad to hear that they're the best kind. ;)

relly - Hope you're feeling better and that the follow-up analysis came up ok.

jrsygirl - They're having me back in for another look in two weeks, but now, if it can take that long to change, I'm kind of wishing it was a little longer. (That, wishing to go longer between u/s, is a complete first for me!)

kat - Think they're hitting each other as much as they're hitting you? They must be, right? So I think your daughter is gonna keep up with all the boys just fine. :p

[Phen]

Oh, jad, congratulations on your SONS!

relly, keep those feet elevated! I had crazy insane swelly Fred Flintstone feet and ooh man did they start to hurt at the end of the day. Here they are at 36 weeks (at least I had a pretty pedicure, though):
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d928b3127cce9f21d1005c0400000016108AaOW7Zs4ZMk

Ooh this one had some twinbelly in it
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d928b3127cce9f21d1025c0600000016108AaOW7Zs4ZMk

Did that scare y'all? Don't worry; the feet go back to normal! I can't say the same for the belly, though. ;)

Good news and bad news over here. Good news is that someone is finally reviving a local twinmama group in town, so I might actually get to go to a mothers of multiples meeting for once! YAHOO! Bad news is that the boys have entered the Demon Spawn phase of life and are proving to be total challenges every waking minute, leaving me and DH weepy and exhausted. And it's only been day #2 of the new phase. Send me strength!

~ Phen

[Phen]

And HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY (tomorrow) to Journey's Catie and Nathan!

~ Phen

[NJMom]

Well, I sure have missed a lot in the past few days. I know I won't be able to catch up with everyone but I do want to wish Catie and Nathan a very happy first Birthday today!!!

I also want to congratulate Jad on having twin boys! My boys are just so amazing and they are the biggest blessing! They melt my heart!

QPDoll-I love the pictures of your boys, they are just adoreable!

Jacob and Brayden are doing great. We're getting ready for their first birthday party two weeks from today (wow!). We're just having family over, probably about 15 people or so but it should be really fun!

The boys are now entering their emotional/competitive stage where if one starts crying, then the other one starts and they both want Mommy to comfort them! They also ALWAYS want to play with the same toy at the same time! Their personalities just crack me up, they are so cute! :)

[Jad]

Question for everyone. When did you take your classes? I'm getting ready to schedule our "Multiples" class at the hospital. Session A is taking place on two Saturdays from 9-3 when I'll be 26.5 and 27.5 weeks. Session B is taking place on four Monday nights from 6:30-9 when I'll basically be 29-32 weeks. I have a mild preference from Session B (shorter, less exhausting classes, leaves weekends free for everything else we have to get done before babies arrive, etc.) But am I crazy to wait that long?

the boys have entered the Demon Spawn phase of life and are proving to be total challenges every waking minute
Ack! Phen, this is what I'm totally afraid of. I've skipped over worrying about those first sleepless months and have moved straight on to, as you so nicely put it, worrying about the "Demon Spawn" phase. ;)

NJMom - Ah, good! Another double-boy mom to learn from. Have fun getting ready for the party.

[Bernie]

Jad - Congratulations on hitting 20 weeks!
I took my multiples classes around week 19-21. The hospital had suggested that we complete the course by week 24. Everyone else in the class was around week 29-31 - but the instructor spent some time on prenatal care and preterm labor, so I guess it was good to get that info early on. And - in my case - I was on bedrest by week 29, so I'm glad I didn't wait too long. While the class may be more useful later on, I would probably opt for the earlier class - cause you never know what's going to happen.

Good luck!

[kat]

Jad: take the earlier class. :D Of course, I'm a bit non-neutral on this issue because I was on bedrest at 27 weeks (and of course, just signing up for the earlier class will mean -- in a Murphy's Law sort of way -- that you won't be put on bedrest). I know it takes away two Saturdays but at least you'll be more likely to finish the class.

And if it's the "Marvelous Multiples" class, don't worry about being "too early" -- most of the participants at our class were in the 24-28 week phase, but as I think I mentioned before, that might be because the earlier class filled up really quickly and we all had no choice. If given the choice I would've gone a month earlier (when I was 22-26 weeks, rather than 26-30 weeks....which would've meant I could've actually FINISHED the class, rather than miss three out of four).

Phen: How cute are you to have pictures of your feet (and belly)!!!! I think they're pretty cute, actually. And I have a hard time picturing those adorable sons of yours in any sort of demonic phase at all! Though, of course, that's pretty easy for me to say, given that I'm thousands of miles away from you. :D

Happy belated b-day to Journey's Cate and Nathan!!! Pictures????

NJMom: have fun planning the b-day party!! Given that it's still a week or so away, I won't start bugging you yet for pictures. :D I know I'm a pest that way, but not only do I love to see pics of all the cute twins, I also find it really really encouraging. So I pester for selfish reasons. :)

*************
Am officially in the grumpy-miserable-please start labor NOW phase. I bet I'm acting less mature (just ask my DH!) than many of your kids. :) Yes, I am thrilled beyond belief that we've made it to 35 1/2 weeks, and that the twins are (apparently) so large......but right now all I can think about is how incredibly heavy they are and how tired I am.

Getting more contractions, but they're still irregularly spaced. They're definitely getting more intense, though, which I suppose is a good sign. But just when they start to look like "hey - maybe this is it - they're spacing themselves at regular intervals!", the contractions stop altogether.

Took a belly shot last night; will post soon. But in a nutshell: my "waist" is now 52 inches around, and my belly is about 22 inches from top to bottom. In other words, BIG.

[natgirl]

Hey there everyone,

Just a quick post to let you know that my babies are here! I am still in the hospital and writing from a dial up connection, so I will fill you in on the details when we get home. Mark and Isabelle were born on Saturday 1/28 at 1:48 am and 1:51 am via C-Section. Mark was 4 lbs, 5 oz , 18.5 inches and Isabelle was 5 lbs, 5 oz and 17 inches. They are both doing really well! They were in the Nicu for a day, but are now in the regular nursery. We are hoping to go home soon, but they have a very conservative doctor who wants to observe them for a day or 2 longer. I am in love with the babies! But, I am also missing my daughter Sophie sooooooo much!

I'll write again and include photos when we get home.

I hope everyone is doing well!

~Natalie

[kat]

Congratulations, Natgirl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome Mark & Isabelle!!!

[Phen]

Congratulations Natalie, on the arrival of your son and daughter! I'm so glad to hear that Mark and Isabelle are doing well, and you, too. Can't wait to see photos when you get a chance! Don't forget one with their Big Sister, too.

Oh kat, I'm just about a 12 hour drive away from you. If you wouldn't mind, we could always drop the kids off with you this weekend. ;) And the Grumpies, eh? Oooh, promising! I told both QP and angel they were on the verge of going into labor because of their intense grumpies...and I was RIGHT!

To answer Jad's question about classes, we didn't have a multiples-specific class offered here. :( We took the "regular" childbirth class when that started when I was 24 weeks along. The reason for the timing of that class was because it was the last class they offered that ended the "term" before 30 weeks, which is when I figured I'd be way beyond having patience for a class that might require me to sit on the floor. (and, for the record, at least one class did involve everyone sitting on the floor).

And things are getting better with the Demon Spawn, er, boys. One thing we've very recently begun doing here is splitting them up. When they're together, they either team up against us or wrestle/bite/push eachother a good part of the time. I started taking Alexander alone to his speech therapy (on 2labradog's recommendation, actually), leaving Thomas with his daddy, and it was such a smashing success for everyone that we've done it several times since. Not only does each boy seem to behave better when away from his brother for an hour or so, but then Daddy and I get quality "alone" time with them, too. It was hard to believe that we had only been alone with one boy ONCE before (Alexander's first cardiologist appointment when he was 7 weeks old). And now we are hooked!

~ Phen

[NJMom]

Congratulations Natgirl! I'm so happy for you and glad that you and the babies are all doing well. Welcome Mark and Isabelle! I can't wait to hear all about them.

Phen-I'm glad you found a good solution to help you through the rough phase with your boys! It's good to hear how you are coping with this because I know I will be facing similar things with my boys. It's funny how we never seem to get time alone with each of our babies. I have only done this once too when I took Jacob to the doctor for a follow up and Brayden stayed home with Daddy.

Jad-I would highly recommend taking the classes as early as possible. I took the regular childbirth class when I was around 28/29 weeks and already on house arrest (as my doctor put it). The class was my main outing besides doctors appointments but it was very hard to sit in class for 2 hours at 7-9pm when you are huge and uncomfortable. Also, I ended up having the boys less than a week after the class ended. Sooner is better than later!

Also, if you are going to take infant CPR classes take them early too! I waited too long and then was too big to take them and then too busy once the boys were here.

[mittyrd]

Congratulations Natalie!!

[Bernie]

Congratulations Natalie! So glad to hear that everything went well - and I can't wait to see pictures!!

[charmcitygirl]

congrats natgirl... so glad hear that everyone is healthy.

phen ever since my dh & i split them up for an afternoon of errands a few weeks ago, we've been hooked too. i am all for splitting them up! ;)

jad we didn't take any classes, so i can't offer any advice other than do it earlier if at all possible. i went on bedrest at 28w and missed out on the breastfeeding class that i wanted to take.

[relly]

CONGRATS NATGIRL ! WELCOME TO MARK AND ISABELLE ! !
So happy to hear all is well, and looking forward to reading more and seeing pics.

Phen – wowza, those are some puffy feet. And yes, nice pedi. Thanks for the tip, I must remember to keep my feet up during the day at the office, right now they’re propped on a box. Will getting up and walking around for 5 minutes every few hours during my work day help also? I sit at my desk all day, everything I need is so close to my office, the reception area, the kitchen, the copier and fax, the ladies room, I never need to venture very far.

As far as my 24 hr. urine test, I never heard from my midwife regarding the test, which means all must be well, phew.

Last night, I went to my first meeting with the “Moms of Multiples”. What a terrific group of women, so helpful and caring, making sure everyone had a chance to speak and that each mom’s questions and concerns were dealt with. There were 25 of us. Plus, they are very generous. If I wanted, I could have left the meeting with 2 brand new, never opened, bedside bassinets, there were also bags full of formula and clothes. Phen, I hope you have fun and support at your multiples meeting.

Jad – I started my classes 2 weeks ago, at 26 weeks.

[angelgirl8]

congratulations natgirl!!

more babies!!!

i'm trying to catch up, but all i've seen are phen's feet! i didn't swell at the end of pregnancy too much, but after delivery i had full-on shrek feet. i wish i had a picture...couldn't wear shoes for about 2 weeks. actually, i had to take the babies to the pediatrician in just socks in the winter in NYC. very unfunny.


things are good here...very very tired. the babies love to be up screaming at night for no particular reason. BFing is going okay. baby girl has taken to it very well, but baby boy had a bad start because of his small size and NICU time so he struggles more. we're supplementing him with pumped breast milk.


otherwise, things are wonderful. love love being a twinmama...couldn't imagine a singleton.


question: what does one *do* with 3 week old twins? am i supposed to be doing tummy time? can they see a mobile yet or anything? (not that we have a crib to put one on!)

[Jad]

Congratulations, Natalie!!!!! And welcome Mark and Isabelle! Glad to hear they weren't long in the NICU. That's great news. Nothing more wonderful than that you'll all be going home soon.


As for the rest of you......no fair messing with my state of denial. ;) :p Looks like I'm gonna be calling to register for the earlier class. Phooey. :)

[klm2klh]

Here is the latest news on me and my babies...
Baby A doesn't seem to be growing as much as they would like. Three weeks ago he was about 3 lbs. And one week ago he was only 3 lb. 5 oz. So they decided that they would monitor him more closely. This week he was only 3 lb. 10 oz. Meanwhile, his brother went from just under 3 lbs, to 3 lbs 6 oz, and now 4 lbs. They are both still in normal ranges (20th and 50th percentiles), but they are starting to get concerned. So I will have another ultrasound next week and then we may have to make some decisions.

If Baby A continues his slow growth my doctor wants to deliver them (probably late next week). Hopefully he will have a growth spurt and I can keep them in for a few more weeks.

Also, becuase Baby A is the smaller one we may have to go with a C-section. The docotor mentioned something about problems delivering the smaller baby vaginally and then not dilating enough to get the bigger baby out.

Everything is just kind of up in the air right now. The good news was that my cervix hasn't changed (still 75% effaced and about 1 cm dilated). Of course that may not matter now if they have to deliver the babies anyway. I think that I am mentally prepared to have these babies, but emotionally I am not ready at all.

Natgirl - congratulations! I hope you get to take those babies home soo!

Jad-I would highly recommend taking the classes as early as possible. I took the regular childbirth class when I was around 28/29 weeks and already on house arrest (as my doctor put it). The class was my main outing besides doctors appointments but it was very hard to sit in class for 2 hours at 7-9pm when you are huge and uncomfortable.

Jad - I had a similar experience as NJMom. I was on bedrest, but allowed to attend my classes one of which was a Friday evening & all day Saturday class. Also, I ended up at the hospital at about 30 weeks with preterm labour (this was the week before our classes) and was scared to death about delivering the babies since I had no idea about the process/pain relief etc. I hadn't done any research on my own since I figured that I would learn about it in my classes. Definitely the earlier the better!

[QPDoll]

congratulations natgirl!!

anglegirl
Glad things are going well, especially the BFing! Way to go!
What does one do with a 3 week old? Love em! LOL They can't really lift their heads well yet, so tummy time, I thought, was rather pointless. Mainly what I did (if I can remember in the hazyness of that period of time) is sing to them, talk to them a lot and sort of explain what your doing, or show them around the house. I would show them a stuffed bear with a rattle in it, just hold it up in front of them and shake it. Mainly, I just talked and sang a lot. Hmm...not much has changed in that department. My family always said I could spend hours talking to a brick wall, Ive always talked a lot. LOL

Jad Im no help, I opted not to take any classes.

KLM Keep those babies cookin'!

[relly]

Klm2klh – sending Baby A some growing vibes. Hope he starts packing on the ounces and you’re able to keep them baking for a few more weeks.

Went for an u/s this afternoon. Both babies are looking good, they have chubby cheeks now, not the skeleton look. They’re both breech. Cervix is long and closed.

[kat]

klm2klh: sending "grow! grow! grow!" vibes to your Baby A!!! Hopefully you'll see a big growth spurt this week!

Jad: remember that my OB wouldn't allow me off of bedrest to attend the classes....even though I was IN the hospital where the classes were being held.....yours may be just as strict, so plan accordingly. :)

relly: glad to hear your u/s went well!!!

angelgirl: awww....so sweet!! Sorry to hear they're keeping you up at night (but you sound more in love than annoyed :) ). And I can't believe you had to go shoeless - yikes!

*******************
I'm still grumpy (hoping Phen is right that it's a sign of impending labor, LOL!). Multiple insurance/billing issues (with multiple doctors offices), most of which are issues that I pointed out to them AT LEAST once (in one case, five times) already and they swore would be fixed. Then one of my students requests a bunch of recommendation letters.....by Friday. Um, ain't gonna happen. And I think it's particularly annoying given that she knows I'm on maternity leave and gives me two days notice?? Maybe I should include something about "lack of time management or commond sense" in the letter. ;)

Also annoyed b/c my doctor went ahead & scheduled my induction for 2/17.....which is the beginning of my 38th week....only the induction is NOT with her, it's with the ONE other doctor in the practice who I would prefer not to deliver the babies. I mean, obviously if I go into labor on one of the nights she's on call, I have no choice; but if I have a choice, she'd be last choice out of the four doctors. The problem is that my doctor is going to be out of town for that week (my 38th week).....and evidently won't schedule it for 37w6d or 37w5d, when she *will* be in town. :rolleyes: Uh, yeah - cuz that one or two days will make such a huge difference!

I'm going to talk to a friend of mine (who does medmal defense) to see whether there's any way I could get them to agree to go a day or two sooner so I could have the doctor I want. I suspect they're insisting on 38 weeks as a technicality for malpractice reasons, and so I want my friend's advice re: what I can do (i.e., what will hold up in court) to show that I won't sue for breaking that "rule" by one or two days. Silliness.

Supposedly my doctor is going to call me to discuss this sometime soon; otherwise it'll have to wait 'till my appointment next week (I saw another doctor today, so I didn't get to talk to my doctor about it).

I just have to keep hoping that I go into labor before then. But cervix is still at 5 cm. Babies are "very low" (for the ultrasound, TMI ALERT!, the tech had to get down really low - into the hair, which is gross cuz of the gel -- in order to pick up their heads). I'm a bit more effaced (so that's the only progress I made this week). We're starting the spicy food thing tonight. :)

Babies on ultrasound look good (she couldn't get a lot of good looks because they're so big and squished together). Because she couldn't get the best measurements, we took her weight estimates with a grain of salt....but anyway she's guessing 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 7 lbs. 4 oz. At this age, it's "give or take a pound." And the best part? They're head-to-head (it's almost like they're fighting for pole position) and BOTH resting RIGHT ON THE PUBIC SYMPHYSIS bone (i.e., the one that's causing me all this trouble). NO WONDER IT FREAKIN' HURTS TO WALK!!!!!

So, that's the update. They guess about 15 lbs. of baby, I'm still 5 cm dilated (though this was a different doctor and there is a "give or take a cm" from doctor to doctor, or at least that's what they've told us). The babies are lower, they are headlocked, and I'm down to just under 1 cm of cervix left, length-wise. So effacement and baby position were the big areas of progress this week.

Now we just need to start labor!!!

[natgirl]

Hi everyone!

Thank you for all the welcomes to my babies and the congratulations. We are finally home! I only have a few minutes to write because I need to feed Sophie her dinner before the babies wake up again.

Here is what happened. Last Thursday night I woke up at 3 am with contractions. I knew it was early labor right away because that was exactly how it happened with Sophie's birth day. So, I waited till morning and went straight to my ob's office. Got sent to L&D for NST, IV fluids and Stadol. Contractions slowed and became less painful. I was only .5 cm dilated and 80% effaced, so I was sent home and told "it could be weeks". After I was home for 2 hours, the contractions started again. They hurt! When they were 5 min apart, we called the doctor. He was not pleased because he wanted the babies to stay in another 10 days or more for my scheduled c-section. Back to L&D, back on IV fluids, more Stadol, and some mag sulfate. The doctor was going to send me home again, despite the fact that I was still in a lot of pain. Then he decided to check my cervix "one more time" and found out I had dilated 4 cm in less than half an hour. He looked at me and said, These babies will be here within the hour. Get ready for the OR!" Before I knew it I was being wheeled into the OR and given a spinal. Such a huge difference from my first delivery which was vaginal. DH videotaped the entire c-section. I hated the whole experience. My arms would not stop shaking the entire time and I didn't like hearing the discussion going on between the doctors as they were cutting me open. After Mark was delivered, it took a few minutes to get Isabelle out. It was only 3 minutes, but it felt like forever. She was wedged way up at the top of my uterus and laying sideways. No wonder I was so out of breath for that last 2 weeks! It is so crazy on the video to see the doctors hand reach into my abdomen up to his elbow and pull her out by the feet!

So, I barely saw the babies at all before they were taken to the NICU. DH went with them as I was being stitched up. I'm really pleased with the stiches because they are the internal ones that dissolve instead of staples. The incision doesn't look that bad at all, really. After all that I was taken to recovery for a couple of hours which I can't even remember. Then I was taken to my room at 4 am. I didn't get to see the babies again until the next day. Again...soooo different from Sophie's delivery.

Mark had some respiratory problems at first, but he was on room air within a day. They both needed to stay in warmers for about 24 hours. Both are slightly jaundiced, but don't need treatment.

Nursing has been a nightmare. They are both unable to latch onto the breast at all, and the NICU doctors were worried that at less than 34 weeks gestational age, they could not afford to lose any weight at all. They have been on high calorie formula and even though I have attempted to BF with each feeding, it is not working. My milk just came in today and I am pumping and having awful nipple cracking, soreness, and engorgement. I never had a single problem breastfeeding Sophie, so this is a real disappointment. I think my body just wasn't ready for the pregnancy to be over and it is also in shock from the surgery. I will keep at it though, and hope they will get the nack of it soon!

I will update more about how things are going at home in my next post. In a nutshell, Sophie isn't talking to me and I fired the night nurse I was so excited about having. Stressful, but also blissful to be home with all my kids!

Here are some photos:
This is my last belly shot taken the day I began labor. 33 weeks 5 days. I feel like I looked and felt much bigger than this photo looks.
http://photos.imageevent.com/natnyc2/babies/websize/DSC03706.JPG

Mark and Bella! Markis making a funny face. I can't seem to get a photo of him without the funny face. He is always moving and contorting!
http://photos.imageevent.com/natnyc2/babies/websize/DSC03747.JPG

Me and Mark:
http://photos.imageevent.com/natnyc2/babies/websize/DSC03744.JPG

DH and Bella:
http://photos.imageevent.com/natnyc2/babies/websize/DSC03742.JPG

Sophie helping me feed Bella!
http://photos.imageevent.com/natnyc2/babies/websize/DSC03737.JPG

[Bernie]

Natgirl - Thanks so much for posting your birth story (although I have to admit that I am a wee bit scared about my upcoming c-section). The babies are just beautiful (as is Sophie!) - I am so glad you are all home! I hope the bfeeding issues work out! Congratulations again!!

[angelgirl8]

nat...they're gorgeous! glad to hear everyone is doing well.

bernie...i was absolutely terrifed about the c-section. terrified about being awake, creeped out by the whole idea of it, scared of the recovery, etc. but, for real, it was not that bad. (except for the weird stuff that only happened to me!). i really didn't believe anyone who told me it wasn't that bad, but it really wasn't even near as horrible as i had been anticipating.

[Phen]

oh nat, they're gorgeous! And you have NO BIDNESS looking so good after delivering twins. Just sayin'.

Sending Kat labor vibes and klm's babies some growin' vibes!

~ Phen

p.s. we did our taxes last night and I'd like to say HURRAY FOR DOUBLE DEDUCTIONS! :D

[charmcitygirl]

just stopping by to say that ITA w/ phen re: natgirl... you look amazing. i looked like death warmed over.

i haven't done my taxes yet (well, my step-father hasn't ;) ) but i was *just* asking him to do them soom b/c i am anxious to see how my double deductions will affect me as well!

nothing new in babyland... all is well.

[jrsygirl]

nat They are beautiful!! Thank you for sharing your birth story..

I'm sorry Sophie sounds like she's not adjusting well.. Hopefully she'll settle in soon!

I am scared about being awake during my c-section. Not for pain or anything..I just don't want to hear the dr's talking about it..I think that part will be what terrify's me..Maybe I can listen to music..although I guess they don't allow that :rolleyes:

phen yay for deductions...we're definitely looking forward to taxes next year!

[jrsygirl]

diaper bag question for all you twin mama's. Which diaper bag do you all use? I'm thinking I'll need one slightly on the larger size than the average new mom...

[charmcitygirl]

jrsygirl i didn't really hear the doctors at all... between my husband and the nurse by my head, i had plenty of distraction. but there were moments where i tuned them out to hear what the docs were saying.

diaper bag i use a large purse (http://www.aldoshoes.com/eng/storeSection/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c/style/productDetails.cfm&itemID=59575482&var=d&itemCategoryLevel1=321&itemCategoryLevel2=329&itemCategoryLevel3=427&) and only carry the essentials:
~6 dipes
wipes
changing mat
burp cloths
1 extra outfit
2 bottles in a little carrier (http://www.builtny.com/doublethirsty.php)
extra formula if i plan on being out for more than a few hours
sample size tylenol
sample size diaper cream
samle size lotion
a few baggies for dirty clothes & yucky diapers

plus i am also able to fit my cell, wallet, keys, and lip gloss. lately i have been adding small toys: linkadoos, rattle, and jake's snake bracelet (it's just a small stuffed snake but it curls around his wrist and it cracks me up!) there's sometimes enough room for more, depending on whether or not i have the extra formula and outfit. i also keep a bag in my car of diapers, burp cloths, 2 receiving blankets, extra socks, a few more small toys and an outfit.

[Phen]

At first, I used a pretty big tote from Babies R Us (not on their site anymore), but after a while, I realized I was hauling a LOT of unnecessary stuff. Like several extra pounds worth of stuff.

So I got a diaper bag from Lands End that is really just a small tote with two lined pockets and long shoulder straps. It's also monogrammed because I am in the South and that's what we doooo here.

Naturally, it's not on their site anymore, but the smallest tote is the size we have:
http://aka.landsend.com/is/image/LandsEnd/98676_A505_M1_NTP_M.jpg

It fits 2 sippies, a spare bottle of apple juice, spare pacis, some small toys, and 4 diapers and wipes and a small tube of Butt Paste.

~ Phen

[lovin'it]

Sending Kat labor vibes and klm's babies some growin' vibes!


Send me labor vibes too... I am ready!

[relly]

Natgirl – congrats again. Mark and Isabelle are so precious, and Sophie’s a cutie, too, as are you. Glad to hear you’re so happy at home with all of your family.

Kat – Hope your delivery ends up being with the Dr. you want, phooey to them and their 2 days difference in scheduling your c/s. Wow, more than 7 lbs. each, you’re doing a fantastic job growing those babies nice and big and strong.

Lovin it - Sending some labor vibes your way.

[kat]

Natgirl: your kids are all just gorgeous and you look wonderful, too (I agree that you have NO BUSINESS looking that good after giving birth to twins!)

Cross-posted from March Mommas thread:

Just a drive-by to post that my induction date has been moved up to February 15. Or, at least, that's the day we'll do it IF the amnio the day before (2/14) shows that our son's lungs are mature enough.

I spoke to my doctor today (twice) and she finally agreed (after (1) I explained how bad my pelvic pain is now; (2) I told her I'd checked with a friend who practices medmal defense, who told me to ask about getting an amnio beforehand; and (3) she had a chance to confer with the maternal/fetal medicine specialists) to move up my induction date by two days so that she could be the one to do it, rather than the doctor I don't want.

But in order to do that (yes, for a measly two days :rolleyes: ), they insist on doing an amnio the day before to check lung maturity. And, because "large white boys" usually do the *worst* when born at all preterm, they're only checking HIS lung development (not hers; they'll just assume hers are fine if his are).

All seems like a bunch of silliiness (and I ignored her snide lawyer comments when she said, "It's people like YOU who make the rules re: when we can induce" -- -- next time she makes any such comment I'll say, "and it's people like you -- doctors -- who (a) screw up on occasion and (b) testify in other medmal cases about what the standard of care is).

But anyway, it IS a lot of red tape just to get two days earlier. But if I'm going to be induced, I want it to be with her.

You're gonna probably laugh at this (and I will likely curse myself for this), but the first date she offered was NEXT Friday, 2/10. And I declined. Yes, after all my bitching about wanting these kids to be born, I declined. The reason is that I really don't WANT to be induced -- I want them to come on their own -- and that's why IF they're going to induce, I want it to be under optimal conditions (my OB)...because it's not my ideal scenario at all.

Now, if anyone hears me complaining between 2/10 and 2/15, you have every right to tell me to SHUT UP, because I could've had the induction on 2/10.

Spent about four hours today back and forth on the phone with my insurance company, the hospital, and the physician's group for all the doctors in the hospital. I want to get all this insurance crapola sorted out before the kids are born.....and the more I get into it, the more I see that there will be at least one mess that won't be straightened out before they're born.

And then when they're born, there will be a whole new crop of charges to straighten out.....it's kinda like the Circle of Life.

[NJMom]

Just a quick not to say congrats to kat on getting your date moved up. Your babies are going to share my boys' birthday!!! :) What a great day!

natgirl - your babies are just beautiful and you do look great. I looked horrible after having my boys!

Also, just wanted to reassure all of you about having a c-section. I am a BIG wimp about things and I too had a c-section and it really was not so bad. They played music in the background and DH talked to me so I was not able to hear the doctors talking. The first day or two was the hardest for recovery but still not that bad. I just took my pain medicine. The hardest part for me was not being able to see the babies, except very breifly, until about 4pm the next day (they were born at 2:45 and 2:26pm). I was able to have the nurses in the NICU take polaroid pictures so at least I could see them in pictures. It was also very hard to go home without them but luckily they came home soon. I also want to say that after you see them, you will pretty much forget all about your c-section. I hope this helps to ease all of your worries at least somewhat.

[sunmoonstars75]

Drive by post re: c-section - They had a local radio station playing during the surgery, and it was "Two for Tuesday" so I heard "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd just as everything settled down and was quiet enough for me to hear the music. We missed the first one, but in my mind, I've decided it was "Wish You Were Here"

Congrats Natgirl! Such beautiful babies :) Makes me miss how little mine were (they will be 11 months this week!!). Where does the time go??

[kat]

Drive by post re: c-section - They had a local radio station playing during the surgery, and it was "Two for Tuesday" so I heard "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd just as everything settled down and was quiet enough for me to hear the music. We missed the first one, but in my mind, I've decided it was "Wish You Were Here"

ROFLMAO!!!! Absolutely hilarious. That reminds me of the moments right before they put me under for my egg retrieval (for IVF)......the last song I heard was "Last Dance" by Donna Summer. I, and the nurses prepping me, got quite a kick out of that (and I'll never think of that song the same way again). Pink Floyd would've been funnier, though. :D

NJMom, as much as I'd love the twins to share your sons' birthday, I'm still hoping to go before then!!! :D And thanks for the reassurance on the c-section. Even though I'm not scheduled to have one, we all know that could change once I'm in labor, so it's good to think about these things in advance. Thanks!

[natgirl]

Hi! I've been jonesing to get this thread, but my babaies have been keeping me super busy!

THANK YOU everyone for all the sweet comments and compliments. The babies ARE cuties...I agree! As far as that picture of me....it was the ONE decent photo of me in months. I have tons of photos after delivery where I look like death, believe me. Of course, I chose not to post those! ;)

I want to apologize for scaring you guys about c-sections! I did not mean to cause any worry! In retrospect, it was really not that bad. I just didn't like the doctor that did mine, so I was irritable. I had hoped to get a different doctor in the practice I go to, but she was away that night. Bummer. The guy who did my surgery has ZERO bedside manner. For example, at one point, he picked up one of my six humongous fibroids and held it in his hand and said " holy sh... Look at the size of that fibroid! Get the polaroid!" Yes, that is exactly what I want to hear when I am having my babies. No music, no comments about the babies, just comments about the inside of my body. Thanks. I wish I had some Pink Floyd!!

Kat You are soooooo close! Hang in there! Good for you for getting things straightened out with the doctor. Oh, and about the amnio and your boys lungs, my son needed C-Papp for a day, but my daughter didn't. The nurses in the NICU said they call that " wimpy white boy syndrome." :p I guess boys just don't do as well as girls as preemies.

Lovin it Labor vibes to you!

Update on us:
Babies are doing well, and it looks like Sophie has forgiven me for having them. I've been making extra special effort to spend lots of time with her during the day doing special things despite being exhausted from the night feedings. I am trying to find a baby nurse for nights for a couple of weeks so I can catch up on some sleep. The original night nurse I had lined up for months did not work out. I told her I had a video monitor in the room, which was fine. Then the first night home i woke up at 2: 30 am and saw her do a feeding. She started at 2:47 am and was finished feeding both babies and changing them both by 3:05. Then she went to sleep. That is impossible! They take 20 minutes each to feed! I think she just dumped the extra out of the bottles and said they had finished them. I just didn't trust her again after that, so I told her that I wanted to do nights myself. I didn't confront her on it though because I was just too tired. :rolleyes:

We had our first ped appointment last Thursday. The doctor is trying to get the babies approved for RSV shots. I am paranoid now that she discussed it with me. Sophie is always catching colds at her playgroup and other activities.

Well, it's time for Sophie's lunch. Gotta run again!!

[mittyrd]

Sorry to be MIA lately - work is so busy and home is even busier so I never get on the computer anymore.

I just can't believe how many babies are going to be here soon. It is so exciting!!

Natgirl: DH and I always make a point of spending some alone time with Jake so that he doesnt' get mad at us or at the twins. On the weekends, one of us will take him out somewhere with us, even if it is just to run errands. He loves it and I think it has helped curb the jealousy that I was so afraid of.

I have this nasty cough that is lingering. Ugh. This is week #3. Jake got another cough too but he wasn't as sick as he was over Christmas. The twins have started coughing too which petrifies me. We called the doctor and there is not much we do except a little Robitussin and the humidifier. I must check them 4 times a night besides when we get up to feed them. It is so nerve-wracking. They are going in for their shots wednesday so I'll have the doctor check them out while they are there.

Jake has really been into his brothers lately. He always wants to help with them and hold them. He's always giving them their rattles or blankies or binkies. It is the cutest thing ever. Yesterday he licked Sam from his chin up to his eyes. That was gross but funny. :rolleyes: If he only sees one baby he keeps looking around for the other asking "Where go, momma" I wonder if he thinks everyone has 2 babies at the same time.

We tried separating the boys at bedtime this weekend. They were not having any of it. We waited until they were half asleep each night thinking they would just fall asleep like usual. Well, they want to be together and screamed their little heads off until we put them in together. Then they went head-to-head like usual and fell asleep immediately. Am I ever going to be able to get them in their own cribs?

[mittyrd]

I wanted to drop off some new pictures of my boys:
http://images.snapfish.com/345%3C486%3A2%7Ffp337%3Enu%3D3257%3E3%3B%3A%3E357% 3EWSNRCG%3D32334%3B8655693nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/345%3C486%3A2%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3257%3E3%3B%3A%3E357% 3EWSNRCG%3D32334%3B8655694nu0mrj

[scubasam]

/delurking

Hello twinmammas!

First of all, I have to say that all the babies are sooo cute!

I've been a big lurker in recent months b/c one of my closest girlfriends is expecting twin boys in May. She's currently 26wks and has had some recent scares so she's on modified bed rest and terb/ibuprofen to keep contractions under control. The docs are saying that she will no doubt deliver early and they are doing all they can to keep the babies in until at least 30 wks.

We have a shower scheduled for her the beg. of April but I'm afraid that if the boys arrive before then that she won't have the things she needs so I plan to get her some of the "necessity" things here shortly so she & her DH will be ready to go. I have a 4 mo old son so I know what things were really useful for us in the beginning but my question to you wonderful twinmammas is which items you felt were indispensable to you in the beginning. She plans to BF already has a pump, infant car seats, cribs and the Peg double stroller.

TIA - I really appreciate it!

Jen

/lurking

[QPDoll]

Jen, how sweet of you to do so much for your friend!

Indespensible for me in the beginning:
boppy (2 actually)
prepared meals or easy to prepare meals
someone to help clean
swings
bottles/formula on hand in case pumping/BF doesn't go as planned (its very difficult with twins)

ETA: Are you Jen from EQC?

[scubasam]

Hi Tina!

Yep, that's me! :)

Thanks for the response!

Yah, I was wondering about the bfing 2 thing. She's determined and it's awesome that she wants to but I'm torn on whether to buy her things like formula, etc. cuz I don't want her to feel that I'm unsupportive but I want her to be prepared just in case.

[QPDoll]

If she plans on pumping, she will need bottles. We didn't think of just how many we would need in the beginning. We would bring 8 upstairs with us at night (2oz bottles).

One thing that came in handy, was a basket I could carry around with me filled with baby things (or bottles).

ETA: Congratulations on the birth of your son!

[scubasam]

Thanks, Tina! I'll definitely put a bunch of bottles on the list! Funny you mention the basket thing...I did the same thing when DS was first born - it was so much easier taking things up and down stairs when I was recovering. So, I'll add that to the list too. ;)

[lovin'it]

X-Posted

Hello Friends...

After spending the weekend in bed...because I am so swollen (even my legs and arms) that even walking to the bathroom is a big deal....we still have no babies. I talked DH into taking me to Walmart on Saturday, so we could get last minute things...I rode on the wheelchair...otherwise, I'd have babies by now, I am sure.

We also made a quick stop at the other Hospital by our house to check it out and have decided to have the girls there. DH was concerned about it, but after the tour the nurses gave us, he is all for it. Because I will be delivering twins, they will do it in the OR. Only DH can come in, but they will open a window in case some family members want to watch it. It's completely modest...they won't see anything "GRAPHIC" (only the side of me with a drape and the Doctor's butt)...so, I am pleased to share the experience...since this is a big deal to both sides of the family.

The hospital is opening a new wing next week and the 4 nurses that were there on Saturday said they can't wait to see the first set of twins delivered there....and the first set of girls in a while. Apparently, they have only had twin boys in the past few months.

So, the news...I just came back from the Dr.'s office. He told me that I am not one bit dilated. He said he can almost bet that I will be there to see him again next Monday, but he is almost positive that it won't go past that. So, it will be next week. I can handle that, I think. The only reason they would come before that, it would be 1. water breaking or 2. going into labor. He said that toxemia and failing a NST are unlikely at this point because I am so healthy! My fundal height is the same as last week - 44 cm...mostly because one of the babies has dropped past the pubic bone. He said that he is so pleased with everything and that even though, he is the king of the twin deliveries in our county (He has 14 sets of twins and 1 set of triplets "cooking"), he can't wait to deliver ours. Just because he is curious about how they will look like.

I am so anxious....I can hardly sleep because of it. It feels a lot like the week before my wedding where I hardly slept. The Psychiatrist put me back on Zoloft to control the anxiety and the possibility of post-partum depression. I have been feeling quite "blue" lately...so, I am grateful for the drugs. It takes a month to make a difference, so I should be feeling better soon.

Hugs to all!

[kat]

I agree that it's very nice of you to want to help your friend this way!!! I'm chiming in with my opinion on buying formula-feeding stuff.....others may feel differently, especially those who've already had their twins.....but as a soon-to-be-twinmamma who intends to BF (like your friend), I wouldn't want someone to give us formula or bottles unless I specifically requested them. I'm aware that BF might not work out, but I agree with your "gut instinct" that it might seem unsupportive if you buy her bottles or formula before she asks for them. There are plenty of other things you can get/do for her instead.

Obviously I don't know yet what things will be indispensible, but I'm telling our friends to cook for us, and my mom just bought us a couple weeks worth of delivered food from one of those on-line prepared food places (I forgot the name of this one, but there are plenty of options on-line if you do a search).

My sister might get us a few weeks of maid service (I told her to hold off until we see whether we think that'll be a good idea, or whether I'll feel compelled to "clean before they clean," which is what I did the last time I had maid service).

Does she have a registry yet? I had one pretty early, and when I was admitted to the hospital at 27 weeks for preterm labor (by the way, at least one of my doctors was also very sure that I was going to go "soon" and here I am at 36 weeks scheduling my induction date) -- ANYWAY, when I was admitted to the hospital I was sufficiently scared into completing the registry and going on a shopping spree for the essentials. If she didn't have a registry beforehand, I'd bet she's felt pushed in that direction now that she's had some preterm labor scares.

Here's hoping your friend has the same lucky experience I've had and those babies stay in there for a while yet. She has a wonderful friend!!

[kat]

Wow - lovinit - I wish my doctor had your doctor's crystal ball!! It's funny because I'm being induced next week, too. How funny!

[lovin'it]

Wow - lovinit - I wish my doctor had your doctor's crystal ball!! It's funny because I'm being induced next week, too. How funny!

Kat...after I wrote this entry I started to think about that...what if he is wrong...and I am still pregnant next week?! I will be so not excited! I guess he knows what he is talking about. He is the "Twins-King" ;)

I am also still working...and driving...so, I guess that helps to speed things up! :)

[scubasam]

Kat - Thanks..I just know how hard it is w/ one child and as DS is only 4 mos, it's pretty fresh in my mind that there are so many things people don't think to get you that you really need....and some things you don't realize you need until after the babies are here. Like, I never thought to have Neosporin on hand to help heal DS's circ. I'd just like to be able to provide some of what they'll need to save them some $$ and to help them feel as settled as they can be so they can just concentrate on themselves and the boys. You are so right on about being scared into buying things! After the latest scare they rushed right out and bought the infant seats and the pump. She does have a registry and does have bottles on it for pumping so the bottles are something that she wouldn't be offended by. The formula I'll have to think about.

She also happens to be a girl who's always in control...not as in she's controlling, just that she's got everything covered so she's already stocking up on meals, hired a cleaning lady & hired a part-time nanny. So, I guess I should've clarified my initial request by asking for things outside of those.

BTW, huge congrats for being at 36 wks kat! That is awesome!!! I really do hope her babies stay put.....it took her 3 yrs and many drugs, procedures, etc to get pg and I'd hate for them to have to endure anything other than smooth sailing to full term.

[kat]

scubasam: I hope you didn't take my post as meaning that I didn't think you could come up with something to get her that she doesn't yet know she needs. I really meant to limit my post to the question re: whether you should get her formula (well, and bottles, but now that you've clarified that she requested bottles it makes sense to get her those). You may end up being right that she'll need formula (even if she doesn't realize she'll need it), but I know that if someone gave me formula, I wouldn't be too happy. That's all I was saying and of course you know your friend better than I do. I offered the other suggestions as suggestions, so if your friend's already taken care of those, that's great!

And thanks for your congrats re: making it to 36 weeks. Of course, I don't exactly feel responsible for that, but we are definitely happy that they're still there. :)

[relly]

I was told today that this is my last week at work and I am totally shocked. I am not ready to leave work, I’m perfectly content to continue to work for several more weeks, argh!!!

I had an appt. this morning with my midwife and my blood pressure was a bit high as it has been since the beginning. Everything else is good. The m/w always has the Dr. review my chart but today she had him review while I was still there and then he was to see me himself. He has put me on blood pressure medicine. I am just on the cusp of it being officially high, I do not have toxemia but my bp will be checked twice a week from now on. I can no longer go to the gym, but I may go for walks. I will not be put on bedrest and I can do housework but nothing strenuous, just to take it easy. I asked if I could work part-time and he said no, to just finish up this week. I don’t understand, I will be doing more at home than I do at work all day. Why can’t I sit in my office, at my desk, on my computer, where is the harm?

I’ve let everyone in the office know. The President was a sweetheart, he said he’s not surprised but then again they have done nothing to prepare for coverage of my duties, nor have I for that matter. I offered to come in part-time next week, he said no, if anything were to happen, he would blame himself. He said he knows how much we’ve gone through to get here and to follow the doctor’s orders.

I am just so surprised, I enjoy my daily work routine. I want to continue working. Am I crazy?

[Bernie]

Relly - you're not crazy at all! My OBs also told me to stop working around the same time - 29 weeks and a couple of days - after my preterm labor scare. I was completely unprepared and did not want to stop working. My OB finally relented and allowed me to go in for one day to transition some of my work, but I could have used a solid week or two to get everything in order. I felt horrible - like I was abandoning my office and dumping lots of work on other people. Thankfully - everyone in my office was very understanding. Honestly, I did feel better resting at home than I did in the office - but I'm sure I could have pushed myself for another couple of weeks, at least. But the forced rest can't be bad for the babies -and as everyone keeps telling me - I'm not going to have this much time to myself for a long, long time. :p

mitty - your boys are so adorable!

[jrsygirl]

rellymy dr also took me out of work this week. Luckily my company was flexible and agreed that I could work from home. My Dr just didn't want me commuting. I consider myself lucky though. My friend who is preggo with twins has been on bedrest since week 10. I would be insane by now if that was me.

[mittyrd]

Bernie: Thanks! I think so too :D

Relly: My (stupid covering) doctor would not put me on bedrest at my last appt. (27 wk 3 days) and I ended up going into labor that night :mad: Obviously if he had told me to go on bedrest I would have still gone into labor that night but I'm still blaming him anyway :rolleyes:

[NJMom]

Relly - I got put out of work at 28 weeks and also wanted to work 2-3 more weeks but my doctor started getting mad at me so I stopped fighting it and just did what my doctors told me to do. Soon after this I was really glad that I stopped working as I got so huge and so tired. Don't feel guilty about liking your routine. It definately makes the time go faster and it is not easy sitting home waiting for your babies. Try to use this time for yourself (rent movies, read books, whatever hobbies you have) because you won't have a lot of free time once those babies are here! :)

Mitty - I just love the pictures of your boys! They are so precious!

lovin'it-try to hang in there. I hope your babies are here soon. How on earth are you still working and driving??? Maybe your babies will also share my boys birthday like Kat (unless she goes before then!)!

I am so excited to hear about all the babies that are coming so very soon!

We are having Jacob and Brayden's first birthday party this saturday. I am so excited to see how they react to their birthday cakes!! :)

[kat]

Cross-posted from March Mommas:

Yet another drive-by, because I had yet another "is this it" icky night last night (probably three hours sleep in total) and I need a nap. :) Obviously, last night wasn't "it."

Tonight if I'm not having any contrax before I go to bed, I'm taking something - anything - to make me sleep through the minor stuff. I have to get at least one stretch of sleep longer than 2 hours before these babies arrive.

Anyway, another OB appointment today. Made bets with DH on the drive down....I said (stupidly) that I'd still be 5cm dilated (because it seems like the weeks where I have the most contractions/pressure that I don't dilate). DH pulled a "Price is Right" on me and said I'd be "5+ cm." Next time I'll make him go first. :D

I am indeed 5+ cm dilated (so a little more there) but the big change is that I'm now 90% effaced and Baby A is at -1 station.

I told the doctor that I am 100% sure that these kids are going to come out of my hips, but she assured me that won't happen. :) They are soooo low and so very heavy; I think each of them is resting his/her shoulders on my hip bones. Makes standing up really really fun. DH watches me (I think for the humor of it rather than the fear for my safety).

Pre-induction amnio is set for next Tuesday, 2/14. I should find out later that day whether his lungs are mature (and if they are, the induction will be sometime the next day).

I was up another 1/2 lb. (so 58 lbs. total, unless you count the 20 lbs. I put on during the Clomid/IVF cycles, in which case it's 78 lbs.). My knees and hips are really protesting all the extra weight now (I had arthritis issues before getting pregnant, so actually I'm surprised it's taken this long for me to feel bad arthritis-type pain).

I think that's it. It wouldn't be a terrible thing if I were to go into labor tomorrow. I'm just sayin'. ;D

[Phen]

Am completely behind.

relly, my last day at work was 29w1d, so I was really close to where you are! My OB had told me very early on (like our first visit) that he would want me on half-time work for a while and then to stop working altogether in the third trimester, so I was able to give work very early notice on this. I'm forgetting exactly when I went to half-time time work, but I remember that the doctor said at my 28week visit, "okay, I would like you to stop working as soon as possible now." I said "can I finish out the week?" and he said okay. No pregnancy scares triggered this, btw; it's just his SOP for twin pregnancies. I've said before that I was kinda bored at first, but that boredom only lasted maybe a week before I was very very glad to be at home and off my feet all day--my back hurt like crazy. also, you asked:
Why can’t I sit in my office, at my desk, on my computer, where is the harm?
My OB (and RE, actually) wanted me not only to be sitting, but to have my feet up for six hours a day. That's not counting sleeping hours. I know it's annoying, but it really is better for the babies this way!

lovin'it, I meant to tell you in LJ, I wasn't effaced or dilated at all, either! But you know how my story ended. ;) You are still working??! I'm glad that you let DH clean the bathroom though.

kat, 36weeks! 36 weeks!!!! GO YOU!!!! p.s. you're not making it to your induction, I'm tellin'ya. I'm thinking late this week. Just sayin'.

scubasam, wow, I'm impressed by your friend's preparedness! I was going to suggest having meals and stuff sent in the early days of her twins' lives, but...she's all set, it sounds like! Good luck to your friend. :)

NJmom, promise me you'll have at least a couple of cameras at the ready during Cake Time on Saturday!

~ Phen

[scubasam]

scubasam: I hope you didn't take my post as meaning that I didn't think you could come up with something to get her that she doesn't yet know she needs.

No worries, kat - I didn't think you were saying that at all! :) I just re-read my post and could see how it could come across that way..sorry! I actually was just explaining why I'm trying to give them whatever I can. I do really appreciate your input and good luck to you!

Phen - thanks to your response as well. I guess it sounds as though between her getting herself prepared and the list of things I planned to get her, we're covered.

Sorry for the huge hijack ladies! :D

[relly]

Thank you all so much for your responses. I’m glad I’m not the only one who wanted to stay on at work for a little longer. It just came as such a shock to me but thanks to you all I now realize it’s all part of a twin pregnancy. I feel so much better, I just need to get everything in order here at work, but I’ve got 3 days, so definitely doable.

Mitty – your boys are as cute as ever and have gotten so big.

Lovin it – sorry to hear you were in bed all weekend. A new wing for your new babies, aren’t you special.:)

Kat – hope you sleep well tonight.

[PilotsWife]

just a drive by - I haven't been getting any notices to this thread :-( so I thought I'd check and lo and behold, there has been mucho activity - I'll have catch up and will be back later! DH has gone back to work and I've been with my boys entirely by myself for several 48 hour periods - I'm more than a bit tired and am need of a break. Hope every one is well....

[sunmoonstars75]

Working - I ended up working FT until 32 weeks, but then my BP shot up, so I cut my hours to 28-30, it was still up, got put on modified bedrest and I ended up in the hospital on bedrest from 33 weeks until the girls were born three weeks later. And sitting in a hospital bed for three weeks is not the best way to spend your nesting phase ;)

Sitting was just as bad for me as standing or moving around - the nurses would yell at me when I had too many visitors or visitors would stay too long (like I was going to shoo them away and choose staring at the walls, sheesh!), because my BP would sky rocket.

Audra and Amelia are both signing 'eat' and Audra will sign 'more' - and both are taking bunches of steps around the living room. Now if I could just get them to say Mama instead of always saying Dada, we'd be in business..,

[angelgirl8]

just wanted to stop in and catch up and say hi to everyone.

we're hanging in here...just barely, but hanging in.

the babies themselves are doing wonderfully and breastfeeding (while difficult, frustrating and very tiring) is also going well. very happy about that!

i wish i could visit the thread more to respond to questions and post and stuff but i have about 5 minutes every week to get online! i miss you guys and this thread!


i'm also set to have another gallbladder surgery tomorrow, so that messes up our lives a bit, too. our motto: "it's always something".

[lovin'it]

Okay ladies...

I was just surfing my other twin board when I came to this....It's absolutely unbelievable...

I hope the link works...

Check it out:

http://forums.twinstore.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/30660829/m/47110159031

[Phen]

I lost count of how many kids she has! Holy cow.

~ Phen

[lovin'it]

I lost count of how many kids she has! Holy cow.

~ Phen

I KNOW! I wonder if she is telling the truth...

[cbiggers]

Well, I just had to post aobut that one!!! I don't know. The last post on that thread is a little odd, first of all. And second, if you look at the last pic, she doesn't look like the same person. Maybe it's just angles and hair color, etc., but I didn't think she looked the same. Perhaps I'm just being a skeptic!

[lovin'it]

Sorry! I think I should have thought about this more throughly before I posted here....I agree that it sounds too unbelievable.

Sorry! I feel silly now...I am just so gullible! :rolleyes:

[Phen]

Ooh they closed the thread. Good instincts, casey!

I'm kinda laughing, though...in my house, if we'd had quads first, ain't no way DH would've come near me again (let alone to have a set of twins and then a set of QUINTS next).

~ phen

[QPDoll]

What is sad is there are a lot of fakers out there like her. There is one board, I can't recall which one, its one I went to a lot while I was on bedrest - anyway, they have a lot of investigations into fakers and have this long list of people and their various stories.

[kat]

Yeah, I have the links to some of those "investigation" websites on my other computer. It's so strange that so many people impersonate being a multiples mom, but there are quite of few of them out there. Creepy.

[jrsygirl]

We actually have a family in our town that has three sets of twins and then the woman went back and got pregnant with septuplets with fertility drugs.. ...Now she has 12 kids all under the age of 7.

My Dr actually delivered the septuplets and they were all over 4lbs...

CRAZYYYY.

[charmcitygirl]

i would rather do a polar bear swim than have another set of multiples!

[QPDoll]

No kidding. I hate being a freak show with just one set, I can't imagine the spectacle of having more than one set. Also, I can't fathom the amount of work! Two is difficult enough. LOL

[Phen]

Making up things on the internet is weird enough...what's with making up multiple sets of multiples? Of course the trainwreck fan in me wants to see Kat's bookmarked links now! :D

In the absence of photos from NJmom's first birthday boys, I give you today's lesson: ALWAYS GIVE THEM WASHABLE CRAYONS.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc31b3127cce97746c4dd8b900000016108QZN2TNm4bQ

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc31b3127cce97746c4e598a00000016108QZN2TNm4bQ

I am tempted to call the sitter and just go sit in a bar and have about 20 tequila shots (and I hate tequila). Because after 20 tequila shots, this couch will be the least of my worries.

~ Phen

[charmcitygirl]

holy sh!t! that sucks.

[Bernie]

Oh no Phen!! Can the cushions be flipped?

[PilotsWife]

Phen - so I take it that those weren't washable crayons? YIKES!! My DH was looking of my shoulder when those pictures came up on the screen and his comment was, (like charmcity) "oh sh!!".

Natgirl - a very belated congratulations and welcome to Mark and Isabelle! They are beautiful babies!! I love their hats!!! and Sophie is a cutie pie!!

Journey & NJMom - Happy Birthday Cate, Nate (again, sorry its belated), Jacob and Brayden!!

Kat - Wow! Those are some big babies you have there - good for you!! You and Lovin' it are sooo close now!!!

KLM - hope Baby A has had its growth spurt!

Aidan and Ryan are 11 weeks old today! They had 3 vaccine shots at their last ped appointment 3 weeks ago and they are just starting to return to their old selves! They are awake more often now and are starting to smile more often. And Ryan has been "talking" (obviously not really, but it seems like more than just cooing - I love the way it sounds!) We've been able to take some more pictures - I'll be back to post!

BTW - what is up with faking multiple multiple pregnancies? How bizarro is that?? I do have to say that I've never seen a picture of multi-baby preggo belly - it looks very odd - it looks real though, yes?

[Phen]

Y'all, buy stock in Oxyclean carpet cleaner. It's gotten rid of all but the really enormous stains and I think another application will do the trick on those. Yeah, they got a hold of non-washable crayons. Gah.

BTW, something is in the water WRT freakiness with twins on the internet lately. A twinmama I know just learned today that someone stole her twins' pictures and was passing them off as her own on another message board. The faker got caught when she gave two different birthdates (like one in July and one in September). Okay, that's disturbing.

~ Phen

[klm2klh]

Just thought I would give an update. We had an ultrasound on Wednesday and the doctor there thought that things looked okay. Baby A was still growing and closer to baby B in weight. Since he now had 3 weeks of measurements to compare he felt that the babies were still growing well. They were about 4 lbs and 4 lbs 3 oz. He did mention that the weight estimate for A might be a bit off because his abdominal measurement was small compared to the rest of his measurements.

On Thursday we met with our own doctor who also seemed happy with the growth. So there was no talk of delivering the babies (yeah!) and also no more talk of a mandatory c-section (yeah!). She said that things are looking good for a vaginal birth which is really the way I would prefer to go. She checked my cervix and said that things had changed again - I was about 90% effaced and 2-3 cm dilated. She was surprised that I hadn't been feeling any contractions or cramping.

So we are still hanging in.

[NJMom]

Just want to wish kat and lovin'it good luck - this is your week!!!! I hope everything goes great (I'm sure it will!) and please keep us updated. I am so excited for both of you and I can't wait to hear all about your babies! :)

[PilotsWife]

here are some more recent pics...

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1585/1/86/13/60/32/8/832601386106_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1585/1/86/13/32/54/8/854321386106_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1585/1/86/13/32/51/4/451321386106_0_ALB.jpg

[lovin'it]

X-Posted from LJ

Another day and no babies!

This is becoming an old broken record...

I went to my weekly OB appointment today. DH skipped school to come with me. I was happy to have an early appointment, because I had a terrible night. It all started earlier yesterday. I developed this awful itch all over my body. It was unbearable to a point where I could not even sleep. It was absolutely awful.

Anyway, the Doctor said that I have Pupps...a very common skin rash that happen late in pregnancy. Benadryl will no cut it, so I am on a steroid.

He was sooo not saying all the right things today! He said that he was glad to see how far I have gotten and that he won't start me for another 3 weeks. I told him that I wish he could go through 2 days of my life and he would understand why I feel the way I do. He laughed!

I stayed home from work today and slept all afternoon. Some people from church brought us the most delicious dinner and their 10 week baby boy for us to drool over!

This is about it for today. God bless the Olympics...it has kept me "busy."

Hugs to all of you...

NJMom - Thanks for thinking of me...I need all the labor vibes I can get!

[jrsygirl]

lovin it Hang in there..ypu're almost there!! Sorry you're feeling so miserable and your darn doctor is not being helpful ;)
Sending lots of vibes to you thst something happens this week despite what your Dr thinks!!

[lovin'it]

lovin it Hang in there..ypu're almost there!! Sorry you're feeling so miserable and your darn doctor is not being helpful ;)
Sending lots of vibes to you thst something happens this week despite what your Dr thinks!!

Thank you! Hugs to you...thanks for the vibes...I need them!

[angelgirl8]

twinmamas,

how do you do it? m and j are 5 weeks old today (although only 5 days adjusted age). dave and i are literally falling apart over here. everything is fine until about 8pm when the babies both go crazy. they are completely inconsolable until about 1 or 2am, when we're already so tired that we can barely stand up.

they eat pretty much every 2 hours (sometimes 3 if we're lucky) and i'm breastfeeding and pumping so i can't sleep through any of the feedings.

if any of you can give me any advice on getting them to sleep after feeding them or on when they start to sleep longer stretches, i would be thrilled to hear it.

am i even making sense anymore?

a couple of wrinkles: 1. i had to go into the hospital on friday for a gallbladder related surgery so i've been sick and in pain and in and out of hospitals. 2. the babies and i have thrush, so we're all being treated for that.


how do we do this?

[QPDoll]

It gets easier, and it gets better!!!! Really soon they will be sleeping longer and it will start getting easier. Those first weeks are rough, but you will get through them. Your doing a great job, BFing and pumping isn't easy, your doing **amazing**! ((((hugs))))

[NJMom]

angelgirl - try to hang in there, it is REALLY tough at the beginning and I'm sure you being sick is making it even harder. I think my boys were about 3-4 months old when they started doing a little better with sleeping at night. Brayden usually ended up in our bed but at least we got a little sleep. Jacob was a better sleeper (now things have reversed!). I also give you a lot of credit for breastfeeding and pumping. I tried pumping for the first month but was too exhausted and didn't do it enough so I gave up on it. We were waking the boys every 3 hours for feedings since they were preemies and I was just way to tired to pump frequently enough.

Hugs to you and just hang in there because it does get much better! You are doing a great job!

lovin'it -I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable. Sending strong labor vibes your way - and hugs too!

Phen-I'm glad you were able to get out most of the stains.

We had the boys birthday party last saturday and it turned out great. They seemed to have lots of fun being held by everyone but they didn't really like their cakes too much! In all the chaos, can you believe I didn't get to take even 1 cake picture?!?!?! Luckily my bother videotaped it but I will be giving them cake again tomorrow night so that I can get pictures of them with their birthday crowns and cake! I will be happy to post pictures if someone can please refresh my memory on how to do it. I am so bad with technology! :)

[Phen]

Do they do adjusted age when the twins are practically full-term? No one (any of our doctors or people at the Early Intervention program) said we are to adjust their age, so I don't know how that works.

Anyhow, that doesn't help you right now. I tried a white noise CD (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000DAN0/sr=8-1/qid=1139939136/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-8605005-7376100?%5Fencoding=UTF8) (that 2labradogs recommended) and that helped the boys fall asleep a lot at that point. It didn't cause trouble with them learning to STTN or anything; I think the cleaning lady unplugged the CD player one day and we just never plugged it back in again, the boys never noticed a thing. But it did help us all get sleep. We still had help at the 5-week mark, so were able to work the babies in shifts, and that way someone adult could get some sleep.

lovinit, kat, klm, bernie...the time is coming! I know it.

~ phen

[mittyrd]

Angel: Have you tried swaddling them at 8 pm when they start the crying? Jake used to cry inconsolably when he was an infant too for hours before we realized that was his way of saying he was ready for bed. Once we swaddled him tight and put him down, it got much better. Also, have you tried lullabies or white noise? Are they sleeping together?

Lovinit: Good luck - they are coming soon! I can't remember if you know what you are having? Pupps is common with boys from what I hear. Have you tried an oatmeal bath? I hear that is soothing.

We finally had success with separating the boys last night. They didn't sleep great but they never do but at least they didn't cry for hours on end like they did Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday night. Each night we ended up putting them back together b/c we couldn't stand the crying. Last night I think they finally gave in and accepted it :( They are not in cribs yet though - just bassinets. I thought since it was more enclosed than the crib they would like it better. The next step is the cribs and their own room :eek: I'm not ready for that yet.

Sammy has a tooth :D It broke through on Saturday. Matt's is getting close.

[Bernie]

I'm still hanging in there -- 36w 5d and counting. It feels so weird to actually want these babies to come out, after weeks and weeks of willing them to stay in! But now that I'm ready for them, I think they are going to be stubborn and hang around in there until my scheduled c-section, which is currently set for next Friday. I'm trying to move it up at least a day or two - the end of next week still seems like such a long way off!

angelgirl -- I hope things get better soon! And I hope your recovery is going smoothly!

mitty - congrats on the successful separation!

[relly]

Pilotswife - I can't see your pics, bummer.

Lovinit - sending labor vibes to you, hope you're more comfy today.

Angelgirl - Gosh, you just had gall bladder surgery. I hope things calm down real soon and everyone gets some rest some.

Bernie - you're doing great, nicely done.

Kat - I'm thinking of you, and wishing you all the best for a wonderful delivery tomorrow (or perhaps you're in the middle of it now)!

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

[QPDoll]

http://pics.livejournal.com/bluegingham/pic/000z99w6

[PilotsWife]

Angel - hang in there - it will get better! When Aidan or Ryan are inconsolible its usually because of gas - even hours after they eat - maybe when you give them EBM in bottles? (if you're doing this) - our ped said that gas is caused by the baby swallowing air - and you can cut that air significantly by the type of bottles used, but not necessarily all of it - Ryan is nortorious for gulping air all the time! We burp him sometimes for more than an hour - and we also use the Gerber Gas Drops. This may not be your issue at all, but I thought I'd share what happens with us in hopes it may give you some ideas. I hope you're feeling healthy and well and can get some sleep soon.

Lovin'it - I am so sorry! I hope the steriod gives you some relief (I broke out in hives all over my neck, face and arms - everywhere the babies are - the doctor thinks I'm alergic to the Dreft laundry detergent - benedryl didn't cut it for me either and I ended up in the ER getting a script for steriods too.)

Bernie - hang in there!!

Okay, don't know what happened with my pics, so I'm reposting, using snapfish this time - hopefully it works!

http://images.snapfish.com/345%3C%3B7995%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3239%3E%3A75%3E9%3A5% 3EWSNRCG%3D3233533994946nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/345%3C%3B7995%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3239%3E%3A75%3E9%3A5% 3EWSNRCG%3D3233533995847nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/345%3C%3B7995%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3239%3E%3A75%3E9%3A5% 3EWSNRCG%3D3233533994947nu0mrj

[PilotsWife]

QPDoll - I *love* Nate and Pete's hats!! They are such cutie pies!!!

[Bernie]

pilots wife -- thanks for reposting - the boys are so cute!! I love those smiles!

QPDoll - that valentine is adorable! I love their hats!

[Phen]

Oh pilotswife, they're such cuties! The gummy smiles are the best.

Hey, I've got a Valentine for y'all, too!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df32b3127cce96c2a059345a00000016108QZN2TNm4bQ

~ phen

[NJMom]

Oh Phen, your boys are just beautiful. I can't believe how grown up they are getting!

QPDoll and Pilotswife - Your boys are so beautiful too. QP - I love their cute outfits! Pilotswife - I love their gummy smiles too!

Twin boys are just the greatest! I promise I will post pictures of my boys too as soon as I figure out how to! :)

[kat]

Oh, I just *knew* that if I came here, it would lift my spirits and make me start to get excited about tomorrow (instead of the weird mix of feelings I *am* experiencing....none of which could be described as "excitement" -- I feel like Miranda from S&TC).

Anyway, what BEAUTIFUL twin valentines!! Thanks so much for posting them, everyone!

angelgirl: obviously I can't offer anything in the way of advice, but I just want to say that you can add me to the list of people willing you to get through this rough patch. It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job getting as far as you have!

lovinit: sorry about the PUPPS.

*******

Had the amnio today; baby boy's lungs are indeed mature so we are all set to go forward with induction tomorrow. I (and nearly everyone I know) was SO CONVINCED that I wouldn't make it to Induction Day that I never really stopped to think about how I felt about being induced. And a lot of those emotions came flooding in this morning on our way to the amnio. I almost called the whole thing off, but then realized that even if I did, my OB would insist on inducing some time before next Thursday anyway, and knowing these stubborn little babies they probably wouldn't come out before then.

So tomorrow it is. So weird to think that I've essentially "picked" their birthday......wonder how that effects the whole Zodiac thing?? :)

Did I mention the amaryllis plant yet? Anyway, I'm not generally a fan of them, but friends of ours gave us one for Christmas last year and it never bloomed (had some really healthy leaves, but no flowers). I finally (in the fall) started to ignore it, cut the leaves off, and put the lid back on the pot (thinking I had committed plant euthanasia).

A few weeks ago, my DH noticed that the lid was coming off the plant, and that it was growing again. And one of the stalks was definitely a flower stalk! So anyway, we've had a good laugh at this amaryllis plant, primarily because it has timed its "twin" blooms to match my pregnancy perfectly!!! The flowers are now completely open (and starting to look just a little old).....right as I'm ready to go into labor. :) We took a picture of me (very, very huge me -- I've grown a ton in the last two weeks...fundal height on Monday was 49 cm). Anyway, we took a picture of me standing next to the full-bloom amaryllis......I just think it's particularly funny b/c of the fact that it blooms in twins!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

[khouse]

Kat: Just want to wish you and your DH the best for tomorrow's delivery! What an exciting time and can't wait to see photos of your children!!! :)

Phen, QPDoll & PilotsWife: What beautiful boys you all have! Just darling photos! :p

Angelgirl: You are doing GREAT! The first weeks are tough but you'll get through them. My DH and I really struggled the first three weeks until I was turned onto a 'schedule based' book called "Babywise". This book has been around for awhile and has many followers but also has many skeptics in that, they do not agree with putting your children on a schedule. So, with that said, I am simply telling you what worked for *us*. One of the main ideas of the book is that when you have babies on a schedule, they know what to expect each day and therefore there is no need for fussiness. They are more relaxed knowing what is coming next etc. Anyhow, it worked for *us* and my girls are awesome sleepers. Not only do they sleep for 12 hours at night (7pm-7am) but they take 2 - two hr naps each day (am & pm). If you have an interest or have more questions, let me know and I can email you directly! Take care of yourself and know that we are all thinking about ya! :D

[khouse]

Oh, and meant to post this picture ... we have started asking the girls questions like, "Where's Daddy" etc and they respond by pointing. Well this particular question was "Where is your sister?". LOL! :D

http://images.snapfish.com/345%3C%3B%3A%3A83%7Ffp338%3Enu%3D3262%3E%3B%3A4%3E 4%3C7%3EWSNRCG%3D3233499868%3A56nu0mrj

Have a great week!

[Phen]

LOL, Kenan, I looked at the photo before reading your caption and I thought they were saying "She did it."

angel, I second the routine thing. We found it very helpful to everyone in the house. The routine came very strongly recommended by Weissbluth (he of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child fame [which I think ought to be subtitled "And Happy MAMA!!!"], which we started at about 8-9 weeks, I think. My guys are fabulous sleepers, too (sleep 6:30-8 a.m., and two naps a day). And, yes, the babies will magically change around 4 months old and things will get a lot LOT better. I was told this by other twinmamas and thought they were lying, but no, it's true. Things will improve.

Y'all will be in my thoughts all day long tomorrow, Kat! I think it will be a race to this thread to see who can announce the arrival of the KatBabies first! ;)

BTW, I am curious: are any other twins here in their local Early Intervention program? Alexander was initially referred to ours when he was 4 months old because of a physical delay, and while he's graduated from occupational therapy, he's now in speech therapy due to a speech delay. I know of two other sets of (boy) twins about my guys' ages who are also in speech therapy through their EI. They (the program) are not into assigning blame for the delays but I can't help wonder if it's kind of a twin thing. Anyhow, just curious.

~ Phen

[NJMom]

kat-best of luck to you today! I will be thinking of you and those babies and anxiously waiting to hear how everything goes!

khouse-I LOVE that picture of your girls. It's soooo cute! :)

Phen - my boys were not referred to any EI programs. We have their one year check up with the doctor today. I am hopeful that everything is progressing well with them. I can't wait to hear their weights - I think they both will be around 23-24lbs!

[Phen]

*** breaking news ***

I just got an email from Lovin'It's DH, who said they went to the hospital this morning at 5 a.m. to have their baby girls! I'll keep y'all posted. :) :)

Double sets of twins being born today! Could anything be better?

~ Phen

[jrsygirl]

Wow!!! How exciting!!

[relly]

Lovinit and Kat - whoa, this is pretty cool !!!!

QPdoll and Phen - love the valentine's!

Pilotswife - ooh, they are so cute!

Khouse - that pic is too funny, they've gotten so big.

Phen - EI was discussed quite a bit at my multiples meeting, it seemed that the majority of the Moms' kids were involved with EI. Next meeting I'll pay closer attention, at this last meeting I didn't know what EI was.

Went to an u/s this morning, both babies are still breech. They're measuring around 3 lbs. each. My blood pressure was checked and although its still a tad high, it is much better than last week. The bp pills seem to be working. I'm feeling well, the weather here is beautiful and all the snow from the blizzard is melting away. I'm going to head out for a walk and soak in some sunshine.