Just the Stork

 It seems as though I have got to the point in pregnancy where if I drop something, I call it a loss and walk away. Bending over becomes a bit more of a challenge each day, because of comfort but also my lungs get squeezed like a whoopee cushion when I bend down. Also, walking upstairs leaves me breathless just because my lungs cant fully inflate. However, there are times when I get in just the right position to allow my lungs to expand enough to actually take a deep breath and those moments are magical! I have kept a close eye out for swelling and while I don't notice any visually, it does feel like my shoes fit a little bit tighter and there are some days when it is harder to get my ring back on. The babies continue to swim and kick around like crazy, and while painful at times, it is reassuring to feel their movement. Each week that passes is one week closer to happy, healthy babies when they come out. (Only!) 13 weeks to go. However, the 25 week mark is a bit a of a mileston...

The babies are getting more active by the day. You can feel movement on the outside now but not nearly as much as I feel on the inside. Our next appointment is tomorrow at UVMMC for a follow up scan to check on the baby girl's nose and lips and umbilical cord, hopefully she not as shy as she was during her last 2 hour scan and smiles for the camera! I am assuming everything is just fine in there but it is always nice to have the conformation. UPDATE: The scan at UVMMC went great, the ultrasound tech was able to see where the umbilical cord interested to the placenta right away and was able to find her nose and lips right after. He did another anatomy scan and everything is growing as it should be. She is now breach which explains why it feels like she is trying to kick her way out at times and is now a little bladder ninja. He is still head down and likes to rest his feet up in my rib cage. Their heart rates were 147 (her) and 138 (him), right in the normal range and they both w...

We have hit the five month mark! I had an OB appointment today where they did an ultrasound to check the heartbeats which were 148(her) and 129(him). To me this seemed like quite a big difference, since they have been so similar each visit and the doctor said they were both good heartbeats. They like see them between 110 and 160. I asked about the scan we had done at 20 weeks and what follow up was needed and was surprised when she said I would need to return to The UVM Medical Center to follow up on the nose/lips and umbilical cord. The doctor said she they do not do anatomy ultrasounds in the office anymore. Also I would need to start coming in every two weeks starting around 25 weeks instead of every 4 weeks so they can monitor growth. I scheduled the next check up at 26 weeks for a growth check and another at 28 weeks for a growth check and the second glucose test. The ultrasound today was quick, she said she was really just looking at the heartbeats to make sure they sounded g...

The little ones are way more active now. She seems to kick and stretch straight down, like she is getting ready to escape. And he seems to be content up under my ribs and kicking and stretching directly out my side, which you can faintly feel on the outside as well. My son likes to lay his head on my stomach to 'listen' to the boy then looks at me very concerned to ask "Is he kicking you?!", which led to a funny conversation about how I am not being beat up by the tiny human in my belly. Last night I asked my daughter if she wanted to try to feel them kick and she said "Wait, they're alive in there?!" which made me laugh. You never know how children process and understand what you tell them.  She told her daycare provider "My mom is doing something amazing. She is having two babies and giving them to another family!", which led to some funny conversations and clarification with the adults there. Everyone is always amazed and supportive which ...

It was great to see you two and I hope you have an easy trip back home. It was nice to see the babies for long on the ultrasound, him showing off and sitting on her while she stayed modest. Such little personalities already. Here's hoping to them already being best friends and having a built in buddy for life. They have been so similar in size and heartbeats so far which is good news, 139/135 and 13oz/14oz at this last visit. The next OB appointment is on May 16th at Maitri for an Ultrasound and check up. 17 weeks to go! Weight : 164.5 Feeling : Great! Babies: Your babies are about 10.5 inches long and weigh in at about 11.5 ounces. Your little action figures are able to choreograph Matrix-like moves at 21 weeks pregnant. Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your babies more control over limb movements, which...