24 Weeks

We've had a couple of recent appointments so here's the latest.  Babies are growing like weeds and measuring in almost the 90th percentile each. (Yikes!!) They are averaging about 1.5 lbs and doing great. Here is an adorable pic of babies snuggle together.  Their heads were nestled in by my right hip (vertex) side by side.

22w4d

It's obvious my belly is growing, so just for fun I had my OB take a fundal height measurement and my 24 week bump.  It is measuring 36 cm or comparatively to what would be expected at 36 weeks gestation with a singleton.  Oh my!  Although they are growing beautifully, there are some concerns.  I have excess fluid and based on babies size and my faster than usual weight gain, I may be developing gestational diabetes (GD).  Boo!

Fraternal Twins 24 weeks

For now I've been instructed to modify my diet, reducing the amount of carbs and sugars I'm eating.  I already took a glucose tolerance test (GTT) at 16 weeks and there were no concerns, but we've moved up the next one - which is typically done at 28 weeks - and I'll be taking it at 25 weeks instead.  There are some risks to both babies and I if I do indeed have GD so it's good that the doctors are being proactive with some early monitoring and lifestyle changes.  The sweets are a given and easy to identify but carbs are a little more difficult ... I'm just taking it one meal at a time.

24 weeks with J&W's twinsies

I've found a few things that are keeping me more comfortable as this belly continues to expand.  One thing I've discovered are compression socks/sleeves.  Oh my what a difference!!!  I was having a lot of discomfort in my legs and these work miracles.  I can tolerate being on my feet for longer periods of time which is significant while I'm still working yet.  I've also been able to find some more comfortable sleeping positions lately keeping my waking down to a bathroom trip or two a night.  It's the small things really.

22 Weeks

Please excuse my pity party from last week, I'm feeling a little better these last few days.  I had a light work week and more time to rest.  Everything just happens so fast with twins, and then even faster yet with the 2nd set and I was feeling a little discouraged.  In my singleton pregnancies it was always around 30 weeks that I felt the "slow down" and I'm guessing physically I'm right about there - but we are only 21/22 weeks.  It becomes a little daunting to think ideally we still have another 14-16 weeks left to go before these little ones arrive.  Only thing to do is keep listening to my body so that physically/mentally I don't push myself too far, and just continue to take things one week or one day at a time.  Mom and dad need every bit of the next 3 months to get ready for their twins arrival so hopefully we all - myself and babies - can just hang in there!!

We've had a great weekend and had the pleasure of spending the day with my surrofam at the zoo yesterday.  It was nice to visit with my IPs and just chat about "stuff".  The funny thing about them being so very local is that I actually probably spend less time with J&G then I ever did my first two sets of IPs. My first two journeys when IPs would venture from Chicago out our way for an appointment we'd usually make a day of it, but this time with them being right here in Rockford, we often go our separate ways after seeing the doctor.  We still keep in touch via text/email often but our face to face time is probably less than I've experienced in the past.  I have a feeling as summer comes to an end and things slow down, we'll get a few more of these longer visits in before babies arrive.

Their four year-old, big brother-to-be "G", enjoyed hanging out with our girls checking out the animals and exhibits.  The highlight is always visiting the play zoo where the kids painted their faces and had fun dressing up as vets and caring for sick "animals" while the adults looked on.  We ended our day with dinner in the parking lot of our fav hotdog stand.

"G" (coyote), Lauren, Izzy (swan) & Chloe

I had really hoped IM/IF would have the opportunity to feel babies move - they are so wiggly these days -  but we just never really had a good quiet moment.  Hopefully there will be a next time soon. As we said our goodbyes "G" gave his new friends hugs.  IM pointed out to him that his new babies were growing in my belly but, he wasn't quite sure what to make of that. He's got a little time to warm up to the idea. LOL