The 31-Week Update!

The Babies
I am currently carrying 7Ibs 2oz of baby, plus approximately 3lbs of placenta, plus amniotic fluid x2, among other things. The ultrasound tech said today, "these are not small babies!"

Baby A: 3Ibs 8oz (50th percentile for twins; 38th percentile for a singleton)
              She has a full head of hair! We were amazed that you can even see that on an ultrasound!
              Received another perfect score for her practice breathing, movement and muscle tone

Baby B: 3Ibs 10oz (54th percentile for twins; 44th percentile for a singleton)
              Received another perfect score for her practice breathing, movement and muscle tone
          
We couldn't see their faces today because both were head-down vertex (meaning we could see the backs of their heads). This is the ideal position for babies to be in for birth, so hopefully they'll stay that way. Today's tech was extremely efficient. She showed us their little feet which measure approximately 2 inches each! We wanted pictures but it's becoming more difficult because they are bigger and their bones are more dense making the ultrasounds less clear.

Size

As of last Tuesday I was measuring 40 weeks (so at least 41 by now). If I was having just one baby, she/he would have been born by now! By the time the girls arrive, I will probably be measuring 50 weeks. I apologized to Jenn in advice for anything I say or do.

Weight Gain
I started the pregnancy around 118-120lbs. I'm currently weighing in at 164lbs!

Pregnancy Aches and Pains
For the most part, I think I've handled the pregnancy pretty well. I've tried to stay active. With two dogs hounding me for their daily hike, I get out for 45 minutes-1 hour per day minimum. Spinning has stopped at this point.
Main 3rd trimester complaints: Pelvic pressure (more intense depending on their positions), shortness of breath (I feel like an out of shape smoker who is exhausted from going up the stairs), heartburn/acid reflux (manageable as long as I don't eat anything too spicy), fatigue (nothing I can do about this one!).

How much longer?
My goal is to cook these little ones until 37 weeks (May 21). Since they are both head-down, a c-section will not be necessary unless unforeseen circumstances arise.

** A 31-week bump picture is coming soon! **

Well Hello There 3rd Trimester...

...it's nice to officially meet you. 

I cannot believe that I've already hit the 3rd trimester. It's the last one! There are no more stepping stones. I'm at 3 of 3. Holy crap. I went to see our midwife yesterday and while I may be 27 weeks pregnant, I'm actually measuring 34 weeks. Here's the picture to prove it:

A few things that have surprised me about pregnancy:

• I actually have had to slow down. Before getting pregnant, I remember thinking that I'd be on that spin bike, spinning my heart out until the very end. I know that this makes me sound naive. I've always been in good shape so I figured I'd run to the hospital while in labour (kidding about that of course). 
• Pregnancy has been very humbling. This ties into my point above. I am physically not able to push myself like I used to. I need to walk at a slower pace (a very tough one for me). I need to sit down in order to put on my boots and it's still an effort. Sometimes while walking the dogs in the park, I become so light-headed that I need to bend down to catch my breath. It's amazing that two 2-pound babies have complete control over my body. They stop me in my tracks when I do too much.
• I cry for no reason at all. A few times, Jenn has walked in on me crying. She was obviously worried. When she would ask me what was wrong, through the tears I would say, "I don't know!"
• Shopping for baby products is incredibly overwhelming. There are a million brands of bouncy chairs, bottles, onsies, car seats, cribs, mattresses etc etc etc. We all want the best for our kids but need to be realistic about cost. Not only that, one reviewer will LOVE a product, while the next will hate it. 
• It's one worry after another (well, maybe just if you're a worrywart like me). I thought that I would worry less after the first trimester was finished, but apparently not. Every stage of pregnancy brings a new set of worries. And yes, I know that I'll have a lifetime of worries once the girls arrive. I'm happy to say that I've stopped googling for the most part. I'm trying to not worry when I hear one awful story. 

The list could probably go on, but I don't want to bore you all! Overall, pregnancy has been a wonderful experience. There have been so many firsts - first positive pregnancy test, first ultrasound - discovery of 2 babies(!), first maternity clothes, first feeling of movement for baby B, first feeling of movement for baby A, first time Jenn felt them move and most recently the first time we saw my belly move from their kicks! It only excites me for all of the firsts that we'll get to experience when our two little girls enter the world. 

Jumping to the 3rd trimester already?!

....well not exactly.

We went to see our midwives today. I was curious to know how much smaller I'd be if I was only carrying one baby. It turns out I'm measuring 28-30 weeks pregnant, even though I'm only 22 1/2 weeks at this point! Measuring 6+ weeks ahead is completely normal for twin pregnancies. Regardless of what's normal or not, I can't help but think about being 30 weeks pregnant and measuring 36 weeks. Then I think about 6 weeks after that when I will be measuring 42 weeks! Jenn's going to have to hold me up by one of those kiddie leash things (see below) so I don't fall on my face. But hey, I'll measure 50 weeks if it means that our babies come out healthy and at good weights!

In other news, Jenn felt our little kickboxer, baby B, for the first time last night! Baby B comes alive when the sun goes down, so when she started kicking and punching, I told Jenn to put her hand on my right side. Sure enough, she socked Jenn's hand a few times! With a huge smile on her face, she looked at me with wide eyes and said, "Oh my God! Was that it?!" It was priceless :)