She found the heartbeats almost immediately, which is not always easy with twins. I've gained about 16lbs, which seems crazy to me, but she wants me to gain 30-40lbs. by the end. That puts me right on target. My blood pressure is good and low as usual.
Our ultrasound next week will measure my cervical length. They'll keep an eye on this by having me go for ultrasounds every 4 weeks. I LOVE that I'll get to see them that often. It also will give them opportunity to make sure both babies are developing as the should be, etc. If the cervical length shortens too soon, that's when I'll know if I need to be on bed rest and it will help us keep an eye on when these babies might come into the world.
I was very relieved after the appointment since it's been a few weeks since I've seen or heard our lil' ones!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
17 weeks
This week in my expanding belly...
The babies skeletons are changing from soft cartilage to bone and the umbilical cords are growing stronger and thicker. They each weigh about the same as a turnip and are about 5 inches from head to bottom (about the size of an open hand). They can move their joints and the sweat glands are starting to develop. Their baby fat is beginning to develop to protect them after they are born. They are listening by now and loud noises will actually startle them. Their tiny eyes are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light through their sealed eyelids. They are practicing their sucking and swallowing skills. Within the next week or so, the pads on their little fingertips and toes will develop their individual fingerprints.
I have a checkup on Friday, so I'll get to hear those precious lil' heartbeats again!
The babies skeletons are changing from soft cartilage to bone and the umbilical cords are growing stronger and thicker. They each weigh about the same as a turnip and are about 5 inches from head to bottom (about the size of an open hand). They can move their joints and the sweat glands are starting to develop. Their baby fat is beginning to develop to protect them after they are born. They are listening by now and loud noises will actually startle them. Their tiny eyes are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light through their sealed eyelids. They are practicing their sucking and swallowing skills. Within the next week or so, the pads on their little fingertips and toes will develop their individual fingerprints.
I have a checkup on Friday, so I'll get to hear those precious lil' heartbeats again!
Monday, June 9, 2008
HUGE change of plans!
Our nursery, which we were just getting ready to paint, will now be our office and our office will be the nursery! This means we'll be re-carpeting our ENTIRE upstairs. The rooms needed done anyway, we just didn't think we'd be doing it now.
Last night while discussing the room plans with my parents, we realized there was just no way to fit the 2 cribs, a dresser/changing table and a rocker/glider comfortably. We'll have to buy a new streamlined desk for the office and definitely do some more purging. We both need a workstation, as we both do work in that office on different computers! Hopefully we can do this without too much stress. The good thing is, we started early!
Last night while discussing the room plans with my parents, we realized there was just no way to fit the 2 cribs, a dresser/changing table and a rocker/glider comfortably. We'll have to buy a new streamlined desk for the office and definitely do some more purging. We both need a workstation, as we both do work in that office on different computers! Hopefully we can do this without too much stress. The good thing is, we started early!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Belly Line
Well, I woke up this morning and after my usual morning belly examination in the mirror, I saw that my belly line is forming. It's faint, but it's there! It's called a linea negra.
Hormones, which are also responsible for an impressive variety of other skin anomalies, are behind this weird little stripe. It fades a few months after the babies are born. An old wives tale used to state that it meant you were having a boy, but that has been proven wrong over the years.
Hormones, which are also responsible for an impressive variety of other skin anomalies, are behind this weird little stripe. It fades a few months after the babies are born. An old wives tale used to state that it meant you were having a boy, but that has been proven wrong over the years.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Almost halfway there!
16 weeks - 4 months
This is an example of what our lil' ones might look like right now :)
The kiddos are now about 4.5 inches long (about the size of an avocado). In the next few weeks their weight will double and they will add inches to their length. Their fingernails and toenails are now fully formed and internally their urinary tract and bladder are functioning, emptying about once every hour. The legs are more developed, the head is more erect and the eyes are now closer to the front of the head. The ears are now in their final position. Even the patterning of the scalp has begun. The hearts are now pumping 25 qts. of blood each day.
Tiny bones are in place in their ears this week, making it likely that they can hear our voices. It is said that if we sing a song to them now and often, they will recognize that song after birth. Their daddy talks to them every morning and night and we have both been reading to them.
This is when I may start notice more "quickening", which is the earliest movements that feel like flutters or even popcorn popping. I *think* I felt these again on my way to work today! In the next few weeks they'll grow stronger and more frequent.
This is an example of what our lil' ones might look like right now :)
The kiddos are now about 4.5 inches long (about the size of an avocado). In the next few weeks their weight will double and they will add inches to their length. Their fingernails and toenails are now fully formed and internally their urinary tract and bladder are functioning, emptying about once every hour. The legs are more developed, the head is more erect and the eyes are now closer to the front of the head. The ears are now in their final position. Even the patterning of the scalp has begun. The hearts are now pumping 25 qts. of blood each day.
Tiny bones are in place in their ears this week, making it likely that they can hear our voices. It is said that if we sing a song to them now and often, they will recognize that song after birth. Their daddy talks to them every morning and night and we have both been reading to them.
This is when I may start notice more "quickening", which is the earliest movements that feel like flutters or even popcorn popping. I *think* I felt these again on my way to work today! In the next few weeks they'll grow stronger and more frequent.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Shower Invitations!
It may seem early, but I wanted to get them done. My shower will be August 3. That will be week 25 for me. We wanted to get it done early so I am still feeling mobile enough to finish the nursery once we have all our shower goodies!
Here's the final product. We decided to go with stars and bears. Stars are something special to Christian and I and the bears... well, they're just too cute not to use. The top says: twice the blessing, twice the fun... two little miracles instead of just one!
I think my mom will be sending these out in the next 2 weeks. We figure summer is a busy time for families, so they can at least save the date :)
Here's the final product. We decided to go with stars and bears. Stars are something special to Christian and I and the bears... well, they're just too cute not to use. The top says: twice the blessing, twice the fun... two little miracles instead of just one!
I think my mom will be sending these out in the next 2 weeks. We figure summer is a busy time for families, so they can at least save the date :)
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