Week 15

Week 15 belly picture!

The babies are now each about 4 inches long and weigh roughly 2 1/2 ounces! They are each the size of an orange.

This week flew by, but in a good way. We have had such warm, sunny days, the kind where you leave your heavy coat at home when you go out in the world. It's days like these that I am reminded that winter won't last forever. I'm getting excited about spring! My trip to Florida last week made me very eager to start a garden. I want to have fresh broccoli, too!

Well, warm, sunny days, except today. It's been snowing all morning.

Brett had this whole week off from work at Hartsbrook, because of February vacation, and it's been lovely to have so much time to spend together. I think we did a good job of getting things accomplished while also relaxing together and not doing much of anything.

One of our first baby purchases for 69 cents at the thrift store. This was one of Jenny's favorite books when she was little.

I have felt mostly good this week, as far as the pregnancy is concerned. I am less tired these days, though still not sleeping particularly well. I am unable to stay comfortable at night for long periods of time, plus I get up every few hours to use the bathroom. My nose is still congested and I still have a cough, especially in the mornings. I've also had a couple of headaches.

I am proud of myself for going swimming at the Y with Selena this week! It felt great and I want to make an effort to do that more. We also sat in the steam room for a short time, which was pleasantly warm and steamy.

Home and Hospitals

it's nice to be back home. Brett picked me up from the airport on Saturday evening and I even had a fairly good night sleep once we got home. Nothing beats your own bed. My flight back from Florida wasn't very full, so I got all three seats in the row to myself! It's a real treat to be able to lie down on a plane ride. I even had my pillow with me.

On Sunday, Brett and I took a tour of the Childbirth Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, which is where I will deliver the babies, presuming all goes well. The hospital wasn't as scary as I had imagined and the tour left us with a very positive feeling. The two nurses that we met were extremely nice, friendly and helpful. One of them even gave me a hug after I was shown the operating room and a look of panic moved across my face. Because I'm having twins, the policy is that I will be doing the actual delivery in the operating room, just in case. I will still get to spend the majority of the labor in the nice homey-looking birthing rooms, but the idea of being moved at the last minute to the operating room still freaks me out. Brett says that I probably won't even remember that part when everything is all over, but I think he's wrong.

So my goal is to make it to at least 35 weeks, which would put us at July 15th. If I go into labor before then, I will likely have to go to Bay State in Springfield, because they are the only hospital around with a NICU. Hopefully we won't have to do that.

Week 14

I spent this week in Florida, visiting my family and resting in the sun. I haven't had any queasiness all week, but I have still been very tired and unable to sleep well at night. My cough is slowly getting better, but isn't gone yet.

I feel like my belly is really getting big. It feels uncomfortable sometimes, not in a horrible way, but sort of like a dull ache. My regular pants are no longer comfortable at all. Mama and I went to some thrift stores this week and I found a great pair of maternity pants, so I've been wearing those.

Here are some photo highlights of my week in the sun.

Timmy working in the garden, planting more broccoli.

I went with Amber to Atom's appointment with the pediatric hematologist. The hospital had a very cool wall of water that you walk through to get into the building.

I enjoyed watching this beautiful hawk perched on the bamboo overlooking the lake one morning.

Timmy and I picked oranges!

The lake was chilly, but that didn't stop Atom from going in!

Timmy doesn't mind the cold water either. Atom adores his Uncle Timmy.

I am going home tomorrow and am looking forward to seeing Brett and getting back into regular routines. It's so wonderful to have had this time in the warmth of Florida with my family. I am already looking forward to coming back to visit in April with Brett.

Week 13

We got new pictures today! The babies are starting to look pretty cute.

Selena came with me to the appointment at Baystate Hospital. Brett had to work so he wasn't able to come. I was so thankful to have Selena along. Parking was crazy, and finding the right building took longer than the ultrasound.

The ultrasound technician wasn't much for explaining things, or for talking in general and she never even introduced herself. But, she did say that the babies looked healthy. They both had strong heart beats (145 and 160) and they were moving around like crazy, kicking their little legs and waving their arms!