Week 17

(Written by Brett)

This whole process is so exciting to me! We are both amazed that it's already been so many weeks (15 weeks since conception, end of Week 17 by the books). It's all flying by pretty quickly.

Sadly, Jenny still isn't sleeping well. She slept well enough a couple of nights this week, but that's not much. Some days she is able to get a nap in, or at least some good resting. At least her cough is still (slowly) lessening. She is amazing, though. She stays in decently good spirits, she stays fairly busy around the house, and Monday afternoon she hauled many, many buckets of water out of the basement at our Springfield house, due to all the melting and rain we've had. Perhaps she worked a little too hard that time, because she was sore for a day or two after. I do wish that she were able to lose the cough and sleep better, because then she'd be able to enjoy this time more.

Today we biked to the Smith College Botanic Garden, to see the Spring Bulb Show! This was our first time on the tandem since November. Our round trip ride was about 5 miles, and all went smoothly. While it wasn't sunny, the temperatures were in the mid 40's and we pedaled back into our driveway just as the raindrops began to fall. A great first ride of the season!

There is still snow on the ground, but Spring is in the air!

The Spring Bulb Show is always one of the highlights of March.

Next week, we'll have another appointment with the local doctors. Since the practice has six doctors total, we'll probably get to meet a different one each appointment for a while. The whole process is pretty real now and we are looking forward to being parents, but sometimes we just wonder what we're getting ourselves into. Big changes in our life are coming, and change can be scary. Luckily, we have each other for support and we know we're going to be just fine.

Week 16

Week 16 belly picture!

Now that we know we're having two girls, I spent a while last night looking at lists of girl names. Oh, so many choices! Brett and I have one name that we like, but other than that, nothing has jumped out at us. It's fun to think about though, and I bet we will have names picked out by the time they are born.

I have slept better a couple nights this week, and not so well a couple of nights. I have found that an extra pillow between my legs seems to help me stay comfortable for longer. Last night I woke up with a leg cramp, which wasn't fun, but it went away quickly. A special thanks to Selena for getting me to go swimming today. I really didn't feel like going, but it wasn't so bad once we were there, and I'm sure that the exercise was good for me.

We got to visit with Alex, Julie and 4-month-old baby Jackson last weekend! They passed along to us a bunch of baby clothing, books and an Arms Reach Co-Sleeper that they no longer need. I had fun moving our bedroom around and setting up the co-sleeper to see how it looks/fits into the room. We're still not sure yet of our plans for sleeping arrangements once the babies arrive, but this option might work out well.

Thanks for all the great baby things, Alex and Julie!

It's a GIRL!!

We found out this morning that the twins are both GIRLS!!!!

Today was our 16 week ultrasound appointment at Baystate. We scheduled it for early in the morning this time so that Brett would be able to come. Also, Kathy, Brett's mom, was able to make the appointment! It was fun to have her along.

We were one of the first patients of the day, and this time the ultrasound tech was very friendly and happily answered our questions and explained what she saw on the screen. The babies still have strong heartbeats (147 and 152) and they now weigh 5 ounces each!

This was the longest ultrasound I've had so far. It lasted about half an hour and we got to see LOTS of pictures of both babies. They checked all of their organs and bones, looking especially closely at their hearts. The doctor said that they were both "unremarkable", in a good way! They also checked my cervix, which was closed, so that's a good thing, too. Both babies have all five fingers on their little hands, and were moving around for the camera like crazy. Two baby girls, WOW!

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!