18 weeks pregnant twins

18 weeks

 Grammy came this week and got the babies their bouncy seats!  We had so much fun picking out stuff and then went to Joann's for stuff to make some adorable baby blankets.  My mom is so talented and used to make all kinds of stuff for me and my sister...clothes, dolls, hair thingies...can't wait to see the baby blankets!

17 weeks pregnant with twin boys

As most know, we are having twin boys!  We are seeing a high risk OB in Plano in addition to our regular OB, Dr. G.  "Dr. Plano" knew they were boys within seconds of putting the probe on my belly!  Gavin was with us and was amazed to see the babies on the ultrasound.  He's a bit bummed because he really wanted girls...when I asked him why later, he said it's because his big brother has been so rotten to him the last few years....that broke my heart. 

When Dr. Plano asked at the end if we had any questions, Gavin said "Yes, are you 100% sure they are both boys?" Doc just laughed and said, "Well I'm 99.9% sure." Gavin replied very matter of factly, "Okay, so there's a chance."  I just love that kid.  It's now starting to soak in and he seems more pleased at the idea of brothers instead of sisters...."as long as they don't mess with my stuff."

This pregnancy has already been difficult...I taught first graders until my lunch break while I was in labor with Gavin!  I never stopped and just expected this would be the same.  I had the burst of second trimester energy with Gavin, walked everyday until term....except for lots of heartburn I don't remember that much discomfort...of course it's amazing what we forget when we hold those sweet babies in our arms! 

So far I have had LOTS of round ligament pain that at times makes walking very difficult, sciatic nerve pain that shoots down through my butt mid-step and I almost fall!  It's ridiculous.  And the newest ailment, for almost two weeks now I have intense pain where my gallbladder used to be (had it removed after Gavin).  The weird thing is that the pain only occurs when I lie down...doesn't matter which side I lay on it HURTS...but if I sit up, it stops.  So, I have been sleeping SITTING UP for almost 2 weeks now.  It's so miserable because I just want to lay down...even with 4 pillows propped up underneath me it hurts.  I'm having to sleep on the couch so I can prop my pillows on the arm of the sofa to sit up.  Taylor ordered a recliner a couple of days ago so I'm hoping that will provide some kind of sleeping comfort. 

I also have ZERO energy...I think a lot of it is due to being so inactive...It's too painful to go for a walk.  I have already finished three books since school let out. 

Aside from all of the aches and pains, I'm so grateful the all day sickness is gone and even more grateful for two healthy babies.  I can already feel them moving and cant' wait to see how they've grown at our next appointment in a couple of weeks. 

It's been awhile...

12 weeks

14 weeks

please pray for our ultrasound tomorrow~

Please pray for our ultrasound tomorrow!  Pray for at least one healthy heartbeat....and second is a bonus blessing!  I truly believe that God won't give us any more than we can handle with His help.  

I have been unbelievably ill.  This weekend I couldn't keep much of anything in....even a sip of water made me sick.  I broke down today and called Dr. D for a prescription....however, he wanted me to call Dr. Grafa to check for dehydration.  He felt I may need IV fluids.  

After talking for a bit, he said if I could get 32 ounces to stay in that he would check my levels in the morning at the ultrasound appointment, but if I couldn't I have to go to Grafa today.  As of right now, i've consumed about 40 ounces and only 1 episode where it came back out....so I'm thinking probably 10 ounces came out...puts us right at 30 and the day isn't over.  Picked up my prescription...Zofran....but only took half....I am just such a nervous wreck about taking anything. We shall see if it helps me get more to stay in but I anticipate an iv in near future.  

So everyone say a little prayer for the health of our embryos.  I'll post just as soon as we know. 

xoxo,
angela

 

BETA #2

Today they wanted the 296 to at least double and it's 818!!  YAY!!!!  They scheduled our first ultrasound for April 3rd and said we should be able to see heartbeat and how many babies.  

Incredibly grateful.

prize heifer

 

 

From the book "A Few Good Eggs":

 

If a farmer has a prize heifer and that cow gets pregnant, you don't let that animal run in the pasture with the other cows.  You treat that cow special.  You put that cow up in the stall with good food, good straw.  You make that cow rest.  You take extra good care of that cow. 

I love it!!  However, I've never been very good at taking extra good care of myself.  I have always felt guilt for having a lazy Saturday, much less an entire weekend.  

 

Maybe it stems from watching my mama work her fingers to the bone...a lazy weekend wasn't even an option for her since she would have to load the laundry from the entire week into laundry baskets....trash bags if we ran out of room.  Her entire Saturday was spent at the laundry mat in town.  I know it took 3 or 4 hours to wash, dry, hang up and fold a week's worth of clothes for a family of 4.  

 

Then, we would carefully load everything back into the car for the drive home and put everything away.  There was no way a Saturday could be missed because two weeks worth of clothes would probably mean an overnight stay at the laundry mat!  Washing on a weekday wasn't a possibility since my mom would leave for work well before the sun had risen and usually back home just after jeopardy and as Dan Rather began his newscast. 

The extent of pampering ever extended to my mom was when my sister and I took turns rubbing her exhausted aching feet.  My father couldn't even get a nice word out of his mouth much less actually help to lighten her work load.  When I look back now, I wonder how in the world she kept up and did so with grace.  

I really knew nothing other than this mentality until just the last few years...and I still unknowingly revert back from time to time.  I thought moms were supposed to do it all and then some and not even have the luxury of a washing machine in your own home!!  All the while, putting up with a selfish jackass of a man constantly reminding you that nothing is good enough....especially you.  

I still pinch myself sometimes that I finally have a husband who is the total opposite of my father.  As much as I said out loud that I would NEVER be with someone like my dad, I always ended up choosing people with abusive behaviors so eerily close to his his. I still feel like I don't deserve Taylor.  He has the kindest most sensitive heart.  He has treated me like a "prize heifer" since the day we met....I think it's  time I treat myself with the same regard.