Trying to fast forward

Oopsie daisy, I just realized I got the weeks wrong on the last post. 34.5 weeks and 35 weeks. And here is 36 weeks!
Here's 36 with Jake.
And here's cupcakes part deux. Gramma brought some cupcakes along and if we all recall how they went down at Taylor's birthday...this time, about the same!
Can't forget Porter patiently waiting for the "clean up!" call!

And here is the cage fighter's room all finished up! The first of new windows in the house, no more draft! I think it's pretty set!

My dad built the changing table...he expanded on the idea of 4 legs, a flat top and a shelf! Whoohoo!
Besides the dresser and changing table, everything else is "hand-me-downs"...we're all going to have a killer garage sale in a couple years!
Okay, must go now...bum is starting to hurt from sitting! Nighty night!

Ketchup

In case you were suffering from Jake and Porter withdrawals, here's your fix! Jake is such a poser...he sat on his stool and posed for me for as long as I wanted him to. But when I asked him to give Porter a hug, he wouldn't and Porter would walk away. They really do love each other...only when they want to!




Here is 35 and a half weeks....

And here is 36 weeks. Pay no attention to the "battle marks". Ugh. Seriously, how much bigger can this thing go?!?!?Tomorrow is another trip up to Froedert for the weekly ultrasound (started last week.) One week they look at the biophysics (breathing, fluids, heart rate, etc.) of the ladies and the other week they look at their growth. On Friday 4/17 Leftie was 4lbs 7oz and Rightie was 4lbs 8oz. The whole reason for this new precaution is that their bellies measure just a smidge under what they should be. So that just means we'll have skinny girls, just like their brother! Everything looks great otherwise! I still go for my twice a week NST's and haven't had any problems there. And then of course the regular doctor visits here once a week. I'm a busy girl!

But the big news, only 2 more weeks! Unless the cage fighters decide to make their own birthday, they'll be coming May 12th in the afternoon. Wahooo! Then let the real fun begin. I can't wait to heal up and not have an extra 20lb bowling ball in my front. So far, I'm up 23 lbs and one chin. Dang mint brownies.

Suns out, I think I'll go catch some of it!

The drugs

Just an FYI to self and others...this is the drug I'm on right now.

Was to the doc today and will continue that drug to get me thru 35 weeks. My regular doc was on vacation, so I'll see him next week and get down to business. Otherwise everything is super duper! Another NST test tomorrow. La te da!

Good night!

pics and giggles

Oooh, look how cute and tiny I was with Jake at 33 weeks.Then KAPOW, not so cute and tiny no more! Huh, that's weird how my back isn't arched so much...maybe because the girls are sitting back there, pushing out wherever they can.

Jake likes to help make stuff...he kind-of stirs, but his best attribute is cleaning out the bowl...
...and cleaning off the spatulas. One is just never enough!

He is clean once-in-awhile! That lasts for maybe a hour.
And here we have some giggle time. Who knew, a tennis ball. Doesn't take much!





I made it out of the hospital after a hour of the nst test today! The contractions are still there, can't feel them, everything else looks good, toodle-loo! Yay! It was nice to have a non-needle experience! Go back again on saturday...will continue this for the remainder of the time I believe (twice a week visits.) And regular doc visits every week.

Good night!

The rest of week 32

A little update...I went back on friday (after my glorious half day spa day) to the Birthing Inn for another NST test. Same thing going on, contractions, can't feel it, blah, blah, blah. This time Dr. Ambroe was on duty so he took care of me. They watched me for awhile and then a nurse walked in with a gown. DOH! They kept me there for 3 days. I got a shot of steroids and was put on Magnesium (muscle relaxer to relax the uterus.) The steroids (which was a shot in the butt, owww!) are for the girls lungs just in case. The magnesium did work, slowed down the contractions and made me all flushed and weird. I got my 2nd dose of steroids on saturday (24 hours later, one reason for the hospital stay,) other side of the butt and then they took me off the magnesium. So after 5pm saturday I was IV free! I had to have the heart beat and contraction belts on for awhile tho, see if everything stayed down. The girls were doing great as normal and I got to loose those belts later that night, so I was down to one plug for the contraction belt! Whoohoo!

Sunday morning Doc came in and he checked everything, everything was still the same and I got to go home about 10am. Yay!

The Birthing Inn was BUSY to say the least and I was the only one there just hanging out so I was low man on the totem pole, which was just fine. Eventually I ended up plugging myself back in after bathroom breaks even. Can't foul up one cord eh? I found out there were 10 births over the weekend, 2 emergency c-sections on friday! I heard lots of running and crying and laughter, so it was kind-of sweet.

Oh yes, I did have another ultrasound on saturday morning. Leftie is 4lbs and Rightie is 4lbs 6oz. I felt a lot better after seeing them again and knowing their size is pretty good! Here is the one picture...their heads together and hair! They are both head down yet and facing my back, so no good profile shots. Leftie looked like she had some chubby legs too! And as I write, Rightie has the hiccups. Crap...I can't get the disk to read, have to try later.

I went to the doc on monday and I go back for the NST test again wednesday and saturday (twice a week) and just keep plugging away...bed rest, do nothing (yawn!) and lots of beverages! I don't feel any of the contractions, which is good and nothing is dilated or ready otherwise.

Greg has my car and the camera is in the car, so I don't have any other pics right now. I need a 33 weeker!

32 weeks is NOT time for twins!

Today I had a normal doc appt. and was in and out like fire! But now I am starting to have the stress test (the nurses kept calling it the NST test) up in the Birthing Inn at the Hospital (same place as docs office and where Jake was born) twice a week. So Jake and I tool on up there thinking it'll just take about 20-30 minutes. Well GUESS WHAT? I was HAVING CONTRACTIONS! eegads! I of course could not feel these and was like what are you talking about? So they watched me and the babes for awhile (doing wonderful of course) and the contractions didn't stop...oh yeah, 1 minute apart, teehee! So they gave me that shot of something or other in the arm, the doc came up, did the FFN test (testing for a certain chemical or bacteria as a hint that labor is within the next 2 weeks) and checked everything else. All of that stuff came back just fine, not dilated, nothing. So they gave me some pills to take, which I have to keep taking, calcium blocker I think to ward off contractions and pumped me full of some fluid. I'm on slight bed rest. I can take care of Jake and what not, but no going to the grocery store or anything. Got to go home...let's see, doc appt was at 1:15 and got home about 5:30. Greg came up after work to rescue Jake for awhile, they stuck around but went and had some french fries, ketchup and ranch in the cafeteria too.

So keep your fingers crossed the trouble makers stay in at least 3 more weeks. After 35 weeks I am able to stay here in Kenosha. I think the doc was almost ready to send me to Froedert (Children's Hospital) today before everything calmed down. Whew. So here I sit with the cage fighters at their peek and their big brother ready to run a marathon! I do have some help around, so I will be able to sit down when need be! We are still planning on going to BD this weekend. Friday I am having a half day spa day (doctor said to go for it!) and then back up for another test. I hope I pass this time! :)

Cupcake

Cousin Taylor had her birthday party with her friends at the YMCA so we got to go swimming and then eat cupcakes! Here is a nice video of Jake's mad eating skills...half of it fell on the floor, then he got a chocolate one and made sure all of that was in his mouth. And yes, all the kids giggling are giggling at Jake. He was good entertainment as usual! :)

Just my largeness

Holy smokes. Don't tell me you really can't tell a difference now!??!

30 weeks

The girls and their brother

Jake and his brother

Officially Spring

I haven't seen a robin yet, but I have some crocuses blooming! Jake and I went for a stroll around the block and lo and behold in the front of our house, flowers! I was pretty excited. Here they are! I have more coming up around the house but this little group was the only one with blooms. I love 'em!
And here's Mr. Coolio sporting some new shades, droopy drawers and his favorite hoodie.

We had company this weekend (Randy, Shelley and Alexa) and here they are stuff their face and trying to wink. Pretty dang funny. Oh, just Jake and Alexa...the adults used silverware.


And here's some random cuteness from the weekend...

At least they're not banging their fists and demanding food.

That's right, make with the food and we'll be happy. Leftover Rocky's, applesauce, pudding...

And for supper...little bit of this and little bit of that of what the grownups feasted on later. mmMmmMmm.

Sunday they had a good snack, cut out cookies! They provided their own cheese.

And a stop at the outlet mall before they left for home. Jake found the dirt under the wood chips of course. That was after he ran down the little hill and meet the sidewalk with his face. Nothing can stop me, I'm a BOY!!!

Ohh...I have a 30 week picture, but the camera is still upstairs and I am carrying just too much weight to make too many unnecessary trips. :) I got winded last night after carrying a laundry basket up, haha! And the girls have been very busy today...I don't know what they're so excited about. Sheesh! I had a doc appt last friday (the 13th)...had a FFN test and all is good (no labor expected in the next two weeks.) And everything else he looked at is a.o.k. I lost 1/2 pound, nobody said anything about that so I guess it's okay. I haven't been eating quit as much as I was, so I'll go with that. And I'll make sure to eat more shakes, ice cream, chocolate pie... I also saw my doc at Woodman's the day before my appt and he said "ohh, starting to waddle!" Starting? So I go back again in two weeks...do the FFN test again and for the last time (after 32 weeks the results aren't reliable I guess.) Actually I think I go in right on 32 weeks.

Okay, just ran out of power. Good night ya'll!

Ladies

Had another ultrasound yesterday! It's pretty cramped in there, but somehow Rightie (B) was able to turn around and she's head down now too. Proof positive here of their two melons smashed next to each other.

And here's Righties face, right below where it says face...can you see it?
And here is Lefties face...she is upside down, her chin is right under where it says face. She is facing my back, so it was harder to get a good shot.
Aren't they cute?

So Leftie (A) is 2lb 11oz and Rightie (B) is 2lb 12oz. They both gained 1lb in 1 month on the money. Neat! (According to the ever knowing babycenter.com, at 29 weeks one baby is around 2.5 pounds, so the girls are right on track.) And so Leftie turned herself around which is causing me much turmoil up top with her feet! She doesn't kick them that much, but they are jammed up where feet should not be if you ask me! Otherwise we're all doing okay! I'm tired always, as usual, and feel like a lumbering moose! I go to the doc friday so may have some more updates then!

Stretch Armstrong

I feel like stretch armstrong, except it's not my appendages that are stretching, it's my belly skin and I don't know how much further it'll go!

28 weeks with the girls (taken this morning)

28 weeks with Jake (6/07)

All I need is my nuk and my Wiggles guitar.

I got mom's blue eyes and chocolate addiction...beyond that, I'm all dad.
We were at Hobby Lobby today and saw some stellar shamrocks! So of course we had to have a shamrock shake to celebrate!

So as of right now, Jake's been screaming for about a hour. I guess someone doesn't want to nap? Too much shamrock shake? Oh dear.

At his 18 month check up, he weighed 24 pounds (50th percentile) and was 34 inches high (90th percentile). Meaning, he's a bean pole! He wears pretty much all 24 month clothes already...can squeak into a few 18 month things - t-shirts, a few pants. Everything else is perfect. Clean bill of health I guess! And me too. I go for another ultrasound next week and doc appt. Last week, I was in and only gained 1lb in 2 weeks. Wow.

That's all I got for now. Oh yes...only 10 weeks to go!

Holy crap

I'm sorry, but that's all I can say when I look at myself. I feel and look like a whale.

26 weeks with the girls...

26 weeks with Jake

I'm a wiiilllddd and crazzzzyyyy dude!!!
Foggy from being in the bathroom...I rock a punk style. But my hair is growing out quit nice!

And then for lunch we had grilled cheese, fried taters and M&M's! I's a happy boy! With MORE teeth coming in. Ouch.
That is all! I have no exciting news.

Moons over Mi-uterus (and you thought I was going to say Mi-ami)

Had ultrasound # something or other on wednesday (25 weeks 1 day). The official stats: Leftie (A, my left) is 1lb 10oz and measured at 25 weeks 2 days. Rightie (B, my right) is 1lb 12oz and measured at 24 weeks 6 days. So that is excellent that their growth is so close. Remember, no worries until there is a 20% difference. That means one is stealing from the other and most likely delivery day. So their positions: Leftie is head down still, kind-of at an angel across my whole stomach. Poor Rightie on the other hand...her head is up in my ribs (poor me right there) and is in a very crunched fetal position where she is almost kissing her knees. So that means her butt is smack dab in Leftie's face. I hope she doesn't stink like her brother! Teehee! And their heart rates were both at 143 I think. And I was at the doc today...my weight is up there, but I'm having a brain fart at what it was last time. I'm either 2lbs or 7lbs heavier in two weeks. I'm going to go with the 2 pounds thank you very much. The doc did say I popped out.

Here are some pics. They're legs are kind-of tangled together, the tech had a hard time following who was who!

Rightie - weird face shot (never looks the same in the still photos) and her arm. I think it's her arm...it could very well be her leg.

Rightie's hand - the middle thing, you can see the bones.

Leftie's face - bizarre. At the right of the picture you can see the two halves of her brain...freaky!

Leftie's butt! Which is butt up so that and her feet push out on me.

and me. 25 weeks. I of course just noticed those nasty marks in the picture. I can not see them myself. I haven't looked that close in the mirror so I don't know if I can even see them that way. I thought that side was a little sore.

Well, look how cute and tiny I was at 25 weeks with Jake. Hrumph. At least there isn't much difference in the back end. :)

And Mr. Smiley himself...yes, he is smiling for the camera...he has turned into a cheese ball. And his hair is growing out nicely! haha! He can climb up on toilets now and pretty much whatever else he wants to. T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Back to the doc in 2 weeks! They must love me. Oh, and I was the only special one in that office having twins right now, but a newbie popped up today!

Quickly

I am tired. But I am getting this done! The girls room is painted! Well, almost...all that is left is Greg's work of painting the trim (white) and then it's complete. Then we can fill it up!

Here we are mid-stripping of wall paper. The picture does not do the purple justice. It was hideous and probably caused nightmares.

Here are Jenny and I, I think silly from the smell? Haha! Just plain silly. I was so excited when we got finished. Cindy also helped a lot! I had great helpers! I was also excited about my $1 mini roller and tray, what can I say!

Here's a sample of the finished product! The orange and yellow are from the fish stuff that Jake currently has in his room. He is going to become dinosaur boy. It's bright, but very cheery and happy! Random stripes around the room.


And here we are at 24 weeks.


Okay, good night.