29 Weeks

This week has been uneventful as far as pregnancy is concerned - which is great! The last report I got is that the babies are still doing great. Our next appointments are Aug. 6th with my local doc, and Aug. 7th with the specialist.
I have signed us up for a couple of classes a local hospital provides: Childbirth, Infant care & CPR, and breastfeeding. These are not through the hospital where I will deliver, as the only ones they have available are offered way too late. On the other hand, the classes I signed up for are not too late on the calendar, but very inconvenient, as in the evenings and weekend of our first week back with students. So, my questions to you are: Did you take any pre-baby classes? Do/did you find them necessary and helpful? Do you think it will be a tragedy if we are unable to attend?

Todd has been very busy doing projects again this week. Have you noticed all of the pictures of him smiling and working that I have posted lately? He has been great to "gladly" do projects to make our home more comfortable and ready for the babies. We have been wanting a deck or patio for years. It's always something that we put off for one reason or another (money, physical logistics of the yard, etc.) Well, we made a budget, saved the money, and blew the budget, but we now have a deck thanks to Todd's skill! I decided that I would really like to have a comfortable place to sit outside if I'm going to be home with the babies during the day. Also, we like to grill pretty often, so this gives us some more room to work with the grill and even eat outside. We got a table, chairs, umbrella, and fan, so we're set. It's nothing fancy and may seem kind of silly to get excited about, but it's a big deal to us. It still needs to be stained & sealed. We plan to plant something around it in the Spring, if we can.

Todd and I have also been working more on the babies' room and clearing out the guest room. This is hard to do when we have all our school stuff piled up just waiting for the day we can take it back to our classrooms.

Speaking of projects, here is a little one I did. This little silver platter had seen better days. Needed to be cleaned, but I don't have Tarnex and didn't want to go to the store. So, I googled how to clean silver and came up with this... Equal parts of salt & baking soda (they suggest 1 teaspoon, but I used a lot more) in boiling water with a container lined in foil. Let the item sit in the boiling water for a few minutes, remove and wipe with a soft cloth/towel, and tah dah! It works! I was so impressed!

And now I'll leave you with a true story...
We're in Sears looking at patio furniture. I sat down to write some notes; Todd went off to look at tools. So there I sit, writing, when I notice this hand slowly approaching my purse that sat in my lap. I automatically swatted it away like a bug, somewhat loudly said "NO!", and looked up to find this elderly lady with a crazed and determined look on her face. She reached again, as though she was trying to get in my purse. At this point I hollered out Todd's name twice. He immediately came to me and saw what was going on. By this time I was figuring out that there was something obviously wrong with the woman. She had been silent through this so far. Todd quickly approached then the lady said, slowly and kind of broken, "You are having a baby? That is why I touch your tummy." Oh my! So, I let her very briefly touch my tummy and Todd promptly said, "Okay, lets go!"
Todd later told me the whole occurrence was like the beginning of a horror film where some possessed old woman rubs the belly of a pregnant woman and the babies are born deformed and evil. Great!
I don't mind belly-touchers. It would be nice, though, if I know what you're reaching for first, so as to not scare me.

28 Weeks

Baby Center:
"By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world."

The specialist that we visited last week said that the babies are doing great. They are 2 lb, 2 oz each! They are in the 40th percentile, whatever that means. He is very happy that I am not working and that I can relax during the summer. I have been taking it easy, but am still staying pretty busy everyday. I rest when I feel like I need to. He wants to address the whole "going back to work" issue when we go back for our next appointment in about 3 weeks. I do have some new 3D pictures of the babies, but they aren't very great or different from last time, so I'm not going to bother scanning and posting them. The babies are both vertex, or "head down" and doc doesn't expect that they will move from that position, as they are running out of space to maneuver. So, that's good, too. They are probably positioned pretty close to what's represented in the following image.

I am still feeling really pretty good overall. My leg pain has not been bothering me as much. I am just feeling really BIG. My maternity wardrobe is literally getting smaller. I had 2 people at different stores ask me today if I was almost due.

Dad came over for supper again the other night.

Todd & I took a big vacation to Galveston for a few days. The trip, even though it was just to Galveston, was so great. I just love hanging out with my husband. We are so blessed to really enjoy each others company. We got to stay with my aunt, who lives about 30 minutes from the beach. We spent Friday, just the 2 of us, at the beach. Went back Saturday with Aunt Pat and had a good time on the Bishop's Palace tour. Actually, I was terribly hot on the whole tour. Most rooms had window units blowing, but there was this lady with her kid that purposely stood right in front of every unit, every time. So rude! Way to make a hot pregnant lady mad! Other than that one hiccup, the tour was fun. The rest of Saturday in Galveston was spent at an awesome restaurant for lunch then finding a place to get snow cones. We were going to spend some time at the beach, too, but a bad storm was rolling in at the West End. We decided to call it a day and went back to Pat's. We went to church with Pat Sunday morning then came back home. I have more pictures to share of the trip, but that will have to wait. Todd's computer is having some small issues and the pictures have to be processed before I can post them.

I had a pedicure the other day - my first that I can remember. (I may have had one before we married, but I'm not sure.) I can't reach anymore, so I gave up and had the toes done for me. Yes, my toes are a little swollen.

27 Weeks & A Big Reveal

You might want to read all the way to the *end* of this post.

Looking Huge & Tired!!

Baby Center: (You know I don't change the gender in these... just think "they" instead of "her".)
"This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle."

I am so grateful for each passing week that these babies keep growing with no problems. It's a bit of comfort to know that that if they were born at this point, they have a good chance of survival, but each week is so important. We're shooting for 5+ pound, healthy babies!! I go to the specialist downtown tomorrow for more level 2 ultrasounds. We will have a better idea of their growth, weight, and any concerns after that appointment.

I am still feeling very good. My minor aches continue; not so much my back now, but more leg cramps. Not tragic, but funny to see me walk.

These babies already have it made. I'll have you know, they have so many clothes!! I don't remember if I have mentioned it before, but I have gotten a lot of like-new (and some were new w/ tags!) hand-me-downs. Truly, these babies will not need any additional clothes until they are at least 6 months old! I am so grateful for such generous friends! Check out the collage (the first one I have ever made) of their clothes. Everything that is "put away" -in drawers or hanging- is just 0-3 months and I'm almost out of space. The stacks in the cribs are 3-12 months, which I am going to have to put in tubs and change out since there is no more room to put them in drawers/hang. You can click on the picture to make it bigger and read the captions.

Dad has been available for some meals lately, so I've actually cooked some and had him over. Here's photographic evidence of such an evening after the meal. I think that night was roast. Next up, dad, is BBQ chicken.

.

I am not allowed to travel very far, since my risk for preterm labor is pretty high, so Todd & I have not really gone anywhere. It's strange; We have nothing really pressing to do, but are still so busy! There's always something going on... my car repairs (don't get me started!!), doctor appointments, small projects around the house, the lawn (Todd), running errands. Anyway, we decided that we needed to go & do something before I have a harder time getting around, so we went to tour the Battleship Texas and San Jacinto Monument. It was hot (I was careful), but we had a GREAT day out!

What's this? Another collage?!

We might go to Galveston later this week for the day if things work out. I love spending time with Todd. We are relishing these last few months with just the 2 of us. Summer is so great!

Rollei pictures:

My view. 3 boys on my lap! Look how he covers his nose. Ha!

Cuddly Beagle.

Oh, I'm sorry... Were you waiting for a BIG REVEAL!?
Okay, here's two:

Nathan Grant

Logan Todd

26 Weeks

Here's what Baby Center says about this week:
"The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days."

I have read that leg cramps can come with the territory of pregnancy, and sure enough, I have had some. I have learned that if I can "poke my heel" out instead of pointing my toes to stretch the muscle, I can stop them pretty quickly. This morning I woke up yelling: OWW, OWW, I CAN'T POKE MY HEEL, OWW!! I didn't realize I was yelling. I didn't realize I was awake. Todd came running and laughing. I know I must have sounded just pitiful. He asked me what was hurting because he said that what I was yelling didn't make any sense... All I could say was, "I can't poke my heel!" Luckily he remembered from previous, and much less intense cramps, that it was my leg. He tried to rub the muscle, but said it was as hard as a rock. I think that all this stuff that is somewhat expected with pregnancy and actually happening to my body is hilarious. I'm really living up to the stereotypes.

This picture makes me laugh because Todd told me to put my hands on my hips... What hips? I couldn't find them!

We had a pretty calm 4th of July around here. I'm not into fireworks and don't like crowds, so we didn't even discuss going anywhere. My dad was available to come over for dinner, so I invited him, Aunt Pat, Greg (Todd's dad), and Kay (Greg's wife) over and we grilled some hot dogs & hamburgers. We really enjoyed the company and had a fun time just being together. I know that when the boys come I will have to be more with-it and let them actually experience fireworks and crowds. That will be fun, too. :-)

Greg, Todd, Kay

Aunt Pat & Rollei. Rollei's getting by with murder by being on the furniture, but he was getting loved on by his Aunt Pat, so it's a special case. (We have poked at and pulled on Rollei so much since he was a puppy that stuff like lifting his ears doesn't even phase him.)

I got an amazing gift that I have completely fallen in love with. It's a swivel glider recliner that I was able to choose from my favorite furniture store and select the fabric and details. It was delivered on Friday. I cannot say how comfortable this chair is for me. I honestly want one in every room of the house. It's sooo perfect! So, gift-giver, THANK YOU!!!

Pictures 1: The recliner 2:Me posed in the recliner according to Todd's directions 3: The real way to enjoy my fits-like-a-glove recliner!

I have a lot more to report on, but will save some room for later. Have a great remainder of the week!

Monday Post will be on Tuesday

I know this must be a huge disappointment to my hundreds of readers (ha!), but I will have to post my weekly post tomorrow. I have been in a lot of pain today (but getting better now) and just don't have it all together. No worries, the babies are fine and doc says I will live. :-) So, check back tomorrow!