Italian Eggplants.. September 27, 2011

Is there such a thing? There definitely is when you look inside my growing baby apartment multi-story apartment complex!! LOL. Time is flying and I have absolutely no idea where it is going or how to get it to slow down! D&G are growing beautifully and at almost 27 weeks along, they each weigh close to 2lbs and are the size of eggplants according to my handy dandy weekly updates.

Here are my two latest belly pics from 25 & 26 weeks:

25 Weeks

 

26 Weeks

As you can see, the boys are growing very nicely! I have still been feeling pretty good for the most part. I did start having some Braxton Hicks (practice/fake) contractions and the perinatologist said that they are completely normal given how far along I am and the fact that I am carrying twins. They are few and far between and with my cervix being “made to carry twins” (her words, not mine) she isn’t at all concerned. The twins and I are in this for long haul, folks! 37 weeks, here we come!

 

Aside from the pregnancy, life in general has been pretty difficult in the past week and a half. My Papa passed away on Wednesday September 14th. To some people, losing a grandparent would be difficult but to me it is devastating. My Mom was only 16 when she got pregnant with me and I know nothing about my sperm donor. Since my Mom was so young, I have always been my Papa’s little girl and he has always been more like a Dad than a grandfather. I’m taking things about 5 minutes at a time and eventually I know that life will settle into some sort of new “normal” it’s just going to take time. I’m very lucky to have my Hubby, our girls, and family and friends to help keep me going. I love you Papa.

 

I see the perinatologist again on Tuesday 10/4. I can’t believe it’s already almost October and we’re already almost in the 3rd trimester of this pregnancy. I’ll update then with how things are going.

 

Until next time… Lots of love from Danielle & the Bambinos

 

Twin-isms September 13, 2011

Well folks, WE MADE IT TO VIABILITY! This past Friday marked 24 weeks along which means that if the twins were born, they stand a fighting chance at surviving outside of the womb. Of course, with all the renovations they have already done to make my Bambino Hotel their own, they better stay put until December. Their Daddies are on strict instructions that they are not allowed back in the United States until then LOL.

Here is my most recent “belly pic” from 24 weeks:

24 Weeks

Thankfully I’ve been feeling pretty good for the most part in the past few weeks. This blog is dedicated to “twin-isms” or the things that I have most noticed are different with an [identical] twin pregnancy vs carrying only one baby.

• I’m exhausted. Like, sleeping for 8-10 hours still doesn’t make a difference. I feel like I  haven’t slept in weeks. When I asked my perinatologist if the 2nd trimester energy kick was coming, she actually laughed and said not to hold my breath. Apparently said energy kick is a myth if you’re carrying two (or more) babies.
• It takes 5 pillows + my body pillow to get remotely “comfortable” to attempt to sleep at night. And I use the term comfortable very loosely. Think Hollywood & Vine workers loose. Yep, I said it.
• I haven’t seen my Queen Victoria in weeks. At least 4 weeks. I wouldn’t even be convinced that she was still there except that every 2 weeks I have a date with the weenie wand AKA vaginal ultrasound so, yeah.
• Shaving my legs has become almost more trouble than it’s worth. It’s been about 2 weeks since I could perform that task standing up in the shower. I now have to sit. In the shower. To shave my legs. See why it’s almost not worth it?
• It’s still completely shocking how quickly I can go from feeling full and not wanting to eat at all to “GET ME SOME FOOD OR SOMEONE DIES” mode.
• My cravings are incredibly strong. And they are constantly changing. One day its chili cheese fries and the next its Lucky Charms cereal. Don’t even think to question it, it’s not safe for your health.
• When I’m starving, I REALLY don’t like to share. Touch my food and pull back a bloody stump.
• Feeling two babies at the same time is the most amazing sensation EVER and is completely indescribable using the human language.

Though none of us really prepared for or anticipated this being a twin pregnancy, I’ve come to realize even more so in the past few weeks just how special our journey is. I have to admit that at times I am jealous of the people that get to have a “normal” uneventful, singleton pregnancy and the delivery of their dreams. It’s been a little hard to swallow that a vaginal delivery is out of the cards for me, BUT, then I remind myself of just how lucky we all are. We had a successful transfer the first time around and E & M will be welcoming not one, but two precious little boys in December. I don’t know how much more we can ask for. God knows what He is doing and I fully trust that He planned this journey out specifically for us. I wouldn’t change a thing ❤

Until next time… Lots of love from Danielle & the Bambinos!