36 weeks 2 days

Yep, still pregnant. Good for the babies...rough on me. As you can see the stretch marks are getting out of control and my back seems to arch more and more each day. I feel extremely lucky that I can carry twins this long, but surprised at the same time. Just when you think your body would give up, it keeps on going. I went to the doctor again today just for another NST and everything was fine. My instincts tell me that I will be pregnant for awhile (well, until my c-section date that is). No real changes have begun or anything of that nature. I remember a few weeks back the nurse at the drs. office told me that I don't have the "look" yet of being tired and pregnant, yet I believe that I have that look now...the nurses have not said otherwise in the last several appointments, either! :)

Future Wrestler??? And 36 Weeks

Ben finished up wrestling last week and was able to snag the smallest singlet he could find in the old uniforms (the school is getting new uniforms for next year and was getting rid of these old ones). We decided to see how Barrett fit in it. It was too cute... a little on the big side, but still who could resist these pics?!?

Today also marks my 36 weeks point in this pregnancy. My doctor says that I have earned a gold star for carrying twins this long. I almost begged her to take the babies early next week, but she just laughed. We have to wait at least two more weeks (unless mother nature has other plans). I know, two weeks is nothing, but in my world it feels like an eternity!!! I should enjoy this time though, right, because we are most likely done having babies and I will never experience being pregnant again. To be perfectly honest...it is so hard to enjoy right now, though...there's just simply too much discomfort to mention. I did treat myself to a little pampering a few days ago and I went and got my hair cut. I feel refreshed and renewed, although bangs are hard to get used to again. :)

Happy Easter!!!

35 weeks pregnant with Barrett......

35 weeks 1 day pregnant with twins!!! Whoa!

Grandma Sue bought the boys matching jackets for Easter...too cute.

Elizabeth joins the party, too!! She's 4 weeks old now!


Last Friday I went to my doctor for the usual routine, NST, ultrasound, and meeting with doctor. Everything went perfectly. Sue came with me this time for added support. They did a growth ultrasound this time just to make sure that Baby A was still growing as it should and sure enough it was because now they estimate Baby A to be about 5 lbs. 2 oz. and Baby B to be about 5 lbs. 8 oz. I guess this just shows how an estimate is just that...an estimate. But the good thing is that they are both growing and doing well. They both seem to be a healthy weight right now, too. With all this in mind, I actually went and did squats under the full moon on Saturday night just to stir things up a bit, but as you can see...no babies. They'll be here when they want to be here, I guess. I have had a lot more cramping and Braxton Hicks contractions and I have even started timing them a few times, but nothing has come of it. All I can say is that the babies will be here sometime between now and 3 weeks from now. This is just that inbetween time people refer to as the waiting game.

Sunday we headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Spitzley's for Easter Dinner. There were quite a few family members there and it was nice to visit with everyone. The boys even had an Easter egg hunt! We had to do a lot of explaining on the whole idea, but eventually they seemed to have caught on. It was a great afternoon!

A New Symptom

Oh my goodness...this new thing just started a few days ago, but it is driving me crazy. So by now we all can clearly see that my belly is growing in leaps and bounds and due to that fact my belly ITCHES so much!!! That can only mean one thing.......I'm getting more stretch marks! If you've ever had poison ivy then you'll understand what I mean, because it is that kind of itch just no rash with it. It is an itch that no matter how much you itch it, it will not go away. I've been trying to take my mind off of it, but it is very difficult to do. I think I may need to resort to some calamine lotion (if it's okay when pregnant...I'll have to check into that). That would be quite the picture...my enormous belly with pink lotion all over it. :) I guess the whole stretching is a good sign for the babies, because it means they're growing, right?!?

Update

Here's the belly at 33 weeks 6 days.

Rex and Barrett playing Guitar Hero.

This just reminded me so much of Forrest Gump...too cute.

Barrett and Gwen enjoying a bath together.

They had a great time!!

Aunt Jocelyn helped with bath time...yes, I know, Barrett looks a little startled..who knows why?!?

My two favorite boys all ready to go to Ben's grandma's 90th birthday party.


Okay, these are all pictures from the past few weeks or so. Rex and Monica came to visit one day a few weekends ago and they dropped of a couple versions of Guitar Hero. Rex and I battled and I finally beat Rex at a video game!! I think it has been years and years since that has happened. :) Barrett seemed to enjoy the game, too! The another time Jocelyn and Gwen came by for a visit. Gwen and Barrett just love hanging out together and it is so entertaining to watch. I honestly think that I could sit around all day and watch the two interact. It is precious. Jocelyn helped with some things around the house and has come by on several occasions bringing food and baby things. What a great sister! The last picture is from last weekend when we headed over to Ben's grandma's birthday party. The two boys just looked so handsome that I had to take a picture (and of course share it!). :)

Today I had another doctors appointment. Everything looks great. The doctor told me that the 34 week marks an important milestone, because if I go into labor after that point then they will not try to stop it! She said that they love it when twins make it to 34 weeks! Yea! But, of course, I do want the babies to hold on at least a few more weeks to pack on a few more lbs.! I want them to be able to come home with us rather than have to stay in the hospital. The end is definitely near, though, and that is exciting!

Barrett's First Professional Haircut

A few days ago, Sheryl took Barrett in to get his first professional haircut! From what I understand he was great during the whole thing. He just sat there and ate his sucker. What a good little man! He looks so big now. He's definitely not a baby anymore. Thank you Sheryl for taking him in.

Another Drs. Appointment

I had another doctors appointment today. Everything looks good with the exception that Baby B decided to do another somersault and is back to being breech. Ugh! I was getting all excited to give it another go the old fashioned way! Who knows maybe Baby B will want to flip again one last time. Only time will tell. Also, today we got another growth ultrasound (they only do these every 3-4 weeks) and Baby A is estimated at 4 lbs. 4 oz. and Baby B is estimated to be about 5 lbs. 2 oz. Yes, indeed, Baby Be decided to gain 2 lbs. the last month whereas Baby A put on 1 lb. Overall I have about 9 and a half lbs. of baby inside me right now! Crazy!! It definitely explains all the discomfort. There were no good ultrasound pictures this time because the babies are getting awfully crowded in there. We have another growth ultrasound in two weeks just to make sure that Baby A is still growing at a good rate (he or she is 1 lb. less than baby b). The doctor was also going to contact the high risk doctor to make sure that things are still progressing well. All in all, we are all doing just fine.

32 weeks

Both babies heads are now down!!!

Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment. I had another NST done (everything was fine), an ultrasound, and a meeting with the doctor. The ultrasound picture presented some new news, also. Previously Baby A was head down and Baby B was head up. Well, Baby B has now changed positions and is head down. I was getting myself all prepared for a c-section (which I still might have), but now I have the option of trying it without surgery. The doctor said that the only risk with it that way is that after Baby A is delivered, then Baby B may switch positions due to the extra room and then I would have to get a c-section. This would mean healing in both locations. That would not be pleasant to say the least. The doctor said that it's a gamble. Both babies might deliver just fine, but then maybe they won't and I'll still need a c-section anyway. There is not that much information out there about the possibility of the second baby switching positions half-way through delivery, but I'm still looking around. It would be so empowering, in my opinion, to labor and delivery these two babies, but on the other hand I want what is safest for the babies. I don't want Baby B to be in distress after Baby A is delivered. What should I do?!?? As for everything else, things are fine. I've been having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions and sharp pains, but the doctor did not seem concerned. I guess it's just that "end of the pregnancy" time when everything gets uncomfortable and painful. I have to grin and bear it!! This is why Ben and I are done having babies after this!!!

Trina and Barrett came to the doctor with me. I hardly see Barrett during the week, so Trina brought him with me so that I could at least hang out with him. Trina's been a great help these past few weeks. Barrett was terrific throughout the day. After the doctor's appointment we decided to go to lunch at a local restaurant. We were seated at a table and then I turn around and Andrea and Destinee were standing there!! They said they just got seated, too, so we joined tables and had lunch with the girls. A few minutes after that Kate arrived, too!!! It was such an unplanned surprise and I loved it! I feel so closed in these days so to be able to chat it up with some of my closest girlfriends was great! It was a great afternoon. :)