29 Weeks

Check out my HUGE belly! Good news this week -- no bed rest or gestational diabetes! I think I would have had a hard time if I had gestational diabetes...I eat well, but have been enjoying my annual endulgence in Somoa girl scout cookies! Yum

As for this week's developments -- They weight about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and are tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Their muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and their heads are growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. Their bones are soaking up lots of calcium...about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Take That -- Bed Rest!

I had another successful doctor's visit today. When my OBGYN entered the room she said "you look great!" She didn't prescribe bed rest (remember, they ROUTINELY prescribe bed rest between 26 to 28 weeks through week 34 regardless of medical issues). Apparently, I'm looking too good to be on bed rest! Ha! I'm thrilled. I know things could change at any time, but I'm living life large until then! [large in more ways than one!]

Get this -- For breakfast I had 1.5 milky way candy bars. It was a little gross, but I tried to enjoy it. It wasn't for fun, it was for my gestational diabetes test. I will have the results back in a few days.

So, I'm pretty much full term if I had a single baby growing inside, but I have 9.5 weeks max left to go. I will deliver no later than April 27th (My friend Christina's birthday). Their heartbeats were solid -- 160 Baby B and 153 Baby A. My doc reminded me that I will likely have a c-section unless the girls are both head down. Duh! At this point, I don't care...I just want them to be fat, healthy, and happy.

28 weeks

By this week, the babies weigh two and a quarter pounds and measure 14.8 inches from the top of their head to their heels. They can blink their eyes, which now sport lashes. With their eyesight developing, they may be able to see the light that filters in through my womb. They are also developing billions of neurons in their brains and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Those once way too big maternity shirts are actually fitting (well, some of them). Nice belly, eh?

"Perfect Incubator"

We had another ultrasound this week and the girls are growing like weeds! They are 2.6 pounds (Baby A) and 2.3 pounds (Baby B). They are in the 43% and 31% percentiles respectively (that's for a single baby); the perinatologist said they are in the 50-60% percentile for twins, which she was very pleased about. She commented (again!) that their hearts are "beautiful" and that I'm the perfect incubator for the girls. My cervix is still long (4cm) and closed; under 3 cm is when they are concerned. She said that since I'm beyond 24 weeks, cervix shortening isn't typically an issue. She also said 32 weeks is the "chip shot"...meaning (I'm no golfer) that that's the goal for keeping the babies in and that they require less assistance and time in the NICU. Given my track record so far, it's not looking like 3.5 more weeks will be an issue. And, besides not having a completely restful sleep each night, I feel great!



The girls are very active (part of the reason I can't sleep). The violent thrusts I feel on my left is Baby A's butt and hipflexors (baby will have BACK!); she is still breech and 1/2 way transverse (looking over to the right side and Baby B's feet). Baby B I feel less because she's in the right position (head down and facing up); I mostly feet kicking.



According to my week by week guide, they are sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing their eyes, and perhaps even sucking their fingers (they weren't sucking in the ultrasound). With more brain tissue developing, the babies' brain is very active now. While their lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now.



The only decent photo the doctor got was of their feet; they are very shy (even though we refer to them as the "Party Girls"). It's tough to get a good shot when someone else is blocking the view.



We'll have another ultrasound in 4 weeks (that's 31 weeks).

Pediatrician -- CHECK!

We interviewed a pediatrian group this week. It's AMAZING! Maybe this is how they are all, but they are open 6am-8pm Mon-Fri and on Saturdays. There are 12 doctors and nurse practicioners, day of visits, and sick and well waiting rooms. The group was recommended separately by two twin Mom's I've met recently (and ran into one of them while we were there!), so without a doubt we are going with this group. Plus, they are less than a mile from our house in the same health plex as my OBGYN, phyiscal therapist, and internal medicine doc. One stop doctor shopping!

Baby Shower

Our friends, Lynn and Melissa, hosted the most fantastic baby shower ever! I was sooo impressed with all the details -- the cake was to DIE FOR!!! It had two little peas in a pod (little baby girl faces with bows...sooo adorable). Te food was delicious, the games were fun (even though I did not want to play the belly game), and the favors were super cute. They really went beyond my expectations and we are incredibly lucky to have amazing friends who would really go out of their way to host a shower we will never forget!

About 35 of our dearest friends came and brought with them way too many gifts for the girls. There were so many incredible presents, like the two headed dollies that were handmade to look just like the one I carried around as a girl (thanks Mom, I'm still weeping!), our double stroller, a digital SLR camera the special books that each had a reason on why they were important, the baby and Mommy care packages, the super luxurious blankets and footed sleepers, super cute clothes, bottle and breast feeding gear, bouncy seats, swings, car seat bases, car mirrors, swaddlers, monitors, and the list goes on and on. What happened to the day of a onesie and bottle? David and I are completely overwhelmed by the generousity and love felt by all of our friends who came (and those who didn't). We really can't thank everyone enough! There's no way we'd be ready for these girls without your incredible gifts and we are so thankful for them. Now we just have to figure out how all this stuff works! :)