I saw Laura today. She went to the Caribbean islands for her vacation last week. Everything was looking good with the babies. Heartbeats were fine, my blood pressure was perfect, etc. My uterus is measuring at 34 weeks. She was again wondering about my work schedule and instructed me if I wasn't following the instructions she gave me then I need to be coming home and doing nothing but laying down for the rest of the night. I should start following her instructions but work isn't very cooperative with the requests.
Next week is when I have an ultrasound to check the babies growth as well as an appointment with Laura and an appointment with my OB.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Thyroid and AMOM
Today was a busy day for me. It started off with a 3 hour training at work. Then I had an appointment at 4 with the endocrinologist, met Sean at Lifetime to spend an hour with Macey, then headed to my first AMOM meeting.
So I my appointment with my endocrinologist today (well, saw his NP since he's quite booked) was a result of my blood work done a few weeks ago. My TSH levels are too high, they want them to be in the 0.3-2.9 range and mine were 6.6. So they are increasing my dosage of thyroid hormone and adding MORE doctor visits and blood work. Now I have to go monthly for the next 6 months to get my blood drawn for them to test the thyroid levels and I go back to see the endocrinologist (I'll actually see him) in 2 months. I predict more endocrinologist appointments after the 2 month appointment. I love that office as well. The doctor is awesome as well as his NP. She was so excited about me being pregnant with twins and commented on how fun a visit I was. I wasn't too thrilled about adding more doctor visits and blood draws, but it's all worth it for the prize at the end.
I met Sean at the gym to spend a little time with Macey today. She had fun watching him play basketball and seeing the "babies". I was only there for maybe a little over an hour, then I headed off to my first AMOM meeting.
AMOM stands for Austin Mother of Multiples. Mother of Multiples is a national group and there are smaller regional/state groups throughout the U.S. It meets in a church in the Austin area and I have to say, it isn't the easiest church to find. The church has several buildings and the AMOM group meets in one building once a month. Once I found the place, I drove to where I thought the group was meeting, judging by other cars parked in that area. So I walk up to the building and see a group, sitting in a circle in one of the buildings. I open the door and see a few guys in there, and just think that some men choose to come with their wives to these meetings. I ask hesitantly as everyone is staring at me if I was in the right building. One lady sitting by the door says, "Yes, OA". I being pregnant and not really paying attention walk on in and another lady asks "Is this your first meeting." To which I responded, "Yes". That lady quickly prompts another person to hand me a packet. Still feeling a little unsure of being in the right group, I quickly take the packet and look at the name on it. I'm in the Overeaters Anonymous (OA) group. I quickly say, "oh, no I'm in the wrong place, I'm looking for the Mother of Multiples group". The lady by the door instructs me where I should look and says "good luck". I leave there laughing inside at the sequence of events. It would be easy to confuse a 6 month pregnant with twins woman with an over eater. The things I get myself into.
Once I made it to the group, it was fun. I actually ran into a friend of a friend who had identical twin girls last year on Halloween. Austin is such a small town, but then again, I was in a smaller, more specialize group setting. They have a "mingle" time at the beginning with food and drinks. Then we sit and a few of the women on the board talk about upcoming events, etc. Next, is the special speaker, and then we breakout into groups. The special speaker was a lady who has an organization business in Austin. I would consider myself a somewhat organized person (my organization has greatly decreased since meeting Sean and having Macey) and I was amazed at how I already apply techniques she talked about without even going to any training or seminar. That convinced me even more that I was born with this anal side and there wasn't much I could do about it (although I have to say that it isn't as bad as it was). The breakout groups are dictated around where you on in the "mothering of multiples" stage. So I was in the expectant moms. It was good to talk to other moms and hear other stories. I believe I was the only one with child already, so I would consider myself somewhat more informed about what to expect in delivery, nursing, no sleep, etc. Just not so "experienced" in the twin arena. The meeting was over around 9:30 or so. I made it home a little before 10pm.
One item I'm looking forward to with this group is the bi-annual buy/sell event. It's huge and they are picky about what clothes/toys/baby items they will accept to sell. This year it's at the beginning of September. The first day is open to members only, and then the second day of the sale is open to the public.
Tomorrow is another busy day, but no doctor's appointments. I'm going to get some sleep so I might have some sort of brain function tomorrow.
So I my appointment with my endocrinologist today (well, saw his NP since he's quite booked) was a result of my blood work done a few weeks ago. My TSH levels are too high, they want them to be in the 0.3-2.9 range and mine were 6.6. So they are increasing my dosage of thyroid hormone and adding MORE doctor visits and blood work. Now I have to go monthly for the next 6 months to get my blood drawn for them to test the thyroid levels and I go back to see the endocrinologist (I'll actually see him) in 2 months. I predict more endocrinologist appointments after the 2 month appointment. I love that office as well. The doctor is awesome as well as his NP. She was so excited about me being pregnant with twins and commented on how fun a visit I was. I wasn't too thrilled about adding more doctor visits and blood draws, but it's all worth it for the prize at the end.
I met Sean at the gym to spend a little time with Macey today. She had fun watching him play basketball and seeing the "babies". I was only there for maybe a little over an hour, then I headed off to my first AMOM meeting.
AMOM stands for Austin Mother of Multiples. Mother of Multiples is a national group and there are smaller regional/state groups throughout the U.S. It meets in a church in the Austin area and I have to say, it isn't the easiest church to find. The church has several buildings and the AMOM group meets in one building once a month. Once I found the place, I drove to where I thought the group was meeting, judging by other cars parked in that area. So I walk up to the building and see a group, sitting in a circle in one of the buildings. I open the door and see a few guys in there, and just think that some men choose to come with their wives to these meetings. I ask hesitantly as everyone is staring at me if I was in the right building. One lady sitting by the door says, "Yes, OA". I being pregnant and not really paying attention walk on in and another lady asks "Is this your first meeting." To which I responded, "Yes". That lady quickly prompts another person to hand me a packet. Still feeling a little unsure of being in the right group, I quickly take the packet and look at the name on it. I'm in the Overeaters Anonymous (OA) group. I quickly say, "oh, no I'm in the wrong place, I'm looking for the Mother of Multiples group". The lady by the door instructs me where I should look and says "good luck". I leave there laughing inside at the sequence of events. It would be easy to confuse a 6 month pregnant with twins woman with an over eater. The things I get myself into.
Once I made it to the group, it was fun. I actually ran into a friend of a friend who had identical twin girls last year on Halloween. Austin is such a small town, but then again, I was in a smaller, more specialize group setting. They have a "mingle" time at the beginning with food and drinks. Then we sit and a few of the women on the board talk about upcoming events, etc. Next, is the special speaker, and then we breakout into groups. The special speaker was a lady who has an organization business in Austin. I would consider myself a somewhat organized person (my organization has greatly decreased since meeting Sean and having Macey) and I was amazed at how I already apply techniques she talked about without even going to any training or seminar. That convinced me even more that I was born with this anal side and there wasn't much I could do about it (although I have to say that it isn't as bad as it was). The breakout groups are dictated around where you on in the "mothering of multiples" stage. So I was in the expectant moms. It was good to talk to other moms and hear other stories. I believe I was the only one with child already, so I would consider myself somewhat more informed about what to expect in delivery, nursing, no sleep, etc. Just not so "experienced" in the twin arena. The meeting was over around 9:30 or so. I made it home a little before 10pm.
One item I'm looking forward to with this group is the bi-annual buy/sell event. It's huge and they are picky about what clothes/toys/baby items they will accept to sell. This year it's at the beginning of September. The first day is open to members only, and then the second day of the sale is open to the public.
Tomorrow is another busy day, but no doctor's appointments. I'm going to get some sleep so I might have some sort of brain function tomorrow.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Macey's developments
Macey continues to amaze and entertain us daily. Her little personality is quite hilarious, but on the same note, we know we have quite a challenge on our hands.
One thing she's picked up doing is "washing" herself during her bath. It's the little things that kids pick up that just crack you up. She'll "get" some soap (her version of getting soap is putting her hand on the soap dispenser) and then rub her hands together, then rub her hands on her belly and legs, etc. She gets so proud of herself when we comment on how well she does. She'll even put the pretend soap in her hair. We use a wash cloth when we bathe her so she's imagined her own way of washing by herself. She may have just applied our lotion routine to bathing. After her bath I put lotion on her. I rub my hands together first (so the lotion won't be so cold) and then rub it on her while signing a song to her. She'd been "helping" me rub it in her belly for a while, so she may have just taken that to her bathing routine. She also has brought Sean his socks and put them by his feet for him to put on. And given me her shoes to put on her. What amazed me is that she gave me one of them and then brought the other one to me, a matching pair. Kids do really start picking up on alike items early on.
Macey's acquired a fascination of putting lids on things. She loves putting the caps back on empty prescription bottles, water bottles, etc. She'll even get mad at it when it isn't working right. She'll yell in frustration and then throw the bottle and cap. She's easily appeased by giving them back to her and telling her how good she is doing.
She's just a joy to have and we are honored to have such a beautiful, smart, boisterous little girl.
One thing she's picked up doing is "washing" herself during her bath. It's the little things that kids pick up that just crack you up. She'll "get" some soap (her version of getting soap is putting her hand on the soap dispenser) and then rub her hands together, then rub her hands on her belly and legs, etc. She gets so proud of herself when we comment on how well she does. She'll even put the pretend soap in her hair. We use a wash cloth when we bathe her so she's imagined her own way of washing by herself. She may have just applied our lotion routine to bathing. After her bath I put lotion on her. I rub my hands together first (so the lotion won't be so cold) and then rub it on her while signing a song to her. She'd been "helping" me rub it in her belly for a while, so she may have just taken that to her bathing routine. She also has brought Sean his socks and put them by his feet for him to put on. And given me her shoes to put on her. What amazed me is that she gave me one of them and then brought the other one to me, a matching pair. Kids do really start picking up on alike items early on.
Macey's acquired a fascination of putting lids on things. She loves putting the caps back on empty prescription bottles, water bottles, etc. She'll even get mad at it when it isn't working right. She'll yell in frustration and then throw the bottle and cap. She's easily appeased by giving them back to her and telling her how good she is doing.
She's just a joy to have and we are honored to have such a beautiful, smart, boisterous little girl.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Week 26 appt.
Everything is going well. The babies were both awake and moving this morning. Both of them are now turned head up, so once again side by side, just flipped. This is the first time the baby boy has been head up in any of the ultrasounds. I had a feeling the little boy had flipped since he was going nuts the other day. I could feel the little girl way up high last night and I made Sean feel my stomach since you could feel her all balled up. They've definitely increased their activity levels or gotten much stronger with their movements. They seem to plan attacks on me or go to war with each other now.
I got my blood results from last week. I passed the glucose test, iron level is excellent, TSH (thyroid test) level may be a little too high, so they may adjust my thyroid medication, and everything else was fine. I was so glad I passed the iron test I wasn't looking forward to taking extra iron. The doctor said that I was fine without taking extra iron at this point.
I'm now going to go to my OB every 2 weeks.
I got my blood results from last week. I passed the glucose test, iron level is excellent, TSH (thyroid test) level may be a little too high, so they may adjust my thyroid medication, and everything else was fine. I was so glad I passed the iron test I wasn't looking forward to taking extra iron. The doctor said that I was fine without taking extra iron at this point.
I'm now going to go to my OB every 2 weeks.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Heightened sense of smell
I know it's common during pregnancy to be able to sniff out anything, but I didn't have that ability with my previous pregnancy. This time around I have that super human power. I've been struggling with a stuffy nose for over a week now. I think part of it is allergies and part of it is pregnancy related. Even though I really can't breathe, I've been able to smell items no one else can. I discovered this weekend that Goldfish crackers have cinnamon in them. There's no confirmation since all they list in their ingredients is "spices", but I am so positive there is that I would be willing to call the company that makes them and ask. This is just one example, there are others, but I won't bore you with them all.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
OB appointment
We had our appointment this morning. Everything went well. They gave me the lab sheet to go get the lovely glucose test done. They're also running other run of the mill blood tests as well as checking my TSH levels. One of the things they are checking on in the run of the mill blood test is my iron level. They test for this in every pregnancy to make sure you aren't anemic, but it's more common to become anemic when you are carrying more than one due to the extra drain on your body. I am suppose to be taking extra iron, but I haven't been doing that. The doctor did an ultrasound to check on the babies. Both of them are head down and now the little girl is right next to the boy, so they are side by side.
Laura is out next week, so we go back to my OB next week as a substitute for my appointment with Laura. My OB is great and his staff is equally as great. We ran into Ann, the front desk lady, at a local restaurant a few weeks ago and chatted with her briefly. At first when she was making my appointment for next week she said that the doctor didn't have anything until the afternoon. We've always had morning appointments and anyone who goes to an OB/GYN knows that the later in the day you get an appointment, the longer you'll have to wait to see the doctor. Ann immediately said, "you know what, I'll just work you in for an 8am appointment." It just makes you feel like they value you when they go above and beyond to meet your needs. They truly do care about their patients and it shows. I don't think I ever blogged about my initial experience with a different OB with this pregnancy, too much to blog about. The OB was great, and the only reason I went to a different OB to begin with was because my OB doesn't do VBAC's and I really wanted to avoid another C-section. Anyway, their front desk people were extremely rude and unprofessional. Once I knew I wasn't going to be able to avoid another C-section, I quickly came back to my longtime OB and his wonderful staff.
Laura is out next week, so we go back to my OB next week as a substitute for my appointment with Laura. My OB is great and his staff is equally as great. We ran into Ann, the front desk lady, at a local restaurant a few weeks ago and chatted with her briefly. At first when she was making my appointment for next week she said that the doctor didn't have anything until the afternoon. We've always had morning appointments and anyone who goes to an OB/GYN knows that the later in the day you get an appointment, the longer you'll have to wait to see the doctor. Ann immediately said, "you know what, I'll just work you in for an 8am appointment." It just makes you feel like they value you when they go above and beyond to meet your needs. They truly do care about their patients and it shows. I don't think I ever blogged about my initial experience with a different OB with this pregnancy, too much to blog about. The OB was great, and the only reason I went to a different OB to begin with was because my OB doesn't do VBAC's and I really wanted to avoid another C-section. Anyway, their front desk people were extremely rude and unprofessional. Once I knew I wasn't going to be able to avoid another C-section, I quickly came back to my longtime OB and his wonderful staff.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
25 weeks
This morning the appointment went well. The twin program is run by a nurse at the perinatal specialist group. I see her every week. She was really pleased with the ultrasound results from last week. One baby is measuring in the 38th percentile and the other is in the 43rd percentile, which she said is perfect for twins. She said that the ultrasound showed that the fluid was fine as well as my cervix length. The little boy is still head down and the little girl is now head down as well. Although the little girl is still really high and the little boy is still low. The boy has pretty much stayed in the same position the entire time, but the little girl has moved around quite a bit. At one point she was transverse (aka laying horizontal), then head up. My blood pressure, weight, etc., was perfect this morning and thus far no swelling. My uterus is measuring at 32 weeks, so up 2 cm from the last measurement. She wanted to make sure that my work was aware of the instructions I was given and wanted me to make sure they understood. To put it in her terms, "Corporations don't care, so you really have to make sure that it is well understood what you are suppose to be doing." The nurse's name is Laura and she is super sweet and very easy to talk to. She was telling me that I will be having my babies at a slow time at the hospital. The summertime is the busiest time for baby births, so I'll be well past that time frame.
I didn't tell her that now is the time I'm suppose to be working 55+ hours a week. And I think she's okay with that, it's more of the stress that she's concerned about. She doesn't want me to get too stressed since stress brings on preterm labor. We'll see how it goes.
Last night the little boy was going crazy. I got in the bed right after Macey went down for the night, but was laying in bed working. He was kicking and moving like crazy. Then after I got finished working and laid down on my left side the little girl started going.
I go to my OB tomorrow.
I didn't tell her that now is the time I'm suppose to be working 55+ hours a week. And I think she's okay with that, it's more of the stress that she's concerned about. She doesn't want me to get too stressed since stress brings on preterm labor. We'll see how it goes.
Last night the little boy was going crazy. I got in the bed right after Macey went down for the night, but was laying in bed working. He was kicking and moving like crazy. Then after I got finished working and laid down on my left side the little girl started going.
I go to my OB tomorrow.
Friday, July 11, 2008
TGIF
We survived another week. There's so much going on and so much on my mind and I'm still growing 2 babies. At least it is Friday.
I've got 2 appointments next week, one is my weekly appointment and the other is with my OB. I'm not doing so well on following the doctor's instructions on resting. In fact, I haven't done that since I was given the orders. Which only means that I'm extremely exhausted by the end of the day and even more so by the end of the week. I sound like a broken record talking about exhaustion over and over.
Macey continues to be our little entertainer and is just amazing. She would stay outside 24/7 if we let her. Picking grass for some reason is quite fun to her, as well as just walking/running around endlessly. Sean takes her for rides on a scooter. If you ask me, it's a little too "risky" for my taste, but she enjoys it and Sean is careful. I just don't watch while he takes her for a ride. Sean goes and gets her out of her crib in the mornings and some mornings when she wakes up she starts saying "Daddy". Hearing her say that gets Sean up quicker than anything. He's already wrapped around her little finger and several times.
No big plans for the weekend. I'm sure there will be at least one nap in the mix.
I've got 2 appointments next week, one is my weekly appointment and the other is with my OB. I'm not doing so well on following the doctor's instructions on resting. In fact, I haven't done that since I was given the orders. Which only means that I'm extremely exhausted by the end of the day and even more so by the end of the week. I sound like a broken record talking about exhaustion over and over.
Macey continues to be our little entertainer and is just amazing. She would stay outside 24/7 if we let her. Picking grass for some reason is quite fun to her, as well as just walking/running around endlessly. Sean takes her for rides on a scooter. If you ask me, it's a little too "risky" for my taste, but she enjoys it and Sean is careful. I just don't watch while he takes her for a ride. Sean goes and gets her out of her crib in the mornings and some mornings when she wakes up she starts saying "Daddy". Hearing her say that gets Sean up quicker than anything. He's already wrapped around her little finger and several times.
No big plans for the weekend. I'm sure there will be at least one nap in the mix.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Various pictures of Macey
Wearing her puppy slippers
Monday, July 7, 2008
4th of July and another appt
Our 4th was laid back. We didn't go watch fireworks anywhere, other than sitting in our front yard and watching them go off. Nothing much to report other than we enjoyed the holiday and I'm dreading going back to work tomorrow. We did finally get Macey a toddler car seat and she road in it for the first time this morning. Not a big deal, but just weird to turn around and see a little person facing you now.
We had another appointment this morning. This time we got a sonogram as well as all of the other routine checks. Both babies are about the same size, one measured 1lb 5oz and the other was 1lb 6oz, so tracking perfectly. The ultrasound tech was kind of speedy at her measurements so we didn't get to see the babies as much as we'd like. The last time we had a different ultrasound tech and she was great about letting me enjoy watching the babies. Hopefully we'll get the slower one at next month's sonogram appointment.
After the appointment I met a friend and her son at the Children's Museum. The Museum holds a program for the younger kids (3 and under) on Monday mornings. Macey had a blast. She loved climbing the little slide and going down it, playing with the golf balls, playing with the trucks and fake dirt, and just running around the place. I had to keep her off the babies as she just wanted to go to each one and give them a kiss. Macey woke up early this morning (6am) and she was still going after noon today. I knew once I got her in the car from the Museum she'd be asleep. We didn't even make it out of downtown before she was out. She took a great 2 hour nap which gave me a chance to rest as well. I was quite exhausted from chasing her around at the Museum. I wish I had more energy to run around with her; her brother and sister are zapping all my energy from me. One day I'll be able to chase them all around.
The babes have started to move around more in the evenings. At last week's appointment the nurse told me that it is normal for them not to reach a singleton's activity until later and she said that many moms haven't felt their babies move by 23 weeks.
I'm counting down the days until I get to take off work....I'd be nice if the babies came around mid-October because that means I'd get 6 weeks off prior to their arrival. I'm going to need to rest. I say that now, but I know I'll be miserable by that time after surviving a hot Texas Summer pregnant with twins.
We had another appointment this morning. This time we got a sonogram as well as all of the other routine checks. Both babies are about the same size, one measured 1lb 5oz and the other was 1lb 6oz, so tracking perfectly. The ultrasound tech was kind of speedy at her measurements so we didn't get to see the babies as much as we'd like. The last time we had a different ultrasound tech and she was great about letting me enjoy watching the babies. Hopefully we'll get the slower one at next month's sonogram appointment.
After the appointment I met a friend and her son at the Children's Museum. The Museum holds a program for the younger kids (3 and under) on Monday mornings. Macey had a blast. She loved climbing the little slide and going down it, playing with the golf balls, playing with the trucks and fake dirt, and just running around the place. I had to keep her off the babies as she just wanted to go to each one and give them a kiss. Macey woke up early this morning (6am) and she was still going after noon today. I knew once I got her in the car from the Museum she'd be asleep. We didn't even make it out of downtown before she was out. She took a great 2 hour nap which gave me a chance to rest as well. I was quite exhausted from chasing her around at the Museum. I wish I had more energy to run around with her; her brother and sister are zapping all my energy from me. One day I'll be able to chase them all around.
The babes have started to move around more in the evenings. At last week's appointment the nurse told me that it is normal for them not to reach a singleton's activity until later and she said that many moms haven't felt their babies move by 23 weeks.
I'm counting down the days until I get to take off work....I'd be nice if the babies came around mid-October because that means I'd get 6 weeks off prior to their arrival. I'm going to need to rest. I say that now, but I know I'll be miserable by that time after surviving a hot Texas Summer pregnant with twins.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Twin appointment
The appointment went great. Everything is normal, heartbeats, blood pressure, weight, etc. We went over again the things I should and should not be doing. I'm still trying to figure it all out since currently I feel like I can do a lot (even given the low energy), but they keep telling me that it will not be long before I won't feel like doing much at all. We also went over nutrition and the amount iron, calcium, protein, and fiber that I should be getting. After hearing how much and looking at the amounts in certain foods, I feel like I should be eating non-stop. I need to start taking an iron supplement (oh joy!) again.
The post from yesterday about being bigger than 28 weeks was correct. I'm measuring at 30 weeks, they still use the same measurement scale for twin pregnancy as they do for a singleton. Wow. That means that my uterus size is 7 weeks ahead of where the pregnancy actually is (23 weeks). She said that 30 weeks is what she would expect and feels that she did an incorrect measurement last week since she measured me at 26 weeks. It really does seem like I'll be full term size in a few weeks now.
The post from yesterday about being bigger than 28 weeks was correct. I'm measuring at 30 weeks, they still use the same measurement scale for twin pregnancy as they do for a singleton. Wow. That means that my uterus size is 7 weeks ahead of where the pregnancy actually is (23 weeks). She said that 30 weeks is what she would expect and feels that she did an incorrect measurement last week since she measured me at 26 weeks. It really does seem like I'll be full term size in a few weeks now.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
My size and wonderful husband
So I was browsing through some pictures the other day and I came across a picture taken of me at 28 weeks pregnant with Macey. Now I haven't been as concerned about my size with this pregnancy than with Macey, but obviously I am a woman and you can't get away from body image even when you are pregnant. I have to say that I am NOTHING like what I was at 28 weeks pregnant with Macey. I'm only 23 weeks and have greatly surpassed the 28 week size I was with Macey. When I look at the 28 week picture I don't even look pregnant when I consider the size I am now. My mom told me last weekend that she thought I was pretty close to the size I was right before I had Macey. I am feeling that way for sure.
I forgot to mention how appreciative I was of Sean agreeing to go with me this past weekend. He obviously wasn't included in the festivities, but he went because I wanted him to go so he could drive. I can't imagine driving that far right now by myself and having to be the primary caregiver of Macey once we reached our destination. It's sad, but I have limited energy and I have to plan around that. Sean did enjoy hanging out with my family and watching Macey play with all her cousins.
We have our weekly appointment tomorrow morning. I'm afraid Sean will tattle on me and say how I haven't been exactly following their instructions.
I forgot to mention how appreciative I was of Sean agreeing to go with me this past weekend. He obviously wasn't included in the festivities, but he went because I wanted him to go so he could drive. I can't imagine driving that far right now by myself and having to be the primary caregiver of Macey once we reached our destination. It's sad, but I have limited energy and I have to plan around that. Sean did enjoy hanging out with my family and watching Macey play with all her cousins.
We have our weekly appointment tomorrow morning. I'm afraid Sean will tattle on me and say how I haven't been exactly following their instructions.
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