April 2011
6 posts
24 Week Ultrasound
Every two weeks, we are at one doc’s office or another for checkups. Today, it was back to MFM specialist for the continuation of the anatomy scan, and to keep up the monitoring of fluid and baby size. Last time we were there, I’d had a hot chocolate moments before getting in the chair, and the tech had a hard time getting clear shots of their spines and hands (then, of course, I fainted halfway through - not my strongest moment.)
All that got taken care of today, with the added bonus of one baby stretching his arms behind his head at the exact same moment and in the way exact same way as his father. I told him that we can now rest assured that at least one of these babies is his.
Further, these boys are growing fast. Baby A is 1lb 10oz and Baby B is 1lb 9 oz, and still equal in fluid levels. All good news.
The take-home vanity ultrasound shots aren’t that clear this time, because despite from refraining from taking in any sugar or caffeine pre-appointment, the boys were constantly kicking and punching at each other, as well as doing flips. At the beginning of the appointment, Baby A was in position, head down. By the end, both babies were breach. They also were basically cuddling towards each other in the middle around the membrane, rather than relegating themselves to their respective sides. The tech said they must really like to be close to each other, which I thought was pretty cute and nice.
I’m getting so curious and excited to see them in person! If all goes as hoped, we’ve only got about 14 more weeks to go!
Bad news.
It’s great to see that while all the big business/ Wall Street/ government people who perpetrated major sketchy moves against our country as a whole and who are mostly responsible for the economic downturn go free, the government is focusing on the “true” problems of our society. Sigh.
21 and 6/7th weeks.
We had a check-up today and both boys are looking active, healthy and BIG! Just under two weeks since our last ultrasound, they are each up 4 ounces, clocking in at 17 ounces each. I can’t believe I have over 2 pounds of baby in me!
From the complaint department, I have become increasingly uncomfortable. Major shortness of breath, Braxton-Hicks if I dare go for a walk or do anything even resembling exerting myself, even stuff as seemingly innocuous as, say, emptying the dishwasher. It’s also impossible to sleep! If my bladder isn’t waking me up, it’s leg cramps or more shortness of breath. Pregnancy is hardcore - and I know from here on out, it’s just gonna get more intense.
Although I’m trying to be optimistic, I know twin moms often end up on bed rest in the 3rd trimester. Because of this, I want to get the nursery done ASAP. Today we went and picked up some paint samples to test out on the walls. This is very exciting news, since we’ve been trying to make it to the paint store for like a month to no avail. But today! Success!
What color are we painting the nursery? GRAY, obviously (says the girl from Seattle, sigh.) We’re checking out both Benjamin Moore’s Cement Gray and Gray Horse. The latter is slightly more taupe-y while the former is slightly more blue. Grays are notoriously difficult, hence the test pints.
Photos of the progress to come…
Food and stuff.
Last night we attended our first West LA Parents of Multiples Club meeting for expectant parents. It was awesome - really informative. The most interesting tidbit we learned was about switching the car seats for each car trip, so each infant gets a chance to see out both sides of the car. The differentiating landscapes seen outside each car window (say, neighborhoods vs oncoming cars) are important for brain development and it’s best to let each baby get a chance to visually and mentally process both. Interesting, huh?
The meeting also went really long and there was no food there except for sugary things, like grapes and cookies, not the best things for pregnant ladies. We need lots of protein. Anyway, my point is, one thing I’ve learned from being pregnant is that it’s really important to bring snacks with you wherever you go. This lesson will definitely come in handy in the future, when my baby brood is living outside of my uterus and will need to be fed on demand.
My eating habits have definitely changed since getting pregnant. I eat more food, more often, but the most drastic change is that I have started eating dairy again. I have a allergy to a protein dairy, that although not life threatening, causes a host of other undesirable problems - the worst of which being unconquerable fatigue. I have definitely taken that into account when considering how tired I’ve been these past few months. I don’t know if it’s just being pregnant or the combo of that with the dairy allergy. But either way, I’m happy to get the calcium and fat that dairy products so readily and conveniently offer up these days.
Which leads me to…lunch!
I am calling this the Pregnant Lady Protein Punch Salad - or Please Disregard Cholesterol Levels. Either or.
2 handfuls chopped spinach leaves
1/4 avocado, diced
Chopped red bell pepper ( I used half a small one)
A handful of baby tomatoes
Chopped spring onion or green garlic or whatever onion you have on hand, to taste
Handful crumbled gorgonzola cheese
4 oz grilled steak, chopped
Drizzle of balsamic vinegar and some cracked black pepper on top.
Toss and eat.
