30 weeks

wow.
I dont feel that big.... but looking at this picture, I cant believe the size of my belly.


I went to the doctor yesterday, and he gave a good report. When he measured my belly, he said it's the size of a 36 week pregnancy. I dont know what that means as far as the timeline goes. I'm still just taking it one day at a time - and ultimately hoping to make it another 6 weeks to full term.
I have been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions lately. It seems to happen more so in the evenings - my belly gets really tight and really uncomfortable, making breathing more difficult and therefore being more purposeful with deep breathing exercises. Energy level varies day to day. Still having some restless nights. And realizing how important it is to rest during the day and to drink lots of water.
Childbirth classes starting soon.
and more doctor visits to come... updates to follow.

Glucose Results

I got a phone call a few hours ago saying results are normal! Thank you, Lord.

I am actually amazed by these results - only because after drinking double the amount of glucose I originally had to drink last week, I got really sick and light-headed, had to put my head down between my legs (imagine that one with my big belly in the way! oh funny mental image), got wheel-chaired to an exam room where I was able to lay down and rest for the remaining hours.
and yet I passed.... amazing.

Glucose screening

I had my glucose tolerance testing for Gestational Diabetes last week. Thankfully the drink wasn't as bad as I had made it up to be - it tasted like a very flat Sprite. However, an unexpected phone call yesterday informed me that I failed the test. My blood sugar level came back 8 points higher than allowed.... Oh so close to passing! On an medical note though, my book on twins said that it's common for women carrying multiples to have Gestational Diabetes. I might just be one of the numbers.

So tomorrow is Round 2.
The procedure: No food or drink after midnight tonight. Arrive at the lab at 8 in the morning. Drink the glucose drink. and wait for about 4 hours as they draw blood every hour thereafter.

Pray. I am most nervous about not eating or drinking for 12 hours - do they not realize how much this pregnant woman eats? I'm eating for 3! and I eat all the time! Cant wait for this procedure to be over. I'll update you when I know the results.

Bittersweet Endings

Last Wednesday was my last day of work! Not just for a short few months maternity leave.... but for a while.... a long while.

As some of you may be saying to yourself "yay!" or "that's wonderful", let me just say that I had the BEST job ever. It was an honor and a joy to go to work and be surrounded by the students and teachers that I had the privilege to work with. From the beginning of the school year, these friends joined with me in the awaiting of the girls' arrival. Their thoughtfulness and support will not be forgotten.

Some very memorable moments in the classroom:

• my kiddos asking me (as I eat my different snacks during the day) "are the girls hungry again?" yes, we are always hungry.
• "are they boys or girls? what are their names? when are they coming?"
• one student asking earlier in my pregnancy:

C: why is your belly getting so fat?
me: well, I have two babies growing in my belly.
C: (after a few minutes of pondering) you mean you're pregnant? stand up, I want to see.
C: (after standing at the end of class) dang, you is pregnant!

• during a conversation with another student, she came up with the name "Bubblegum". so what then should the other girl's name be?
• and another student (T) loved to put his ear up to my belly and tell me what the girls were saying. He would ask them questions and tell me his made-up responses, like: "what was your favorite food at Thanksgiving? (after listening) she said she liked the ham, and she (pointing) liked the pumpkin pie." but T, I didnt eat any ham....
  

I love love love these students! They are special to me, and are already dearly missed!

However, I must add that my last day couldn't have come at a better time. The thankfulness of not working comes not when I think about how I miss my job, but after a very uncomfortable and unrestful night's sleep. I'm enjoying the PJ days at home, resting when I need to and not pushing myself to do more, being near the refrigerator, and working on the girls' room. It sounds like the ideal situation for a pregnant woman!

In Defense of Not Guilty

It was J & E game night.... I got a craving for something sweet during the game. I didn't eat the whole pint.... just...some.

Oh hubby thought it was hilarious... a pregnant woman's cravings. lots of laughs. and of course, a picture to prove it all. love you, J.

p.s. he won the game that night.

6 months

This picture was taken over the holidays at 26 weeks, the end of my 2nd trimester.

This past Monday, we had another ultrasound appointment with the multiples birth specialist. He said how wonderful everything looked with the girls and my pregnancy. Both girls are still active and growing (2 lbs 6 oz and 2 lbs 4 oz). He even commented, "I wish all identical twin pregnancies were this good." wow, that's the constant goodness of God in my life and especially displayed in this pregnancy. I am thankful. and reminded again that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it.

As the doctor commented on our girls, he also added how identical twins are completely uninfluenced by any factors, such as heredity, age, race, fertility drugs, etc. Uninfluenced.... I believed that from the moment we found out we were having twins! but now doesn't that make you stand in awe of God?! Creator God. All things were created by Him and for Him. Amen.

What are their names?

Oh it was the question I heard many times. and the reply never changed: "not until we tell our parents." Well, we finally did... it was the day our families gathered to travel to Salado for dinner. Before we left town, we gave each family a little Christmas box to open. Inside the box was a note from the girls...

Here's the look on our family's faces.... a mix of surprise, big grins and the inevitable "ahhhh".

So what was on that note from the girls? I'll let you read it for yourself... :)

Adelyn means "courageous, under God's guidance". She's our baby on my left side. How do I know already? Mother's instinct. and it's her little personality that James and I are already discovering. She has a quiet strength to her. Gentle and calm. and her middle name Grace... well, it is by grace that we are saved by Jesus and can know His abundant love for us in an intimate way. We pray that Adelyn (and Kristen too) will know that same grace.

Kristen means "anointed". She's our baby on my right side. We are discovering her personality too. She is my strong kicker. always moving... and as James says, she's just like me. Marie is my middle name, passed down to me by my grandmother. Even though legally my middle name is now my maiden name, we wanted to Kristen to have this special name as well.