27 weeks -- update time

Oh, I just give up.  Right now this is what I do -- I post pregnancy updates.  I actually did write an incredibly petty post earlier this week about my mother telling me that it was easy for her to help my cousin write my shower invitation because "all we had to do was change the number of babies from 3 to 2 from your other cousin's invite" but I've deleted it because it was very petty.  Because, seriously, I'm very appreciative of what they're doing for me and I've rolled my eyes enough at hearing non-stop about the triplets and feeling "not special" and it's just time to move on.


(You can tell I've moved on, haven't you?  It's obvious.)


Anyway...  I figure it's time to do an "official" one of these again.


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How far along?: 27 weeks!  Is this the third trimester?  Does it start next week?  Depends on the book... (Why can't people agree on this?!)  Anyway, one way or the other, we're either in or about to be in the third trimester.  And, that's pretty damned amazing.

Weight?:  31-34 pounds or so. Which isn't good specifically because I have gained no weight in the past three or four weeks. I had a random weight spike at 23 weeks right after they put me on the meds to control the contractions but then I dropped 4 pounds and have been stuck ever since. I knew that the weight gain would slow down at some point, but apparently it's the weight gained before 28 weeks with twins that correlates to higher birth weights. So, I'm a little frustrated at myself over the past month. I'm eating as much as I can (and calorie-wise and protein-wise I should be gaining) and have even turned to drinking Ensure (ICK).  (Sorry, I don't really want to bitch about not gaining weight...)

Maternity Clothes?:  I was so excited the other day to realize I could still wear a non-maternity blousy tunic shirt I had.  I'm getting pretty bored of the repetitiveness of my maternity clothes. And, since we've essentially skipped winter and moved onto Spring here (how on earth does our lawn need to be mowed in March?) I'm running out of options.  I will probably have to buy some more soon.  I did wear a pair of capris I'd originally bought during pregnancy #1.  That was a little unnerving somehow.  I felt like I was tempting fate (because the last time I wore them was the day I started bleeding before I miscarried).

What's the belly look like?:  Still no stretch marks.  My belly button is all flat with the top and bottom sticking out like lips.  You can see my navel laparascopy scar, now; which is kind of bizarre and fascinating.  A new pic on the Ticks page.  It looks like I haven't really grown much (or have shrunk) but, truly I have -- up another inch around from last week and I am measuring around 37 or 38 weeks, I think.  I think many people I know are profoundly disappointed I'm not more giant-sized.  The nurses at the allergist were tripping over each other to "see the belly!!" when I came in yesterday.  And, they seemed sad that it wasn't bigger.  People say things like "wow, you look great...especially for twins" which seems to mean "wow, I was expecting you to be gargantuan."  You just can't please people, really.  So, I give up and embrace my small-ish belly!

Sleep?:  Fitful but OK. 

Best Moment of the Week?: Lots of random "I didn't know you were pregnant!" conversations this week from people I only see occasionally.  I must be starting to look obvious enough that people are willing to take the risk to ask.  I'm not sure if this is really the best moment of the week, but it's been a little entertaining to watch the trepidation as they wonder if they should ask.  Added things to the registry.  That was pretty awesome.  Right now we're debating on two regular cribs or two mini-cribs.  The babies' room is pretty small but I'm a little hesitant about the mini-cribs.  They're not tiny (38 inches -- the width of a twin bed rather than 54 inches), but they'll be outgrown sooner.  And there's questions of finding the right-sized mattress/sheets that are well fitting and safe.  Anybody used a mini-crib before?

Movement?: Definitely.  And, better than last week so I'm thinking (hoping) that my fluid levels are back up (we'll find out this afternoon).  Best movement was when I was sort of propped up on my side with the corner of my iPad resting on my belly and it suddenly started jumping up and down. Apparently, someone did not like the iPad!!

Symptoms?: Continued acid-reflux.  Sometimes when I eat it feels like the food has to pass by a boulder in my esophagus before it makes it to my stomach.  Blood pressure creeping up -- we'll see what it looks like today.  Contractions and lots of them.  Standing is not my friend.  We went to the store for about 15 minutes and I contracted every two minutes.  That was my only outing other than work (where I sit all the time with my feet up) in the past week but it seems like it was way too much.  So, I'm going to stop doing that.  I didn't think the med was doing much (because I was still having some contractions even with it before).  But, apparently, they could have been much more frequent and much more intense.  If my fluid levels are back up, I think the MFM will put me back on it for one more week (must be stopped at 28 weeks, though).

Food Cravings?: I wish I could find something I actually wanted to eat.  I tend to get really bored with repetition (hence the maternity wear dilemma), so things I scarfed down two weeks ago, I want nothing to do with today.  It's making my DH nuts because he focuses on something I liked before and buys more of that in the hopes that I'll want to eat it -- and I can't stand it anymore!  (Can I just say our grocery bill has been insane?  I think we're prepping for what it will be like to have two 15 year old boys eating us out of house and home!!)

Gender?:  Two boys!! 

What I Miss?:  A variety of pants and shirts to wear?  :)

What I'm Looking Forward To: Being firmly in the 3rd trimester!  The semester slowly creeping towards being "over."  Just one more month of classes after this week.  First shower (Skype family shower) two weeks from this coming Sunday. 

Weekly Wisdom:  Eat until you can't eat anymore.  Then eat some more.

Milestones:  Third trimester!  :)

How's Daddy?: Great.  Highly enjoying showing off his new minivan (which he calls the whale).  He came back from the grocery store Monday and said "wow, it sure is easy to get bags in and out of that thing."  Excited to look into potential help once the boys are here -- he was getting excited looking through care.com.  It's been really sweet to watch.

Emotions: Highs and lows.  I'm trying to stay positive that we'll have a good report today from the MFM about my cervix and the fluid levels.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, though.  Starting to really be able to picture the babies here.  That's been wonderful.  Suddenly realizing that "holy crap I'm going to be responsible for two babies!  I'm not ready!"  That's been a little scary.  Work still sucks.


Overall, I'm still feeling pretty great and loving being pregnant.  It's stressful sometimes, but I really love it.  My belly makes me happy and I'm loving beginning to daydream about the boys.