We made is 37 weeks, I can’t believe it!! I am considered full term now, especially for twins. If you told me I would make it this far 3 months ago I would have laughed at you. It has been a bumpy road but I can honestly say it hasn’t been a horrible pregnancy, it could have been a lot worse! I could have been in the hospital, been to L&D every other week or even delivered before the babies were ready. God has definitely watched over us and for that I will forever Praise Him. We can’t forget about all of our friends, family, and even people we have never met that have been prayong for all of us – Thank you!!

We are on our way to have the amnio done an then we will go check-in to labor and delivery for our scheduled c-section. Later we will have our boys here!! Here is one last belly picture.

Today we had our final OB appointment before the boys’ birthday and scheduled c-section on Thursday (assuming they hold off for another 48 hours). Everything still looks good and the boys are growing and putting on weight. My doctor was having a hard time getting a look at ALL of Baby B (Ian) because he is under my rib cage trying to get as much space as he can….real estate is pretty tight for the boys these days. We tried talking her into doing the c-section today but she already had to run down to do an emergency c/s once she was done with me.

So we have the amnio set for 9:30 Thursday morning to check and make sure their lungs are mature and then we have to check into labor and delivery at 11:30 for a 1:30 c-section. That’s less than 48 hours away…and we’ll finally get to meet our boys!

Today we had another appointment with my OB and all looked good. The boys are doing great and still growing and putting on weight. Baby B (Ian) now has hair too so we won’t have one baldy while the other one has luscious locks. While she was doing the sonogram, Baby A (Hayden) was either licking or sucking on his brothers head…it was pretty funny. Maybe Hayden was trying to tame the wild hair that Ian has grown. Hayden was also trying to show us that he was still a boy and making sure he stayed that way, I let you use your imagination.

I am pretty peeved, I lasted an entire 35 weeks, almost 36 weeks without ONE stretch mark…and overnight I grew some wonderful souvenirs from the pregnancy! I was telling someone a few weeks ago that I was going to be mad if I went the whole pregnancy without a stretch mark and then the week of the c/s I get them….well I’m eating my words now because that’s exactly what happened. ARGGGHH O’well, it was bound to happen. My OB told me today “you are still so small and don’t look like you are carrying twins…but for you and your size, you’re big and have reached maximum capacity.”

We talked about the c-section, epidural, the horrible procedure the boys will endure before they come home, and how long I would stay in the hospital after the c/s. She said I would stay there up to 4 nights after the c/s but if I felt good enough and the boys are doing well enough we could leave after 3…we’ll see how I feel after 3 nights. I told her I wasn’t worried or anxious at all about the surgery, it was the epidural I was worried about. I’ve heard that your blood pressure drops with an epidural, which she said is true, and my blood pressure already bottoms out very easily…so I told her I was worried about my blood pressure dropping and passing out, etc. She said just to tell the anesthesiologist and nurse to warn them and make sure I take my medication that morning. I will have to starve all day since I can’t have anything to eat 8 hours before the surgery. It is scheduled for 1:30 so I can’t have anything to eat after 5:30am and lets face it, I’m not getting up before 5:30 just so I can eat something!

Here is my final questionaire before the boys are here:

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss: about 25 pounds

Sleep: As long as I take either an Ambien or Benadryl I sleep decently.

Best Moment of the Week: knowing that I only have 1 more week left until we meet the boys!

Movement: They are definitely still movers and shakers…the are squirmers for sure! Baby B (Ian) still likes to try to get his little bootie up under my ribs and has pretty much displaced the ribs on my left side. I’m going to need an adjustment after I have them for sure!

Food Craving: Still ocean waters from Sonic and water…for some reason I crave ICE COLD water, it has to be ice cold though.

Labor Signs: Still having contractions which are getting more frequent, intense and are lasting longer but not really a sign that labor is around the corner.

Belly Button: It’s definitely an outie…I call it my actual Button since it sticks out so much, you can press it like a button.

Stretch Marks: not one for 35-36 weeks, and now they decided to appear, 1 week before the boys get here!

Wedding rings: No longer fits, I am now just wearing a wedding band which is too tight sometimes, depending on the day.

What I miss: clothes that fit and having a body that lets me do what I want to do without a big belly that gets in the way.

What I’m looking forward to: Getting to meet my baby boys in 6 days!!!!

Other NEW news this week: Baylor and their outsourced HR, payroll and leaves of absence department are completely ignorant when it comes to their jobs. One department doesn’t know how to talk to the other and when that happens it totally affects the employee in question. Needless to say I’m hoping to NEVER EVER have to deal with them again on this matter! Ok, my ranting is done.

And lastly, here is a belly shot for the week:

36 weeks with twins

I am issuing a 10 day notice for EVICTION. Tenants will have 10 days in which they can either gather their belongings and promptly vacate the premises, or wait until the final day. After which, they will be physically removed from the property.

They are being evicted due to breech of contract and destruction of property. Expansions only to the FRONT of the house, within reasonable limits, were discussed. Not only have these limits been exceeded, but additions to the back of the house were also made!

Remodeling and gutting of the home was never approved, nor was changing the initial layout and base structure. And due to property damage, there are now leaks in both the upper AND lower levels of the home. On top of which, the landlord has received numerous complaints about nightly disturbances.

After 10 days from this day that they do not comply with the notice, it will result in immediate and forceful removal at my discretion.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Love,
Mom

I really don’t want the boys to come in the next 10 days (they need to grow and mature just a little bit more), but on October 21st they WILL be evicted!! And like it says, they will be “physically removed from the property”. I’m sure some kicking and screaming will be involved, but that will be music to my ears…for a little while anyway.

Today we had our 35 week appointment and got a date for my C-Section – wahoo! Like I have mentioned in the past the hospital I am delivering at won’t let my Dr. schedule a c-section until 39 weeks, which is ridiculous for twins (since 37 weeks is full term with twins). So we are going to do an amniocentesis the morning of the cesarean just to make sure the lungs are mature and with that the hospital will let us schedule the surgery which will be later that afternoon. That’s 13 days people…13 DAYS until they arrive! But of course, they could always take after their mom and decide to come earlier than planned. If they did come earlier, I would obviously accept them with open arms, but I would prefer for them to wait.

We had our weekly sonogram and the boys still look great. They were moving around, practicing their breathing and the their fluid levels were still good. She said Baby B (Ian) was getting some chubby cheeks…ok, maybe not chubby but he is getting some fat on those cheeks. I’m still not really swelling much, just my hands primarily. Still having contractions all day long but they are infrequent so they aren’t really a sign of labor. I’ll go back and see my OB next Friday so hopefully we’ll have another good check up.

Here is my week 35 belly picture:

35 weeks with twins

I just realized I never posted an update on our appointment this past Friday. Not a whole lot happened at this appointment, just a routine visit. We had a sonogram and both babies looked great. They are getting bigger and as my Dr. put it, “I’m all baby”. There’s not a whole lot of room in there for them anymore, half of Baby B is under my ribs…so that would explain the sudden, sharp pains in my rib cage. They may not have a lot of room but, apparently there is enough for them to flip. Baby B (Ian) is now head down and Baby A (Hayden) is still head down. Even though they are both head down we are still planning on doing a c-section due to the strain on my heart from vaginally delivering 2 babies. We did not check my cervix this visit, she left it up to me to decide if I wanted it checked and since I just had it checked a week before and will have it checked this Friday, I opted not to.

As far as the date for the c-section goes, it’s still up in the air…she wants 37 weeks and the hospital I’ll deliver at wants 39 weeks. I highly doubt I’ll make it to 39 weeks without going into labor on my own. I asked my Dr. if she thought I’d make it to 37 weeks and she kinda grinned and said “I hope so”, so only time will tell. I’ll go back and see her again this Friday and hopefully we’ll know something about when we can schedule the c-section. In the mean time, here’s a belly picture for you.

34 weeks with twins

Today I hit 34 weeks, another milestone complete. I had a chat with the boys a while back and we came to an understanding that they were to stay put until at least today. So good job boys, it looks like you have held up your end of the bargain, but I would really like ya’ll to stay put for another week or two! The are still moving just as much, more squirmy than anything else, sometimes I think they are trying to bust out of there….or rupture my spleen (as it feels like sometimes). I play a new game called, name the body part! Is it a foot, elbow, knee or butt making a big bump in my stomach?

We will go see my OB tomorrow so look for an update sometime this weekend.

To my precious boys, Hayden and Ian

I’m laying here on the couch writing this while waiting for your arrival in just a few short weeks. I have been ordered to stay on the couch for about 2-months now trying to keep you growing stronger and healthier before you make your appearance into the world. So far it has worked!

It has been a long tough road to bring you into this world, even before you were created it was a battle your dad and I went through. We have wanted you and dreamed about you from the day we got married 3 — years ago. However, getting you here hasn’t always been easy — there were many bumps in the road before we found out about you. Little did we know that when we did finally find out we were having a baby, we would get two! God blessed us beyond comprehension to get the opportunity to raise the two of you and teach you to become Godly men and serve Him in His kingdom! You have such wonderful role models to learn this from. If you’ll just watch your father and grandfathers live their lives, even for a day, you will learn how to do this.

As I have been on bed rest with the two of you, I have had A LOT of time to think about you and what my dreams are for you and your role as brothers and sons, but most importantly individuals. Yes, you two were born on the same day, share a birthday and you developed and grew together in the same womb. You are not just brothers; you are twins, you share something most people will never experience. You have known each other from day one and for that you will always have a special bond. Your dad and I will never try to take that away from you but will actually try to foster that bond and relationship between the two of you. At the same time we recognize that you two are different individuals and not just one unit. You may be referred to as “the twins” a lot but you will always be Hayden and Ian, the individuals. You may have been created at the same time, but you were created with different personalities, traits and characteristics that differentiate you from one another. I for one can not wait to get to know you and watch you grow. Fun times are headed our way for sure!

There are so many things that I want to teach you, so much I want to share. I keep thinking of the lessons I’ve learned and what will be the best way to teach them to you. I want you to feel like you have it all even if I can’t give you all the material goods you’ll want. The first thing I want you to learn in this life, is that it’s OK not to have it all.

The most valuable thing a person can have is his/her integrity, so don’t ever lose your integrity and stand firm in what you believe in; your values and morals. This is followed closely by friends you can count on. If you ever make friends that try to change who you are then it’s time to leave them and find ones that appreciate you for who you are.

I might not always be the best mother. Someday I won’t even come close. I may get mad at you when I’m having a bad day. I may let you watch too much TV or eat too much junk food. There are hundreds of things I could do wrong. I just want you to know that even when I’m drowning in all the things I’m not doing right I’ll still be trying. I will spend the rest of my life trying to ensure that each of your lives are the best they can be.

Your father and I aren’t perfect but we will do our best to teach you the difference between right and wrong — even if sometimes you might think our approach is wrong. We will always give you the reason for the lesson not just the point. If you ever have to wonder why your in trouble it’s a sure sign we’re doing wrong.

I hope and pray you learn these lessons in life:

Knowledge is Power
Never stop learning. Take pleasure in reading, writing, listening and sharing a little every day. Having an active mind is something you never want to lose!

Work Hard
Having the drive and determination to complete a task makes you a winner from the start. Rolling up your sleeves, putting in your dues and trying your very best will take you where you want to go. Find fulfillment and satisfaction in the smallest task as well as in your greatest achievements.

Have fun
Find enjoyment in all you do. Be positive, attitude is everything. Having a carefree, laid-back personality helps you to relax and enjoy all that life has to offer. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

Love
Learn the power of unconditional love. Love yourself and other people. Have compassion for all those around you. Love life, and even in your dark hours face your doubts and demons courageously, learn from them and move on with hope in your heart. Life is nothing without love.

Independence
Be self-sufficient. Learn to take care of yourself and make your own decisions. Learn to trust your instincts and grow independent and confident. I want you to be self-reliant so that no-one can control your happiness. Look inward and to God for reinforcement and replenishment.

Creativity
Learn to “think outside the box”. Don’t be a follower, be a leader. Use your imagination. Be your own person. Great things come to those who choose the road less traveled.

Learn to Compromise
Compromise is the key to any lasting relationship. Whether you are dealing with family friends or business partners, you must learn the art of “meeting in the middle”. In life you don’t always get your way.

Follow Your Dreams
Never give up on your dreams. Anything is possible. Follow your heart and be the “Little Engine That Could.” I will not discourage your childish aspirations. Instead, I will support, encourage and where possible, help to actively work towards your attainment of them.

Forgive
Show grace to everyone. Don’t hold a grudge, resentment or anger towards anyone and learn how to forgive and show mercy to others. People make mistakes and no one is perfect — not even the two of you.

When you get old enough to leave us it’ll break my heart to watch you go, but I’ll smile through my tears with the confidence that by then I’ll have taught you all you’ll need to know to make it out in the real world. I might have to let you learn a few lessons the hard way but for the most part I think you’ll do fine. No matter what happens in life, I’m here for you, I love you, and I promise I’ll do my best to be the kind of mother that makes you proud to have a place you can call home.

I hope you both realize just how important you are to me — already — and you haven’t even taken your first breath yet! Your happiness is my life’s work. Everything you do, each moment of your life, from the first instant I see your face, will bring me more fulfillment than anything else I’ve experienced thus far. I will always, always love you.

Love you always,
Mom

P.S. Don’t grow up too fast

It’s been a couple of weeks since I did a questionaire so here is one for you.

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss: about 25 pounds

Sleep: Luckily the last week hasn’t been as bad, I still get up several times a night but I usually go back to sleep relatively quickly. The only problem now is I am waking up at like 6:00am and not being able to go back to sleep.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing the boys again last Friday and hearing they are both about 4 pounds each!

Movement: The last couple of days they have been pretty active, they are just squirming now, every once in a while they will jump or try to turn over.

Food Craving: Still ocean waters from Sonic

Labor Signs: I still have contractions that are getting stronger and sometimes it will cause pain in my lower abdomen and lower back, but not often enough to be considered labor signs.

Belly Button: What belly button? It is actually a button now….it sticks out and you can actually push it like a button.

Stretch Marks: So far so good, no stretch marks, hopefully it will stay that way!

Wedding rings: I have retired my actual wedding ring and am wearing my band only now…it still fit but it was getting kinda snug and I didn’t want it to get to the point where I couldn’t take it off.

What I miss: sleeping on my back and stomach and my old clothes

What I’m looking forward to: Believe it or not, my doctors appointment on Friday…we may find out a little more about when we can schedule the c-section.

Other NEW news this week: The boys looked great on Friday at the perinatologist and were doing everything they should be.

Here is a belly shot from this week. I guess It’s not really a belly shot because you can’t really see how much it has grown, but the shirt is the real reason for the picture. It was a gift from Jonathan’s parents and I actually fit into it now.

On Friday we had our 33 week appointment with the perinatologist and our monthly growth scan of the boys. Everything looked great with the boys and they are growing just like they should, each of the boys gained a pound from 3 weeks ago! Baby A (Hayden) is now up to 4 lbs 3 oz and Baby B (Ian) is 3 lbs 14 oz….that’s 8 pounds of baby. The boys were both doing their practice “breathing” and moving around so we didn’t have to “taser” either of the boys this time. Baby A was being lazy again and took a little poking to get him to move around but he eventually did. Baby A is still head down (just like he has been for the last 8 months) and his body just kinda goes all along my right side while baby B is all curled up in a little ball. They couldn’t really tell us what position he was in, he wasn’t exactly breech or transverse, he was just kinda curled up. I’m going to guess he will be the one that likes to be swaddled up tightly. We will go back in another 4 weeks for our last growth scan but I’m kinda hoping we don’t make it to that appointment because they will already be here by then…one can hope, right?

We talked with the perinatologist and he was happy with their weights and amount of amniotic fluid. My cervix was the same as it was last Friday when I was at my OB’s office and he said as of right now the contractions aren’t doing a whole lot to it but that could change over night. He agrees with my OB that I should have a c-section at 37-38 weeks and not wait for 39 weeks like the hospital wants me to do. He said if I go into labor before next Thursday/Friday he (or my OB) would try to stop the labor and give me steroid injections to help give the boys’ lungs a boost. But one I reach 34 weeks (next week) the boys would do well enough if they were born that he wouldn’t stop labor. He said they would more than likely have to spend about a week in the hospital…but you never know until they are here. I will see my OB on Friday and then every week until they are here….which hopefully won’t be too much longer. I am so ready for them to get here….lack of sleep and all! But, as much as I want them here I hope they wait at least another week or 2, they need to grow a little bit more.

Here are some pictures of the boys’ profile from Friday…

Baby A - 33 weeks

Baby B - 33 weeks