25 Weeks

How Far Along: 25 weeks.  Joints, ligaments and rings of the spines begin to take shape this week. Our babies are capable of making fists by now. Their nostrils also begin to open.
Our babies are still very small, about 1.5 pounds and about 13 inches long -- although we'll get their exact measurements this week.

Total Weight Gain: 160 lbs (so about 27 lbs gained).

Maternity Clothes: All maternity pants. Very few of my non-maternity tops cover my belly, so pretty much in all maternity tops as well. Even wearing some maternity shorts that a good friend gave me :-)

Sleep: Some positions are starting to get uncomfortable for me or the babies, so I end up rotating alot in my sleep. And I'm still waking up at 2am to take my medicine.

Best Moment This Week:  My cervical length went from 26-25...so roughly about the same.  The doctor was very pleased to see this.  My glucose test came back at 104 -- over 140 is considered abnormal and additional testing is needed for a definite diagnosis.  So although my results didn't raise any concern for diabetes, the doctor said that I should increase my sugar intake to fatten up our babies.  No problem there, Doc! 

 

The best part of the week, however, was our baby shower. This was our first of two showers that we are having -- this one for family and another one for friends.  Jared's parents hosted it and they did such a wonderful job!!  It was held at at Hendel's Market Cafe -- a very quaint restaurant that was a perfect setting for this event.  It was great to be able to share this day with both of our families.  They served crabcakes, chicken brushcetta, and chicken salad sandwiches -- all were delicious!  The cake was absolutely adorable too!  We ate and played a couple games and then Jared and I opened our gifts.  Everyone was so generous - we got onesies, bibs, pacifiers, bath stuff, a diaper bag, a mobile, a stroller, and so much more!  Our boys are so blessed!    Everything about the day was perfect!

 

We also got a sneak peek of our maternity shoot from last week.  Here is one of the pictures that I really liked.  Can't wait to see the others!

 

Movement: The boys are actively kicking -- mainly during the evening and early morning.

Looking Forward To: I have my weekly appointment with Dr. Paul on Thursday -- hoping for the good news to continue!  Plus we get their new weights -- hopefully, they are ahead of schedule!

24 Weeks

 

How Far Along: 24 weeks.  Our twins are proportioned like newborns, but thinner, as their baby fat hasn't yet developed. They're getting heavier every day, but their skin still appears wrinkled, because they need to gain more weight.  Their lips are distinct and their eyes are formed, though the coloured part of their eyes (iris) still lacks pigment. Their pancreas, liver, thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands, essential for producing hormones, continue to grow and mature. Tiny eyebrows and eyelids are now visible.

Total Weight Gain:  158 lbs (so about 25 lbs gained).

Maternity Clothes: All maternity pants. Very few of my non-maternity tops cover my belly, so pretty much in all maternity tops as well. Even wearing some maternity shorts that a good friend gave me :-)

Sleep: Some positions are starting to get uncomfortable for me or the babies, so I end up rotating alot in my sleep. And I'm still waking up at 2am to take my medicine.

Best Moment This Week:  Well, this was a better week.  My cervical length went from 20 to 26!  Never thought I'd be happy to hear this.  So it appears as though working from home is helping.  My fundal height was 32cm -- which is fantastic!   

 

The best part of the week, however, was my maternity photo shoot.  We used In The Little Photography.  Cathy, the photographer, specializes in maternity and newborn photos.  It took about 2 hours, but I think she got alot of great shots!  I got my hair and makeup done as well to really make the pictures stand out...plus, who doesn't like to get pampered!?.  She said I should receive a sneak peek of some of the photos in a few days -- can't wait!!

Movement: The boys are actively kicking -- mainly during the evening and early morning.

Looking Forward To: I have my weekly appointment with Dr. Paul on Thursday -- hoping for the good news to continue!  But more importantly, our first baby shower is this Saturday!!  We are super excited!  My in-laws are hosting the event and my family is coming in town for it.  Can't wait to see everyone!

23 Weeks

How Far Along: 23 weeks.  Our babies' bodies are becoming more proportionate and gaining more weight.  Their pancreas are becoming functional and insulin production has already begun.

Total Weight Gain: No change from last week - 155 lbs (so about 22 lbs gained).

Maternity Clothes: All maternity pants.  Very few of my non-maternity tops cover my belly, so pretty much in all maternity tops as well.

Sleep: Some positions are starting to get uncomfortable for me or the babies, so I end up rotating alot in my sleep. And I'm still waking up at 2am to take my medicine.

Best Worst Moment This Week: Okay -- I'm really starting to hate going to the doctor.  So after a great week last week, this week my cervical length went from 27 - 20!!  That's about where it was when I was admitted to the hospital for the cerclage.  Missy, the nurse practitioner, wasn't happy, nor was I.  She said she's limiting my driving even more and making me work from home three days a week - on MWF.  If my length improves next week, then we'll keep doing this schedule.  But, if it gets worse, she said it will be bed rest, or this other procedure, where a balloon-like object is inserted and helps alleviate the pressure against my cervix. Praying for a good week....

 

During our last Multiples class this week, we learned how to swaddle, change diapers, and how to bathe our babies.  We had a pediatrician talk to us as well.  This was definitely a worthwhile class to take and we learned ALOT!

Nursery Update -- we got a ceiling fan installed in the nursery!  It's so light and bright in there now, and I think it will help keep the room from getting so hot.

And we bought our first family vehicle -- a new Kia Sorento!  It is so spacious!

Movement: The boys are actively kicking -- mainly during the evening and early morning.

Looking Forward To:  I have my weekly appointment with Dr. Paul on Thursday -- hoping for good news!  But I'm really looking forward to our Maternity Photo Shoot on Saturday!!!  I found some really nice, intimate poses online that I'd like to mimic and I'm super excited to hear what other ideas the photographer has!

 

22 Weeks

How Far Along: 22 weeks.  Our babies’ eyebrows, eyelids and fingernails are fully formed by now, but their irises lack pigments at this stage.  Their hearing is getting sharper everyday. 

Total Weight Gain: 155 lbs (so about 22 lbs gained). 

Maternity Clothes: All maternity pants. Some of my regular tops still cover my belly, but mostly wear maternity tops now as well.

Sleep: Some positions are starting to get uncomfortable for me or the babies, so I end up rotating alot in my sleep.  And I'm still waking up at 2am to take my medicine.

 

Best Moment This Week:  Well, my cervical length went from 25-27, so at least it's improving.  Baby A is 1lb 1oz and Baby B is 1lb 3oz...so about a week ahead of schedule.  I love being able to see them every week.  Baby A is always so docile and barely moves around, while Baby B is always active and doesn't like to sit still.  Dr. Paul told me no more heels and flats/flip flops are allowed only for short periods of time.  So I'm looking pretty classy in my business suit and sneakers these days. He also told me that I need to have a hospital bag ready in my car in case he ever has to admit me during one of our appointments.  Hopefully that doesn't happen though!!

 

During our Multiples class this week, we learned about breastfeeding twins and putting them on the same schedule.  We also talked about some of the things to include on our registries.  

We also cleared out the spare bedroom so hopefully so we can start working on the nursery!
 

Movement:  The boys are actively kicking -- mainly during the evening and early morning.
 

Looking Forward To: We have our fourth Multiples Class on Tuesday and then my weekly appointment with Dr. Paul on Thursday.  An electrician is coming out next weekend to install the ceiling fan in the nursery!!  And hopefully, we'll buy a SUV this week to accomodate our growing family.