Monday, September 13, 2010

Things I have learned thus far during Pregnancy:

Wow! Second post in one day! I have started to compose a list of things I have discovered as a result of pregnancy. I am sure I will add to this list as the weeks go by but here is a good starting point! :)

1) Whoever made up the saying “eat two crackers before your head leaves the pillow” as a cure for morning sickness was NOT pregnant with twins.

2) I can’t vouch for moms that are pregnant with singletons (though I am sure it is similar), but I think moms who work full time while expecting twins should be applauded every Monday that they decide to go to work after the 25 week mark. I figure if you start the week that should mean you can finish the week. Matter of fact, I held a moment of applause for myself as I crossed my husband’s path in the hallway after getting out of bed this morning and he gave me a grin.

3) Getting sick four times a day from weeks 5-12 will actually not make you go crazy, and because you are so excited about being a mommy, it won’t even make you cry. You just do it.

4) Nothing can describe or take the place of the feeling you get when you feel two babies moving in your tummy. This is especially precious when you turn off your alarm in the morning and feel a gentle tap on one side of your tummy followed by a gentle tap on the other side of your tummy as though the twins are saying “good morning mommy.”

5) Absentmindedness is a true pregnancy symptom. I can’t count how many times I have lost my keys or phone during the pregnancy. Yes, I know, I lost them several times before the pregnancy, but now it happens at least twice daily. Thank goodness I have a patient husband who will help me look for my keys and call my phone when I misplace it for the millionth time!

6) Sleeping while sitting up against the backrest of the couch becomes a normal occurrence during the second (and I am sure third) trimester. Indigestion. Indigestion. Indigestion.

7) If you attend a Tennessee football game while pregnant with a son that is just like his father, you will sense how upset he is when Tennessee makes a mistake. No joke. An Oregon player got an interception and ran it back for a touchdown during the game this past weekend and Baby Billy hit his fists against my tummy the entire time the Oregon player was running towards the end zone.

8) It is important to appreciate the full control you have over your children while they are in the womb. It is so nice to know exactly where they are and pretty much exactly what they are doing. For instance, this week the twins are beginning to open and close their eyes and are setting their own individual cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Let’s just say Brooklyn is a night owl like her mama. I hear this control is quickly diminished/changed after they are born so I am eating it up right now. ;)

9) Ice chips may not do anything for you during the first trimester, but starting around 24 weeks they are miraculous. I am constantly chomping ice (and probably annoying those around me).

10) Despite how laid back you may be prior to pregnancy (and I consider myself an extremely laid back person), you WILL become more dramatic during pregnancy. The important thing is to always keep yourself in check and to run your exaggerative-ness by a close friend to ensure that it is worthy of the drama production you are putting on. If you think it is but your friend says it isn’t, just get a second opinion. You can always find someone who will tell you what you want to hear.

11) It’s amazing how quickly you begin to develop a mothering instinct during pregnancy and how protective you become of your babies. If you experience the good side of this, it could mean me making you cookies “just because.” If you experience the bad side of this, it could mean me correcting you and telling you to straighten up if I see something is amiss.

12) Foods you have aversions to during the first trimester become the foods you love during the ladder second trimester. For the first 16 weeks (I kept a calendar) of my pregnancy I could not even look at chocolate, now I am having to express some self-control.

13) Enjoy the attention you get during pregnancy, but remember that this attention will be transferred to the babies (as it should be) when they arrive in the world. Be very wary of this, because people tend to do everything for you when you are expecting, and you must remember that it will be YOU that will go to work full time when the babies get here (See, I am coaching myself for the near future)….Disclaimer: this statement does not include the occasional assistance and guidance you will receive from individuals who go by the names of Brenda and Penny… you know who you are...

14) If you are a self-labeled tomboy who loves sports, loafers, and video games as much or more than most males you know, you will still melt and fall in love with all the purples and pinks you can (and will) buy for a baby girl. Brooklyn already has several prissy jackets and dresses for the future.

15) Your pets know when you are expecting. Boo use to go to bed at 12:00 at night, he has now started going to bed at 10:00. I think he must be preparing for the future.

16) Insomnia comes with the territory. I have always been a night owl, but I could easily stay up until all hours of the night. My doctor giggled when I told her about this newest symptom and she said “nature has a way of preparing you for the future.”

17) When you become pregnant, that desire for a mini cooper or Audi tt roadster becomes a thing of the past and all you really want is an SUV with third row seating or a crossover of some sorts. It even sounds way more exciting to you!


Less than 3 months until the twins are here!

It's hard to believe the twins will be here in less than three months! Our scheduled induce date is December 11th, which was three months from this past Saturday. I am predicting that they will come during late November though! I wouldn't be surprised if I went into labor during the Alabama/Auburn game. Seriously! Our last dr's visit went really well! My blood pressure was 110/70 and I have officially entered into the 150lb weight division for the first time ever. haha I weighed in at 151 lbs. :) Hard to believe that I am suppose to gain roughly 20 more lbs in the next several weeks. My "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" book tells me to enjoy my time now as my tummy size will likely double over the next month or two. Looking down, I can't imagine that! Looks like I better enjoy these last few moments of food before the indigestion becomes unbearable. haha The twins have been growing really well so far! I always get really anxious/nervous before their ultrasounds bc I want to see that they are gaining weight really well. During this past visit on September 8th, Brooklyn Rose weighed in at 1 lb 10 oz and Billy Ray weighed in at 1 lb 11 oz. I was so proud of them! Billy was yet again facing right toward the camera :) Brooklyn was faced more towards the side and appeared to be "doing her own thing." Brooklyn is our "active" twin. She is constantly moving her arms and legs. Billy is a little quieter and I tend to feel him most when I wake up in the morning or when it's time to eat. I am not drawing any conclusions on their personalities however because I have read a lot of material on babies here lately and it seems that often times really active fetuses are calm babies, whereas calm fetuses are really active babies. Who knows! Right now I am thinking Brooklyn is our independent gal and Billy is our relaxed soul. We shall see!

This past weekend we went to the Tennessee vs Oregon game. I really enjoyed it! I am so thankful to have such wonderful in-laws! The twins are going to love them! I can picture Mama H being so delicate and soothing with them and Daddy H being the one to always get them laughing and sneaking them candy when they get a little older. :) I can picture my mom being so soft and listening intently to them and my dad tickling them with his mustache or taking them for a ride on the John Deer. I can only hope to do half the job my mom has done raising me and Billy's mom has done raising him. We have some big shoes to fill to say the least :) Best advice I ever gathered from my mom during my childhood is to treat each child, no matter what their age, as though they are individuals and "small adults" per say....to remember that what is big in their world may seem insignificant to us in our adult world, but to remember to view it on the same level of importance that they do. It always felt good to know that my mom would never dismiss or diminish the way I felt or the value that I placed on certain things during my childhood.

I bought the twins a glider today! I laughed after I purchased it because I realized I have something to rock the twins in, but I don't have anything for them to sleep in yet. :) First things first, we have to get their nursery painted! I think we have decided on a soft green color. It is a very soothing color! I told Billy we need to have their room completely finished over the next four weeks. Slowly but surely I am trying to get the house prepared! I can't wait to meet the twins! The other day I showed Billy two onesies mom had gotten for the twins and he draped the pink one over his shoulder as to imitate holding Brooklyn, and I just about melted in a million pieces...I can't wait to experience their birth with him and to see the expression on his face when he sees them for the first time...despite my worries and fears regarding the whole birthing process, I absolutely can't wait for our family to reach that milestone. God has truly blessed us!