31 Weeks: Numbers

Numbers this week, in no particular order. 

4. How many pounds little Baby A weighs, with sibling B falling close behind at 3 lbs. 14 oz.

76. Their percentile, if they were alone in my belly. As it is, they are together... Who knows what percentile that is--big!

2. The number of appointments I'll be having per week, starting next week! Can't go more than a few days without some type of check up.

95. The elusive blood sugar number I'm supposed to be under when I wake up, before breakfast. It's not happening and I think insulin shots may be in my future. Boo. I have an appointment on Thursday to check in and see what's next. 

2. The number of placentas I have that produce so many hormones...the cause of the morning blood sugar numbers being too high.

124. Number of blood pricks I'll do until these children arrive!

30. Pounds I've gained so far.

7. Number of weeks left! If that...

2500. Calories I'm eating each day. The diabetes educator told me I wasn't eating enough.  Now, I eat ALL. THE. TIME. 

64. Ounces I drink a day. 

15. Number of minutes Elliot's ear tube surgery took, from start to waking up. He had so much fun, he didn't want to go home.

1. The number of times I need to get up to use the bathroom during the night. 

5? 6? 10? The number of times I wake up during the night to make the roll from left side to right or back to my left. Maybe it just feels like 10. 

1. Inches between my belly and the steering wheel. I'm not sure what I'll do when I start scraping the the steering wheel while I'm driving. My legs are too short to go back any further. Maybe recline?!?

30 Weeks: Sunshine!

I've really enjoyed this week. Yes, the beginning was frustrating as I tried to get a handle on what gestational diabetes means. Talking with others who have done the same was SO much better than researching the vast, often conflicting, information on the Internet. It's going to be just fine. I have an appointment with the diabetes educator on Tuesday and hopefully that will confirm my thoughts that it isn't too bad. Although, I did tell Aaron I was expecting a huge deep dish pizza as soon as possible after the delivery!

But, I'm just getting so excited this week. I had a little family "sprinkle" and the gifts, painting little onesies, and praying for the twins just made it seem so real.

I washed some diapers and some blankets this weekend too. Such cute little prefolds. Wow, the babies are on their way.

The sun is shining and beautiful and that just makes everything seem better. I had to find my one pair of maternity shorts in my closet...I've never been pregnant in April before and have never needed shorts! But, I love that it's warm enough to warrant the wearing of shorts-- pale, cankle legs and all!

I gave the three boys their summer buzz cuts this afternoon, and although it has nothing to do with being pregnant, minus having to take a sitting break between each one, it's just one more reminder that summer is on its way!

With the positive week behind, this upcoming week is a busy doctor week. Tuesday AM Elliot has his tubes surgery for his endless ear infections. Then, in the afternoon I learn more about diabetes. Wednesday afternoon I have another ultrasound and an OB appointment.

I want to end with this poem that I was given at my shower. I think I want to put it up in their bedroom somehow (with that extra time...).

Baby 

by George MacDonald

Where did you come from, baby dear?

Out of the everywhere into the here. 

Where did you get those eyes so blue?

Out of the sky as I came through. 

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?        

Some of the starry spikes left in. 

Where did you get that little tear?

I found it waiting when I got here. 

What makes your forehead so smooth and high?

A soft hand strok’d it as I went by.  

      

What makes your cheek like a warm white rose?

I saw something better than any one knows. 

Whence that three-corner’d smile of bliss?

Three angels gave me at once a kiss. 

Where did you get this pearly ear?        

God spoke, and it came out to hear. 

Where did you get those arms and hands?

Love made itself into bonds and bands. 

Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?

From the same box as the cherubs’ wings.  

      

How did they all just come to be you?

God thought about me, and so I grew. 

But how did you come to us, you dear?

God thought about you, and so I am here.

29 Weeks: Gestational Diabetes...Boo.

May the mind of Christ, my Savior

live in me from day to day, 

by his love and power controlling 

all I do and say. 

I found out on Saturday that I do indeed have gestational diabetes. Boo. I don't know much more than that.  I have a little app that tells me my test results, so I haven't actually talked to a doctor or anyone else about it.  I was pretty bummed.  Then, in church today, we sang this song as our opening hymn. A flood of memories came rushing through me because Aaron and his dad sang this song at our wedding.  I was reminded of our beginnings. I was reminded of the "mind of Christ, my Savior" and to focus not this one-more-thing-to-add-to-the-twin-pregnancy-list, but instead to focus on the larger picture.  His love and power can control all I do and say. 

May the word of God dwell richly 

in my heart from hour to hour, 

so that all may see I triumph 

only through his power. 

Sometimes it is "hour to hour" that I need to be reminded of who I am.  It is in each hour that I may recognize the triumphs.  I look back at our 12 years of marriage and the triumphs that have been ours to name.  This pregnancy today will also be a triumph, only through His power.  

May the peace of God, my Father, 

rule my life in everything, 

that I may be calm to comfort 

sick and sorrowing. 

Peace.  Some days I wonder what that looks like.  Aaron spent most of his spring break this week caring for a sick baby... again... Elliot had tonsillitis, plus a double ear infection. We are moving ahead with tubes in his ears.  Peace was seeing our boy's fun personality return, with his energy and his chatter.  I'm learning that peace isn't always quiet. Peace isn't always relaxing. Peace rules my life that I may be calm to comfort. This pregnancy has felt anything but peace, but singing this song this morning reminded me of the calm that comes resting in God's plan. 

May the love of Jesus fill me 

as the waters fill the sea. 

Him exalting, self abasing: 

this is victory. 

It's all God, isn't it.  May the love of Jesus fill me.  My victory is not in myself or even in my diagnosis, my road ahead (of no desserts!!), or in the pregnancy itself. Let me find victory beyond myself. 

May we run the race before us, 

strong and brave to face the foe, 

looking only unto Jesus 

as we onward go. 

I'm not sure I'll be running anywhere soon, but this journey has felt like a race, and this pregnancy has felt like the foe at times.  However, onward I go. I need help to look to Jesus, to be brave, to be strong.  This is the only stanza that says "we" instead of "I" or "we." This pregnancy is a race we've embarked on and alone I would not be moving forward.  Together, I am able. 

All this to say, I have gestational diabetes. It's just one more step in this journey called twin pregnancy.  Thanks to the choice of music in church today because it made this unknown path seem bearable, less overwhelming, and OK. 

28 weeks: Yay Third Tri!

I'm typing this blog post from the comfort of the urgent care. What better place to write about being pregnant than in an uninterrupted space...because you know it will be awhile before they call my name. Nothing like hemorrhoids on a Sunday afternoon. I've never had such bad hemorrhoids, so yeah, just add that to the  list. The thought of sitting in a hard church pew this morning had me at home all morning playing with Elliot.  Great game he made up of laying on the couch and grimacing when getting up. He thought he was so funny!

This week has been up and down. I had a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Everything looked fine with strong heartbeats and a closed cervix. I'm measuring 35 weeks. At this rate I'll be measuring 11 months when I go in for my c-section! I have my next appointment in about 2 more weeks and that will include another ultrasound.

I did my glucose, gross drink, test on Wednesday as well. I did my best to eat perfectly, but still managed to fail it. I have to go back on Friday for the 3 hour test. Praying that test will show up negative. 

On Tuesday we went out to eat, taking advantage of Green Mill's "kids eat free" deal. Aaron and I kept peeking, let's be honest...staring, at the small family with their huge limo stroller carrying infant twins. They were out. They looked pretty well put together and their toddler  daughter seemed content. They didn't do much eating, but as soon as the rest of their friends showed up, they got to rest their arms- Dad had one baby and Mom had the other, with big sister coloring in the middle. Note that none of  their friends had kids with them, so Aaron and I decided that we need to find some friends without kids, just for occasions like these! Hah! In all seriousness, it was just a little glimpse into our possible world and it kinda fun to see.

P.S. I get to add a little hemorrhoid "surgery" for Monday.