25 weeks +

So, I realized today that I have been more afraid of loosing these two little miracles, than I have allowed myself to believe. Two things made me realize this:

A)My family and friends have not even known about the existence of this blog, and I think that it was partly a mechanism to try and protect myself, in case something went wrong. I don't think I even told my husband about it for the first few months. I am finally ready to believe that this is going to happen, that the twins might actually one day be in our hands and not just something we talk about and try to prepare for.

B) I have been soo sluggish and afraid of doing things, afraid to work out, afraid to leave the comfort of my big comfy chair, because WHAT IF something were to happen to the babies. WHAT IF...I was to blame for a miscarriage or extremely early pre-term labor that would jeopardize the health of our babies. Now in my logical brain, I know that this is a completely unfounded fear - but that didn't make it less real to me.

So, what changed? Well, I definitely think that hitting the 24 week mark (viability - they could actually survive outside the womb) made a big difference in how I feel about this pregnancy and how I allow myself to feel my emotions. And I am sure pregnancy hormones have a tremendous effect here too. I have had ups and downs over the last week or so. Days where I feel like a whale and feel like this cannot possibly go on for 2 1/2 months. And then there are days like yesterday and today, where I have been out and about running errands, going to the swimming pool (and even exercising some at a moderate pace of cause), cleaning the house, making cupcakes, without feeling too overwhelmed and super tired.

With that being said, here is my (not so) weekly update:

How far along: I am 25 weeks + 2 days (picture taken this weekend at a hotel in Amarillo).

Total weight gain: Up an astounding 30 lbs. Travelling always make me add a few lbs.

Maternity clothes: Yup. Although I still wear "normal" dresses and skirts. But alas, most of my pre-pregnancy shirts and tank tops just do not cover up the belly anymore.

Stretch marks? None so far, but I can't see how I could possibly avoid them. The other night the skin on my belly felt numb, so there is definitely some re-arranging happening in with the nerves in my skin.  

Sleep: Mostly fine. I just have to say, how much I love my Snoogle pillow, it really makes the world of difference. The other day I made a new cover for it, so it is now even more comfortable. 

Best moment of the week: Escaping town for 4th of July. Hubby and I decided to do one mad dash and actually leave the house for the weekend. We discussed several places, but in the end, we ended up driving to Palo Duro Canyon, which was beautiful and a lot of fun. For those of you who don't know it, Palo Duro is the 2nd largest canyon in the US and is kinda a more accessible Grand Canyon, where you can drive to the bottom and camp. Being pregnant I have completely given up camping, which I normally love, but the thought of having to stay in a tent, while getting up to pee 2-3 night just makes me go NO. We did get to watch a beautiful sunset over the canyon, while watching turkey vultures return to their roosting tree. Next day David went for a hike and I stayed in a picnic area and enjoyed myself until it just got too hot. Then we were off to Amarillo, where we intended to watch the firework - that did not happen, since we were just tired and thrilled to stay in the hotel room watching TV (we don't have that at home).

The best moment of this week, thus far, was going to see my high-risk Dr and getting to see the babies again. They have just gotten so big. Boy weighs 1 lb 14oz and girl weighs 1 lb 13oz. They were both pretty active and had moved since last scan. Boy continues to be head down, ready to go, while girl is now lounging across my belly sideways. I had been blaming the boy on making it hard for me to breathe, but apparently it is the girl's head. Baby boy (Baby A) was really funny. He was positioned in a way, in which he was mooning the sonographer every time she tried to look at baby girl's face. Also the girl was doing little hiccups while she was being measured, so now I know what hiccups feel like.

Miss anything: Being able to bend at the waist. Belly is always in the way.

Movement: Tons of movement every day. They especially like to make little hills and valleys out of my belly. One will stick it's but out on the right and then the other will do it on the left. 

Food cravings: Tic Tacs! Fortunately HEB has buy 2 get the 3rd free. 

Anything make you sick or queasy? Nope.

Gender: Boy and Girl.

Labor signs: Nope.

Symptoms: Some Braxton Hicks, swollen feet and difficulties breathing due to the giant belly. Oh, yeah and crying for little to no reason. 

Belly button in or out? Remain in, but not sure for how long....

Looking forward to: Getting my Glucose Tolerance test done tomorrow - probably should not have had those cupcakes today!! And our childbirth class at the hospital this weekend. Other than that, I guess just hanging out with my wonderful hubby.

Hope you have a wonderful week!