Finally

We had a busy day yesterday with three appointments that took most of the day. The first was a CT scan, then off to see the doctor and finally our antenatal testing.

By the time we got to our doctor's appointment I was tired and sore from the first appointment and just walking around in general. I was prepared to beg the doctor for a definite due date. I must have looked miserable because the nurse who did my measurements and checked the babies heartbeats was very sympathetic. I think she gave the doctor a heads up that I wasn't feeling well because we didn't have to do that much begging after all. He walked into the room and said "I've been thinking of you." And (according to Craig because I was a little out of it) I turned to him and said "I've been thinking of you too! I'm ready to get this party started!"

The plan all along was to have a vaginal birth with a breech extraction but the results of the CT scan ruled that out. After talking about other options (there weren't any really) we agreed on a c-section. The doctor said "How do you feel about right now?" Meaning going up to the hospital and having the babies RIGHT NOW. He left us to think about it while he went to check to see if there was an anesthesiologist available. Craig and I took turns saying to each other "What do you want to do?" "I don't know...what do YOU want to do." But the doctor came back and said they didn't have anyone available and would Monday be okay. I told him Monday would be perfect.

Yay! I'm so excited to finally meet our girls!

37 Weeks, 3 Days and Counting...

We had a good ultrasound today. We learned that Baby A is 6lbs, 3oz and Baby B is 6lbs, 13oz. I'm hoping to hear from a nurse today to see if their weights affect my birth plan. In the meantime I'm going to take a nap. It's a lot of work carrying around all this baby weight!

Baby A with her hand by her mouth

Baby B

37 Weeks

The girls were on their best behavior at their antenatal testing today. Their amniotic fluid looked good. They showed off their breathing technique. And they moved around just enough to give some elevated heartrate readings (which the doctors like to see) but not so much that we couldn't keep them on the monitors. It was one of the fastest, easiest appointments I've had.

So now my next appointment is an ultrasound on Thursday to measure their growth.

And the Photo of the Day:

How do you know you have a great husband?

A pedicure is out of the question at this point so I asked Craig if he would mind taking off my old polish. He was a good sport about it and even offered to paint my nails. He must feel really, really bad for me. He did a good job...and now I have nice toes!

36 Weeks, 4 Days and Counting...

While I'm really grateful (and surprised) that I have been able to carry them this long I want them out already. I'm starting to get worried that they're going to go all the way to 38 weeks! I think part of the problem is the mixed signals they're getting. During the day (when I'm brave) I tell them "Okay girls, we're ready whenever you are." But then at night if I have a few more contractions than usual I panic and say "Wait, not yet! Mommy isn't ready!" You can see where they'd get confused. The funny thing is Craig used to say he wanted them to wait until 38 weeks but now after dealing with my mood swings for the past week he's changed his tune.

In other news I just received a bunch of books that CBS offers through their employee assistance program. I got one on breastfeeding and another on baby care but here is my favorite:

Once Upon A Potty

It gets better...And my personal favorite...

I was a little embarrassed asking for this book because the title is so funny but the woman taking my order said "Oh that's a great book!" And you know when it's time for potty training I'm going to be so grateful to have this book. I just hope I can read it to them with a straight face.

So much for old wives' tales.

Well, the full moon didn't work. Poor Craig had trouble sleeping last night. He was so worried I was going to go into labor that he kept waking up thinking he heard me call his name. Of course every time he went to check on me and I'd be sound asleep. Unusual for me. So I guess the only side effect of last night's full moon was that I got a good night's sleep for a change. Not that I'm complaining!

I guess these girls will come out when they're ready.

36 Weeks

36 Weeks

None of my maternity shirts fit completely over my belly now.

I don't look too bad in this picture. I must look huge in person though because everyone I saw at the doctor's office on Monday told me "Oh you poor, poor thing!" There was also a lot of "It must be any day now." To which I'd respond "God I hope so!"

They are still talking about a regular birth with a breech extraction. But now since Baby B's head is a little bigger than Baby A's they've decided to do some tests the following week to check her growth. I felt like telling them you know if there is any question about whether Baby B's head is going to fit...then seriously I'm okay with a c-section. And while you're at it can you make sure to write down in big, bold letters that I want an epidural. Oy.

Whose feet are these?

Right now everything is puffy...my feet, my fingers, even my face. This is just from sitting at my computer.

I have been so unbelievably uncomfortable the past couple of days. Part of that is because we've had a heat wave. San Francisco was in the high 80's and the rest of the Bay Area was in the 90's, 100 in some areas. Usually I love this kind of weather but just not right now.

In other news...last night I noticed that we are getting close to a full moon. There is an old wives tale that a full moon can bring on labor. I decided to look it up and the next full moon is on Tuesday.

Fun With Emmy

I picked up my Emmy at work today. Here are some pictures:

Emmy in the City

(Yes, I stopped to take a picture of it!)

Goldberg Emmy

Emmy In The BoxEmmy On Display

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go polish my Emmy...

35 Week Ultrasound

Well, the babies look good. Baby A weighs 5lbs 4oz and Baby B weighs 5lbs 7oz.

Good Times Ahead

There was a fire in our building a couple weeks ago. Fortunately it was a small kitchen fire on the 15th floor and no one was hurt. But there is major water damaged to one half of the building. We live all the way down on the 7th floor and I came home to this: They are tearing down the walls in the hallway. I don't mind the hammering and construction noise right now but I'm praying it's finished by the time the babies arrive.

A shout out to my husband...

First he cleaned the entire apartment even using the little attachments to get under the TV. I don't think I have ever used the attachments that come with the vacuum cleaner. Then it was time to assemble the crib. Doesn't he look excited?

After a very minor glitch in the beginning it started to come together.
Almost done.Ta Da!
Then off to Target to buy sheets. I was a little nervous about this because I couldn't go with him but he picked out some cute, girly ones.And last but not least. He brought home a little treat and a card to congratulate me on...
WINNING MY EMMY!
What a sweetie!
We celebrated with Chinese takeout. My fortune cookie said "You will obtain your goal if you maintain your course." How fitting.

Birth Plan

Craig and I went to the doctor today. We didn't look at the babies so much as talk about a birth plan although we did do a quick check of their heartbeats.

The doctor reminded me that they consider 38 weeks to be full term for twins so they're not going to schedule a c-section or induce until then. Of course I could go into labor anytime between now and then. For some reason though I was thinking 36 weeks. I know Craig was rejoicing over the idea of the possibility of four more weeks to prepare (as if you can really prepare). Meanwhile I'm secretly telling them (the babies) 36 weeks if fine with me!

Since Baby B is still breech and not likely to change positions at this point the plan is to have a regular delivery and do a "breech extraction". Eek! Because of this the doctor told me that they strongly encourage an epidural. She was very apologetic about it as if I would dissapointed by this. Uhm, no. In fact even if Baby B was not breech I would be taking full advantage of the epidural. My biggest fear is not that I have to get an epidural but that for some reason I won't be able to get one.

Oh I almost forgot the best news of the day...she approved my disability! In fact she seemed surprised that I hadn't gone on disability earlier.

A Nice Day

I had my antenatal testing today. I go once a week now. They hook me up to a monitor for 20 minutes and watch the babies heartbeats. They also do a quick ultrasound. It's very relaxing. The lights are dim, I sit in a reclining chair and just listen to their heartbeats. I can't think of anything I enjoy more. I got to see both babies practice their breathing during the last two appointments. And this time the technician stopped to show me that Baby B has hair on her head. The technicians really seem to love their job. And if I want them to slow down during the ultrasound I'll casually ask "Oh is that a foot?" and they'll show me their feet or "Is that the baby moving or the ultrasound wand" and they'll stop and let me see the baby move for a little bit.

Both babies looked good today and were kicking each other a lot. One would kick then the other would kick back. I couldn't tell who started it.

Busted

I couldn't figure out why I was getting so many hits on my blog.

KPIX blogger Brittney Gilbert found it and posted it on the CBS5 website.

Baby Fat

Wow. I am big. Huge. There's no avoiding it. I can turn my body at an angle, tilt my head just so and it won't matter. I will still for example have a double chin in all my baby shower photos. I was waiting for the elevator today (to go get a snack at the vending machine) and someone asked how the babies were doing. The guy next to him said "Twins?" I nodded and he looked me up and down and responded with "I was going to say..." I was rescued from that remark by the elevator. Or should I say he was rescued. After I got my packet of Skittles I felt like walking around the newsroom saying "That's right...Skittles. You got a problem with that?!"

33 Weeks

Not that I really mind being big. I don't. It's all for a good cause. Big mom=big babies. Most twin moms-to-be will tell you that our main worry is delivering early and low birth weights. And I love my baby belly.

But now that I'm going to be staying home I have to make sure I keep only healthy food in the house. No more baby shower cake, cookie cake, gelato...it's carrots and yogurt and fruit from now on.

Woo Hoo!

Today is my last day of work! Hallelujah. I can't tell you how relieved I am. My boss has been great about trying to keep me off my feet but at this point even sitting in an office chair is uncomfortable.

Goodbye KPIX...

My "office" Avid 7 with former Consumer producer Josh

...hello maternity leave!

(I only posted this picture to show how skinny I used to be, ha ha!)