Just had to share - I made a YUMMY pumpkin smoothie this afternoon...totally perfect for fall! And better for you than pumpkin pie! Loaded with fiber, vitamin A, and calcium, and under 15 gms of sugar. (Having to find low-sugar, sweet-tooth satisfying snacks these days!)
1 C. lowfat, no-sugar-added vanilla yogurt (I used Dannon Light N Fit)
1/2 C. canned pumpkin
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 C. milk or 1/2 & 1/2
Ice
Blend until smooth and enjoy!!
Monday, September 24, 2007
21 Week Appointment
We had our 21 week appt today with the regular OB. Both babies' heartbeats sounded good. Baby A is still sitting low on my bladder (aahhh....that's special), and Baby B is sitting up high, smooshing my stomach (ouch). The best of both worlds!! (All you prior preggos will feel my pain!) I've been having a lot of pelvic bone pain, which the OB said is perfectly normal (though not perfectly comfortable).
Oh! Last night, for the first time, I was able to feel one of the babies kick my hand! That was so cool! I've been feeling flutters for almost 11 weeks now, but because one of the placentas is anterior (on the front of my uterus), I haven't felt any really strong kicks and hadn't been able to feel anything from the outside. The placenta acts like a pillow, absorbing the blows. But they were very active last night, and I got to feel one little thump against my hand! Couldn't tell which baby it was because of where it was - could have been either of them. There's a lot of hands and feet swimming around in there!
We have thoroughly enjoyed the cooler weather for the past week, though it is now starting to warm back up. But it was so awesome to be able to have our windows open all day over the weekend. Anthony has been spending more time playing with his sand table on the back patio, and has enjoyed watching the hummingbirds at the feeder.
Next Tuesday is our next ultrasound, including fetal echocardiograms on the babies to check their hearts. I promise I won't leave the office without the pictures this time, so I should be able to post some new pics then. We'll see what the doc has to say about my blood sugars - have still been having some high ones, even on the insulin. Of course, the two days last week when they were high after breakfast and then crashed about 100 points in under an hour were really special too...the one day, the only warning I had was that I started shaking uncontrollably. Even my voice was trembling. I could hardly even hold a cup to drink some juice!! It was pretty scary. The last few days, I've figured out my snack timing a little better to avoid the crash.
Ok, I guess that's all for now. Hope everyone is enjoying the autumn weather!
Oh! Last night, for the first time, I was able to feel one of the babies kick my hand! That was so cool! I've been feeling flutters for almost 11 weeks now, but because one of the placentas is anterior (on the front of my uterus), I haven't felt any really strong kicks and hadn't been able to feel anything from the outside. The placenta acts like a pillow, absorbing the blows. But they were very active last night, and I got to feel one little thump against my hand! Couldn't tell which baby it was because of where it was - could have been either of them. There's a lot of hands and feet swimming around in there!
We have thoroughly enjoyed the cooler weather for the past week, though it is now starting to warm back up. But it was so awesome to be able to have our windows open all day over the weekend. Anthony has been spending more time playing with his sand table on the back patio, and has enjoyed watching the hummingbirds at the feeder.
Next Tuesday is our next ultrasound, including fetal echocardiograms on the babies to check their hearts. I promise I won't leave the office without the pictures this time, so I should be able to post some new pics then. We'll see what the doc has to say about my blood sugars - have still been having some high ones, even on the insulin. Of course, the two days last week when they were high after breakfast and then crashed about 100 points in under an hour were really special too...the one day, the only warning I had was that I started shaking uncontrollably. Even my voice was trembling. I could hardly even hold a cup to drink some juice!! It was pretty scary. The last few days, I've figured out my snack timing a little better to avoid the crash.
Ok, I guess that's all for now. Hope everyone is enjoying the autumn weather!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Anthony the rooster
Anthony made this rooster mask in daycare last week, and he just loves it! He asks me to put it on him all the time, then he dances around with chicken wings saying, "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" It is the cutest thing!! I took a video of it; if I can figure out how to get it from my camcorder to my computer, I'll try to post it at a later time. Half way there!!!
Well, folks, tomorrow I will be 20 weeks - the halfway point for a normal pregnancy! Of course, the normal gestation for twins is about 37 weeks, so I'm more than half way there if you look at it from this standpoint!! Woo hoo!!
I saw my perinatologist today...and my thoughts were confirmed...I am now on insulin. For now, I just have to do one injection right before I eat breakfast. I figured that was coming, since my blood sugars after breakfast have still been high even on the diabetic diet. Oh well...whatever's best for the babes. Between my weekly progesterone injections and now my daily insulin injections, I'm turning into a regular pin-cushion!!
Oh, and who ever guessed that getting pregnant with twins would be a way to lose weight??? I am down 3 pounds from my appointment 2 weeks ago!! That puts me at a pound less than my first appointment back in early July. LOL! The doctor isn't concerned, so I guess I shouldn't be either (his way of politely saying I had too much pudge to begin with!!). If the babies want to nibble away at the flab on my upper arms, that would be okay with me...hehehe...
My cervix still looks good, again a little shorter than last time, but measuring within the normal range. This is excellent news...means all those Braxton-Hicks contractions I'm having aren't doing any harm yet. We want to keep it that way! Baby A (no, she doesn't have a name yet) was waving her hand at us when the u/s tech was taking the cervix measurements - so cute. First she was waving with her hand open, then she made a fist and moved her thumb up and down, like she was giving us a "thumbs up" sign - "All's good in here, mom and dad!"
My next regular OB appt is next Monday, then my next peri appt is the following Tuesday. At that appointment, they'll do another growth ultrasound to make sure the babies are growing well and they will also attempt to do fetal echocardiograms on the babies to check their little hearts. I guess this is because of the diabetes. The doc said sometimes twins don't cooperate, but that they would still attempt to do it. Amazing what they can do now, eh?
Ok, babies want mommy to take a rest, so gonna go lay down for a bit. Oh, Darrell took a belly pic this morning - can definitely see the belly popping out now!! 
I saw my perinatologist today...and my thoughts were confirmed...I am now on insulin. For now, I just have to do one injection right before I eat breakfast. I figured that was coming, since my blood sugars after breakfast have still been high even on the diabetic diet. Oh well...whatever's best for the babes. Between my weekly progesterone injections and now my daily insulin injections, I'm turning into a regular pin-cushion!!
Oh, and who ever guessed that getting pregnant with twins would be a way to lose weight??? I am down 3 pounds from my appointment 2 weeks ago!! That puts me at a pound less than my first appointment back in early July. LOL! The doctor isn't concerned, so I guess I shouldn't be either (his way of politely saying I had too much pudge to begin with!!). If the babies want to nibble away at the flab on my upper arms, that would be okay with me...hehehe...
My cervix still looks good, again a little shorter than last time, but measuring within the normal range. This is excellent news...means all those Braxton-Hicks contractions I'm having aren't doing any harm yet. We want to keep it that way! Baby A (no, she doesn't have a name yet) was waving her hand at us when the u/s tech was taking the cervix measurements - so cute. First she was waving with her hand open, then she made a fist and moved her thumb up and down, like she was giving us a "thumbs up" sign - "All's good in here, mom and dad!"
My next regular OB appt is next Monday, then my next peri appt is the following Tuesday. At that appointment, they'll do another growth ultrasound to make sure the babies are growing well and they will also attempt to do fetal echocardiograms on the babies to check their little hearts. I guess this is because of the diabetes. The doc said sometimes twins don't cooperate, but that they would still attempt to do it. Amazing what they can do now, eh?
Ok, babies want mommy to take a rest, so gonna go lay down for a bit. Oh, Darrell took a belly pic this morning - can definitely see the belly popping out now!!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Warning - do not disturb the emotional pregnant woman!!
Images like this one should NOT be sent to emotional pregnant women! Because they make us cry and cry and cry!!! This was sent to me in an email about praying for our troops, but it made me pray for all these innocent children who are getting caught in the middle! And for the troops who have to witness such horror. I'm gonna have to go look at some happy baby pictures, b/c now this one is stuck in my head and is haunting me!!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Belly pics
The second pic is at 17 weeks, August 28, 2007. Amazingly, I really don't see much of a difference on camera, though I certainly feel a lot bigger! I'll try to take another one this week or next.
Miracles do happen...
Wait - what's this????? Is this my Anthony sleeping in a bed OTHER than mom and dad's bed?? Oh my gosh - it is!!! For 4 nights in a row, he has slept on an air mattress, still in our room, but in a separate bed nonetheless!!! Maybe after a couple weeks of this, we can work on transitioning him to his own room -that would truly be a miracle!! I just don't want to wait too much longer - the closer it is to the babies' arrival, the more he's going to feel like they pushed him out of our room. Of course, I did have to bribe him the first night - told him I would buy him some stickers on Saturday if he stayed in his own bed Friday night - but hey, it worked! And I haven't had to bribe him since then...woo hoo!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Funny joke
The husband had just finished reading a new book entitled "You Can Be the Man of Your House." He stormed to his wife in the kitchen. "From now on, you need to know that I am the man of this house and my word is law! You will prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I'm finished eating my meal, you will serve me a sumptuous dessert. After dinner you are going to go upstairs with me and we will have the kind of sex that I want. After that, you are going to draw me a bath so I can relax. You will wash my back and towel me dry and bring me my robe. Then you will massage my feet and hands. Then tomorrow, guess who's going to dress me and comb my hair?"
The wife replied, "The freaking funeral director would be my guess."
The wife replied, "The freaking funeral director would be my guess."
Poem and 19 week update
First, I wanted to share this poem. Someone posted it on the Pregnant After a Loss message board I visit.
A Different Child
poem by Pandora MacMillian
People notice
There's a special glow around you.
You grow
Surrounded by love,
Never doubting you are wanted;
Only look at the pride and joy
In your mother and father's eyes.
And if sometimes
Between the smiles
There's a trace of tears,
One day
You'll understand.
You'll understand
There was once another child
A different child
Who was in their hopes and dreams.
That child will never outgrow the baby clothes
That child will never keep them up at night
In fact, that child will never be any trouble at all.
Except sometimes, in a silent moment,
When mother and father miss so much
That different child.
May hope and love wrap you warmly
And may you learn the lesson forever
How infinitely precious
How infinitely fragile
Is this life on earth.
One day, as a young man or woman
You may see another mother's tears
Another father's silent grief
Then you, and you alone
Will understand
And offer the greatest comfort.
When all hope seems lost,
You will tell them
With great compassion,
"I know how you feel.
I'm only here
Because my mother tried again."
That made me cry!!! It really is a strange phenomenon, how I can still be so sad about the miscarriage and yet so incredibly happy about being pregnant again, all at the same time. But it goes to show you that a new baby or babies cannot replace one that you've lost, and you still have to grieve the child you've lost.
I had another OB appt today. Babies' heartrates are good, and my growth is good, though I haven't gained any more weight. What can I say - it's redistributing!! I did have some protein in my urine today, which is not good, but hopefully is just because I hadn't drank enough water this morning. They'll recheck that in 2 weeks. I've been having quite a few contractions, but she wasn't too concerned yet. As long as they stay under 6 an hour, I'm okay. At 6 in one hour, it's time to go to the hospital. My blood sugars have still been a bit erratic, even on the diabetic diet. I see the perinatologist again next Monday, so we'll see what he says. I may end up having to do insulin shots. Growing babies is hard work!!! And it looks like I'm going to continue to have weekly appts, alternating between my regular OB and the perinatologist. Fun fun!
A Different Child
poem by Pandora MacMillian
People notice
There's a special glow around you.
You grow
Surrounded by love,
Never doubting you are wanted;
Only look at the pride and joy
In your mother and father's eyes.
And if sometimes
Between the smiles
There's a trace of tears,
One day
You'll understand.
You'll understand
There was once another child
A different child
Who was in their hopes and dreams.
That child will never outgrow the baby clothes
That child will never keep them up at night
In fact, that child will never be any trouble at all.
Except sometimes, in a silent moment,
When mother and father miss so much
That different child.
May hope and love wrap you warmly
And may you learn the lesson forever
How infinitely precious
How infinitely fragile
Is this life on earth.
One day, as a young man or woman
You may see another mother's tears
Another father's silent grief
Then you, and you alone
Will understand
And offer the greatest comfort.
When all hope seems lost,
You will tell them
With great compassion,
"I know how you feel.
I'm only here
Because my mother tried again."
That made me cry!!! It really is a strange phenomenon, how I can still be so sad about the miscarriage and yet so incredibly happy about being pregnant again, all at the same time. But it goes to show you that a new baby or babies cannot replace one that you've lost, and you still have to grieve the child you've lost.
I had another OB appt today. Babies' heartrates are good, and my growth is good, though I haven't gained any more weight. What can I say - it's redistributing!! I did have some protein in my urine today, which is not good, but hopefully is just because I hadn't drank enough water this morning. They'll recheck that in 2 weeks. I've been having quite a few contractions, but she wasn't too concerned yet. As long as they stay under 6 an hour, I'm okay. At 6 in one hour, it's time to go to the hospital. My blood sugars have still been a bit erratic, even on the diabetic diet. I see the perinatologist again next Monday, so we'll see what he says. I may end up having to do insulin shots. Growing babies is hard work!!! And it looks like I'm going to continue to have weekly appts, alternating between my regular OB and the perinatologist. Fun fun!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
18 Week Appointment Update
Well, there's good news and bad news.
Good news first - both baby girls are looking great! They are measuring right on schedule, have no signs of any problems, and are just as cute as can be all squished up in there! Unfortunately, we somehow managed to leave the office without any pics, so I don't have any new ones to post yet. They are both weighing in at about 8 oz each - 1/2 a pound each. They will do another growth ultrasound in 4 weeks.
The bad news - the perinatologist has already diagnosed me with gestational diabetes! I knew my blood sugars were creeping up, but I didn't think they were THAT bad yet. And if I wasn't already on metformin, they wouldn't be considered as bad, and he initially said he didn't think I had full blown diabetes yet. But then when we reviewed my meds and he remembered that I'm on the metformin, he said, "Oh, then you ARE diabetic!" Ack! So the Sweet Success nurse gave me the new eating plan, which of course cuts out all sweets. Even milk is considered a starch, and I have to limit it - and can't have any before lunch. No cereal for breakfast, either, even without the milk. And my fruits, which have been helping me so much, are now significantly limited as well. Gonna have to go get some sugar-free ice cream!!!
My concern is about my weight. According to "the book," written by the doc who's "the" expert on twins and multiples, I should have gained 14-18 lbs by now for my BMI. Since my first appt on 7/6, I've gained a whopping 2 lbs. And now that I'm going to be on this carb-restricted diet, I would imagine I will probably LOSE weight instead of gaining. I asked the nurse about it, and she kind of brushed it off. I'm just concerned b/c even though they do deal with lots of multiples there, it's not like they specialize in multiples. I asked the doc about it too, and he said he's not too worried about my lack of gain yet.
My cervix did shorten a bit since my last appt, which did not surprise me since I've been feeling a lot of pressure from Baby A down there, as well as some contractions. Baby A is doing a head stand right on my cervix! Even though it shortened some, it is still measuring in the normal range. They will recheck it in 2 weeks, and the doc said if I have 6 or more contractions in one hour, I need to call my OB and/or go to the hospital.
So I have a regular OB appointment next Monday, and a peri appt for my blood sugars and cervical check the following Monday. Thanks for everyone's continued prayers!
Guess what? It's actually THUNDERING outside!!!! How cool is that?! That almost NEVER happens around here! Unfortunately, it probably won't actually rain, nor will it cool things off - supposed to be 111 today plus a whole lot of humidity.
Good news first - both baby girls are looking great! They are measuring right on schedule, have no signs of any problems, and are just as cute as can be all squished up in there! Unfortunately, we somehow managed to leave the office without any pics, so I don't have any new ones to post yet. They are both weighing in at about 8 oz each - 1/2 a pound each. They will do another growth ultrasound in 4 weeks.
The bad news - the perinatologist has already diagnosed me with gestational diabetes! I knew my blood sugars were creeping up, but I didn't think they were THAT bad yet. And if I wasn't already on metformin, they wouldn't be considered as bad, and he initially said he didn't think I had full blown diabetes yet. But then when we reviewed my meds and he remembered that I'm on the metformin, he said, "Oh, then you ARE diabetic!" Ack! So the Sweet Success nurse gave me the new eating plan, which of course cuts out all sweets. Even milk is considered a starch, and I have to limit it - and can't have any before lunch. No cereal for breakfast, either, even without the milk. And my fruits, which have been helping me so much, are now significantly limited as well. Gonna have to go get some sugar-free ice cream!!!
My concern is about my weight. According to "the book," written by the doc who's "the" expert on twins and multiples, I should have gained 14-18 lbs by now for my BMI. Since my first appt on 7/6, I've gained a whopping 2 lbs. And now that I'm going to be on this carb-restricted diet, I would imagine I will probably LOSE weight instead of gaining. I asked the nurse about it, and she kind of brushed it off. I'm just concerned b/c even though they do deal with lots of multiples there, it's not like they specialize in multiples. I asked the doc about it too, and he said he's not too worried about my lack of gain yet.
My cervix did shorten a bit since my last appt, which did not surprise me since I've been feeling a lot of pressure from Baby A down there, as well as some contractions. Baby A is doing a head stand right on my cervix! Even though it shortened some, it is still measuring in the normal range. They will recheck it in 2 weeks, and the doc said if I have 6 or more contractions in one hour, I need to call my OB and/or go to the hospital.
So I have a regular OB appointment next Monday, and a peri appt for my blood sugars and cervical check the following Monday. Thanks for everyone's continued prayers!
Guess what? It's actually THUNDERING outside!!!! How cool is that?! That almost NEVER happens around here! Unfortunately, it probably won't actually rain, nor will it cool things off - supposed to be 111 today plus a whole lot of humidity.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Step away from the ice cream and no one will get hurt!
This is a whole new brand of hunger. I tell you, I am starving all the time!!! And although food is more appealing now than it was about 6 weeks ago, I still have a hard time keeping enough different things on hand to get me through the day. I get kind of nauseated if I have to eat the same thing more than once a day.
Here's a favorite excerpt from one of my pregnancy books -
"It's not a 'maybe I'll have an apple and a cookie now,' kind of hunger. It's more like 'I'll eat this half a watermelon, the entire roast chicken for dinner, and this pie looks good. What are you going to eat, hon?'"
We have been staying inside, trying to avoid the ridiculous heat. I can't believe it's September and it's still over 110 degrees. I think we may go up to Oak Glen tomorrow afternoon for a picnic with Dan and Gloria to escape the heat.
We have our big growth and anatomy ultrasound on Tuesday - yay! More pics of the babies! I also have my appointment with the Sweet Success nurse; kind of dreading that, b/c my blood sugars have slowly been creeping up. (Couldn't have anything to do with the ice cream...) I'm afraid they're going to put me on the diabetic diet soon. Ugh! So much for being able to eat whatever I want!
Happy long weekend, everyone!!
Here's a favorite excerpt from one of my pregnancy books -
"It's not a 'maybe I'll have an apple and a cookie now,' kind of hunger. It's more like 'I'll eat this half a watermelon, the entire roast chicken for dinner, and this pie looks good. What are you going to eat, hon?'"
We have been staying inside, trying to avoid the ridiculous heat. I can't believe it's September and it's still over 110 degrees. I think we may go up to Oak Glen tomorrow afternoon for a picnic with Dan and Gloria to escape the heat.
We have our big growth and anatomy ultrasound on Tuesday - yay! More pics of the babies! I also have my appointment with the Sweet Success nurse; kind of dreading that, b/c my blood sugars have slowly been creeping up. (Couldn't have anything to do with the ice cream...) I'm afraid they're going to put me on the diabetic diet soon. Ugh! So much for being able to eat whatever I want!
Happy long weekend, everyone!!
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