26 weeks and 1 day

I am officially 6 1/ 2 months pregnant. So amazing! I'm going to post in bullet points because it is late (9:30 P.M.), and I want to head to bed:

• My belly is a-growin'! I'm measuring 31 1/ 2inches as of last Monday (one day shy of 25 weeks). This equates to being 31 1/ 2 weeks pregnant with a singleton, but it does not really convert to a twin pregnancy. I don't have any stretch marks yet but know they may appear any second because my stomach is getting so large.
  
• I have gained 25 pounds thus far, and my doctor would like me to continue gaining because weight gain for the mom falls off in the last trimester. Babies take up so much space that there is very little room for the stomach to expand. However, our perinatologist said the babies are measuring right on track for weight so not to be too worried about my personal weight gain.
• The babies are super active, although I cannot tell which one is moving or what body parts are moving yet. I can see movement on the outside of my belly as well, which is super exciting. Feeling and seeing the babies move is the neatest thing I have ever experienced in my life. I LOVE it!
• My appointments with my regular ObGyn are now every two weeks.
• I failed my first glucose tolerance test; the nurse forgot to tell me to fast, and I ate a cheeseburger and fries prior to the test. HA! My repeat test was perfect. Go figure!
• I am slightly anemic, which is normal in twin pregnancies. The babies are taking every single bit of nutrition from me. I am supposed to supplement with over-the-counter iron pills once daily and will be monitored closely to ensure my anemia does not get too out of hand.
• I am out of breath pretty and take deep breaths often. I don't even realize I am breathing deeply or sighing/taking deep breaths and have been asked on several occasions if I am okay. Someone even told me that I shouldn't breathe like that because it makes other people nervous and concerned I might be going into labor. HA! Poor Allen wears himself out asking if I am alright when I breathe this way too.
• I have to go to the bathroom about once an hour (if not more) and am up throughout the night not only to go to the bathroom but also because the babies tend to be most active in the late evenings.
• My back still bothers me; the pain is becoming a nuisance. When I think about carrying these two little babies though, I can't help but smile and be thankful.
• My ankles have begun to swell a tiny bit but do not cause me any pain right now. They start swelling about 10 A.M. and just tend to stay that way the rest of the day.

• I am usually super tired after work and come home to take a thirty-minute nap a few times a week. I also think this might partially be related to the anemia, but I need to ask my doctor about that.
• I am constantly thirsty! Super. Thirsty.
  
• We were extremely productive this weekend while my best friend, "Peah," was in town from Houston. We picked out and purchased the cribs and mattresses (which take about six weeks to come in), we planned the family & friend baby shower, we found everything we needed to register for (plan to actually register this weekend), found a recliner/rocker for the nursery (Grandma Lucy paid for it), and we picked out new carpet in case we stay in our current house.
• My mom and my Aunt Sharri (my mom's best friend) willingly drove to Tulsa today to get the rest of our baby bedding for us, and we now have all the bedding ordered. How sweet are they to help us with this task?
• We also found out that we may get an offer on our house in the next day or two. Yikes! I was so not prepared for this and had resigned myself to staying in our current house until the babies were six months old, but I guess we'll see how it all works out in the end. Allen is dying to move, but I'm ready to nest. Our house officially goes off the market this Sunday at midnight. I just keep telling myself that if it is meant to be, it will be.
• My belly is the largest thing on me right now, but I feel like I have started to gain a bit of weight and swelling in my face, rear end, and ankles. I know this is all normal; I just want it documented more than anything.
  
• Other than that, things have been going well. Work is keeping me really busy right now, but it sure makes the days pass quickly. I'm thankful to have a job though!
• I also have a great husband who helps so much around the house! He has been amazing and tells me my main job right now is to grow these babies. Since I tend to be a control freak, it is hard for me to surrender, but my body is happy that I do.
• Allen tells me I move "at the speed of death." I do all tasks pretty slowly and feel like my "high speed" switch is currently broken. It's okay though; I'm growing babies. Remember? HA!
  
• I apologize if I haven't updated as much as you (or I) would have liked. I've been doing an awful job about commenting on blogs too. I am often reading and sometimes just don't have the time or energy to comment. I am sorry and hope I can improve on this.
  
• I'll leave you with a few parting belly shots and a few pictures from our anniversary trip to Eureka Springs as well.