Thursday, October 8, 2009

36 weeks and 2 days!

YEAH! I am so thrilled that we have come this far! Yippee!



I am up a total of 44 pounds, and I am measuring 42 centimeters. Yowsers! I'm a big girl now and even wear big girl panties! HA!


I'm craving caffeine like crazy. In my opinion, it is because I am so darn tired. Sleep comes in spurts throughout the night, and I have nights where getting an hour or two at one time is wonderful. I suppose my body and brain are preparing for when we have the babies home with us!



My feet and "cankles" are even larger now; I'll spare you the pictures this time. My carpal tunnel is also much worse because my hands are swelling so much more now too.

I have a few stretch marks around my belly button. They aren't terrible, and they are pretty light in color. I know these sweet baby boys will be worth it all though!


We had to start our non-stress tests last week. If you have never heard of this test, basically, both babies and their heart rates have to be measured for at least twenty minutes. The doctors want to ensure the heart rates are going up and down, depending on the movement of the babies. They want to see fluctuations in their heartbeats. The first non-stress test we took was at my regular ObGyn's office, and it was a nightmare! Two nurses worked two and a half hours to find the babies' heartbeats. They could only find one heartbeat no matter how or what they tried. Obviously, I was completely geeking after all this, and then major contractions started from all the stress. The doctor finally ordered an ultrasound. It was the longest wait ever and my mind went to one of those dark, scary places where you wonder if your world is about to come to a screeching halt. Needless to say, once the ultrasound technician arrived, she found both heartbeats immediately and apologized for our horrendous experience. We literally were at the doctor's office from 2:30 until 7:30, and I was an emotional wreck by the time we left. I'm just happy to report that all is well with both babies, even though they sure gave us a scare.




We have since had two more non-stress tests at our perinatologist's office, which has been a complete blessing. The tests have lasted less than thirty minutes each and have all been great. Whew! I'm so glad the perinatologist's office offered to do the non-stress tests for us because they seem to have soooo much more experience and empathy.

I've also been feeling nauseous. The doctor thinks it is all related to the fluctuations in my hormones, but it kinda stinks. One day I feel okay, and then the nausea hits me and I can't eat but feel like I really need to for the sake of the babies. This too shall pass.....

The perinatologist estimated that the babies weighed five pounds and three ounces and five pounds seven ounces on October 1st. Hallelujah! We are so dang happy with this! Baby A is also fully "engaged" and very low in the birth canal, so the doctor said I am essentially walking around his head. No wonder I have a waddle. Poor buddy boy!

Still working full time. My brain is half there and half in LaLa Land. Oh well; what can I say? I have babies on the brain.

I don't sleep much these days either, which likely contributes to my lack of a brain at work. I sleep an hour or two at night. I either wake up choking on acid from having heartburn so badly or because I am really sore and achy. I know- gross. But I just want to document every last thing because I feel so fortunate to be in this position. I can't tell you how elated I am, despite the not-so-fun-things about pregnancy. And I've had an amazing pregnancy. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Every time I feel these little babies kick, I am thankful. I am thankful to have the opportunity to be a mom and be doubly blessed!

Well, that's probably enough blabbering for now. I'm getting teary-eyed.

But I will leave you with some pics.....

Final nursery pictures.....









Pics of Allen and me.....






And the pups.....



8 comments:

Danielle Moss said...

Such cute pics! And I'm glad you spared the world the pics of your feet. I just wish you hadn't sent me one ;)

Jessica said...

Ashley you are doing so great...especially making it this far! Enjoy your last few weeks of "free time"! Can't wait to see pictures of the little guys!

Photogrl said...

LOVE the pics! You and Alan are SO cute!

Yay for a great update!

Can't wait to hear of the boys' arrival!

Anonymous said...

Girl, you are just BEAMING through your writing (even the crappy parts of pregnancy :) and then you have the smiles on your face in the pictures to match! I can't wait to "meet" these little dudes, they are so loved already! And holy moses I can't believe that time is almost here! Can't wait to hear about their arrival! xo

s.e. said...

I cannot believe how good you look! And my husband would never let me sit on his lap especially not now.

You can see the joy on your faces. Congratulations on making it past 36 weeks!

Mel said...

Reading your post brought back so many memories...ahhh..the NST! How scary that first time! You look AMAZING! I can't imagine carrying two..twice the everything! Ooohh..the heartburn. It is terrible isn't it? Love the nursery and girl...you are CLOSE! YAAAAYYY!!

Just Me. said...

Nawww...u're looking sooo gorgeous!!!!!! I'm thinking of you as the day draws nearer!!!!!!

HUgggggsssss

Shelby said...

Precious - all of it - love the colors in the nursery and your organization is making me a little jealous :) Praying for you.