Emotion

I never thought I would see this day. Well, I had a feeling that these girls were not going to be scary early, but I wasn't so sure I was going to live to see 37 weeks. 37 LONG WEEKS. After all that worry and wonder and trying to keep these baby girls healthy and inside of me we made it. I will be induced tomorrow and we will finally get to meet these little miracles inside of me that have lived underneath my heart for nine months.

This week has been a roller coaster of emotion. I am elated to have made it this far but in a great deal of physical discomfort. While part of me is happy that these girls are probably big and healthy the other part just wants them OUT!! I am so excited to meet these little ones but mourning the fact that Grace will no longer be my only baby. I know every mommy goes through this but my biggest worry is for her. She is just the happiest, most blissful child and I don't want the change. She is the kind of kid that makes you want to do cartwheels and stand on your head and do anything for her because she just gives so much love in return. Adam and I just love being with her. I don't want that to change, I don't want her to change, but I know change is inevitable. She is going to be a wonderful big sister, and these twins are just going to multiply our love not take away from it, but it is still very emotional.

It is such a strange feeling being on the eve of a day that you know is going to completely change your life. So my prayer is for a safe and fast delivery. For two healthy babies, and for our family of three to welcome into its hearts two more members.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support over the last nine months. It has really meant a lot to me. I can't wait to introduce you to the two newest members of our family.

Pregnancy: 37 Weeks

Whew, we made it. WE MADE IT!!! 37 weeks and full term babies. Saw Dr. P for the big appointment on Wednesday. This was D-day so to speak. If my cervix had changed since last week he was going to induce me Friday. Measuring 47 weeks pregnant again this week. Had slight cervical change so he decided to go ahead and induce me Monday. Friday would put me at 36 weeks, 6 days which is one day short of full term. One day!!!

So we are going to have babies for sure on Monday! YAY!! Not what I originally had hoped for but there is an end in sight. Passed my non-stress test with flying colors on Wednesday. He set me up for another one on Friday just to make sure since we are getting to the end here and the placenta can be getting a bit, eh....tired of feeding two babies. Baby A's heart rate was a bit high and I had a fall the day before so they kept me for a few hours to monitor them. They ended up letting me go a little early because the babies looked fine and I was really upset about missing taking Grace to the pool. The nurses felt sorry for me because I was losing it over having promised my 2.5 year old that I would take her to the pool and was sitting there crying like an idiot.

After finally making it to the pool at 5 o'clock I met Katie and Nicki for sushi or my "last supper" as they put it. It was just what I needed. So now the countdown begins for babies!! 2 more days!!!

The babies are as lofty as a stalk of Swiss chard and most likely weigh around 6 1/3 pounds. (Length: a bit over 19 inches, head to heel.). That would be 12lbs 10oz plus of baby inside of me!

Here is an idea of what they look like in there (except my girls are in the same sac bc they are identical):

Father's Day

Surprisingly, we have been lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time at the lake so far this summer. We spent both Saturday and Father's Day out there. I got up and made Adam breakfast and let him sleep in a little on Sunday. And let me tell you, it my current state, that takes quite a bit of effort :) Grace colored him a card and gave him a t-shirt that says, "Real Men Make Twins". Adam has been my rock this entire pregnancy. I could not have done it without him. He basically was a single dad when I was so sick with the hyperemesis. He has made countless trips to the ER and hospital in the middle of the night with me. He takes Grace to the park, or the store, or the lake, so I can rest. The result of all this is that it has not only has it strengthened the bond between daddy and daughter but Grace just worships her daddy.  If anyone deserves the award of Super Dad this year, it's him. I am so blessed to have him as my partner and father of my children on this crazy journey we call life.

Speaking of Miss G, she is not afraid of the water at all!! I guess I shouldn't be surprised being that she has grown up around it but it still impresses me. She gets in and out all by herself and doesn't want any help when "swimming" in the water. At the pool on Friday she was swimming around like a little fish with her water wings on.

Some pics from our weekend. (and Duh- should have got one of Grace and daddy. The babies are sucking my brain cells)

Pregnancy: Week 36

Still pregnant. UGH. I know I should be glad these little ones are going to be good and cooked but good God I am miserable. Saw the doc Thursday morning. Measuring 47 weeks pregnant (that is full term plus 7 weeks for a singleton!!). He said he would check me if I wanted him to just to see what was going on. I was long, thick and dilated 1 cm. Same as a month ago. Double UGH. He said he would induce me next Friday IF when he checked me at my appointment on Wednesday my body was showing signs of being ready for labor. So, fingers crossed for Friday (if not before)!!! I understand his reasoning: if he induces me before my body is ready it increases my chances of ending up with a C-section. That doesn't make it any easier.

Thursday night we made a little practice run to labor and delivery. I was having contractions about 2-4 minutes apart for about 3 hours. They ended up holding me there for a few hours with no change in my cervix so they sent me home. I forgot what real contractions feel like! Yikes!! I felt them in my back too which makes me worry that I am going to have back labor this time. They stopped about 10 am the next day.

Friday night we spent some time at Crowley's pool. This was just what I needed. After a miserable night and day I felt renewed and refreshed. We lost power that night. Good times when your nine months pregnant so we packed up and headed to my (air conditioned) parents house.

Saturday night I visited LeeAnn for what I hope was my last ultrasound. She estimated that each baby weighs about 5.5 lbs (give or take a pound). We discovered that Baby A is face up which could make pushing her out a bit more difficult. But, their fluid levels, cords, placenta, and practice breathing all looked great. Helps me breathe a little easier until my non-stress test next Wednesday.

The babies at 36 weeks are almost 6 pounds on average and still packing on the pounds at a rate of about an ounce a day, comparable to a Crenshaw Melon in size. (Length: more than 18 1/2 inches, head to heel.)

And a picture of the belly. Notice that it is hanging out the bottom of my shirt. Sexy :)

Big Girl Room

This has been a work in progress to say the least. We transitioned G to a big girl bed in January. Adam built the bed himself and she absolutely loves it (I think because daddy built it). We wanted to make sure we were putting her in a big girl room well before the babies were born so she didn't feel displaced. I decided I was going to make her a quilt in January as well. Good idea when you are being fed intravenously and in and out of the hospital. Yeah, not so much. I managed to get the top done but it has been sitting unfinished for 5 months!! Well, it was now or never because it sure as heck wasn't going to get done after these babies come. My mom (who also has zero quilting experience) spent hours and hours finishing it and I love how it turned out. Thank you Nana!! Adam also built her a bookshelf so she can see the covers of all her books and I covered the letters that were above her crib with coordinating fabric from the quilt.

Project "Big Girl Room" finally complete. :)

Next up....pics of the twin's nursery. It is almost done.

Nothing says summer....

...like a romp through the sprinkler :)

Lake Day

Invited the girls and kiddos to the lake on Friday. Not my brightest idea at 35 weeks pregnant but everyone made sure I didn't do too much. We had such a good day and I was once again reminded of what a great group of friends I have found right here in good 'ol Jackson. Nicole has a great recap HERE.

Pregnancy: Week 35

This week in preggo news: measuring 45 weeks pregnant. Both babies passed their non-stress test with flying colors this week. I kind of freaked myself out last week about when these babies should be delivered since they are sharing a placenta. The internet is bad, so bad. I addressed my fears with Dr. P and he made me feel better. He said we are keeping a very close eye on these little buggers and he will deliver them if there is any sign of distress. Had an ultrasound on Friday and the estimated weights were 4.9 and 4.7. So who the heck knows how big these babies are going to be, it is all an estimate!! Baby A's head is waaaaaaaay down there, hopefully doing something to move things along. The rest of her curves around my right side by my hip. Baby B's head is on my lower left side and she is at a 45 degree angle across my belly. Her butt is actually near my belly button. She better not flip when her sister makes her way out!!

The babies are now as hefty as honeydew melon at 5 1/4 pounds (Length: more than 18 inches, head to heel.)

Baby Poll GIVEAWAY!!!!

The time is getting near.  Do you have your guess in for when the Dawson twins are going to be born? Click on the "Expect Net.com" link on the right side of my blog to place your guess.

The person who guesses the twins birthday correctly gets a $20 TARGET GIFT CARD!!

Ties will be broken by who has the closest guess in weight.

Pregnancy: Week 34

Measuring 43 weeks pregnant this week. Spent 5 hours in labor and delivery on Wednesday for my non-stress test. The girls were a little hyped up. They were tachycardic with heartbeats running in the 180-190 range when they are usually about 150-160. They started an IV thinking I was dehydrated. Baby A's heart rate came down a bit but B's stayed up. So off to ultrasound I went for a biophysical profile of each baby. After an hour long ultrasound, both babies passed. Back up to labor and delivery I went where my contractions were about 10 minutes apart. They decided to do a preterm labor test and check my cervix and both were negative. So, FINALLY, I got to go home.

Here is a few pics of the babes:

Baby A was measuring 5lbs 3oz and Baby B 4lbs 5oz. There is about a 17% size difference right now, anything over 20% is a concern.

The babies have bulked up like the average cantaloupe -- average weight about 4 3/4 pounds. (Length: almost 18 inches, head to heel.)

And, the belly...