34 weeks

Well,  today might not be the best day to write this post about how I am feeling at 34 weeks since I got no sleep last night and have been feeling crappy/grumpy all day.  But, I went to the doctor today, and I am waiting for the girls to settle down and sleep so I can take a nap, so I guess now is as good a time as any.

Here I am!  About to pop!  Or so it feels.  I am measuring completely full term for a single baby, and as I waddled into my appointment today, a lady said, "You look like you are DUE!"  Why, yes, and I feel like it too.  My doctor thinks I might still eek out a good 2-3 weeks before they come, and for their sake, I hope so too.  Baby A weighs 5 lb. 15 oz.  Baby B weighs 5 lb 1 oz.  65th and 37th percentiles.  That is almost a pound difference between them, but their movement, fluid, and breathing are all good, and they are within normal range, so it isn't a concern to the doctor.  My cervix is dilated one cm, and I am 80% effaced.  That really doesn't mean a whole lot to me though since I went for several weeks pregnant with Sally and dilated about 5 cm and 90% effaced.  There ARE two babies in there now, so I guess that might make a difference.  We'll see.

As far as weight goes, the babies sound (to most people) like they are big enough to be born any time.  However, weight is really not the first concern when determining whether a baby is ready to be born or not.  I remember when Sophie was in the hospital, people kept asking, "How much does she weigh now?  How much does she have to weigh in order to come home?"  The bigger concerns are that they have mature respiratory systems, that they can eat well enough on their own in order to gain weight, and that they can maintain their body temperature without assistance.  So, those are the main things I am hoping will be taking place as they continue to develop over the next few weeks.  My goal is September 1st or later, but we'll see what happens.

I am feeling pretty tired of this pregnancy.  I hardly ever sleep well.  I am up and down all night long either in the bathroom or sitting on the couch.  My stomach discomfort (digestive system, that is) is what keeps me up, mainly.  That and my squished bladder.  Oh, and children who still randomly wake up at night asking for milk or wanting to sleep in our bed.  They usually do sleep well, but when they don't it just adds to my frustration if I have just fallen asleep.  The babies kick me a LOT!  It used to be sweet and fun, but now it is painful!  There is one spot on my ribs that is always kicked, and it is getting really sore.  My feet are really swollen, at least the past couple of days.  I have some joint (mainly hip) pain, but overall, that hasn't been nearly so bad this pregnancy.  I am in full nesting mode, wanting to get all kinds of things done, but lacking the physical ability to do it most of the time.  Thankfully, a good friend has been coming over to help me get some things done.  She mopped our entire upstairs floors yesterday, and I kept telling Ryan how excited I was that all the floors were clean AT THE SAME TIME!!!!  I usually only can do one room before I have to stop.  Ryan has been helping a lot too, but he works, so his free time isn't as open to help me.

And, to end on a good note, some sweet friends from church surprised me last weekend with a pedicure, a delicious lunch, and movie watching time while we made some super cute bows for the twins.  I had no idea they were doing it, and it made me feel so loved!!  I am so thankful for our church and the way they have served us and taken care of us!

Next post I do, I will share some maternity/family pictures that a wonderful friend from church took for us.  I was thrilled with how well they came out!  The picture at the top is one she took.  I wish I had been looking at the camera too, but that is the best one of the four of us.  Hard to get little ones to cooperate at the same time!