13 weeks 1/17/2021

 Week 13: The babies are the size of lemons.

Hello second trimester!! We are officially more than one third of the way there. The doctor said they consider the twins full term by 38 weeks so even though the due date would be July 25, there is a good chance we could be meet in these boys the second week in July!

What's going on in there: This week the vocal cords are forming and while the babies eyes have arrive, they are not open. Their eyelids are fused shut to protect those tiny little peepers as they continue to develop. Their heads are now about half the size of their crown-to-rump length. 

Next appointment: 1/21/2021 for the 13 week ultrasound. 

Feeling: Pretty good! Almost back to normal other than needing extra naps when the boys suck up my energy. 

Weight: 162

27 weeks to go!

12 weeks 1/10/2021

 Week 12: The babies are the size of limes.

We are officially done with medications! At 12 weeks we did start baby aspirin to help reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia but those two little pills are easy to work into the day and well worth it. The boys and I are becoming a good team, as they seem to take up a lot of energy on my days off when I can rest and nap as needed, and let me keep some energy on the days I have to leave the house for work. 

What's going on in there: This week the intestines complete the move back to the abdomen from the umbilical cord space The babies bones marrow is making white blood cells, so they will be able to fight off all those germs passed around the playground. Now that the babies have pretty much all of their important organs, their main job is to keep on growing!

 

Next appointment: 1/21/2021 for the 13 week ultrasound. 

Feeling: Getting my appetite back, focusing on small meals and lots of hydration. Looking forward to hitting the second trimester next week!

Weight: 161

28 weeks to go!

11 weeks 1/3/2021

Week 11: The babies are the size of strawberries.

Happy New Year! This is the year the boys will enter this world. It's hard to think about all the excitement that is coming this summer with all the snow outside but the time will be here before we know it. The boys and I actually made it up until midnight on New Year's Eve, well, until about 12:15. In the beginning of the pregnancy I would wake up a couple of times a night, I think partly due to the progesterone. Lately I have been sleeping through the night more which I feel definitely helps battle the exhaustion.

We received the genetic results and all came back normal, which was not a surprise but always a relief and reassurance along this exciting journey. The nurse also said they could confirm there was at least one boy in there. I joked with her saying there better be two since they spit from the same embryo! Two healthy little boys growing right on track.

What's going on in there: The babies ears have migrated closer to their final destination on either side of their cute  little heads. The babies head's account for about half of their body length! Bye-bye, webbed hands and feet. The boys fingers and toes are separating and looking like real baby parts. Fingernails and toenails are beginning to develop.

Next appointment: 1/21/2021 for the 13 week ultrasound. 

Feeling: Feeling pretty good this last week. Taking time off for the holidays gave me plenty of down time when needed. I'm getting my appetite back, and while the boys seem to crave sweets and spicy things, my stomach needs some more time to adjust. While pregnant your digestive system slows down, so I have to remember to eat smaller meals so my stomach doesn't get upset. While comfortable, all symptoms are much more manageable than constant nausea so I can't complain!

Weight: 160

29 weeks to go!

10 weeks 12/27/20

Week 10: The babies are the size of prunes.

Today I gave what felt like a quarter of my blood, but the vials were taken for the OB's prenatal labs and the genetic testing. We should get the results back within the week, as long as USPS doesn't have anything to do with moving them!

What's going on in there: While baby-to-be’s pearly whites won’t appear until they are about 6 months old, teeny tooth buds are now developing under the gums.This week, the stomach is producing digestive juices and the kidneys are making larger quantities of urine. Bones and cartilage are forming this week, knees and ankles are starting to take shape and tiny elbows are already working!

Next appointment: 1/21/2021 for the 13 week ultrasound. Cant wait to see those boys again, and I bet they will be moving so much more!

Feeling: Sort of back to normal! Heart burn is starting to creeping in which I was prepared for, with Tums in the nightstand drawer. 

Weight: 159

30 weeks to go!

9 weeks - 12/20/20

Week 9: The babies are the size of green olives.

What's going on in there: They are now about 1 inch long, the size of a medium green olive. The head has straightened out and is more fully developed and the ears are continuing to grow, making baby look more human. Plus, toes are visible, and all of baby's essential organs, like the heart, brain, kidneys, liver and lungs, have begun to develop. The arms and legs are also spontaneously moving now that minuscule muscles are beginning to develop, though they won't be felt for at least another month or two.

Next appointment: 12/29/20 for blood work

Feeling: So tired! I could sleep all day, but I don't. It is easier to deal with the fatigue by taking breaks during the day to rest. My appetite is definitely returning and I think the boys are in favor of spicy and sweet things, but not together!

Weight: 159

31 weeks to go!

8 weeks - 12/13/20

Week 8: The babies are the size of raspberries

What's going on in there: Amniotic fluid volume is increasing and the womb is expanding to accommodate its growing tenants. This week, hands and feet are forming tiny fingers and toes, and those arms are able to flex at the elbows and wrists. At this point, eyes begin to develop pigment, and genitals are forming too.

These external features aren’t the only things developing — the internal organs are making strides, too. As the intestines form, they start to take up space in the umbilical cord because there’s not enough room in the babies abdomen yet. Even at this early stage, the intestines are working to carry waste away from the body. A month from now, when there’s more room in their little bellies, the intestines will move out of the cord and back into the abdomen.

Our second ultrasound on 12/14/20 showed the babies were growing beautifully, with heart rates of 173 and 176. I think we all took a deep breath once we saw both of our little stars were doing so well. We got to see their little heart beats flickering on the screen and they looked like little gummy bears with their arm and leg buds. 

Next appointment: 12/21/20 first appointment with the OB

Feeling: Pretty good. The nausea hangs out like an old friend, always there but comes and goes. Energy levels go up and down through out the day (naps are still lovely on weekends!). And my appetite is trying to make an appearance again thanks to my brain wanting certain things but my stomach quickly reminds me that I may not be ready for foods that aren't bland yet. Overall, no symptom is too bad and I know in about a month the nausea should go away and my energy will be back up! So I am taking full advantage of the down time and getting rest while the boys are growing 

Weight: 158

32 weeks to go!

7 weeks - 12/6/20

Week 7: The babies are the size of blueberries 

What's going on in there: The babies to be have developed wen-like hands and feet stubs. Soon enough, they will grow and  change to have fingers and toes, but right now, their hands looks like little paddles. The main parts of the eye that allow the baby so see- the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and retina - start developing this week, and they're almost fully formed just a few weeks later. The stomach starts to form this week and the liver and pancreas start to develop as well!

Next appointment: 12/14/20 for second ultrasound 

Feeling: Less nauseas on a regular basis. It still creeps up sometimes but is definitely bearable. Fatigue has kicked in right on time, so those boys must be growing hard in there. Naps help!

Weight: 158

33 weeks to go!