Strange Bedfellows

I've mentioned in a few of my update posts that I have been battling restless leg syndrome for the past couple of months.  Apparently, it's completely normal in pregnancy but that didn't stop me from cursing this blasted condition on a daily basis while I fought sleep.  One particularly bad morning, I was pacing from my bedroom to the kitchen trying not to lose my mind, and decided to consult Dr. Google.  I stumbled upon an article with over 300 comments that all touted the benefits of placing a bar of ordinary bath soap under the fitted sheet on your bed.  In my sleep-deprived hysteria, I immediately ran to the bathroom, found a new bar of soap and shoved it under the sheet at the foot of my bed.  Had I spared a few moments to consider how ridiculous this sounds, I'm sure I'd have poo-poo'd the idea entirely-  but I was desperate and exhausted.

I crawled back into bed, got comfortable, and waited for the tell-tale crazies to start.  And I waited.  15 minutes passed, and my legs didn't feel crazy.  30 minutes with no tingling.  I even shook my legs trying to induce jitters to make sure that they weren't just laying in wait to ambush me once I fell asleep.  For the first time in months, I didn't feel the need to jump out of bed and walk around to relieve my restless legs!  Hallelujah.

But WHY does this work?  I honestly have no idea.  Google yields nothing on the subject, except that it works for a lot of people.  Maybe it's all in my head- something as simple as the power of suggestion, but I don't care.  Now I can lie in bed and focus on my numb hands and fingers instead.  Unfortunately, the soap doesn't cure pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome.

31 weeks (and one day....)

30 weeks, 2 days at Baby Shower #1!

 Weight Gained: 43 lbs- that's all I'm going to say about that!

Cravings: Fruit!  I try to keep a big bowl of berries cut up in the fridge for easy access.  Unfortunately, there's no protein in fruit.  Why can't I crave meat?  Are you listening babies?  We need more protein!!

Food Aversions:  No changes here-  I'll eat pretty much anything in small amounts, but I rarely feel hungry anymore.
  
Symptoms:  I'm still swollen.  Paul has been calling my legs tree trunks for the past few weeks, in the sweetest way possible, I'm sure.  My hands/fingers are numb or tingly most of the time, and I cannot sleep to save my life.  My belly is starting to feel incredibly heavy, and I am always short of breath.  All of these fabulous things bring us to....

How I'm Feeling:  Miserable.  I'm just going to say it, because this is my blog and I can.  I wouldn't trade it for the world and I'm honestly going to miss being pregnant, but I am worn out.  My body seems to like being pregnant though, because the twins are thriving and my cervix is holding up.  Funny, considering how much it rebelled against actually getting pregnant!

Exciting Stuff: Jackson's kidneys are looking good!  If nothing changes, we will do a renal ultrasound about 2 weeks after birth to double check, but the dilation is almost completely resolved.  As of my last MFM visit, I'm carrying almost 7 lbs of babies- Jackson's estimated weight was 3lbs, 11oz and Molly weighed 3lbs, 2oz.  They are just perfect!  Also, I've read 3 books in the past 2 weeks since I can't sleep.  I might as well do something worthwhile while I'm laying in bed trying to get comfy, right?

Weekly Worries:  If everything goes according to plan, I will probably stop work the first week of July.  I'm not sure why this worries me, but every time I think about it, I panic.  I've never been off of work for any appreciable length of time.  Also, leaving work means that the babies are almost here, and that scares me to death.  I'm irrationally terrified- what if I can't console them, or or I completely stink at being a mom?  Logically, I know that things will be fine, but I didn't name my blog "The Worry Bird" for nothing!

A Baby Shower Story

On Tuesday, our friends and co-workers from NICU held a baby shower for us.  I honestly can't remember the last time I attended a party in my honor!  We were completely overwhelmed by the love and support from this amazing group of people and this is a huge statement,  because kindness and generosity is just something that goes along with the territory with these guys.  They are some of the greatest people I've ever known, and it is humbling to realize how much they love Molly and Jackson.

After we opened all of the beautifully wrapped gifts, Paul and I looked at each other in complete disbelief-  these things were thoughtfully chosen for our babies.  Just for us.  Some were handmade, some were purchased from our registry, and others were offered because they were indispensable when the giver had their children.  Each item was meant especially for us to help start our family.  Unbelievable.

Once the bags and tissue paper had been cleared away, one of the hostesses brought in our last gift.  The entire NICU had chipped in and purchased the items we couldn't leave the hospital without.  As she wheeled in our stroller frame and infant carseats, I lost it.  I heard Paul say "I told myself I wasn't going to cry" and I elbowed him, because I thought he was making fun of me.  He wasn't teasing me at all- he was crying, too.  It was such an emotional moment, and I don't think I have ever felt that happy/overwhelmed/shocked in my life.  Because of the amazing generosity of our friends, we can safely bring the twins home in  (fingers crossed) 7 weeks.  The words "Thank You" just seemed completely inadequate at that moment, and they still do.  The English language needs a more emphatic phrase! 

It was a perfect shower, and we are so blessed to have such fabulous friends.  Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.  We love you guys beyond measure!

29 Weeks!

I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since my last official update.  The days seem to be flying by, and I can't seem to coordinate the time and energy to get stuff done- including blogging, unfortunately!

28 Weeks!

Weight Gained: 38 lbs.  It just keeps piling up, doesn't it?!  My doctor doesn't seem concerned, so I'm not worrying, either.

Cravings:  Sushi is making an appearance here once again- as a matter of fact, we had avocado rolls and hibachi steak for lunch!

Food Aversions:  As long as I don't eat too much, any food is fair game.  Once I hit the FULL point, everything sounds terrible.  The line between hungry and full is pretty blurry, so I overshoot it a LOT!
  
Symptoms:  Due to excess fluid pressing on the nerves in my arms, I've developed carpal tunnel syndrome.  For the first few hours after waking up, my hands are swollen and numb and I can barely bend my fingers. My abdominal muscles have started to separate, and I had no idea how much I used my core muscles until now!  This pregnant woman is falling apart, but it's all completely worth it.

How I'm Feeling:  I'm running out of honest ways to answer this question without feeling like I am complaining.  In the interest of full disclosure, most days I feel like poop- exhausted, cranky, and achy.  There are stories out there about twin mamas who ran marathons until the day they popped out two 7lb babies sans epidural.  I am not that lady.  Having said that, am I praying every day to stay pregnant for at least 7 more weeks?  Absolutely, and I know how incredibly blessed I am to have made it this far.

Exciting Stuff:  The nursery is coming together!  We've got a long way to go, but I love walking by and peeking in at our progress.  I'll have to add some pictures soon!  Our first shower is on June 12, so my goal is to have things (mostly) complete by then.  We'll see how that goes. 

Weekly Worries:  I am hoping that my MFM doesn't try to push bedrest when I see him next week- at our first appointment, he told me I would probably be on modified bedrest by 24 weeks and that date has come and gone.  Fingers crossed that we don't find a reason to revisit this discussion!