Bump!

I keep doing this to myself.  Last week, I posted a picture saying, "look, a bump!" because for me, that IS a bump!  (I'm used to a fairly flat-ish tummy).

Then a few days ago I wake up and there's a BULGE!  And I feel silly for even thinking my 14 week bump was a bump.

It's to the point that I can't wear pants anymore... the buttons bruise me or won't button at all.

So I've been maternity clothes shopping.  And they are the most COMFORTABLE THING IN THE WORLD.  Ladies, I'm telling you... don't wait to buy maternity clothes.  Even if you're not pregnant... go buy them and wear them anyway.  Holy cow, it's like heaven!

These babies are really starting to show, now, and I can't wait to see them next!  Hopefully at our next appointment.

I am getting SO antsy waiting to find out their sexes... it's going to be a loooong week, and then I don't even know if we get an ultrasound at the next appointment!

Here's to waiting :)

The (official) Start of the Second Trimester!

Daddy day... and almost the second trimester!

How fitting that Father's Day is today, the last day of the first trimester... the trimester where Rob had to take on SO much responsibility for our lives.

And oh, he has.  He's spoiled me (and the twins, as I like to say) rotten.  When "the twins don't feel like doing the dishes," he's on it.  When "the twins want grilled cheese," guess who makes it?  Daddy does.

He's done so much for these two already, and I'm so happy to call him their dad.

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I meant for this post to be a "end of first trimester" update, but it's taken me days to write so far, so I think I'll just post with a "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!" and update later.  Ta ta!

The greatest sound I've ever heard.... so far, anyway.

My favorite sound used to be the way fingers moved along the fret board on the guitar, scraping the strings with the soft part of the fingertips.  Even thinking about the sound gives me the good kind of goosebumps.

But last Thursday I heard an even greater sound.  I got to hear the twins' heartbeats for the first time.

To say it was indescribable is an understatement.  I still don't have a name for the emotion of hearing their sweet little hearts tick by at 171 bpm and 164 bpm.  It made them so tangible, so real.  I can't even put it into words!  I can't believe there are two little souls growing up next to one another inside my tummy.

Rob and I are in love.  I've never felt the kind of love that I feel for these two... it's incredible.

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Later in the appointment with the midwife, I got the strangest "compliment" I've ever gotten in my life.  It was intended to be factual information, not a compliment, but I took it as one.

You all know that I'm praying for a natural birth.  I'll be happy no matter how they come out, but ideally I'd love to deliver them both without surgery and (God willing) without meds.  This is why the following information is so exciting for me:

The midwife measured my uterus and cervix.  She told me that my cervix was "nice and long" and that my uterus was measuring at the size of a 16 week uterus.  The day of the appointment we were 12+4.  Her "compliment" was that the birth canal, uterus, and cervix all show that I've got plenty of room in there for twins.

The only thing I could think of (and say) and response was, "thanks mom!"  I credit her with the wide mama-hips and I suppose good genes!

The midwife said it's a good sign that the twinsies will spend a good long time baking, and that there's a good chance of a healthy delivery.

Here's to hoping!

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Final piece of the 12-week update...

I know the debate between 2nd trimester starting at 13 weeks or or 14... but I'm impatient, so I'm going to go with 13.

We start the second trimester tomorrow.  I'm tired of throwing up.  Praying that the second semester is a glorious time for the twins and I.