Let's Play Pregnancy Catch-Up!

Ok, so since the whole start to this blog was to document some of my pregnancy milestones...I thought I'd rewind and play a little catch-up. Of course...I had to start with the much awaited positive test results! Got them a little earlier than I was told I could. I woke up early on a Sunday morning (Feb 3, actually) and just decided to do it. I left the test in the bathroom, and came back to bed. Smitty was awake and I said "I took a pregnancy test" to which he responded "I know, I heard the wrapper....well???" I said "nothing" but then he laughed and reminded me that I'm supposed to wait 5 minutes or something. So we went back in and barely saw the 2nd line. Smit said "that's a positive" but of course I said "it's too light..."! After a few minutes of inspection, I threw it in the garbage (in true Kelly impatient/frustrated form) and said "I don't want to talk about it anymore." We revisited a few days later after I got home from work, and yippee!!! 2 positives! FINALLY....pregnant! A few friends began to speculate...how did I get such a dark positive so early??? Could my hormones be higher because I might have twins in there??? We laughed and laughed....and had lots of fun speculating, until my first ultrasound determined...

THREE???? Only 2 heartbeats, but definitely the start to 3 babies. A little excited...a lot scared. But within a few weeks we were down to two, as #3 never developed a heartbeat. Two is a MUCH more manageable number. The doctors were ecstatic, as anything more than 2 is "less than desireable" in their eyes. We were a little sad, but know we were SO blessed! Plus... There's only 2 of us...and we each have only 2 arms, 2 hands, 2 hips. There is also room in both of our cars for 2 carseats, but not for 3. So we like the thought of TWO babies!

So here are some pregnancy milestones...so that I never forget...

At about 6 weeks I came down with a migraine. It lasted a lovely 8 long days. I survived a 6 hour flight back from AZ with it, got home and in bed, and didn't move for over a week. Smit was an amazing help, and my mom also came to assist. I couldn't eat, drink, or move my head or body. After a few days I had to go to the hospital for dehydration, and they gave me enough fluids to hydrate me, but couldn't give me anything for the headache but Tylenol. (I opted out of that treatment, as it is much cheaper coming from my medicine cabinet than from the hospital. Even in my painful & dehydrated state, I am cheap...truly my father's daughter!) On the 8th day Smitty finally called my OB, and she called him back and said "Give her a Latte & 2 Excedrin, immediately!" haha...who knew you could take Excedrin during pregnancy! Within a few days I was up and around...and within a week back to normal! Excedrin continues to be my lifesaver as I will continue to be plagued with migraines throughout my pregnancy.

At 9 weeks I decide to take a belly picture. Having a hard time believing I am out of my regular clothes and in maternity pants already!

Another picture at 11 weeks (below). Just some headaches and sciatic pain...but nothing awful. So far I've been pretty lucky. I enjoyed cheese & pickle sandwiches for about 2 weeks...and then they turned my stomach. Lots of watermelon & chicken to get through the little bit of morning sickness I had. My only real food aversion was to raw meat. Couldn't cook for a while.

15 weeks: New picture (below). Feet, ankle & leg swelling started around this time, but easily addressed with a little rest. Sciatic pains disappear. Lots of crazy dreams/nightmares.

At 16 weeks I am diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, and the whole pregnancy takes a turn. Now I have to start testing my blood 4x per day, and seeing a million doctors all the time. The decision between hospitals is made for us, as St. Peters in New Brunswick is the only hospital in the area that will handle the high-risk pregnancy that I now have. The good thing is...the diabetes is easily controlled...and no medication is needed.

At about 18-19 weeks I begin to feel the babies a little. Mostly little "tickles" from the inside! The feet/ankle swelling is getting worse...seemingly by the minute!

20-21 weeks: It's going to be A GIRL AND A BOY!!! YIPPEEEEE! Some minor concerns for our little boy's growth (he seems to be a little small) but nothing too bad. Growth scans now start to be every 4 weeks. Doctors also want me to start "palpating" which means feeling my belly for 2 hours a day. I'm supposed to do it laying on my bed in a quiet, comfortable atmosphere. They say it helps so that in the event that contractions start, I'll be better at recognizing them. Ha! All that palpating does for me at the moment is give me a nap...since I can only stay awake for about 10 minutes laying in bed in a quiet, comfortable atmosphere. oh well!


Oh yeah...here's Daddy's first dance with the twins at Em & Danny's wedding!

24 weeks: Baby Girl is now 1 lb. 9 oz. Baby Boy is 1 lb. 2 oz. Still keeping a close eye on his growth...he's sill only in the 5th percentile, while she is in the high 40's. Both of them are currently "head up" and my baby boy reminds me of that regularly with lots of head jabs to the ribs. We can finally feel him from the outside, although you can't really feel him move externally yet. You can just press on my belly or side sometimes and feel his little head sticking out! Then he just disappears.

So that's all of the updates for now...to be continued on a shorter and more manageable basis!!!