Wow...time seems to have flown since the last time I wrote a Journal Entry. So much has happened it seems...

Break Down:

1. After getting really exhausted most days at work, I took a medical questionnaire (along with my papers required for EI) to the doctor to have it filled out. Doctor confirmed that it wouldn't be 'recommended' that I work after 26 weeks. This is just to ensure that my stress level stays low. I feel I could go a little bit longer (follow the note to determine how long...heh)

2. Had my Rogham shot (due to my negative blood type) and for as much fuss I put up about it, it wasn't bad at all. It seemed to be something that was necessary to protect myself incase we decide to have future children, but I don't know if we've looked that far ahead yet. So I did it as a 'just incase' measure. The doctor says I'm still very healthy. That's good!

3. Had a nice 4 day weeked just last week. It was so nice to be off and relaxing for more than a day or two at a time. Especially as the days seem to be getting longer and more tiresome.

4. Along with my 4 days off, I also had my baby shower. It was nice to be able to get together with family and some friends to enjoy this time. My mom couldn't be there (and we'll be having another small shower when she comes down to include those who couldn't make it) but we had John's mom there which was really nice. We wanted to be sure that atleast one grandma could be there to experience it. =)

We got some great items from the shower. A few of the things we received:

Hand made receiving blankets and swaddling blankets from Grandma (along with some shirts) - I must say that I really enjoyed that they were hand made and didn't even realize it until I opened one up in full the same evening. Silly me.

A bath tub from JoJo and Laurel (along with alot of other wonderful things - shampoos, diapers, wipes, blankets, medical stuff, diaper changing pads, etc) - This was great as we don't have a tub in our house at all and we were starting to think of ways to keep our children clean...haha. Luckily this one can have two babies within it, with a little help from mommy and daddy.

Blankets and bottles from Julie & Aaron - I was extatic that Julie had gotten the bottles I had in mind. Also, the blankets were so warm and soft that I can't wait to wrap our little guys up in them.

Two rain jackets and a digital photo keychain from Bobbie - This will be nice for when the boys get older and we go to play in the rain together (as we all know how much I enjoy the rain but despise it at the same time - it's fun to play in, but if you've got to be somewhere and you look nice, count on it RUINING your hair...haha). The keychain will come in handy for Daddy to take to work with all the new photos I'll be taking.

Some Saje products (for stretchmarks, nausea, pain, headaches etc) and some baby Shampoo from Erin - The Saje products are already my hero. I've only had to use them 2-3 times but I must say they're wonderful and they definitely ease pain fast. I would reccomend the one specificially for pain and headaches as it works great on sore backs, ribs, legs, feet, etc.

A set of two sleepers made from soft bamboo material from Jeff & Susan - These things are so wonderful as they're a larger size so the boys will be able to grow into them and they are so comfy. I can't wait to use them on the little guys.

That's all that I can think of at this time but there were many more items ranging from blankets, cloths, onesies etc.

5. We went on  our Hospital tour on Wednesday. Definitely something I'd suggest doing a little earlier when you don't have to pack around so much weight. The standing in one place listening to someone talk about the area and listening to people ask questions was really tiresome. Luckily some of the other ladies that were there passed up their seats to me as I'm getting alot bigger now. I didn't hesitate to pull up some ground at the hospital either, anything to ensure I wasn't getting dizzy. I should have brought water but it didn't even cross my mind.

We walked through the admittance area, the birthing suites (we got to see the birthing rooms), the maternity ward and John and I also got to take a look at the NICU (Neonatal intensive care unit) just incase we deliver early and our little guys need the extra support. It seemed like they had some great staff in there. They showed us one of the little babies that was born when she was only 27 weeks along (when we saw her she was 30) and she was the teeniest thing I had ever seen in my life. She was only 3lbs but she was so beautiful. I just wanted to go into the room and hold her and talk to her. She seemed like quite the trooper.

6. I finally signed us up for our prenatal class which will be taking place next Saturday. It's an all day course and I'm sure it will be quite informative. It'll also be nice to have a Saturday off with John where we can do something together with our family. I'm looking forward to it.

7. We had another Ultrasound on Friday. When I walked into the clinic I informed them that I was about 28 weeks along. TheTechnician seemed to think I was about 29 but what a shock we received when he measured the babies and one was sitting at about the developmental stage of 30 weeks and the other at 31. Definitely made the feeling more 'real' and the realization that we could have these little guys even sooner not only shocked me but it made me excited. They are still strong and healthy. Our little guy (30 weeks) is about 3lbs 4oz right now and our big guy (31 weeks) is just about 5lbs. I believe he was around 4lbs 6oz. Apparently it isn't uncommon for twins to grow together for so long and then for one to have a growth spurt. I'm sure our little guy will catch up shortly as they both seem quite strong (judging from the kicks to the ribs I'm getting...haha).

With that in mind, I believe my last day of work will be April 26th. Just waiting until Tuesday to get my papers for EI filled out by my doc and to get the heads up on that and see what she thinks. Seems early for me but judging from the above measurements, it might be best. I'll be taking an 'early' sick leave and then letting my mat leave kick in shortly after that point.

I think that should do well for this update, quite a long one I know. Again, I felt like so much had happened over the last few weeks. I'll be packing up my hospital stuff today for a 'just incase' measure and sorting all of the other stuff out (paper work and what not) so that we can be ready at any time. We'll keep you posted on any more updates we have.

Thanks for reading!

Hello again. I'm thinking, as the days seem to be getting longer and things are starting to feel uncomfortable, that I should attempt to get a head start on booking my mat leave. I'll be waiting to speak with my doctor on the 1st of April to see what she says. I know they always say to work until you feel comfortable, and while I still feel like I could go a little more, I don't want to over-work myself or the babies.

For those of you that know me, I'm definitely a dedicated person to my job. Nothing will keep me away. I could be sick, near death and I would still go in. Sometimes it's because I like my job while others, it's merely to ensure I have funding to live off of.

I'm discussing the beginning of May and that seems most appropriate as the doctor doesn't feel that I'll carry past the end of May anyways. The beginning of May would put me at about 7 1/2 months anyways so to me, that seems right. I just want to ensure that I'm not leaving too early as I'd like to have a full year with the babies once their born. We'll see how everything rolls out though.

--> Other things I'm trying to sort out right now? The babies room. Our cribs have finally come in, we're just awaiting their arrival to our place from John's parents house. We still can't believe they bought us two cribs, what a suprise and dlight at the same time. I can't explain how thankful we are for that. Additionally, I'm still searching for bedding that I like. Now that we've found out the sexes, this will be a little easier.

My baby shower is coming up and I can't wait. It's so exciting. I've always been on the other side of this, either throwing the shower or going to it. It'll be interesting to be on the receiving end of things where the attention is geared at the babies that are in me. Still (after 6 1/2 months) can't believe that this time has finally come. I had anticipated for so long on having children and now it's really coming true.

Will post more pictures soon for those who'd like to see. Gotta jet, have some cleaning left to do after the big move.

BOYS!

After playing the waiting game for a while longer, and after being told (yet again) from my Dr. and Tech that they wouldn't tell us the sexes for another month, we decided to go to a private ultrasound clinic for a gender assessment. Although my Dr. had told me that she would provide me with a note explaining that they need to disclose the sexes to us at the next ultrasound, I wasn't holding my breath for this one. (After being let down 3 times, who would).

So, we ended up paying $100 for the gender asessment, but it was totally worth it. Now I can relax knowing what we're going to have and start planning and feel like I'm actually getting somewhere. I was starting to get concerned looking at our baby room with only strollers, car seats and swings put together. Yeah, we had a little bit for clothes but what about bedding, more clothes, a few toys and maybe a theme? The longer we waited, the less I felt I was going to be ready for the arrival for our TWINS.

Not only can I sleep better now, but I feel alot better knowing that John and I can plan out things like names and what we can't wait to see our little ones grow up to be. =)

Oh $100, you were so worth it.

Update time!

Finally into the third trimester, here we go. Some days I feel really great while others I feel really tired and sore. The little kiddies are doing well. Doctor said that neither of them have signs of spina bifida or downs syndrome which is great. They're both growing really well and they're really active.

Twin A on the left likes to get up under my ribs and kick me now or try to crawl around the back ...haha. It can be fun sometimes because if you run your finger on the outside of my tummy they always kick back. Twin B I feel is sitting with it's legs and arms towards the inside of my stomach and when it stretches out, it can be painful but it's funny because I get these huge bumps of either a butt or an arm that stick out. I can't wait to see little feet and arms.

I've still only gained about 12 lbs, and the doctor has said that this is fine. I'm healthy and the babies are healthy and that's what they're up to hearing. Heart rates still seem very strong.

Unfortunately we still don't know the sexes but we can't wait to find out. Next ultrasound is booked for Tuesday. Hopefully we'll be able to find out now as we're into our new place already and I'd like to be able to decorate the nursery soon.

Until next time.