The Count Down is On!

Some of you may have heard already, but we will definitely be meeting our little baby boys within the week! If I don't go into labor on my own, I'll be induced Monday morning. I'm really hoping that things happen on their own, as I have a bit of anxiety about being induced. However, my excitement about seeing these little tykes far out-weighs my fear (at least for now!). We'll definitely keep people posted on how things progress and D.R. will start the phone calls rolling if anything happens before Monday. Thanks for all your prayers and well-wishes!!

And the wait continues...

It's tough waking up every morning thinking, "Maybe this is the day...!" After several days of mulling and moping over the fact that our boys seem WAY too comfy inside of me, I've decided to be a bit more productive today. D.R.'s on over-night call (every fourth night... eek!) so I have the whole day and night to myself. As a result, it's my catch-up day... finishing projects and having long phone conversations with Mom. I started by photographing the set of sweaters I FINALLY sewed buttons on, as well as a mini-tour of the boys' bedroom. Luckily, I'm not lacking for projects, so it should be a busy afternoon!

I had a bit of a scare this morning when I fell walking to my car from church. I guess I take it forgranted how frequently D.R. catches me. I fell flat on my face, cutting up my hands and knees on the sidewalk. I even ripped a big ol' hole in the ONLY pair of pants that still fit (that means the babies HAVE to come soon!). I was so stunned that by the time I made it to my car, I couldn't even remember if my tummy hit the ground, or not. Needless to say, I spent several hours fearing the worst, but the babies seem to be moving and I have another ultrasound tomorrow, so I'm going to assume that everything is fine. I may just have to start watching my step more closely when walking alone. It's hard work being this front-heavy!

The doorway view of the nursery 

And Ellie has her own little corner... 

The prints Sarah and Christopher gave us. Thanks, guys! 

One more view. 

Our little jungle cribs.. 

The nursery has come together! 

One more set of sweaters finished!! Yipee! 

So anxious!

My OB is driving me crazy. Last week, she told me she would schedule an induction at my 36 week appointment, if I hadn't delivered. This week, she casually said, "Oh... let's wait until 37 weeks to schedule it." She also thought we should just, oh, wait until next week to check my cervix for any further dilating. (I think she just didn't FEEL like doing anything yesterday!) This is like telling a child who's been counting down the days until Christmas that, oh, it's actually a week later. Surprise. How awful! I just want to meet these babies SO badly and every day is beginning to feel like an eternity for me! Just when I though my end was in sight, it's been stripped away and lengthened. Aaagh.

Luckily, I have my nifty sister who's been giving the babies pep talks trying to give them the courage they need to come out and join the rest of us! She also came over today and took me on the walk of my life!! My goodness, I was exhausted when we got back to my place! I promptly collapsed upon her leaving and didn't move for a good two hours. Now I'm back to my old rolly-polly self and thinking of more ways to encourage the munchkins to come on out! I've been getting plenty of great suggestions from friends and family, so we'll see if I can get any of them to do the trick. In the meantime, I am trying my best to be patient and enjoy the luxury of an afternoon nap here and there.

Getting closer...

At my weekly doctor's visit on Tuesday, I got the, "It could be any day now!" from my OB. This is very exciting for me, as I'm getting increasingly uncomfortable and SO incredibly ready to meet these babies! Of course, she also warned me that it may be a few more weeks, as well. You just never know, I guess!

What made me really happy was that the babies are both of a very healthy size, so we are officially in the safe zone, now. Also good news, is that as a result of my small stature and huge belly, my OB has told me that if I do not deliver in the next two weeks, we can schedule an induction. Yipee!! That means we'll have babies in no more than three weeks! I packed the hospital bag today, with great suggetions from my cousin, Nadine, so I am officially ready to go! Now if these boys would just catch up to me!

For anyone interested, at the last ultrasound, the babies were estimated at weighing 4 lb 11 oz. and 5 lb 2 oz. Keep it up, boys!

Here I am at 34 weeks. What a tummy! 

Pregnant Midwesterner

When people find our you're pregnant, one of the first things they ask is, "Have you been having any cravings?" The only cravings I've really had throughout this entire pregnancy are watery fruits like oranges, strawberries, etc. and dairy. In my first trimester, I practically lived on these two foods... and not much has changed!

At a recent trip to the grocery store a few weeks ago, I realized that all I was buying was an assortment of fruit, yogurt, cheese, milk, ice cream and cereal. Curious about this new pattern of eating that had arisen quite silently, I've been monitoring our trips to the store for these "staples" we've both become quite hooked on (yes, somehow D.R. has managed to adapt to these strange eating habits). As it turns out, between the two of us, we go through 4-5 gallons of milk a week, 12-15 cups of yogurt, 2-4 pints of berries and at least a 1/2 gallon of ice cream. The most shocking for me was how much milk we manage to drink! It's crazy!! Somehow, though, when I'm REALLY quenched for thirst, which is basically all the time now, all I really feel like drinking is milk. Is this my pregnant body dictating my eating habits or am I just giving in to a life raised in a state that has more dairy cows than people. Hmmm.....

A bit of progress

At my weekly appointment yesterday, I learned that I'm dilated 1 cm. I don't really know if this means anything, since my doctor said it could still be weeks before I deliver, but it's definitely a change. I've also been noticing stronger contractions (lovely... as they kept me up almost all night last night). Since the babies are moving so much these days, it makes it really hard for me to time the contractions, which has been a bit frustrating.

Anyway, my OB started to prep me on if I delivered within the week, but is hoping I make it to 34. She seemed pretty certain that I would. In fact, she said it was still even possible that I would make it to 38 weeks. I guess I'm still taking this a day at a time!

These are three little paintings I did yesterday for the babies' room! 

Great week-end

I've been pouting all morning because it's the 4th of July and D.R.'s on call until tomorrow afternoon. That means it's just me and the boys... It's going to be tough getting used to D.R. being gone every 4th night. Let's just hope I don't go into labor during one of those long shifts!!

Anyway, we had a fabulous week-end putting together the babies' room. Saturday we put bedding on the cribs, hung mobiles, filled the changing table/cabinet with diapers/powders/lotions, etc., and D.R. touched up a few spots on the dresser that got chipped in the move. It feels SO good to know that we're basically ready for the little tykes, whenever they decide to show up!

Sunday, I decided to paint three animal prints for their wall. I found the prints in a magazine, but decided it would be more economical (and more fun!) if I just did them myself. It was quite an adventure, since I've never really painted anything except their dresser!! I think once we get the prints put up (Sarah also gave me a set of three adorable animal prints), the room will be complete! I'll have to post a few photos when we get that accomplished.

My little chubs

Well... the doctor's appointment this week was quite an experience! Looks like my weekly visits are going to be 3 hours long. Crazy! I start with a very long and thorough ultrasound, then onto a non-stress test and, lastly, I have a little chat with my OB. This week, I learned that I have been quite justified in my inability to sleep. The boys are crazy!! Though they were both breech the last time we checked, they were both head-down at this ultrasound. Last appointment, my doc was pretty convinced they wouldn't budge from the breech position... but they certainly did! A day later, one was breech again. (I know this, because they both got hiccoughs around the same time... one head very high, the other very low.) So, at this point, I have absolutely NO idea how I'll be delivering. I had gotten somewhat used to the idea of a C-section. Now, I'm trying to be as open-minded and flexible as possible with the idea of delivering them naturally. There are certainly plenty of pros and cons with each scenario.

I also learned that they are VERY healthy little boys. We're estimating them to be at 4 lb. 2 oz. and 4 lb. 9 oz. already. Though I'm very happy that they're nice and healthy, putting on weight, etc. I'm reminded daily of the fact that the bigger they get, the bigger I get! Will they ever appreciate all that I'm going through for them? :)