Two Pot Bellied Babies

I'm 27 weeks today. How many times can I say that "time is flying by?" -- apparently as many times as needed. hehehe.

My perinatology appointment went great today. Both babies are doing excellent. They each weighed in at 2 lbs. 10 oz. That's a bit above average for twins at this stage (the average is 2 lbs. 5 oz.). So I have a couple little porkers in there :-) The doc said there is lots of amnoitic fluid around the babies - also another good sign. And of course they were moving around like crazy again. The technician had to shake my belly to get baby A to cooperate for a head measurement. It was funny. Last time both babies were head down. Baby A is still head down but now baby B is head up. So you can see what I mean by them moving all over the place. Well, they might as well get all the moving done now because soon they will run out of space -- and maybe I'll be able to sleep again -- something tells me not to count on that hahaha.

Yes, I get ultrasound pictures every time I go to the perinatologist. I don't upload them because honestly you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from one now or one several weeks back. They are always zoomed in so they look the same size every time. If I get any unique ones I will be sure to share. :-)

My next perinatology appointment in June 15. And Richard is going with me to the next OB appointment, next Thursday. Appointments galore.

The Big 3-0!

Well it's been a busy week for sure! Yesterday was Richard's graduation (see the blog post below this one) AND today was my 30th birthday. I feel like I turned 20 just a couple years ago but when I think about how much has happened in the last decade, it reminds me of how long ago 20 really was. I'm enjoying turning 30. Maybe because I'm so preoccupied with being pregnant and everything else, I haven't had time to worry about it. It may take a few months to sink in hahaha.

So we had a gathering at my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Silver Spring, "Langano." In case you aren't aware, I LOVE Ethiopian food. The dinner was delicious, as was to be expected (for me at least)! Of course, good food and good company - always a winning combination.

Since I don't get to see my belly from the side that much, sometimes I'm surprised by how big I really am. Wow! I can't believe I still have two and a half months to grow!! Anywho, here's the the group breakdown: (front to back on the right side) Me, Richard, Whitney, and Rhonnie; (and front to back on the left side): Kathy, Suzanne, Barry, Moussa, and Amy. My other Amy friend had to work this weekend :-( but was with us in spirit!

Here's a picture of the gang from the opposite side of the table.

Here's Ogwang and I looking nice and full after a hearty meal.

Wow! So 3 decades down. Can't wait for Richard to join the 30 ranks in just a few months!

Graduation Time... FINALLY!

Richard's graduation from University of Maryland was friday morning. It was the departmental graduation for economics majors. Some of you may remember that he was originally going to participate in the Winter commencement - but that was canceled due to the huge snow storm in December. So he was invited to participate in the Spring commencement instead. The ceremony was at 8 a.m. -- on a work day of course. We knew it would be difficult for people to make it and we completely understood. It was a nice ceremony. And I admit I got all teary eyed when Richard walked across the stage. You know, he wasn't even going to do the Spring ceremony -- but I knew he would be happy he did it -- and he was very happy! I think participating in the ceremony makes it seem more real that you have actually finished! I was so proud of him. This was a long time coming!!!!!!

Here are some pics I took. People were vicious in their attempt to take pictures - no qualms about elbowing a pregnant lady out of the way. Sheesh! So I only got a few. The ceremony ones came out really dark, no matter what I tried... I've lightened them up a bit. It's so exciting to see Richard all dolled up in the regalia.

Richard walking to the podium.

You can see that grin from a mile away hehehe

Yay! Diploma time :-)

The two (plus two) of us after the ceremony. Richard was afraid no one would see my belly at this angle in the picture - hahahahaha - riiiiiiiight.

New Pic: Here's Richard and my folks (this was taken the weekend of my baby shower - not grad day). We still have to get one of Richard and his dad!

Woohoo! School is "officially" over. Finally free! .... until the babies arrive hahaha.

Family and Friends

I'll be 25 weeks along tomorrow! Anyway, I wanted to give a shout out to family and friends who have been supporting us through all this craziness. Even if your name or picture isn't presented below, just know that we appreciate you all :-)

My friends were a huge help in prepping the nursery. They spent a whole day removing a wall paper border and wall decals and then they sanded the gloss paint off the walls. Look in my February blog posts for the "The Twilight Zone?" post to see what the walls in the nursery used to look like (yes, we never got around to changing them until now!). Here's Joe, Amy and Richard all dusty with purpose! (The other Amy was home sick, self-quarantined for sake of her pregnant friend's health.) We have awesome friends!!


Then Richard and I spent a couple weekends painting the nursery, you'll see the neutral color (pale yellow) in the background of the pics below of my parents' visit. My parents came down in April. My mom helped finish up painting the trim in the nursery since I'm getting too big to bend down. My dad installed a new ceiling fan, outlets, and assembled the cribs for the nursery. (He also installed a custom closet organizer in our house entry way and some Ikea pullout shelves in our pantry cupboard -- also a huge help!)

Mom and dad (grandpa and grandma) being jokesters.

Dad working on the cribs

Richard's dad came for a visit over Mother's Day weekend -- he was very impressed by my belly growth :-) Whitney brought the chocolate chip cookies that the babies are addicted to (certainly not me hehehe). Jenn has had to listen to me talk about the excitement, shock, fears, etc. of pregnancy. We've already received baby gifts from our wonderful friends and family - each time we get something it seems "a bit" more real -- but seriously I don't think I (we) will completely believe it until the babies get here.

Dad (grandpa) and Annie - 24 weeks and 4 days preggers!

Richard seems to have lost weight, while my belly gets bigger... case in point:

Here he's trying to be as awesome as me:

Well, tomorrow I'll have only 2 months and 3 weeks left! Woohoo! Let's hope I hold on the max :-)

Lucky Number 24

Hmm... 24 weeks and definitely looking large and in charge. Well, I'm not too sure about that "in charge" part. ;-) I caved in and stocked up on XL maternity t-shirts. I tried the large shirts but they were just fitting me - so I figured I would be growing out of them in no time considering I still have at least 3 months of growing left. So I'm swimming a bit in the XL shirts now, but at this rate I will fill them out in no time!

I had my 24-week OB check-up yesterday. So far all is good. I'm up 30 pounds! About 4 pounds above the high end of my projected weight range for this point. The nurse said it's completely fine though. Whew... 3 more months (if I can hold on - cross fingers) of growing to go! Damn the heat and humidity!

My blood pressure is fine. The babies' heartbeats are fine. My belly is measuring at the equivalent of a 34-week singleton pregnancy! That's like measuring 10 weeks ahead - no wonder people think I'm going to deliver "any day now." So I'm up 8 cm in one month. My next OB appointment is Thursday, June 3 -- I'll be 28 weeks and 2 days at that time. Crazy how time is flying by.

I had my perinatology appointment today (I know, appointments galore!). Baby A weighs in at a healthy 1 lb. 6 oz. and Baby B weighs in at an equally healthy 1 lb. 8 oz. The 50th percentile for twins at 24 weeks is 1 lb. 8 oz. so they are on track and doing great! They were moving around like crazy. It's amazing that that teeny tiny little membrane between them withstands all those kicks and punches. No sign of the Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) yet. So all looks good :-) My next perinatology appointment is Tuesday, May 25 -- I'll be 27 weeks along. Did I mention that time is flying by? haha.