Well, I hit 27 weeks today. Yes that's right, the 2nd trimester ends and 3rd finally begins. It has been an interesting, amazing and uncomfortable time.
So, as I reach the end of my 2nd trimester I:
- Have put on 1st 6lbs since becoming pregnant (I maintain that it is all baby weight and not a result of my crisp, cheese and pasta obsession)
- Have grown to the size of a bungalow
- Am still weeing like a racehorse so have not managed to get a single full nights sleep yet
- Am crying at near enough everything; a sad song, stubbing my toe, burning the toast, seeing an old woman waiting alone at a bus stop in the cold
- Am eating anything (and anyone) that stands in front of me. No really I am. I'd advise you not to put your arm or leg directly in front of my face as you may turn around to find me gnawing on it
- Am feeling and seeing stronger kicks and movements which is the strangest and most incredible feeling in the world
So bring on 3rd tri! Let's see what it has in store for me (and here's hoping hubby doesn't finally send his overly emotional and food consuming wife to her mothers for the next 3 months). See you on the other side :-)
Friday, 17 September 2010
Saturday, 11 September 2010
I've finished my book.
But now as well as being more excitable than ever for them to get here, I am also scared shitless. The book I read really hit home just how amazingly rewarding but difficult the whole twin process can be.
I ordered 'Double Trouble: Twins and How to Survive Them' from Amazon as I heard it was informative and a good read. It really was, if a tad scary. I found myself at one point staring at the ceiling, eyes wide open, wondering why on earth my body had decided to release 2 eggs and not just the one like a 'normal' person!
So let's just have a look at the twin vital statistics:
1. The chances of having twins rises as you get older, the peak age is 35 to 39 (I conceived them at 26, I don't think that would be considered 'old'!)
2. Women are more likely to have twins the more children they have (I have none others that i'm aware of.)
3. Fraternal twins are more common if there is a presence on the mothers side of the family, not the fathers (I have no twins in my family. None. Anywhere.)
4. IVF increases the chance of multiples. (No IVF used here)
So in conclusion, I am a freak of nature.
I died with laughter when I read the section about the mens involvement with conceiving twins; 'I haven't met a single father of twins who hasn't puffed up his chest when remembering his own important walk-on part in the twin drama. Of course all women know that this Woody Allen view of sperm is ridiculous, and that all sorts of complicated factors are involved in making conception possible. However there is no harm in encouraging this virile fantasy because a swaggering partner in the early days is more likely to be a helpful one later on'.
Each chapter is very useful and full of the basic but important information (and the fact that the writer wrote the book after having her own boy/girl fraternal twins was definitely a plus for me!)
The book begins stating the most beautiful facts about twins and goes into the basic scientifics of different kinds of twins, eating and exercising, shopping, and when the babies get here. And that's when the book turns itself into another genre altogether: a horror. The first 3 months of the babies lives are considered your 'fourth trimester'. I have much to look forward to here:
* Postpartum dementia (forgetting everything, including even maybe my own name)
* More difficulty getting any sort of your figure back
* The golden rule of 'sleep when your baby sleeps' kind of going out the window with twins.
* Figuring out whether feeding them together/separately/wake one/let them sleep is best... Pros such as getting it done in half the time, getting them into a routine when doing together, but impossibility to burp them at the same time, one may be a faster feeder than the other, amongst many other factors to take into account... Apparently only after those first 3 months does it become easier 'when baby can feed in a few minutes and you can wander around the house, barely noticing you have a child swinging happily from your boob'.
* Settling them when crying which is physically only possible to do one at a time and choosing which to comfort first.
* A holiday never really being a holiday - ' A truer phrase would be same work, different location'
Hmmm... You'd kind of have to be a robot to not get a little worried if you will be able to do it. Especially as I'm a perfectionist, am completely anal and an utter control freak. Of course i'm ecstatic, i'm excited, I feel SO blessed, but i'm also quite anxious about what's to come and feeling quite overwhelmed.
But as Emma Mahoney ends the book, her last sentence sticks like glue in my brain;
'Your twins are a miracle. Enjoy them while they are still yours'.
And that really is exactly what I plan on doing :-)
I ordered 'Double Trouble: Twins and How to Survive Them' from Amazon as I heard it was informative and a good read. It really was, if a tad scary. I found myself at one point staring at the ceiling, eyes wide open, wondering why on earth my body had decided to release 2 eggs and not just the one like a 'normal' person!
So let's just have a look at the twin vital statistics:
1. The chances of having twins rises as you get older, the peak age is 35 to 39 (I conceived them at 26, I don't think that would be considered 'old'!)
2. Women are more likely to have twins the more children they have (I have none others that i'm aware of.)
3. Fraternal twins are more common if there is a presence on the mothers side of the family, not the fathers (I have no twins in my family. None. Anywhere.)
4. IVF increases the chance of multiples. (No IVF used here)
So in conclusion, I am a freak of nature.
I died with laughter when I read the section about the mens involvement with conceiving twins; 'I haven't met a single father of twins who hasn't puffed up his chest when remembering his own important walk-on part in the twin drama. Of course all women know that this Woody Allen view of sperm is ridiculous, and that all sorts of complicated factors are involved in making conception possible. However there is no harm in encouraging this virile fantasy because a swaggering partner in the early days is more likely to be a helpful one later on'.
Each chapter is very useful and full of the basic but important information (and the fact that the writer wrote the book after having her own boy/girl fraternal twins was definitely a plus for me!)
The book begins stating the most beautiful facts about twins and goes into the basic scientifics of different kinds of twins, eating and exercising, shopping, and when the babies get here. And that's when the book turns itself into another genre altogether: a horror. The first 3 months of the babies lives are considered your 'fourth trimester'. I have much to look forward to here:
* Postpartum dementia (forgetting everything, including even maybe my own name)
* More difficulty getting any sort of your figure back
* The golden rule of 'sleep when your baby sleeps' kind of going out the window with twins.
* Figuring out whether feeding them together/separately/wake one/let them sleep is best... Pros such as getting it done in half the time, getting them into a routine when doing together, but impossibility to burp them at the same time, one may be a faster feeder than the other, amongst many other factors to take into account... Apparently only after those first 3 months does it become easier 'when baby can feed in a few minutes and you can wander around the house, barely noticing you have a child swinging happily from your boob'.
* Settling them when crying which is physically only possible to do one at a time and choosing which to comfort first.
* A holiday never really being a holiday - ' A truer phrase would be same work, different location'
Hmmm... You'd kind of have to be a robot to not get a little worried if you will be able to do it. Especially as I'm a perfectionist, am completely anal and an utter control freak. Of course i'm ecstatic, i'm excited, I feel SO blessed, but i'm also quite anxious about what's to come and feeling quite overwhelmed.
But as Emma Mahoney ends the book, her last sentence sticks like glue in my brain;
'Your twins are a miracle. Enjoy them while they are still yours'.
And that really is exactly what I plan on doing :-)
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Hubby surprised me by booking us a 4D scan of our babies :-)
Yesterday we went for our second 4D scan. Generally people don't go for more than one, but last Wednesday our cheeky girl stopped us getting any decent images. The stubborn little monkey had her bum over her brothers face and refused to show her own face, deciding she'd rather hide behind her arm. Our lovely sonographer told us that usually with twins they don't guarantee to get any decent shots of them, but said we can go back the following week to try again if we liked.
So we did. Once the sonographer started having a look the first thing I wanted to know was if all was looking ok; She said that all was looking great which helped me to relax a bit. Then I started wondering if we would finally get any decent shots, but once again little princess was hiding herself. Little prince was happy to pose and show himself off and the sonographer confirmed that they were 'definitely a little boy and girl'. Even though we've had the sexes confirmed on about 5 different occasions now hubby and I do still wonder if we are going to get a big surprise when they eventually get here!
The sonographer told us to go for a walk for half an hour and get a sugary drink to get the babies moving a bit and then come back. So after going to Starbucks and downing a tall caramel macchiato we went back to see if the caffeine and sugar had done anything (even thought I felt HORRIBLY guilty as I NEVER drink caffeinated drinks. I could just imagine the 2 of them in there twitching and bouncing from the walls from the high they must have been on!)
But it did seem to do the trick! We got some lovely pictures (albeit princess had her legs up by her head in some sort of yoga ball pose) and a 10 minute DVD of our bubbies, so we finally left the scan grinning from ear to ear with our bag of pictures.
Every day that passes is a day closer to finally holding our little mini-me's, and I am beyond excited for it :-)
So we did. Once the sonographer started having a look the first thing I wanted to know was if all was looking ok; She said that all was looking great which helped me to relax a bit. Then I started wondering if we would finally get any decent shots, but once again little princess was hiding herself. Little prince was happy to pose and show himself off and the sonographer confirmed that they were 'definitely a little boy and girl'. Even though we've had the sexes confirmed on about 5 different occasions now hubby and I do still wonder if we are going to get a big surprise when they eventually get here!
The sonographer told us to go for a walk for half an hour and get a sugary drink to get the babies moving a bit and then come back. So after going to Starbucks and downing a tall caramel macchiato we went back to see if the caffeine and sugar had done anything (even thought I felt HORRIBLY guilty as I NEVER drink caffeinated drinks. I could just imagine the 2 of them in there twitching and bouncing from the walls from the high they must have been on!)
But it did seem to do the trick! We got some lovely pictures (albeit princess had her legs up by her head in some sort of yoga ball pose) and a 10 minute DVD of our bubbies, so we finally left the scan grinning from ear to ear with our bag of pictures.
Every day that passes is a day closer to finally holding our little mini-me's, and I am beyond excited for it :-)
Thursday, 5 August 2010
She kicked me.
Little missy kicked me yesterday evening, HARD! It was the first one and it seriously shocked me! I've had little poke feelings and flutters for the past 4 weeks or so but nothing like this. I was walking from the study into the living room and felt this sudden sharp judder on my left side near my belly button (where princess is) causing my leg to buckle underneath me. I just stopped walking and stood there smiling, wide eyed. Hubby noticed and asked what was wrong with me and why was I being weird (or weirder than usual). I laughed saying I'd had my first real kick! He smiled and replied 'How amazing! You do know if I was carrying them they'd be far too scared to kick me for fear of being beaten when they got here'. Tut. Men...
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Finally at the 20 week mark!
I can't believe i'm half way there already. Crazy stuff! So we went for our 20 week scan on the morning of my 27th birthday and it was just amazing. The sonographer informed us at the start of the scan that usually it should last half an hour, but due to there being 2 little munchkins to look at it would take about an hour. A whole hour looking at my pups!!
Before I start, I must just let you know that at 16 weeks we went for a private scan. I've been adamant since day dot that I've been carrying a boy, hubs has been 100% I've been carrying a girl. To have a boy and a girl would just be a dream, but we honestly didn't care, we just wanted the sonographer to tell us that they were healthy and growing well. Ok, so that's a teeny bit of a lie, I quite wanted there to be a boy in there so I could finally FINALLY be able to say to hub 'I told you so!!'. I don't get to do it often! Actually, that's another lie, I NEVER get to do it!
So starting with Twin 2 (because of certain positioning), the sonographer was happy that all looked perfect. She measured the leg and said, 'Looks like the baby may be tall, it has long thigh bones!' Fantastic news, we definitely want them both to take after my height ;-) And the sex? 'Well I think it's a boy but he's shy, he's not showing much'. Right, so already he wasn't taking after his father.
Over to Twin 1 and all was perfect again, and from the measurements it could be another tall baby! 'It's a girl, she's got her arm behind her head and is posing quite openly!' So it looks like she's the one that takes after her dad then! Back over to Twin 2 and he just didn't want to show us a thing! Finally, we got a quick flash of his bum and a rather special shot of his 'bits'. The sonographer flicked a switch to see the blood flow, and said that there was no colour showing there so it wasn't the umbilical cord. She said she was 80% sure on the babies sexes to which I asked, 'If I was your daughter would you be still be saying only 80% sure?' She laughed and said 'I'd say "Let's go shopping for a boy and a girl!"' So there we had it, a little prince and a little princess. I couldn't stop crying and was just beyond being over the moon. We decided at that point we would only tell parents and siblings as we wanted to confirm all at our 20 week scan.
From 17 weeks i've felt little flicks and flutters from the inside, each week they seem to be getting stronger, I am still waiting to be able to feel them from the outside.
Fast forward to my 20 week scan...
The sonographer started on my right side with Twin 1 lying vertically to my body; she needed to measure and look at the brain, heart, arms, spine, legs, eyes and liver/kidneys. Twin 1 was rolling around everywhere so the sonographer had her work cut out for her! Arms flailing, head moving, little legs kicking. It took her quite a while to get the measurements. Munchkin decided to settle in a position where they were facing straight out, looking right at us, and the sonographer said that she couldn't get the spinal measurements because of its position so would move over to Twin 2 for the time being. I told her that we wanted to know the sex and she said 'Well look there, can you see that growth?' Hubby with his no-nonsense talk exclaimed 'Is that the willy?!' So there we had it; confirmed that it was a 'definite' boy! I started to think, hmm, last time Twin 1 was the girl... Had the 16 week scan been wrong?? I couldn't help but assume at that point, 'Ok, now i'm sure there are 2 little boys in there!!'. Twin 2 was positioned horizontally and wasn't moving so much, so she managed to measure everything with ease. All was great with this little one too. 'This one's a girl by the way' said the sonographer. I turned to hubby and grabbed his hand, I just couldn't believe it. Our little family was taking shape. I couldn't help but feel emotional all over again, and be so so thankful for this amazing blessing. The little girl at that point decided to wake up and have a little roll around herself. Back to 'Prince Sheikh' and he had decided that he was not moving for anyone. 'I think you're going to have to come back for another scan for me to look at his spine, he just won't move'. I couldn't help but quietly tell him off; will you move please so the doctor can see all is ok! Up I got to have a little jump around and a prod of my belly, and it seemed to do the trick. She managed to get all the measurements and finally, after 1 hour and 20 minutes we were done. Happy happy happy HAPPY! I can't even explain the extent to my excitement and the utter relief that all was ok. We got our pictures of our angels and went off for my birthday celebrations walking on air. A beautiful day filled with wonderful presents from my amazing hubby. But nothing at all could top the gift of my beautiful little squirmy prince and princess. Yep, even my Gina shoes. And even though they aren't here and are the size of the palm of my hand right now, love is far too weak a word to explain how I feel about them. And I don't even mind both me and hubs being able to say to each other 'I told you so!' :-)
Before I start, I must just let you know that at 16 weeks we went for a private scan. I've been adamant since day dot that I've been carrying a boy, hubs has been 100% I've been carrying a girl. To have a boy and a girl would just be a dream, but we honestly didn't care, we just wanted the sonographer to tell us that they were healthy and growing well. Ok, so that's a teeny bit of a lie, I quite wanted there to be a boy in there so I could finally FINALLY be able to say to hub 'I told you so!!'. I don't get to do it often! Actually, that's another lie, I NEVER get to do it!
So starting with Twin 2 (because of certain positioning), the sonographer was happy that all looked perfect. She measured the leg and said, 'Looks like the baby may be tall, it has long thigh bones!' Fantastic news, we definitely want them both to take after my height ;-) And the sex? 'Well I think it's a boy but he's shy, he's not showing much'. Right, so already he wasn't taking after his father.
Over to Twin 1 and all was perfect again, and from the measurements it could be another tall baby! 'It's a girl, she's got her arm behind her head and is posing quite openly!' So it looks like she's the one that takes after her dad then! Back over to Twin 2 and he just didn't want to show us a thing! Finally, we got a quick flash of his bum and a rather special shot of his 'bits'. The sonographer flicked a switch to see the blood flow, and said that there was no colour showing there so it wasn't the umbilical cord. She said she was 80% sure on the babies sexes to which I asked, 'If I was your daughter would you be still be saying only 80% sure?' She laughed and said 'I'd say "Let's go shopping for a boy and a girl!"' So there we had it, a little prince and a little princess. I couldn't stop crying and was just beyond being over the moon. We decided at that point we would only tell parents and siblings as we wanted to confirm all at our 20 week scan.
From 17 weeks i've felt little flicks and flutters from the inside, each week they seem to be getting stronger, I am still waiting to be able to feel them from the outside.
Fast forward to my 20 week scan...
The sonographer started on my right side with Twin 1 lying vertically to my body; she needed to measure and look at the brain, heart, arms, spine, legs, eyes and liver/kidneys. Twin 1 was rolling around everywhere so the sonographer had her work cut out for her! Arms flailing, head moving, little legs kicking. It took her quite a while to get the measurements. Munchkin decided to settle in a position where they were facing straight out, looking right at us, and the sonographer said that she couldn't get the spinal measurements because of its position so would move over to Twin 2 for the time being. I told her that we wanted to know the sex and she said 'Well look there, can you see that growth?' Hubby with his no-nonsense talk exclaimed 'Is that the willy?!' So there we had it; confirmed that it was a 'definite' boy! I started to think, hmm, last time Twin 1 was the girl... Had the 16 week scan been wrong?? I couldn't help but assume at that point, 'Ok, now i'm sure there are 2 little boys in there!!'. Twin 2 was positioned horizontally and wasn't moving so much, so she managed to measure everything with ease. All was great with this little one too. 'This one's a girl by the way' said the sonographer. I turned to hubby and grabbed his hand, I just couldn't believe it. Our little family was taking shape. I couldn't help but feel emotional all over again, and be so so thankful for this amazing blessing. The little girl at that point decided to wake up and have a little roll around herself. Back to 'Prince Sheikh' and he had decided that he was not moving for anyone. 'I think you're going to have to come back for another scan for me to look at his spine, he just won't move'. I couldn't help but quietly tell him off; will you move please so the doctor can see all is ok! Up I got to have a little jump around and a prod of my belly, and it seemed to do the trick. She managed to get all the measurements and finally, after 1 hour and 20 minutes we were done. Happy happy happy HAPPY! I can't even explain the extent to my excitement and the utter relief that all was ok. We got our pictures of our angels and went off for my birthday celebrations walking on air. A beautiful day filled with wonderful presents from my amazing hubby. But nothing at all could top the gift of my beautiful little squirmy prince and princess. Yep, even my Gina shoes. And even though they aren't here and are the size of the palm of my hand right now, love is far too weak a word to explain how I feel about them. And I don't even mind both me and hubs being able to say to each other 'I told you so!' :-)
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
It's wedding season
And things have been rather crazy here. As well as me doing many brides hair and makeup for their big days, attending lots of weddings myself, my belly has also started growing at an alarming rate. I am now just over 4 months and by gum is my oven expanding fast. I am however feeling like a human being again and not a sleepy spotty mess, which is just grand.
Most of my outfits I've been wearing to weddings I had especially made to fit me when I went to Pakistan to get my own bridal outfits done, so it's quite funny to feel how tight everything now is around my stomach area. I can't wear any jeans and am living in leggings and maxi dresses. Funnily enough though, I have only put on 2 pounds during my pregnancy so far. Strange...
More weddings ahead throughout July, and the heat is really annoying me. I'm just feeling far too uncomfortably warm at the moment and I may be the only person in London right now reeeeally looking forward to winter coming.
I went into Windsor with mother and sister a few weeks ago and ordered my iCandy buggy, cot beds, mattresses, travel cot and changer, it was SO friggin' exciting! I've not bought anything else yet but i'm starting to get itchy fingers. I really can't wait to start on the clothes, but that won't be for a little while yet.
I've been eating relatively healthily; a lot of fresh fruit, veg, nuts, salads, pasta, grilled meats (bar the odd 1 or 7 bags of crisps here and there. But that's nothing to do with me, it's what the babies want). Apart from still eating like a horse, things are great and i'm finally starting to 'enjoy' being pregnant.
The other night I was at home watching Michael Jacksons 'This Is It' for the first time (yes, can you believe how long I waited to watch it?! I was just so worried i'd bawl my eyes out throughout the whole thing; I did a tiny bit). Whilst singing along to 'The Way You Make Me Feel' as loudly as possible (and in Imrans face), I felt my first little flutter in my stomach. It was one of the bubs making itself known and informing me that they are an MJ fan! (Either that or bub just wanted me to stop singing.)
The other day we had a doctors appointment for a routine check up (double the bubbys = double the check-ups) and the doctor let me hear the babies heartbeats. She didn't even have to try very hard to find them, I was over the moon! Hubs and I just looked each other in a dopey eyed 'Ahhhhhhh listennnnn' way. It was quite amazing :-)
So that's me in a (very large sized) nutshell right now. I know it's been far too long since i've written, I won't leave it so long next time. And I promise I'll be writing up some of my favourite food recipes very soon (and will be sure to put up a picture of 'the belly' too!) xx
Most of my outfits I've been wearing to weddings I had especially made to fit me when I went to Pakistan to get my own bridal outfits done, so it's quite funny to feel how tight everything now is around my stomach area. I can't wear any jeans and am living in leggings and maxi dresses. Funnily enough though, I have only put on 2 pounds during my pregnancy so far. Strange...
More weddings ahead throughout July, and the heat is really annoying me. I'm just feeling far too uncomfortably warm at the moment and I may be the only person in London right now reeeeally looking forward to winter coming.
I went into Windsor with mother and sister a few weeks ago and ordered my iCandy buggy, cot beds, mattresses, travel cot and changer, it was SO friggin' exciting! I've not bought anything else yet but i'm starting to get itchy fingers. I really can't wait to start on the clothes, but that won't be for a little while yet.
I've been eating relatively healthily; a lot of fresh fruit, veg, nuts, salads, pasta, grilled meats (bar the odd 1 or 7 bags of crisps here and there. But that's nothing to do with me, it's what the babies want). Apart from still eating like a horse, things are great and i'm finally starting to 'enjoy' being pregnant.
The other night I was at home watching Michael Jacksons 'This Is It' for the first time (yes, can you believe how long I waited to watch it?! I was just so worried i'd bawl my eyes out throughout the whole thing; I did a tiny bit). Whilst singing along to 'The Way You Make Me Feel' as loudly as possible (and in Imrans face), I felt my first little flutter in my stomach. It was one of the bubs making itself known and informing me that they are an MJ fan! (Either that or bub just wanted me to stop singing.)
The other day we had a doctors appointment for a routine check up (double the bubbys = double the check-ups) and the doctor let me hear the babies heartbeats. She didn't even have to try very hard to find them, I was over the moon! Hubs and I just looked each other in a dopey eyed 'Ahhhhhhh listennnnn' way. It was quite amazing :-)
So that's me in a (very large sized) nutshell right now. I know it's been far too long since i've written, I won't leave it so long next time. And I promise I'll be writing up some of my favourite food recipes very soon (and will be sure to put up a picture of 'the belly' too!) xx
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