Darek + Stacie

We got away last weekend for “one last trip” before the babies come, while we still can.

Finally catching up on photos! This was taken at Cottondale, Darek’s annual family reunion thing out in the boonies.

I’m amazed to be 25 weeks, and incredibly grateful to have gone this long without any major issues.

(Knock on wood please.)

The fluid situation is about the same – a little worse actually – but our doctor is very optimistic and encouraging. To have made it this far is huge, and every week is a milestone and a blessing. I love being pregnant and want it to go on as long as possible, despite the major discomforts. Our doctor basically said that as long as I don’t get too uncomfortable, he won’t do any procedures. Baby B’s fluid has remained stable – around 4cm – which is a really good thing, and even though Baby A’s fluid keeps going up, the main problem seems to be that I’ll be uncomfortable (like not being able to breathe). I asked if I could just deal with the discomfort, and the doctor said yes.

So that’s the plan – suck it up and keep the babies procedure free. “Too uncomfortable” is relative, and unless I feel like I’m dying, I’m going to just deal with everything. I can’t lay down without being in pain and I can’t get the mail without getting out of breath, but it’s all worth it.

Another big thing is my cervix; if that was getting smaller, we’d have problems, but my cervix is “a mile long” and that’s a really really good thing.

We’ll be keeping up the weekly sonograms with our doctor as well as every-other-week appointments with my regular ob-gyn. That’s 6 doctor visits a month. It’s really wonderful to be able to see the babies every week and hear their heartbeats on the doppler twice a month as well. That’s the best part of this whole thing for sure.

I passed my gestational diabetes test, so that’s another great thing. The risk of gestational diabetes is very high with twins.

Baby A weighed in at 1 pound, 11 ounces, and B at 1 pound, 12 ounces. So they’re really close in size, and, according to the doctor and sonographers, we “have really big babies.” They’re both in the 60th percentile. They told me that whatever I’m doing is working, and to keep it up. So I ignore all the naysayers and continue to keep up the crazy calorie and protein consumption and get a lot of rest.

I’m trying to stay positive and hopeful – the doctor felt we could make it to 36 weeks, and I’m sticking with that hope.

Let’s go babies!

I’m running a little behind on the pictures, due to one being held hostage in a car en route to the other side of the world and the other being in my camera all the way across the room.

Today we had a fluid check, and unfortunately baby A’s fluid has increased from about 8cm to about 10cm. We’re now in the danger zone, although the doctor said that if it stays below 12cm we should be all right. We’re being switched back to weekly ultrasounds, possibly for the duration, to keep a close eye on things.

We’re trying not to worry too much or think too far ahead, but since people ask, the “treatment” would be to stick a big needle in my stomach and drain some of the fluid. Unfortunately, this comes with risks. The doctor wants to avoid it unless it’s absolutely necessary, so we’re just hoping hoping hoping it doesn’t come to that.

I’ll be 24 weeks on Wednesday, so we’re getting closer and closer.