Baby Belly - 26 Weeks

Whew...26 weeks sure feels more like 36 weeks if I remember correctly from Avery!  We get to take another peek at Ashlynn and Kinsey this week - always something to look forward to = )  And just in case you're looking at this picture and for some sick reason thinking that doesn't look too bad...

Boom!  Check out my sweet new maternity belt I get to rock under my clothes now = )  I'm sure its a combination of carrying twins (super low) and carting around a toddler, but by 4pm my lower back was killing me from all the weight and pressure.  At my last Dr appt I mentioned this and they immediately sent me to a medical support store since the pain was only going to get worse as the twins grow.  This belt is my life saver!  It brings immediate relief to my poor lower back.

And to show off just how uncomfortable things are starting to get in here - I broke down and bought some speed laces since bending over to tie my shoes was no longer a simple task. They should promote these for both triathletes and pregnant women = )

Baby Belly - 22 Weeks

Oh my...this belly just keeps growing!  The twin's eyebrows, eyelids and fingernails are fully formed by now.  Their hearing is also getting sharper which means they should now know all the songs on our Avery CD that we sing and listen to at naptime.

We spent this past weekend in Dallas celebrating Uncle Danny's graduation!  Lots of pictures to follow once I compile from all the cameras = )  In case you need a little sneak peek...

Cutie Pie in Dallas!

Baby Belly - 21 Weeks

These babies are active and definitely growing!  My belly is visibly increasing in size daily!  Its getting quite comical...every trip to the store I get at least one 'When are you due?' = )  At least I look pregnant and not just like I'm gaining weight...but when my answer is September I have to quickly follow that up with my excuse of twins.  Both heartbeats were easy to find this week at the Dr. Office and all of us are doing quite well!  Next week's belly picture will come to you from Texas!!!  So excited to get these twins out to my home state ; )

Baby Belly - 20 Weeks

The twins' hearing is getting better and they can actually start to react to loud noises.  At this stage, the babies' oil glands are starting to form = )

And I thought you should all see what was going on while I was trying to take my belly picture today.

How can I compete with the adorable, shirtless, shoe on the wrong foot toddler running around and giggling at my feet!

Baby Belly - 19 Weeks

At this point Baby A is 10 ounces and Baby B is weighing in at 9 ounces!  Vernix, the protective creamy white substance has begun to form around babies' bodies.  The twins are able to swallow amniotic fluid and their kidneys have started to produce urine!  The twins permanent teeth buds are forming at this time as well.

Baby Belly - 18 Weeks

By this week the twins vocal cords are formed and babies lungs have begun exhaling amniotic fluid.

Pretty exciting morning already!  The whole family went on a dog park excursion (the dog park just might be Avery's happy place...so many 'Arfs') and then a quick jaunt to the park right next door to get in some slides and swings = )  And this morning Travis made us chocolate croissants from scratch - and by scratch I mean from Trader Joe's = )  Delicious!  Happy Sunday!

Baby Belly - 17 Weeks

By this week the babies are capable of swallowing, blinking, and sucking.  They are very active, yes I'm talking about you - twin sitting on my bladder = )  Their little ears are starting to pop out and their necks are getting longer.  We are almost half way there!  And less than two weeks until we find out the genders!!

We had a great midwife visit Saturday and got to hear both heartbeats!

Baby Belly - 16 Weeks

Just busy growing a belly!

Here We Go Again! Baby Belly 15 weeks

Feeling good and already popped!  Next Dr. Appt to check up on these little cuties is Saturday, May 14th = )  And the big news - gender reveal is set!!  Be sure to check back with me on May 28th to find out ; )

Baby Belly - 40 Weeks

Playing a little catch up now that I am back on the blog = ) This was my last baby belly picture before we were induced on 12/28. It is pretty amazing to realize just how much easier ever day tasks are without that huge belly! I can put on my shoes, sleep like a normal person, and in general just bend over to pick up something off the floor. And I have not had a moment of acid reflux since delivery! I think Avery's full head of hair had a little something to do with that...or maybe just the fact that all 9 lbs 7 oz of her was taking up all available space = )

Baby Belly - 39 Weeks

Still the size of a watermelon - Baby's brain is still developing rapidly, and her skin has taken on a paler shade thanks to a thicker layer of fat around the blood vessels. (Don't worry, she'll change color again after birth). Avery is now able to flex her limbs and her nails might extend past her fingertips.

Avery and I promised Travis we wouldn't go into labor today b/c he has a hearing he can't miss, but all bets are off tomorrow!

And one side note - they are not kidding when they call it a bun in the oven. This oven is baking! Yesterday when we took Remi on a walk I stripped down to a t-shirt b/c I was so hot. Travis however was in a jacket and beanie and still commented on how cold it was. 40 degrees is the new 80 degrees to my body!

Baby Belly - 38 Weeks

We've made it to 38 Weeks!! The last bits of vernix caseosa (the white goo keeping Avery's skin moist) and lanugo (downy hair) are slowly shedding into the amniotic fluid. Baby's head is about the same circumference as her abdomen, and her head could be covered in an inch or so of hair.

Another good appt with our midwife on Saturday although my blood pressure has been higher the last two visits so Travis and I got to spend some time Sunday at the hospital doing a non-stress test. Avery tried to sleep through the test but a nice jolt of sugar from some cranberry juice got her moving! No other problems such as headaches or swelling so it looks like my body is just getting ready for baby = ) Progress report for this week - 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced.

Baby Belly - 37 Weeks

Today brings two beautiful words: full term! Now, whenever Avery's born, she's likely to thrive = )

Baby is now the size of a watermelon (that's the truth)! She is gaining about a 1/2 ounce a day and getting her first sticky poo ready. I'm sure Travis is thrilled about that! She is also brushing up on skills for the outside world: blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping (its getting strong!).

Baby Belly - 36 Weeks

Avery's skin is getting smooth and soft, her gums are rigid, her liver and kidneys are in working order, and her circulation and immune system are basically good to go. Her lungs are the only organs that still need to fully mature, but every day she gets a little closer to breathing on her own!

We had a fantastic Dr. Appt on Saturday- It appears that Avery had a growth spurt over the last two weeks (to be expected). She has dropped and her perfect little head is nestled quite nicely directly on my bladder. Note - every single time I stand up from a sitting position this results in a run to the bathroom! I now know where the restrooms are at all of my frequented stores = ) We are now on to our weekly Dr. visits and according to this last exam we are progressing quite well for a first pregnancy! Our midwife said she will be surprised if Avery waits until her due date!

Baby Belly - 35 Weeks

Avery and I had a 35 week date to go see New Moon this past weekend! I thought I should commemorate the date with our Baby Belly picture = )

From now on Avery's growth is mostly in the plumping up department -- though she won't get much longer, she'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. (She's about 15 percent now and will be about 30 percent by full term). Her hearing is totally developed. This weeks tip - she responds best to higher pitches...Travis had better start practicing his falsetto!

Baby Belly - 34 Weeks

Our little honeydew can now recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing our lullabies! In fact, Avery will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Less cute news: she now urinates about one pint per day. Get the diapers ready!

And this weeks Bump checklist items: Pick out birth announcements and install car seat and get it inspected. We are so on top of things! We have the fabulous Miss Sada (http://smgscrapbooking.blogspot.com/) creating our birth announcements and we'll get the car seat in and over to the fire station for inspection! Seems soooo early for this!

Baby Belly - 33 Weeks

Avery is now the size of a Honeydew! Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and her brain is developing like crazy! Pretty soon she'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, her bones are hardening, and she has started to keep her eyes open when she's awake.

Baby Belly - 32 Weeks

Ready or not, baby's getting ready to emerge! She's probably in the head-down position by now, with her bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for her body to fit in my increasingly cramped womb and will make her eventual exit (only a couple months away now!) much easier.

She had an incredibly active weekend with a record number of kicks to the right rib cage = ) We had a great check-up on Saturday morning and Avery's little heartbeat just keeps getting easier and easier to track. Breastfeeding class was fantastic and gave me an opportunity to meet one of the lactation specialists that will be working with me in December! There's also something very comforting about being in a class full of first time pregnant women = ) The mad rush to the door every time we are given a bathroom break is pretty hilarious!

Tonight Travis and I attend Baby Care Basics! I can't wait to learn more = ) Plus, I can't wait to watch Travis practice swaddling a baby! I doubt he'll approve of any picture taking but I'll bring my camera just in case...

Baby Belly - 31 Weeks

Avery is going through major brain and nerve development these days. Her irises now react to light, and all five senses are in working order. (She won't pick up anything from her nose until after birth though - smell is transferred through air not amniotic fluid).

Weekend updates to come! Avery had one exciting weekend...or at least I did with all of the loved ones in town!

Baby Belly - 30 Weeks

We've made it to Week 30!! Avery is squirming like crazy and Remi seems to like my big new pillow of a belly = )

Avery's skin is smoothing out and her brain just keeps getting more wrinkled. All those grooves and indentations increase surface area, meaning more room for that oh-so-essential brain tissue. She's also adding some brawn - her grip is now strong enough to grasp a finger.

Time to load up on the protein to help out Avery's developing brain!