So much has happened since I updated at 16 weeks...geez I need to get better about this! We are 23 weeks this week and have seen the babies quite a few times in the past few months. We had our big ultrasound at 18 weeks and found out that we have 1 boy and 1 girl for sure! It was so fun to find out 100% and begin to call them "he" and "she". They are extremely active babies and the techs always complain about them not holding still to get their measurements. Getting into trouble already! At this point both babies are measuring perfectly normal, a little on the larger size actually which is great, and my doctor is very pleased with their progress. We got to see them again last week and they look so much bigger each time.
I felt the babies move around 17 weeks...little tickles just like everyone had told me. I had been waiting and waiting and then it just happened one night. I was laying on the couch looking at my tummy and I felt it! I started freaking out and Ryan was like "What, what is it?" Then we both saw my tummy move! I was shocked! From then on it hasn't stopped! It's like as soon as I knew what it felt like I could feel it all day. It took about 3 more weeks before I felt them kicking and I have to say that is probably one of my favorite things. I'm sure I may change my mind when they get even bigger and stronger, but for now I love it. I hold my tummy all day just so I can feel them. I think it helps to give me peace of mind that they are healthy and growing. Little man likes to hang out way up in my ribs and our little lady lays way down low so it usually feels like I'm getting pulled in two different directions. When they both get to kicking it's like a circus in my stomach and I always laugh outloud no matter where I am. I am sure this will come to embarrass me one of these days :)
I wish that I could share that I have had super weird food cravings that you always hear about, but I'm sorry to report that I'm pretty boring. My favorite after work snack is 2 sliced pickles and a piece of cheese, which Ryan thinks is weird enough. I could eat a cucumber for every meal and if it were up to me I would eat cold veggies and salad everyday, all day. These aren't new things for me, just maybe more multiplied than they were before! I still love anything orange flavored and I go through about a gallon of orange juice a week. I like to put it in the freezer and then eat it like a slushy :) At least it's healthy! I could drink a smoothie/slushie anytime! I still have the same food aversions and don't want bread or ice cream. I guess the weirdest thing for me is that the other day I wanted a piece of chocolate when I was working...I don't even really like chocolate! It's funny to me because I remember my sister telling me that the girls really liked chocolate when she was pregnant :) Who knew I would! I tend to crave spicy/mexican food at times and I am usually the biggest wuss when it comes to anything spicy. I think my taste buds are changing for sure. I have suggested tacos so many times in the last few months and I didn't even realize it until he said something.
Overall I have been feeling pretty good throughout my pregnancy. I am monitored very well by my doctor and am very pleased with the way I have been taken care of by my clinic and the perinatal clinic. I have been dealing with some pain issues over the past few months and was put on bed rest once before and now again for what might be a while. Everything with the babies is totally fine, but they are trying to get my pain under control which means staying off of my feet, resting and laying on my back a lot. I have a very high chance of having pre-term labor so they are taking every precation to make sure this doesn't happen and these babies continue to grow as long as they can. I am trying my best to follow all of their orders and do what I can to have a long and healthy pregnancy. I have learned that I can't do everything I would normally do and that's ok. I am able to work from home so I have been making it all work to the best of my ability for the time being. I go in for another ultrasound next week so we will know more about what lies ahead of us then.
So, with that I will quit rambling and leave you with our latest ultrasound pictures! These are from our 18 week appointment (I haven't had a chance to upload the ones from last week).
This is our little man. He definitely has Ryan's nose and lips and he has calmed down on the camera so we get to see more of him than just his buns finally:) (The first few times all he wanted to do was stand on his head and moon us). I love this profile picture of him..he looks like such a little man and I can't wait to see what he will really look like. I have no doubt that he will look just like his daddy though :)
This is our little lady. The tech told us that she has a little button nose like me! She could have told me that she had my elbows and I would have been happy :) She is so sweet and I can't wait until our active little girl is here.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and supporting us. We wouldn't make it through this without our friends and family. Only a few months left and we will be able to share our little ones with all of you!
"God touched our hearts so deep inside, our special blessing multiplied." ~Author Unknown
