27 Weeks

So this is my professional photographer. She's great. She doesn't charge me very much. She just has a lot of opinions and always wants me to take her picture when we are done. I figure that is fair. I did make note that she looked very picturesque that day.

Thanks Paige, for all of your help and support through this. And thanks for making me laugh about 20 times in the 20 minutes it took to take four pictures! You're amazing!

"Mom, you really shouldn't hold onto
your butt when I take the picture.
It  just looks funny."

"Darn it! That time you smiled without
your teeth. We need to try it again.
This time try saying cheese."

And according to Paige, we found a winner. 27 weeks, LOTS more to go!

So the update on the pregnancy is looking pretty good. I had a check-up with my new OB-GYN on Tuesday. My first one was ok, but apparently you should have some sort of trust or positive rapport with the doctor who is in charge of your pregnancy and delivery. I didn't. So we found a new one. Her name is Julie Grover and after appointment number one I guess she's great. She is human. And since I am still on my anti-people kick that is kind of a flaw. But it will work out ok I think. 

Anyhow, the next day I had my most recent ultrasound. The good news there was that both babies are head down. For anyone who hasn't read my feelings on C-sections, I am a little terrified and so both babies in position is great news for me! I know there is still always that chance that things will not go as smoothly as I am hoping for. But the specialist also said that the babies are much less likely to flip over at this point. Which means we are planning on at least trying for a vaginal delivery! (Can I say vaginal on here? Or am I going to get angry posts from friends and family who do not approve of such a vulgar comment?) We have another ultrasound in two weeks. But so far there are no signs at all of Twin-Twin Transfusion syndrome. (YEAH!) They are measuring about exactly equal and the specialists are all still assuming the girls are identical. (Which I can finally admit is kind of exciting. Especially since they will probably be as cute as their sisters. Easton is going to have a lot of body guard duty during the high school years.) 

In case anyone cares, the reason they are assuming identical is that they can only see one placenta in the ultrasound pictures. One placenta means they have to be identical. There is also the tiniest, thinnest membrane separating the girls. It is so hard to see on the screen. But the only way to know for sure if twins are identical is to have a DNA test done at birth to see what percentage of their DNA matches. I guess even the doctors sometimes can't tell if there are really two placentas there or if the two placentas fused together. Really complicated. But we are learning so much. Every appointment is amazingly fascinating. And I love the doctors over at Maternal Fetal Medicine at UVRMC. They are patient and smart and just always willing to take the time to talk to you and make sure you understand the creatures in your belly!

And the non-medical side of my pregnancy should get an update also. I have to admit that this is much harder than I imagined it would be. I have posted a lot about my feelings and emotions. I just didn't realize how taxing this would be. And people keep telling me that I look great or that I don't act like I am struggling. I'm not. I really am doing well. But there are just some days when the littlest thing (going to the bathroom, making lunch, sitting up too long) takes everything I have! I get frustrated and complain. But Brandon has always been so supportive. Today was a harder day and Brandon rushed home from work early and grabbed the girls so that I could just lay down and rest. It is just weird to feel like I got "nothing" done all day and yet I feel like I ran a marathon! Literally that is how some days feel. It is sooo strange. And then I just fall into Brandon's arms and believe him when he lectures me about how I didn't get "nothing" done. I am creating people. My body appears to be sitting there. But it is frantically building cells and brains and bones and working overtime trying to get things ready in time. It's hard work. But someone's gotta do it!