Cloth Diapers

Many of you may think I am crazy, but I am building my cloth diaper collection.  These are the most adorable things ever!  Cloth diapers are not what they used to be by any means.  http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2011/01/why-cloth-diapers.html  Many cloth diapering families claim they have less leaks and those awful blow outs then with disposable diapers.  Don't forget the cost savings!  We are diapering twins and the cost of disposables will be enormous.  Besides that... who couldn't love one of these cute butts?

Spending hours looking at diapers and trying to decide what to add to the stash, I have opted to use prefolds with covers for the first months.  I am assuming that the twins will be smaller babies and these seem to be the best and most economical optionat this point.  I also want to incorporate some fitted diapers as well, but they are quite a bit more expensive. I will continue to collect all in ones for when the babies grow out of the newborn stage.  I love the bumGenius!

My Stash:

So far my stash comprises of 6 xs bumGenius! that should work soon after they are born. I scored these unused on craigslist for a great deal.  I prefer the snaps, but I couldn't pass up the deal on the velcro.

Today I ordered

OsoCozy Indian Prefolds (5) x-small and (5) infant

Thirsties Duo Wrap with blue and brown trees

Thirsties Snap Duo Wrap in bright green

I will continue to collect a lot more All In Ones for when the babies grow out of the newborn stage.  I love the bumGenius!

Ticker Change Monday! Fourteen Weeks!

I am feeling pretty exhausted and need a lot of rest lately.  So far I have gained quite a big belly but not any weight.  Which means the babies are taking all the nutrition and I am running off of the left overs.  I need to put on 20 to 24 pounds by the 20th week. 

With twin pregnancies it is imperative to the health of the babies to gain weight quickly during the first half of pregnancy.  This means consuming a lot of meat rich in iron, complex carbs, calcium rich foods, and of course fruits and vegetables.  It is a daunting task to consume 3000 calories in a healthy manner.  Good thing is milkshakes are encouraged!  These may become habit forming.

Your Babies: Week 14

The adorable babies are busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fuild as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop.  Laguno (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.

Ticker change Monday! Thirteen Weeks!

Hello second trimester!  What a huge milestone this day is.  Thanks mom for sending me the doppler so that I can check on the babes.

Your Babies Week 13

Your babies are forming teeth and vocal cords.  They are now approaching normal proportions, with the heads now only one third the size of their bodies.  Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to their stomachs.

I will post a belly shot later today

12 Weeks!

I am a bit behind in updating as we are scurrying to move along with several doctor's appointments.  Monday marked twelve weeks of pregnancy and everything is going great!  We had our first appointment with our Perinatologist yesterday afternoon.  Dr. P is fantastic!  I will be seeing her every two to four weeks depending on how the babies are doing.

This first appointment was for the NT Scan.  B & I were both pretty nerved out after going through the genetic counseling portion - of course it was all worst case scenario.  Then came time for the ultrasound with one unbearably uncomfortable full bladder.  The babies were very alert.  Both babies passed the screening for downs syndrome, what a huge sigh of relief.  Now we wait about a week or so for the blood test results.

Dr. P asked if we wanted to try to see the sexes... OF COURSE!  Baby B was for once more cooperative. Right away we got a bum shot and clearly could see a GIRL!  Baby A wasn't so cooperative, but seems to be a boy.  However, due to the angle and activity, she could not tell if that was the umbilical cord or some boy parts.  February 16th will confirm.  My gut instinct has been Baby A is a boy and Baby B is a girl this whole time.

Your Babies: Week 12

As we move into the second trimester, the babies shift into the growth and maturation stage.  After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of the systems are fully formed.








Here are some pictures for your enjoyment...

12 week bump.  Yes, that is real - I am shocked myself.  According to my OB and twin pregnancy book, your size is about 4 to 6 weeks more then a singleton belly.  So in other words, I am sporting a 16 to 18 week bump!









Baby A and Baby B - 12 weeks 1 Day

11 Week 1 Day Ultrasound

This was the best day ever!  Today's ultrasound showed two very active babies measuring a day ahead.  Baby A turned and looked right at us.  Baby B was relaxing and not thrilled with us taking a peak.  There was a bit of a fuss, arms and legs flailing.  It was just amazing.  Dr. A was laughing and said Baby B must be a girl.

Fun numbers!  Today we are 11 weeks 1 day and the date is 1.11.11

Ticker Change Monday! Eleven Weeks!

Today we are eleven weeks pregnant! Last night marked the end of the progesterone shots and estrogen patches!  Celebrate!  61 nights of injections are done!  Never again, no way, no how.  My hips are bruised and rock hard.

Tomorrow is my weekly check up and we can't wait to see the babies again.  It is bittersweet as this is the exact time in the last pregnancy where I landed in the ER.  Of course, I have pleaded with the universe for no repeats.  Next Tuesday we go for our NT Scan (Nuchal Translucency Screening) with the perinatologist.  Click the link if you'd like to learn more.

Your Babies: Week 11

Your babies currently enjoy a 1:1 ration between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through.  But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming - setting up a significantly more attractive future.

Can you believe how big the babies are getting already?  Pretty amazing.

10 Week Appointment Update

Today we had two ten weeks appointments, one with Dr. A the RE, and one with Dr. M the OB.  This was a pretty good day and all thoughts are positive as we approach the time frame of our loss last year.

The first appointment with the RE was a great routine ultrasound and blood work appointment.  Baby A is measuring 10 week and 2 days and Baby B had a growth spurt measuring 10 weeks 4 days!  I have two more weekly appointments and we graduate!  I also get to stop the PIO shots and estrogen patches on Sunday.  Surely something to celebrate - I foresee a great steak dinner at fabulous restaurant.

The second appointment was with my OB, whom I just love.  He has the sweetest demeanor about him that just makes everything wonderful.  Dr. M was so excited to see us and even more surprised at the news of twins.  He had us schedule our NT Scan two weeks from today.  We are also going to be seeing a perinatologist every four weeks for ultrasounds.

Dr. M also went into detail as to what to expect in a twin pregnancy at 'my age' - damn I hate that I get those talks.  I will not be allowed to go past 38 weeks, so looks like July 18th is my going to be my target due date.  But he also mentioned it is unlikely that I would even make it to 38 weeks.  We just want the babies to be healthy, of course.  

Dr. M  also said that if I do have any preterm issues that I can expect to be out of work the end of March.  Woah.  Of course, no one wants this to happen, but we need to be prepared.  I am trying to figure out how to discuss this with my boss.  We are a small company and I deal with the finances and client budgets, etc.  I am the only one who does my job.  I don't see this being easily accepted by my boss.  I am not sure how to approach the subject, but the truth is we need to have someone trained and ready should this occur.

Ticker Change Monday! Ten Weeks

We have completed ten weeks of pregnancy and the twins were both doing great.  At last week's ultrasound we were able to see that both babies are growing perfectly and the heartbeats look strong.  We also got to see Baby A do a twist and roll, amazing. Too bad we didn't get to watch longer, it was a busy day in the office.

Tomorrow we have two doctor appointments.  The first is with Dr. A which will be another ultrasound to check on progress.  Our second will be with Dr. M, our OB, where we should be able to hear the heartbeats for the first time ever!  Very excited about this. In two short weeks we will graduate from the RE and be cared for by Dr. M 100%.  This is bittersweet as the weekly ultrasounds will cease.  We love Dr. M, he was so wonderful last year.

Your Babies: Week 10

With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, the babies are making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will too.)

This is what we missed last week:

Your Babies: Week 9

Your little embryos have officially graduated to fetus-hood.  Adding to the excitement, a doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating hearts.  With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, babies are kid of starting to look like... well.. babies!

I have been lagging

It's been crazy and I haven't updated in quite some time.  Please accept the dancing cat as an apology