Happy Birthday!

Camden and Miles have joined the ranks of Chris Kattan, Evander Holyfield and Amy Carter. They were born via C-section at 2:17 and 2:19 p.m. on Monday October 19, 2009 at the Medical Center Bowling Green, Bowling Green Kentucky.
Miles Gregory weighed 5 pounds 13 ounces and is 19 inches long.
Camden Raines weighed 5 pounds 13.75 ounces and is 19 inches long.
Honestly, at this point I am not sure if they are identical or fraternal. The only true difference we can see is that Miles has the Goodrich ear (it is a little flatter and has a bump).
Mom and babies are doing well (Dad's not half bad either)...

Nesting

It shouldn't be long now. Aren't I supposed to be nesting? We were so prepared for them to come early, but we were fortunate that they did not. We will be 37 weeks on Saturday- officially not preterm.
I am sure that if I didn't have the nursery done, the house somewhat clean, food in the freezer, work "under control," they would have came weeks ago. Unfortunately, things that are left to do, I can't really help with (mow the grass, pull up the garden). Poor Greg is doing more nesting than I am.
It wears me out just to take my morning stroll. I wouldn't even call it a walk at this point I am so slow. It amazes me at my capability to sit. Every move is cumbersome. I am still not what you would call a large pregnant woman, but I sympathize with anyone who is or was. Every move is effort with 12+ pounds of baby inside of you. But as I put it, I am all the more to love.

what's missing

We've had the showers

Tried on the clothes....

Endured an expanding waistline...

Gotten the nursery ready...

What are we missing??? Oh, yeah.

cravings

I really have not been craving much of anything during the pregnancy. But this week I have found something that I would really like to have- Advil (or Aleve). I have been sick with a cold for about 2 weeks. Plenty long if you ask me. The boys should be completely immune to this by now. It is not unusual for me to get a cough with my colds, and this one was no different. What is different now is that I have 2 heads pressing continuously against my right ribs. So in addition to rib pain from their heads, I have rib pain from the cough. I have not been sleeping well, I practically cannot move.

After being to the CNM, I either have a cracked rib, a pulled muscle or pleurisy. In other words, pain. Narcotics are "nice," but there is nothing like an anti-inflammatory when you need one.

Just keep smiling- it's almost over.

Misery loves company

Everything is truthfully going pretty good. We're at 33+ weeks, and about 5+ pounds per baby. We did not have a very good ultrasound tech today, so I all can really say is that their heart rates were well within normal (136 and 148) and they both had grown adequately- looking at more than 5 pounds per baby. Our next OB appointment is Friday and we are probably going to start talking about our "birth plan."
This is the time when all the books talk about how tired you are- this is true, they weren't lying. On top of that I have had probably one of the worst colds I have had in a long time. I even canceled class, much to my student's dismay. I have taken up nasal lavage and I am still looking for the lung that I coughed up (ooo, does the coughing hurt). I think that God is helping me realize how miserable the babies would be if they ever got sick and reminding me to take extra good care of them. This has only made me embrace the idea of staying in the house and not going ANYWHERE for the first 2 months. If you come to our house, I want you here, but I may also ask you not to breathe on the boys, so bring your own oxygen.

Will this pot ever boil?

Not much has been going on in baby land.
Greg and I have started back to work- only 4 more weeks to go for me! I has been tiring, but over all really not too bad. Did you know I work with the best nursing faculty around? They have been very supportive and I never knew so many people would be happy to see me. AND they have offered to tie me up to the ceiling by my heels if I go into labor early. What a group of ladies!
We did see the midwife yesterday and it looks like I may be in luck. Twin A (presumably Miles) has put his head down where it is supposed to be (my pelvis). So we may have a chance at a vaginal delivery. We have our next ultrasound September 20 and see the MD on the 25... THEN we get to talk about the birth plan. My plan- get them out, keep us all safe, seems simple enough right? I don't know if this means we will be waiting for labor, or inducing. I'm sure that will be part of the conversation.
Heart rates were strong and regular. Lots of kicking. I have about 7 pounds of baby in me right now. Reflecting that this could go up to 14-16 pounds, I have a feeling I am not to the really uncomfortable part of pregnancy yet. Sounds like fun. Regardless of all of this, I have been unofficially diagnosed with the clinical syndrome TOP- tired of pregnancy. It does seem like forever since I have not been nauseated, constipated, short of breath and able to see my feet. Fortunately the end is near- 5 weeks to go!

how twins are made

Many people have been asking if our twins are fraternal or identical. Most likely our twins are fraternal. How do I know this you ask? Well is comes down to where the placentas are placed, how the twins formed in the womb, the amniotic sacs, their growth ratios and a variety of other factors.
Although I am sure you are all interested in the scientific definitions and biological interpretation, I feel that this explanation is much clearer.