I Love My Bump: Week 34

This week marks my 34th week! I'm almost to my goal of 36! I go off of my Procardia, which has been controlling contractions, next Monday. I will be 35 weeks ,2 days! My doctor is thinking that I will start trying to go into labor within a couple days. So I will be very close to 36 weeks. If I haven't had them by the 36 week mark then he wants me to try to doing things to induce labor. If nothing has happened by the next week, then he will induce me. He doesn't feel like that's going to be an issue though, and I'm hoping I can do it on my own! So maybe within 13 days we will have our baby boys! I got a steroid shot at the my last appointment to help with lung development just in case they come early. I can't wait to meet them!

How far along?
34 weeks, 2 days today!

 

Trimester?
3rd!

How many days until my due date?
12 days to 36 weeks!!

How big are the babies?
The babies are the size of a butternut squash!

 

Weight gain?
I gained about 2 pounds this week.

What milestones did the babies reach this week?
This week the twins are supposed to be around 18 inches long. Fat layers- which will help regulate their body temperature after birth- are filling the twins out, making them rounder. Their skin is smoother than ever. The central nervous system is maturing and their lungs are continuing to mature as well. Since I've been nervous about pre-term labor it's good to know that babies born between 34-37 weeks who have no other health problems do just fine!! 

Pregnancy symptoms?
Sniffles still. I get up quite a bit at night to use the bathroom. I've been having a lot of Braxton hicks!!!!

Cravings/Aversions?
Panera bread's greek salad and turkey on sourdough bread, Red Lobster's Cesar salad, coconut butterfly shrimp with pineapple sauce, and grilled shrimp skewer over chicken, California Pizza Kitchen's avocado chicken egg rolls. (This was the same as last week!! I did get my avocado egg rolls though :)

Sleep?
Insomnia city! I wake every couple hours to use the bathroom and then think surely it's almost time to get up...and it will be like 1:47AM. I'm not comfortable in bed anymore at all. I feel like I have a huge bowling ball in my stomach and can't turn over without help or holding my belly on the side to support it. I feel like every bone in my chest and my ribs are breaking when I lay on my side. Not fun!

Belly Button?
In..I don't know how but it is.

Wedding rings on or off?
On some days, off some days.

Swelling?
I had no swelling until I started the Procardia and steroid shot and pills. After I take either one of those it's over. Swollen feet and a little in my hands. My face is swollen. I also get realllly red from the Procardia all over. I look like I just got out of the tanning bed and roasted myself. My blood pressure has been good this whole time so we know it's not swelling from that.

Labor signs?
Braxton hicks. That's about it right now. I'm hoping that changes in a week when I go off of this medicine.

Dreams?
None. I'm not asleep enough to dream.

Best moment of the week? 
Thinking about going into labor and knowing it's right around the corner! Also, Jared's coworkers threw us a baby shower at the hospital and it was perfect! The food was awesome and we got so many gifts! He is blessed to work with such a fun group of people!

 

What I'm loving?
That I'm going to see these boys soon!

What I miss?
Bending over.
Putting lotion on my legs (poor Jared has to do this every night)
Being able to roll over in bed and not feel like I weight 300 pounds.
Wearing my old clothes.
Being able to put on and take off my own boots.
Being able to drink coffee or soda if I want one.
Not worrying about how much fish or rice I'm eating because of the mercury content.
Being able to get off the couch without breathing heavy.
Being able to do housework and every day tasks without feeling breathless and my heart palpitating out of my chest.

What I'm looking forward to?
BIRTH!!!!!

What emotions have I experienced this week?
Emotional quite a bit. I cry over everything all the time!

Boys, Girls, or Both?
BOYS!!!!

 

Movement?
Some. Their movement has really slowed down, and that's due to NO ROOM in my belly anymore!!!

Stretch marks?
Well...I think we have spotted one reallllly down low on my belly. Very upset about it. I'm still lathering up. I'm just glad it's really low and not up high!

What has daddy been up to this week?
Jared has been having to help me put on my shoes everyday.
Lather up with lotion after my showers.
Laundry, cooking, back rubs a couple times a day, foot rubs a couple times a day, massages my legs everyday. He's keeping busy! lol.

When do I think I will go into labor?
I go off of my Procardia next Monday. He thinks it won't be long after that but we will see. If I haven't had them by 37 weeks then I will be induced. But my doctor won't even address that because he doesn't think it's going to happen.

Nesting?
We are packed up and ready to go!

Devotional from the book, "Expecting Praying for your Child's Development Body & Soul": Conviction: Skeleton  "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." -Ephesians 6:14-15
Lord, I want our little ones to be physically strong. As I think about their frame, I pray that they will be sturdy! Harden those bones, so they'll be able to withstand the bumps and knocks of life. I don't want them to be fragile or easily broken. I pray that they will be able to stand straight and tall all the days of their life. And may they stand tall for truth and righteousness as well. When those around them are unsure of their beliefs, when their convictions crumble, may they stand firm and fast. Help us to instill in them a knowledge of the truth. May they be so familiar with your truth that they can recognize a lie from a mile away. Lord, don't let them be dragged down by deceptive philosophies the world is so quick to offer. Make them strong. Thank you for being their strong tower. They can run to you, lean on you, and you'll never fail them! Bless your name, Lord!