I Love My Bump: Week 22

How far along?
22 weeks, 4 days today!

 

Trimester?
2nd!

How many days until my due date?
122 to Feb 8th, 93 to my goal 36 weeks!

How big are the babies?
The babies are the size of a papaya!

 

Weight gain?
I haven't weighed in this week...so I'll go with my weight gain so far of 13 pounds!

What milestones did the babies reach this week?
The brain is growing and starting to develop more complex neurological connections. From head to foot, the babies are around 11 inches long with a weight of over 1 pound. They are growing!!! Just below newly formed eyebrows and beneath newly formed eyelids are more developed eyes that continue to sense light. If given the chance they might turn away from bright lights. They can now hear my heart beat, my stomach churn, and hear the sound of our voice!!! 

Pregnancy symptoms?
I've had a pretty good week so far. Aside from my ever growing stomach!!!

Cravings/Aversions?
Cravings this week...cheddar cheese, chocolate chip cookie dough (which I can't have!!), long john silvers chicken and fries, and fresh baked ham (which my grandma made for me last Sunday!) My new obsession is cinnamon raisin swirl toast with a little cinnamon sugar on top!!
No aversions this week!

Sleep?
My pregnancy pillow is my new best friend! I am obsessed with him lol. Yes I've named him. Pregnant or not I will use this pillow!!

Belly Button?
My belly button is barely there.  I can't even hardly stick my pinky finger in it at all! I guess it will pop out soon!

Wedding rings on or off?
On!

Swelling?
No swelling yet!

Labor signs?
None!

Dreams?
No crazy dreams this week yet!

Best moment of the week?
The best moment this week is coming on Saturday!! My dearest, oldest, best friend Audrey is getting married!!!! So it's wedding week here in Potosi!!! I'm so excited for her and I can't wait for her to experience one of God's greatest gifts, marriage!

What I'm loving?
The cool weather! Even though our house is still only 68 degrees because I get hot at night!

What I miss?
I really miss eating certain things that I can't eat while pregnant. I miss shopping at the buckle which was my life story before I was pregnant. I miss being a size 4! I miss not being able to walk a lot or shop like I used to be able to do for ten hours straight!

What I'm looking forward to?
Audrey's wedding and another week closer to meeting these two handsome babies!

What emotions have I experienced this week?
Relaxation!!!! I've been so at ease ever since my last doctors appointment!

Boys, Girls, or Both?
BOYS!!!! Liam Alexander Politte & Asher Matthew Politte

Movement?
All the time! Even at 3:00 in the morning...I'm hoping this isn't their sleep schedule! :/ They are definitely moving up in my uterus. I can feel them kick right above my belly button now. It's so exciting!

Stretch marks?
None yet!!! I'm hoping lathering up with this tummy butter and cocoa butter lotion will work wonders!

What has daddy been up to this week?
Jared is the greatest husband God has ever let live! He rubs my feet and back every night! He waits on me hand and foot. The cutest thing is when he leans down and talks to the babies.

When do I think I will go into labor?
My doctor wants me to try and make it to 36 or 37 weeks. 36 weeks will be January 11, 2014 and 37 weeks will be January 18, 2014! So definitely before my due date, but still at a safe zone!

Nesting?
Not really doing any nesting.

Devotional from the book, "Expecting Praying for your Child's Development Body & Soul": Listening: Hearing
"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." -James 1:19 Lord, my babies can hear sounds outside of my womb now! They can hear my voice. I can start communicating with my little ones weeks before they enter the world. What a privilege! Father, as they grow, will you keep those little ears of their open? Will you help them to hear the cries of the poor, the forsaken, the helpless? Will you give them a sensitivity to others and a heart that wants to help? So often, I turn a deaf ear to the needs of those around me and focus on my own selfish desires. I don't want to be like that anymore. And I don't want my children to be like that either. Help me to show them what it means to be in tune with others, to care about them more than you care about yourself. From and early age, may they be aware of those who need a tender touch- and then reach out and touch them.

I Love My Bump: Week 21

21 Weeks!!!

 This is my 100th post!!

How far along?
21 weeks, 4 days today!

Trimester?
2nd!

How many days until my due date?
129 to Feb 8th, 100 to my goal 36 weeks!

How big are the babies?
The babies are the size of a pomegranate!

 

Weight gain?
I have gained 1 pound this week! Bringing my grand total to 13 pounds!

What milestones did the babies reach this week?
To stay warm the babies are developing body fat and a thin layer of hair called lanugo. They are supposed to weigh about 12 ounces, but our boys are weighing right at a pound!! They are around 11 inches long! They can hiccup as a means to practice breathing and swallowing amniotic fluid in order to practice eating. They are practicing martial arts skills and I can now feel full-fledged kicks and nudges. Their eyebrows and lids are present now!! These are the latest ultrasound pictures!

Asher's legs on top, Liam's legs crossed on bottom! Long Legs!

Asher waving to Mom & Dad

Liam Alexander

Asher Matthew

  

Pregnancy symptoms?
Emotional, on edge! I get aggravated and annoyed realllly fast. Round ligament pain is awful and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!  I have had two bad episodes so far. (thought I was going into labor...sweating, curled up in a ball in the floor and couldn't walk, couldn't talk, pain in my abdomen shooting down into my groin area, and back ache!) So this is entirely worse because of twins! Yet another hoop.  

Cravings/Aversions?
Cravings this week...California pizza kitchen avocado egg rolls! Yummy!! Thankfully I got to eat some Monday!
No aversions this week!

Sleep?
What sleep this week? Every night so far this week I was up at 3AM and couldn't fall back asleep until around 6AM...however, I got a pregnancy pillow!!! I LOVE it!!!! It's the best invention ever!

Belly Button?
My belly button is barely there. I guess it will pop out soon!

Dreams?
No crazy dreams this week yet...I don't think I stay asleep long enough to dream!

Best moment of the week?
I really like going to the doctor for reassurance that everything is going well! And getting ultrasounds every two weeks is nice! I am so much more relaxed this week than last week. After talking with the doctor about all of questions about pregnancy...gas/constipation, ligament pain, backache, heartburn, exercise, and cervical changes... much more relaxed because all of it is normal and there are things to take and do to relieve the pain! My cervix is still the same. So he says that's great! If it were going to be drastically changing it would be changing by now. So relieved!!! It's weird because if I was having one baby it wouldn't be a worry at all. People with twins have many more hoops to jump through!

What I'm loving?
The evening fall weather!

What I'm looking forward to?
I'm looking forward to each week passing by!

What emotions have I experienced this week?
Nervous and scared because I had never experienced round ligament pain. So when I got it I thought I was going into labor. Who knew it would be so bad! I've heard it's a multiples thing!

Boys, Girls, or Both?

BOYS!!!! Liam Alexander Politte & Asher Matthew Politte

Movement?
All.The.Time! Kicking, raising their butts in the air. Pretty amazing!!!

Stretch marks?
None yet!!!

What has daddy been up to this week?
Jared really was nervous one night I had the ligament pain. He had never seen me in that much pain before. He stayed up pretty much the whole night and took care of me and then went to work at 7:30AM! He's the best. Don't know what I would do without him. He has been cleaning up, cooking, and tending to my every need!

When do I think I will go into labor?
My doctor wants me to try and make it to 36 or 37 weeks. 36 weeks will be January 11, 2014 and 37 weeks will be January 18, 2014! So definitely before my due date, but still at a safe zone!

Nesting?
Not really doing much these days!

Devotional from the book, "Expecting Praying for your Child's Development Body & Soul": Protection: Fat
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." -Psalm 32:7 My little babies are adding fat to their bones this week. How exciting! This fat will keep them warm when they leave my cozy womb and enter this big, cold world. These layers of fat will cushion and protect them-and give me something to kiss and pinch. Lord, I pray that you will always keep my children warm and protected. I thank you that they will be born in a warm place and live in a warm home. I thank you that we can afford diapers, clean clothing, and blankets. And they will have their mom and many other loved ones to snuggle with around the clock. God, will you send your angels to protect my darling children? As much as I'd love to be there for them every second of their life, I know I can't be. Even if I could, some things are beyond my control. Help me to trust you to protect my little ones. They already mean the world to me!!!!

I Love My Bump: Week 20

5 Months! I'm feeling pretty good! Excited that I'm finally at this point!
This is my first bare belly photo!

wow it looks really big!

 

 

How far along?
20 weeks, 4 days!

Trimester?
2nd!

How many days until my due date?
136 to Feb 8th, 109 to my goal 36 weeks

How big are the babies?
The babies are the size of a banana!

 

Weight gain?
I have gained 13 pounds!

What milestones did the babies reach this week?
The babies I'm estimating weigh 12-13 ounces (since they are ahead of schedule) I'll find out for sure in a couple days! The average weight at this point is 10 1/2 ounces. They are 10 inches from head to heel! They are swallowing more these days, which is good practice for the digestive system. They are also producing meconium, a black sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in their bowels and we will see it in their first soiled diaper. Fetal kicks are more prominent at this stage.

Pregnancy symptoms?
Emotional... I also have heartburn so bad quite often and it really comes with anything I eat. The only thing that helps me is whole milk and tums. I'm tired a lot! I get to the point where I just can not go anymore. Back pain!!! Sciatic nerve pain! Round ligament pain! It's hard work growing twins!!! I had a really bad scare this week and thought I was having contractions...needless to say it was really bad gas pain. Like the worst pain of my life thus far.

Cravings/Aversions?
Cravings this week...milk, Mexican (really good for my heartburn or gas/constipation..not!), rice krispies,  kit-kat bars, twix bars, Extra-sharp cheddar cheese, M&M blizzard! Grape slush!!!!

Sleep?
I'm sleeping alright...my hips are feeling a little better. I wake up at least twice a week between 3-4AM. This week so far I've been awake at 4AM every night...and it's only Wednesday! I'm a little worn out!

Belly Button?
My belly button has started to disappear. Like I can't even hardly stick my pinky finger in it...

Dreams?
I gave birth to two dachshunds this week. One was fat and then one looked just like our dog Greta. Pretty interesting.

Best moment of the week?
My cervix is still the same! YAY!!! Praise God! It actually measured a little longer this week...3.7 and then 3.4 when Liam's head was pushing up against it.

What I'm loving?
  FALL!! I'm loving feeling them kick and move around! It's quite amazing!

What I'm looking forward to?
Going to see Dr. Paul next Monday! I love getting ultrasounds and pictures every two weeks! I'm looking forward to possibly seeing them suck on their toes, which they are supposed to be doing at this point. How precious!

What emotions have I experienced this week?
Relief, happiness, anxious (I want to see them!!), nervous! I'm going to have two babies!!! At the same time!!!!

Boys, Girls, or Both?
BOYS!!!! Liam Alexander Politte & Asher Matthew Politte

Movement?
All the time! Kicks, rolling over, butt in the air is their favorite thing to do and we can see that happening and feel it...quite amazing. They are very active right now! They have hiccups...so sweet!!

Stretch marks?
None yet!!! I've heard that this could be occurring within the next couple weeks! The good thing is I have stretched quite a bit and haven't had any itching so that's a good sign.

What has daddy been up to this week?
He has been still taking care of me! Cleaning, cooking, doing dishes, and doing pretty much whatever I ask of him whenever I ask. I am really so very blessed to have a husband like Jared! My favorite thing is when he puts his hand on my belly every night before bed or on the couch to feel the boys moving. It's very sweet!

When do I think I will go into labor?
My doctor wants me to try and make it to 36 or 37 weeks. 36 weeks will be January 11, 2014 and 37 weeks will be January 18, 2014! So definitely before my due date, but still at a safe zone!

Nesting?
I haven't really been doing much of anything. I've been so tired!

Devotional from the book, "Expecting Praying for your Child's Development Body & Soul": Gender
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value...Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. -Proverbs 31:10-11, 28
I'll be so thrilled with either a girl or a boy. It's boys!!! I know the boys gender will largely determine the course of my life as a mom. I'm ready for anything. What a miracle. Oh, I pray that my babies will embrace his God-given sexuality. Give them a fierce desire to keep their minds and bodies pure. I pray for their future mate, that they will save their virginity for her on their wedding night. Will you bless their future children? After carrying two children for just 20 weeks, I want any woman who so desires to experience this miracle for themselves-especially my own children. Lord, help them to love being men- and give them the strength to be exactly the men you want them to be.

Bridal Shower Bonanza!

I'm so glad this weekend is over! I am exhausted!!! My grandma and I threw my dearest friend Audrey a lingerie shower and a wedding shower at Church! The showers turned out so well and we had a really great time! Now on to the wedding October 12th!

 

Our next shower was at Church...

 

Here are some pictures of Cornelius and Audrey!



I Love My Bump: Week 19

19 weeks!

 

I really can't believe that this time is flying by so fast! I'm almost 5 months! My stomach is growing very very fast! I wake up every morning and think "Where did this come from?"

 

How far along?
19 weeks, 4 days today!

Trimester?
2nd!

How many days until my due date?
143 to Feb 8th, 114 to my goal 36 weeks!

How big are the babies?
The babies are the size of a mango!

 

Weight gain?
I have gained 12 pounds!

What milestones did the babies reach this week?
They are supposed to weigh half a pound (around 8 ounces)! Liam weighs 11 ounces, and Asher weighs 10 ounces! They are supposed to be around 6 inches long, Liam & Asher are about 7 1/2 inches long! So they are a little ahead, which is great! They can make intricate facial gestures, such as frowning and smiling! Unique fingerprints have now formed on the tips of the fingers and tiny blood vessels are visible under the skin. Their sensory development is exploding this week! Their brains are designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. They can hear my voice...how precious! Their kidneys are continuing to make urine and the hair on their scalp is sprouting...I wonder if that's why I have heartburn a lot?? A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on the skin to prevent it from pickling in my amniotic fluid.

Pregnancy symptoms?
Extremely emotional...I cry at commercials sometimes. Having to visit the bathroom a lot! Short of breath!!! My ribs are hurting due to their expansion. When I lay on my side I feel like things are ripping inside my stomach! Ouch. I'm extremely tired all.the.time. again! Heartburn!! I have never had heartburn before in my life...I'm wondering if they will have hair? Hair is sprouting now...

Cravings/Aversions?
Cravings this week...milk, tootsie rolls, decaf coffee, anything Mexican! Extra-sharp cheddar cheese!!!!!!!! YUM!

Sleep?
I'm sleeping alright...my hips are starting to hurt again! And of course my occasional nights where my body thinks it's time to get up at 4:00AM.

Belly Button?
My belly button has started to disappear.

Dreams?
I had a dream that Liam was born, Asher was still in the womb. Liam was a biggg baby. I dreamed that I was feeding him and milk started squirting everywhere and he shrunk down to a small size baby. Then when Jared came home to see him, he shrunk down to the size of a Barbie and was dancing around the bed. I'm. Officially. Weird!

Best moment of the week?
Going to see Dr. Paul and getting our anatomy scan done! AMAZING!!! My cervix is looking great and the babies got a clean bill of health! No birth defects and all organs are in working order!

What I'm loving?
FALL weather has finally arrived! Time for boots, leggings, sweaters, scary movies, Halloween, and more!

What I'm looking forward to?
I'm looking forward to Audrey's personal shower and Church shower this week! I'm crazy busy working on that!!

What emotions have I experienced this week?
Happy and Relieved!!! A little sad I turned 27! Crazyyyyy!

Boys, Girls, or Both?

BOYS!!!! Liam Alexander Politte & Asher Matthew Politte

Movement?
Yes all the time now!!! It is so much more than a tickle. It really feels like a kick, or flip, or something!

Stretch marks?
None yet!!!

What has daddy been up to this week?
He has been still taking care of me of course. Exciting time this week for him, he felt one of the boys move in my stomach! The look on his face was priceless! I think that made it more real for him!!

When do I think I will go into labor?
My doctor wants me to try and make it to 36 or 37 weeks. 36 weeks will be January 11, 2014 and 37 weeks will be January 18, 2014! So definitely before my due date, but still at a safe zone!

Nesting?
Shopping, shopping, shopping! I know two little boys that are already spoiled! I'm loving every minute of it!!

My grandpa came down to work on the closet. I wanted to add some shelves and another rod. It turned out perfect!!!

Devotional from the book, "Expecting Praying for your Child's Development Body & Soul": Foundation: Feet!
"Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm." -Proverbs 4:26 Lord, this might be the week I feel my baby kick me. His feet are getting stronger, and their learning how to use them. What a miracle. I pray that you will bless my children's feet. I pray that you will grant them firm footing as they walk through life. It says in the book of Psalms that those who love your word will have great peace, and nothing will make them stumble. I pray that you will instill in my children a love for your Word and keep them from stumbling all of their days. Will you help me establish a firm foundation for them- a home and family that are solid and sure? Will you help them to make good choices and avoid dangerous mistakes? Will you keep them off the slippery slope and lead them on firm, level paths? Those tiny feet will grow bigger and bigger with each passing year. Please keep them moving in the right direction!