You Know You’re Enormous When…

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Today, in a fit of domesticity, I decided to make French toast for my visiting father. I pulled out the griddle and got it nice and hot. Then I put the French toast on to cook and turn that gorgeous brown that means it’s just perfect. Then I jumped back so hard and fast I almost fell over, because I burned my stomach on the edge of the pan.

Yes, you read that right. My stomach is so huge that I cannot stand in a normal position in front of the stove without burning myself. I also can’t reach the drinking water spout on the sink without turning sideways because my stomach is in the way.

I had started to get accustomed to the new weight in front, but now the babies are growing so fast that I’m running into stuff every day. Doorways, chairs, the shower door, other people, you name it. I can’t even lean forward to put on mascara without my glasses on because no matter how I contort, I can’t get close enough to the mirror to see!

Oh, and forget getting out of the bathtub unaided. I think we may need to invest in one of those crane sling things they use to move whales from one tank to another. Maybe in an extra-large size…

Hospital Checklist for Mom and Babies

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It’s almost that time! We’re getting our hospital and baby bags ready so we can grab and go when these little guys decide they’re ready to come out. Here’s what we’re packing:

Snacks & Drinks

  • Greek yogurts with stir-in fruit
  • Cheese sticks or string cheese
  • Sliced oranges
  • Fresh fruit salad (pineapple, melon, etc)
  • Teabags and a honey bear
  • Rice cakes
  • Peanut butter
  • Raisins
  • Coconut water
  • Honey sticks and honey candy

Baby Supplies

  • Carseats and bases (installed in the car)
  • 4 receiving blankets (2 per baby)
  • 4 onesies (2 preemie, 2 newborn)
  • 4 hats
  • Newborn and preemie diapers
  • Baby wipes Continue reading →

When Leaking Is a Good Thing

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If you’re my dad, my brother, or my boss, please stop reading and move along because we’re definitely talking about my boobs. By which I mean to say, Ladies and gentlemen, WE HAVE COLOSTRUM.

Tonight while examining my breasts (What? I’m pregnant! This is normal behavior!) I discovered that I am officially leaking colostrum. It took a little practice but I managed to hand express a few drops to prove to myself that it wasn’t a fluke and I am in fact producing what will become my babies’ first food outside the womb.

I don’t know the words to express how exciting this is. Other women in my due date group on Facebook have been reporting leakage for weeks, and I was starting to feel like a late bloomer despite the fact that I’m proud to have one of the most gigantic stomachs of the whole group. They’re all leaking and they’ve lost their mucous plugs and are just generally progressing like freight trains, and I’m sitting around watching my belly expand while basically nothing else happens AT ALL.

Now I realize that whether you leak colostrum before birth is absolutely no indication of whether you will be successful in breastfeeding, but let’s face it: It’s kind of reassuring to know that my boobs at least appear to be doing what they’re supposed to. These weird pregnancy symptoms — the ones that don’t involve prolonged puking, that is — are so very exciting. I cannot wait to feed my babies!!!

Natural Birth Plan & Post-Partum Preferences

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Here’s one example of a plan for a natural childbirth. On the advice of our doula, we included some details that probably wouldn’t be in a non-twin, non-natural birth plan, along with a separate plan for baby care in case they are taken away from us for NICU or regular nursery care.

It’s actually three separate documents:

  • a detailed plan (pasted below; 2 full pages on 1 double-sided sheet)
  • a “highlights” tear-away plan (only the main points with no explanation; 2/3 of a page)
  • a plan to go with the babies if they’re separated from us (“Infant Care” below in more detail; 1 full page)

“In-Training” Family Detailed Birth Preferences

New Mom: Mommy-in-Training
New Dad: Daddy-in-Training
OB/GYN: Doctor Doctor, MD
Doula: Doula Doula
Supporters: Friend 1, Friend 2, Friend 3

Our goal is a natural birth free of routine medical interventions. We wish to have the opportunity to accept or decline any medication or procedure. In the event of a medical emergency, we will remain flexible on all of these points for the safety of Mom and babies. To help us achieve our goals, we would appreciate the following support. Thank you! Continue reading →

Much-Needed Mid-Pregnancy Pick-Me-Up

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Last week was rough, but I’m feeling a little perkier today. Psychologically, anyway. Physically I’m still completely wiped out, but I don’t feel like I’m perpetually on the verge of tears as I have been for the last few weeks.

This past weekend was my hometown baby shower, and I didn’t know how much I needed to celebrate this pregnancy until it happened. After trying to get pregnant for so long and then losing two babies last year, this successful pregnancy should have been a cause for major joy and jubilation — and for the first few weeks it was. But when I got sick I lost that joy in lieu of simply surviving my babies’ gestation. This weekend, the joy was in full force.

My mother put together an amazing shower with a guest list that included family members and close friends, friends of my mom, people from work, and even my second- and fifth-grade teachers. It was such a delight to be fussed over and have my belly rubbed and hear the squeals of excitement. It was so fun to be showered and to feel normal and beautiful for a day at a party in a party dress instead of feeling like a pathetic patient on the couch in pajamas.

I slept until 10 the next day and then went back to bed at noon for a 4-hour nap. And I’m still completely exhausted even though it was 3 days ago. But I feel like more of a mother-to-be and less of a complete mess. I feel supported and refreshed. And I feel incredibly lucky that I get to do it all again in 2 weeks at my Virginia shower. This is exactly what I need right now.

I feel like I’m going to make it.