20 Weeks!

How far along: 20 weeks 0 days

Baby's size: Banana, 10 inches long weighing about 10.5 oz.
Baby's Development: The babies hearts can now be heard with a stethoscope instead of a Doppler.  The babies are starting to sleep in subtle cycles and possibly favorite positions.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray.
Weight gain: 22lbs (scale battery died, how convenient) the belly has popped!

Maternity clothes: I am quickly outgrowing maternity items I purchased.  Shirts are now getting a little short so I'm not really sure what I'm going to be wearing in another month.

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In, but flat and sensitive.

Wedding ring on or off: Half on, I swelled pretty good at the pool this weekend and wasn't sure the ring would come off.  Today, our office is warm so I took my engagement ring off and put it on my necklace.

Sleep: I may have slept a total of 3 hours last night between being hot and waking up, peeing, flopping around...

Symptoms: Breathing is probably the big one now.  I have pressure on my chest and I have to keep a good posture in my chair or I have trouble breathing.  The rest are mostly the same with the ligament pain, it is a constant and more after walking.

Food cravings: None really, everything tastes pretty good!

Food aversions: This is always random, nothing specific.
What I miss: Hanging out at the pool without a care in the world.  Saturday I was not so comfortable in any seat and then tried to coordinate my pee break with my drink break to reduce walking.

Movement: I can feel lots of thumps and turns in my belly but now I am feeling to see if you can feel it from the outside.  Yesterday I think I could feel two kicks on the outside.

Mood: Mostly ok, I think I am a little overwhelmed by work stuff and being off.  I just keep telling myself I will figure it out, no worries!
Best moment this week: This week represents the longest I have ever been pregnant.  I delivered Myka at 20 weeks in 2005 after SCH for months.  So I actually can picture how big my babies are right now, they are a bit bigger than the progress report above.  They are more like 11 oz and 12 inches long.  When you think about that, my belly isn't so big. 

Looking forward to: Kyle is working on the beds more this week with his dad's assistance.  I have to say they are a little confusing since I can't seem to find the hole that the instructions reference... My cousin Abby gets married Saturday too so I will get to visit Campbellsville.  A little nervous about being an hour and a half away from home but I have to relax, it really isn't that far.

19 weeks

How far along: 19 weeks 0 days

Baby's size: Mangos, 8 inches long weighing about 9 oz. 
Baby's Development: The babies are developing hair on their head this week. Their brains have developed their senses this week so now they have taste and smell.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray.  
Weight gain: 22lbs (scale battery died, how convenient) the belly has popped!

 Maternity clothes: My favorite comfy dress pants aren't so comfy anymore. They squeeze my belly so I am rolling them down.

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In, but flat and sensitive.

Wedding ring on or off: On 

Sleep: im doing a lot of waking up, especially last night. I was hot and thirsty?

Symptoms: heartburn has subsided for the moment which is good. Now I have some uncomfortable rib pain that effects my breathing. I have ligament pain which the dr says is normal.

Food cravings: ice cream!

Food aversions: Smells really, if it smells funny I'm not eating it.
What I miss: Sitting anywhere I want!

Movement: Sunday was what I thought felt like a battle in the left side of my belly. Then I had some random thumps. When we went for the ultrasound yesterday the girls were fighting and I told them that has to be what I felt Sunday. 

Mood: I'm pretty sure I could have ripped someone's head off today but it's the day before seminar so I'm not sure it has anything to do with being pregnant.
Best moment this week: always our dr appointments. I love the reassurance that the babies are alive and fine in there!

Looking forward to: Kyle has two bed sides put together, we just have to connect them. The goal for completion is June so we have time and that's probably good since the pool opens this weekend.

19 week check-up

Today's appointment began with the same routine. They checked my urine, vitamins and blood pressure 124/75. Then I was sent back to the waiting room for a few minutes. 

Kyle and I were called back by yet a different ultrasound tech and her shadow.

Each baby was measured for different things, hearts, kidneys, brains and weight. Everyone measured perfect and 9 ounces each.

We also got to see Ali and Sadie fighting. They were kicking each other. When she went back to them later they had turned over and Sadie's knee was in Ray's face. Poor kids. At least they seem happy and healthy in there.

Ali

Sadie

Ray

This is Ray giving the peace sign.

After the babies were done, it was my turn. They measured my cervix which is still the same as last time at 4.2 which is great. She said all of my aches and pains are normal and that I was measuring more like 26 weeks by now. 

Our appointment was 1 hour 40 minutes this time.

18 Weeks

How far along: 18 weeks 0 days
Baby's size: Sweet Potatoes, 7  inches long weighing about 7 oz.
Baby's Development: The babies can hear lots of noises now including my stomach rumble and my heartbeat.  That means they can also hear all of you!  They are moving around and kicking away but it is still soft like butterflies.  They are forming Vernix which is that white cheesy stuff that protects their skin from all that fluid they are soaking in.    They also have tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in the lungs and the vocal chords are formed.  Babies go through the motion of crying but without air don't make a sound yet.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray. 
Weight gain: 22lbs I am on track and gaining as appropriate. 

 

Maternity clothes: I just ordered more shirts, I'm really not sure what I will be reduced to wearing in the final months of my pregnancy.  I have a few shirts that are already "fitted" and will be too short soon.

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In, but flat!

Wedding ring on or off: On 

Sleep: I don't know that I am sleepy as much as just exhausted.  I just have to sit down and do nothing.
Symptoms: This week I have had more weight in my belly I guess so sitting is not always comfortable.  I feel constricted unless I am sitting in a bit of a recline position.  Lawn chairs are mostly out I say mostly because we have an awesome one at home that reclines and has a foot rest!  The heartburn has also taken over full force!

Food cravings: Nothing serious, I guess that means I am getting my vitamins in.

Food aversions: Smells really, if it smells funny I'm not eating it.
What I miss: Not sure I miss too much this week, I am still doing the normal things but in a slower gear.  Kyle does have to help me off the couch at night to go to bed.  It really sucks you in.

Movement: Still feeling random flutters or bumps.  Nothing consistent enough that I could really concentrate on.

Mood:  I'm doing pretty good I guess.  I have a lot on my mind but I'm trying to just take it day by day.
Best moment this week: I had such a special mother's day.  Friday my dear friends at work presented me with a mother's day card which made me cry.  Sunday Kyle gave me little letter charms for my Origami Owl necklace, a little A, S & R.  So cute!  And then my sweet nieces and nephews gave me cards which again made me cry.  Such little things that the Russell family does for the ladies of their family but I wasn't sure I would ever get one so it is just extra special.

Looking forward to: We are making progress on the nursery rooms.  Kyle tore down all the beds and moved the dressers on Saturday.  Daryl is coming over after work today to move the mattresses and box springs.  Once that is complete we are doing a good vacuum and cleaning.  Lastly we will be putting together our new cribs :)  That is exciting!  Next Dr. Appointment is Monday!

17 Weeks

17 Weeks 0 Days

How far along: 17 weeks 0 days
Baby's size: Onions, 5 1/2  inches long weighing about 5.5 oz. (they were 5 ounces last week)
Baby's Development: The babies almost certainly listening up by now.  In fact, loud noises - dog barking, the doorbell ringing - will startle them.  This is also getting them used to such noises so they will sleep through it later.  Babies' eyes are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed.  And since practice makes perfect, the babies are sharpening their sucking and swallowing skills.  In fact, most of the survival reflexes the babies will have at birth are being perfected right now.

Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls and (1) boy. 
Baby A: "Ali" Alice Kay Russell - named Alice after my mom, my grandmother and it doesn't hurt that Dad's nickname is Big Al and Kay is after Mamaw Sharon and Aunt Mandy.
Baby B: Sadie Laine Russell - named after my dear friend Sandie that passed away a few weeks ago and Laine is after me, my middle name is Elaine.
Baby C: "Ray" Daryl Ray Russell II, named after his Papaw Daryl.  All Russell first born boys are DRR so Kyle was dead set on naming our fictitious baby after his dad years ago.  I guess he finally gets to do so.
All of these people are special in our lives and their lives and will help them grow in to awesome human beings.  We are so blessed with a wonderful family, oh no, the pregnant lady is going to cry if I keep talking about this.
Weight gain: 20lbs I totally believe this weight gain since the babies are weighing more than they are predicted to weigh at this stage as well as my big belly that has developed in the last two weeks!

 

Maternity clothes: Yes, I also invested in one of those support belts which I am wearing today but it is more uncomfortable and binding than helpful at this stage.  Maybe if I'm out walking it would be better than sitting at my desk.

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In - but there isn't much in to it anymore.  Kyle says it will come out.

Wedding ring on or off: On 

Sleep: So tired! The pregnancy pillow really does help, it reduces my tossing and turning.  Now if the darn cats stop being alarm clocks I could sleep a little longer in the am.
Symptoms: I have switched gears into a lower one.  I can't imagine how I will feel by June since this belly is already messing with me.  It is difficult to get up from a soft coach and the car.  I do find it amazing to look in the mirror at my belly, it just looks so weird, more so I'm sure because I never thought I would have one.  So symptoms are heartburn, hair on my belly and moles that have grown, beyond that some swelling.  I will be visiting the dermatologist after these babies are born for sure!

Food cravings: Nothing too strong really.  I have an ice cream sandwich just about every night and my CF Diet Mt Dew is amazing!

Food aversions: Can't think of much but I am in a phase that if I don't like it I'm not going to eat it.  Just don't feel like trying new things.
What I miss: Being Derby weekend and all, I miss a cocktail.  I would love a nice glass of wine or a Churchill bloody mary but I survived.

Movement: I can absolutely feel Ali now, it is such an odd sensation.  She isn't kicking me but she is moving and it feels like she is flipping side to side.  I felt this a few weeks ago, but softer.  Now it is an obvious feeling that makes me smile. 

Mood:  Pretty good just whipped after Derby.  It is a busy weekend when you aren't pregnant and I am usually beat for a few days.  Working two 17 hour days in a row is tough for the average bear much less this prego.  It might take me all week to feel normal again.
Best moment this week: Well feeling Ali roll around was pretty cool.  Also, getting registries filled in was really helpful to make me feel better anyway. We are now registered at Babys R Us, Carousel Designs and Walmart for my Campbellsville folks!  Mom also went with me to test car seats in our triplet stroller.  I had to step back and laugh, it is a little unbelievable. 

Looking forward to: Mother's Day I guess.  It's just one of those days that we get to spend with our families and appreciate those woman that made us who we are.  It doesn't hurt that this year, I get to participate :)