Sunday, September 1, 2013

17 Weeks

Today I am 17 weeks.  Amazing.  And kind of scary.  It's scary to think about how little time we actually have left to prepare for these munchkins.  I am just going to get bigger and bigger as time goes by, which will also make me able to do less and less, I'm sure.  We have a LOT to do to get our house ready. 

I'm embarrassed to tell you how unprepared our house is for these babies.  You know the show Hoarders?  Yeah, well, I'm not quite that bad, but it sure feels like it.  Actually, one room is that bad.  It's the room I throw everything in when I need to make the rest of the house look presentable.  Sigh.  So. Much. To. Do.  Our garage?  Yeah, well, we've lived in our house for 9 years now and we have never fully unpacked.  It could probably be on Hoarders too.  Sad.  Really sad.  So, that is what we will be working on for the next few weekends.  The garage and the hoarding room need to be cleaned out so that we have a place to put all the stuff from the room that will be the nursery.  We are hoping to have a garage sale at the end of September to get rid of a ton of stuff and hopefully make a little bit of money while we are at it.  Mostly though, we just hope to get rid of everything.  Okay, I can't lie.  We need the money too.

Yesterday I turned in my resignation letter to the high school, making it official that I will no longer be the Head Varsity Softball Coach.  It's a huge change for me.  I've been a part of the softball program at the school for the past 19 years.  I've spent 9 months a year coaching softball.  It's kind of nice to not have to worry about it anymore, but I am going to miss my girls so much.  It's also hard to hand the reigns over to someone else.  I'm torn between wanting them to bring in a really good coach that I would trust to take over the program, and wanting them to bring in a really crappy coach that will emphasize the impact I made on the program and what they are missing with me gone.  Truthfully, I just want someone that is going to come in and take care of my girls and help each one reach their full potential.

As for pregnancy stuff... in just over 4 months, I have only had 4 whole days of getting sick and literally puking.  After the last two times, I decided it's a pretty darn good thing it didn't happen every day for me because I would literally have black eyes.  One time, I had a lot of broken blood vessels under my eyes, which gave me some major baggage.  The last time, my eye lids reacted with the broken blood vessels.  I can't imagine what it would look like if that happened even two days in a row.  Ugh.  I feel very lucky that I haven't had very many days like that.  I've had other days of being nauseous, but I have nothing to complain about and have actually felt pretty good the last week or so.

Eating is rather difficult for me though.  Nothing sounds good.  Not a lot of things really taste very good either.  I'm trying to do a good job eating balanced meals, but I know I'm not coming anywhere close.  It really comes down to what I can stand eating.  Two things that are always okay are Mexican food and ice cream.  I usually don't keep ice cream in the house because it's always been a weakness of mine, but our freezer is staying well stocked of it right now.  I do keep myself to just one bowl of it a day, but I could very well eat it all day if I let myself.  I wouldn't consider this a craving though, because that is normal for me, preggo or not.

Sleeping is also rather difficult.  I am up 3 or 4 times a night to pee and I have an extremely hard time going back to sleep.  I just can't seem to shut my mind off.  It is not uncommon for me to end up awake for a few hours between about 2:00-5:00 in the morning.  This is not a problem on the weekends when I can go back to bed and sleep for a few more hours, but during the week I have to get up by 5:30am at the latest to get to work.  I read a lot of your blogs during the middle of the night.  That's the only good part about being awake when I should be sleeping.  I've been able to catch up on all your blogs!  No longer am I three weeks behind!  Woo-Hoo!  In fact, I just signed up for ICLW for the first time in months and I can't wait for that week to get here.  I haven't participated in quite awhile.

Hubby and I have been going for walks 3-4 nights/week.  At 13 weeks, I went for a walk by myself one day and found myself to be extremely winded after just a mile!  And it was just a stroll, not a serious walk by any means.  It concerned me, until a NP explained that my lungs are just compressed by the babies.  I was worried that I was just THAT out of shape and wondering how I was going to do this whole giving birth thing!  The walks have gotten better since that day, but sometimes by the end it is pretty slow going.  I feel extremely winded when I climb stairs and have trouble holding a conversation for a few minutes afterwards.  It's a strange feeling.  It's important for me to either keep walking or swimming (which I haven't done yet) to help prevent preeclampsia.  Hubby's been a trooper about going with me, which is great because he needs it just as much as I do and it's nice to spend that time together.

Maternity clothes have been a challenge.  Pants have been anyway.  I have ALWAYS had a hard time finding pants that fit me.  I am not very tall.  Okay, I'm short, at 5'3, but I am not very petite.  I have big hips and thighs, so I have always had trouble getting pants to fit up over my hips and I'm finding there is not an exception to that with maternity clothes.  I have tried on soooo many pairs of pants.  So far, I have two pair of capri's and that is it.  Otherwise, I am living in my sweatpants and athletic shorts.  The sweatpants work perfectly for now, as that is what I have to wear for my work uniform anyway.  I'd like to think they will work throughout the pregnancy, but time will tell.  I also have a hard time justifying spending a lot of money on pants that I will only wear for a few months and then never again in my life.  It's not like I will ever be pregnant again.  We know that for fact, so it just seems like a waste of money to me.  Yet, I have to wear SOMETHING!!

I have an appointment with my OB this Wednesday.  I haven't seen her since I was at 9 weeks, so it's been awhile.  I'm excited to hopefully be able to hear the heartbeats again, but otherwise, I really don't know what this appointment will be for other than just checking in. After that, my 20 week Anatomy Scan will be just two weeks away!  So excited for that and to finally know for sure what these babies are going to be.  Any guesses?  Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl, or one of each?  We have an idea, but we are waiting until we have confirmation before we get too excited about it one way or another.

17 Weeks


37 comments:

  1. I can't EVER sleep anymore. It's super hard to get comfy! Do you feel flutters yet?

    I sometimes do.. (I think?) lol

    Anyways, 17 weeks tomorrow for me :)

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    1. Yay! So 18 weeks now right? Since I am late to respond! I maybe feel flutters, but I feel all kinds of things all the time, so I hesitate to call it movement until I know for SURE! I can't wait for that day to come!

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    2. It's such and awesome feeling. I didn't feel my first until about 22 weeks so I was really surprised to feel this one so soon!

      For the past 4 or 5 days I've been getting those unmistakable movements!

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  2. You look great!! I'm guessing one of each :)

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    1. Thank you so much Aubrey! My husband is convinced it's one of each and has been since day one. We will find out soon!

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  3. So adorable! I know there is a boy in there, at least one! I am so excited for you!!

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    1. Aww, thanks Teresa! Okay, a vote for at least one boy. I can't wait to find out for sure!

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  4. i think good things come to those who wait. my gut says one of each. but i know you both will be thrilled no matter what!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. When people ask what we want the babies to be, I just tell them I want two babies. We will for sure be thrilled regardless, as you said :)

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  5. My guess is one of each. Or girl/girl. Either way I see softball in your future it is literally in their blood. :-)

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    1. Haha! Softball/baseball....doesn't really matter :)

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  6. I can't believe you are 17 weeks already! You look great. I have no guesses on the sexes but I am excited to find out :)
    I can totally relate to the food thing. No food ever sounds good to me yet I could always eat mexican and ice cream. I was just telling my husband the other day that it will be nice to be able to enjoy food again once the babies are born. I really miss enjoying my food!
    Good luck with un-hoarding. We sort of had to do the same thing. I don't know where all the stuff came from but it's time to get rid of it.

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    1. Time really does seem to fly by! They say it slows down in the 3rd trimester, but I'm not so sure that will happen for us. We have so much to do to get ready! Funny that you are the same and can always eat mexican and ice cream. I miss enjoying food too! I tried to eat a string cheese the other day, which used to be my snack with a piece of fruit on a daily basis, but I just can't stand it anymore.

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    1. Thanks for your guess! We can't wait to find out for sure!

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  8. Looking great, Amber! My guess is two boys. Good luck cleaning, sorting and selling! I desperately need to tackle the new guest room closet and I'm dreading, DREADING it! Closets are my hoarding areas....hold your arm out when you open the door hoarding, cause something is going to fall out :)

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    1. Oh, our closets are as bad as the rest of the room. Good luck cleaning yours too!

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  9. Two girls!!

    You look great, I hope the new coach of the team is great. No matter what, they will know what an impact you had.

    Good luck cleaning & with the garage sale. Sounds like you will be busy!!

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    1. Thank you for those words. It really means a lot to think that I made an impact on the softball program and the girls. They've definitely left an impact on me!

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  10. We have the hoarder room too. It was supposed to be the nursery. It makes me a little sad to look in there and see what it could have been, instead of the junkyard it currently is. As for guesses, I'm with Aubrey. One of each!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only hoarder! haha! Hopefully you will be cleaning out the junkyard eventually has well and turning it into that nursery. I am crossing my fingers for you.

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  11. Check your Goodwill or Salvation Army for maternity clothes! That way you aren't spending full price and you can get more things :) You have the cutest bump!!!

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    1. Thank you! I did look at Goodwill the other day, but my MIL brought me a bunch of stuff she found at a garage sale so I at least have a few items and clothes to wear for awhile now! No long pants yet, which I will soon need for the winter.

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  12. Looking good, sweetie!!! AWWWW, come on, share what you think these babies are going to be!!!!! I'm hoping for one of each as having had 2 boys, very easy to raise and now having 1 grandson, 1 granddaughter and seeing the different personalities, how fun in twins that would be!!!!! But truthfully, just healthy babies is what I wish for!!!!!!
    Offer to help is still there, but I know sometimes it's best and easiest to just get in and get it done yourselves, but whatever you need.
    I imagine that it was hard turning in the coach resignation even for a good cause but you WILL BE BACK!!!
    Sorry that you are having a hard time eating too but Mexican and ice cream is always good if that is all you can stand!!! And you are looking so good so just enjoy!!! Love, Auntie

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    1. Thank you so much :) My wish is your wish - two healthy babies! Yes! I still want and NEED your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please? I've just been too lazy (busy) to make a phone call/send an email to make plans, but it is desperately needed. It actually wasn't hard to turn in my resignation letter. It will be hard this spring when I am not in charge of MY program (lol), but it will definitely be for a good reason.

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  13. Just a thought on the clothes...try ebay. May not be the best solution until you figure out what brand fits you, but for my first pregnancy, I got a lot of clothes there because I also didn't want to spend much money on something I wouldn't wear for very long.

    Looking forward to hearing the results of your scan.... :)

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    1. Thank you for the suggestion! I'm always afraid to buy pants online, used or not, simply because they rarely fit me! I think I'll be spending more time at GoodWill... I'm with you and can't see myself spending a ton of money on clothes that will only be worn for a few months.

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  14. Glad to hear I'm not the only one that is out of breath after two flights of stairs. For the pants, have you tried any sort of bellyband? It's working quite well for me, although the tighter jeans are getting uncomfortable even unbuttoned (and yes, writing that does make me feel big ;)

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    1. I did try a bellyband and I didn't like it very much. I've never really liked having things come up around my belly and the bellyband and maternity pants seem to be no exception. I ended up taking it back to the store. I'm sure I will have to change my mind about maternity pants that come up over my belly, especially with twins, but I find it to be quite uncomfortable for the time being. I'm glad it's working for you though!

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  15. You look pretty cute with that little baby bump! Love it! I'm thinking two little ... girls! :)

    I got my clothes at Kohls, and they were mostly t-shirts at that. I owned one pair of jeans and two "dressier" pants for work. The rest were my husband's t-shirts and sweats. Lol.

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    1. Haha! Thank you :)

      I'm thinking I will pretty much be wearing Hubby's sweats and t-shirts also. I'm not too picky, but I would like to find something a little nicer than sweats for out and about.

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  16. You look great!

    I went through a long period where I didn't have any aversion to food, but nothing sounded good except for fruit. I'm glad that I'm not the only one.

    I bought my maternity clothes at Motherhood Maternity. They have a lot of sales so it ends up being not too bad. Don't forget that Old Navy and Target also have maternity clothes.

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    1. I have looked at Target several times, but haven't made it out to Target yet. Thanks for the suggestions! I appreciate all the advice I can get.

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