Getting Close! Here Goes Week 36!

Week 36 is here!  These 2 little munchkins are hanging in there tight despite my best efforts to coax them out!  I have promised them the world, but they don't want it, all they want is this nice warm cozy pouch apparently!  Ryan and I are ready to meet them and tell them face to face just how much we love them.  Talking to a lumpy stomach just isn't doing it for us anymore! haha!  

My past week was a mentally tough one.  As I see the stretch marks becoming more and more apparent and my fundal height reaches 44 weeks, I am mentally ready to be done!  That's right, this belly is stretched to the same size the average lady would be at if she carried a single kid 1 month past it's due date!  It is amazing our bodies can do it, but I kinda, sorta, hope (a lot) mine is reaching its (water) breaking point! 

In the city of Akron they do not allow induction until 38 weeks with uncomplicated twin pregnancies, so that means I am looking at an induction date of July 16th, and I had to plead for that!  My Dr. seems happy to just let them stay in there, but I finally said "Hey Buddy, I want this to be over STAT!" He listened, and if they aren't here by July 9th we will plan the induction!  

The babies should be 19-20 inches long and weighing in at 5.5 lbs each now.  So let me break this down for you. 

Thats 11 lbs, and 38-40 inches of baby,

 Average of 3 lbs of placenta,

Average of 3 lbs of amniotic fluid,

Average of 2 lbs of uterine enlargement,

Average of 2 lbs of added breast tissue (I will give myself 1 lb here),

Average of 4 lbs of added blood volume,

Average of 4 lbs of added fluids throughout the body.

That is 28 lbs of baby related material assuming I have gained 0 lbs of fat stores.

I have gained 22 lbs so...yea I think I am getting ready to be done with this! haha!

Eviction notice coming mid July!

I have become increasingly irritable, and I do cry out of frustration often. 

Many people have been incredibly helpful with advice, and stories of their pregnancies and after.  I love all of that.  It keeps me thinking, and has given me a lot of insight on the way I hope to do things, or the way I am happy to watch things pan out, and then make decisions.  But some people really are not good at giving advice, but rather telling you what to do, and 36 weeks later I can be a bit of a short fuse about it! haha!  I am terrible, I simply do not talk to the people who do this.   

This past weekend saw many friends of mine on the shores of Lake Superior to compete in Grandma's Marathon or the Gerry Bjorklund 1/2 and there were so many great performances! Dot McMahan ran one hell of an inspiring half to finish 3rd in 1:11!  It is so incredible to see a mom out there crushing it the way she is. I know it hasn't been the easiest road back to running PR's but seeing her do it gives me HUGE hope!  Nicole Camp ran 1:15,  I thought that was a hell of a race considering just 6 weeks ago she moved to Colorado and began training under Brad Hudson.  A new training philosophy and adjustment to a new life is always challenging.  Heidi Greenwood ran a PR of 1:17 and while it was short of her goal, she put it out there and held on well when the wheels came off a bit.  Jenna Boren ran another solid marathon (2:48), and it is good to see her taking steps forward after a rough fall.  So watching from afar was fun, but I can't wait to toe the line there next year.  Kelsi Nutter, Katie Kay, and I want to be there for the full next year and work together to get the 2016 Olympic Trials qualifying standard. 

(Picture From 2013)
I Can not wait for Grandma's Marathon 2015!

So as we work through week 36 hope for the babies to make an appearance, and keep my mental state in your thoughts and prayers!  HAHA!  I can't wait until we have pictures of Nolan and Corra to share with you!   

43, I Mean, 35 Weeks!

Things are going well here!  Both Nolan and Corra are doing fine, and definitely growing.  I AM HUGE!  My fundal height is now at 43 weeks!  Which means my uterus measures the same size as a singleton mom's would if she were 3 weeks past her due date.  I don't know what else to call it but quite uncomfortable!  My stomach is 41 inches around at the belly button and its sagging! I do have stretch marks, but at this point they are light and not too deep.  Fingers crossed they don't become more apparent! OH boy (and girl)!  Nolan and Corra should each be weighing in at over 5 lbs and getting close to 20 inches long...thats 10 lbs and 40 inches of baby hanging out in there!   I ran my first mile in 5 months in 8:36, but since have decided it more than likely isn't in my joints best interest to do that. So it is back to wogging or walking depending on the way I am feeling each day.  I have gained 20 lbs now but should have close to 30 lbs of baby material going on, so hopefully Ill be back to my normal and ready to run weight shortly after delivery!

Sleeping has become as elusive as everyone said it would, and I'm getting about 3-4 hours a night depending on when I can get myself to finally fall asleep!  For a few days there I was really hoping I would go into labor and I had to stop letting myself think that way.  It was eating away at my soul, and I was feeling depressed every day it didn't happen.  So I am trying to enjoy my days instead of wish them away.  Its not easy being in this sort of pain, but I knowing that Nolan and Corra will be healthy is worth it.  Ryan's work trip to New Orleans came and went so we can breathe easy with no worry of him missing the delivery!  

I am getting very excited to see our little one's faces and meet them soon!  

All prayers for a simple and quick delivery are welcome!  

Welcome to week 33

Week 33 is here, and I am excited to be another week closer to having Nolan and Corra with us!  Our ultrasound showed us 2 heathy babies!  Corra is out weighing Nolan by 4 ounces and if she keeps that up we will have to have a C section.  She is weighing in at 4 lbs 2 oz, and still breech. He is 3 lbs 14 oz. and ready to go! That puts Corra right at the 50th percentile and Nolan at the 25th.  Prior to today they have been measuring in the 90th percentile so the Dr. is concerned that I may not be able to give them space to grow too much longer.  I am hoping to make it at least 2 more weeks but ready to beg to have them out in 4!  haha!  Nolan was dancing around in there for a good live showing, while Corra was her calm little self.   My stomach is right around 39.5 inches around at the belly button, and my uterus is at 40 weeks in fundal height. That measurement standard is for 1 baby.  So I have 8 lbs and 36 inches of baby in my stomach!  That is a lot of space occupied.  Im up 19 lbs from my pre pregnancy weight.  While sleep has been hard to come by, and my stomach and pelvis are achy,  I am happy they are both healthy and growing!  

week 32

Ryan and I were excited to celebrate our 1 year anniversary this past weekend!  We had Kelsey's bridal shower in the early part of the day and it was a lot of fun!  She looked stunning and we are so excited to watch her become Mrs. Nelson in less than 3 months!  

Celebrating Kelsey!!

Later in the evening we celebrated at Michael and Cara's wedding.  It was a beautiful venue and we had a ton of fun with friends. 

Happy 1 year Ry!!

I only have one dress that fits so I hope you all enjoy the green and white tie dye look! haha!  I was super tired the next day so we spent a lazy day together!  

Who would have thought only a year later we would be expecting not only our first kid, but also our second!  I remind Nolan and Corra that as soon as they are ready to breathe on their own, we are ready for them to be here!  So until then it is baby updates and dreams of running again! Week 33 here we go!

Plugging Through Week 32.

Since my last post I have been eating a lot more, and would you believe it?  I am less irritable!  I began taking in nearly double the calories and low and behold my blood glucose got out of hand.  My Dr. prescribed 2.5 mg of Glyburide and once weekly non stress tests to see that the little ones aren't having any trouble.    I am still at 18 pounds over my pre-preganacy weight, but I have a lot more energy.  Having a lot more energy sorta made me anxious to get back to running.  So I have been getting out the door for a brisk mile-1.5 mile walk.  This has made me feel significantly better mentally!  Which no doubt makes the little ones happier!
I went today for my non stress test and they couldn't find Corra's heartbeat.  I have to say I was a little panicked for about 30 minutes until they got me into the ultrasound room.  No worries, she was just hiding!  Both Nolan and Corra are doing fine and both had heartbeats at 138!

Ashley and I

My Cousinsister came into town this past week and I was able to spend a few days with her for the first time in 2 years!!  I loved getting to hangout and get caught up on all that is going on in her life!  She just moved back to the USA from South Korea and spending time with her was AMAZING!! 

Ry and I 

We were able to spend time with the whole family welcoming Ash and Chris (her husband) home!

"Hanging" In There

My stomach is nearly 40 inches around as the twins reach 4 lbs and 18 inches each.  I am struggling to breathe, and it makes sleeping my biggest challenge on any given day! However, my blood glucose levels have been great, and I am happy that they are growing and doing so well!

Care Package for Me!

Care Package for the Babies

My incredible Cleveland Elite Development teammates stopped by last night with a care package of wonderful food for me to eat and some great stuff for Nolan and Corra's arrival! Thank you so much ladies!  You are wonderful and really know how to make a girl feel loved! 

Nolan 

Nolan made an appearance today during the ultrasound.  Kinda weird/kinda cute, my sister says this is plain creepy! haha!  The picture is his little face with his hands up like he is pretending to be a bunny!  He is already a little ham! 

I can not wait to actually meet them.  My Dr. says he highly doubts I will make it this long, but if all goes well he may not induce labor until mid July!  Ugg 7 more weeks seems like an eternity!  But having healthy babies is the goal.  I would be equally miserable knowing they were struggling in the NICU as I would be just hanging in there and giving them more time to grow.  

So cheers to the next maybe 7 weeks!  I see the Dr. again next week to see how growth is coming and how they are handling everything.  Pray July gets here quick for me!

30 weeks done!

Nolan and Corra's due date is finally feeling like it is getting close!  I can hardly wait to meet them!  

Ryan and I have everything pretty much in place.  We have done some little fix ups around the house to feel more settled and ready for our kidos to come home for the first time! 

Things have been pretty tough for me. My gestational diabetes is a bit out of control, and so in order to keep my blood sugar levels stable I was only able to eat a little over 1000 calories a day.  My Dr. told me this past week to eat more like 1500-2000 calories, and to see where the blood sugar levels fall.  I struggle with doing this because I know having high levels of sugar in my blood hurt Nolan and Corra.  I am doing the best I can and trying not to feel frustrated, and worried.  I go back to the Dr. with the new data on Wednesday and we will see from there where things go.

Since my last post I have lost 5 lbs and I am up to 17 lbs over my pre pregnancy weight.  My big ol belly keeps growing and is now 38.5 inches around at my belly button.  As of last week I was measuring 38 weeks in fundal height, which is based off of only one baby not two.  So if I were having only one kid I would be very close to popping! All of you moms out there know I feel big, heavy and quite achy.  Aside from the gestational diabetes I have some nerve pain that shoots up my back and down my left arm.  Not really too bad though, I know it is only temporary and I thank God it isn't down my legs!  

I try not to complain, but I have been quite irritable lately.  I really miss feeling good, and it is pretty hard for me to feel tired, and in pain daily.  Luckily I have been getting outside and getting in a walk almost everyday, which keeps me feeling like I am doing something.  The babies are about 3 pounds each now, and I feel them moving constantly.  It is mind easing to know they are moving in there and growing.  When I get frustrated with not running, dealing with gestational diabetes, the constant aches, and PUPPS(an itchy rash thought to be caused my pregnancy hormones) I remind myself how lucky I am to not be on bed rest, and to have 2 little ones still growing! 

As the time grows closer to me being able to run again, I have been trying to wrap my mind around getting back to running and what it will look like.  I feel that I am in for a rude awakening when I realize just how out of shape I am!  haha!  It will be a fun process to see what starting over entails! Nolan and Corra have about 6 more weeks until its go time unless they decide otherwise earlier.  I was born this week in my mom's pregnancy and that gives me some more peace of mind.  

On to week 31 we go!  Im getting eager to meet the little ones! 

Nolan and Corra!

A day later than promised, but I was soooo tired yesterday!  We are excited to announce we are having 1 boy and 1 girl!  We can not wait to meet Nolan and Corra!

We had a great time celebrating with friends and family yesterday and here are some photos of our showers!

Cathy, Diane, Meredith, Me, and Haley

Brandi and Morgy

My Family!

My Columbus Shower!  Thanks Carly!

There are actually 7 people in this pic! Carly, little Robertson Baby, Me, the twins, Mom S. and Kelsey! 

Tired Ryan and I after the shower!

Spellman side of the family Dad, Ry, Me, Mom, and Grandma Maty.

GO ZIPS 8 former Zips and 1 current!

A sleepy Peg after a long day of people around!

On to the 3rd Trimester. Recap of Month 6 of Pregnancy!

Im back with a blog post, and baby bump update!  Things have become a little more challenging since I last posted. Actually I really didn't have much good to say and I didn't want this blog to be my never-ending complaint.  This pregnancy has been far from difficult to this point, so I really should not complain.  I have two little ones in there that are about 15 inches long and weigh nearly 2 and 1/4 pounds at this point!  They are getting huge and so is my belly!  haha!  I have put on 20 pounds and my belly is 38 inches around these days! The little ones have functioning lungs and if they were born at this point would have a great chance of making it!  That makes me breathe a little easier! Don't be fooled, breathing is far from easy right now!

Week 26

Week 27

Week 28

Last week I went to the dr. office to take my 1 hour blood glucose test. After a week without hearing from them, I thought I had passed.  But 7 days later they called to say the levels were elevated and I had to do the 3 hour test.  I went on Wednesday to take the 3 hour test and about 20 mins after drinking the 100 gram sugar syrup I felt sick.  I started sweating, felling like I was going to pass out and throw up.  I spoke up and asked for help afraid this may be a bad side effect.  They gave me a place to lay down between blood draws.  I received a call this morning from the Dr. office and I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  For now that really means that I have to watch what I eat and cut out complex carbs, sweets, and keep up my protein and vegetables! Gestational Diabetes is not a lack of insulin production.  It is due to a pregnancy hormone that inhibits the use of insulin to break down sugars normally.  So it is significantly more common in pregnancies with multiples because there are more hormones.  I was bummed out about it at first, but then realized that this was something I could handle and not worth being upset over.  If I can control it with diet, no insulin injections will be needed so I will do my best!

I have had some great things happen in the past 2 weeks! I was thrown 2 ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL showers thanks to friends and family!  The generosity is completely overwhelming!  We went to Columbus and spent time with Ryan's family to celebrate the soon to be here twins.   This shower was complete with an abundance of laughter, amazing gifts, and twin fruit babies!  Thank you so much Mom Spell, Carly, and Kelsey for throwing us such a thoughtful shower!  I can't wait to give some back to Kelsey this summer while celebrating her wedding, and this fall to Carly, while celebrating her bun in the oven!

Twin Fruit Babies!

Mom came to Columbus to Celebrate With Us!

Then last week the group of ladies I run with had a shower for me and pitched in to get us the double BOB jogging stroller we wanted.  I was overwhelmed once again by the generosity!  They prepared a Mexican style lunch for me and it was great!  I loved getting to spend some time with them!  Thank you so much ladies!  

At the Shower with my incredible hosts, Heidi and Nicole!

Aubrey and I at the shower.

CED/NEO Ladies Celebrating!

Finally last weekend ended with a bit of a sad/exciting tone to it as we had a going away party for someone I love very much.  Nicole is heading to Boulder in a couple weeks to pursue getting even faster and to live a life very much involved around running!  She is joining Hudson's Training group out there, and we will miss her dearly here.  We met at Bottle House Brewery in Cleveland Heights, and enjoyed some food, drinks (don't worry, just water for me), laughter, and pinball to send Nicole off with a smile!  We love you Nicole and I can not wait to visit Boulder!

I Love You Nicole!

Looking back, even if I am uncomfortable and have to tip toe around my food decisions, I have to say I am still the luckies girl on earth!  I am glad to be in the 3rd trimester and on my way to having to deal with raising some kids!

Check back Sunday for the babies names and genders!  We can't wait to tell everyone!