Cloth Diapers (with Twins?!?)

Well, I'm 29 weeks now--really feeling it! I'm pretty sure I am the size I was when my other children were born, and I've still got a LONG way to go--yikes!

But I thought I'd write today about cloth diapers. I used disposables with my other 2, and really hated to do it. But I knew no one who used CD, except for one cousin,

and she is the *crunchiest* person I know. I mean, she lived in Niger, working for the peace corps for 2 years, in a grass hut. Could I ever do that--no way! So I figured cloth diapers were just too crunchy for me too.

But this time around, with the twins, I feel sick to my stomach thinking of all the disposable diapers we will go through, not to mention the costs, right?

And I've come to find a few friends who also use CD, and love them. So, a few months back, I started doing my research, and let me just say, I've been blown away! By the options, the ease, the people who use them...it seems like a new addiction--but a good one :)

There are soooo many otpiotn to choose from, it is actually a bit overwhelming. But I think I've

narrowed it down to just a few I want to try. And I'm going to try not to get too caught up in trying lots of new kinds--after all, I do want to save some money in the end :) I think I will go with one sized diapers, which means they are adjustable in size, and can be used for babies 8 pounds to around 25-30 pounds. I've also decided to try pocket diapers, specifically "Smartipants" so that I don't have to pull the insert out of the dirty diaper, but it will agitate itself right out in the wash. I'm also planning to try some gro-babies and maybe Bum Genius, too.

I'm going to buy a few different ones, once the babies are born, and try them to se which I like best. So, for the first few weeks, I'll be using diaposables, and I'm sure I'll keep some on hand to use for traveling (or days when the laundry is not done yet...) but for the most part, we're going to be giving our babies those cute little (BIG) fluffy booties that come from CD's.

I can't wait!!!

Here's a cute little video that a mom in New Zealand made about using Cloth "Nappies" and the message is pretty clear!

An Inconvenient Poop (just click on this title for the link)

Enjoy :)

~Fireworks~

First of all, I had to another post to get that "belly shot" off my front page--EEKS! I couldn't look at it another minute :)

So, I'm writing about the fireworks show in my belly. This morning, as I was lying in bed next to DH, with my belly pressed up against his, he was getting a big "kick" (pun intended) out of feeling the babies kick so much. Yes, it was still dark out, but they were wide awaking and kicking, and he could feel every one! He kept saying it was like fireworks--"You never know when to expect them and if they'll be big or small, but they're always so cool!"

Yeah, I guess they kind of are like that. I was glad that he was experiencing a tiny bit of what I'm feeling all day and all night--greater appreciation ;) And really, it is amazing, I'm just kind of growing immune to it, I guess. So, this was a great wake-up call for me to appreciate these little guys inside of me. After all, this is the last time I'll be feeling this, and I KNOW I'll be nostalgic for this feeling again someday soon after they are born, and for many years after that.

So, for now, I'm going to think of all this movement as fireworks and enjoy the show!

28 weeks pictures...yikes!

With too-tight shirt (aren't they all?)

With all my *glorious* stretch marks!

With my sweet son touching my "outie"--his portal to communicate with his babies :)

28 weeks and our first *bump* in the road...

Yesterday we had another ultrasound with our MFM doctor's office. Everything is looking great with both babies. Baby A, our little guy, is no longer head down, but feet down, which I could have told them, based on all the kicks I'm getting in parts of my body that don't appreciate them :) Kicks in the bladder or intestines and other such areas are NOT fun! And he's weighing in at 2 lbs, 10 oz, which I am thrilled about! Baby B, our little lady, is still firmly tucked in at the tip-top of my belly, lounging her little body across the top of my uterus--with her feet right next to her brother's head! And I guess life is good for her there, as she's weighing in at a whopping 2 lbs, 14 oz, with a very full tummy and bladder! That's my girl!

We are so happy to have reached this milestone--the THIRD trimester! And with no complications so far :::knock on wood:::

There was some discouraging news though, based on Baby A's placenta, which is still only 2cm away from my cervix. It was exactly like this 4 weeks ago at our last u/s, and the doctor was fairly confident that it would "migrate" away from my cervix as my uterus grew. But apparently, my body had different plans, as the placenta is exactly where it was before. So what does this mean? Well, the doctors will not allow me to try for a vaginal delivery with a low-lying placenta, so if it doesn't move substantially before babies come, I'll be getting a c-section. Now, I know that lots of women have c-sections, and they're not terrible, but I'm really dreading it! I just think that it will be so hard to care for twins while recovering from a c-section, not to mention trying to be a good momma to my other 2 boys. But, I'm sure we will survive it--it just makes me sad to think I won't get experience the ultimate joy of pushing my babies into this world--there's just nothing like it!!!

So, this would mean we'd get to have a scheduled c-section, which would be so nice, as far as preparations and getting help with the boys. but the doctor said it would be scheduled for 39 weeks--what??? I'm not planning on going that long with these twins! I went to exactly 39 weeks with both of my boys--I can't do that with twins! I'm hoping that they are just saying that now, but as we get closer, they'll be able to move it up. Not that I'm looking for complications to arise, but if I'm going to have a c-section, I'd at least like to have it scheduled and not end up going into labor on my own.

The other thing that bums me out about a c-section is that throughout this pregnancy, I have been suffering with a complication called Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) which was formerly known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) in my 2 previous pregnancies. It's a really painful condition where the joint at the front of the pelvis, which is held together by ligaments, starts to separate due to the hormones in your body. This normally happens at the end of the pregnancy, so that the baby can fit through the pelvis. But, for me, it starts very early. So, I develop that pregnant "waddle" very early on, and every movement becomes very painful. Walking is painful, climbing stairs is miserable, and turning over in bed or getting up to standing from laying down are excruciating. So, there is no escape from the pain, except to have the babies. Needless to say, I am really, really ready to have this pain be GONE and feel like myself again. And now, with the impending c-section, it looks like I'll be trading one debilitating pain for another--at least for awhile. And that's a bummer, because I've been so looking forward being able to move around comfortably after the babies arrive. Oh well...it'll get better soon enough.

Ok, that's all for now. I'm going to go try to take some pics right now, as I LOVE seeing the pics of other women who are pregnant with multiples--makes me feel better!!!

27 weeks down

Yay! I've survived another week! And as of next week, I'll be through that "very early pre-term" stage, which means that if the babies choose to make their arrival sooner than expected, they should be a-ok! Not that I'm planning for that :)

At my OB check this week, everything still looks really good. Great BP, strong baby heartbeats, and my cervix is still going strong! It's nice to hear all that good news.
I go next monday for another ultrasound, and I can't wait to see how big the babies are now! I'm thinking they will be around 2 lbs each. I'm continuing to gain some weight--but I guess it;s supposed to be this way. As of now, I've gained 36 pounds. Oh, and those measurements they like to do at the OB--I'm measuring 35 weeks right now! Yikes! It's no wonder I *feel* like I should be almost done with this pregnancy, when in reality I've still got a long way to go!

As for me, well, I am completely uncomfortable and not feeling up to much anything these days. The smallest outings really wear me out, so I don't go much of anywhere. Except of course, my children have places to go and things to do! So I'm running around more than I'd like, but at least it makes time go by quickly. As much as I'd like to stay home on the couch all day, I want to keep their lives as normal as possible before everything changes for all of us. So, off we go, to music classes, CCD, soccer, etc. The bad news is that my house is really suffering, as the messes pile up and the cobwebs collect in every corner. I just don't have it in me to clean.

I'm also trying to think of things I need to do to prepare fro the babies, but I'm feeling like we just need to relax and prepare mentally more than anything else. I've got the baby gear, and lots of neutral clothes for the early days. I guess I'd like to get a good pump and a decent monitor, and eventually purchase those cloth diapers, but if the babies came soon, we'd be fine
(I think!)