Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe Christmas came and went so quickly. We've now made it to week 36! This is a big milestone as it's the average gestation for twins. We are now beating the odds and anything beyond this week is icing on the cake. I still worry about the babies each and every day - I suspect this never goes away and I'll spend the rest of my life worrying about our babies. We are on alert, just in case, and could now be meeting our cubs any day. I'm still pushing for January 8th or later (37-38 weeks) so our babies can have more time to grow, but it is really nice to know that we have made it to the point, in which when we do go into labour, we will not have to rush to the hospital, but instead can labour awhile in the comfort of our own home. Phil has everything under control and I feel good relying on him to take care of us all. He is going to be a wonderful labour coach and an even better daddy. He is so excited.

36 week + 3 day belly ~ T-shirt reads "my pod has two peas"

This week we took in a couple of boxing week sales and got the fireplace entertainment unit we've had our eye on for awhile which was on sale. We also went to check out the deals on stereo systems - a bad idea during boxing week! It was super busy. Tuesday, we got the basement somewhat set up and it is now livable. We moved our living room furniture and TV downstairs and set them up. Phil also built the entertainment unit. I handled the instructions and kept him company. Then to celebrate we ordered pizza and watched movies in our basement for the first time. It's nice to have our home mostly back in order.

The swelling in my hands has been getting worse and now my fingers are cramping and numb. I find relief in hot water, but it only lasts for a brief moment before the tingly feeling returns. I'd love a paraffin wax treatment right about now. I'd walk around with the bags on my hands all day long.. I'm okay with the swelling though, as I'm just looking forward to having healthy, pink, crying babies soon. Plus my fingers are still pink so something must be getting through. The OB told me it will subside a week or two after the babies are born. I'm laughing as I'm not certain how I'm ever going to close those tiny little snaps and buttons for the babies with no feeling in my fingers.

Thursday morning we had our weekly OB appointment. My blood pressure was 121/78 (the highest it'd been but still textbook normal.) I also apparently gained no weight over Christmas. I ate a ton of sugary snacks (Yum. Thanks for the baking Mom!) and am hoping there isn't a delay on that weight gain.. The OB had a listen to the babies heartbeats and said they were good and in the 140s. I love listening to their hearts! We have one more appointment with the OB scheduled for January 4th. At the next appointment she said we begin cervical checks and talking about induction. I'd prefer to let nature take it's course if everything is ticking along smooth and healthy.

Friday early afternoon, we had our 36 week ultrasound appointment and visit with the perinatologist. My blood pressure was (the highest it's ever been in my life) at 130/78. Still very close to normal so I'm not worried too much about it. I'll keep an eye out for any side effects just in case.

Baby girl's heartbeat was 150 and she gained a little bit more weight, but not as much as previous weeks at only 100g, so we go back for another ultrasound end of next week just to check on her growth and to make sure it wasn't an error in her belly measurement by the technician. Baby girl did grow, so we think she's doing okay. I just really don't like worrying about her and hope that she's still getting enough oxygen and food from her placenta. She's is now approximately 5lbs 7oz according to today's measurements. My only solace, is that I now feel her moving (or what I think is her) quite a bit. So it's reassuring to me.

Baby boy's heartbeat today was 147 and he is now approximately 5lbs 14oz. He gained about 300g (also a bit less than previous weeks, but just barely) and he is growing like a weed. I don't feel him moving around as much anymore due to his placenta placement and his position, so it's nice to know he's doing well.

My guess is that our babies may be less than 6lbs at birth if they're born next week and I may not hit my goals. I'm still hoping for January 8th and 6lbs each, but their health is number one, so if the OB or Perinatologist say they need to come out, then we'll be heading to the hospital. Wish us luck in the next couple of weeks and thank you all for the prayers. We greatly appreciate them.

His profile (36w3d)

His chubby little face!

Her chubby little squished face!

Her ear (I was amazed by this photo)

This New Years Eve we plan to stay home and have a quiet celebration, not only for the changing year, but also to celebrate our babies, and being pregnant into the new year. It has been the most wonderful, love filled year of my life and it's only going to be better in 2012!

♥ Best wishes to all of our family & friends for a beautiful year in 2012. ♥