27 Weeks and wrapping up 2nd tri!

I just need to rant for a moment before I get to the good stuff.  I was paranoid and annoyed after my last OB appt 2 weeks ago that they didn't check my cervix (especially since a lot of people I chat with on the interwebz, friends and BMB folks) seem to have lately run into serious issues.  I got it in my head and just wanted to ensure everything looked ok.  My OB was on vacation so I went to see the fill in doctor.  I liked her better than my OB, unfortunately!  Anyway, she was happy to send me for an u/s to check things out and give me the reassurance I really needed.  So I went today, and I had the most awful experience.  I got called into the wrong room and then had a 5 mins discussion about how no, my name was not Jane Smith, not sure how she thought that would change over the course of our discussion, but a long 5 mins later, she asked me to leave the exam room because I wasn't her patient.  I ended up in the other exam room with a woman who looked at my forms, I mentioned it's twins, and she rolled her eyes so hard I thought they'd get stuck.  Sorry to inconvenience you?  ::shoulder shrug::  So up on the table, I cannot tell you how many times she looked at the papers, asked me to confirm:

Her: So Baby A is....::looks at paper::...on the left
Me: Yup, on the left.

Her: Ok, just checking.

5 minutes later.

Her: So Baby A is....::looks at paper::...on the left
Me: Yup, still on the left.

Her: Ok, just checking.

This conversation happened no less than 25 times over the course of the next 40 mins.  There are two babies, one on the left, one on the right, one is a boy, one is a girl, one is head down, one is head up - how many times do you possibly have to verify that Baby A is still, in fact, on the left??  I seriously was ready to lose it.  I do not think she has every done and u/s before, if she has, I'd bet she's never done twins.  She was so confused, and so lost, and generally seemed totally incompetent.  At the end, I asked what they both weigh now, or how my cervical length was, but by this time she's rushing me off the table, just kept saying, "Talk to your doctor" (which ok, fine, in Canada, techs aren't supposed to tell you anything but still, she was really rude about it).  Then I'm trying to wipe off the massive amount of goop she used with a face cloth sized already messy little towel when she begins to lecture me about how when I book appts I need to tell them it's twins.  I told her I didn't book the appt, the receptionist at my OB's office did.  *I also had my 13w scan there, you're looking at the papers that talked about my twin pregnancy - really??  You were that surprised??  So there I am, wiping all this crap off myself and getting decent, getting my stuff together and she's already got the exam door open, rushing me out, while the next patient is basically standing in the doorway.  Grrrr.  Hopefully I can call my doctor's office on Monday for some info and the results.  All I can assume is that if there was something wrong or concerning, they would have said something or sent me somewhere else.....right??  To focus on the positives - I got to see my babies today, for all of 90 seconds, but I'll take it.  And I learned that Baby boy (A) is head down, which is a good position for him to be in.  She is currently head up, but that can still change.  Ok, that's my rant about my horrible u/s scan - I will be looking for another lab for the next scan.  Jerks.

How far along:  27 weeks!

Babies are the size of:  Rutabagas
What's happening:  Babies are practicing breathing by now. Apparently if you shine a light on your stomach, they may respond - how cool is that?!  Babies also now have brain activity!  The brain will continue to develop and become more complex.  

 Maternity Clothes:  Maternity pants always, some of my regular tops still fit but usually I wear my maternity tops, they're just comfy and hell, I bought them, I may as well get as much use out of them as possible!

Stretch Marks: Nope, knock on wood.
Sleep:  I finally slept half decently last night (just don't ask my husband - pretty sure I was not pleasant to sleep next to, with my 'loud breathing' - I refuse to concede and use the "s" word :P )  My friend gave me a snoogle which is helping, but yeah, sleep is just hit or miss, mostly miss lately.  It's so annoying to be so tired and to sleep so poorly.
Symptoms: Heartburn comes and goes, I'm easily winded by too much talking or a flight of stairs - it's awesome.  My hips have been awful lately, they're sore and uncomfortable and really bother me, all day and night.  It also doesn't help me avoid the pregnant waddle.  BH are fairly common, and just the other day I noticed my cankles and indent from my socks, so I guess we can add feet swelling to the list!  Pregnancy is glamourous!
Best Moment of the Week:  My shower!  It was so awesome, I love walking by our nursery now and seeing baby stuff in there.  And I'm super happy we have a second car seat, that was high on my list.  We've also been working away on the house and nursery to do list.  We worked on this last night - I know it's nothing super impressive, but I was pleased to buy it, get it built and put the books from the shower on it.  Plus, Abby photobombed it, so you know you love!

Miss Anything:  Sleep.
Cravings/Aversions:  My appetite is ravenous, and desserts/sweets are amazing.  My cereal obsession is in high gear.
Showing Yet: You know it!
Mood: It's been an emotional week for me.If you've read my blog for a while you may remember there's been parental/family drama, well I did a good job putting that aside for a while, but it crept up again this week.  Couple that with my hormonal over reactions (and I do not blame hormones for things, but seriously, I have all the feels and can easily recognize that I'm a little nutty right now) I had a huge meltdown the other night.  Thank goodness for an amazing husband to talk me through it all and be so supportive, he really is something else, I am a lucky woman.
What I am Looking Forward to:  Entering 3rd tri, what a milestone!!  

27 Weeks!

Progress!!

Nothing makes a stressed out me feel better than getting things accomplished, being able to check things off my list.  So I am beyond thrilled to say we had a crazy productive weekend over here!  My mom came over on Friday and we painted the nursery - I love how the colour came out (which, BTW, picking paint is so much harder than it seems!).  Between the camera, the lighting in that room, which is to be changed, and the big window light, the photos do not do it justice, but take my word for it, it's looks way better IRL!  

Than once we were done painting, H vacuumed and got out the carpet cleaner to,  He then got ambitious and decided to put one of the cribs together.  I bought them without him, so he's seen pictures, but hasn't seen them in person so he was curious.  Before I knew it, he had built both cribs, I guess he was on a roll!  That made for a long day, so we took the night off to just chill out on the couch.  The following night, he built the last piece I bought, the dresser/change table.  We have more decorating and stuff to do, but this is currently what the nursery looks like:

I am so happy with all the work we both did.  Look, now there's somewhere for the babies to sleep!  I get chills walking in this room, thinking about how in just a few months, we are going to have babies, here, in this room.  Whoa.  

We also had a big weekend at our prenatal classes!  I loved it, and I am totally biased by the fact that it's my mom's best friend that runs them - they've been friends since they were like, 18, this woman has known me since I was born, and before - it was pretty special to be in her class.  The first day was really great, we talked a lot about the different stages of labour, techniques to cope.  I loved the realistic and honest talk but also putting it in perspective.  It made it seem possible, and manageable to make it through.  Focus on one contraction at a time, stay in the moment, don't think about the next one, or the next hour, just focus on your breathing and getting through this one.  Then it will be over, and you will never again have to go through that contraction again, it's done and behind you.  We learned different positions we can utilize - I have no desire to spend my entire labour on my back, that is not going to help things along.  Gravity is your friend, I want to be able to get up and move around, take a shower/bath, sit on a birthing ball, get on all fours, stand, lean, sit, squat - any of those options are more effective than lying on your back.  And if you want to lie down, lie on your side with a pillow between your legs, that's a much better position.  We talked about deep breathing and practiced it, we also talked about the importance of continuing to practice it.  I remember from my yoga days that it is hard to stay in the moment, concentrating on your breath, it's easy for your mind to wander.  But the more you practice it, the better you get at it.  I left feeling informed, but not totally overwhelmed.  Well, except thinking about pushing a second one out afterwards!

Day two was more about possible labour interventions, we talked about inductions and epidurals and c-sections.  It was very relevant for me, so it was an informative day.  My mom's friend went to lunch with H & me and we got to talk about little more about our twins-specific scenario (we are the only ones having twins in that class).  Because of the fact there are two, it's been recommended to me by a few people to get an epidural.  I may get baby boy out just fine, but if they need to manipulate baby girl to help get her into position at all, or (knock on wood, I hope not) go for a c-section, it would be good to have that already in place.  But as I said, I don't want to labour on my back the whole time, being a passive participant.  So her best advice, which is the only thing that makes sense really, is to make my wishes clear, and to ask questions.  If they recommend an epidural at some point, ask why?  Why now, what does this mean for the babies, for me?  Is it medically necessary right now?  Can I wait a while longer?  Can I get up and go for a walk?  Ask all the questions.  The biggest things I took away from this weekend are that especially with twins, but with all labours really, you just have to go with the flow, you can only plan so much, you can only anticipate so much, but you can ask questions along the way so you feel informed while making decisions.  Then we talked a little about newborns and breastfeeding and skin to skin after birth.  The natural instincts of newborns just blows my mind.  I have to be honest, the one thing that does scare me which I need to just let go of, is how to manage two.  How do I make sure I get that time with both of them, and try to BF them both as soon as possible?  Especially if we end up in a c-section, which I really don't want but of course, the health and well being of these babies comes before anything else.  I have to say, it looks challenging but doable with one, this two business is a little crazy!  But I know we'll figure it out, we'll do what works for all of us.  I just want to be the best mom I can be, to both babies.  I can't even believe we're at this point already, it still blows my mind that I am actually having babies.  In a few months, there will be babies in this house.  Holy crap.  I'm terrified, and nervous, and elated and excited and more than anything, grateful.  I love you, my little munchkins, and no rush, but I kind of can't wait to meet you <3