36 weeks

Sorry this is a lil' late.

Here's 36 weeks, 5 days

Just returned from an OB appointment.

The boys are in all kinds of crazy positions, frequently changing...NEVER head down.

Oh well.

Everything is looking good!

On schedule for April 5th...prob not a moment sooner

(I think these boys are pretty comfy)

Apparently the OB practice will be shutting down the morning of my c-section. The 2 doctors like to assist one another during surgery, and my midwife will also be there (she's the 1 who has followed me this whole time).

I feel so special!

It's gonna be a big party.

Counting Down!

It's official.

Our lil' boys will be here no later than . . .

April 5th, 2010!

I am scheduled to be induced & have a c-section if I don't go into labor before then.

17 days!!!

We can't wait to meet them!!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I don't know how much longer they will continue this lil' taste of heaven. . .

I just hope it doesn't end today.

I heart you Shamrock Shake.

Thanks for tasting soooo sooooo good & always cheering me up!

Yes. I did just devote this holiday to a food item.

Lately, all I can think about is what I'm gonna eat next.

Nothing...and I mean NOTHING satisfies my hunger.

Anyways, hope you have a great St. Patty's Day!

Go pick up a shamrock shake! It's a beautiful thing.

Saturn Project

Lately my brother Brandon has had a couple school projects.

My mom is not very crafty, so she asked for my help.

I don't mind at all...I actually reaaaaallly enjoy school projects and helping my brother create & write his reports.

I'm sure I will have a lot of these types of projects in the future with our boys!

We have been working on a Flat Stanley Project for school, where he sends his "Flat Stanley" character out around the globe, then people take pics with him & send him back with letters about where he went & what he did (Thanks Nat, Ethan, Kade, & Add for doing Utah!)

TODAY, we worked on his Saturn Project.

We made a mobile of all the planets accurately depicting their colors/sizes/distance from the sun.

Then we read a book about Saturn & compiled a 2 min. presentation consisting of fun facts.

I think it turned out nicely.

Here he is showing off his project!

Crazy positions.

This is not normal.

This is what happens when the babies wanna make more space.

This is Baby A sticking his head out.

In case you were wondering...it's not very comfortable.

Sorry if it frightens you.

35 weeks

We have hit the 35 week mark (roughly)

Yayyy!!! Hopefully the boys will cook another 2-3 weeks & gain lots of weight!!

Here's me at 35 weeks.

Typically I do not get dressed up. I mainly sit around in pj's & yoga pants.

BUT I met my new OB yesterday...he's handsome & I wanted to look nice.

Errr not like a scrub.

What's new?

• My new OB, Dr G., is very nice & so is his practice.
• We will now be delivering at Virtua Voorhees.
• The boys are in new positions. One is now sitting on top of the other's head. Still not ideal for a natural delivery.
• We had an U/S today & saw the boys. And had a non-stress test. Rough estimate. . .

Baby A-5lbs., 4 oz.

Baby B-5lbs.

Yayyyy boys! They are over the 5lb. mark!

• Tomorrow we see the chiropractor. Worth a shot!

We would post pics from the ultrasound, but it's pretty crowded in there, so basically all the pics are is, a butt here, a head here, a body there....nothing all in the same shot.

Otherwise, their heart rates are good, they are moving LOTS & growing well.

ALL good stuff to report.

Keep them in your prayers!

Leaving the comfort/safety of my couch.

So I went to Riverwinds today. . .

(our community center)

I wanted to feel how buoyant I was in the water, & also see if it would help the boys flip.

<---nice pool huh?

Thoughts. . .

(in no particular order)

• I am pain free in the water. It was GLORIOUS!
• The water was the perfect temperature. Bath water?
• It felt good to be active again & swim some slow laps.
• I miss working out. A lot
• I don't waddle when I walk in the water. woo-hoo!
• I miss Kate, Jen, & Em & our laps at the Ko'Olina Lagoons after work.
• I look HOT in a bikini. ha Especially when the boys make my belly all deformed/mishap-en (word?!)
• Although I was all deformed & the boys were moving lots, I don't believe they flipped. DARN! Not even when I did headstands. YUP, totally did headstands...I don't think they were very pretty though. I did not however attempt to front flip in water (don't think I quite have the core strength for that 1).
• HOLY CRAP is it hard to get OUT of the water. OMG. I felt a zillion LBS heavier than when I went in...totally didn't think I was gonna make it up the steps. Actually couldn't the 1st time, so I played it off like I was just stretching. ha Then went back for round 2.

<---I think the boys will have fun here.

Be Brave

I thought I'd share a cute story.

This past weekend my brother Brandon was over so we could work on his Flat Stanley project for school.

While he was here I happened to be watching that tv show "twins by surprise"- the girl was in labor/on the way to the hospital (don't worry my brother didn't see anything bad!)

Anyways, she was crying/screaming...and I could see my brother intently watching & starting to tear up *rubbing his eyes/nose, hiding his face, etc*

He wouldn't look me in the eyes & I say to him "are you okay?" but he shrugs it off and says he's fine, then says (still not looking me in the eyes & obviously upset)

"are you gonna cry like that Rach?"

I said..."maybe, but I'll be okay...don't worry"

& he says all choked up, and sniffling...

"be brave Rach"

He can be so cute sometimes! He's such a worrier, just like me.

Love him!

*17 Ways to Turn a Breech Baby*

Unfortunately my 2 precious boys are breech.

I am less than thrilled about having a c-section.

Fortunately there are a few ways we can try and turn them . . .

I'm willing to try them all. . .

even if one means venturing to a public pool in a bikini to do some laps/handstands.

(Hellloooooo Riverwinds!)

On a side note-this might be good for the teens there. Might be the best form of birth control they've had in a while.

17 ways to turn a breech baby-in case your interested.

1. Visualizing the baby moving down with the head very deep in your pelvis, several times a day; especially in conjunction with positions and exercises below.

2. Swimming as often as possible. This keeps your body and pelvis loose and relaxed. Do in conjunction with headstand below if you have help.

3. Headstand - with assistance and in a pool frequently as possible.

4. Breech Tilt - begin at 32-35 weeks gestation. Do 3 times daily for 10-15 minutes each time, when you have an empty stomach, and the baby is active. Prop one end of an ironing board securely on a sofa or chair 12 to 18 inches high (or may use slant board). Lie down, bend knees but keep feet flat on board. Relax, breathe deeply, avoid tensing. May also use pillows on a flat surface to raise hips 12-18" above shoulders. Gravity pushes the baby's head into the fundus, tucks it, and baby can then do a somersault to a vertex position.

5. CD/iPod headphones - place them inside mom's pants toward her pubic bone and play classical music for 10 minutes 6-8 times a day.

6. Flashlight - try moving slowly down from the top of the uterus toward your pubic bone while you are in a breech tilt position.

7. Massage - start with your left hand at the bottom of the abdomen and your right hand just above it. Move move your hands clockwise around the right side of your tummy. As your right hand reaches the top of your abdomen, slide the left one over your right and move it down the left side of your tummy. Your left hand leads as you you come full circle, continuing clockwise. Massage gently as you would to apply lotion. Massage for ten minutes or more up to several times each day.

8. Clothespin - place on the small toe of each foot at the outside corner of the toenail; sideways so that the toenail and toepad are stimulated for 30 minutes per day, this is an acupressure point that is a "moving down" point. You can also do this with just finger pressure as you remember to do it.

9. Motion Sickness band - place with the bead four fingerwidths above the inner ankle bone - another acupressure point that is used for stimulation of the uterus. Do not use this point if you are experiencing any pre-term labor.

10. Glass of orange or other juice - follow this with a side-lying position with your hips positioned higher than your feet. Babies move more after a sugar high!

11. Pelvic Tilt- with an ice pack on the top of your tummy on an empty stomach, 10 minutes twice a day. Do this while lying on your back on the floor with knees flexed and feet on the floor with three large pillows placed under your buttocks. Try this in conjunction with headphones and visualization.

12. Cat stretch - start with all fours, then lay your head and chest flat on the floor with your buttocks in the air, as you round your back and return to all fours.

13. Knee-chest position - by kneeling with hips flexed slightly more than 90 degree, but with thighs not pressing against your tummy and your head, shoulders and upper chest are flat on a mattress for 15 minutes every two waking hours for five days.

14. Belly Relaxing followed by Inversion - Partner places a shawl, sheet, towel or rebozo under mom's hips as she lays on the floor. Lift up on the corners of the cloth and shimmy her from side to side moving your hands up and down to wiggle her belly from side to side. These should be very small movements which mom should find very relaxing. Do this for about 5 minutes. Then mother kneels on the stairway landing. Walk your hands down 2 or 3 stairs into an all fours position; have your partner support your shoulders to balance you. Remain in this position for about 5-10 minutes or as long as comfortable. Also do this on an empty stomach.

The following techniques to turn breech babies to vertex involve the assistance of a specialist or medical professional:

15. Acupuncture - find a acupuncturist who is familiar with pregnancy and knows the points to stimulate for turning a breech baby.

16. Webster's Breech Technique - see a Chiropractor who is experienced in this technique.

17. External Version - this can be done in the hospital at about 37 weeks; see an Ob-Gyn for assistance and more information.

I have an appointment with a chiropractor on the 13th so we can try the Webster Technique (#16). May take a couple visits. Worth a shot.

Read about it here -->http://icpa4kids.com/about/webster_technique.htm

THIS is our goal!