Moms of Multiples Check-in 12/14

mdlorenz

How far along are you? 

How big are babies?

Appointments this week? 

Symptoms?

Rant/Rave/Questions?

GTKY: What's your favorite holiday tradition?

chickyclg

Just popping in to tell you ladies that you're all doing great!   Viability is around the corner!

mdlorenz

How far along are you? 20w4d

How big are babies? Bananas

Appointments this week? Next week, finally

Symptoms? My belly is weighing me down. I can really feel it putting strain on my back already. Oof. Nausea and food aversions decide to pop back in every few days. 

Rant/Rave/Questions? Nada this week

GTKY: What's your favorite holiday tradition? Making Swedish meatballs and Norwegian lefse on Christmas Eve. So good. 

@chickyclg I keep holding 24 weeks in my head as the next huge step. Then 35 ... then I'm sure I'll be counting the days. 

Jkp7749

How far along are you? 18w2d

How big are babies? artichokes  

Appointments this week? Not for another two weeks, ughhhh

Symptoms? none really, well except for exhaustion and sore boobs but I am pretty used to those.

Rant/Rave/Questions? I finally got a doppler! *TW* after having a miscarriage where it happened immediately, I thought during the next pregnancy that all was well unless I started bleeding. Then I had a MMC which has made me a nervous wreck this whole pregnancy. Everytime I get excited to buy anything or do anything pregnancy related, I chicken out thinking I'll wait until my next appointment to know all is well before I do anything. Well, being just about half way I decided to get a doppler so that I can assure myself whenever and actually get excited! It was wonderful hearing their two little hearts today! I wish I had gotten one way sooner!

GTKY: What's your favorite holiday tradition? Everything! I love baking cookies, all the movies, the music, and the tree. I think my favorite is piling in the car with my family and tons of goodies and hot chocolate to look at Christmas lights. Oh, and the Christmas eve service! Gosh I love it all  

sls

How far along are you? 

15w with twins

How big are babies?
Navel oranges

Appointments this week? 

Next Wednesday I have a midwife appointment

Symptoms?
Nausea is going away. Stay away, nausea! It's almost Christmas!

Rant/Rave/Questions?
For those later along, are you guys waddling? I feel like I'm heading that way already, and it seems way early.

GTKY: What's your favorite holiday tradition?
We don't have a ton of traditions right now. We've been so lazy--before DD was born, we were like, "Eh, when we have kids..." Then when she was 4months and 1y the last two Christmases, it was like, "Eh, she won't remember." Now we're going to do PJs on Christmas Eve, and presents on Christmas morning. The tree is up (and she won't stop playing with it *facepalm*). So stay tuned as the family grows for more traditions.

mia1116

How far along are you? 19w2d

How big are babies? 2 mangos 

Appointments this week? Check up on Friday and anatomy scan on tuesday

Symptoms? Starving all the time 

Rant/Rave/Questions? I'm getting nervous about where they should sleep when they get home. And do I need two of all the big things?

GTKY: What's your favorite holiday tradition? Everything, but decorating the tree is probably my favorite.

mdlorenz

@jkp779 I loved going to Christmas Eve (midnight mass) with my parents, but ever since we had DD, that's just not sane to attempt. I miss it!

@sls Oh, the nausea! I hope it goes away for good for you. I am so over feeling crappy. And I think my body just decided to force a new walk (perhaps not waddle, but I definitely feel off-kilter) in the last week. To think there are many more weeks of growing to do...

@mia1116 I've been thinking about sleep too. We might put them foot-to-foot / side-by-side in a crib? There's no way we have room for 2 cribs (perhaps minis but the nice ones are so damn expensive). Or maybe sharing space with me on a full mattress on the floor? Or with a crib side-car with the bed at a normal height? I think the only "big" items we'll get 2 of are car seats, ?rock n plays, and a double stroller (likely the Joovy version of the car seat snap n go type at first, then a tandem ?jogger when the babies are bigger). We didn't have a swing last time but I found one 50% off yesterday and I'll leave it boxed until we're desperate for another baby-holding device. Might splurge on a twin baby carrier (?TwinRoo sounds good) but haven't decided. 

chickyclg

@mia1116 you absolutely do not need 2 of everything.  I personally think 2 cribs are a must (unless you are planning to cosleep) around 4-6 ish months they start to roll around in the crib and wake each other up.  We had 2 swings and almost never used them both, but one baby only liked to swing side to side and the other one only front to back, kids are weird lol.  Obviously car seats are a must, and I don't know what I would have done without 2 Boppys.  We used rock and plays for a while but had to stop for medical issues, but they were nice when we used them.

@mdlorenz I had the TwinGo for a while and it was pretty cool, we ended up using it as 2 separate carriers and DH got to where he preferred his Ergo and I preferred my Tula if we were going wear individually.

sls

@chickyclg This might seem like a super dumb question, but what do you do with a Boppy (or 2)? I have a 2yo & we never had anything like it when she was a baby.

chickyclg

@sls I used them for so much, to help breastfeed, bottle feeding 2 babies at a time, place them in while they were awake to play, sing, and read to them, place it behind them when they started sitting up, tummy time.  Like it seems like an item you don't "need" but I've never met a twin or triplet mom that doesn't swear by them.

There are a ton of "twin" products out there but you will hear most people say to just get the singleton version of things (the exception being a twin breast friend if you play to Tandem nurse).

sls

@chickyclg OK, so I'm in Canada and it's harder to find stuff, but are we talking about the 3/4 donut one? Not the newborn lounger? I really am all about making my life easier, but I'm also about making sure I'm spending the $ in the right place. 

Here's what I'm finding in Canadian Bed Bath and Beyond:
https://m.bedbathandbeyond.ca/m/s/boppy-pillow

pshaortao

@sls totally lurking ha, but that's the good ol boppy! I originally didn't think I needed it but after a couple days at home with a regular pillow, I caved and never looked back. It was nice to sit in a cozy chair with a newborn hanging out on the boppy propped up in your lap and they're comfortable too. And then when DD started to sit up but would topple over easily, we set it up so she would land on it instead of our wood floor.

chickyclg

@sls just the plain 3/4 donut one, but you might be able to find them on sale from time to time too.  Weird question, do they send out the 20% off coupons in Canada because good lord they are a little more pricey.  We used them the whole first year so I'd say they really are worth the price though.

schnitz9

Lurking in too.  The boppy is great.  They originally marketed it as a BF pillow.  However, it really does so much more.  I wasn't able to BF and thought I couldn't use it.  Boy was I wrong.  We used it until he was 6 months old 24/7. We used it to prop him up to feed him.  It was great for night feedings! Also used to help him sit up and play at around 4 months.  They make a lounger now too that is more geared for that too. I'm gonna pick one of those up too...

Jellybeanqueen13

How far along are you? 

17w 6d

How big are babies?
2 pears

Appointments this week? 

I had my anatomy scan on Monday. Everything looks good and we are havin a boy and a girl!

Symptoms?
I have been having a lot of bleeding and spotting in the last few weeks. Other than that, fatigue and feeling lightheaded and dizzy if I stand too long.

Rant/Rave/Questions?
I found out on Monday that Baby A has a low lying placenta. The dr. said it was marginal previa. Seeing bright red blood has been the scariest thing I have encountered during this pregnancy. My mfm specialist says they will do a transvaginal u/s to check the cervix length every time I have an u/s with them, which terrifies me bc I had so much bleeding after the last transvaginal u/s

GTKY: What's your favorite holiday tradition?
Baking cookies, decorating the tree together, seeing but family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 

Jellybeanqueen13

I enjoyed using the Boppy even after I stopped breastfeeding. I am still debating whether I will get a second one or not, but leaning toward yes! 

sls

chickyclg said:

@sls just the plain 3/4 donut one, but you might be able to find them on sale from time to time too.  Weird question, do they send out the 20% off coupons in Canada because good lord they are a little more pricey.  We used them the whole first year so I'd say they really are worth the price though.

Yeah, everything is more expensive here. And with the exchange rate, it almost doesn't matter if I shop in the US anymore. Not like anyone's salary changed when the FX rate tanked. But that's another discussion. :-)

I'll watch for sales, and I might find it cheaper elsewhere--BBB is expensive anyway. We still have time!

sls

@Jellybeanqueen13 ugh, transvaginal us. I've had two, and it's two more than I would ever want to have. :-(

Jkp7749

@sls how have you escaped with only two?? haha I have had a bunch throughout my pregnancies, and I'm sorry you have to have more @Jellybeanqueen13 they are no fun and especially if you bleed after. I spotted, never much, but enough to scare me throughout my whole pregnancy with DD. I'm sorry you're going through that!!

I love boppies. I used mine to nurse, then for tummy time, and for feeding bottles as she got older. I have already bought a second and the twin nursing pillow too! I found mine at thrift stores and washed them a few times so I only paid $2 for a $100 twin z pillow and $1 for my second regular boppy. I love finding deals like that!

sls

Jkp7749 said:

@sls how have you escaped with only two?? haha I have had a bunch throughout my pregnancies, and I'm sorry you have to have more

Actually, the first was some strange pain in my lower side that turned out to be constipation, but they thought it might be an ovary or endometriosis. But that was way before I got pregnant. And the second was my MC, when they were checking what was happening. :-(

None for DD's pregnancy or this one!

mdlorenz

@Jkp7749 You found a TwinZ for $2 ??? Thrifting for the win

Jellybeanqueen13

@sls Lucky! I've had more transvaginal ultrasounds than I can remember , but I had to have them a lot throughout my fertility treatment cycles. Even though they are annoying (because tbh I don't want to take off my pants!), they don't bother me as much as the bleeding that results from them. I am hoping Baby A's placenta moves up in the next several weeks and that the bleeding will be a thing of the past. 

Jkp7749

We had them to track ovulation, to check on some weird lining issue mid cycle, for dating scans for DD, multiple early scans this time, and twice for our loss in june.  I was so happy when I finally got an abdominal ultrasound this time, i also hate having to undress! I usually have a female dr but my next appointment is a male (actually my ex boyfriend's dad, but that's a long story) and I'm trying to remember if there's any reason I'd have to undress at that one! I sure hope not!

@Jellybeanqueen13 I hope it moves quick! 

MrsFox2008

@Jkp7749 yikes, I feel like that will be rather awkward for you! 

tara7667

How far along are you? 20 Weeks, 1 Day

How big are babies? Bananas

Appointments this week? Just had 20 week Ultrasound - everything looked perfect!

Symptoms? Just have to pee A LOT. That's it so far.

Rant/Rave/Questions? None

GTKY: What's your favorite holiday tradition? Watching cheesy holiday movies

SJsMommy

How far along are you? 

18+6

How big are babies?
Artichokes

Appointments this week? 

Yep, every week here on out. This week is an US to see how the girls are progressing and that they are not developing TTTS. Also, a PT appt.

Symptoms?
Really bad sciatic pain. So bad that I couldn't move for a few hours this past weekend. Looking forward to physical therapy this week!

Rant/Rave/Questions?

Nervous for upcoming appointment. Really hoping the girls are staying healthy!

GTKY: What's your favorite holiday tradition?
As a kid, I always loved searching for the pickle on the tree. This year I am looking forward to my daughter opening gifts and learning about Christmas.