24 Weeks

Ah, the great, gaping chasm of the middle of pregnancy.  It's sort of like the middle of a deployment--the first part goes by so fast, then there's that looooooong bit in the middle where you feel like you're treading water.  There's almost as much ahead of you as you've got behind you, and things feel a bit stagnant.  But at least in the case of a deployment, things tend to pick up speed as the end draws near, and I'm hoping pregnancy is similar in that regard.
After feeling like the first trimester and beginning of the second trimester blew by, I've noticed that time seems to have slowed drastically.  This slowness of time seems to be directly proportional to my level of discomfort, which seems a bit unfair.  For pretty much the first time in 24 weeks, I'm just going to be whiny for a minute.  My back hurts constantly.  I'm exhausted during the day, but I can't sleep through the night.  My ankles and feet are swollen almost every night.  I'm inexplicably congested.  I'm ridiculously moody--going from insanely happy and upbeat to soap opera crying for no discernible reason.  My stomach is starting to be uncomfortably heavy.  I feel like I'm the size of a walrus.  And perhaps most upsetting of all, I'm beginning to understand that this pregnancy is never going to result in Victoria's Secret model boobs or thick, luscious locks of hair.
So, after getting all of that off of my chest, I must say that I'm still very aware of how incredibly lucky I am that this has been such an easy pregnancy.  When I first heard the word twins in association with the state of my uterus, my very first thought was, "Oh my god, months of bedrest."  While that could still be ahead of me, I thought for sure by now I would be experiencing all kinds of complications, and so far, with the exception of some slight anemia, nada.  I am so, so, SO grateful for that.  To combat my lack of energy, I've started incorporating more regular exercise back into my regular routine.  I'd been doing a great job keeping up with it before we moved, but then there was a couple month interim where I fell off the wagon with the exception of walks.  It feels great to get back to my videos for a little strength training, and even if I don't actually feel less tired, I know it's good for both me and the girls.
The babies--Charlotte and Annabelle, I should say!--are rocking and rolling pretty much constantly now.  If I haven't felt them for more than an hour, I start to really miss them and to worry that something is wrong.  But before long, they're right back to kicking and karate chopping their way into my heart.  With the exception of a few unfortunately aimed kicks to the cervix, the movement isn't uncomfortable, though I'm sure as the three of us continue to grow, that will probably change!
Nothing terribly exciting pregnancy-wise has occurred lately, but at the end of August, there will be a huge flurry of activity.  I'm super excited about a maternity photo shoot that I scheduled for August 25th with the crazy talented Jess of Jess Renee Photography--her photos are just so filled with life and joy.  My sister and one of my sweet friends are co-hosting an online baby-shower for me on the 26th, so I'll get to spend an evening video chatting and opening presents with friends and family on the other side of the world.  And my next anatomy scan (ultrasound) is scheduled for August 28th, when I'll be almost 28 weeks and nearing the home stretch!  It'll be a busy few days, but I'm so looking forward to all of it--especially seeing my beautiful girls again.  This will have been the longest I've gone without a little peek at them.

Until then, I'll just be blowing my nose, vainly searching for the perfect pillow positioning to support my back, crying at the drop of a hat and avoiding all mirrors and scales!

Comments

[Lori]

I hung out with someone last weekend who said she went for massages during her pregnancy and part of the massage included lifting your pregnant belly to relieve some of the pressure and she said it felt marvelous! She said that they put pillows all around you when you lay on your side and even have tables with holes in them to stick your growing baby belly. I thought of you and wondered if you might want to try that. She said it was amazing.

Even more amazing, she said, was that her baby was following the massage therapist's hands. It sounded really neat.

You look AWESOME, by the way. I am so stinkin' happy for you and Colby!

[Solange]

I love all your pictures :) I loved ultrasounds, it was always so amazing to see the baby move as you feel them move. I'm so glad your pregnancy is going so well! Hopefully you don't have to have bed rest or if you do then maybe it'll be a very short one! Have a great shower!!!!

[Melissa]

You look great!!! :)

[Hotpotatokate]

You look fantastic- I don't know what kind of silly mirrors you're looking in! :) Love the names you've chosen too!

[Kate P]

You look just great to me, too. (Toss those mirrors and have some fruit salad. Much better for you, right?)

What a wonderful way to celebrate from a distance with the video chatting. That's probably gonna be so fun.

[Molly]

You (and all other women who carry twins) amaze me. That's already a lot of baby you've got going on and they're going to keep growing! I'm sorry you're dealing with discomfort right now. But know that I think you are pretty amazing for taking such great care of those girls and looking so cute doing it!!

[Caro]

I cannot believe you are more than half way to meeting your sweet girls! So, so exciting :) I do hope you're able to find some ways to stay comfortable though. Also, girl, stay away from the scales if you want, but don't stay away from the mirrors, because you look beautiful!

[Jessica]

Love that you're having an online baby shower! And, I can't wait to see your photo shoot, such gorgeous landscapes around you guys for it

[Lynndaue.wordpress.com]

I think I've said it before but I'll say it again: I love the fruit pictures! And all of that extra water and pectin is good for you too. You look lovely and radiant, and I can't wait to see more pictures of those babies!