39 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

So 39 weeks, and Mary and Lily still haven't made their grand entrance. When I venture out of the house, people comment, "Why are you hogging those babies?" or "How are you still pregnant?" Witty answers that I usually don't think of 'til later include: "They're waiting for their birthday," or "I'm treating them so well, they don't want to leave."

I have made conscious efforts to keep the babies healthy, though. Alhough I've been overweight and unhealthy at various times in my life, knowing that two other lives depend on my choices has helped me become healthier than ever. Here's what I've done these past 9+ months that may have made a difference:

1. No Drugs I've completely avoided the obvious no-nos like alcohol, smoking, and drugs (including caffeine). I even shunned over-the-counter drugs until my mom (a nurse) convinced me that Tums and Pepcid are less dangerous than acid burning up my esophagus; but that's it. For headaches I drink water and rest in a dark, quiet room. For bumps and bruises I apply a cold pack.


My meds and a Boo Bunny (the cutest coldpack ever)

2. Water I've drunk lots and lots and lots of water. My stainless steel bottle of filtered water goes everywhere with me. All that water has acclimated me already to getting up four times a night! If it's not water, I try to drink plenty of whole organic milk (goat's milk in the first two trimesters helped my sensitive stomach, but I've switched back to cow's milk), some watered-down 100% apple or orange or grape juice, and hot tea made especially for pregnancy.

3. Less Sugar I've cut way back on sugar, especially lately. Sugar is added to so much in America! Eating food in its natural state really helps and leaves me feeling better too. Most mornings I have a sliced apple with loads of peanut butter - the Smucker's Organic kind, which contains only two ingredients: peanuts and salt. Plus, fruit starts tasting sweeter when you cut back on added sugar. James and I have even decided our house will be candy-free this October (there's plenty of free candy for kiddos at other people's houses ...and someone always eats the leftovers).

Natural PB: just stir it up and keep it in the pantry

4. No Sugar Substitutes I've completely cut out artificial sweeteners. I think they're toxic, and they are as ubiquitous as high-fructose corn syrup. When I got in the car with my first bottle of Pepcid, I read the label carefully then went right back into the drug store to exchange it for off-brand pepcid pills that don't contain aspartame. The only chewing gum I chew is Dentyne Classic, and the only place I can find it is the Chevron on Hwy 69N.

5. Rest I've rested from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday each week. Not working or shopping one day a week may seem old-school, but I love it.

6. Protein I've tried to eat at least 80 grams of protein every day. It's not easy, and I kept track of it for two or three months til I got the hang of it. That natural peanut butter, Greek yogurt, not-highly-processed cheese, organic milk, eggs, whole wheat bread, nuts, beans, and brown rice all help. And then, there's meat...

7. Clean Meat I've been very picky with meat. First, I completely avoid the meats listed in Leviticus 11 as "unclean." As with avoiding sugar, I feel way better not eating pork, shellfish, or any other bottom-feeders. No deli meat or hot dogs, either. If possible, the animals lived free-range, healthy lives before I put them in my body: chicken, beef, salmon, and orange roughy are great. Venison hunted on family land and processed by my dad is the best!

8. Vitamins I've splurged on vitamins. My prenatal multi-vitamin is made from whole foods and smells so good to Harvey (our beagle) that I can't let him near them. One serving is 4 pills a day, and you can see the difference between these and the lab-made synthetic vitamins. I also take extra folic acid, DHA, and vitamin C. When the time comes (any day now!) I'm switching to a whole foods post-natal vitamin, also 4 pills a day, which promotes nursing, etc. And I've got a box of "mother's milk" organic tea waiting for those (finally) cold winter days.

Morning vitamins & evening vitamins

9. Exercise I've tried to take a walk every day, though these past few weeks it's mostly just around the house. I've also done the Bradley Method class-recommended exercises: butterfly, pelvic tilt, squatting, and Kegals. James has seen pregnant women at the gym's weight-lifting class...more power to them, but I'll sit that one out.

10. Attitude I've tried to remember that these children I'm carrying are a blessing, and all the discomforts are worth it. I don't know when they'll be born, but God knows and has plans for them already.   

Fall Traditions & Special Days

Well, I made it to 37 weeks and the Kentuck Festival!

Praise God for Mary & Lily going this far ...it's a bit surreal! Someone told me last month that I'd be miserable by now if I were still pregnant. I thought, "Thanks for that encouragement," and decided I would not be miserable (uncomfortable doesn't always equal miserable). Resting tops the list of things I do these days. Mom often goes grocery shopping for me, and James has been great about encouraging me to take it easy. He even cleans up in the kitchen!


Since the last blog post, several notable events have taken place:






 I had a birthday.




Okay, I turned 30! I'm kinda glad to be done with my 20s, and to be the same age my mom was when I was born. My friend Lindsey had given me this Willow Tree expectant mama figurine, and James bought the dad with two girls for my birthday (plus the pretty flowers). Oh, and much to his relief, we finished our gamut of childbirth classes not long after. We feel v-e-r-y well-informed. :)

It was bittersweet to finish tutoring Korean students at The Reserve and on Skype at the end of September. I really needed to rest, but I do miss my students. I may tutor again a bit when the girls get on a good schedule ...we'll see.

Sweet ladies from University Church had a beautiful baby shower for us. James was just glad to find out he wasn't expected to attend, just load up the car afterward. :) A lot of people were there that I hadn't seen in way too long. It was very special!

Laurie & Susie & Mom helped me open and record the gifts ...

And Grace, Faith, & Hope (here with their mom Knoel) helped by carrying the gifts into the other room. Sweet girls! So glad they're back in Alabama.

Instead of jewelry, I really wanted two trees as my "push present" (and no, I'm not making up that term!). So James enlisted Jerry's expert help in planting a pink dogwood and a white dogwood in our backyard. James has hauled water up the hill for them just about every day. It means a lot to me.

Finally, last weekend we went to the Homecoming Parade, which, like the Kentuck Festival, is a lifelong tradition I always look forward to. The footrest on the folding chair was the key this year.

Who knows? Maybe my next post will be pictures of Lily & Mary. :) :)