Weeks 17-19

17 weeks 4 days -- getting round!

Abe had his last vacation for the year. We didn't really have anything planned so we decided to do a little stay-cation and use it as an opportunity to get ready for the babies. I was able to get a few extra days off work so we headed up to Chicago.

We spent a lot of time shopping, including multiple trips to Ikea for furniture and a few Buy Buy Baby locations in search of our cribs and to order our recliner.

Our car is full finally after multiple trips to Ikea

We had some fun trying some new Chicago restaurants and some old favorites, and meeting up with Abe's brother for dinner.

Ramen and cute Japanese pastries at a Japanese market

When we got home, we spent the next few days cleaning out our second bedroom to become the nursery (making our whole house a mess) and putting together furniture. We aren't quite done yet and have a lot to do to get the house back in order. I have been trying to organize and declutter other parts of our house as well, but this has been slowed with my recent evening exhaustion.

Mini cribs --they still seem BIG in our small room

We went with Ikea custom wardrobes to maximize storage for us and the babes

Right after my last post I was really worried when I stepped on the scale and saw I had gained six pounds in five days. Luckily, I lost a few of those pounds right away (water weight?) and my weight gain seems to have tapered off. 

I learned another twin mom lost her babies a few days ago at 19 weeks. Sad! That reminded me of the potential risks of pregnancy with multiples so I am grateful I am doing so well. I feel like my energy came back and I felt amazing but tapered off again very quickly. Even so, I am still doing so much better than during the first trimester and work has been especially busy so maybe that's partly to blame. I am praying my arm and hand pain stays stable or does not increase so I can keep working. It hasn't been pleasant but I have been managing. I have been doing some home remedies like icing, trying to sleep with my right hand elevated,  and self instituted home "hand rest" -- hence my lack of blogging.

Trying some modified compression stocking on my arm at night

Giving the wrist brace a try now too

19 weeks day 2 belly

And, after driving my high school car for 15 years, I bought a new one! Upgrading to something a little bigger and more reliable for the babies.

Today, 19 weeks day 3

Week 17 day 0

Weight: 158 lbs (home)

Total Weight Gain: 16 lbs 

Symptoms:

increased energy but exhausted after exertion

hand and foot swelling -- got my wedding ring but not my wedding band back on

gagging and vomiting after brushing my teeth 

multiple nightly bathroom breaks 

feeling huge and a little discouraged

Week 18 day 0 

Weight: 161 lbs (home)

Total Weight Gain: 19 lbs 

Symptoms:

energy, motivation, nesting mode

hand and foot swelling -- wedding ring back off, mostly to prevent getting stuck

gagging and vomiting after brushing my teeth, worse in mornings

multiple nightly bathroom breaks

Week 19 day 3 

Weight: 161.8 lbs (home)

Total Weight Gain: 19.8 lbs

Symptoms:

evening tiredness -- daily after work naps

increasing arm/hand pain and some numbness -- worse as the week progresses and in early morning

gagging and vomiting after brushing my teeth, mornings mostly

mild body discomfort in bed-- body pillows and no covers (hot!)

*I'm looking forward to our 20 week ultrasound next week (I love meeting our babies at these appointments) and starting to feel them move.*