A City Life For Me

Today was my due date.  It has come and almost gone and still no baby.  This is the first pregnancy that I have gone late.  I “celebrated” this day by keeping active…trying to jumpstart labor…and some last minute nesting.  The bathroom got a thorough scrubbing, I did the laundry, took several small walks, got the oil changed in the van, and had an appointment with the midwife.  Baby 5 seemed content to sleep through everything.  They couldn’t even get him active for the non-stress test!  He is measuring an estimated 7 pounds 12 ounces (biggest baby yet), and my amniotic fluid is decreasing which often indicates labor/birth is near at hand.  The fluid in his kidneys is remaining stable and the doctor is no longer concerned about it very much. Here’s to hoping he arrives tomorrow or Sunday when my “favorite” midwives are on call! This poem was on the wall in the exam room…and I thought it was a little encouraging!

I have been very bad about posting updates for this pregnancy.  I guess that’s how it goes with baby #5?!?  We have been busy traveling and I really haven’t been focused on the pregnancy because there was so much that would happen before baby’s arrival.  Some days I haven’t noticed the pregnancy, because of my busyness with the other four kids.  Some days I can’t ignore the acid reflux, back pain, and inability to bend over and sweep up my dust pile! So now here we are with less than two weeks until due date, and I have finally unpacked some baby clothes, packed a hospital bed, and purchased a stroller.  Since we are moving about two weeks after the baby’s arrival, there isn’t much else to do or prepare.  There won’t be a decorated nursery or beautiful crib set up this time.  This baby will sleep in a pack n play for most of his first year of life, most likely.  We resume deputation traveling in September and expect to be at the temporary housing...

Today I had a follow-up ultrasound, to get some more pictures of the baby’s heart.  He is breech right now, so it’s hard for them to see everything they want to see!  Though this is only my fourth pregnancy, I have had a lot of ultrasounds!  (One or two every month with the twins!).  Yet I always stare at that screen in amazement – that we can look at our unborn baby and see his development, movement, and anatomy, and detect any possible problems – weeks before the baby ever takes his first breath of air or utters his first cry.  I think if I ever had a job in the medical field, I would want to be a sonogram technician! Ten days ago the first thing I saw on the screen was our baby boy taking his thumb out of his mouth and then stretching his leg to give me a giant kick.  Today I saw all four chambers of his heart pumping.  I guess sometimes as a mom of four little people, I get all caught up in the daily moments that make up life.  Wiping nos...

Tomorrow I will be 16 weeks along in this pregnancy.  So far things are pretty smooth sailing.  Traveling makes things a little more difficult because of the inconsistent diet and a different bed every place we go.    I have traditionally had a lot of acid reflux during my pregnancies.  It is starting to kick in again, but its not a constant daily occurrence...yet.  My cravings include saltine crackers, chocolate, and bacon.  Coffee is not as appealing as it used to be either.   I won't be back to the doctor for another two months when we get back to NYC, so we are just assuming that everything is progressing well.  We haven't decided if we will find out the baby's gender at the next ultrasound or not.  There are several boy names that we like quite a lot, but can't seem to find a good girl's name.  Feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments...but no promises as to whether or not we will put them on our list!  If...

I had another appointment today.  I feel like I spend a lot of time at the OB office these days.  The good news is that Baby Boy has turned and is no longer breech.  Everything is still progressing very well with no hints of pre-term labor, at least not yet.  My total weight gain is 34 pounds which is great for twins.  I am very tired and easily worn out.  Sometimes feeding the kids and doing the dishes is all I can manage. I mostly feel uncomfortable – no matter what.  Only 6ish more weeks to go!  Still praying for a minivan.  It is the last thing we need in order to be ready.

Today I had a follow-up anatomy sonogram to capture a few more images of the babies.  I go to the hospital for these sonograms, and they take more time.  But…that usually means better pictures of the babies! {click to enlarge} I was happy to be reassured that we are still getting a boy and a girl.  The technician wasn’t 100% sure of the boy last time.  I think we have settled on the names for our twins.  Now that I have Ben nailed down I don’t know if I will let him change his mind!  But…since something has to be a surprise, and to avoid any “flak” over what we have chosen, you have to wait until they are born to learn their names! Here are the pictures closer up… Baby Boy – zoomed out to get the foot hooked over his head! Baby Girl – close-up profile

I’m now 24…almost 25 weeks pregnant with the twins.  That means that if I go “full term” to 36 or 37 weeks, it is only 12 weeks away!  It is starting to sound incredibly short, especially as I feel like I have a lot to get ready, yet I have so little energy to accomplish very much each day.  Here is an update from my latest doctor appointment and sonogram: {click to enlarge} The midwife had told me that by 22-24 weeks I would start to gain weight very rapidly, and experience all of the symptoms of pregnancy.  She was right…almost to the day.  My belly seems to be ever in the way – I can’t wash dishes without getting soaked.  I have a harder time standing for very long because of the pressure of my expanding abdomen, and the lower back pain.  I usually can’t sleep well or much because of the acid reflux.  But this is all normal! We have been blessed to receive/purchase several baby items.  We were given a second car seat – a big ite...

We are proud to announce the gender of our expected twins: and here is a report on their anatomy scan: {click to enlarge} both babies – the one marked “B” is the boy, the one marked “A” is the girl Baby Girl’s hand Baby Girl’s profile Baby Boy’s profile Baby Girl Baby Girl Baby Boy’s spine

Well…almost.  It will be 16 weeks on Monday.  Here’s the latest pictures and updates from my sonogram and appointment today.  The twins like to cuddle, so we couldn’t tell the gender yet {it’s a little early yet anyway}.  I have to have my anatomy scan at the hospital for a more detailed scan since twins are considered a high risk pregnancy.  Hopefully we will have that the first week of January {since we will be in Denver for Christmas}, and then we can tell you what we’re having! {click to enlarge} I labeled the sono picture so you could tell what was going on…since they were snuggling so close!  And below are closer pictures of the sonogram.  We got one nice picture of the twin whom the sonographer labeled “b.”

I shared a pregnancy update last week.  I posted that I was 12 weeks.  It was either “Mommy Brain” or excitement…I miscounted.  I was really only 11 weeks.  12 weeks comes on Monday.  But I had a pre-natal visit today so I have a couple of new pictures to show you! The babies are measuring fine, and the heart rates are perfect.  My due date is fluctuated slightly based on the babies’ sizes, but since it’s so early they are not actually going to change my due date.  Monday will mark the end of my first trimester, so hopefully that means some more energy coming my way! {click to enlarge} Baby A: {hoping this one is a girl… “A” like Andrea?} Baby B: {maybe this one is a boy… “B” like Ben?”} So if you couldn’t tell…we’re all hoping for one of each around here!  We will find out the genders closer to Christmas when I am 20 weeks or so into my pregnancy.

Today marks 12 weeks into this twin pregnancy.  I'm feeling great for the most part...just really tired.  Mornings are harder because I feel queasy and want to eat, but don't feel like eating.  But I have been blessed to once again not struggle with any morning sickness during this pregnancy.   I return to the doctor on Friday {provided that NYC is okay after Hurricane Sandy}.  I will have a sonogram to ensure that both heartbeats are strong and well.  I have some more questions that I want to get answered by the midwife as well.   I am already wearing a few maternity items...something I didn't do while carrying Nolan or Elaine until nearly {or well past} the halfway point.  I also have a never-ending appetite, and I can tell I will be huge at the end!  My cravings are tending to be toward salty food, but in the last two pregnancies it was definitely sweet foods!   We have been having fun tossing around some names, thou...

Last week we went and walked “The Highline” on Manhattan’s west side, near Chelsea Piers.  It was a freight rail line, in operation from 1934 to 1980.  It carried meat to the meatpacking district, agricultural goods to the factories and warehouses of the industrial West Side, and mail to the Post Office.  Now it is a beautiful walkway, elevated above the City streets, with gardens and benches along the way. While I have been curious about the Highline since I learned of its existence, we really went there for a specific purpose: to take some pictures.  I even had props ready because they are going to help me tell something.  I had hoped for a great city background, but these are what I ended up with:     They’re cute, right?  Nolan is 15 months now, and Elaine will soon be 3 years old.  But this is the picture I really wanted to share… So now you  know…we are having a baby!  I am nearly eight weeks along…due May 20t...

Today is my due date.  I am 40 weeks pregnant!  And…I think that the contractions are starting.  Stay tuned for the announcement about Baby Hamilton #2!

Well…I made it.  1,362 miles to Kenny’s wedding in North Carolina.  310 miles to Meredith’s graduation in Massachusetts.  And no baby yet!  I am now just two weeks away from my due date, and ever so ready to have this baby!  (More pictures of those two events to come, BTW). Though my pregnancy has been easy compared to many, it has been more difficult than my pregnancy with Elaine.  Most of the difference is likely that I now have an 18 month old to chase after.  And I live in Broolyn and rely on my feet to take me to most destinations.  And I live on the third floor. The past month I have had several discomforts, including back pain that sent me to a pre-natal chiropractor three times in one week!  The baby dropped about a month ago, and this has caused a lot of discomfort when I walk and move around. Ben has been so good to take care of me.  He does the dishes a lot, and always reminds me to take a nap.  I am usually indepen...

I am now about 32 weeks…only eight more to go!!!  I had a pre-natal appointment today, and they do a sonogram at 32 weeks.  The baby is weighing in at 4 pounds 9 ounces.  They expect me to gain +/- four pounds over the remainder of my pregnancy, so they are estimating an eight pound baby.  Elaine was only seven pounds…eight pounds sounds huge! Everything else looks great.  My fluids are good, and the heartbeat is strong.  I now start to see the doctor every two weeks until closer to my delivery date. I didn’t expect the sonogram today, so I had Elaine with me.  She sat on the exam table with my during the sonogram.  She doesn’t like doctors, and has been very “protective” of me when one gets close.  When they squeezed blue gel on my belly and started clicking away on the screen, Elaine could only say, “uh-oh.” There is one more thing to share.  Nope…not going to tell you the gender…sorry!  (Besides, I don’t know myself!) ...

Yesterday I began my third trimester.  I am 27 weeks, and still don’t have much of a baby bump.  This pregnancy has been different than with Elaine, and more difficult in some ways. With Elaine I had acid reflux constantly.  Starting at 20 weeks (that’s halfway through) they allowed me to take Zantac twice a day to help control it.  With this baby I have struggled with heartburn, indigestion, and nausea in rotation.  Supper has been the hardest meal and it often puts me out of commission for the rest of the evening. In the last few weeks I have had acid reflux on top of the other symptoms.  I am back to popping Zantac.  My prenatal vitamin is a different brand now that my prescription has been filled in NY.  It makes me feel very sick, and I even threw up after taking it in Colorado. (I don’t throw up easily).  Since Sunday I have been very breathless.  Sometimes the smallest activity sends me to the couch for a few minutes to catch ...

I’ve been absent here for a little bit.  I’m enjoying the peace of naptime, some beautiful music playing in the background, and warm chocolate chip cookies with a mug o’ milk, so I thought I would take the time to write a little post. Andrea Nothing is really new with me.  I still chase Elaine around, do the laundry, buy milk (at a rate of every day, it seems), and I’m still pregnant!  My busyness lately has consisted of preparing for a card making “class” that I am “teaching” tonight at our church.  I’ve been collecting ideas, writing instructions, designing examples, and putting together beginner “kits.”  I’ll write more about that later. I am increasingly grateful for public transportation in the City.  Yesterday Elaine and I took advantage of the warm sunny weather to go on an excursion.  We took the train to Target and hit some other stores along the way.  This time I left the stroller at home.  It is now too heavy for me to carry ...

Today marks the halfway point in my pregnancy.  That’s right – 20 weeks!  Whoo hoo! I don’t have any news to share, and I’m not planning to tell you the baby’s gender.  I just thought you might want to celebrate with me…  I’m thinking of heading to Starbucks.  (Don’t worry Ben, I have a gift card).  Or maybe a little shopping?  And I’m not really quite this big…yet!

It is 12 degrees outside.  If you factor in the wind chill it is only 2 degrees. At least the sun is shining.  On this freezing cold day I had to drag myself out of bed bright and early to get into a cold car headed for the OB office.  (My windshield washer fluid is frozen, and I can’t get the trip meter to reset.  That’s how cold it is.)  And since the office doesn’t have a parking lot, I had to search all over for a parking space.  I found one two blocks away.  Then I had to drag Elaine and the stroller down icy and unshoveled sidewalks.  Why is it that people in Bay Ridge are good about clearing the snow, but in Boro Park no one seems to care?  Elaine finally learned the benefits of mittens.  She has despised them and refused to keep them on her hands…until today.  Today she put them on herself! Today I had the genetic screening blood test – for spinal bifeda, down syndrome, etc.  Everything is fine, baby-wise.  Th...