Does labor hurt as much as...

At our birthing class there was one dad to be that was trying to compare labor pain to the pain he encountered after back surgery. I have never been in labor, but I know women do not talk about it, so it cannot be good. Frankly, I do not want to know in advance, it will just freak me out. The dad to be pushed the questions further asking "Is labor like an 8 on the typical 1 to 10 pain scale?" One woman who had previously given birth said it was about a 20. Finally the dad to be shut up! Afterwards I told Neal how thankful I am that he is not like this. Not once has he said "suck it up, I have had multiple abdominal surgeries including 2 kidney transplants". Or "I felt worse than you when I was on dialysis". Never has he tried to compare my upcoming pain to his. I feel bad for that mom to be that is married to a douche bag!

Tar Poop

Another lesson learned at birthing class.... Apparently the first few days of your beautiful child's life, their poop is similar to tar. Perhaps this is another thing we would rather not know. Neal and I are already fighting over who will change the tar poop diapers. I have full confidence Neal can do it.




In case he cannot, the alternate plan is for him to leave the room and me to hit the nurse button and claim I am in too much pain to get up to change the diaper. That is of course if my mommy is not in the room. I know she will do it!

31 weeks

It feels like time is moving slow. I have had a good week. Feeling good. Some nights it is difficult sleeping and I certainly use the bathroom a lot. My swelling has been under control. My pregnancy brain is totally useless. Some days the babies move more than others. Our boy definitely moves more than our girl. I am curious to see if this is reflective in their actions when they are actually here. Things are pretty much set up in the house and ready to go. Ryan and Leslie have let us borrow a lot of Connor's things, which will really help us out. I cannot wait to meet the babies. I have had a couple of offers from friends to help me after the babies are born and I intend to take them up on it. Every book I have read says do not take turn away help. Especially good help. We have no idea what we are in for!



Neal got to feel some good kicks yesterday. His face is priceless. I have read of women that get sick of the babies moving, but I don't know how. I wish they would move all the time. It is amazing to feel. Sometimes I just lay on the couch and watch my belly. Our son still gets the hiccups a couple of times a week. They are kicking me as I write this. I am guessing they are cramped and ready to come out....it is just a little too early for that!

I saw this someplace and could not have said it better!

Dear Sleep,

Although we haven't been on the best of terms lately, I thought I had a few weeks until we parted ways. But no, you have decided to leave me early. As my belly gets larger by the minute, you have decided there's no room in the bed for all of us, and you've fled. I don't blame you. It's darn uncomfortable with 35 lbs of baby weight between us. I just wish I'd enjoyed my last good sleep a little more; I didn't know I'd be deprived so early. And with two loud babies on the way I doubt you'll be eager to return any time soon. I can only hope that when you do, I can snuggle with you on my stomach just like I used to and not be woken up by insane dreams.

Wherever you are, whoever you're making happy.. I hope you're well. Please come back and visit any time.. I mean that.. ANY time.

Love,
Roller

House

That is what I am as big as. If my calculations are correct, I am measuring what a singleton pregnancy would measure at 39 weeks. If I continue this way, well you know. I am now 43 inches round. I guess it is amazing what the human body can do.

I am growing tired of not being able to do things. I am fairly independent and don't like help. I think Neal is sick of this too. I am not sure what finger gestures he makes at me when I ask him to do something, nor do I care to see them. I am pretty sure 50% of the time he just says yes dear and has no idea what I just asked him, this includes e-mails I send to him as well. He is really going to be in for it if I have a c-section.

On a happy note, we had Ryan, Leslie and Connor over last night. Connor is at the fun stage of babbling. I could listen to him talk all day long. He is so adorable. The boys did really well with him, even playing in our new, free play house we got from a neighbor down the street. Luke would sneak in a few kisses, which Connor did not seem to mind. Connor pet Tippy once or twice, and I could see in Tippy's eyes that he had found a new friend. Connor also tried out our new high chairs. The are awesome. It is nice that he can really be at the table with us.

Hiccups

Not me, my son. This is the second time this week he has had them (or what I believe to be them). It is the strangest feeling, I cannot even begin to explain it. It is great to know he is doing ok in there!

Week 30

Neal's work held a shower for us last Friday. It was really nice. The cake was perfectly decorated! I of course had 2 pieces. Everyone was so generous. Here are some pictures:



I had a check up at the doctor today. Blood pressure is creeping up slowly, but still normal. My cervix is slowly starting to shorten (3.3), but long for how far along I am. Overall things look great. Our baby boy is still head down and our baby girl has not yet flipped. Still looking at a c-section unless she makes a move. The babies are moving a lot more. Not really kicking, but their entire bodies are pressing against me. We have a growth ultrasound in 2 weeks. The babies should be over 3 pounds by then. His heart rate was 150 and hers was 140. Both normal. I am still feeling good although I cannot walk quite as much as I used to, but that is to be expected. I have not been sick in a long time, so I am actually enjoying pregnancy now.