A belly picture and a belly story

I really don’t like posting pictures of myself that much. I have much better subjects in my clients. But, still, this is also my personal blog, and since I have many family members and friends who keep asking for pictures of my belly (it is really not that exciting), I am finally posting one. I would love to have some great maternity pictures where I look glowing and beautiful to show you all, but this is just not the case, for a couple of reasons. First, I don’t have that cute little pregnant belly anymore — I have a big, unwieldy, pointy belly and no shirts that completely cover it. I am pretty sure I did not have this problem last time I was pregnant. Second, Brad is my photographer, and lately he has been working weekends and late into the night, so the only times he is home to take pictures it is dark and cold outside and dark and only slightly warmer inside. I kept putting off taking pictures until we could find some time to go somewhere and I could dress up and take some cute pictures. However, after this weekend we decided that I needed to just take a picture NOW no matter how late and dark it was, which brings me to my story,

I am now 33 weeks into my pregnancy. Despite the higher risks of twin pregnancies, mine has gone beautifully thus far. I haven’t had any blood pressure problems, my back hasn’t hurt nearly as much as I thought it would, the babies have both moved into head-down positions and have developed wonderfully. Every checkup the doctor would say “Looks great! See you in four weeks!” I was starting to have high hopes it would continue this way until 37 or 38 weeks when twins are considered full term. However, this was not to be the case. I started having Braxton-Hicks contractions about the same time I starting going in for my bi-weekly non-stress tests. That is was not worrisome in and of itself, except that they started increasing in frequency quickly, especially for only being 32 weeks along. On Saturday I went out to dinner and to a movie and on the way home was timing my contractions at 5 minutes apart. When I got home I drank water and laid down, but they kept coming for the next couple of hours, so we decided to make the trip into labor and delivery. My contractions aren’t painful like labor contractions, and we really didn’t think I was going into labor, so I didn’t bring anything but my purse, and we woke up Annika and took her along, hoping for a quick trip. No trip to the hospital is quick. They gave me an IV, took lots of samples, monitored heart rates and contractions, and gave me a couple of drugs to stop the contractions. We finally got home around 6:00 in the morning with instructions for me to take it easy for the next few weeks, and to expect to probably have to come back again.

So, I am now on modified bed rest, and the babies are probably going to come sooner than we had hoped. I am doing my best to do nothing and keep the babies in for a few more weeks, but laying around all day is harder than it seems. Annika has been great. We explained that Mommy has to take care of the babies in her tummy so I can’t hold Annika, and I am going to have to lay down a lot. We read books together and Annika has played all morning on the floor next to me without complaining. She frequently asks if the babies in Mommy’s tummy are coming out and seems genuinely concerned. We’ve had so many people ask how they can help, offer to take Annika, and offer to bring in meals. We are extremely grateful. Brad has taken over without complaining and does a much better job of cleaning up the kitchen than I do. He may also be a better cook. On top of that he has been working late to try to finish his project of refinishing and painting our kitchen table and chairs. I think he feels the pressure with the babies coming shortly. I just feel like a lazy bum, but I keep reminding myself that it is just hard in a different way and that we are all doing what is best for these two little girls.

This is getting long. My blog is a  journal for me, so I felt like I needed to record the changes in our lives. I hope I didn’t bore you. As far as photography things go, this also means that I won’t be taking any more sessions until sometime this spring after the babies are here and we feel a little more settled. Thanks to everyone who emailed me about sessions. I am flattered and I really do wish that I could meet your families, and your new additions, and document all the wonderful things in your lives. Email me again in a few months!

I am not sure whether all this bedrest will mean more or less blogging. I guess we will see. Keep checking back!