16 Weeks

As promised, my 16 week bump photo:

Ugh, I look pretty bad, but that was seriously about as good as it was going to get this week.  I'm blaming this all on Jeff's lack of photography skills. 

I had another appointment with my OB last week.  I had an ultrasound to check my cervix.  It measured 3.9 cm and was nice and closed.  Apparently they start to worry when it gets below 2cm, so this was great news.  I'll have it checked again at my 20 week u/s (which is also our anatomy scan - holy crap!).  They also did a quick check on the babies, and both hearts were still beating away. 

Other than that my appointment was pretty uneventful.  No bloodwork, no peeing in a cup, nothing. 

I've started to gain some energy back.  Like I mentioned in my previous post, I've been getting out and walking again, which has felt great.  And, I don't get completely out of breath like I did during 1st trimester.  My only issue now is trying to walk for more than 30 minutes without having to pee! 

I was getting some pretty bad headaches (some even turned into migraines) for the last few weeks.  I'm prone to migraines anyway, though not this frequently.  My OB said pregnancy can either make headaches/migraines worse or better, and apparently I'm one of the unlucky ones who gets them worse now.  Under the advice of some women I've talked to, I've started drinking caffeine again this week.  I start my day off with ~8 oz of Diet Coke and that has seemed to help.  Maybe the majority of the headaches were from caffeine withdrawal and I just never noticed it in the first trimester because I felt crappy anyway?  My OB also said I can take up to 1000mg (2 extra strength) of Tylenol - when the handout I received at my first appointment said I could only take 650mg.  So that seems to help knock them out when I feel one coming on as well. 

Other than that I've been doing pretty well.  I wake up every day so thankful that I've made it this far. 

A Lot On My Mind

I promise to have a 16 week bumpdate posted soon.  I have the bump photos taken, I just haven't had time to get them uploaded to the computer.  For right now though, I have a lot of random thoughts swirling around in my mind.  So, for today you get bullets. 

- I feel like we should start planning/making preparations for the babies, but at the same time it feels so early yet.  I can't believe I'm almost 17 weeks - where has the time gone?  We're going to Jeff's sister's this weekend and they have been saving their baby furniture for us.  So we may be bringing home a crib this weekend - which scares the living daylights out of me.   

- Daycare.  I'm not sure if in-home or a center is better.  (Warning:  I know absolutely nothing about either.  All of my thoughts are based off of stereotypes I've created in my head.)  I like with in-home you might get a little more personalized care, and it just seems.....cozier.  What bothers me about in-home is providers can take off 2 weeks during the year, and you still have to pay them - and find alternative care for that time.   This isn't a huge deal for us because I get 5 weeks vacation a year, but the principal behind it bothers me for some reason.  At least with a center if an aid takes vacation, there are others there for backup and they would likely never be closed (except maybe some extra time over the holidays).  I'm also not sure if we are going to be able to find an in-home provider that will even be able to take 2 babies at once, I guess it all depends on how many slots they would happen to have open.  In-home is going to be cheaper than a center, but in some ways I think it would be worth it because it just seems more dependable.  A new center close to our house is having an open house next week and we are planning on going.  I think I'll feel better about all this once I start gathering information. 

- Maternity clothes shopping.  Over-freaking-welming.

- I always envisioned that I would be a super active, healthy, and fit pregnant person who would walk 3-4 miles a day without fail.  Yeah, that's not happening.  In the beginning I was too worried about miscarriage/tired/concerned about aggravating the SCH that I didn't exercise.  Oh, and the fact that it was almost 100 degrees here for most of my first trimester.  I've already gained close to 10 pounds, which feels like it's too much.  I asked my OB how much total weight I should aim to gain and he said 35.  Eeek!  I'm almost 1/3 of the way to that and still have a long ways to go.  Now that the weather is nice and cooler, and I'm more relaxed and comfortable with this pregnancy, I'm going to start trying to exercise every day - even if it's only a 30 minute walk around our neighborhood.  I don't feel like my diet is horrible, but I could definitely make improvements.  I've been trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, but it's hard to fit it all in.

- I have a new possible job opportunity on the horizon.  It's a different position within my same department.  It would mean more money, but also more responsiblity.  I'm not sure if taking on a new position right now is the best idea, but we could definitely use more cash once these babies get here.  I figure I'll apply for it and whatever is meant to be will be.   

I hope you are all having a great fall so far!  It's finally down into the 60s/low 70s here and I'm loving it.  This weekend it might even be cool enough to break out a hooded sweatshirt for the first time, and I can't wait :)