Drumboil

It's been a while since I blogged.  Oh heck who am I kidding, it's been ages!!!  Since having my twins a year ago its been non-stop.  Its been a whirlwind of nappies, milk & sleepless nights.  Not enough hours in the day to breath farless clean the house, get some work done in the office & walk the dog.  Its been an emotional rollercoaster.  I discovered earlier this year I've been suffering from post-natal depression since October last year.  I thought it was the baby blues but family & friends around me had thought otherwise and persuaded me to seek help.  I have a friend who is a health visitor & she did a score test on me, it wasn't good.  I finally seeked help from the doc & I'm now on mild "happy pills".  I feel great now, I'm able to cope with everything & I actually want to get out of bed in the morning & I don't cry at the slightest little thing.  The biggest difference I notice is I'm not shouting at my 2 other children for no reason, they thought their mum had gone & was replaced by a monster.

Things are on the up with the family but the business is slow.  So my pressures of juggling family life has now been replaced by financial pressures of the business, but hey, we'll get through this too.  When I wake up in the morning & see my 4 children smile at me it seems all worth it.  I love the hustle & bustle of a busy household & the noise they make between all 4 of them.  Its loud I can tell you!!!

The ups & downs of a busy family life is what keeps me going otherwise I would be bored.

I haven't been in for a while, my 2 beautiful twins are taking up all of my time just now, along with the housework, paperwork & looking after my 2 boys as well.

The girls are doing ever so well, they are thriving.  They are 16wks old today and are full of giggles & smiles.

A strange thing though...........................they both wake up around 5 - 5.30am for their morning feed, we feed them & then wind them.  My mum has been helping me out this week as hubby is away working.  Whilst Twin 1 is being winded she looks towards my wardrobe & smiles.  This, you think, might not be strange but it takes Twin 1 a wee while to smile, she likes to study people's faces first & then the smiles appear.  For the past 4 mornings she has done this, she looks in exactly the same place and beams and then laughs.  Do you think she sees someone???  If so, the person must be very nice as she almost looks over there every morning to see.  Can babies see things we can't????  The funny thing is, Twin 2 is unaware of the situation, she smiled once but not nearly as many times as Twin 1.

Hey everyone, haven't been here for ages but I'll update you now.

I've had my babies, identical twin girls, they were born in June by emergency c-section.  They are adorable and they are piling on the weight now.  Twin 1 was 4lb 12oz & Twin 2 was 6lb 1oz, but now Twin 1 is 8lb & Twin 2 is 8lb 15.5oz.  They will be 6wks tomorrow.

Although they are a joy to watch & to cuddle, they are extremely hardwork too.  There really isn't enough hours in the day.  Hubby has been back to work for a few weeks now & we've kind of got into a routine, feeding time is the hardest part.  Both are fed at the same time & it takes me over an hour to feed both, wind them & change them.  Just now they are feeding every 4hrs, which is great, at least I can get some things done in between but not sleeping.  I'm surviving on 5hrs sleep per 24hrs, I'm exhausted!!!

The weather is affecting them big time, its so hot & sticky and they really don't like it.  They are so restless & won't take their full amount of milk which in turn makes them hungry before their next feed.  I'm sure it will all settle down soon though.

Right, I'm going now as I can hear one of them screaming their little lungs out, its soooooooooooooo funny when they both cry together, I have screaming in stereo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I'd update you lot on my pregnancy.  I'm 25wks now, only 11wks to go & counting.  Everything is going fine, both babies are doing well and are now approx. 1lb 7oz each.  They have long legs too.  Did I mention we are having 2 little identical girls. 

I have to say though, this pregnancy is zapping me of energy.  They are taking every little ounce of energy I have and using it up in movements, day & night!!!!  Most days I feel good, I get bad indigestion and sometimes my back is achey but on the whole I'm going ok.  Around 2ish every day I feel knackered & if I sit down then that's me, I do try & catch a 15-20min nap every day just so I can keep up with my other 2 & all the daily chores.

The schools are on holiday just now & its been great.  I've been getting up an hour later but what a difference that's made, but alas that will all end next week. 

Anyway, another scan on Monday just to check measurements & growth, keep you updated.

Well I've been for my 17wk scan although they dated me at 16+5wks.  It was really just a check up but I'm glad to say that the babies are fine.  They have plenty of fluid around them & both bladders were present.  We couldn't see what sex they were because they had their backs to us & kept wriggling around. 

Its so funny to see them twisting & turning on the monitor.  Twin 2 kept kicking Twin 1 in the head, well, that's what it looked like.  Obviously, its not hurting Twin 1 but they are both so active.  I've been feeling little movements here & there so its going to be fun & games when they seriously start to grow AND kick me for real.

I've to go back in 2wks time for another check up of fluid & bladders, then back the next week for the BIG scan.  That will be the one were they check for Spina Bifida, check the bladders once again etc, etc.  Then after 20wks my consultant reckons I will be on 2 weekly scans from then on. 

I'm glad they're monitoring me closely and it gives me a chance to see how much they've grown since the last time.

I did get pictures this time but they weren't so clear so I'm not going to upload them.  Have to wait till the next time!!!!

I've uploaded the scan photos from the 14wk scan.  Hopefully I'll have more next week.

As instructed by purpledragon I'm writing to keep you up-to-date about my pregnancy.

I'm 16wks now and I found out a fortnight ago that my twins are identical.  From now on I've to go for scans every 2-3wks, this is because my twins share a placenta & a membrane but have their own sacs.  They are MCDA twins, which means they could be at risk to TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome).  My scans will be very detailed from now on, they have to check the babies bladders, heart, fluid around them, check they are both growing at roughly the same rate.  Its a small risk that they could develop this but the earlier it is detected then the earlier they can start treatments.

I'm feeling fine, my sickness has passed & some days I have a lot of energy and then some days I just want to go back to bed & sleep.  I've started to feel little movements which is reassuring. 

My next scan is 13th Feb, can't wait to see those little babies again.  The last scan was amazing, they were both moving around so much, glad I couldn't feel them at that point.  I've been told they'll tell me the sex if we want to know.  Its either 2 boys or 2 girls, I think we'll probably find out just so we can get organised.

So I'll be in touch once I've had my scan next week.

I know it's been a while since I was last here but I felt I had to tell you my news.  I went for my 12wk scan yesterday, I'm acutally only 11wks but I didn't know that until yesterday, anyway, the news is.........................................I'm having *TWINS*

I'm still in shock but very happy & excited at the news.  It's all the practical stuff that is running through my head now, cots, double pram, bigger car.   My hubby was gobsmacked but also chuffed, he started to phone everyone straight away.

It was a lovely way to end 2007 & start 2008.

I'm going back in 2 wks time so they can measure them properly, one baby wasn't playing ball, and they'll be able to tell me if they
are identical or non-identical.  How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I'm now trying to get as many freebies as possible for the new arrivals in July.  I've been on this website and it has links.  If you use my link & complete an offer then I'll get my freebies.  Have a look & see.

http://www.freebabygifts.co.uk/freeavent?referer_id=13448
http://www.freenappies.net/free-nappies-club?referal_id=103784

My great news is.......................................................................I'm pregnant!!!  Yes, we are adding to our brood of 2 to make 3.  We had sort of decided to try again but we are quite shocked that it happened so fast.  I'm only 6wks so I've got a long way to go yet but I'm chuffed to bits & sooooooooooooooooooo excited.  My first 2 pregancies were fairly easy, no morning sickness at all so I'm hoping it will be the same for this one.  I'm waiting on our midwife phoning so I can arrange my booking-in appointment with her.  I wonder if anything has changed in 5yrs.  We decided to tell our boys soon before it leaks to them through gossip-mongers at school.  The other really nice thing is my mum lives close by now so she'll be able to experience this with me.   She lived far away when I was pregnant with the first 2, she's never been to a scan or felt the bump move. 

So, I'll keep you posted on how thing are developing.

Just thought I'd pen a few lines before I head to my bed.  November eh, where does the time go??  Soon be Christmas!!!  On that subject of Christmas, going Chrissy shopping tomorrow with a friend.  Haven't started shopping yet although I have a few ideas.  I love Christmas, love the whole decorating the house, planning the menu for Christmas day, buying & wrapping the presents.  Anyway, I'll see how I go tomorrow & how much money I spend.

An update on my eldest & his football......................................he took his assessment (yes, it was 2hrs of playing football) AND he has been accepted on the next stage.  All it means is he has an extra training evening but its a step nearer the academy.  There was nearly 200 boys at the assessment & only 48 of them were chosen to go through to the next stage.  I'm well chuffed and so, so proud of him.  He can't be accepted into the academy until he's 10 so we've a wee while to wait before that happens, but I'm sure it will if he carries on enjoying it as much as he does.

The youngest had his birthday this month, thoroughly enjoyed himself & was spoilt rotten as usual.  Can't believe how big he is getting & how cheeky!!!  I also had a birthday this month, 2 days after the youngest.  Can believe how old I'm getting, its never really bothered me before but when I look around at the school gates and notice the young mums, it makes me feel old.  I don't think I look my age though.......................21 again & again.

Oh, and work is busy (yeah, yeah, yeah), we are fully booked up till Christmas & now we're booking for January.  So relieved but still have a long way to go.  Its a start anyway.