25 weeks and counting...

Okay all! So we're 25 weeks and counting on these rambunctious boys and they are crowded and active!

So now that they are running out of room and growing like weeds at the same time I find myself in a fun place. I am, quite literally, all baby. My arms and legs are as toned and thin, if not more so, than they were when I got pregnant. Then there's this large round belly, tight like a drum and full of kicking limbs. Unlike with my first pregnancy, with my daughter, this time around I gaining little weight because these boys require so many calories. I also lost ten pounds the first trimester because I was so ill with morning sickness.

At my 24 week appointment last week my doctor looked at my chart and, not happy or unhappy, declared that I had gained 14 lbs on this pregnancy. I agree, my first thought should have been to kick up my heels and cheer. But I admit, I felt disheartened. I know that what these boys don't get from my diet they will take from my body and coming home to care for two growing infants with a body that is depleted does not appeal in the least!

So, I am not thinking about numbers, but trying to pay attention to my body and give it what it needs. Above and beyond what the boys are taking. If this means that after my first piece of the heavenly veggie lasagna my Hubbie created I feel as if I didn't get any, I go back for a second piece. If I feel a little dehydrated, I pour a glass of water AND break out the large dish of fresh watermelon my fabulous DH keeps in the fridge for me.

Did I mention my Hubbie is a saint? Okay, he'd probably squirt milk, or more likely an iced coffee out of his nose if he heard me say that, but really. The man has been my hero throughout this pregnancy.

The biggest challenge for me has been how little I can do. I've always thought of my self as relatively independent and the fact that I can't stand long enough to cook a full meal, or carry a basket of laundry up and down the steps to the washer, or vacuum because it's too exhausting and I overheat, or any other number of things that I never thought about, I just did before I was pregnant with these two adorable parasites can frustrate the living daylights out of me.

Which means, my fabulous husband goes to work and puts in a full day so we have money for diapers and all my weird cravings, then he stops at the grocery store and stocks up on his way home where he arrives with groceries and hugs for Mommy and our daughter (who is feeling a little neglected because I can't really play much with her and I rest a lot) and then goes about making a fabulous healthy dinner before snuggling us both and getting our three year old into her pajamas and off to bed before he curls up with his ever-growing wife for probably yet another horribly boring documentary on pregnancy, or twins or whatever has caught my attention that day.

Then he takes about ten minutes for himself after I fall asleep before he goes to bed himself so he can wake up the next morning and do it all over again.

Throw in some stressful days at work, some toddler meltdowns and an occasionally sobbing (for no reason of course) pregnant woman and it's a wonder this poor man hasn't been committed!

To my Hubbie! You truly are my hero!

So, in an effort to do my best at the things I actually can do I am making sure to take my vegan prenatal (Rainbow Light Prenatal One a Day), a vegetarian DHA supplement for healthy growing brains (twice a day) and a pro-biotic with breakfast each day, which currently consists of homemade organic oatmeal with a bit of fair trade organic brown sugar, which just tastes better than what I grew up on, and a little cinnamon, nutmeg and a dash of cloves. Generally, with a side of applesauce, but this morning thanks to our first organic produce delivery from Fresh For You, a bowl of fresh cut organic white nectarine tossed with some organic flame seedless grapes. Yum!

Hubbie keeps us stocked on easy to make or heat meals that I can throw together during the day in just a few minutes. Our daughter loves veggies and we always have frozen organic produce. Her favorites right now are green beans and broccoli, but she also loves peas. I don't even bother to cook them anymore. It's summer, and it's warm even with the a/c on, and not just if you're pregnant. When frozen vegetables are frozen, they are blanched first, which means they are already partially cooked. So why mess with a good thing. I soak them in filtered water, enough to thaw them and then my daughter eats them like a cold candy salad. It's a great way to throw something cool into my lunch as well, a serving of cold peas or mixed veggies makes a great side to a veggie burger or mini-pizza.

In addition to the fabulous dinners and delicious watermelon, I am also paying close attention to other things my body needs, like protein. What I don't eat, these boys will take straight out of my muscles and I'm going to need all I've got and more to haul these boys and all their stuff around when they come out!

So, since we don't eat meat, where am I getting my extra protein? Well, I'm glad you asked!

Broccoli, kidney beans, eggs, cheese with whole grain crackers, veggie hot dogs, veggie burgers (Gardenburger is my favorite), Quorn products on occasion. Interestingly enough, I have a friend that is exactly three weeks behind me in her own pregnancy and around the time I started having trouble eating the Quorn brand products because the texture was just too close to meat, she began having trouble eating actual meat for the same reason. Hmm...

This is just the tip of the iceberg that is my protein. A favorite protein pick-me-up in the middle of the morning or afternoon that seems to be helping is a fabulous new bar, again found by my rockin' Hubbie. Luna Protein. These bars are yummy and packs some serious protein in a quick snack. My personal favorite is the Cookie Dough, with Peanut Butter running a close second.

As preggo brain seems to be running rampant I am sure this blog entry is not as flowing as my last few, but I'm sure during a good day the perfectionist in me will revisit and edit.

So this is where we are this week. For now, we are staying in our two bedroom apartment and switching rooms with the kids to give them the larger room. Which only makes sense, since soon they will outnumber us anyway. Then next Spring when it's not wicked hot and I'm not large and pregnant we will revisit the larger domicile discussion.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to a baby shower for the boys later this month and being just a few weeks closer to holding these little imps in my arms instead of my tummy!