facebook announcement

We've kind of held off on the big facebook announcement as it just seems a bit strange to be announcing such a personal milestone in our life. Instead, we've been telling people in person or emailing them.

However, now that the babies arrival is getting closer and closer, we feel like it will be a bit weird if photos of us and our babies start popping up on facebook, with a lot of people not even knowing I was pregnant.

So we are going to bite the bullet and will put the following announcement on there:

"This is kind of old news now, but its about time we made it "facebook official" :).  The Morelli-Leys household is due to double before the end of 2012.  One addition was planned, and one was very much a surprise:  expecting mono/di (identical) twins!  Feeling doubly blessed and very spoilt and loved by our good friends and family xx

mum's visit in pics

My mum is leaving us today, and wont be back until Xmas day (and the babies are expected to be here by then).  She has been such a huge help and it has been awesome having her with us. Unfortunately, we kept her so busy with house hold stuff that she didn't really have any time to be a proper tourist in NZ. However, we did manage to squeeze a few "fun" moments into her 2 week stay. Here are some of them:

 Back at the Belgium cafe for more mussels

 Walking along Wyndard Quarter

 

At the French markets with Nana (Barbara) and Victor

In our garden

Out at neighbourhood bar for a good mates bday

26 week update

How far along? 26 weeks

Baby size: Twin 1 has caught up!!!!!  TW1 was 776g and TW2 was 781g at yesterdays scan! Best news ever!

Babies positions: TW1 was in same position as TW2, bunk bed styles :). Heads on my right hand side and bottoms on my left.

Total weight gain/loss: current weight is 59.65kg.

Maternity clothes? Maternity clothes all the way (or leggings/baggy dresses).

Stretch marks? Nothing yet.

Sleep: Sleeping well although my back hurts a bit now. And it feels like it takes ages for me to roll over. and rolling over hurts :( And apparently I snore and Josh is getting no sleep haha
Best moment this week: Being told that the babies are pretty much the same size. The numbers just keep repeating in my head like a mantra. I just can’t believe TW1 has caught up! 

And getting my lounge/dining area rearranged, dryer put in, and mum has cleared heaps of plants from our garden. Our little abode is really starting to feel and look like a nice little home now!
Movement: Feeling lots of kicks or little flailing arms, from both inside and outside. And occasionally feel a hard bottom or leg or head pressed up against my tummy.
Food cravings:  No real cravings at the moment.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing much :)
Have you started to show yet: Yes! No hiding it. Measuring about 4 weeks ahead at the moment.  
Gender: Uncle Steve has predicted girls, but still anyone's guess at this stage. Actually, I totally think we are having girls too. Scans once a week and not a glimmer of a little pee pee? They have to be girls. Or really good hiders/contortionists.
Symptoms: Need to pee alot. I feel a bit slower in general (physically, not mentally!). really sore in groin area which is making me limp. oweee.  and cramping in calf muscle argh. sounding like a whinger these  days.   
Labor Signs: No signs yet 
Things I miss:  sushi and alchohol. I pass a sushi place every day and it looks and smells so yum.  Drinking as much tea as I want. Sleeping on my belly. And missing water walking this week as my water walking buddy is currently recovering from hip replacement surgery.
Belly Button in or out? outie. No denying it now.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to:  My baby shower this Sunday!!!!

Twin friendly parks/playgrounds (as advised in AMBC newsletter)

Sylvia Park Playgrounds—both fully fenced

Potters Park
Corner of Dominion Road and Balmoral Road—fully fenced

Little Rangitoto Park –off Upland Road—not fully fenced, but far
from the main road

Madills Farm—Corner of Allum St and Southern Cross Road, Kohimarama—fully fenced

Glover Park—off Riddell and Waitara Rd St Heliers

Playdayz Indoor Sports
164 Balmoral Rd

Coyle Park. End of Pt Chevalier Rd. Not fenced but well away from car park

Rocket Park—Mt Albert
Fenced from the road side but not fully enclosed

Western Springs Park and Playground—not fenced, but away from main road

Grey Lynn Park—away from road, not enclosed

277 Food Court Playground, 2nd Floor of 277 Shopping Centre

Cnr of Riddell Road and Roberta Ave, Glendowie—fully fenced

25 week update

How far along? 25 weeks

Baby size: TW1 was 555g and TW2 was 622g at last weeks scan.
Babies positions:TW1 was head down and TW2 was lying across my belly (up near ribs), head on the right.  By the end of the scan TW1 was in same position as TW2, bunk bed styles :).

Total weight gain/loss: current weight is 59kg. So 6kgs so far.

Maternity clothes? Wearing maternity pants, tops and normal leggings these days.

Stretch marks? Nothing yet.

Sleep: Sleeping well although my back hurts a bit now. And it feels like it takes ages for me to roll over. and rolling over hurts :(Best moment this week: Julies dress fitting was a lot of fun. Dragged ma along too.
Movement: Feeling lots of kicks or little flailing arms, from both inside and outside. And occasionally feel a hard bottom or leg or head pressed up against my tummy.
Food cravings:  No real cravings at the moment.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing much :)
Have you started to show yet: Yes! No hiding it. Measuring about 4 weeks ahead at the moment.  
Gender: Uncle Steve has predicted girls, but still anyone's guess at this stage
Symptoms: Had another nosebleed at work, but only a little one. Need to pee alot. I feel a bit slower in general (physically, not mentally!). really sore in groin area which is making me limp. oweee.  and cramping in calf muscle argh. sounding like a whinger these  days.   

Labor Signs: No signs yet 

Things I miss:  sushi and alchohol. I pass a sushi place every day and it looks and smells so yum.  Drinking as much tea as I want. Sleeping on my belly. And missing water walking this week as my water walking buddy is currently recovering from hip replacement surgery.

Belly Button in or out? outie. No denying it now.
Wedding rings on or off? On

Looking forward to:  growth scan next Thursday

Let's go for a drive...

I decided to take mum and Josh on a quick "surprise" drive tonight. Just told them to rug up and hop in the car. Lots of speculation as to what we were going to see, but no-one guessed right.

About 10 minutes later, we pulled up in One Tree Hill, outside the cherry blossom lane which is in full bloom.  So pretty!

 Here I am, sticking my puku out. This shot is for you Shaza.

 Mum and me. I love how tall I look next to her haha

And Joshyyyy x

Babies health update

So we had our usual fortnightly scan yesterday and here is the latest:

1. twin 1 is still smaller than average. Actually measuring about a week behind. But the blood flow through the cord is normal this week, which is positive news.
2. both babies still have prominent kidneys. TW1's is measuring 6mm and TW2's is measuring 8mm. So TW1 is at the very high end of normal and TW2 is bigger than normal. They still don't know what is causing this.

So basically, things haven't changed and so we are all still concerned. But not enough to put me in hospital and pump the babies with steroids. So that's good. Seems like my womb is still the best place for them.

However, my OB does want us to start having weekly scans now so we can keep a closer eye on them both. I'm still feeling very looked after, and definitely not as freaked out as I was 2 weeks ago.  Just trying to keep them inside as long as possible and I just keep hoping that they grow as much as they can.

I've banned myself from looking things up on google as it just gets me worked up. Instead, I'm going to try and put my feet up, lie on my left hand side and try and increase my protein intake.  These are some theories that people have tried out for IUGR, but have never been medically proven. I guess they can't hurt though.

Grow babies, grow! Especially you, twin 1!