Saturday, July 25, 2009

19w5d: It's a numbers game

Every time I see a reflection of myself it makes me smile. On some level, I guess I keep forgetting that I'm actually quite pregnant. Then I see a photo of myself, or I accidentally brush a door against my belly and realize, "Hey, wait a minute, there's another inch there that wasn't there yesterday."

My body's perimeter is changing rapidly. The belly is growing by the day, prompting mirror double takes and many moments of baby bump awe. At last week's peri appointment (18w4d), the fundal height was 25 cm, the equivalent of a mom 25 weeks pregnant with a singleton.

Since then, my belly circumference has increased at least one more inch, from 40" to 41" earlier this week. When I measured last night, it was almost 42". So I'm not imagining it. When I said to my husband the girls must be going through a growth spurt, he concurred, saying empathetically, "Yes, I can definitely see that!" It's very reassuring to know that they're growing.

In terms of weight gain, it has finally started to pick up. I've gained 18 pounds so far. The nutritionist said last week that I was doing great, and that I should aim for 24 pounds by 24 weeks, which finally seems like a reachable goal. It's much less than Dr. Barbara Luke's recommendation, but I feel like I'm eating as much as I can, eating whenever I'm hungry (and trying to squeeze in as much protein and nutritious food as one human being can handle, even when I'm not all that hungry).

On Monday, I will be 20 weeks along. Wow, five months. Although not the halfway mark as in a singleton pregnancy, it gets me that much closer to my first of many milestones: 24 weeks. Thereafter the goal is 28 weeks, 32 weeks, and then 36. For now, it's one week at a time. I'm sure the day will come where it will be one day, and one hour at a time, but I can't think about that yet.

11 comments:

Kate said...

beautiful expanding belly!
It is odd to think of changes happening so rapidly, and yet it makes perfect sense-- things are changing rapidly! your girls are growing like mad- and it is all good.

I bet in some ways it feels like time lapse photography.

and I think "the rules" about what constitutes necessary weight gain, etc, are just there to drive the majority of people crazy--

happy almost 20 weeks, I cannot believe how time passes. Crazy crazy
and I am so so glad you are doing well!

thank you for your sweet comment, and wishing you ALL the best,

warmly,
Kate

BB said...

I can't believe you are almost 20 weeks! Glad to know the babies are growing and so are you! {HUGS}

Carrie said...

Yay for gaining weight and a growing belly full of growing girls! :) I am so happy all is well, and you are enjoying your changing shape. Keep up that protein (as my doc says)!

I am in countdown mode a bit, too... it helps to have those goals to focus on! :)

Take care,
Carrie

ME! said...

Wow!! This is so amazing! It has been going by so very very fast. I am so excited for you girl. I can't imagine growing that big that fast....except around the holidays. :) Give those little sweet pea rub for me!!

Mo said...

Just catching up after our trip away. You HAVE gotten quite pregnant indeed! It must be incredible to see your size changing so quickly! Glad things are still going so well for you! Look forward to following along in the many weeks of your pregnancy ahead!
Mo

poppy.f.seed said...

Things will start to change quickly now, at least they did for me after 20 weeks---I say from wise- ole 25 weeks ;)
I have only recently stopped counting the time to the next milestone. Glad things are going well.

Anonymous said...

That sounds great!!!

Tiger said...

Great update :) Glad to hear all the babies and you are doing fine :)

Anonymous said...

Phewey Time is a Flying....where is it going? I looked at Ms A today and cannot believe it has been 8 months already! She's sitting now....and I have no doubt she's going to be crawling in the not too distant future...then the fun and games start. She's pretty solid on her feet and is turning - front to back back to front.....her 9 month check up is going to be a big mile-stone for us! How different to Mr T! There you have it...as you say....one moment at a time....

Chelle said...

WOO HOO for 20 weeks!! Sounds like you are doing really good with the weight gain!

Those girls are a growin!!!

Lani said...

sounds like you are doing great! Keep up the good work!