We didn't plan for the twins, as they were expected to arrive 9 months after our wedding. Everything about that pregnancy was just "different". Since we planned this pregnancy and it's definitely only one baby, it all seems very new and somehow foreign. I started showing around 7 weeks (to myself) and now at 17 weeks, it's no longer, "did Lauren put on some winter weight?" I have started to feel a little movement and in the ultrasound at 12 weeks, that kid was jumping all over the place. Must be like moving into a huge new apartment made for two, by yourself. That or the little babe just knows it needs to practice up for getting away from E&B so it's working on it's moves.
We waited to share this news and chose this as the main outlet because we feel like pregnancy announcements on social media can be so joyous for most people but can also touch the most vulnerable parts of others. That's a direct quote from my husband Alex. Please don't mistake our secrecy for un-excitement (if that's even a word). We are thrilled and so ecstatic for this little one to join our clan. We just want to remember there are people out there that are struggling to get pregnant, or have had traumatic experiences regarding child bearing and we just are especially sensitive to that.
The first trimester was difficult. I found out I was pregnant right away (at 4 weeks) and we were so excited. Nervous, but excited. The early symptoms started around 5-6 weeks. Fatigue, round the clock nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, zero appetite, etc. These guys were the starting line up. The most frustrating symptom, however, was the dysgeusia, or a the metallic taste in my mouth. All food sounded bad and tasted horrible. Nothing sounded good, even water. I lost like 10 pounds just from not eating and feeling nauseous all day. I just tried to find things that sounded good and go with them.
When I hit weeks 10-11, I was feeling better. Now, as I sit at 17 weeks, my biggest pregnancy symptom is being tired. But I have a feeling it's because of the 2 gremlins I chase around on a daily basis. We hit another road bump the weekend before Thanksgiving when I woke up with sharp chest pain. The day before I had some shortness of breath and some pain that I attributed to heartburn, which I had with the twins. But Saturday night, the pain became paralyzing when I laid down and I knew something was up. Sunday morning Alex and I went into the Emergency Department to be met with a diagnosis of Pericarditis. HELLO MEDICAL TERMS, what does that mean? The Mayo Clinic's definition is the swelling and irritation of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding your heart. See their picture below.
Sometimes, fluid can fill up in the space and causes compression on the heart and can create a pericardial effusion. I had a little bit of that. My biggest symptoms were sharp pain on inhalation and when laying flat, shortness of breath, and weakness and numbness to my left arm and shoulder. I was told the cause of this most of the time is viral, but it can also just happen, which is terrifying. The treatment for me so far has just been ibuprofen around the clock for 3 weeks and next week I will have a repeat ultrasound of my heart. My cardiologist didn't seem too worried about me and thinks this could just be a one time thing. But, I'll be seen for checkups for the time being to ensure it's getting better and not worse.
The whole fam came and kept me company in the hospital.. We even took a family nap which was actually glorious. |
Cousins: Emmy and Lilly |
Kids table! |
We recreated this cousin photo from back in the day- |
We grew up... and added lots of kids! |
Cheesin' |
Movie time-- aka parent hang time. |
Since I haven't had a blog in awhile, here's some recent pics from this fall-
Twins first zoo experience (out of the womb) |
Buddy. Loved. These. Guys. |
See you soon!
Lauren, E&B