To my beautiful children,
Hi, babies! Last week was a big week for a couple of reasons. One; I was really nervous about the 3 hour glucose test. I failed the first test because my levels were too high after drinking 50 grams of sugar, so my doctor had me come in to take the 3 hour test. I really didn’t want to have to worry about managing gestational diabetes, plus the thought of having large babies (which is one the side effects of gestational diabetes) was giving your mama bear some anxiety! Having two babies that are growing at a rate of a half pound each, so one pound total, per week is stretching my body to the limits as it is. The part that’s hard about that is when the babies are big but their lungs, etc. aren’t developed yet.
I went into the doctor’s office at 8:15 am last Wednesday and drank 100 grams of sugar in a matter of 5 minutes. It was delicious. And by delicious, I mean I would have rather eaten a giant chocolate cake instead. I Googled it afterward, and 100 grams is about 24 teaspoons of sugar. You two were wiggling around a lot in my belly a LOT afterward, and then you stopped after a bit. Sugar crash?! Note to self: do not feed you sugar. Ever. The nurse drew my blood immediately after I drank the glucose drink, then drew it every hour on the hour for 3 hours. I’m not sure why she just didn’t leave the needle in my arm like they did at the ER when I went there at 13 weeks. She had to poke me 4 times!
I got the call on Friday that I do not have gestational diabetes. YIPPEE!! It’s such relief. Your daddy and I are going to get another ultrasound at maternal fetal medicine at the hospital on Wednesday. We are excited to see your cute little selves getting so big. You are moving around SO MUCH and it makes me laugh every time! I can look down and see my belly moving. In church on Sunday, you were kicking a lot, our son (we need to name you soon!) and your daddy felt some huge kicks. I still can’t believe that there are two little babies in my belly. Every Thursday when I switch to another week, I have started to Google what babies look like that are born then. They are very small but have hair and everything! My pregnancy app said that if you are born now, you have a 90% survival rate. That makes my mama heart very happy. I think you’ll keep cooking in there for a long time because everything is looking good, but it’s still comforting to hear things that like.
Another reason why last week was a big week is because I felt you hiccup for the first time! I came home from work to take a nap during my lunch break and I felt a rhythmic movement. Normally, your movements are sporadic, so when I kept feeling the same thing over and over again, it kind of concerned me. I put my hand on my belly, and then it dawned on me that you were hiccuping! I have since felt you hiccup twice, Silver, and you hiccup once my Goldie girl! It’s so cute.
Last Tuesday was a roughhhh day. I left work and just started bawling! I have been SO tired and when I don’t get enough rest (which is like every other day at this point it seems), the world kind of ends. And then when I get enough sleep, the world is bright and sunshiny again! I recorded a little video on Tuesday that I included below. I think it’s important to document the good and the bad so I can remember it all. Your dad is so sweet to me and helps take good care of me. We went for a walk last night after dinner with the whole Parcell family and I felt like I had run an Iron Man. Because I totally know what it’s like to run an Iron Man since I’ve, like, totally done that before.
Um…another thing to mention is that my cankles are out of this world. I wake up every morning, and my hands and feet feel like they have arthritis or something because they are so stiff and sore. So that’s glamorous.
We finished your nursery last night!! The photographer came today to take photos for the nursery reveal. It’s so peaceful in there. When I walk in there, I always ask you if you like it and then I smile because you are going to be sleeping in those cribs in such a short time. Ooooooohhhh I just love you!
You’re worth it,
Mama
This video is definitely one of my better moments. YIKES!
Finishing setting up the nursery last night:
This shirt is not maternity, I just got it in a bigger size 🙂
Parcell Sunday Selfie time! I LOVE this comfortable maternity dress and these sandals.
We love him, don’t we, babies?
In case you didn’t know what cankles look like, now you know. You’re welcome. These shoes SAVE ME. Most comfortable Birkenstocks of all time with so much support, plus you can adjust them to fit your foot.
This dress…so comfortable. And it’s a dress that you can nurse in too!
Pool time really helped my cankles! Like, for real. I was in the pool for about an hour and my cankles decreased significantly.
Erin Fairchild says
June 14, 2016 at 12:42 pmYay! So happy you got good news!
Her Heartland Soul
herheartlandsoul.com
Jenica Parcell says
June 15, 2016 at 2:16 pmThanks, Erin! 🙂
Anonymous says
June 14, 2016 at 10:40 pmWhen is the big reveal.
Jenica Parcell says
June 19, 2016 at 9:12 pmDo you mean the nursery reveal? June 26th!
Anonymous says
June 19, 2016 at 9:39 pmYes I mean nursery sorry.
Jenica Parcell says
June 19, 2016 at 10:01 pmThis next Sunday! So excited 🙂 xo
Anonymous says
June 19, 2016 at 10:38 pmI can't wait to see it!!! I'm so excited for you.
Brittany White says
June 15, 2016 at 4:21 amJenica! Has anyone ever told you about Placenta Encapsulation before? So, after birth you have a placenta encapsulator clean, steam, dehydrate, and grind the placenta into capsules and you take them like you would vitamins for post partum. It helps with energy, emotional stability, can prevent post partum depression, increase milk supply, and helps quicken your recovery.
I've done it with all three of my babies and don't know how anyone goes through post partum without them. I notice with them that I have the energy I need to wake multiple times at night without feeling so fatigued that I can't hardly function to feed and rock back to sleep. I also notice without them that I'm extremely irritable but with them I'm patient and calm. I always say it's best to get it done for the just in case. If you're interested, you could google a placenta encapsulator in your area, or often times doulas or birth centers would have a contact.
You're doing great growing those babies! I hope this info helps!
Jenica Parcell says
June 15, 2016 at 2:16 pmThat is very interesting! Thank you for sharing your experience 🙂
Have a great day, Brittany! xo
Emma Sears says
June 21, 2016 at 4:01 amI'm sure it's so hard to be pregnant with twins. I'm on my third pregnancy with a single baby and there are hard moments, but I can't even imagine two at once! But you're getting closer to the end! And there IS time for sleep after babies come! Cause they sleep so much as newborns. Just make sure to ask for help to get a nap in at least once a day. There are so many blessings ahead, but sometimes it's just hard to see that. And pregnancy just straight up sucks sometimes. In the end, even through the birthing process and everything, it's all worth it to hold those precious babies and be a mama. Sleep deprivation and all. Hang in there girl! You're doing great!
Jenica Parcell says
June 21, 2016 at 6:31 pmThank you so much for your sweet comment!! You're awesome. I love that there are other moms who have gone before me and we can all help lift one another up. I hope you have a great day!! xo