Anticipa……tion

From the Twin-Daddy:

Hunter-Gatherer fantasizes about babies...

Much of my life has been about waiting and plugging along recently.  With the U.S out of the World Cup my primary distraction has been yanked viciously from my grasp by dramatic Ghanaians collapsing to phantom injuries in overtime.   Here is a hint for Ghana’s team, before collapsing and laying down in the box, try being pregnant with twins sometime.  (Seriously, my pregnant wife is tougher than you.  I’m just saying.)

The pregnancy train is chugging along and hitting the final leg of the track.  We are into the endurance phase as we push toward the end with temperatures spiking over 100 degrees in Sacramento.  We are being careful to ensure that Mary is at least comfortable thermally if less than comfortable physically in her current rotund and mommified condition.

Eventually, she will be able to move around again, but until then, every dished washed, every meal prepared, and every late-night trip to let the dog out gets us closer to the destination, and that destination is me boyos.  What are the things that I fantasize about when I am scrubbing and cooking, doing my manly things?  Here is a short list of the things that keep me scrubbing.

Arms Flappin’

Babies have a reflex that opens their arms wide when they sense that they are falling.  All the birthing videos I have seen show the babies opening their arms up.  I can only guess that this is the result of suddenly moving from a constricted space to the wide open world.  In any case, as odd as it is, I am looking forward to seeing the arms-wide posture when they come out.

“I just wanted to politely inform you that I am unhappy.”

Wallerin' Baby with Arms Wide

The Wallerin’ Boys

It  may seem less than brilliant to want to hear your babies cry, but nothing to me sounds healthier than a good holler about the injustice of moving from a dim snug warm place to a bright open cold place.   I can feel them kick every night now, and I can see their bodies pushing Mary’s tummy in different directions.  Hearing them give a good waller is what I want next.   I am certain the wallerin’ will get old soon, but for now, I want it.

Kicks for Daddy

When babies get excited, they often kick their feet.  Our boys already do this inside the tummy, and I want to see them kick on the outside.  Right now they kick:

• When I get home
• When mommy laughs really hard
• When an action movie is on (especially something with kung fu)
• After dinner

Lately I have been really looking forward to my boys smiling and kicking for me when they see me.  This has been on my mind a lot lately.

Working Side by Side

Mary’s work lately has been about growing two boys.  It is getting harder for her to move around, and she has been forced to set aside many of the things she normally does.   When we got a Great Dane puppy, we planned together how we would raise and train her, and we worked side by side to reach our goals.  Today, we have a well-trained dog that will be eleven in November and still gets along fine.

Mary will need some time to recover, but I’m looking forward to getting my partner back.  We will work together through the crib side moments, the back and forth chatter over double diaper changes, the stroller planning and tactics, the bassinette assembly coaching, diaper bag packing, and even some sleepy night grump-fests.   Twins have been called the extreme sport of parenting, but like any sport, your odds are better when you stack your team with good players.  I don’t want to brag, but my wife is one of the best.

Babies Countdown – The Double Header

66 days until September 2

I should take a moment to explain my next additions to the Babies Countdown.  If you saw the last post you know our kids are reading in at over 3 pounds each (over 1.5 kilograms each).  That puts Alex and Dominic about 1 pound ahead of schedule.   By 36 weeks, we could be looking at two 7-pound babies plus all the extra girly plumbing to support them.  A woman doesn’t typically carry more than 10 pounds of baby, and if you’re quick on the math, you will figure that 7 + 7 summed is 14 pounds.

I have plenty of faith in my wife’s ability to reproduce and carry kids, but I’m also fairly pragmatic about it.  With that in mind, I’m going to add two more countdowns.

10 Pounds in the Sack

Assuming our boys are a pound up on your average kids, I’m counting them down to when they reach five pounds each which is only an additional 1.5 pounds per boy.  This is going to be quick I think, and the clock is ticking.  I wouldn’t be too surprised if the boys come anytime after we get 10 pounds of boys.  (This should be at about 34.5 weeks or about August 2nd.)  While I would prefer they wait until at least 36 weeks, we should be ready for them with hospital bags packed just in case Alexander and Dominic decide to hurry things along.

35 days until 10-Pounder Day (August 2)

Your Chances Are 50-50

Half of all twins are born at or before 36 weeks.  By this time, we may have about 12 pounds of kiddos in the sack.  I tend to dub stuff, so I hereby dub this Median Day, and its color shall be blue.

45 days until Median Day (August 12)

• Wednesday, June 30 is our next appointment with the OB-GYN.
• Early July – Puck gets a cell phone.
• Sometime in mid-July Mary gets fitted for her nursing bra and takes the super-sucker in for cleaning.
• Wednesday, July 21 is our next (and final) appointment with the Perinators.
• Monday, August 2 is our wedding anniversary and 10-Pounder Day.
• Thursday, August 12 and we hit our goal of 36 weeks minimum. This is Median Day.
• Thursday, September 2 and we reach 39 weeks. The OB-GYN has said she doesn’t want Mary to carry beyond this date.
• Thursday, September 9 and we hit 40 weeks. This is our due date even if we know the twins will be here sooner.
• 2 weeks Post Delivery – Schedule a follow up appointment with the Lactation Lady.
• 4 Weeks Post Delivery – Look for baby smiles.
• After the Delivery – 4.5 months of the Twinsanity Interval.