Countdown is on

Just as expected July flew by.  It always amazes me how fast time goes by.  I try to remember that because I know when the boys get here sleep is going to be something we don't get very often; yet I want to remember to enjoy the moments.  Again, we are scheduled to deliver on Friday, September 23.  We are 8 weeks away.  If both of the boys are head down then it's possible I will delivery vaginally.  However, if only one is head down and the other is in a different position then a C-Section it will be.  Baby A has been in a head down position for a while now but Baby B loves to lie across my belly as high as he can get.  I can typically always feel his head and butt.  I tease he must get his butt from his momma.  The doctor said to me last week, "I don't know how you are breathing."  My response was "Very heavy."  I laugh because at work I will get out of breath just holding a conversation.

Currently, we go to our regular doctor appointments every 2 weeks and the specialist every 3 weeks.  At the regular doctor appointments they monitor my blood pressure, check my urine, measure my belly, listen to the babies' heart rates, and ask/answer questions.  The specialist monitors the boys' growth and development.  At our last specialist appointment they both weighed 2.10 pounds each.  There was only a few grams difference between the two.  First tie! The specialist said during this time is when one baby can start to grow more than the other.  So of course I'm anxious for our next doctor appointment in about 2 weeks. 

 In the past 2 weeks I have noticed a huge difference in how I feel and that it won't be long before everything is a challenge for me.  As of now I have to be strategic on how to get out of bed.  You would think peeing every 3 hours at night would give me practice, but it never gets easier.  I am still working full time so by the end of the day I am very swollen.  For some reason my right side swells more than my left.  The doctor mentioned that perhaps I badly sprained my ankle when I was younger which causes it to be worse.  I am not use to having to slow down so it takes an emotional toll on me.  I'm use to go, go, going and it's hard to accept that I've got to rest and that I can't do everything on my own.  I can admit I'm stubborn and I know I get it honest (from my mom and mammaw). 

I went to the "Mom's of Multiples" meeting and met another mom expecting identical twin girls.  We have started to email regularly and plan on meeting soon.  She is due one week before us and ironically goes to the same specialist and sees the same doctor.  It's very nice to have someone there to share these experiences.  Most of the other moms I met had 8-13 month year olds.  They were all so open in sharing and helping.  I am very happy to have found this group. 

Of course with all the support of the group, co-workers, and new friends it's still very difficult to be so far away from family and friends in Kentucky.  I have had to turn to God to lift me up.  He has placed strong Christian friends in my life and I have to thank Heather and Emily for being there and reminding me the promises God has made.  I have had to remind myself how God has provided for us and what He has done in our lives.  He has blessed our lives beyond measure so I'm not going to doubt Him now.  I'm going to continue to allow Him to lead our lives.  My heart is strong but it's my mind that can "over think" things.  The mind - our thoughts - can be very deceiving.  Again, I have had to ask God to protect my mind against the fears, doubts, and questions I have. Philippians 4:6-7 says  "⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  When I am struggling with something in my life I turn to a bible verse that speaks to me and the struggle(s) I am enduring and post it where I can constantly see it.  God's truth grows in my heart.  There have been times in my life before where I turned to this bible verse.  I have also posted Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  The last thing I want to do when I am stressed, restless, etc. is turn away from God.

My husband has been my rock. Bless his heart he has been by my side thru the ups, downs, and all arounds.  His love and patience is simply amazing.  He always lifts me up and supports me.  I love you! 

I know the next 8 weeks will fly by like the rest of my pregnancy; however I also know that these remaining weeks will be the most challenging-physically, mentally, and emotionally.  However, I know when I hold our boys it will all make sense and that's what I dream about.   I have enjoyed being pregnant and I continue to be amazed by the boys movement and development.  Next weekend we have our belly pictures scheduled.  I had debated whether or not to have them done but I want to capture this beautiful time in our lives.  This may be my only pregnancy-who knows.  There is always that thought if we get pregnant again what if it's twins...wow, what if...





 

Names Revealed

Many of you have asked about their names.  Trust me I've been asking my husband alot too!  Haha!  From the beginning he was very picky about what he liked and disliked.  Let me rephrase that-he basically disliked everything.  As I said before we always liked the name Cameron.  Before we even conceived we thought we would name our child Cameron (boy) or Camryn (girl) no matter what the gender.  So when we realized there were two it was just too hard for us to drop Cameron.  So I started trying to come up with other "C" names.  We really liked Cooper but Cooper Cochran was too much.  I began to really like Channing Joseph and Cameron Michael and I had also thrown out Blake and Brody.  Cochran really liked Blake but wouldn't go for Brody.  Finally Channing began to grow on him and the family.  I was ready to announce but Cochran kept insisting we wait.  Then one day he said he really didn't know if he was 100% on Channing.  He said that he still really liked Blake.  I'm very open and I like Cameron and Blake.  We began to discuss middle names.  I definitely wanted Joseph because my dad is Joseph Shawn and my Pappaw Borders was Robert Joseph.  Those were the two most important men in my life growing up and I really wanted to pass that along.  We both liked Cameron Joseph better than Blake Joseph; however I like the name Joseph Blake Cochran.  However, Cochran is adamant that their first name is the name we call them.  Plus, we like the nickname CJ.  Therefore, we decided Cameron Joseph Cochran for Baby A.  On to Blake.  Cochran found his middle name by none other than using Google. 

I can't say it's completely final because anything can change before it's written on the birth certificate.  But as of now Cameron Joseph and Blake Alexander Cochran it is!

Nesting to Resting

Meme and Pop visited this past July 4th weekend.  We had an amazing time.  They drove down and brought all the boys gifts from the baby shower in April.  They were loaded down!  They arrived on a Thursday night and we enjoyed a nice dinner out to eat.  There they felt their first kicks as the boys were on the move at the table.  The following day I had a specialist appointment.  I was excited for them to come along and see their grandbabies.  Our ultrasound tech was awesome.  She quickly turned on the 3D and we were all amazed to see their little faces and bodies.  Baby A was head down and Baby B was lying across and around the top of my stomach.  It wasn't long before she pointed out Baby A's butt was in Baby B's face.  You could see his little butt cheeks.  Haha!  Baby B quickly put up his hands and blocked his face from his brother's shenanigans.

As of now the trend continues where the boys take turns growing; which is a great sign that they are sharing.  "Sharing is caring" is our motto!  Baby B weighed 1 pound 13 ounces and Baby A weighed 1 pound 11 ounces.  When the doctor came in he reviewed their weight and pointed out that they are in the 50th percentile for growth.  He said "This is as good as it gets."  Those words are a wonderful relief for a mom to be.  I have hope that we continue on this path.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support!  The doctor also said that it is time for me to slow down.  No walking for a long distance and to slow down when I do walk.  So what did we do the next day?  We went to SeaWorld.  I walked slowly and of course there were a ton of shows we watched.  We all had a fun day!  Plus, I had an amazing piece of carrot cake :) 

We had already accomplished putting up all of my shower gifts on Friday night.  So Sunday mom, dad, and I ventured out to go shopping for the remaining items on my registry that we needed for when the boys come home.  After a busy day of shopping we brought all the goodies home and finished the boys' room.  It is so cute!  I am so relieved to have that done.  Thanks mom and dad for all of your help!  I'm proud that my hubby and I worked as hard as we did since the timing to slow down is here.  Monday that's what we certainly did.  We took Scoot Dog to the doggy beach at Honeymoon Island.  I got tickled watching MeMe and Pop play with him in the water.  It won't be long before there are two little boys playing on the beach.  I hope they love the water as much as their mommy and daddy does.  That night we watched fireworks down at St. Pete Beach.  It was a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.  Saying our "Goodbye's" the following day was anything but easy.  The craziest part is we realized the next time they visit the boys will be here and I will be a mommy! Wow!

From Nesting to Resting!  Now I need to read, read, read to learn how to take care of these boys and learn the tricks of the trade from other mommies...haha!  I have joined a group called the Tampa Bay Moms of Multiples.  They have a forum where you can ask questions, read others comments, there is a monthly meeting, play dates, and outings for moms.  I'm looking forward to meeting other moms and couples who can relate and provide support.  More than anything I'm getting more and more anxious (not to mention bigger) as the due date gets closer.  It's like I am beginning to see the finish line which is actually just the beginning :)