THE FINISH

Hi all,

I think this will be the last time I blog before I pop. I barely made it over to the computer. My days are filled with books and cross stitching, as you can see in the photo attached. Nothing else I can do with this belly and almost no lungs. Babies are doing fine, both kicking - one in my liver, one in my bladder. All is good and I only have a couple of weeks left. Plus Agi will be here Saturday to keep me company for the rest of the haul - hurray! So basically as Connie says 'life is good'.

xoxo to all,

mags

Close to finish..

Getting close now. Babies have no room left, but the boy did manage to flip around. He's head down ready to get out. Unfortunately the girl is still right side up and the last ultrasound showed very little room for her to move around in. All is well otherwise and now my only goal is to carry as long as possible up to the 37th week. But the doc says if they come early, everything should still be ok. :))))

cross-stitch

I actually finished! Whaddaya know...

BIGGER!!

Just a bit bigger, wouldn't you say?!


Jacek and I went to the store today to buy some
baby stuff for the hospital :-)
My second shopping trip for the babies and Jacek's first. We were all giddy...
And wow - baby stuff is really expensive!!!

An approximate due date has been announced:
Around March 31st - April 4th I'm going into the hospital for monitoring. Depending on how the babies are, and especially how they are positioned, the doc will decide whether to let me give birth naturaly or due a C-section. If naturally, he will induce labor. Either way the babies will be here around the first week of April. Hurray!!

Finally got the baby picture on my belly picture. The kids started out on my left side with the boy lower and the girl up higher. Once the got bigger, the girl moved over to the right side and both of them decided that "heads up" is the way to be. And for the last about 3 months nothing has changed. Looks like they like it this way. Which is why we are probably heading in the direction of C-section, as there is less and less room for any kind of movement.
Sometimes I think they're already fighting in there and that the little girl is kicking the little boys ass (as well as mine).

Did I tell you guys I bought a cross stitch kit to keep me busy?! Who woulda thought...

First hiccups yesterday! Just the little girl though.
And my bellybutton is officially an 'outy' now.
:)

So why is it, that when you're pregnant, you don't look as big in pictures as you really are , but when you not pregnant, pictures make you look bigger. Here's what I look like now, but I swear to you that my belly is twice that size - I'm huge! I wobble! I can't see my feet!












Of course I'm talking to Agi - it's thanks to her that I finally took these pictures.










And this is where I spend most of my days. :)
I'm taking in all the rest I can get. But I did make major dinner today! Ribs, potatoes and kapusta zasmazana (cabbage). Mama would be proud! Boy, what a house wife - who'd have thought.

Food / fight

I just ate a half a gallon of ice cream! And I think the kids had their first fight. I was laying down on my back watching my belly do the wave for five minutes. Or maybe they just liked the ice cream.

Since we want to have the twins at a different hospital than the last time, we had do meet with a new doc last week. This new doc is very nice, capable, he did a thorough exam and we are generally very happy. Especially since he didn't try to talk me into a c-section at all costs. But he wanted me to have another echo exam, this time with more of a specialist. He was pretty set on this exam even though it's a bit late in the pregnancy and we've already been to the doc that found the heard defect in our Jas. And so I've been on pins and needles from that visit until today. I just got back from the exam and happy to say (again) all is well. There are no heart defects, no other organ anomalies (including brain, liver, kidneys, large vessels) and no cleft palate. Cooooool!!!!! I was so nervous I started crying on the table before the exam. The doc thought I was feeling weak or sick. Well, I actually was... Phew, glad that's behind me. Just one more big test - giving birth - and all will be well.

Ok ok. No need to yell at me! I know I've been neglecting my duties. Here's the scoop.

Jacek had knee surgery about 3 weeks ago (an old contusion gone bad) and has been on crutches since (only 3 more weeks left). We actually make a pretty good pair - I'm wobbling and he's hopping; we're at about the same speed, so it all works out. But whatever we do, we do together. I can get us there (wherever), but then Jacek has to lift it, move it, load it into the car (whatever it might be). And since work starts at 9 am and ends at 9 pm - it's been interesting. But we did have a great rest during the xmas break. We went to our summer / winter cottage and did absolutely nothing. We had the fireplace going and it was nice and cosy. My in laws live just next door, so we had a home cooked dinner everyday. But there was not Internet access, so - no pictures.

But we're back home now. And here is what's new (besides the knee). I'm no longer working (got a doctor's note - hurray!) Both kids are doing well, although I got a scare last night. I though the girl stopped moving, but she just flipped from downside up. Now both are positioned with their head right under my liver (and they've started kicking the bladder this afternoon). A couple of days ago my belly was lob sided again, and now I know why - the kids were just flipping around! And I was surprised why my belly felt so hard and uncomfortable.
Other completely new situations for me:
I now buy ice cream.
I've eaten my first whole bar of chocolate in one sitting! And it took me all of 5 minutes. Actually, I've never before eaten a whole bar of chocolate even in many sittings (herring was my thing).
I went to the bathroom, got up, and went straight to the other bathroom in my apt. without even thinking about it. Hmm - going pee literally every 3 minutes! But why I changed bathrooms...?
And to Ags - yes, I actually am washing the dishes sideways, just didn't notice it 'til you asked :)

So to finish up, here's me at 25 weeks ...

Happy happy joy joy

The big ultrasound is behind us. And all is well. We had a visit with one of the best prenatal ultrasonographers in Warsaw today. All the essential measurements were done, the little hearts were checked out aaaandd.... we know what the sexes are!! Do you want to know? The exam was a couple of weeks early, but the doc said that he was able to check everything out without a problem. The kids are the right size and they are really feisty. They were both squirming throughout the exam. Happy!!

baby 1

baby 2

and a little bit bigger...

Picture update. Just a little bigger, but it feels a lot bigger. I sleep with pillows on both sides of me, thanks to Agi I have a great body pillow that makes life a bit more comfy. Although that's not what Jacek would say, he gets about 1/5 of the bed now with me, my pillows, and the dog.

Jacek and I had a great time with Jesse when he came to visit us two weekends ago. Wish I could have showed him some of the Warsaw night life, but maybe next time. I was out cold by the time it was 10 pm. Jesse took a couple of pics, go take a look: http://thelaststudent.blogspot.com/

Next update after next doc appt (Dec 4th).

Here's a little bit bigger me.

I just got up and am having chocolate chip cookies and coffee for breakfast. Healthy, huh..

In the pics I'm talking on the phone with Ags. I was just telling her that I could feel the little buggers moving around as of two days ago. Cool! It feels like little butterflies in my tummy.

And here is my other favourite part of the package I got from Agi. Yuuummmmmmyyyy!!! Just need to add a little nuts... If only I could get my butt off the couch to bake these puppies, boy, would they be delicious.

pillow talk

Here's a copy of my last emails to Agi after I got a package from her:

1. You are the bestest sister of all sisters. Thank you for the package and the great pillow and the cookie mix and browny mix and underwear and tshirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not only did receiving a package give me great joy (I love to open packages, who doesn't), but a barrel of laughs. Check out these pictures.
The first - opened pillow case for the body pillow. Obviously a pillow case for a body pillow - or so you would think.
next one coming right up

2. So then I try it next to the body pillow, maybe it's folded up somehow in a special way? who knows? but no, it just doesn't seem to work.
soo....

3. so then I though, maybe it's like the underwear - stretchable!!!! I gave it a good try. But, as you can tell, no go..
It was a good try though, don't you think?
:)
love you long time

new doo

Here's my new hairdo.

And my growing belly. Yes, it's only the third month.

You think I look 5 months pregnant? Everyone says I do..

I thought that ice cream would make pregnancy headaches go away, but it doesn't...

Hi guys,
Today was another interesting food day. Cooked cabbage with onions and meat (like my mom's bigos) followed by chocolate chip cookie - sounds disgusting even to me. But, hey, when you gotta eat, you gotta eat! Some say it's because of the twins - one wants sweets, the other wants "normal" food.
Yesterday I got my hair cut. It's the shortest it's ever been - shorter than Grandma's! I'll get a picture up soon.
I'm generally feeling much better now, no more hangover, but everything still stinks (including my dog and my couch).
My dog, Inka, is soundly sleeping next to me. I can tell she's having a really nice dream because her tail is wagging.

Pickles!! Half the jar!

Icecream!!!!

4 hours later...

OHHHH, THE HEARTBURN!!!!

The 'Tums' are a pack of lies!

cravings

This morning I HAD to make myself matzahbrei (when was the last time you had matzahbrei?). I asked Agi to send me a bag of Wonder bread - I would love a sloppy, all American, peanut butter and jelly sandwich (yuk). In my purse I have a bag of almonds and dried apricots, but that's not all! I've almost finished the 3rd baggie of gummy bears. Now I HAVE to go to the mall to get a Submarine sandwich (yes, we have Subways here). And yesterday I HAD to have chocolate milk. And of course spaghetti is on the menu about every day of the week. Last time I didn't have all these cravings, spaghetti basically got me through the whole pregnancy. And there's still 6 months left...

ADDENDUM
As in Jacek's opinion the previous pictures didn't show exactly what we did during our vacation, here is a quick picture update. I think nothing needs to be added :)

Egypt

Just got back from Egypt last night. Jacek and I went with a couple of friends. Of course we went to a windsurfing base. Everyone had a great time. I've actually never had this type of vacation, but no complaints.. I spent almost the whole time in our air conditioned room as I couldn't sunbathe, go swimming or horseback riding. I spent a little time lounging in the shade reading books. The rooms were great though and they had the best TV ever; a channel that played American movies all day long, one after another, with Egyptian subtitles and almost no commercials. So all in all I watched about 10 pretty good movies and read 4,5 books. :) HAPPY CAMPER ME!
Here's some pictures..

The windsurfing base. It's amazing to see the mountains beyond the hotels; they are massive and completely bare.

It's back to basics when there's no wind. Everone would rather be on the water, but hey, they'll take theoretical lessons over doing nothing.

Here's our room. Each day the cleaning men made some kind of shape out of the blankets and towels. And you can see that there's not much of a belly. But I haven't been able to put on my normal pants anymore. I'm back in the pregnant people clothes.

Jacek and some of the guys went on a quad trip in the mountains. They had a great time, all were gritty and grimy afterwords. Similar trips could be taken on horseback or camel. Last year I went horseback riding up in those hills -- pretty rough and barren terrain.

And we're back home. This shot is just so Agi can see my hair and my belly (she's been relentless!).

Yesterday we were both back at work. My happily feeling crappy feeling has lessened a bit, but still feeling crappy. Next doc appt on the 8th. We'll keep you posted.

xoxo

Sunday afternoon. I'm sitting home, still in my pjs. It's wonderful not to have to do anything but, as my sister says, let my body do the work. The pregnancy is fine. Still a bit sick around the edges, but not as bad as a couple of weeks ago. Whether it's my body getting used to it or Dr Li's little plasters in my ears, who cares, as long as it's a little bit better. I can eat again, as long as the food is not fatty.

I'm waiting for a radio talk show - Jacek will be interviewed for the second time already about his practice. He has actually become pretty famous here in Poland as a vet. ophthalmologist. I'm so proud of him! The last time he was on there was some political news on (I don't know if you guys know this, but here is a whole lot of political unrest here in Poland lately) and they cut his interview by and hour. He was supposed to be on for two. But a whole bunch of people kept calling in with questions, so they asked him to come back. Last time he was on right after our last president (Kwasniewski), and it looks like the situation is repeating itself; once again Kwasniewski's voice is on 10 minutes into Jacek's scheduled time.

As for me, I'm still going to work, but I've cut down to about 3-5 hours a day. I just can't seem to not work all together like everyone says I should. I have some hard and interesting cases, and they just won't let me be. Friday there was a dog that was sent in for a cardio exam before exploratory surgery. I was listening to the heart and I could barely hear anything. Strange, I though. So this is how a basic day works (and why one just can't go home on time). Just a basic exam, should have taken 20 minutes, 30 if I found heart disease and had some explaining to do to the owner. I decided to do an echo (ultrasound of the heart) and there it is - soft tissue in the area where the lungs should be; like the liver, maybe some intestines. So now I need to do an X-ray with contrast to make sure my suspicions are correct - a diaphragmatic hernia (basically a hole between the abdominal cavity and the chest cavity). 45 minutes have gone by. Jacek calls, when will I be home. Xray will begin in 15 minutes and will take a couple of hours because we need to see the contrast in the small intestine. So what are you gonna do? Leave this dog and go home? Two hours later the small intestine is full of contrast but not in the abdominal cavity; the intestines are beautifully curled around the heart. I guess the dog was going into surgery anyways, but this way the surgeon won't have a surprise when he opens him up on Monday.
I also have four unexplained mystery cases that I'm trying to solve. It seems we have a new parasite in dogs in Poland; we've found it in the blood and fluid from the chest or abdominal cavity. So far four labs haven't been able to tell me what it is (two of them in Germany).
Just a whole lot of puzzles to solve.

But back to this weekend just for a moment. With my extra free time I found some pictures of the girls from when Agi was here that I didn't even know I had. They are really cute! Zofia decided she had to try on some bras, a little early but hey, she was able to wrap one around herself twice. Check out the rest of the pictures through the flickr linka above.

Tuesday we're off to Dahab, Egipt. Jacek will be windsurfing and I'll be reading. :) JOY!!

dr. Li

Went to dr. Li last night for my nausea. A Korean doctor that practices conventional and unconventional medicine. So he put some little peaces of tape all over my ears and today only two episodes of nausea. Who cares how it works as long as I feel better!

And I read one great book Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See can't remember who passed this one on - Connie, Agi? - but it was excellent and whoever it was thank you thank you !!

Plan to take even more time off from work during this pregnancy to read more good books :).

HAPPILY FEELING CRAPPY

Hi all,
Quick update. So these two are kicking my ass!!! Jas was a saint (in all ways :) compared to these little buggers. All food is revolting. Can't even eat my favorite spaghetti, not to mention the crackers all the books suggest. Mayo is totally off limits. WATER TASTES BAD! Not throwing up, but the nausea ... So needless to say, I'm very happy to be feeling like crap :)) And by the way - DENISE AND LENNY ARE GETTING MARRIED!!!

couch

So I know that being nauseous is actually good, the pregnancy is going well and all. But why does my couch stink all of the sudden?! The old dilapidated decomposing 20 year old couch smell. My couch is only 5 years old.
Not only that, my dogs stinks like you wouldn't believe, and all she wants to do is cuddle.

Well, it's confirmed - twins. The two little bolbs in the picture are actually the same size, this is just an oblique view.

Feel good, happy to be nauseous. Jacek's first reaction -- "oh my god, oh my god, we'll have to get a new house!"

Will keep you posted. :)

NEWSSSSSS!

Hi family!!

Well, here we go again.
Tested positive yesterday.
Reeeaallyyyy positive -- doc said there is enough hormones for twins.
Keep fingers crossed 2x!!
Will keep you posted.
Lots of love
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Mags

This weekend

Here are a couple of pictures from this weekend. Me with my swollen ankles and the pup, Inka. Our little summer cottage is still in the works, but we've started sleeping there finally this summer.
We'll keep you posted.

I forgot to tell you, if you have any questions about HLHS or Jacek and me, Agi and Dad are on top of everything. I have better and worse days so I'm not the best one to talk to right now.

Last month

Hi all,

Here's a couple of pictures from a month ago.
Most of you know our situation. We're still waiting. I just wanted to thank all of you for the kind words and support. It has meant a lot to me over these past several weeks, even though I haven't really responded to anyone. As I'm sure you can understand, this is the most difficult time I've ever had in my life. (For those of you who don't know yet, our baby has been diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.)
Thank goodness my mom came :) !!! And thank you all for the books you have sent. Believe it or not I've started about 4 of them at once -- my brain is working overtime so I try to keep it busy.
Keep your fingers crossed!
Lots of love

ps. we have a new puppy in the family. This was just a coincidence with our present situation (our dog died this fall - lung cancer) and Jacek was waiting for a puppy from the same line of rough coated Dashund as our previous dog. She joined our family about a month ago. I didn't really want a pedigree dog (you all know I'm all about saving the poor and unwanted), but I have to admit she's been really therapeutic for me. And she's really cute!

We've got less than 100 days to go!!

There is only 97 days left. Of course we haven't prepared ourselves at all. I'm waiting for my mom to do all the necessary and fun shopping with her. In the meantime I'm doing my best at a new job. I was officially hired at the University on at the beginning of this year, and on that same day I was promoted to Chief of the Small Animal Clinic. Yes, they knew I was pregnant. So I'm doing my bestest, which includes opening up a brand new hospital ward. Long hours, lots of small problems, but basically a fun and challenging job.
But back to baby. This little guy kicking up a storm - it just takes a minute for him to wake up after I finally lay down at the end of the day. Luckily I'm tired enough that I can sleep through anything. I finally got some cravings - I attacked a jar of peanut butter at the store. And snickers bars, yummy. And brownie and cookie mixes from the states - I ate them all! And I learned how to bake a pound cake. As you can tell I've got a sweet tooth for the first time in my life. The last pack of brownie mix had moths in it and I just wanted to cry!!! Jacek though of a name for our little boy - Jacek Jr. What do you all think? Jack, J, Jr.... I haven't decided yet, I think I will decide when I see him. It has to be a name easily pronounced in Poland and the States so he doesn't feel out of place anywhere. Any ideas??

baby in belly 3

baby in belly 3
Originally uploaded by magdagarncarz.

Just so you're sure, here's another belly pic. The little critter is kicking up a storm in there. Has been for the last two weeks or so. We are at about 20 weeks now. And for some more trivia - New Year's Eve is exactly half of the pregnancy. Cool, huh?!

baby in belly 2

baby in belly 2
Originally uploaded by magdagarncarz.

So, are you still not sure that there's a pregnant belly? Here's another picture, maybe this will convince you.
We also found out the sex of the baby. Do you guys wanna know?? I can tell you in Xs or Ys. Or I can just tell you. But maybe you like surprises.

baby in belly 1

baby in belly 1
Originally uploaded by magdagarncarz.

Hi all, here's some current pictures of me finally. I had a roller coaster of a couple of weeks, ergo no info from me. One doctor talked me into a non invasive test for genetic defects of baby - they guy forgot to take into consideration our "treatment", so the results were accidentaly really really bad. So we got really really scared. So we had to do extra tests (amnio) to rule out bad stuff. Today results - all is well!!! But I was in an uproar in my mind.