My Journey

“The countdown continues… and in fetal developments: most of the bones (soft skull aside) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are structurally ready for a secure launch. In physical fitness news: their muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you’ll definitely be impressed by their steel-like Ulnar grasp (a newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm). And in genital development: if you’re having a girl, her labia are now fully developed. Finally, in the fluids/excretion department: the amniotic fluid-to-baby ratio has fallen over these past weeks, although they’re still swallowing fluid (building up even more meconium for that historic first poop), and some vernix caseosa. They will be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth.”

.. I am almost done packing, and have cleaned the entire place, hopefully ready for my return to Norway some time in January. Taxi is picking me up in about five hours to take me to the airport, where I will board the plane to Frankfurt/Germany – then to Portland, Oregon – and finally to Redmond.

Kind of weird to look around me now, and think that next time I will be here, there will no longer be just me, but me and my daughters. There will be no silence and I will definitely not be as relaxed and/or energetic as I am today. Yeah, weird indeed.

But those thoughts of the life I am giving up vanishes so fast with the overwhelming excitement I feel, what I have dreamt about for so long is about to become reality.. and very soon!! 34 weeks pregnant with twins, we have passed so many great milestones, we are still doing great, Sabrina is determined to carry the princesses for a few more weeks (we’ll see if she might have changed her mind by mid December, hah!) – Ava is finally, FINALLY, head down and things are looking mighty fine!!

So many emotions and thoughts running through my mind these past few days and for the next ones.. it is unreal that we are almost at the finish line and that soon I will get to finally look at, hold and love my beautiful baby girls. Just unreal.

Next update: Oregon!

“In the latest womb reports, your amazing baby has now developed sensitivity to temperature! This means you’ll probably get a swift kick if you put a hot pad on your ginormous belly. For the Elton John lovers out there– yes, baby’s got blue eyes. At this point, all babies do, although depending on their chromosomal disposition, this could easily change after birth (or even between now and labor), but for the time being, blue it is. Thanks to their recently matured lungs and a remarkably strong immune system, over 90% of babies born in their 32nd week, survive premature births. So it’s pretty much a done deal. Even if your little monkey’s planning on heading out early, their survival odds are in everyone’s favor. Time to celebrate (no, no, wait until after the birth to crack open the champagne!) We’re talking baby-showers and alcohol-free punch!”

“Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height at around 4 pounds and 17 inches. With each added layer of baby fat, your baby’s skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect your miracle-gro muffin to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That’s just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!

Your baby’s still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.”