Happy Birthday, Elyse and Jack!

You'll have to forgive my hormone-induced post today; I'm sure my regularly scheduled modestly humorous posting is just around the corner, along with a post about the twin's birth story, but for now, I'm too busy snuggling my Christmas gifts.

Dear Jack and Ellie,

Here's how you got here, by the numbers:

Hundreds of shots...

Dozens of doctors visits...

Countless negative pregnancy tests...

Untold numbers of days of wanting to give up...

Four IVF attempts...

Two perfect pink lines...

Thirty-six weeks...

Forty-three hours at the hospital...

Two perfect babies...

One family complete.

[caption id="attachment_596" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Jonathan (Jack) Blakely...named for his great-grandma...5 lbs 3 oz, 19 inches long, born at 2:37pm on December 14, 2012[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_595" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Elyse (Ellie) Rose...named for her grandmothers...6 lbs 2 oz and 19.5" long, born at 2:41pm on December 14, 2012[/caption]

Week 35 - December 8, 2012

How Far Along: 35 weeks!

[caption id="attachment_580" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Black is so slimming, you know.[/caption]

If I had a theme song right now, it would be the song they play for Eeyore on Winnie the Pooh.  Everything...I...do...just...takes...a...long...time.  I could probably get ready in the morning a lot faster if I didn't have to take so many breaks....especially considering I have edited my getting ready process down to the bare minimum - gone are the days of blow-outs and flat-ironed hair and meticulously applied makeup.  Now it's air-drying and the minimum amount of face products I can use and not look like death.  I figure this is just good practice for what is to come. :)   Also, I've noticed I don't actually look that much different either way so I might as well go the fast/easy route.  I've been bamboozled by the beauty industry!

Getting dressed is...a problem.  First - clothes.  Very little fits and/or is comfortable, particularly now that the weather is cooler.  My strategy of layering dresses over leggings is not working because the leggings are painful.  Shoes?  Ha.  I have ONE pair of shoes that sort of fits.  Unfortunately, they are not meant for cold weather, so hopefully it doesn't snow any time soon.  The boots that I bought in a larger size - can't zip over my ankles.   Sigh.   Today, I attended my mom's neighborhood ladies' ornament exchange/brunch but I had to tell her my attendance was dependent on whether or not I could get shoes on.  (I did and it was lovely and I was well-fed and entertained - thanks, ladies!)   I want to get a pedicure but I'm afraid the nail tech may shriek in horror and run away.   Several friends have commented that they are impressed I'm still getting dressed and attempting to look semi-cute (my words, not theirs - they were far more complimentary, but I am pretty sure they are just being nice to the pregnant girl).  In fact, I operate under the assumption that you can trick yourself into feeling better if you look semi-decent.  This seems to work okay during the day, but I'm a hot mess at night, as Nick will attest.

Speaking of hot mess, I was pretty sure that I was going into labor during an important meeting I had to present at for work this week.  I spent the first twenty minutes trying not to let on that I was having contractions, all while delivering vital information to our staff, all while thinking in my head 'holy shit - this is actually happening...I am going to go into labor in front of all my co-workers'.  Fortunately, downing a bunch of water helped stop the contractions, but it was 80+ degrees in the room, so I was quite literally a hot mess.   Once I felt better, I pushed through the day and managed to get to a happy hour.  :::high fives self:::  Everywhere I go, people seem concerned that I'm going to go into labor at any point, which I suppose is legitimate.  But, I figure I might as well be out and about and social then at home just pacing around the house being miserable.  Although, I was supposed to have a get-together with a couple of friends last night and various illnesses and ailments precluded it, so I'm hoping there's still time before I give birth!

I am also using the 'Reserved for Moms to Be' parking spots like it is my job.  My only question is...Target, why don't you have these?  Every other store in the world does, but not you?  I spend half my week in your store!  I should write a letter, but that would take effort.

Nick and I continue to plug away at our last list to-dos.  He put together some of the baby equipment with minimal involvement from me.  The cats have done their due diligence.  Thank God.  I don't know how I would feel about a pack and play that my cat hadn't fully given his approval on.

Somebody pointed out to me that the reason pregnancy is so miserable at the end is to remove any fears about delivery.  I can safely say that I really don't feel concerned about delivery.  Maybe I should, I don't know.  But since women have been doing this for, you know, a while, I assume that I can, too.  Not that I don't think there are certain aspects that might be, shall we say, less than pleasant, but I am definitely getting closer to the point of "Get these babies out of me!"  But not until everything on my list is done.

Again, I am amazed that I made it this far - well, that we (Nick, the babies and I) made it this far...I would say it was a team effort. I mean, obviously, I am the CAPTAIN of the team, but still.  Team effort.  :)

Doctor's Appointment Update:  Redemption!  Babies did their tricks in record time once again, however I will not be a smug mommy about it (okay, maybe just a little).  I suppose it is sort of ridiculous to be a smug mommy about things like practicing breathing and kicking.

Things look better on my end as well.  Blood pressure is back to normal, blood sugars continue to look good.  No signs of pre-term labor.  The doctors are honing in on around 37 weeks for induction, unless I would go into labor on my own - that would be nice, but my instinct tells me that these babies are perfectly happy where they are and have no intention of moving on their own.  Which is good - stay there for now, babies!  But eventually, you are going to have to come out.  The only minor piece of bad news is that my platelets looked a little low, so those have to be re-checked next week.

Next week, we have a growth scan, I am very curious to see what their guesses for weights will be.  They were 4lbs 5 oz and 4 lbs 2 oz at 32 weeks, so we'll see what the estimates are.  They feel HUGE. :)

Size of Babies:  Honeydew melon (HUGE honeydew melons)

Cravings: Again, whatever is in front of me.   Although, people at work must be concerned about me because I get a steady stream of snacks and treats dropped off on my desk, which...yay!  These are the perks of being pregnant that I'll miss out on.

Sleep:  I just sort of rotate through the house every few hours or so.  There is absolutely positively no way to be comfortable.

Symptoms: I guess the main symptom I have right now is that of carrying around a 30 lb bowling ball at my mid-section.  That pretty much sums it up.  I didn't even know it was possible for your entire legs to go numb during pregnancy, but it is!  Makes walking interesting.

Fetal Movement:  I don't know how it is possible, but I am still getting lots of movement.  Most nights, Nick puts his hand on my belly while the babies show off.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  Thursday is my last day at work - $#%!    But, also - yay!  I have a lot to accomplish yet since this week didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped, but I have to remember that I can only do so much.  Here's something I've been thinking about lately.  All the books I read about pregnancy, especially those that talked about multiples emphasized eating a TON and resting a LOT.  A lot of time was devoted to talking about bedrest...and there are definitely some legitimate medical reasons for bedrest.  If my doctor told me it was going to help the babies, I would do it in a heartbeat. However, I think part of what has kept me going and thus, something to be said for - you know, just mostly doing your normal everyday stuff.  I like working - it distracts me.  I like cooking....I like puttering around the house.  I mean, my abilities to do those things decrease every day, but in some ways, they've also kept me calm(er), which I can only imagine has made for a healthier pregnancy.  I mean, I'm not out there whipping up seven course meals or running marathons or anything, but I've pretty much been able to maintain most of my activities - perhaps until the last week or so.  Which just goes to show that we know ourselves better than any book ever will and we should just do what makes us comfortable and happy.  Clearly, I am a genius.

So, while I am looking forward to my last day of work, it will also be a little hard, because then I will be at home for anywhere from a few days up to a week wondering what to do with myself.  I am also incredibly looking forward to the doctor's appointment this week and MAYBE getting an induction date scheduled...maybe?  (Fingers crossed).

Best Moment of the Week:  Getting our Christmas tree up...just one, though - that was my compromise with Nick.  Normally, I like to put up...a few.  However, now the babies can come anytime because when they come home, it will be Christmas all up in this joint.   Well, in our family room, anyway.  Didn't do too much with the rest of the decorations, but felt compelled to decorate some still because 1) I love to and 2) I see a lot of opportunities for adorable photos and 3) my family is 'bringing' Christmas to us assuming we are home and thus, we need the house to look the part of a Christmas gathering.

[caption id="attachment_581" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Good thing we took the picture. It looked distinctly less holly-jolly 24 hours later after Ernie the Multi-Toed Wonder Cat got a hold of it.[/caption]

Special Thanks To:  Nick.  I can't imagine it's easy to live with a grunting, sweaty, grumpy hippo-equivalent, but he seems to take it in stride and is particularly good at navigating the emotional side of pregnancy.  I've taken to calling him and demanding 30 second pep talks which he is always able to do.  Anybody can bring their wife ice cream and rub their feet and paint a nursery, but it takes a very special kind of guy to know the right thing to say and when to say it, which he does (nearly) without fail.

Special thanks to my mom, also, for recognizing that I had been having a rough week and surprising me with the Most. Adorable. Baby. Gifts. Ever.  I'd show you pictures but that would spoil the surprise.   I'm lucky that have a pretty darn good example of how to be an awesome mom

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:
Even though I am pretty uncomfortable and miserable, I am already getting nostalgic about being pregnant!  I have to say - it has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life and in some ways, I think I might miss it.  I know already that there is a piece of me that is sad this is the only time I'll experience it.  Of course, then I think about what a miracle it is that this even happens and smack myself around the face a bit and snap out of it.  Oh, also, I hear that babies on the OUTSIDE are actually pretty awesome, too, so I'm looking forward to meeting you guys.  Please be awesome, okay?!  (Oh, who am I kidding - your parents are awesome - obviously you will be, too.)

Week 34 - December 2, 2012

How Far Along: 34 weeks (although I will be 35 weeks on Tuesday!!!)

[caption id="attachment_554" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Please stop telling me that I'm going to 'pop' any day now.[/caption]

I can't believe we've made it already to nearly 35 weeks!  I remember worrying about going into labor really early and while it's still possible that could happen anytime, it's pretty amazing that I've gone this long with really no signs of pre-term labor.  I re-read last week's update and sort of cringe...geez, how whiny can I be.  I'm not the only person in the history of the world to give birth.   Just the only person in the history of Nick and I's little world.   The biggest thing I notice at this stage is that people look a little horrified that I am up and walking around...like I might go into labor at any point.  Hence, the comments about 'popping' or 'you must be really close!'.  Actually, no - hopefully.  I've got several weeks to go, with any luck, but thank you for reminding me.

Last week, I went into the sandwich shop down the block from work; the guys that work the counter are my buddies and have followed my pregnancy with great interest - one guy in particular and I normally trade compliments about our hair (he yearns for my curls and I want his stick straight hair), but I hadn't been in for a while so this is how our conversation went.

Me: Hey!  How was your Thanksgiving?

Guy: Girl!!!! You are BIG.

Me: Ha, yeah I know.  Still a while to go yet.

Guy:  No, I mean you are really big, girl.  Should you be walking?

Me: Haven't heard differently from my doctor.

Guy:   (shakes his head in amazement and takes my order)

Guy:  I mean, don't get me wrong, from the neck up, you're still a solid 9, but wow.  How are you even standing up?

Me:  (Gritting teeth)  Thanks, I think.

Guy:  Your hair still looks great, too...tell me what you use on it again?

(Long conversation about hair products ensues)

Doctor's Appointment Update:  Babies are doing great...they completed all their 'tricks' in the allotted time, although not as quickly as last week.  That is what I get for mommy-bragging.

As for me, I am not so lucky.  I now have both gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension, the latter of which we are hoping is not a sign of pre-eclampsia but we're still waiting on some test results.  Both of these are, apparently, super common in multiples pregnancies and the doctors actually seemed a little surprised I made it as long as I did without these issues popping up.   I'm guessing that's part of why I've felt so much worse the last few weeks, although honestly, I haven't felt super great since maybe the beginning of October.   Anyways, they are monitoring me closely and I have another appointment on Tuesday, so hopefully all goes well.  Other than that, things are as they should be - no placenta issues, total weight gain is good (around 28 lbs), very few contractions, etc.

Size of Babies:  Butternut Squash

Cravings:  Whatever is easily consumable and in front of me.

Sleep:  No change.  Yesterday, though, Nick gave me a really great massage and I had the best two-hour nap of my life.  Or at least it felt that way at the time.

Nursery Update: I promise I will post pictures soon!  But Nick just told me I can't reveal the names (even though some of you know them already), so that means I have to go back and edit the names out of the pictures.

Symptoms:  The swelling - oh, the swelling.  You can't actually tell because I have really small hands, but my fingers are quite swollen and feel stiff and uncomfortable.  I find writing and typing to be more and more difficult, making work sort of interesting.   There is not a pair of shoes that exist that could possibly contain my feet when they swell.   Pretty much all activity is difficult, but because I still have the damn nesting instinct, I am constantly pushing myself and then regretting it. (Ex: starting to put up Christmas decorations while Nick was still at work the other day.  BIG mistake.)   But all of this is apparently quite common, so I just keep going in spurts and then taking a break when I need to. I will tell you this - I have the utmost appreciation for my health and my ability to move...or rather, my ability to move once I deliver.  Everything is more difficult right now.

Fetal Movement:  The change this week is that it physically hurts when the babies  change positions, I assume because there is not much room in there.   Still lots of jabs and kicks...

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  Pretty much just making it another week.  I've got another busy week ahead of me at work, although I need to do so while keeping my blood pressure in check, so that should be interesting.

Best Moment of the Week:  I debated about whether or not to put this in here, but since it is literally on EVERY news channel and news outlet, I think it's safe to say the Best Moment of the Week and maybe the Second Best Moment of the Year (#1 was finding out we were pregnant) was learning that my dear cousins won the Powerball!  It is the most amazing news ever and I am 100% sure that my Grandma Ruth had something to do with it.  The best part is that I can't imagine a more deserving family.  I am truly thrilled for them.  And I know they will have some fun with it, but I also know that, as they said in their press conference, they have great plans for giving it to causes near and dear to their heart, like a scholarship fund in my Uncle's name at the local high school and supporting adoption in honor of the little girl they adopted from China (who, incidentally, requested a pony for Christmas - that's my kind of girl!).  They must be totally overwhelmed, but as anyone who saw them in the press conference could say - they are down-to-earth, good people who won't let this kind of money change them.  This is absolutely no surprise to anyone who knows them, but the press seems a little befuddled.  My favorite coverage thus far was on Al Sharpton's Politics Nation - he compared and contrasted my cousins' plans with their lottery winnings (education, charitable giving) with Hostess's choice to secure golden parachutes for their executives while 18,000 workers are without jobs.   Al may or may not be your cup of tea, but his point is well taken....as Cindy said in the press conference, how much DOES a person NEED?  Anyway, our prayers are with our family while they navigate this crazy new world and we wish nothing but the best for them.

Special Thanks To:  All of You!  Seriously, week after week, you keep reading this silly little blog for the twins and while I can't imagine why it is at all interesting, you keep coming back!  Not only that, but there is not a week that goes by that I don't get messages/emails/phone calls of encouragement based on what I've written; I have appreciated all of it.  Everyone has been so generous of their time and advice and wonderful things for the twins and overall support and I could just go on and on and on.   When Nick and I learned that we would have to do IVF to get pregnant, we were devastated.  And when it didn't work, time after time, our hearts broke.  But all along the way, our family and friends have supported us and when it finally worked, you've cheered us all the way to (nearly) the finish line.  I don't think you'll ever understand what this has meant to us, but in honor of your support, we've decided to name the babies after all of you.  Just kidding. :)  But we would if we could!  Unless you have a name we don't like.  Then, we wouldn't.  :)

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:   You are probably the luckiest babies in the history of EVER.  I mean, your dad finished amazing stockings for you this week.  You are about to be born to awesome parents (if I do say so myself), you are being born into TRULY amazing families and will be surrounded with wonderful friends and as luck has it, quite a few friends of your own age (thanks to a recent pregnancy explosion that has occurred with so many people in our lives).  Even the cats in our lives have been doing their part - testing out all relevent baby items for quality and safety.  And although we are not quite ready for you yet, (you need to bake a little longer), we are so excited to meet you!  It may not be the Powerball, but you are definitely our jackpot, little ones.    XOXO, Mom

Week 33 - November 25, 2012

How Far Along: 33 weeks

[caption id="attachment_540" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Feed me Seymour.[/caption]

I've got a business proposition for you.  Only it's less of a business proposition and more of a public service.  I think that there should be a place that all pregnant women go in their third trimester where:

• There are beds that are actually comfortable to sleep in


• Massages on demand


• Pools with little floaties and drinks with umbrellas (non-alcoholic, of course...this isn't France)


• People trained to tell you how beautiful and goddess-like you like are at all times of the day


• Somebody to dress you and fix your hair and makeup


• Someone to pat your head and tell you it's all going to be okay


• A strict policy against ignoring any pregnancy-induced flatulence, as if it hasn't happened at all


• Spray tans (because everyone looks better with a spray tan)


• And staff trained to turn their head if you say, fall asleep at the dining table


• Speaking of dining, personal chefs that will cater to your every whim


• And no one will judge you if you cry at Christmas music (It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas got me twice today)

Basically like a spa - but better.  And you stay there for two - three months - thus not subjecting your family and friends to the horror that is being pregnant and uncomfortable and cranky.  As suspected, whatever 'pass' I got during the first trimester and second trimester in terms of pregnancy symptoms, I am making up for now.  Name a symptom - I probably have it.  In fact, 33 weeks marked two of the worst days I've had as an incubator - the day before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving itself.

Between our own nervousness and the doctor's insistence that driving across Missouri was not the greatest idea, Nick and I decided he would go to St. Louis for a few days and I would be "Sarah-sat" by my parents at their house here.  Nick should probably consider himself lucky that he missed the two worst days thus far....and also probably thank my parents.  Although, to their credit, they insist that I was perfectly pleasant, but I am pretty sure they are required by parental law to say such things.

It helps that the weather is now cooler - it seems I feel a lot worse the warmer the weather is.  And there is a two-three hour window in the morning where I feel darn right cheerful.  That said, I CANNOT IMAGINE GETTING ANY BIGGER.  How can my skin stretch any further?  It's already as tight as can be.  Won't I topple over if my belly gets bigger?  Moving is becoming burdensome...will it get worse?  These are the questions that plague me.

That said, I am delighted to have made it this far and still be, you know, upright and with babies still on the inside.  So I probably shouldn't complain.  But I will.

Doctor's Appointment Update:   Another bio-physical profile this week - and again, everything looks great with the twins.  In fact (prepare yourself for mommy bragging), the sonographer told me that the twins completed their 'tests' faster than any of the singleton babies she had performed BPPs on that day.  Because they are geniuses.  Obviously.

Also, I ran into one of my many, many pregnant friends at the doctor (we are both at the same practice)...although she is a subset of pregnant friends who ALSO used the same reproductive endocrinologist, so she is extra special.  Our due dates are pretty close so maybe we'll get lucky and be at the hospital together.  Because, of course, labor and delivery is the perfect place to catch up on gossip.

Size of Babies:  Pineapple

Cravings:  Nothing to note in particular other than that my consumption of peanut butter while pregnant is easily four times its normal rate.  Peanut butter is the perfect food.  Easy to consume.  Full of protein.  Delicious.   I should probably have one of the twins' middle name be JIF.

Sleep:  Just more of the same...which is to say...less sleep.  I think the Ambien helps but honestly it's hard to tell.  I've decided that a lack of sleep during pregnancy is just nature's way of preparing you for not sleeping for the next 18 years.  I feel pretty confident in my ability to survive without sleep, so THANK YOU, NATURE.

Nursery Update:  I have barely even been in the nursery this week, so clearly nothing has changed.   I think the cats may actually spend more time in there than I do.  Which, by the by, Ernie gives two paws up to the rocking chair.  If I sit down, he jumps up on my shoulder (a la a baby) and waits for me to start rocking.  Which I do.  Because I am a crazy cat lady.

Symptoms:  Oh, nothing other than being 33 weeks pregnant with twins.  Which is basically like being 39 weeks pregnant every day.  It's like Groundhog's Day, only with less Bill Murray and more crying.  My goal, though, is to keep working up til the bitter end, so as long as I can still move (and the doctor is cool with it), I'm going to keep dragging my crew to work every day.

Fetal Movement:  Less kicking, but definitely more powerful jabs and pokes.  I feel like I might be carrying boxers.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  Another doctor's appointment...my mom's birthday...accomplishing more random tasks that MUST GET DONE BEFORE THE BABIEEZZZZZ COME so says my crazy pregnant mind.

Best Moment of the Week:   Several!  We celebrated Thanksgiving with my family last Sunday...I swear that was the best Thanksgiving meal I've ever tasted...which is probably a combination of my mom's great cooking and just being a hungry pregnant lady most of the time.  Also, Nick's return home to KC.  Though I was glad he spent time with his family, I missed him a ton and was so glad to see him yesterday.  We had a date night-dinner and a movie.  Except no dinner, because I got sick after the movie, but still - good times.  Actually, seeing movies is one of the few past-times I am really good at...this week I saw Breaking Dawn II (don't judge), Lincoln (with my parents), and Silver Linings Playbook.  The latter two were both amazing...the sparkly vampires were...sparkly.

[caption id="attachment_549" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Thanksgiving at my parents' house[/caption]

Special Thanks To:  My parents, for Sarah-sitting.  It occurred to me that this probably the last time I will ever spend that much time in a row with my parents, so I'm sort of glad I got the chance to.  And they were pretty patient with my general grumbling and groaning (my mom had to check a couple of times when I was groaning inadvertently to make sure I was okay).  I had a great time, felt very taken care of, and took on an apprentice sous chef, my dad.  Let me tell you, cooking is WAY BETTER with a sous chef.

[caption id="attachment_550" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My apprentice and I...seconds before I tackled him for the glass of wine.[/caption]

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:   Even though I complain a lot, I would put up with every ounce of discomfort and pain times a thousand because you are worth it.   Also, your father is a stocking making MACHINE.  One down, and about another half a stocking to go.  Stocking making might be his equivalent of nesting as he is bound and determined that the stockings WILL BE DONE by the time you arrive.  And we will take pictures of you inside the stockings.  Because, duh.

Week 32 - November 18, 2012

How Far Along: 32 Weeks (oh. mah. gah.)

[caption id="attachment_525" align="aligncenter" width="201"] This is me smiling - see? Smiling. Definitely not grimacing.[/caption]

Do you remember when I waxed poetic about the sheer joy that pregnancy clothes, particularly pants with the stretchy panels brought me?  Those days are gone, my friends.  These days, all my big belly wants to do is bust out of those stretchy confines into, say, a nice mumu or something along those lines.  I find myself wearing mostly skirts and dresses these days.  My burgeoning belly has also led to some rather interesting, uh, wardrobe malfunctions.  Luckily, nothing in public, but let's just say that Nick has had to rescue me from both a pair of maternity jeggings (I know - totally insane, right? The reviewers on Old Navy LIED) and a maternity/nursing tank that, in my defense, needed an instruction manual.  I am basically two different sizes - my belly and then everything else.  And the two do NOT agree.

Doctor's Appointment Update:
This week, we had our first biophysical profile; there are certain tests the babies have to complete within a 30 minute time period - large movements, smaller movements, breathing practice, etc.  Both babies passed so that is good news - means they are nice and healthy!  Baby Girl is measuring at 4 lbs 5 oz and Baby Boy is measuring at 4 lbs 2 oz.  Things still look good on my end as well, although my blood pressure was a little higher than normal; I told the doctor that I was pretty sure six weeks of not sleeping was bound to raise your blood pressure and he agreed.

The doctors also told me they would like me to get to 38 weeks...not the 36/37 we had discussed earlier in the pregnancy.  Interestingly, 38 weeks would be Christmas Eve.  Obviously, a lot can change between now and then so we're just going to keep playing it by ear and not worry about things too much.

I think I forgot to mention that I got the Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) at my appointment last week.  Because of the increase in cases of whooping cough/pertussis, they are now recommending that pregnant women have the vaccine in their third trimester.   I had asked about the vaccine a few weeks ago and was told that they didn't carry it in the clinic.  When I asked again last week, the doctor I was seeing 1) seemed horrified that the vaccine wasn't available in the clinic and 2) basically demanded that someone track down a vaccine for me and refused to let me leave until I had been given it.  When the nurse told her that this 'might cause an insurance problem', she said 'I don't care'.  I was both scared and impressed.  Nick and the grandparents have also had the vaccine and word on the street is that my brother, who is dating a very lovely public health nurse, might be getting one as well. :)  Interesting article about the rise of whooping cough can be found here.

We also met and picked out a pediatrician, which is another nice thing to mark off the list.  We chose a D.O. at a children's clinic near our house and really liked her.  Okay, Nick really liked her.  I was slow to warm up because I am all suspicious-like and feel the need to cross-examine anyone who is going to take care of my babiieeeeezzz.   But, I warned up to her and after we talked about her philosophy of care (no antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, homeopathic remedies where possible), I felt better.

Size of Babies:  Squash

Cravings:  Despite one notable 'happy hour' pig-out with a couple of fellow pregnant friends (don't worry - our drink of choice was bubble tea), I have to remind myself to eat.  I'm not really hungry...nothing sounds terribly good...and I'm too tired to prepare anything.  I know...first world problems.  I haven't gained weight in maybe 4-5 weeks?  But the babies are continuing to grow at an excellent rate, so they must be getting enough.  I've said it before and I'll say it again - pregnancy is weird, y'all.  Although Thanksgiving is next week, which means....MASHED POTATOES.  Oh, I guess Nick did have friends from St. Louis in town this weekend and my only request was smoked sausage, but I'm not sure that's actually a craving.

Sleep:  If one more person tells me to 'get my rest' or 'sleep now while I can', I will shoot them.  I would LOVE to rest and to sleep, but my hips feel like they are being stabbed if I lay on them for more than 20 minutes, which means I rotate back and forth from side to side every 20 minutes all night.  Luckily Nick is a sound sleeper.  Although it is incredibly irritating to be struggling to sleep and look over at your partner to see them peacefully sleeping (cue the Debussy)...sort of makes me want to do things irritating enough like turn on all the lights or stomp around when I have to go to the bathroom BUT I RESTRAIN MYSELF.  Because I'm a giver.

I finally talked to the doctor about the lack of sleep because I was beginning to feel vaguely crazy.  He gave me three options - two over the counter and Ambien.  After he assured me that the Ambien was safe and I tried out the OTC options with no luck (and with some convincing from Nick), I gave into the Ambien.  The pharmacist asked me 70 times if my doctor knew I was pregnant.  Yes, I am pretty sure that the doctor that is treating me for PREGNANCY knows that I'm PREGNANT.  Thanks, Walgreens.  I won't say the sleep is great on Ambien but it is an improvement from waking up every 20 minutes all night and getting up between 1-4 AM Every. Single. Night.  I realize I'll be sleeping less when the babies are here, but I would imagine during the time I'm sleeping, I will ACTUALLY BE SLEEPING.  Big difference.  (If you think differently, PLEASE DO NOT KILL MY DREAMS!)

Nursery Update:  There are still some odds and ends to complete, but I finished the name artwork to put over the cribs (thanks to some great help from my Mom and Dad!) and things are organized-ish.  Here's a sneak peek of one corner while we continue to 'zhush' up the rest of the nursery. :)  The artwork is the lyrics to L.O.V.E. by Nat King Cole - the first song we danced to at our wedding (and by we, I mean Nick, because I never practiced our choreography in my wedding dress, so Nick basically had to drag me around the floor.)



Symptoms:  Nothing really besides the lack of sleep! (knocks on wood)  I have a few Braxton Hicks here and there, but still pretty minimal.

Fetal Movement:  No slow down here...although I did learn that what I thought was Baby Girls' butt is actually Baby Boy's feet now.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  Thanksgiving!  Our plans are a little bit up in the air; we have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday and we'll talk to the doc then about whether or not we are okay to drive to St. Louis.  We would really like to make it to spend time with Nick's family, but we are playing it by ear at this point.  We are also celebrating Thanksgiving with my family today - hooray!

Best Moment of the Week:   My work threw me a very sweet shower...I am overwhelmed at how generous they were to Nick and I and the twins.  You wouldn't think we could possibly need anything else, but it turns out - we do. :)

Special Thanks To:  Ambien...and also to Nick.  He has tried to help as much as he can while I'm dying  suffering from sleep deprivation.  He also finished  Baby Boy's stocking this week and it looks amazing!  On to Baby Girl's...I've even been drafted to help with hers.   We're running out of time; obviously the babies can't come until we finish.

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:   Nothing, other than your momma and daddy are already completely in love with you and think you are the most adorable things everrrrrr.  And, as I said on Facebook this week, we love that you already make us laugh and can't wait to share these pictures at your weddings. (Too lazy to scan again this week, so you get cell snaps).

[caption id="attachment_533" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A little sneak peek of Baby Boy's face...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_534" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sweet baby girl's face...and her brother's butt...again.[/caption]

Week 31 - November 8, 2012

How Far Along: 31 Weeks

[caption id="attachment_503" align="aligncenter" width="225"] 31 weeks, possibly the last week I wear pants.[/caption]

Week 31 - lots of excitement!  We had our first vaguely emergency trip to labor and delivery.  I had some symptoms I was concerned about and when I called the triage line, the resident I spoke to told me I should head to the hospital.  Whee!  I was at work at the time, getting ready to leave for the day, so I quickly called Nick and told him (calmly) to meet me at the ER...and then I stupidly spent 15 minutes quickly cleaning off my desk and leaving helpful notes so that someone could make sense of the piles of paper.  I think I am one of those people who gets freakishly calm under stress, so at the time, this made sense to me.

When I finally got to the ER, Nick was already there and it was kind of a mad-house.  They found someone to take me up to Labor and Delivery, which was also a madhouse (apparently) because they couldn't fit me into the triage area and instead put me in Recovery.  No one else was there, so that was kind of nice.  It was like having my own room and dedicated nurse.  Anyways, they asked me a million questions and ran a lot of tests and obviously, everything was fine.  Which is good - stay in babies!  You still got cookin' to do.   All in all, I felt very good about what I dubbed our 'practice run'.

Doctor's Appointment Update:
All good news still...I was supposed to just have a clinic visit, no ultrasound, but the doctor decided she wanted to 'lay eyes' on the twins.  I told her I never turn down an ultrasound.   Babies stats are good, my stats are good AND....Baby Girl has finally moved around into a position where we can see her sweet face.  Which, of course, meant that her brother was utterly uncooperative.  Forgive the sort of sad camera phone picture; I didn't have time to scan this photo yet.

[caption id="attachment_507" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Baby B and her brother's foot. :)[/caption]

Size of Babies:  Pineapple

Cravings:  Still nothing really.  In fact, this week marked the first time ever that our refrigerator was nearly completely bare.  It also may have marked the last time that I get groceries while pregnant as it is just too uncomfortable for me anymore.  By the way, Nick would gladly take care of the groceries; I've just been holding off on transferring that very important duty because normally I really like doing it AND I'm kinda picky.  I know - you're shocked.

Sleep:  Another important milestone this week - the week I tried sleeping in an upright chair...it worked surprisingly well for a few hours last night, so I see this becoming a regular thing.

Nursery Update:  You can see the floor again!  Huzzah!  Things are looking really good.  After an important curtain consult with my parents (and a brilliant curtain hanging idea from my dad), those are up.  The closet is getting put back together.  Artwork has started going up on the wall.  Overall, I feel less panicky.  And, yes, I do realize that the babies could have come home even if the nursery wasn't done, but it is one of those things that makes me feel better about having completed, so there.  Only a few things left to do - my mom and I are working on a DIY project with the twins' names to hang above their cribs...finish organizing stuff...style the shelves...and maybe look for a rug.  But, all in all, it is coming together and I can't wait to share pics!  Nick has been working his you-know-what off between the nursery and the stockings; he's such a good dad already.

Symptoms:  Just poor sleep and the resulting fatigue!  And leg cramps.  And some waddling, I suppose. :)

Fetal Movement:  Still going strong!  Around 8pm at night seems to be their favorite time to really get their groove on.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  Eeek - next week is really crazy for me at work, so I guess I'm looking forward to...surviving the week?  At the end of the week, I have a baby shower at work planned, so that will be fun.  Oh, and we have our newborn/breastfeeding class.

Best Moment of the Week:   Sorry, I know everyone is tired of talking about the election, but I am really happy with a number of results and since the purpose of this blog is to document everything during the pregnancy, I feel like I have to talk about it.  So - yay!  For me, anyways - Obama was re-elected, Akin was defeated, gay marriage passed on several state ballots AND Elizabeth Warren won?  It was like Christmas and Easter and Halloween all rolled into one.   Gives me hope for the future.  Additionally, I had started saying that I wasn't going to have these babies unless Obama was re-elected, so a big 'phew!' there. :)  I know not everyone is happy with the results, but my biggest hope is that our children will be born into an era of political cooperation.   Fingers crossed anyway.  At a minimum, I feel like, in particular, the growing support for gay marriage means that our children will grow up in a country where that might just be the norm.

[caption id="attachment_505" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Obligatory 'I Voted' sticker on bump.[/caption]

Special Thanks To:  the nice people in line in front of me to vote who let me cut in line when the weirdo behind us started making some decidedly rude comments about voting for Obama

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:   Kids, it's like I don't even know your dad anymore.  Someone that used to generally eschew politics is now 1) actively reading, listening and seeking out information and 2) wanting to talk politics and policy issues with me on a near daily basis and 3) will WILLINGLY watch cable news with me, although we have to take turns between all the stations.   Now, don't get me wrong - your father is brilliant...he's just always not been terribly interested in these things.  He also just discovered that he's a Libertarian (which, by the way, I have been telling him that for-EVER) and thinks that is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  All in all, I am super pleased with all of these developments (despite the fact that we now disagree on some candidates) and think that at least, in some part, we have you two to thank.  It seems like having kids does add another layer to how I think about government and politics and I suspect the same is true of your dad.   Now that said, if you have any questions about politics or government, you should DEFINITELY come to me first. :)  Your Dad can handle math and science homework.

Happy Fall Back Day!

In honor of Daylight Savings Time, I thought I would share a recipe I just made up to celebrate the extra hour today...(Good for You) Pumpkin Pancakes.

I took the Biggest Loser's recipe for pancakes and adapted them.  Fair warning - these are not light and fluffy pancakes...they are more dense and cake-like...but they do serve a couple of important functions 1) PUMPKIN. 2) Making you feel like you are eating pancakes and 3) They are actually good for you. (mostly)

1 cup rolled oats (pulverized in the blender or food processor...I took the latter route since when I turned on the blender this morning, it started smoking.  RIP, Cuisinart!  We had a good run.)
2 eggs
1/3 cup lowfat cottage cheese
1/3 cup canned pumpkin (or fresh puree, if you're all Martha Stewart and happen to have some on hand)
1 tsp. sugar (I used organic cane)
Pinch of salt
Pumpkin pie spice to taste (I probably used at least a 1/2 tsp)

Mix all ingredients well.

Heat the griddle or pan to medium/medium high heat and add your oil of choice (I used coconut).  And then...you know...cook the pancakes.  I have no idea how long it takes to cook each pancake side.  Just make sure there's nothing runny inside left.  Makes 4 medium sized pancakes.

Serve with REAL maple syrup (just a bit!)...so help me god, If you use pancake syrup, I will hunt you down.

Week 30 - November 3, 2012

How Far Along: 30 Weeks

[caption id="attachment_493" align="aligncenter" width="164"] Seriously considering getting a tee shirt made that says "I'm pregnant with twins and due mid-December" so that people stop asking me.[/caption]

Doctor's Appointment Update: From here on out, I am getting weekly doctor's visits...in two weeks, those will include bio physical profiles, where they measure a whole range of items about the babies - their weight, the amniotic fluid, muscle tone (the babies, not mine - thank goodness), etc.  Everything was still looking good at this week's appointment, so I'm grateful for that.  We also did a hospital tour, which had the effect of both simultaneously giving me relief and utterly terrifying me.  The labor and delivery suites are pretty swanky (as my mom pointed out, the website notes the "Italian Riviera" style bathrooms...I doubt any woman ever giving birth has noticed) though the mother/baby rooms are pretty standard (my mom also pointed out that this is probably so you are more apt to go home).  We also swung by the NICU so we would be familiar with that and talked about at what point there would be automatic NICU time (even just for a few hours)...which is anything prior to 36 weeks, I believe.  There is something a little heartbreaking about thinking about your babies not being with you right away, but obviously 1) we want the doctors to give our babies the best care possible, whatever that means and 2) We have had many friends and family with babies in the NICU for long periods of time - which is hard for me to imagine, but also gives me strength.

Speaking of the NICU, I have obsessively watched the video of the evacuation of the NICU unit at a hospital in NYC this week.  It is almost incomprehensible how scary that must be, not just for the parents, but for all of the staff...it's also a nice reminder of all the good that is out there in the world.  I will admit - I've been grumpy off and on this week, but watching all the coverage of Hurricane Sandy has reminded me how lucky I really am.  That probably doesn't mean I'll stop being grumpy, but it will be more of a grateful grumpy.

Size of Babies:  Head of Lettuce

Cravings:  Nothing really this week - I'm mostly too tired to care.

Sleep:  The snoogle has run its course and is no longer helping me sleep, but is in fact, a hindrance.  I've developed a new complicated system that seems to be helping...sort of.  It would be a lot better if it hadn't coincided with Ernie The Multi-Toed Wonder Cat's new-found obsession with sleeping ON my belly at all times.  I can't blame him - I bet it's very comfy and quite warm.  Still, though, not great for sleep.

Nursery Update:  Coming along!  Nick and his dad finished up some bookcases and put up a few shelves last weekend.  I'm starting to see an end in sight...and the carpet on the floor again (now that I'm actually able to put some things away).  The chair came in and I love it - it is super comfy, despite being smaller, and I think it's something we can re-use in another room when it outlives its purpose in the twins' room.  Since I've selfishly shared very little with you about the nursery, there's a pic of the chair below.   This weekend, we are tackling the closet, I'm going to put up some artwork, and maybe get the curtains up.

[caption id="attachment_485" align="aligncenter" width="240"] For all your gliding and swiveling needs...[/caption]

Symptoms:  This was a bad week for symptoms...so bad, in fact, that I'm not going to go into the details, except to say that I had to create and purchase the Walgreens Pregnancy Shopping Cart of Shame.

Fetal Movement:  The doctors keep telling me that the movement should be slowing down, but I see no signs of that whatsoever.   In fact, if anything - I can now feel Baby B's kicks and punches even harder.  It will be interesting to see at our next ultrasound in a few weeks how the babies are positioned.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  I love Daylight Savings Time...I know, I'm probably the only person in the world that does.  And actually, it's not the change in the time that does it for me, I just really like the extra hour we get this weekend.  More time for nursery projects!  I'm also looking forward to the election; I read an article the other day that said you should take your kids with you to vote to highlight the importance of voting.   I guess I'll bring the twins along. :)

Best Moment of the Week:   A couple of things - 1) we had a great time with Nick's parents last weekend and super appreciated their help with some nursery 'stuff', as well as a great dinner with both of our parents (the best part being that Nick BBQ'ed and the moms did the sides, so all I had to do was show up - score!  My contribution was picking up pies from The Upper Crust.),  2) My mom has decided to purchase something utterly adorable for the babies' arrival...let's just say that the love of babies in outfits that involve ears might be genetic and 3) Nick has been working diligently on both the Christmas stockings (Baby Boy's stocking is nearly done!) and some other special projects.   Exhibit A: Custom Made Transformer Onesies...the only dilemma is who will be an Autobot and who will be a Decepticon?  It's important to note that GREAT CARE went into purchasing EXACTLY the right shade of onesies for this project.  Daddy has a matching shirt, as well.  Mommy - not so much.  Maybe that's what I'm getting for Christmas this year. :)

[caption id="attachment_489" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Their War. Our World.[/caption]

Special Thanks To:  My new favorite doctor at the clinic, a resident, who told me this week that the things I have going for me in this pregnancy with twins are that I am young and slim and in good health.  I nearly jumped off the exam table to kiss her on the mouth.  She might have been bluffing, but I don't care.  Bless you, kind doctor, bless you.

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:   I am going to be really, really sad when you all stop letting me pick out your Halloween costumes in favor of picking your own - i.e. whatever cartoon or superhero is popular at that time.  Not that I don't want to you to enjoy Halloween and the option of picking out your own costume.  It's just there are so many great options for twins (thanks, Mom, for sending me a website with ideas!).  Sigh... also, your father probably will not be allowed to hand out Halloween candy as he gave out such huge handfuls of candy this year that we ran out early and had to turn off the porch light and hide in our own house.

Week 29 - October 27, 2012

How Far Along: 29 Weeks

[caption id="attachment_472" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Still smiling, but wondering how it is at all possible that I could actually continue to get bigger.[/caption]

Twenty-Nine Weeks was considerably quieter than the last month...a much needed break.  I did have another gestational diabetes screening (with multiples, you get an early screen and the standard 28-30 week screening because your risk is higher for GD), and while I was waiting for the one and two-hour blood draws.  I was treated to young pregnant woman repeatedly blowing chunks in the waiting room.  I wanted so badly to be charitable and feel badly for her, but all I could do was try to suppress my own sympathetic vomiting instincts.  I must have looked a little green around the gills, because the office staff asked me repeatedly if I was okay (which I was).

I am in full-on nesting mode...do not get between me and my plans.  I crossed all sorts of things off my list this week, including setting up a hospital tour, making an appointment with a pediatrician, setting up newborn care and breastfeeding classes, various nursery 'stuff' and MOST importantly, buying the twins their requisite 'coming home from the hospital outfits'.  Spoiler alert - there are bear ears involved.  In fact, when I took them out to show them to Nick and said (in all seriousness), "this is happening", all he could do was laugh and nod his head.

The down-side of the nesting mode is that is has also coincided with a general exhaustion/lack of energy mode.  It is beyond frustrating to have so many things you want to accomplish, but not be able to physically do them all.  Luckily, Nick and our parents are stepping in to help out.  I am pretty focused with the things that can be done via laptop...i.e. buying adorable coming home outfits.

Size of Babies:  Butternut Squash

Cravings:  Chocolate and nutella...I think at this stage in pregnancy, there is so little enjoyment to be had (due to constant discomfort and the effects of ongoing lack of sleep), that chocolate is the only thing that can truly be enjoyed.  Interestingly, I'm not normally much of a chocolate person, but the father of my children has wisely picked up on the virtues of chocolate and brought it to me several times this week.  He's a good egg, that one.

Sleep:  Nothing new here, but my friend Ali, a new mom, just told me that newborn tired is totally different from pregnant tired...in a good way.  I suspect she may just be telling this to make me feel better, but I'm going to play along nonetheless.

Nursery Update:  Squee!!! I mean, it's still a disaster, but now it's a CUTE disaster!  My parents came over last weekend and helped me sort through all the 'stuff' and come up with an organizational plan.  Nick and I have some work and rearranging to do and then Mom and Dad are coming back to help with Nursery Organization: Phase 2.   Additionally, Nick's parents are in town this weekend and have generously pledged to help with the nursery.  My suspicions are that all these offers for help are really just clever ploys to look at adorable baby clothes all day, but I'll take it. :)

The crib bedding and curtains also are in and I am so happy with how it turned out!  No sneak peeks just yet, but I'm really pleased with how my 'artistic vision' (insert groan here) is turning out.  Sometimes Nick and I just go stare at the cribs and bask in the cuteness.  Still to complete -a couple of DIY projects, hanging some artwork, hanging the curtains and waiting for a chair to be delivered.

Symptoms: The usual - backache, fatigue/lack of sleep, general grumpiness.  When the weather was warmer earlier this week, I was looking a little puffy, but now that it's cooled off, that's much better.


Fetal Movement:  Still lots of it...and apparently I'm supposed to now do daily kick counts (twice a day measure how many movements happen within an hour).  I decided to do that once and gave up after about 30 movements in less than half an hour. Um, they are moving - and a lot...so unless I notice a marked difference, I'm not going to count.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  Nick's parents being in town, more nursery progress and a hospital tour!

Best Moment of the Week:   A much-needed happy hour with my gals Jenni and Jill!  Thanks for the girl talk and for telling me that I still look great because I pretty much feel like a roly-poly.  :)

Special Thanks To: This is sort of a carry-over from last week, but now that I have pictures, I have to thank (again) my friends Amber, Ashely, Courtney, Elizabeth and Shannon for the rainbow-themed shower they threw (and the subsequent tears it induced), as well as my dear friend Brooke for taking pictures, as well as everyone who attended.  Brooke has just started a photography business, so check her out...and while you are at it, take a look at some of the pics from the shower!

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:   A few weeks ago, I attended a work event that involved a children's book signing for the author.  Not knowing that much about the book, I picked it up as I sat at the registration table with a fellow co-worker.  When he noticed I was reading the book, he got up rather abruptly.  Perplexed, I started reading through the book and realized quickly that I was reading the Saddest and Yet Best Children's Book Ever.  I immediately started crying and luckily, the co-worker's errand turned out to be tissues pour moi (apparently, it had become well known amongst staff that the book was a tear-jerker...I suppose I also looked like a likely candidate for tears).  Although tear-inducing, I can't say enough good things about this book; it's called Meet Me at the Moon and in addition to beautiful illustrations of life on the savannah in Africa, its message about loved ones never being far from our hearts was so beautiful.  I actually picked the book up again on the day I found out my grandmother passed and it brought me some comfort.   In the words of the great LeVar Burton, "you don't have to take my word for it"...but you should.  Plus, the author was adorable and sweet and she autographed the book to the babies, which of course made me teary all over again.  I can't wait to read it to you someday, sweet babies!  Just ignore my leaky eyes and snotty nose, okay?!

Week 27 and 28- October 19, 2012

Hola, friends!  Long time, no blog posting.  In addition to a really busy couple of weekends and getting over The Black Plague, most of you know that my 105 year old Grandma Ruth passed away (many thanks for all your good thoughts).  So, I'm a little behind and hence...the epic combo post.  Lots to update!

How Far Along: 27 and 28 weeks...I am now officially in the 3rd trimester!  Yay!  And $#@%!

Size of Babies:  27 weeks - head of cauliflower and 28 weeks - Chinese cabbage...according to our doctor's visit, though, Baby Boy is 2 lbs 11 oz and Baby Girl is 2 lb 13 oz.  I can't believe how close they are getting to three pounds!

Doctor's Appointment Update:  We had a 28 week growth scan and doctor's visit - everything continues to look really good.  The babies are developing really well and all my stats look good, too.  I will say that ultrasounds later in pregnancy are far less 'cute'...particularly with twins.  I have to actively look at the screen and try to figure out what it is that I'm looking at.  It's just a jumble of body parts floating around in there to me.  Plus, both babies are now being camera-shy so we don't even get to see their faces.  Harumph.  The only bit of bad news is that the doctor told us that the off and on bleeding I've had does indicate a higher chance of pre-term labor...that makes me a little nervous.  And is also good incentive for getting sh*t done around here. :)

Because of the craziness of the last two weeks (and admittedly, our less than stellar impression of the first class), we've missed sessions 2 and 3 of our birthing class.  We plan to go back this week for the final class, which includes the hospital tour and then decide if we need to look somewhere else for supplemental classes.  I know we're looking at a breastfeeding class for sure and potentially a newborn care class.  You know, assuming we can find time for all of this. :)

Cravings:  Pumpkin...anything.  But that really has nothing to do with pregnancy and everything to do with glorious, glorious fall.

Sleep:  I basically only have one side that I can sleep on anymore.  Baby Girl's head is jammed up into my ribs on the right side (I spoke too soon in a previous post about her moving...really, she just substituted one body part for another).  And I managed to pull a muscle on the same side.  I am a mess.   So, left side it is.  I am writing this at 4AM having been up since about 3AM...

Nursery Update:  Nick has worked on painting some furniture and I finally started semi-organizing stuff.  Luckily, my mom and dad are coming over this weekend to help me organize.  I feel a little overwhelmed by all the gear...particularly when you account for the fact that we have two of many, many things.  And today I am picking up the curtains and crib bedding, so I'm super excited to see how that looks.

Symptoms: Things are better on this front - at least for my feet, which have randomly stopped swelling for the most part.  It's pretty much just lack of sleep and the general discomfort of carrying around a bowling ball under my shirt.  I did finally invest in a pregnancy support band...anything that involves standing for long periods of time was getting difficult with the weight of the belly.  It looks sort of ridiculous, but it does help...and it means that I can get back in the kitchen.  That was becoming increasingly difficult.  I'm also having a few contractions here and there.   I mean, I think they're contractions - I'm not entirely sure.

Fetal Movement:  They are all over the place in there...I feel like my uterus is a night club and the babies want to dance all the time.  The movement is much more pronounced and you can see my stomach move as they do...particularly in the case of Baby Girl, who does a lot of butt-shaking.  Hopefully they inherit their father's dance moves and not mine.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  Just hanging out at home and getting caught up with stuff.   I need some quiet.

Best Moments of the Weeks:   So many!  We've been blessed to have so many people in our lives want to share this special time and we were honored to have the opportunity to celebrate with many friends and family in the last couple of weeks.  I am humbled by all the love and support and sweet gestures.  And of course, there's the cake.  :)  More showers = more cake!!

• My BF Jenni threw the sweetest shower...she and I share a deep-seated philosophy that the two best parts of a meal are appetizers and desserts, so the food certainly didn't disappoint.  :) And she and her sister got all crafty with lots of beautiful poms and some awesome personalized onesies. AND she made cream cheese mints that are to die for...sigh.  Nick had never had cream cheese mints before and now he's hooked.  :)  We got lots of teeny-tiny Mizzou gear at this shower, so here's hoping that our football team figures out what they are doing for the 2013 season.


• A group of former and current co-workers put together an adorable Very Hungry Caterpillar themed shower...complete with caterpillar cupcakes.  And egg rolls.  Because none of our get-togethers are complete without Vince's egg rolls.   This shower wins the award for latest night out...I don't think I got home until midnight, which is pretty impressive for a girl who routinely is attempting to sleep by 9pm.  Or 8pm.  Or sometimes, 7pm.


• Another group of friends threw a rainbow themed shower.  I'll have to share the pictures separately once I get them, but they pretty much went all out Pinterest.  :)   They also win the award for making me cry within 5 minutes of arrival - here's why.  I knew the theme was rainbows as soon as I walked in, but my dear friend Amber asked me if I understood why. I couldn't come up with an answer right away and she started telling me that it was because of all the rainbows I had seen during our most recent IVF cycle and how we had seen them as good-luck signs.  Cue the sobs...these girls had this shower planned for a loooooooong time.

A few pictures...

[caption id="attachment_454" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Me and grandma-to-be![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_459" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Sweet friends and special guest star, Lydia[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_457" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The hostess and I...and the cake...and the cream cheese mints.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_455" align="aligncenter" width="300"] More adorable onesies![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_456" align="aligncenter" width="300"] And....more adorable Mizzou stuff![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_460" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_461" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (Not So) Very Hungry Co-Workers...we just stuffed ourselves before this picture.[/caption]

Special Thanks To: Everyone for their notes, calls, texts, emails, etc sending our family good thoughts after my grandma passed.

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:   (Or more accurately, what I want the babies to know about their Great Grandma Ruth this week.)

From the time I was about three until I was 11, I spent my time before and after school and during the summers at Grandma's house.  This week, I was thinking about things that I learned from her during that time and thought that I should document them for you here, for posterity's sake.

• A love of cats (well, all animals really) - somewhat begrudging at times, but it was there nonetheless


• Everything tastes better made with butter...or lard.  And made on a cast iron skillet.


• It is perfectly acceptable to hide from door to door salesmen.


• Waste not, want not.


• Spoil the children in your life with attention and love, not things.


• Days of Our Lives was the greatest soap opera of all time; about this, there can be no argument.


• There is no limit to the amount of potatoes you can serve in one meal - mashed, fried, French fried, salad...the more potatoes, the merrier.


• Hard work is good for the soul.


• If you don't know what to say, a simple "Well..." will always suffice.


• If your coffee doesn't make your hair stand on end, it's not strong enough.


• Line dried clothes always smell better.


• There is never a wrong time for pie.


• When life hands you challenges, accept them gracefully.

Goodbye, Grandma Ruth - we will all miss you dearly!

Week 26 - October 6, 2012

How Far Along: 26 weeks

[caption id="attachment_373" align="aligncenter" width="266"] 26 weeks, obligatory hand on the belly pic[/caption]

Twenty Six Weeks...otherwise known as the week where pregnancy tried to defeat me.  But more about that in symptoms.  Most notably, 26 weeks brought the twins first shower which was expertly planned by my dear mother-in-law, Rose ('shower' is her middle name) with some St. Louis family and friends.  As expected, the food was delicious, the cake to-die-for, and the company - second to none.   We got so many wonderful things for the babies; I can't believe how lucky we are.  Now, to find a place for everything. :)   Because St. Louis BBQ Bash was happening and many of the family were involved in the BBQ competition, we stopped by to steal some free BBQ say hello.  Much to my surprise and delight, some of Nick's cousins put together a little mini-shower on the team's site and took a break from preparing delicious food to have a few more presents and of course, cake.  It was such a fun weekend and we had an equally great time at all the events we crammed in, as we did just hanging out with the family.  Just a few pictures, for the non Facebook folks.

[caption id="attachment_377" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Aunt Pat, Sister in Law Becky, Rose and Moi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_375" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I had the genius idea to take a picture with my also expecting friend, Jean. Nick took the picture but made sure we knew we were being utterly ridiculous. You be the judge.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_374" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Mobile shower at the St. Louis BBQ Bash (where, coincidentally, Slabs a Smokin took 4th place in ribs - go team!)[/caption]

Size of Babies:  Cucumber...an English hothouse cucumber to be specific

Doctor's Appointment Update:  We had a 'quick'  check-up this week (doctor's appointments are never quick, but this one was slightly shorter than normal).  No ultrasound - just checking in on me and the baby's heartbeats.  All continues to go well - good blood pressure, good weight gain, good heartbeats.  Twice now I've been told I'm the most boring high risk patient ever and that's the way I intend to keep it!

Cravings:  Chicken noodle soup - you'll see why further down.

Sleep:  What's this 'sleep' you speak of?

Sex of Babies:  Now that we are starting to get gifts, I'm realizing just how AWESOME having a boy and a girl is...it's really the best of both worlds, especially when it comes to all things adorable - blankets, clothes, hats, socks, hats, etc, etc, etc.

Nursery Update:  No progress here.  In fact, it's sort of a disaster - we just sort of threw everything in there.  Tomorrow we have plans to work on a few things.  And by we, I mean mostly Nick.  I will sit next to him and entertain him.

Symptoms:  So, I felt really good most of the weekend.  A little tired from all the excitement, and my feet were a little sad and piggy-like, but overall, good.  And then Monday hit.  It's like...at week 26, all of the pregnancy symptoms I've been reading about hit simultaneously.  I had been operating under a false sense of security, thinking that I was 'winning' at pregnancy.  Oh, my friends, I bow down to the pregnancy gods.  First up, I caught a cold...which turned into a worse cold...which turned into a cough...which nearly killed me.  Oh, okay, I'm exaggerating.  But there isn't much you can take for a cold/cough when you are pregnant and when my doctor told me what I could take, she followed it up with..."but only take it if you REALLY need it".  Well, geez, lady - you might as well not have told me anything because as soon as I heard her say that, I thought to myself "I will tough this out and take NOTHING.  Do you hear me?  NOTHING."

The first sign that perhaps I really 'needed' it was mid-week when Nick mentioned in passing that my mouth breathing and groaning had kept him awake the previous night.  I briefly imagined what he would look like roasting on a spit.  I recovered, of course, but already I was planning when I could make a run for the drugstore.  Wanting to kill your spouse (even briefly) is surely a sign that you need some relief.  Essentially, I sneezed, sniffled, coughed, hacked and generally spewed mucous throughout the entire week.  This was particularly fun when I attended several important work meetings and lunches.  Nothing says "professional" like a stash of kleenex stuffed up your sleeves.   At night, I (apparently) mouth-breathed, groaned, and did my best to expel my lungs through my mouth.  By Wednesday, I was operating on next to no sleep and that's where the fun REALLY started.

Some of the other symptoms of pregnancy then decided to make their appearance - SEVERELY swollen feet - check; um - intestinal distress - check; lower back pain - check; several instances of bleeding - check; leg cramps - check and so on and so forth.  Despite his comments about my mouth breathing, Nick handled me quite well - offering lots of sympathy and care, but mostly steering clear of my misery (wisely).   Hence, why it took me so long to write this week's entry - I was too busy dying.  Now, of course, things could always be worse and we are very lucky that I've been so healthy all along, but week 26 - you (mostly) sucked.  Good riddance!  I am feeling a lot better now, but am humbled by the pregnancy gods and whatever I did to upset them, I promise never to do it again, sohelpmegod,amen.

Fetal Movement:  Baby girl has moved away from my ribs, slightly. So when she kicks and punches, that's slightly less moan-inducing.  Their movement gets pretty crazy at night still.  It's weird - I feel less kicks and more...re-positioning if that makes sense.  I'm pretty sure I can feel their little butts moving from side to side and flipping around.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  A shower with family and friends in Kansas City held by my best friend, Jenni - so looking forward to this!

What I'm Not Looking Forward To Next Week: Ugh, the childbirth classes.  We started them last week.  Might as well be called Childbirth for Dummies.  More about this later, but it's not a good sign when three of the ten couples in class are due within a week of the first of four sessions.  (Did it really not occur to them that perhaps this was poor timing?)

Best Moment of the Week:   Well, I think I've waxed poetic enough about the shower, so I will just be honest and say the moment that I decided to give into the sweet sweet relief of doctor-approved cold medicine.   :)  Oh, also - my good friend Ali gave birth to her baby boy this week, so I'm excited that once I stop dying, I'll be able to meet little Tyler!

Special Thanks To: My Neti Pot.  I love you so.  Never leave me.

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:   Should your dad and I ever both get sick at the same time, you should probably just call your grandparents and hope that they take sympathy on you.  Or perhaps make friends with the cats.

Week 25 - September 26, 2012

How Far Along: 25 weeks

[caption id="attachment_353" align="aligncenter" width="196"] Sneak peek of the nursery color...Glidden 'Rich Navy'![/caption]

Size of Babies:  Head of Broccoli

What I'm Doing: Trying to stay awake past 8pm at night, but I'm not sure that's going to happen.

Cravings:  Reese's peanut butter pumpkins.   :::hangs head in shame:::  I even hid them from Nick.  He saw me eating one and said "Hey!  Where did you get that?  I want one!"  I got one for him but I did not reveal my hiding spot.  What's weird is that I love all the holiday Reese's cups - pumpkins, trees, hearts, eggs, etc, but I don't like actual Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  A co-worker told me it's the peanut butter to chocolate ratio.  I would like to ask the fine people at Reese's to just give up the cup charade and make the far superior holiday shapes year round.

Sleep: I think I'm just becoming more accustomed to operating on less sleep, which I suppose is a good thing.  I might fall asleep earlier than normal, but I'm usually awake for several hours at night while the babies carry on their ping-pong match or whatever it is that they are doing down there that seems to involve a lot of elbows and knees to my ribs and vital organs.

Sex of Babies: Boy and girl...and this week, we got our first pink and blue gifts!  My awesome friend Jean (who I will see this weekend - yay!) introduced me to her friend April, who lives in Denver, and we have been gchat buddies for a while now.  She surprised me at work on a Monday with fun gifts - the softest, plushest baby blankets EVARRRR...and they are pink and blue...AND they have turtles on them.  :::faints:::

Nursery Update:  Nick and I just finished an extended discussion of the nursery layout...some of the supplies we needed for our storage/window seat project arrived today so we've been playing around with that.  Nick also spent some time this weekend putting together a dresser/changing table for the nursery, which so far means that we have two cribs, a dresser and a bunch of assorted sizes of bookshelves all in the nursery in no discernible order. :)  Oh, and wall color!   As you can see from this week's bump picture, we went with a  navy blue.

And I started attempting to organize the closet, but since someone (ahem, Mom) keeps dropping hints about helping with that, I think I'll let her come over and assist once we get further along.  Also, when I say 'organizing the nursery', what I really mean is 'take all of the clothes out the closet and sigh over how cute they are'.  (I realize this makes it sounds like we have tons of clothes for the babies, which we don't...I just like looking at what we do have.)  Word on the street is that our crib bedding and curtains are coming along nicely, too - I can't wait to see it!  And I've ordered some artwork.  AND...my sweet and very talented cousin Cailie, who is a very gifted artist,  is going to help us out with some additional artwork.  :::double fist pump:::

Symptoms:  Nothing new here!  Other than I suppose my belly is attracting more and more attention, for good or for bad.  Good - people help you carry your groceries to the car.  Bad - a little old lady in my work neighborhood exclaimed "God, you're BIG!" to me the other day.  She seemed relieved that I had two in there.  :)  She also told  me that I shouldn't do what her kids did, which was give their children completely unpronounceable and unspellable words.  Something about a silent "g", I guess.   I think I might be ge getting a little waddle-y, which is unfortunate given that I still have several months to go.  I don't think I'm really gaining much weight, but my belly is expanding leaps and bounds...some of the maternity clothes I bought early on no longer fit. :(  Luckily, I have some pregnant friends who were happy to get first dibs before I put them on craigslist. :)   Yay for recycling!


Fetal Movement: See reference to ping-pong tournament in mah belly above.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  We are headed on a weekend trip to St. Louis on Thursday night for a variety of things  -  Nick's 15 year high school reunion, a BBQ competition and...my first shower!  I am so excited!  Nick's mom has been sweet enough to put it together; she is an amazing cook, so I'm sure the food will be delicious and of course, I am looking forward to cake.  There just aren't enough occasions in life where you feel totally justified in eating cake.  It will be so good to see Nick's family and extended family, plus some of Nick and I's friends that are in St. Louis.  And of course, there will be plenty of BBQ to ensure these babies grow up knowing that the four food groups are: ribs, brisket, shoulder and chicken.  We are also starting our childbirth classes next week, which holycrapwearereallyhavingtwobabiesaren'twe?  Childbirth classes make it seem real because hello, the whole point of a birthing class is to focus on how you are actually going to get the babies out into, like, the real world.  And then you have to take care of them and stuff.  Whoa.

Best Moment of the Week:  Nick was actively campaigning for inclusion in this week's best moment, but little did he know that I had already decided what follows would make the cut.  So, I would say that most days, we spend 20-30 minutes looking at my belly, talking to the babies, feeling them move and watching my belly jump and jive with twins' movements.  As we were doing that last night, Nick started walking two of his fingers up to the 'peak' of my belly, whilst yodeling.  I was confused for a brief moment, until I realized that I recognized the yodeling...and Nick quickly confirmed that where I recognized it from was correct - the "Going Up the Mountain" game on The Price is Right.  I don't know why, but this struck me as insanely hilarious and I laughed until I cried and then made him do it again while I videotaped it (No, I am not going to share - I have to keep SOMETHING to myself, peeps.  You understand.)  And then, because I am crazy hormonal pregnant lady, I start cry-crying because it was so cute and Nick's going to be such a good dad and we love the babies so much and blah blah blah.   Anyway, Nick's ability to make me laugh knows no bounds; I honestly don't know where he comes up with half this stuff.

Special Thanks To:  The afore-mentioned elderly lady, who despite telling me I was "SO BIG", also told me that I still had a beautiful shape and figure and that I was lucky I didn't just look fat.  Um, thanks...I think?

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:  Here's the thing, babies.  You are really lucky.  Like, REALLY lucky.  For a lot of reasons, but specifically this week...you're lucky to be born to a mom and dad that have wildly opposing skillsets and strengths.  This has never been more apparent than in the division of labor in the creation of your stockings.  On Sunday, while your dad put together nursery furniture, I was instructed to organize the sequins, beads and thread.  Score!  This is a stocking task that I excelled at.  Feeling pretty pleased with myself, I was later asked to start cutting out shapes for one of the kits, while your dad began work on the other.  In my mind, it made sense to cut out all of the shapes at once.  Not so much.   Your dad was utterly horrified and completed tickled that this was my approach.  When he asked if I read the instructions, I had to hang my head and tell him no.  After regaining his composure, he began assigning me VERY specific tasks and told me that if I wanted to progress in the level of my tasks, I could do so, but only if I watched some instructional You Tube videos first.  Harumph.  Oh, he also taught me which side of the sequin is the 'right' side.  Who knew?

Now, I enjoy crafting as much as the next Pinterest enthusiast, but I was not cut out for tasks that involve a lot of hand-eye coordination or patience (this leaves a fairly narrow window of crafts I excel at).   Anyways, I tell you all of this because I think it's illustrative of the way your father and I's marriage works - I have strengths, he has strengths.  Together, we are like, pretty much unstoppable.  Which is how you got here!  We were bound and determined to have a family and by god, we did it.  For some people, not much of an accomplishment in terms of mechanics, but for us - a major life obstacle that we got through by leaning on each other.   We might drive each other crazy sometimes (see: working on stockings) but we are an awesome team.

Week 24 - September 20, 2012

How Far Along: 24 weeks

[caption id="attachment_343" align="aligncenter" width="183"] Animal print - rawr![/caption]

Size of Babies:  Cantaloupe (these produce comparisons are so confusing...last week, it was an ear of corn, this week a cantaloupe?  But not a SMALL cantaloupe.)

Doctor's Appointment Update:  We had our 24 week appointment yesterday and everything is still looking great  On my end of things, blood pressure is good, cervix is good, results from the first gestational diabetes screening are good, weight gain is good, etc, etc.  Gold star for momma!  On the babies side, they are doing just as well.  Baby boy weighs 1 lb 9 oz and baby girl weighs 1 lb 8oz which is right where they should be.  All of their measurements look great and baby boy is still head down closest to the cervix and baby girl is basically sprawled straight across my upper abdomen.  We spent some time talking about the delivery with our doctor; essentially, if they stay right where they are now (Baby Boy head down and Baby B sprawled straight across my upper abdomen), we can move forward with a normal delivery, no c-section unless it becomes necessary.  Gold star for babies!

We also talked about bed rest and what types of events might precipitate it...at this point, I'm not showing the markers for anything they are concerned about, but obviously things like pre-eclampsyia can develop down the road.  We also learned that if I go into labor on my own at 34 weeks or after, they will not stop it...and if by 37 weeks, I haven't gone into labor, they will induce.   I will get to labor normally in a labor and delivery suite, but will actually give birth in an operating room for two reasons 1) in case they need to switch gears quickly and do a c-section and 2) there will be a lot of people involved - a doctor and neonatal team for each baby, my doctor, my nurse(s), and the anesthesiologist.  I told the doctor it sounded like a party!

Apparently, a little more than 50% of mothers of fraternal twins make it to 37 weeks, so here's hoping I'm in that group!  We have our childbirth classes and hospital tour coming up, but the doctor also suggested we tour the NICU so we know what to expect if the babies end up needing NICU care.   So, lots of good information and I'm feeling relatively calm about the whole thing, other than I just realized that basically in ten weeks (and really, potentially sooner), I could have these babies.  :::Frantically searches for to-do list::::

What I'm Doing: I do all my best writing early in the morning. :)  I'm up early again today.  I had a weird dream that a Red Baron-esque plane crashed into our roof and I had to rescue the cats.  They were not so much interested in being rescued.  When I woke up, I had a moment of panic thinking the cats still needed to be rescued, until I realized one was wrapped around my head and the other was "sharing" my snoogle with me.

Cravings:  Still lots of eggs...but also orange juice.  Orange juice and pregnancy heartburn do not mix, let me assure you.

Sleep:  Same story, different week!  I did have epic three-hour nap on Sunday, where I did not wake up ONCE.  Impressive.  And also - apparently, not replicable.

Sex of Babies: Boy and girl - we've started a whole other 'twins' project - Christmas stockings.  Nick is sort of a Christmas stocking artist...it began several decades ago when he found a stocking kit that hadn't been made yet for his younger brother, Dan and took it upon himself to complete the project.  After taking a several year hiatus (20 plus years), he re-ignited his love of Christmas stocking art by making me the LARGEST embroidered, appliqued, sequined stocking known to man during our first year of dating.  I wish I had a picture so I could share just how mammoth (and complex) the stocking is.  It is amazing.  Subsequently, he made stockings for both of my sister-in-laws, so now everyone in the family has a stocking...except for the twins!  The kits have been purchased and Santa's workshop will begin this weekend.  I am only allowed to help with very specific tasks within very specific parameters, as apparently when I 'helped' him make my sister-in-law Becky's stocking, I sewed some sequins on wrong side out.  I was not aware there was a 'wrong side' to sequins.  Harumph.

Nursery Update:  The nursery is painted - rejoice!  My dad and Nick tackled this project last weekend, amidst deliveries of cribs and a dresser.  My dad is quite the expert painter and showed Nick the 'ways of the brush'.  (think the 'wax on, wax off' scene in Karate Kid) In return, Nick smoked a brisket for dinner with my parents...I think nursery painting for delicious brisket is an excellent swap!  My mom and I neither painted nor BBQed, but we did enjoy the fruits of the men's labor.  (Thanks, Dad!  Thanks, Nick!) And also looking at all the little tiny baby clothes AGAIN.  We are waiting on some of the items we need for our bookcase/window seat project to come in, so I'm not sure we'll have time to work on that this weekend or not.  I was also able to get all of the fabric to the seamstress who is making our crib bedding and curtains, so I can't wait to see it all start coming together. :::claps hands together excitedly:::

Symptoms:  Pretty much the same stuff - lack of sleep, back pain, etc.  No scary feet swelling this week - thank god.  I've learned I'm vain about my feet.  There is just something really off-putting about looking down and seeing your feet look like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man.

Fetal Movement:  On Facebook, I recently compared my belly to a cage match...this is especially true after I've eaten.   It's weird to look down at my belly and see it jump as the babies move.  It is also weird to be sitting in a meeting and get a particularly violent jab that makes me wince and then have to play it off.   But, it's nice to know they are still there and doing well, so I will keep taking the punches and jabs as they come.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Week:  Playing elf to Nick's Santa as we start the stockings.  Sitting in the nursery for no reason other than it is fun.  Organizing baby clothes.  Oh, yeah - and maternity pictures!  I did a lot of research online to see when you should do maternity photos with twins and now is the time (mostly because most moms of twins measure 4-6 weeks along ahead of where they actually are)...I'm glad I am doing them now because I have a feeling in a few weeks the cumulative lack of sleep and general discomfort is going to make me unlikely to sit still for photos. :)

Best Moment of the Week:   Again, several!  It was so great to watch my Dad and Nick paint the nursery.  It was equally great (and also sort of scary) to see the cribs get delivered.  And even though we've had a lot of ultrasounds, we never get tired of seeing the little ones on that big flat screen at the doctor's office.  I'm having scanner issues today so no pics for you of Baby A (Baby B is still facing inward) but maybe next week.

Special Thanks To: Many special people to thank!  On Monday, I arrived home to two packages on the front porch...who doesn't love coming home to presents?  Many thanks to my Aunt Nicole (soon to be great aunt!) and cousin Kim for their generous gifts!  Nick and I are constantly amazed by how many amazing people we have in our lives...there is not a week that goes by that we aren't reminded of how lucky we are to have all of you on our side.  Also, big thanks to my co-worker and dear friend Lezlie for bringing me more free baby stuff.  The only thing as good as presents is...free baby stuff! :)

What I Want The Babies To Know This Week:   Your dad and I talk about what kind of parents we want to be...a lot.  I guess the benefit of it taking awhile (snort) to get pregnant is that you have time to ponder these kinds of things.  I don't think we'll be one to 'label' our parenting style, but we do know that we probably aren't going to get it right always so I am just asking in advance for your patience as we figure out what exactly the hell we are doing. :)