Update on Babies

Here is the only picture I have from my 5 baby showers... still waiting on my camera charger so I can upload more. This is one of my oldest and dearest friends, Susan, who gave me a PERFECT shower on April 18th at her mom's beautiful home.  We had such a great time.  More in a later post. What a whirlwind these past few weeks have been.  I apologize to everyone reading that deserves a thank-you note.  They are slow in coming.  For those of you that are mommies, just remember how much it took to prepare for 1 baby and multiply it by 2!  We are still sorting through and trying to organize everything.  We are overwhelmed by all of your love and generosity.  It is crazy how a big house with lots of empty closets is now busting at the seams, and they aren't even here yet!  I am sorry for not updating everyone on the girls' progress.  I had my fourth "growth and anatomy" ultrasound yesterday at the hospital and everything is great.   The doctor's RN called me herself and said that my doctor was "so pleased" and just couldn't wait to tell me until my appointment Thursday!  The babies are measuring exactly within the same normals.  Baby B is 3 pounds 7 ounces and Baby A 3 pounds 4 ounces, which is in the 98th percentile!  They are both head down and have all the necessary organs, bones, etc. and are even practice breathing which means their lungs are developing.  I am now going to the doctor every week as I am now considered what a normal woman would be at full-term.  When I go on Thursdays I also have to be admitted to the Labor & Delivery floor for an hour long non-stress heart test where the babies' heartrates are checked to ensure they are not in distress.  It is painless but boring!  Not to mention there is no telling what all of this is costing.  (Patrick calls me a frugal Jew as I worry constantly about money!)  Anyway, I guess the cost of ensuring a full-term pregnancy is priceless.  Our goal is still a 36 week minimum which is only 6 weeks from today!!  Of course anything over that is icing on the cake.  I have gained 40 pounds and am still working.  I am starting to really fatigue and swell by the afternoons so am now only working 4-5 hour days but 7 days a week to keep my full-time status... another reason my house is so disorganized and my thank-yous are delayed.  By the time I get home and prop up my feet, watch my soap, and get in a nap--Patrick is home.  But I still prefer this schedule over bedrest. I need to save as many of my days as possible to be home with the babies not killing time in bed.  Well, I am going to run put the meatloaf in the oven.  Tonight is class #4 of our labor and delivery class.  That's another reason we have been so busy--between baptism preparation classes, labor and delivery classes, breastfeeding classes, and childcare classes we feel like we are back in school!  Patrick calls me the star student as I think I am the only one that is actually paying attention and taking notes.  Hey I am going to need all the help I can get!!

Happy 10th Anniversary

Summer 2008

Today is our 10th Dating Anniversary.  We have always celebrated April 29th as a special day but figured we better live it up because our wedding anniversary (July 20th) will undoubtedly be busy this year with two 3 or so week old infants to care for.  So we went to Shogun's Japanese restaurant and Coldstone Creamery tonight.  Sorry no pictures, my camera charger is MIA, which is another reason I am behind on my blogging.  I have had 5 baby showers I promise to catch up on soon...  I can't believe Patrick and I have been an official couple for 10 years!  Our love story is not your typical boy meets girl and falls in love...  We actually met in November 1998; we were 18 years old!  Was I really ever that young? Patrick's dad worked with my stepmother, and they thought it would be a good idea to introduce us.  I didn't want anything to do with it.  But somehow he had met my roommate, Jennifer, at a frat party and was conveniently invited over to our dorm room.  Well, I was NOT trying to make an impression so I was in my typical flannel pajamas by 7:00 p.m. painting my nails propped up in bed.  I might have said Hi or a few words here & there.  Patrick thought I was a complete snob, and I thought he was a dork.  Somehow we kept running into each other on campus and he kept e-mailing me and calling me.  We developed a friendship and had our first real date that February.  Well, that was a disaster as well and we both decided we were better off as friends. So from February on, we were seeing each other often, talking on the phone, e-mailing, going to church together, but NOT dating.  Everything kind of came to fruition on April 29th, 1999 (Dead Day) when we realized we were a couple and could not live without each other.  The "L" word was finally said. That summer we quickly fell in love, and I was dropped that next Christmas (a pre-engagement where the guy gives his girl his fraternity letters).  We dated 2 years and got engaged, another year and we were married.  Patrick is the greatest husband in the world.  He spoils me rotten. He knows when to make me laugh, when to let me cry, and when to let me be.  He is smart (how many people could teach AP Physics?), funny, sensitive, and caring.  He does a million little things that show me he loves me such as cooking me pancakes for breakfast, writing me poetry, leaving me silly voicemails, filling up my gas tank, giving me neck massages--you name it.  He is SO excited to finally be a daddy, and I can't wait to share this next chapter in our lives.  It's funny we both admitted the other night that we were secretly a little bit sad that it wouldn't just be the two of us anymore.  Don't get me wrong, we have wanted children for years, but now that it is a few weeks away, we are a little scared of the unknown and of not spending quality time together.  We are so fortunate to have had these 10 great years of "us" time which have included GREAT vacations and happy everyday memories that I will forever cherish.  I am the luckiest girl in the world.  I am a firm believer in soul mates and am thankful to God every day that I found mine.

It's About Time for the Minivan!

This one's for you Becky...  Becky, my former co-worker, knows how much I have secretly desired to have a mini-van, always jealous of hers.  She believed, even when I didn't, that one day I would have kids (maybe twins like her & her sister) and would finally get my mini-van.  In fact, that was the first thing she said when I told her I was pregnant, "now you can get your minivan!".  So yesterday Patrick & I test-drove and have pretty much decided on the Honda Odyssey, which works out well because my friend, Hilary's husband sells them.  (They have boy/girl twins born in December).  It will be tough since both of our cars are paid for now--adding a car payment along with diapers and daycare but with two carseats, two animal carriers, and all the extras I think it will be a necessity.  We will have many road trips considering two of the three sets of grandparents and all great-grandparents are a good 3 hour trip away.  I went to the doctor Friday for my glucose and anemia tests and a regular check-up.  I am now on a 2 week schedule and still no talk of bedrest which is great.  I am really feeling the pregnancy now... hard to tie my shoes, get out of chairs, very achy in the belly, etc. but well worth it.  There is a little concern that has popped up that I will share... on my last ultrasound Baby A measured a week and a half behind where she should, just on her torso measurement which is something new because they have always measured the same.  So out of caution and since I am considered high-risk, the doctor has referred me to the only high-risk OB clinic in the state, 3 hours away for another ultrasound and consultation to ensure that everything is okay.   Their biggest concern is that one baby is getting more nutrients than the other... not sure how they would fix that but didn't want to go there yet.  Patrick & I have been skeptical since the past ultrasound so we are not worrying too much yet.  The ultrasound tech was very rushed and not as friendly as others in the past.  Instead of taking 3 measurements and averaging them, she only took one. She did comment that the position of Baby A was curled up at that moment and was hard to get an accurate measurement.  So we are confident that everything is okay but are looking forward to the appointment as peace of mind.  We will keep you updated.  Please keep our babies in your prayers that they are growing and healthy.

Furniture Assembled

A BIG thank you to Patrick's dad ("Granddad") and Patrick ("Daddy") for spending their Spring Break putting together baby furniture.  I was thankful (for once) that my job is year-round and that I was not at home when the 10+ hour adventure took place.  As the story goes, one crib took over 2 hours to assemble and then they couldn't fit it inside the nursery doorway--had to completely disassemble it, and then reassemble, and then start on the 2nd crib plus the changing table.  They were completely exhausted and starving to death when I got home from work Wednesday.  Thursday was an ultrasound check-up.  Everything looked good.  Baby B is VERY active (I didn't need an ultrasound to tell me that).  I have had 3 different doctors and 2 ultrasound techs tell me I'm "going to have my hands full with her".  We are convinced she will be red-headed as it runs on both sides of our family.  Baby A is active but cooperative and "likes to have her picture taken" always still and sweet while Baby B is punching, kicking, etc.  They have turned somewhat and literally had "their heads together" on Thursday.  Looks like I will be outnumbered for sure!  They are already thinking of ways to outsmart us.  This Friday is my 3 week check-up with my OB.  It is the dreaded glucose test for diabetes.  I am officially in my 3rd trimester!  So far my pregnancy has been uneventful.  I am still doing well, although the heartburn has started at night and lots of ligament pain from my belly stretching.  It is very hard for me to sleep at night as I can't get comfortable.  I'm sure it will only get worse!  I have gained 25 pounds so far--all in the front.  My arms, legs, and backside are still skinny.  It just looks like I swallowed 2 basketballs!  A CNA at work told me Friday I was the cutest pregnant woman she had ever seen, which made my day!   All the patients continue to love to ask questions about my pregnancy and feel the babies move.  More pics coming soon as I had to buy some new maternity clothes this weekend...

Going Pink

We've been busy around here... we have FINALLY cleared out our once computer room, now future nursery and painted.  It is hard for the pale pink color to show up in a picture since the room is still empty so I posted this pic with the white blinds and step stool so you can somewhat tell what shade it is.  We have registered for our furniture and have already received the 2 cribs and changing table (thanks Mom, Oma, & Patti/Bill).  Patrick will be putting them together over Spring Break.  I thought Patrick should get used to seeing pink, so for Valentine's Day I couldn't resist the bibs and outfit saying "Daddy Loves Me."  I continue to feel great. Both babies are kicking A LOT now and daddy was able to feel them for the first time yesterday.  I went to the doctor for my 3 week checkup today, and she continues to be pleased.  I have gained 20 pounds so far, and my belly is measuring 26 weeks (I am really 22 but with twins they want you to measure bigger than a singleton).   No signs of premature labor and no discussion of bed rest yet, which is great news!!  I need to work as long as possible for obvious reasons.... money, money, money.  I can't believe our showers are next month!  We are looking forward to celebrating with our closest family & friends.  I am still in awe.  I had given up on my dream, and then God blessed us... TWICE.  We have picked out both names (we had one name pretty quickly but have taken awhile to find the second).  We are not sharing the news until D-day when they are officially introduced.  It is kind of fun keeping the secret between us.  All I will tell you is they are very elegant, old-fashioned, and unique names.  With "SMITH" we had to think outside of the box... For now they are still "Baby A & B" to all of the rest of you!

Boys?, Girls?, or One of Each????

A mother's intuition is always right..............................

IT'S 2 GIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

And more importantly, they are both healthy and "perfect".  The ultrasound literally took 45 minutes as she measured every internal organ... kidneys, brain, spinal cord, stomach, intestines, bladder, heart, even the bones of the legs and arms.  Each weighs exactly 8 ounces and heartrates are right around 156/158.   One is head down and one head up, which is typical for twins.   Due date is still July 14 (40 weeks) but target date is at least 36 weeks (June 16).  

Now comes the fun part... picking out paint and furnishings and registering for gifts.  One of my showers is already set for April 18th, which will be here before we know it!  

We will keep everyone posted.  Keep the girls in your prayers as they continue to grow and thrive.

New Maternity Pants!

18 weeks pregnant

This one is for you, Dad!  I have been told my ENTIRE life, "You look just like your dad--Bill in a dress".  When I called to tell him that I was finally showing, he said "Wow, now you really do look like me" (because I have a belly now).  Well, the baby belly finally appeared and literally overnight. Kohl's had their maternity pants buy one get one free this weekend, so I broke down and bought a pair of jeans and a pair of black pants.  Although expensive, I can finally breathe down when I sit down instead of unzipping and unbuttoning.  I figured out today that I am approximately 1/2 way through my pregnancy since twins come early and will likely deliver around 36 weeks!!  We find out Thursday what the sexes are.  I will post as soon as I can!