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!

Is It The End Of The World??

No Wal-Mart open?  No restaurants open, not even McDonald's?  No grocery stores open?  No electricity?  No hot water?  It MUST be the end of the world... no just the worst ice storm in decades.  WOW, what a bad few days we have had and what a clean-up we all will endure for the weeks to come.  It all started Monday night with sleet and then ALL day Tuesday with ice, ice, and more ice followed by a couple of inches of snow on Wednesday.  Over 2 inches of ice accumulated with a Category 5 ice storm declared.  Every tree in town is weighted down in ice, and the landscape looks totally different.  I was dumbstruck on the way to work this morning; the analogy of a war zone really doesn't do it justice.  Major roads are down to 1 lane because of debris and all warn of falling ice as it can be a deadly weapon.  We have been without power a total of 4 times, the longest a 14-hour stretch starting in the middle of the night Tuesday when the low was 9 degrees.  It was miserable, but we made it through and all in all have been luckier than most.  None of my co-workers have power or hot water.  The good thing about working in a nursing home... generators and wonderful patients to come back to.  They were all so worried about me (and the babies).  We are fine and glad to have a warm house today.  You think 2 days off work would be much-needed, but when you can't do laundry, wash dishes, cook a hot meal, take a bath, watch soaps, etc. the fun quickly dies.  Mom is staying with us...her power may not be on until next week.   Who would have thought ice could be so destructive?  I didn't venture out to take any pictures but hope to post some soon of our poor neighborhood park.   Meanwhile, I posted a pic of a warm Whiskey who always finds a comfortable nest...this one from when I was changing the bed sheets last week. On cold winter nights (without heat), he sure did come in handy.  It's funny how he knows I am pregnant.  He lays right on my belly (has never done this before but started doing it about 2 weeks into the pregnancy) and I tell him he is a good big brother keeping his babies warm.  Speaking of which, I THINK I felt movement...little flutters today like butterflies in my abdomen.  Not sure because of the lovely GI issues pregnancy can bring...but maybe.  My doctor told me last week I would begin feeling it very soon, especially from Baby B who is VERY active.  I have gained a little more weight and people are finally noticing I am expecting.  I can only wear my scrubs and pjs--jeans and pants are now officially too tight.  I guess I will break down and buy some stretchy jeans soon...if the stores ever re-open.

Celebrations

December was a month of celebrations.  I couldn't post this adorable picture until we officially announced my pregnancy.  Patrick's 29th birthday was December 14th and I couldn't resist the message on the cake.  And NO the blue and greens don't indicate anything, other than his favorite 2 colors!   I would have put some pinks and purples, but after all it was his birthday. Other than celebrating a birthday, Christmas, and our good news I also found out I had been voted by the nursing home residents as Employee of the Month!  It only took 4 1/2 years!   It's a long story but basically one of the residents didn't think therapy employees should be eligible for Employee of the Month because we technically work for a different company, even though we have the same benefits, hours, etc. as the other employees but for tax purposes the company that owns the nursing home formed another company that runs the therapy.  Anyway, this lady has been holding out forever that we shouldn't be eligible.  Another resident made a motion in the November 30th meeting that therapists should be eligible, and the motion passed.  I then was voted as Employee of the Month!  My picture (in which I look green in thanks to morning sickness) is now hanging by the front door, and I received a $50 gift card to Target!  

Everything else has been fine.  I go back to the doctor Tuesday for my monthly checkup.  I am feeling better but still gagging at random times!  Lovely I know.  I am starting to get a little bump.  I have to say I love being pregnant.  People treat you like royalty!  People at work who have never paid any attention to me are carrying things for me, opening doors, etc.  Even my husband who is always sweet is now EXTRA sweet.  I can really use this to my advantage! Honey, I don't feel like doing the dishes, etc. etc.   I'm pregnant...can you do it??  I kind of like this!  Guess I better enjoy it while I can... 

We Are Expecting x 2!

2008 Christmas card:As most of you already know, Patrick & I are happy to announce that we are expecting TWINS! Our journey to parenthood has been many years in the making and more painful than I can ever express in words, but hopefully all the tears are behind us.  I will begin my second trimester this week and the doctors think I should deliver the third or fourth week of June (twins almost always come early).   So far I am feeling decent, much better than I expected.  We are still so cautious and guarded given all we have been through, but it is impossible not to get excited seeing 2 babies that are growing and thriving with legs, arms, heads, and spinal cords very evident already on ultrasound.  We will find out the last week in February what sex they are. At this point, I can't be choosy although I do hope for at least 1 to be a girl.  I had a psychic (another story for another day) tell me 2 years ago that I would soon have twin girls, so we'll see if she's right. I know that there are some of you that are struggling right now to conceive and I just want to take this opportunity to let you know that you are in my prayers.  It is the deepest pain that unless you have experienced it, I cannot explain.  I once read the sadness and grief of infertility surpasses that of women diagnosed with a terminal illness.  Of course, I cannot compare but I do know the pain is real.  There is hope, and I know your dreams will soon be realized as I hope mine is in June!