Pack up! (leaving the house with twins.)

When I want to leave the house, I have to start planning two days ahead!  I don't just make "a quick run" out of the house. I plan a whole day of things to do (neccessity and leasure) because it just doesn't seem worth my time and all the hassle to just leave for one errand.

I can't just wake up and get ready to leave. First I need to pump (and hope the babies stay asleep long enough to get it done without interruption (typically an hour, to hour and a half, from beginning to end -includes distributing ounces for the day and ounces to freeze and then clean up).  Then there's getting everyone "ready".

Recipe: Spaghetti Squash.w/ Meat Sauce

I have been hearing a lot about Spaghetti Squash, especially since changing up our eating habits.

We had purchased a spaghetti squash during our Whole30 and tonight was the lucky night!

I wasn't sure how time consuming it was, I kept thinking "oh, I'll just make pasta tonight -as long as we don't eat it often it should be fine... The spaghetti squash seems so difficult!  I'll just try making it another time..." But it kept bugging me, the thought of feeding my family pasta after how well we've been doing.  So I sucked it up and thought "okay, I'll try it. If it becomes too messy or too annoying, I'll just boil some pasta. It won't take that long anyway..."

I threw the ingredients together for my meat sauce:

1 lb lean ground beef 

1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes

1 small onion (slice or chopped. We love cooked onion so I like chunky pieces or even thick slices)

2 tsp minced garlic (or approximately 3-4 garlic cloves)

2-3 tomatoes, again, sliced or chopped to preference (I leave mine chunky to give more texture)

3 handfuls if baby spinach leaves

2 handfuls of sliced mushrooms

*optional: shredded carrots

1/2 tsp sea salt

1tsp Sage

1tsp Italian seasoning (the one I have is a mixture of marjoram, thyme, rosemary, savory, sage, oregano, and basil)

1/4 tsp paprika (or something spicier if you like a good 'kick')

I ground the beef, on a medium-high heat, with 2tsp coconut oil, and the onions and garlic. Then I add the veggies and toss it around. I add the spices and mix it around a bit. I add the crushed tomatoes last.  Once it starts to bubble just a bit, I lower the heat to a high-simmer, cover and leave the heat on for approximately 15 mins (until everything is tender and heated all the way. It normally starts to bubble again right around the 15 mins.).

I had already prepped my spaghetti squash last night, I thought to make it for yesterday's dinner. One of my favorite blogs, for Paleo recipes, right now is Nom Nom Paleo. I followed her directions for Spaghetti Squash.  Mine needed extra cooking time but turned out great!  And even though I really had no idea what I was doing, we were able to sit down and enjoy spaghetti squash, topped with meat sauce. (Although, will someone please tell me if it's normal for it to have a slight "crunch" to it... I enjoyed the crunch! Haha. I hope I got it right.)

I really enjoyed it!  But Chris only ate half of his serving, saying it was "good" but it was "different".  Hm...  And Kj didn't get to taste it tonight (she's getting over a stomach bug tonight).

It's definitely something I look forward to eating again and it sure filled my 'spaghetti' craving!

Breastfeeding: "it shouldn't be painful".

It sure IS painful, extremely painful, when one twin has had latch issues for five weeks and the other twin spontaneously develops an 'Epstein Pearl' on the front outer part of her lower gum!  It's just been one painful challenge after another.

Liam is starting his second week of bottles.  :(

The frenotomy went well. The doc only snipped the thinnest part of Liam's frenulum.  It released some of his tongue-tie, but, in my opinion, not all of it.  The doc didn't want to do too much cutting so that it wouldn't be too painful (they do not numb the area for this procedure! 😳😢. Poor baby --but the doc says the skin is still super thin, at this age, and doesn't cause much pain at all).  Liam slept through the procedure. He only woke to cry when the doc stuck his fingers in his mouth to lift the tongue.  As soon as the doc took his fingers out, I mean immediately, Liam would doze off again!  I was so shocked; but prayers were definitely answered! 💕 Liam wasn't bothered by it one bit.  (Thank you, everyone, for all the prayers for Liam!)

However, getting him to nurse/latch on is still excruciatingly painful for me and is not successful.  I'm so scared to keep trying because every time we "try" (I work and work and work to get him to latch on and when he finally, painfully, latches on, I try my best to deal with the pain to give Liam a chance to "get the hang of" it: open mouth, latch on, suckle, "I get milk!".  Not sure what else to do at this point. I end up injured and it makes it difficult to then nurse Elly, who latches on just fine. 

I'm in a tough place. I want to nurse Liam; but I don't want to go through the excruciating pain I experienced for three straight weeks (it got worse and worse over those weeks).  But at the same time, I'm heart-broken to have to bottle feed Liam while Elly gets to breastfeed. And then I'm worried that I'm going to eventually run out of milk from my "NICU supply" (pictured below) and not be able to keep up with nursing Elly and pumping enough to keep up with Liam's bottle feedings. 

Any and all suggestions are welcome.  I've searched and searched for any info and suggestions, online; but I have found nothing about this exact situation. I know I'm not the only one... But I just haven't found a solution that works -yet.

God willing, either Liam will get the hang of nursing properly, or I'll find a way to have peace about bottle feeding one baby and nursing the other :(.  (But then there's always the huge concern about supplying enough  breastmilk for Liam's bottles.)

Help!

Week 31: Pineapples and "baby parts"

How far along?

31 weeks on 5/2/13

How big are the twinkies?

According to TheBump, the babies are approximately the size of

*On 4/26/13, my fundal height measured 36cm, I believe.  And then on 4/30/12, my fundal height measured 41!  Baby girl is super high again —and seems to be loving it.

How am I feeling?

Same 'ol, same 'ol... large and exhausted.  My lower abdominal muscles feel like they are barely being held together, like they are "busted". lol  It's quite painful to walk now —but I'll do what I can to enjoy every moment of this pregnancy.

I'm also feeling super grateful, still.  I recently told Chris that, in the beginning of the pregnancy, I felt 5% like I was living real life and 95% like I was lost in a dream, so grateful, "pinch me I can't believe I'm really pregnant" state of mind every single day.  Now, I feel about 45% like I'm living real life and 55% like I'm still lost in a dream, "this is real?  this is really happening?" state of mind during my "real life".  I definitely have more moments where I'm just doing my regular routine, which is now resting, drinking water, and plenty of potty breaks —but then I realize, "Oh yeah, I'm pregnant!  Wow, this actually feels normal now...".  Sad thing is, we are coming to the end of the pregnancy already.  *But I'm just now getting used to being pregnant!  lol

Weight?

+30

What do I miss?
I miss being able to put on socks and tennis shoes, and tying them, without feeling winded, like I've run a mile [or more].  I guess I'm just missing all the 'little things' I used to take for granted: showering, dressing, walking, and getting up, with ease —etc.

Symptoms?
Again, same 'ol, same 'ol... nausea and no appetite here and there.  Restless/sleepless nights.   Super heavy belly (a bit tough to move around lately).  Extremely sleep/tired during the day.  Swelling is still very mild and rarely happens.   ...aaaand new stretch marks, again.  Oh, and the "nesting" phase has definitely kicked in; but I can't actually do anything! :(

Cravings?

Cheese and pretzels.  Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Anything chocolate: candy, baked goods, ice cream, etc.  Mmmm Chocolate!  Watermelon.  (I think I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time!)

Highlights of the week? 
KJ and visited the Zoo with some friends (where I actually felt like a side show for all the non-mannered zoo guests!  I can't believe the stares, sorry looks, and even comments that came my way --from ADULTS!!!  I heard several gasps, and even giggles, followed by some form of "oh my gosh, she's huge!", "Oh my goodness, poor thing.", etc.  I'd just smile and keep walking.  But by the time I was on my way out, I was done even making eye contact with these people.  I just kept walking.  And I promise you that it wasn't just in my head.  These people were so annoyingly obvious, turning their entire body, watching me pass by.  —oh well, right?! ugh!)

 

at the zoo

Fiesta pinata for the elephant

at the zoo

A "bug hunt" at the zoo.

Resting after the zoo (with a pointy, lopsided, contraction)

Playing with the big 'ol baby belly.

playing with the big 'ol baby belly.

I got a haircut!  —It was well over due.  And Chris and I got to spend some "alone time" together.  It was so nice.  We didn't do anything super fancy.  We went to La Cantera, where I finally gave in to my growing belly.  I bought some new stretchy shirts that will hopefully last to the end of the pregnancy.  We enjoyed a nice yummy treat together (without hearing "I want some!  I don't want to share!  I wish I could have the other one..." lol).

btw, I did NOT eat all that frosting.  I had to scrap it off —way too much!

Okay, not much of a 'highlight' of the week; but definitely needs to be remembered... I finally got to the point of NO SHAME.  lol  I have refused to ride in an electric scooter, in order to grocery shop.  Normally I just tough it out, or I just don't go -and Chris does it all alone (which he actually enjoys!).  However, I wanted to buy what we needed, along with some prop items for our upcoming maternity photo session.  So, I went straight for the electric scooter and [slowly] zoomed my way around Walmart.  LOL!!!  yup.  I reached that point.  *Oh, how I wish I had the energy and strength to walk through Walmart.

We took our maternity photos this week!  :)  What a WONDERFUL milestone, since we missed out during our first pregnancy due to being on bed-rest, in the hospital, during the time we would have been taking photos.  There's a blog post with more details of that day, and our first 'sneak peek'/preview:  A great [sweaty and humid] day for maternity photos


We also did some more odds and ends in the nursery.

...and this is what KJ did...  lol!

This is what I was doing while Chris dove in to the "nesting" phase.  Eventually, I went to sit and "watch" him work in the nursery.

I got to attend Robin's midwifery class, where students had a chance to feel around on my belly and figure out that I had twins.  ;)  It was a lot of fun!  My favorite quote was "oh, I feel a back over here (feeling baby boy's back) . . . wait, (feeling around other areas on my belly) there are a lot of baby parts everywhere!" lol!  And then KJ's favorite part was getting to meet, and pet (uck!!), a wonderful furry 'pet' opossum!  (another pregnant momma that was there happens to work with wildlife, and had just come from a 'wildlife encounter' with the little (not so little) opossum.)

Weekly prenatal visits will start on Friday, May 10... wow!  We're here!!  It kind of feels like "the end" already.  :(  Yes, I'm uncomfortable, but I'm just not ready to be close to "done"; I love being pregnant.

Belly watch:

Week 29: Butternut Squash and Dessert

How far along?

29 weeks on 4/18/13

How big are the twinkies?

According to Parents, the babies are approximately the size of a butternut squash.

*Our most recent scan, on 4/16, showed that baby girl weighs approximately 3.7 lbs and baby boy weighs approximately 3.3 lbs.

How am I feeling?

Large and exhausted.  I'm pretty much always sleepy now.

Weight?

+24
(didn't change -yet.)

What do I miss?
I am definitely missing having more energy.  Still, in my head, I'd love to get up to do a number of things around the house and out and about.  However, my body just wants to sit back and rest.  

Symptoms?
Nausea and no appetite creep back here and there.  Restless/sleepless nights.  Annoying endo.  Some very mild swelling has started showing up (but I'm so happy I can still wear my wedding rings!).  Is outgrowing my clothes (again) a symptom?! —oh and new stretch marks.

Cravings?

dessert items. Chick-fil-a.  nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, etc).  Milk.

Highlights of the week?
I had a prenatal appointment with my midwife.  Everything is going well.  :)

I got to see our babies, at our specialist appointment.  I was only able to get a photo of baby girl because baby boy was not cooperating during the scan.  Also, the sono tech complimented me very nicely.  She said that she always enjoys when I go in because I am always so happy and in such a great mood.  It sure made my day! :)  Everything went really well at that appointment also.  Praise God!  I couldn't be happier about how everything is going!!

I took a trip to Austin, to visit my sis and her family.  I haven't done that in a very long time.  Driving the whole way was tougher than I expected.  I'm used to Chris doing the long distance drives right now.  By the time I arrived to her house, I was ready for a nap!  —but me oh my, I had my fill of the yummiest homemade veggie pizza.  I really hope that my pizza cravings are done.  haha

On the way back home, KJ and I enjoyed some quality time.  It really was nice to be able to do something like that.  :)

KJ acting like a horse for her cousins, during our Austin trip.

Belly watch:

Week 27: Rutabaga and Special Deliveries

How far along?

27 weeks on 4/4/13

How big are the twinkies?

According to The Bump, the babies are approximately the size of a rutabaga.

How am I feeling?

Sleepy.  Hungry.  Sleepy.

Weight?

+21

What do I miss?
Sleeping on my tummy.  (again . . . still.) 

Symptoms?
HeartBURN/acid reflux. Nausea.  Asthma (I'm now needing Flovent twice daily, without fail.  Whereas, before pregnancy, I just used Prventil about once a month, maybe a few times more, depending on allergens and weather.) 

Cravings?

Pizza.  Ice Cream.  Chocolate.
*the ice cream is the one I still think is strange.  Before pregnancy, I was very sensitive to lactose.  I didn't care for ice cream, in general, and when I would want a bit, I'd always regret it.  Now that I'm pregnant, I can eat it and not be affected in anyway (other than guilt. lol).  The other night, Chris went out to buy me ice cream.  I had a very specific craving: vanilla ice cream with chocolate fudge mixed in and a bottle of goat's milk caramel.  I was one happy happy momma when Chris got home with exactly that!!! :D  (and a special surprise:  a Rico's jumbo pickle in a pouch)
*But I'm definitely not picky . . . right?! ;)

Highlights of the week?
We recently ordered some of the baby items we were still needing (some big, some small).  So, this week was full of "special deliveries" —always exciting, opening packages and getting to play with everything set it up and see how it all works.  hee hee  :)

Putting the Double Snap 'n Go stroller together

 

Double Snap 'n Go stroller

New pack 'n play

Stuffed animal hippos, hippo rattles, diaper pail wet bags, fuzzibunz diaper, Willow Tree Twins, Boba 3G baby carrier.

Thirsties diaper cover, Fuzzibunz diaper, Applecheeks diaper, Bidet a.k.a. diaper sprayer, wet bags, diaper pail.

Baltic Amber necklaces and an Applecheeks diaper

KJ loving on her siblings

Belly watch:

The training wheels are off!

Chris is currently on vacation.  Today is his second day off and we decided to hang out at home and take it easy (cleaning and going through baby clothes, for the twins).  We watched Wreck It Ralph.  I made calls to our insurance, trying to get our midwife covered as 'in network'.  Chris cut the grass in the front lawn and as soon as I got off the phone, I went outside to join the 'fun'.  Little did I know it really would turn in to FUN...

KJ was riding her bike, up and down the side walk.  "Look at me mom!" —as she would zoom on by.  Out of nowhere, she came back and said, "I don't want my training wheels on anymore.  I'm ready to ride without them."  I thought to myself, "uh-huh, we've tried that one already and it didn't last long... I don't think I want to be here for this.".  I went in for a potty break and a refill of water.  By the time I came out, KJ was already being pushed by her daddy, without her training wheels!!!

I couldn't believe my eyes —and ears.  ha!  Last time we tried this with her, it was not her decision, she was screaming every time the bike would start to tip over.  She cried and was super frustrated.  She gave up after about three attempts.  This time, she was so confident and determined.  I was so impressed.  Chris was letting go right away and she was going all on her own!  Yay... and sniffle...

*Now, I should mention how ironic this is:  Chris had just told me, a few days ago, that he absolutely wanted KJ to learn to ride her bike without training wheels before the twins arrived.  I was super concerned and nervous because I didn't want her to feel pressured into it.  So, JUST yesterday, I purchased a "Balance Bike" (on mamabargains.com —at a great price!).  I figured it would help get KJ ready to ride without training wheels without being "forced" by her daddy.  Go figure!  I spent money on a kiddie balance bike and out of nowhere she was ready to use her big girl bike without training wheels?!  Seriously!  The bike arrives this Thursday and was going to be her Easter gift... I'm now thinking I'm just going to have to save it for the twins —lol.

She still has some practicing to do, but today, day one of riding without training wheels, she did an amazing job!!!  The big sniffles really came when she shouted out "Dad, let go!  Let go, Dad!!"  I smiled.  My eyes teared, and I just took it all in (and snapped a few pics).

Chris and KJ shared a very special moment today —a great forever memory.  We celebrated and ended the night with a trip to DQ to get her an ice cream treat.  She said it was "the best day ever!"  :)

When we got home, I shaved Chris's afro off (good-bye beautiful curls).  KJ asked him to join her for play time —they played with the Leap Frog Tag Map.  And then Chris topped the night off with installing some really cool lights (purchased at IKEA) underneath her loft bed.

Top left:  KJ ready for daddy to let go.  Top middle:  Chris being his fun, goofy, self, enjoying a ride on KJ's bike. haha.  Bottom left:  Play time before bed.  Right:  Crazy man about to get his afro buzzed off.

I'm not sure how we will top today... although, tomorrow, we should get to see our little twinkies!

G'night all.

Week 24: Cantaloupes and Endo

How far along?

24 weeks on 3/13/13
(6 months!)

How big are the twinkies?

According to The Bump, the babies are approximately the size of:

According to Parents, the babies are approximately the size of and ear of corn.  We should find out on Wednesday, March 20, an approximate size or weight —we have another appointment with the perinatologist.

How am I feeling?

I've still been feeling really great!  I absolutely love every single movement I feel (which has been a LOT lately).  I'm in love with my baby belly (although really scared of what it will look like after the babies arrive. lol!).  So, this week, I've felt GREAT! 

Weight?

+15

(SLOW DOWWWWNNN!!!)

 I'd love to think it's the babies growing and growing away.  However, I can't really help but think that I give in to waaaay too many junky yummy foods.

What do I miss?
I miss having my emotions under control.  Things change out of nowhere! And it's really tough, sometimes, to sift through everything and level things out again.
I miss "me" time.  Somehow, I think I got more "me" time before this pregnancy.  I don't know how because I was working at home and still homeschooling.  So, I don't see how I had anytime for "me" time.  Although, now, I feel like I have absolutely none.   
*Maybe it's that I'm making more of an effort to not tell KJ "mommy needs quiet time"; which normally got her to go play up in her room.  I'm trying to get as much mommy and KJ time as I can right now.  I don't want her memories of 'before babies' to be of mom always sending her to play in her room.
I really need to find a healthy, sane, balance —ASAP.

Symptoms?
Serious indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux.  I've also noticed nausea creeping back in.  But I'm pretty sure it has more to do with the fact that baby girl is all up in my stomach area.  She bumps, kicks, and wiggles against my stomach and it causes all this crazy stuff to happen.  (have you ever had a belly full of water/liquid and jumped around or wiggled too much?  You know that sloshing feeling?  Yeah, that's what I feel, after I eat, with every movement she makes.  And I know I need readjust the amount I'm eating —again.  I need to eat less of a serving at once, now that babies are taking up more space.
The hip pain I I've been experiencing during sleep time is now creeping in to my waking hours.  :(  But I do manage to push through the pain, for now, because I don't want it to stop me from doing the little bit that I can.

Endo has been flaring up the most this week.  Very similar to what it was like before I was pregnant.  The pain just comes out of nowhere.  :(  No warning.  No cause.  Just horrible stabbing pain —in the same 'ol areas.  (I use those moments to focus on what I'm feeling and remind myself that I can get through that pain —just as I have done for so many years . . . like it's some kind of training, preparing me for my birth goals.)  I also remind myself that battling endometriosis, while pregnant, feels so much more worth it.  Like a big nasty slap in Endo's face. ;) hee hee!  Take THAT endo!

Cravings?

Sushi.  Pizza.  Milkshakes and fries (yes, together!).

*Why can't it be carrots, broccoli, and other healthy foods?!

Highlights of the week?

I survived a [short] trip to Sea World.  I never thought I'd be able to handle the walking... but I did!  Thanks to a great friend and her two kiddos. :)  Between feedings, snack time, diaper changes, potty breaks (mine included), nap time, kiddie-ride time, etc., there was plenty of "rest time".  It was the perfect way to survive Sea World!

Chris, KJ, and I took another trip to Ikea.  It was a much longer shopping experience than I had imagined and prepared for.  But I survived and we purchased the rest of the nursery furniture.  :)

Chris, being Super-Dad, building more furniture for the twinkies' room!

What we were doing while daddy built furniture.  :)

We had our very first prenatal appointment with Midwife R.  It was perfect and amazing!  

(look for the blog post [coming soon] to get more details.) 

Feeling the positions of the twinkies.

Belly watch:

18 weeks +6: Gender Scan/Prenatal appointment on 2/5/13

Quick Update:

Both babies are currently head down.  They were both major wiggle worms for the sono tech.  I did NOT accidentally see their genders!  Teeny weighs a whopping 10 ounces and Tiny weighs 11 ounces!!  According to their measurements, the EDDs for the babies are June 27th and June 30th.  Now, the actual due date won't change.  The EDD will stay July 4th.  All that means is that they are growing very very nicely!! :D  I want big healthy babies!! I want them to have a great chance of little to no NICU time, if they do end up coming earlier than they should.  But God-willing, I will join the Hall of Fame for carrying my twins to full-term! ;) hee hee.  Oh, and my cervix is still a nice length, I was told.  It's 5.1 inches.  (is that right?  is it measured in inches? lol.  I think I was still on cloud nine, hearing that they look fantastic and are growing perfectly --and that the contractions/braxton hicks that I have been experiencing do NOT seem to be changing my cervix; which was not the case with my first pregnancy.).  Praise God for such great news!!  :)

Our precious twinkies:  only Tiny was in a profile position.  Teeny insisted on laying back and giving only a bird's eye view of his/her precious little face.

I followed my directions and drank a minimum of 24 oz and did NOT pee for the hour I was drinking (all the way until after the sono —approx. an hour and a half.  I'm used to tinkling every 20-30 mins during the daytime, maybe 45 mins, max!).  Little did I realize (nor did they) that, with two babies, 24 oz is very close to impossible to hold in and stay comfortable.  :(  Endo flared up very badly from an extremely full bladder, and two wiggly babies.  It was all much better after about 15 mins of emptying my bladder.

Having my sis go to that appointment with me was awesome!  She seemed so excited and it made me even more excited.  We've shared some very special moments throughout our adult-hood, but I think this one stands out the most right now...  It means so much to me that she will be playing such a huge role in us finding out the genders of our twins! :)

Before we left the doctor's office, she was handed the very special, secret, envelope... and it turned out that she didn't even open it until the next morning.  I was surprised.  I thought she would have torn it open as soon as she arrived back home.  hee hee  I've been an anxious ball of nerves.  Tuesday seemed like such an incredibly LONG day.  Now, it's Thursday night and the reveal is only ONE DAY AWAY!  Oh, the excitement has been building.  —keeping me awake throughout the nights, teasing me in my dreams, and causing my mind to be even more forgetful than usual.  I am just beyond excited for Saturday...

What are we having... Two girls?  Two boys?  One girl and one boy? . . . ooooohhhhh, we'll soon find out!!! :D

***If you'd like to cast YOUR vote, you can do so, click here.***
Results will be posted around 7pm on Saturday, February 9th, on our Life Happens facebook page.

My sis with THE envelope!!!

Week 18: Sweet Potatoes and Birth Options

How far along?

18 weeks on 1/30/13!

How big are the twinkies?

 According to The Bump, the babies are approximately the size of:

How am I feeling?

Up and down and up and down with emotions and energy.  Oh, and constantly starving!!

Weight?

Surprisingly, I've gone down a pound.  That puts me at +3 . . . for now.  I really don't even know how that's possible!  I thought, for sure, I was going to go up an additional 2lbs, if not more.  Who knows!

What do I miss?

Nothing of importance this week.  I've already mentioned sleep and comfort; however, it's the price I am willing to continue to pay for these little babies!! :D

Symptoms?

Extreme hunger and thirst.  Numbing still happening in my thighs.  Pinch nerves around bulging disc, in lower back (along with clicking of the surrounding vertebrae —doesn't hurt; just sounds and feels gross.).  Mood swings (irritable and sensitive/emotional).  Dizzy spells —out of nowhere! (I probably look really silly when I frantically grab on to the closest stable thing, but I'm standing still and nothing looks "wrong" from the outside.  It's all in my head, literally.)

Annoyances?

Learning to 'let go' of how I'm used to doing certain tasks.  Before pregnancy, if I wanted something done a certain way, I'd just make sure to do it myself.  Now, however, I have to just let it go and be grateful for Chris's and Kryssa's full participation.  :)   I'm telling myself that it shouldn't matter how it gets done... just that it did get done and I wasn't the one that had to do it.

Cravings?

Uh, everything?!  lol  No, not really.  

Hard boiled eggs.  Greek yogurt with granola.  Nacho Cheese Doritos.  Fresh chocolate chip cookies. 

Highlights of the week?

Matching onesies we bought, in case we find out we are having two boys! 

We now have a gender-nuetral set and a boys' set.  All we need now is to find a cute little set for girls.

Chris and I met with an amazing midwife,  on Friday, Jan. 25, to discuss the possibility of a home birth!  (you can read more about it here.)

Belly watch

Week 16: Avocados and 24

How far along?

16 weeks on 1/16/13!

How big are the twinkies?

 According to The Bump, the babies are approximately the size of:

 

How am I feeling?

  So far, I feel this is probably the most energy I've had yet.  :)  However, if I walk too much or stay on my feet for too long, my back suffers the most.  I've been getting real sleepy and ready for bed around 9:30/10pm.  —For me, that's rare!  (A few nights ago, I fell asleep around 10pm and didn't wake up until almost noon!!)

Weight?

Well, I know I'm pregnant... and I know I will be gaining weight; but I admit, I was shocked when I got on the scale and saw a total weight gain of 4 pounds!  (What happened to just teeter-tottering half an ounce here and there?!)

I'll get real:  with my first pregnancy, I started at 122.  After 8 weeks of bed rest, and after delivery, I weighed 176.  That change was very very hard for me.  From then to before this current pregnancy, the lowest my weight had gone was only about 164.  But then, unfortunately, I would gain it all back.  

So, when we started our IVF journey, my "starting weight" was 176.  By making healthier choices (less sugary items, less fried foods, minimal sips of decaff soda and coffee, here and there, zero sweet tea, and only water, water, water, etc.) I have been able to avoid gaining as quickly as I thought I would.  I am now weighing 180lbs.  It is still uncomfortable for me to see; but I know, with more determination, dedication, and self-control, I can continue to maintain a steady gain throughout this pregnancy.  (unless these twinkies are Hulk babies or something... haha!)

Chris had to remind me that 4 pounds in 4 months of pregnancy, from carrying twins, is a great start.  I'm so thankful for my hubby!!  He really helped me not feel so bad about the new numbers.  (again, I know that I will be gaining weight —because I'm pregnant; however, I know many of you understand where I am coming from.  Seeing brand new, never before seen, digits on the scale can sometimes be uncomfortable...)

What do I miss?

Being able to brush my teeth without gagging and/or throwing up!  I had absolutely no idea this was going to be affected.  lol  (but I'm not complaining because I had very minimal 'morning sickness'!)

Symptoms?

Lower back pain.  Weird ice cold feeling, and sometimes even numbness, on the outside of my left thigh (only an area, not the whole thigh).  Super sore and sensitive 'milk makers' —still!  :(  I thought it would be over by now.  Hungry about every hour.  Super thirsty.  Oh, and I can't forget about my halfway popped out belly button.  ;)

Annoyances?

The fact that I wake up super hungry but still too "out of it", sleepy, to go downstairs and gather some breakfast.  I need to plan ahead much better —prep something yummy at night, so I can just nook it and eat it in the morning!

Cravings?

Mexican food! —rice, beans, enchiladas.  Tacos (all kinds).

Highlights of the week?

I woke up to breakfast in bed three times this week!  (Chris had Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday off)  My hunny is doing an amazing job taking care of me and the babies as much as he can. 

The future nursery is finally getting worked on.  :D

At church, I had an amazing, overwhelming, peaceful, moment —God's love is so overwhelming... and incredible!  (every song and everything about the the 'message' seemed to make me tear up —just thinking about these two precious miracles that God is allowing me to love and carry... and how much my hunny and I have grown stronger together over the years.)

Also, we now have a swing, activity mat, and boppy, with 2 covers.  (got an amazing deal from a friend of a friend.)

Planning and prepping for the gender reveal party has been super exciting!  Chris has been a busy bee buying and getting all the decorations and details in order.  :)  *Only 24 more days until we know the genders of our little twinkies!!!

Belly watch:

Week 14: Lemons and Fireworks

How far along? 
14 weeks on 1/2/13.

How big are the Twinkies?
According to The Bump, the babies are approximately the size of:

(pretty soon, I won't be able to hold both items in one hand)

How am I feeling?
I've been feeling fantastic! (besides fighting off the nastiest cold and sinus infection I think I've ever had.  I've been sick since Christmas day and my body does NOT feel like itself.

So, when I say I've been feeling fantastic, I am referring to feeling fabulously pregnant —finally!  I don't question whether this is real or not.  I do, however, still have my "wow, I'm so incredibly amazed that this is really happening" moments.  But I know that I am pregnant with twins.  I don't feel like I'm living out a made up story; or living someone else's life.  :)  This feels very real now!

Weight?
I'm still very happy to say that I have not gained 2lbs yet.  For sure, I have gained one pound.  I am flirting with a few ounces here and there —trying, trying, trying, to hold off on making it a whole other pound.  I do know that at some point the scale will show higher numbers; I'm just not willing to let that happen all at once.  And definitely not this early!  I have plenty of pre-pregnancy weight to 'play' with before the real pregnancy weight starts to add up.

What do I miss?
I miss showering without having to guard my very sensitive "milk makers" from the spraying water.  TMI?  Oops!  I forget that exists.

I'm really enjoying every part of the pregnancy at this point, that I haven't found myself to be missing much lately.

Symptoms?
This week has been a great one, aside from the nasty cold and sinus infection.  Nausea almost non-existant.  Moods feel stable.  Hunger, for the majority of the day, doesn't control me anymore.  (I think that will change soon, though.)

     Annoyances?
The crazy hormonal hairs that are popping up on my tummy... and chin.  Definitely keeping tweezers on hand.  ;)
Not getting a good night's rest.  :(  I had hoped that would only happen towards the end of my pregnancy and, of course, it's a given that sleep will not happen much once the bundles of joy arrive.  I haven't had a "normal" night since about September/October, right around the time when IVF treatments started.

I'm super annoyed that I've had this horrible cold and sinus infection since Christmas!

But enough about being annoyed...

Cravings?
Mmm... Spaghetti and meat sauce —still.  Cantaloupe.  Tempura sushi rolls (cooked).  Oh, and my favorite go-to night snack is Triscuits and tiny medium cheddar cheese cubes.  (I don't know how healthy or unhealthy that is... but it's my favorite right now and it helps hold me over until breakfast time.  Maybe I should go back to almonds and walnuts?!)

Highlights of the week?
Saying goodbye to 2012, even though it brought us many new challenges, great changes, and priceless memories, was an amazing, joyous, feeling!  Since 2007, each year would go by and we'd have our sad, sad, thoughts of, "I really thought we'd have another baby by now... or at least be pregnant."  Now I can definitely say that those moments are in the past!!!  It was just such a amazing feeling to start a new year with twins on the way; such an amazing blessing.  We can now say, "We are expecting our babies THIS summer!".

We had a wonderful celebration, just the three of us, to bring in the new year:  a movie, fireworks, tears of joy, and sparkling cider!

 Belly watch: