Belly Meets Blog!

The photo below has not been digitally enhanced...OBVIOUSLY! :) I suggest you do not click on the picture to make it larger. It is large enough as is!!

It's been a long December...

Man alive, it truly has been a LONG December! With no less than 4 Christmas celebrations (so far!), shopping, R taking finals and graduating, weekly doctor's appointments, decorating, traveling (shh, don't tell!), my 30th birthday, getting ready for C's 2nd birthday party, 3 baby showers (and trying to write high-quality thank you notes!), getting organized for the boys, and trying to keep those 2 boys growing strong inside my body, I'm EXHAUSTED! It doesn't help that I've also had some insomnia as of late.

I changed the baby ticker on the side to indicate how many days until my scheduled c-section. Less than 3 weeks. Unreal! I'll be 35 weeks tomorrow and I plan to post an updated belly shot so you can all see the stretch marks that have taken over my tummy. I've been a devoted "Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion" user since the beginning, but I guess there's only so much it can do! I guess my string bikini is going away and never coming back out again. Oh well! (HA!) A small price to pay! This evening the boys were especially active, and R put both of his hands on my belly. I got tears in my eyes when they started kicking his hands simultaneously. It was like they knew it was their daddy and they wanted to say hello! People ask me all the time if it is lots different being pregnant with twins as opposed to one. The movement is the biggest difference to me. I can literally feel both boys moving around on different parts of my belly and sometimes simultaneously. I also know which side they each reside on so I can tell who is resting and who is kicking!

Here are just a few pictures from the month's festivities. I still have lots to upload and edit from C's Christmas and the boys' room is really and truly almost ready for unveiling!

Here's the handsome graduate and his very pregnant wife! He managed to complete his Master's while being a devoted husband, daddy and worker. I am so proud of him!

R with his very proud mom and dad.Our little family at my 30th birthday dinner at Macaroni Grill! YUM! I think my mom took this picture and she gets kudos for capturing a smile from C!

Me and the sweet husband. That weekend in particular consisted of one family Christmas celebration (Friday evening), his graduation (Saturday), traveling south, a baby shower, AND my birthday dinner. Needless to say, we do look a little tired!

I love hearing from you guys. Your encouragement means the world to me as I try to remain upbeat these last tough weeks of pregnancy! I'm not complaining, and I hope it never appears that way. Just being real. I am blessed!

Update!!

Whoa, I know an update is seriously overdue. My two readers are worried! :)

I went to the doctor on Friday at 33 weeks and 6 days. Still have a ton of cervix (They think it is really funny to tell me that I could be a "cervix donor"...I don't think it it that funny!) All of that to say, the boys are still in there as happy as can be. Reid is head down and facing the back and Chase is head up facing the front. The Friday before I had a growth scan and their measurements gave us these weights: Reid, 4 pounds 11 oz. and Chase, 5 pounds 2 oz. This week I got the doctor to officially set a date for my c-section (if I haven't gone in to labor before then!) The date will be January 14th! The boys will have the same birthday as their Aunt Audrey! SO as of today (Monday, December 21, 2009) I've got 23 days to go!! Yahoo! I haven't had any real signs of labor and I never went into labor when C was born, so I'm pretty much guessing the boys will be born on January 14th (at 37 weeks and 6 days!) Holy smokes! I'm going to put a countdown ticker on the blog somewhere.

The reason I haven't had a chance to post since I went to the doctor on Friday is because I got the most AMAZING surprise on Friday evening. R told me that he and my parents had gone in together to buy my birthday present. He also told me that it woulnd't be here for my birthday because of a problem with the shipping. When we left home on Friday to head to Georgetown, he went back in the house and got a large gift bag and put it in the van. He told me I couldn't open it until both my mom and dad were there since they were in on it too. We got to Georgetown and my mom went in to a long story about how MAD she was at my dad. We were supposed to all go and eat dinner together but she told me that my dad had gone to Austin to buy a sander that he'd purchased on Craig's List and that he would be late to dinner. I totally bought the story because it sounded kind of like something my dad would do. I suspected NOTHING. While we were eating our salad, my dad walked into the restaurant. My mom was still acting mad at him (she even told the waitress that he was paying for his own meal!) Still, I suspected nothing. About 3 minutes after my dad came in, I looked up and saw my very best friend, Audrey, walking toward our table!

For my 30th birthday present, my sweet husband and my wonderful parents had flown my best friend across the country for a weekend of fun with me! It was a fantastic surprise! (And, my dad did not buy a sander off Craig's List...he was picking Audrey up at the airport!) We did lots of talking and laughing and some shopping too. My "condition" limits my stamina, but I think I did okay. Audrey requested a trip to Rudy's so we took care of that.

I didn't take any other pictures, but Audrey got one at our dinner on Sunday evening. We got to enjoy pedicures and plenty of bonding time for Aunt Audrey and C. It is so cool how it seems almost like C can sense how much I love Audrey and therefore she loves her too.

Audrey flew out this morning and I basically slept ALL DAY LONG after she left! I got up at 6:30 to help her pack and get on the road. She and my dad left around 7:15 for the airport. I fell back asleep by around 9:00 and didn't wake up again until 11:30. I got up and had lunch with mom and C and went back to sleep from 1:00-3:15. I guess I didn't realize how exhausted I was. I think I'll also sleep good tonight too! I think the boys are sapping me DRY on the energy! Not really a good time of year to be low on energy! Thank goodness for the help my mom is with C! I couldn't do it without her!

I have other exciting things to post about...Ryan's graduation from graduate school, C's Christmas here (and her new kitchen from her Gammy & Pops), and the much anticipated pics of the boys' room...BUT those will have to wait for now!

Disappointment!

C got a bag of "play food" at a Christmas celebration this past weekend. She LOVES it and loves to prepare food for mommie and daddy. We were playing on the couch this afternoon and left the food scattered there when we went to take a bath this evening. This is what I found when I came out of the bathroom...

I'm sure poor Gretchen was very disappointed when she discovered the food wasn't real! You can't blame a dog for trying, though!

3-0

A few weeks ago on "CBS Sunday Morning," Tom Petty (of all people) said something that sums up exactly how I feel about turning 30. He said,

"If you're not getting older, you're dead."

You'll never hear me complain about turning 30 (or 40 or 50...) because if I'm blessed enough to reach those ages it means I'm still alive and kicking! :)

Today has been a fantastic birthday! I woke up about 6:45 to hear little footsteps coming into our bedroom. C-Bear climbed up in to bed to snuggle with me and watch a video and drink her milk. I got great birthday kisses from C and R before they went off to start the day. I didn't work today so I got to leisurely pick up the house and do laundry. I told several folks that I was resting and nesting today! I did some work in the boys' room and washed their first load of "Dreft" laundry. That stuff smells so good! I had lunch with R and a big glass of sweet tea! I napped this afternoon with the schnauzers and then had a fantastic dinner with C, R, Kenny & Julia at Texas Roadhouse. The day ended when we put C to bed just a few minutes ago and when she was saying her prayers she thanked God for "mommy's happy birthday cake." What a sweetheart!!

I felt so loved by all of the calls, cards, text messages and FB posts I got today. Y'all sure know how to make a girl feel special!

We're still here!

Howdy friends! I hope that you are all well and getting in the Christmas Spirit! We are rocking and rolling around here. I thought I'd do a brief update and incorporate some recent pictures for fun! I'm having trouble moving the pictures around the way I want, so they will be kind of random!

I went to the doctor this past Friday. He didn't have much to say other than I'm doing "great"! I told him that I was feeling really exhausted and getting out of breath easily and he said, 'Welcome to the third trimester carrying twins!" He wasn't being insensitive, just stating the facts. I was able to get my H1N1 vaccination for which I am very thankful. They checked my cervix via ultrasound and it looked good. Fluid on the boys also looked great. The fluid doesn't surprise me since I'm drinking water like CRAZY! I know I drink close to a gallon a day! I'm carrying the boys' own portable swimming pool at all times! I hadn't been to the doctor in 3 weeks and in those weeks I gained 8 pounds. I don't know what my grand total is so far, but I know it is LESS than I gained when pregnant with C!

This picture was taken on Sunday at 32 weeks + 1 day! Look at that belly!! I go again this coming Friday and will get a growth scan! My bets are on each boy weighing over 4 1/2 pounds! We will see!

Princess C has decided that wearing a shirt is completely over-rated. We've been trying to compromise about what is acceptable in public and at home. She's such a funny girl! She is loving looking at the Christmas ornaments we strategically placed at her eye level! She asks for the Christmas tree lights to be turned on as soon as we get home.
She also had a nagging cough and snot that had been hanging on for about two weeks, so last week I took her to the doctor to find she had an upper-respiratory infection. We've been treating with antibiotics for 5 days now and she's cleared up GREAT!

She got a bath-time barbie for Christmas from an aunt recently and has enjoyed playing with 0her in the bathtub. R taught her that the barbie's name is "Tanya" and he also made "Tanya" into a high-diver in the bathtub. After "Tanya" dives from the upper platform (aka the washcloth bar) we all have to clap our hands and say "Yaaaayyy Tanya!" With R and C around I'm never at a loss for laughs!

With everything we've had going on lately, C's nap and sleep schedule has been a little "off"! I'm pretty strict with that sort of thing, but some flexibility has been necessary, and she is old enough for a little bend in the schedule. Well, she was in the playroom on Sunday morning while I was cleaning up and getting ready. She was watching "Little Einsteins" and when I poked my head in to check on her, this is what I found! I wanted to badly to go cuddle up next to her and nap, but I didn't want to squish her or break the chair! Isn't she angelic? Such a sweet and precious girl! She has my heart!

Some sweet friends gave me and the boys a fun baby shower this past Sunday. We were blessed by all in attendance! Below is me with one of my FAVORITE gifts. The picture is of my grandaddy (Freddie Layne) and his twin brother (Eddie Wayne) dressed in their Sunday best! The picture was taken sometime in the early to mid-1930's. My grandaddy made the frame which makes it even more special. It will be prominently and proudly displayed on the wall in the boys' room! (BTW, we're waiting on one last thing before I take pics of the entire room and post them! I can't wait for you all to see!!)

And our very, VERY exciting news is that R will be graduating with his Master's on Saturday! YES, this Saturday! I'm so proud and excited and just look forward to the opportunities this new degree will afford him! I'll try and take pictures of the conquering graduate in his regalia on Saturday. He asked if he had to wear anything under his gown. I told him that it isn't necessary for undergrad, but I think that they expect more from graduate students! HA!

Update of sorts...

I've been feeling guilty for not posting an update recently, but it really has been taking every ounce of energy I have to make it through each day. I told R yesterday that my body is currently sustaining life for 3 people right now and I'm REALLY feeling it. I've been blessed to feel so great for most of my pregnancy, and I'm still doing better than I could be. I just have zero stamina, get very uncomfortable very easily and have trouble physically (and emotionally!) managing my busy two year old PLUS meeting all of the demands of the holiday season. (And on that last note, don't be surprised if we don't send out Christmas cards this year! A double birth announcement in early 2010 will have to suffice!)

The boys are still as active as ever! There movements are VERY intentional--like they are stretching or trying to bop one another. They get very active in the evenings! I'm 31 1/2 weeks pregnant and am as large as I was at 39 weeks when C was born. My goal is still to make it to 37 weeks and the doctor has given me no reason to believe that isn't possible. SO that means I've got about 5 1/2 weeks to go. I go to the doctor on Friday. It will have been 3 weeks since I've seen him, so I should have some updated stats on the boys to share afterward. I'm pretty sure I'll start seeing him every week from now on!

Wedding Weekend!!

Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures myself this weekend. I was too busy being a bridesmaid and the mother of the flower girl! If you'd like to see my brother's beautiful bride (and my new sister-in-law) you can go here.

Here's a quick pic of me and C before the rehearsal on Thursday night. She did not nap (for whatever reason) on Thursday, so she melted down shortly after we arrived at the rehearsal. Thankfully, R's parents came to take her and put her to bed so we could enjoy our evening. The dinner was at Pappasito's! I was a little sad to watch folks drink the margaritas and Dos Equis, so I got wild and crazy and had a Sprite!

Here's the flower girl with the mother and father of the groom (better known as Gammy and Pops!) Doesn't my mom look beautiful? And my dad looks awfully dapper! C was enjoying being silly with them before the wedding!Here's our little family before the ceremony began! See, I promised you a picture of a handsome groomsman, a precious flower girl and a large bridesmaid! My mom made C's PRECIOUS flower girl dress. And the hair bow didn't make it down the aisle. It was pulled out of her hair shortly after the picture was snapped!

Did I mention it was SO COLD at the wedding? A strappy dress wasn't near enough clothing--even for a hormonal and perpetually hot pregnant girl! Luckily, my dad had an extra jacket in his truck. I know it isn't glamorous, but I didn't care! This pic is of me and my sweet grandparents waiting in the food line! Aren't they cute? 60 years of marriage and still smiling! P.S. My grandaddy is a fraternal twin, so I tell him that he is the reason I'm having twins! He LOVES it!
I'll hopefully be able to post some more pictures when the photographer gets them finished! I want you all to see C actually walking down the aisle as the flower girl!

Weekend Update

My curly-topped girl LOVES animals! She had a blast feeding the ducks and wasn't afraid of them! I was bitten on the finger by an aggressive duck when I was a little girl, and Ryan was bitten on the behind by one when he was a little boy, but our daughter has no fear of them (yet!) We took a pack of old hot dog buns to feed them, and she said, "Feed the ducks cornbread?" We thought that was cute, so we just went with it! :)

"C'mere, ducky-ducky!"

"Hey, duck! How's it going? We could do a movie together! Say 'hello' to your mom for me!"


"My Gammy comes up with the BEST, most fun activities! I love to feed the ducks at the park!"

And in case you didn't get the text or see it on Facebook, I'm 29 weeks pregnant and I went to the doctor for a check up on Friday. Baby A (Reid) is measuring at 3 lb. 2 oz. and Baby B (Chase) is measuring at 3 lb. 1 oz. I do not have gestational diabetes (woo-hoo!) and have only gained a little over 30 pounds. The doctor wants me to make it to 37-38 weeks, so I'll just keep on letting those boys grow! If you'll recall, C weighed 9 lb. 7 oz. when she was born at 39 weeks, so I guess that means I just like to grow big babies! My goal for the boys is 6 lb. each! I'm feeling pretty good and can't complain! I've developed a little bit of PUPP on my stomach that itches like crazy, but I've got some good cream to put on it. Check out that BELLY!

My work friends gave the boys their first baby shower last week. It was super fun to be blessed by their kindness and generosity! We've started stock-piling diapers and wipes! I'm all about the practical things this time around! It is fun, though, because they still managed to throw in some fun stuff for the boys as well! C even got some special "big sister" presents and it makes me so happy to see her relishing in her soon-to-be role!

My baby brother gets married on Friday, so stay tuned for pics of the cutest flower girl EVER, a very handsome groomsman, and the LARGEST bridesmaid you've ever seen!

Furniture Woes

We've had more than our fair share of furniture woes lately. Things are looking up and stores have done right by their guarantees and their products, so I had to share!

Woe #1: Mattress
We bought a Simmons Beauty Rest Mattress at Denver Mattress (part of Furniture Row) on December 31, 2005. We sprung for a Simmons because of its good reputation and durability. Over the past few months, we've been noticing some major "dips" in the mattress and that those "dips" have caused the mattress to be less comfortable. I pulled out the paperwork that came with the mattress to find that it was guaranteed for 10 years to not "dip" more than 1 1/2 inches. I called to see how we should measure the "dips" and they told me to lay a yardstick across the mattress and measure with a ruler. You can see pictures below!

The mattress had two places with close to 2 inch "dips" and a few other places over 1 1/2 inches. We took pictures and took them with us when we went to Denver Mattress last week. There were NO QUESTIONS asked! The saleswoman pulled up our invoice and showed us our mattress choices. We ended up selecting one that was equal in price to the one we have already. We set up for delivery and went on our way. It was really that easy! We'll be getting our new mattress delivered within the next week or two. Hooray!

Woe #2: No living room furniture

11 weeks ago today, I we ordered a sleeper sofa, a love seat and an ottoman from a furniture store in Austin. When we ordered it all, they told us it would be ready in 6-8 weeks. WELL, this is what our living room has looked like since then...

R usually sits in the black computer desk chair, and I sit in the brown easy chair in the right of the last picture. Too bad if we have any guests over. The dogs lay on their bed (or in C's little easy chair!) and I usually have my feet up in a camp chair or in one of the dining chairs.

It has seriously gotten ridiculous! 11 weeks? Seriously? Yes! I called on Thursday to get an update on the furniture. The very nice lady told me that it was set to be shipped from the manufacturer next week. They don't deliver to our area, so then we'd have to set up a time to go get my dad's truck and trailer, go get it, and bring it home.

I told the lady that I was not pleased, and she was very apologetic and understanding. When I told her that I was 28 weeks pregnant with twins and that I'd been without living room furniture for 11 weeks, she was appalled! I asked her what she could do to make the situation right. She went and talked with the owner/manager and came back with this offer: They will deliver the furniture to our home (which is WAY out of their normal delivery area) AND they will deliver it for FREE! I thought that was a generous offer to keep the customer happy. So we should have furniture within the next two weeks!

Woe #3: Desk chair

I mentioned here that sitting at my desk in my desk chair had become almost unbearable. I packed up my at-home set up and took it to my cubicle. This is where you will find me sitting most work-days. Camp chair with a pillow in the back, laptop on my lap and feet in another chair. I can reach my phone, my water and I have my cell phone in the drink holder pockets! It is a great set up for the time being! I thought you would all enjoy a picture!

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009 didn’t go exactly as I had hoped it would. I have a bit of a stubborn (and yet completely precious) almost-two year old on my hands. She must get that from her father. I digress.

She loves picking “flowders” so we decided that she’d be a pretty pink “flowder” for Halloween. Gammy made a precious collar with shimmery petals that C could wear, and we got her a pink t-shirt and green leggings. I knew she wouldn’t be willing to wear anything on her head, so the elaborate costume was out of the question. Also, like me, she doesn’t like to be hot, so a “suit” of any kind wouldn’t have worked either.

I will let the pictures tell most of the story…

R trying to convince her to put on the “flowder” collar so she could go get candy. Eventually she got mad because I was taking her picture! She would wail if we got the petal collar anywhere near her.

Big, pregnant mommie decides to wear the “flowder” petals for our trick-or-treating adventure. About 4 houses down the block, I snuck up behind her and tied the petal collar around her waist. She looked down and squealed with delight, “I have costume! Woo-woo!” She pranced around for the rest of the evening thrilled with her costume. *Heavy sigh!*

We let her enjoy as much "cany" as she wanted, so she had a mini Hershey bar, a sucker, some sweet tarts and some M&Ms. Needless to say, she was sugared-up! She had the best time entertaining her guests (Mimi, Papa, Uncle Mikey, Aunt Teesa, Kaylie, Matthew, and Gammy) and running around like a banshee!
OH it is amazing how much I LOVE my little "flowder"!

Pumpkin Pics

Favorite Picture #1

Favorite Picture #2

All pictures were taken before C got mad because I wouldn't buy a little pumpkin with a rotten spot on it. She proceeded to throw a HUGE screaming, crying and snot-infused FIT in the middle of the church parking lot! Lovely! So glad I snapped these beauties before all of that nonsense!

And just for LAUGHS, here is my favorite picture from the same pumpkin patch last year...my little schnauzer!

Maybe next year we'll make it through the whole excursion without tears...or maybe not!

Picture it!

Okay, so I can't take a picture of myself, so you'll just have to imagine it...

I can no longer sit comfortably at my desk and in my desk chair for more than a few minutes at a time. This obviously poses a problem and interferes with my productivity! Recently, I started turning my desk chair around and working with my laptop on my lap while my legs are propped up in another chair. That has worked okay for a while, but there is ZERO support for my back which is most of the problem. I finally gave up and came home to work this afternoon, and I must say I believe I've found a solution.

I'm sitting in one of our fold-out camping chairs (you know, the kind with the drink holders on the arms?) with a pillow on my back and my feet propped up in another chair. My laptop is on my lap and for the moment, there is not any pain or pressure on my body. I can lean back enough in the chair that my back is relaxed, and the pillow is just giving me that extra support. Ahhhh.

I will probably try and take this set-up with me tomorrow to work. The only problem is that we are STILL waiting on our living room furniture to come in and removing one of the camping chairs is going to equal removing half of our current living room furniture. Hmmm. Ryan said I could fold the chair up every morning and take it to work and then fold it up every evening and bring it home. Wouldn't that be a sight?

I'm TRYING so hard to maintain my sense of humor and keep a positive attitude, but my body is just entering a really uncomfortable phase much earlier than it would with a singleton pregnancy. I get frustrated with myself when I can't go and do certain things with C anymore because my body just says, "NO!" The only time I'm truly comfortable is when I'm laying down in bed...And oddly enough, that isn't too much fun to C!

I'll make it through this. I do not want to be a complainer or a whiner, but I'm told that folks can tell by the look on my face that I am struggling!

Going to the doctor on Friday for another check-up! Woo-hoo! We're taking C this time, so I'll be very interested to see what she thinks about her Baby Brothers!!

I carried a watermelon!

In "Dirty Dancing," Baby is disgusted with herself when all she can think of to say is, "I carried a watermelon!" That was all I could think of when I saw these pictures. I look like I'm carrying a watermelon! I promise, I'm not carrying a watermelon! Just two active little boys! Pics taken at 25 weeks and 6 days.

Big Girl Bed Update

Exhibit A: Big girl in her big girl bed after mommie and daddy FINALLY got it all set up! She was GIDDY with excitement when it all came together! She went and got her “friends” (Sammy, Lovey & Giraffe) and put them in the bed along with her “boppies” (pacifiers)! She kept saying, “Mommie, I sleep in big girl bed! Good night!”

Exhibit B: Big girl actually asleep in her big girl bed after wallering and tossing all of the pillows about! She’s slept in the bed the past two nights and has done really, really well! This picture was taken on the second night!

Corrie’s Tips for Moving a Big Girl to a Big Girl Bed…

1. TALK IT UP! Talk about it for a week before the switch is to happen. Point out “big girl beds” any time you see them on television or in books. Make it sound SO cool! The day of the switch, talk about helping take down the “baby bed” and putting up the “big girl bed.” Ask her, “Where are you going to sleep tonight?” to which she will reply, “My big girl bed!”

2. Let the Big Girl actually help put the “big girl bed” up. We gave C an Allan wrench, a screwdriver and a tire gauge (?) and she had the best time “helping” us work. We praised her like crazy and she was so interested in watching every step.

3. Get the Big Girl some pretty new sheets! We got some at Kohl’s with pink flowers on them. I made a big deal about all the pretty flowers in her new bed! When the sheets are covered up, she asks to see the pretty flowers!

4. GET A BEDRAIL! The one we got is from Target. It was affordable (around $35, I think) and it has two small pockets on the inside where C has her “boppies” stashed. She is so jazzed about the “boppies” being so handy! She keeps saying, “Boppies go in there!”

5. Do your normal night time routine and when you are saying prayers thank God for the “big girl bed” and then put the Big Girl to bed like normal. Turn on the monitor and wait! The first night Ryan had to go in there once and remind her to close her eyes and go night-night. Last night, she didn’t make a peep!

We’re very relieved that things have gone so well. She did have one incident yesterday afternoon when she asked to play in her bed. I put her in the bed and left the room. A few minutes later I heard a thud and then some serious crying. She jumped out of the bed, fell out of the bed or slipped out of the bed. She’s got a red pop-knot on her head, but I think she learned a valuable lesson…Call mommie or daddy when you are ready to get out of bed! Later yesterday evening, I heard her say, “Mommy help you get out!” The girl picks things up SO quickly!