More Thoughts on Twins

People always ask me all sorts of questions about having twins.

Q: What's it like?
A: Mostly amazing and wonderful, but also very tiring and frustrating. A lot of days I feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle with a dull sword, but then there are moments where we are smiling and laughing and playing with the babies and I can see how much we are blessed. Those moments blur out the bad parts.

Q: How do I get everything done?
A: I don't. I get half as much done as I used to and that is on a good day, although my energy level is starting to pick up a bit from getting more sleep which helps.

Q: How do they sleep?
A: They are sleeping mostly through the night now with one or two good naps during the day. That does not include when they are teething and Riley and I can be up and down all night with one baby or the other. Unfortunately their naps are not always simultaneous as well, but they are starting to fall into a more natural sleep schedule now which is nice.

Q: How do I sleep?
A: Never in my life have I been a heavy deep sleeper until having twins. I think it is my body's survival mode kicking in and knowing that I need to sleep well when I can. Subconciously though, I think I always have an ear out for a crying baby.

Q: Is it crazy?
A: I've been telling people crazy is our new normal. Even taking the twins out of the equation our life is definitely super busy with lots of different schedules going on, so yes it is pretty crazy most of the time. Although sometimes I feel like I am living in a zoo, we have learned to adapt pretty well and so have Kendle and Morgan. It makes me appreciate the quiet dull moments even more.

Q: Is it fun?
A: Fun is mostly attitude I believe, so some days I have to switch gears and say, ok what's wrong with this situation - why is everyone cranky or upset or whatever. Then I have to remember to enjoy all the little moments that will otherwise pass me by that I can never get back. Cooper and Kale have such great little personalities that they are always making us laugh and smile. I try to make myself remember to have a little fun every day.

Mostly I can say that it is fun in a challenging way. Yes, I think that is a good way to phrase it. If you enjoy being constantly challenged on a daily basis and seeing just what kind of stuff you are made of then you would enjoy having twins. Also you would need to enjoy being humbled on a daily basis and having showers postponed until noon, and develop a high tolerance for screaming and crying because to be perfectly honest, at any given moment at our house there could be at least one baby (if not the older children) having a bad moment. Sometimes people have no idea what they are walking into when they open our front door.

Today I needed to run on the treadmill for 30 minutes. This means I have to bring some toys in our bedroom to entertain the babies so I can get my run in. Of course, who wants to play with toys when they can meander over and attack me on the treadmill? I think I had to start and stop five or six times and move them back to their toys - I even tried making a barricade of laundry baskets to make sure they couldn't come over and climb on the treadmill or mess with the plug in or hit the on/off switch on the bottom (which happened a few weeks ago and I nearly dislocated my knee going from a sprint to a dead halt). I hit 18 minutes on there, listened to them cry for 2 more and had to stop at 20. It was pretty frustrating. It is hard to find time for myself and do the things I need to do.

But - five minutes later I had to just laugh because all they wanted to do was climb up on the treadmill and just sit on it. I realized that wherever I am is where they want to be and being with me makes them happy. That is what makes being a mom so great no matter if you have 1 child or 12.

Times 2

My mom suggested that I take some pictures of the little every day things to do with the twins so I will remember what it was like to do 50 loads of laundry a week, wash bottles until my hands are raw, and rock the springs off of our recliner. Of course no one is ever around to snap a picture of the really amazing things like when I am feeding and rocking both babies and I am wondering how I am going to get up and carry them both to their room without waking them up.

So the picture of interest today is this:

That would be all of the clothes they have grown out of in the last few weeks. It took me two hours on Saturday to go through everything. There are probably over 60 onesies in there. Everyone always says with a baby you can never have too many onesies, but I say yes, yes you actually can. I think we've reached that point.

Cooper and Kale, 6 week update

I can't believe our little guys are six weeks old. Here are a few things they are doing now:

*Eating more, they are like little piggies. But it's good because that means they are starting to sleep more as well.

*Growing like crazy. They are getting so big and gaining some chubs. They are out of the newborn stage. We have an appointment for them in a few weeks and I can't wait to see how much they've grown.

*Smiling. They are starting to recognize our voices a little better and will occasionally treat us to a little grin. No matter how many children you have, those smiles can't be beat. They are so sweet. Riley even claims that Cooper laughed the other night.

*Cooing and making fun baby sounds. When they are feeling especially comfortable and happy they will ooh and ahh a little.

*They both like their binkies, but it is impossible to get them to stay in their mouths. I think it is almost more trouble than it is worth.

*They are starting to have distinguishable crying. Riley is better at telling them apart than I am when they wake up at night. Kale's sometimes contains a high pitched meewing that almost sounds like a kitten. They both cry harder than any babies I've ever seen. Tempers, tempers. :)

*They are starting to get a bit fiesty. They can move their heads around really well and are super strong. They move around in their cribs and will grab onto your shirt so hard you can't get them to let go.

*They both hate getting dressed and getting in their car seats.


Some individual traits:

*Kale is a little bit more laid back and will hang out a bit more.

*Cooper will follow you everywhere with his eyes. Seems that he likes to know whats going on.

*Kale does little leg quivers when he gets scared.

*Cooper has more of a surprised look with eyebrows going up, Kale furrows his eyebrows in a more serious look.

*When I'm putting Kale to sleep he likes to have one hand grabbing the neckline of my shirt and has a tendency to fall asleep with his head hanging way off to the side.

*Cooper likes the bouncer better, Kale does better in the swing.

It is so fun to watch them grow and change. They are such cute boys!


**I thought I might add that we are blessing the boys this Sunday for anyone who would like to come.

***

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me............

.................... 2 crying babies and a partridge in a pear tree.

Can't you tell from this picture we are getting in the Christmas spirit around our place?

Glimpses of Normalcy

Last night we took our first family outing with the twins in tow. We felt somewhat normal getting out of the house and attempting to do something all together, never mind that it was FREEZING. The u-14 soccer team that Riley coached had their end of the year team dinner at a local pizza place. It was loud and fun and great to chat with the parents and the girls. Riley really lucked out with snagging such a great talented group of girls and super nice and supportive parents. They all had lots of great things to tell me about Riley and what a great job he did coaching this year. Their team was the only 3 Rivers Soccer Team to land a league championship and we are all pretty proud. Riley had a nice little speech to say about each of the girls, along with their stats and individual accomplishments. I was really touched with the nice things he had to say about each of them and how well he could remember the details of their games and the entire season. He absolutely was cut out to be a coach and one of his best qualities is that he is FAIR. He does not do preferential treatment, but whether you are the best or the worst on the team he will give it his all to make you a better player.


So while Riley was doing his little shpeal, where was I? Oh yes, at the very back table with two car seat strapped infants, one who started crying and needed to eat. Kendle luckily was having fun sitting with the older girls, Morgan however was sitting across the table from me chowing down on a piece of pizza another parent kindly served up for him since I was basically limbless. He had an almost full glass of water sitting right in front of him, and I mentally started counting down how long it would take before he knocked it over. It took about three minutes. After that he was standing at the wall flicking the light switch on and off while Riley was speaking. Yep, got to love the feeling of watching your 2 and a half year old be naughty in public and be totally helpless to do anything about it.

After the dinner was over we packed everyone up to go home. As we got in the car and were pulling out of the parking lot, Kendle and Morgan started fighting about something and they were clear in the back where we couldn't really talk to them or break it up. Then the twins both started howling and crying. We are driving down the road and Riley glances at me and I know we are both thinking the same thing. This is our life now. For better and for worse. I think all the forces of the universe have conspired to gang up on us and make us more patient parents and individuals. We get it. We just have to laugh about it. This is our new "normal".

2 Weeks Old

I tried my hand at taking a few pictures of the twins yesterday afternoon. I'll just say it's not easy to get one baby to stay still, let alone two but they did their best to help me out.

Cooper is in the white shirt, Kale is in the blue.

We sure are in love with these little guys.

Monday, November 16th 2009 - Cooper and Kale Arrive

*The baby boys are now 2 weeks old and my lack of sleep is starting to distort my memory. I figured I had better start recording what I can about the twins birth before I lose some of the details.

After being told we couldn't come into the hospital on my scheduled induction day and dealt with that disappointment, we were ready and waiting by the phone for any new information from the hospital all weekend. Saturday and Sunday Riley and I woke up super early, showered, dressed, and ate breakfast and stared at the phone, willing it to ring. My sister-in-law who is a nurse on the birthing floor kept calling with little updates. Finally we decided it could be a long wait and so Sunday night Riley drove to my parents to pick up Kendle and Morgan so my mom wouldn't have to take another unnecessary day off of work the following day.

Early the next morning I was having a dream I was talking to my sister-in-law on the phone, when I drowsily awoke to the real phone ringing on my night stand. It was my sister-in-law telling us to eat some breakfast and come into the hospital as soon as we could. YAY! I looked at the clock - it was 6:30 am. My adrenaline started pumping trying to think of everything we needed to do. This whole pregnancy had been one big lesson in expecting the unexpected for me. My mom drove up to be with the kids and we headed out the door by 7:30.

Before we left Riley took some pictures of me in all of my 37 week pregnancy hugeness:

I will just comment that there are no shirts big enough to substantially cover a belly like this. I could never have imagined my stomach could get that big and I could still walk. It was like having my own built in coffee table - I could set my books, drinks, and remote on it. Ha.

After we arrived at the hospital and got checked in and situated in our room the doctor broke my water and the adventure began. I was already dilated about a five or six so that was great news as well. Then they had someone from the lab come up and take my blood. After she was done, she put a cotton swab on my arm and commented on what a good bleeder I was since the blood was taking a while to stop flowing. I looked at Riley and had a horrible sinking feeling in my stomach. I've had trouble with my platelets being low in the past with both births of my other children. [Basically that means if they are too low, you're blood may not be able to clot and excessive bleeding can occur. In other words, the anesthesiologist would not administer an epidural unless my levels were higher.] In Kendle's case that resulted in my not being able to have an epidural ( if you are ever about to give birth to a ten pound baby, trust me that is NOT the news you want to hear), and with Morgan they barely let me have one because I was borderline. They were also concerned if I had to have an emergency c-section that I might need a blood transfusion. So they took my blood about four more times, one of the head pathologists tested my blood himself, I talked to the anesthesiologist about five times, they were having meetings about me and I was starting to have contractions and be in some pain. They did not want to give me anything to speed up the contractions more at this point until I could receive some pain releif.

Just when I thought things were looking kind of bleak, the anesthesiologist came back in and let me know the good news that they were going to go ahead and let me have one. The process of getting it in my back was a nightmare. It took about four times, one of which he scraped my spine. To say the least - it was horrible. I do not cry easily, but for whatever reason it was not easy to get it in and just as I had finally came around to the idea of bringing these babies into the world naturally, he was able to insert it correctly and it wasn't a second too soon. After that, the relief spread through me and my contractions started speeding up on their own without anything else needed. The pain of getting that thing in was totally worth it.

A little while later my parents came to sit with us at the hospital. It was nice and relaxing and my mom kept track of my contractions from the monitor by my bed. I kept joking that I wanted to have these babies before dinner time because I was starving and my stomach kept growling. I hadn't eaten anything since 7:00 that morning. About 5:00, my parents left for a little while to go grab a quick dinner and right after they left I started feeling some strong pressure. After the nurse checked me out she let us know we were ready to rock and roll. My nurse was awesome and with the hilarious comments of Doctor A. and the help of many other staff (when I say many, I mean it looked there was a party going on in our room) they started preparing the room for the birth of our boys. As they began to set up the two different beds for the babies and turning on the heat lamps and arranging the supplies, it finally hit me that I was about to deliver TWO babies. It had not seemed real to me during the entire pregnancy, I mean I knew it in my heart, but my mind had not fully comprehended and wrapped itself around the fact that it was really going to happen - and it would be happening now.

Doctor A. asked me which names we had for each baby. He wanted to make sure that they were given the right names as they were delivered. Cooper had always been the baby that was head down and right in the position to be born first. He was ready. It did not take long and they were holding him up for me to see his little face. I couldn't believe how big he looked. Neither could everyone else in the room. He looked so healthy and good. Then it was time for Kale to make his way into the world. Doctor A. had to help move him over so he was in a better position, Cooper had been taking up most of his room. Kale, who we are now coming to think of as Mr. Laidback, came out with his little legs crossed like a frog and his eyes open looking at us like "hey, what took so long?" Again, I was amazed at how healthy and good he looked. Perfect little round head, chubby cheeks, little arms flapping around. Almost 16 pounds of pure baby love had just come from my tired body and I felt like the proudest mom alive.

Because they were twins and born a few weeks early they had to do a little more to them than most normal babies. Kale had to have his breathing jump started a bit after he was born and Cooper was having a bit of trouble with some rapid breathing as well. It felt like a really long time before they finally let me hold both of them. That is a feeling I can't even begin to describe. I looked down at the two little faces that I had been thinking and dreaming about for months and just melted. It doesn't get much better than that. This is what happiness looks like:

*Fun Fact: Doctor A. told us they were the biggest twins he has ever delivered.*

My parents were gone for half an hour and this is what they came back to:

Cooper had to be in the NICU for a day because of some rapid breathing and low blood sugar and then he was released back to our room. I am glad for that reason that we had to wait until Monday to come to the hospital. I am so thankful for all of the staff that took such good care of us while we were there. We truly live in a remarkable time with the technology and medical care we have access to.

So Monday the 16th was a good day. We arrived at the hospital by 7:50 am, and met our baby boys for the first time by 5:30 pm and 5:45 respectively. I'm so thankful for these precious little boys and for a strong body that was able to carry them safely and deliver them soundly. We have so much to be thankful for this year.

Short Update

I can't believe it's been a week already since these babies were born. Time has all of a sudden kicked back into high gear instead of crawling along like it had for the previous months. Here is what we are up to at the Dodson household:

*Feeding's x 2
So far both babies are good eaters. Kale likes to take his time, he will fall asleep half way through if we don't prod him along a little. Cooper gets down to business and is the faster eater. When he hears that bottle coming he doesn't waste any time trying to attack it. One thing is for sure, these guys wake up hungry and are ready to chow.

*Diaper changes x 2
I know some baby boys like to let loose the minute you take off their diaper (Morgan got me once or twice), but this is like nothing I've ever seen before. Riley and I have learned to be super fast at the risk of getting soaked and/or having to do multiple outfit changes for the boys. We are developing cat like reflexes.

*Getting up at night
Riley and I each take charge of one baby and get up with them during the night. So far this has worked well for us. Then there is no confusion about who changed who last, how much each baby ate last, etc. We still keep a little chart on the fridge (like the ones at the hospital) to write down when each baby had their last feeding. This helps us feel somewhat "organized"? The babies are on a pretty regular schedule so far and usually one wakes up a little bit after the other so it isn't too crazy at one time.

*Feeling super duper tired
So far I think we have lucked out that both boys are sleeping good, Riley and I are just having trouble getting back to sleep after we've been up with them at night. It helps that they are so darn cute and that they go back to sleep fairly well. I wish I was one of those people that could pass out the second their heads hit the pillow. Riley had to go back to work this week, and I know he is feeling it. I feel like I've accomplished a lot if I just get the basic things done around the house during the day.

*Telling the boys apart
We have had so many people ask us if they are identical. I know it might be hard for everyone to see their differences for a while, but Riley and I are getting pretty good at telling them apart at a quick glance. It was tough for a day or so after we brought them home, but they are starting to have their own little looks and personality traits now that help. Plus, like I told someone the other day - when you are their mom and dad you just know.

*The good stuff
Snuggling and rocking these two little guys is like having a little piece of heaven in our home. It's hard for me to pass their room without tip-toeing in to take a little peek at them sleeping soundly in their crib together. I still feel such a sense of wonderment that they are here with our family. It just doesn't seem real at times. I love when they open their little eyes to look around and when they stare up at me when I'm holding them. Life is good.

I will try and post some more pictures soon and do a post about the boys' birth and our hospital stay.

Baby Boys

We came home this afternoon with the twins. They are the sweetest little guys and are eating and sleeping so well. We are totally head over heels for them and in awe of everything that has happened in the last few days.

I thought I'd post a few pictures quickly while I had a minute:

Cooper Channing Dodson - 7 lbs 10 oz, 19.5 inches

Kale Kruise Dodson - 7 lbs. 15 oz., 2o inches

Can you tell them apart? (Kale on left, Cooper on right)

Getting ready to come home.

Pictures from the hospital website:

I'm Still Here

So I thought I would write a little update on what is going on, I've had lots of people asking and I didn't want anyone to get worried.

Here's the story:
I was supposed to get induced on Friday at Kadlec. Little did I know that the NICU was going to be totally full. They will not let me come to the hospital until there is room in the NICU in case these little guys (don't think they are going to be so little) need to be admitted there, otherwise if something happened to them they would be sending them off to Spokane or Seattle because there is basically no room at the inn. Because I am having twins, I'm considered a "high risk" patient, but they still will not let me come in because "I'm not an emergency" to quote the lady we talked to. I think they should take a gander at my ginormous belly and maybe they'd reconsider.

SO..................we are just waiting and I am trying to not go crazy. They called again this morning and told us it didn't appear any babies would be moving out of there this weekend and that I could possibly have to wait until Monday, or Tuesday, or.............................................

So maybe you could all say a prayer for those little babies in the NICU at Kadlec to have a safe and speedy recovery. I don't know how much longer I can carry around this huge belly and support the 14, 15, or dare I say 16 pounds that is going on in there.

Climbing That Mountain

Two weeks ago, I wrote this post. I thought I had reached the end of my rope and was getting discouraged about how I was feeling. Now here I am at 36 weeks, still carrying these babies around and life has been slowly marching on. I'm learning important lessons during this cycle in my life. I'm capable of doing more than I thought, the key is not letting my mind take over and tell myself negative things. I feel like the "little engine that could." Every day I get a bit bigger and a bit slower, but I'm still making my way up that mountain and am so eager to get down the other side where our beautiful baby boys will be. I remind myself how blessed our family has been and continues to be. The excitement is building and keeping me afloat until the big day arrives. I have had so much support and encouragement from friends and family and I feel like that has made me even stronger.

I can do this. I CAN do this.

I want these babies to know that even though it was hard for their mother at times to carry their weight around and endure the days of being sick and uncomfortable, it was worth it every single step of the way.



*To my future sons: You have a big cheering section waiting for you.

Hold Up, Wait a Minute

**I'm 35 weeks and two days pregnant, but who's counting?**

Well, the jokes on me for thinking everything was planned out and I could relax knowing how things were going to go down in the next week or so. At my appointment today we found out BOTH babies are now facing head down, and now we don't really know what is going to happen. Doctor S. had me keep my surgery date for next Thursday just in case, but I am going back in for another appointment before that on Tuesday to get another ultra sound and see what's up. This is good news, since I was not too thrilled with the idea of getting a c-section, but I'm not sure if I should get my hopes up just yet. I'm dilated to a 3 or 4 so I guess anything is possible at this point. There is the chance that Baby B could turn again, or that I might get induced. Basically the message of the day was be prepared for anything. So that is what I will try and do - these babies will be born some way or the other. All I know is that I'm breaking their office record for the biggest tummy measurements. HA! It is essential to keep a sense of humor in these type of situations.

Meanwhile, I am trying to "take it easy" and relax with my elephant feet propped up as much as I can. I've been having some numbness issues in my right leg, so that is keeping me from doing too much at this stage of the game. I have been having some luck with trying to get my family to jump on the "keeping the house clean bandwagon", but I would have to say Morgan wins the prize at this point for putting his things away where they go. Also, I am in full night feeding training as I have been waking up every two hours like clock work for the last month or so.

Well, I'm off to go eat some yummy lunch and arm chair parent for the rest of the afternoon.

34 Weeks Part II

Had another ultra sound and appointment with my doctor on Tuesday, babies are getting quite big (6 1/2 and 5 1/2 pounds) and I am quite uncomfortable. Actually, uncomfortable is a huge understatement at this point. I'll just say I'm doing my best to cope with a large bulbous mass that has become the front of my body. Babies are still healthy though, lots of fluid around them and very active. So active, I feel like they are fighting to get out. I've been scheduled to go in for a c-section delivery on Thursday November 12th. I am relieved about that. I did not want to have to have a spur of the moment c-section and the baby on the right is still breach, so better to have it planned this way so it will go smoothly. Hopefully by then the little guys will be ready to come into the world and not have any problems. I will be about 36 1/2 weeks or so. The only bad thing about the c-section is I can't have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before. Seriously? I'm thirsty like a horse - I have to have water bottles strategically placed all over the house, and especially when I wake up in the morning I drink about a gallon of water. That little stipulation will be a challenge for me.

I am feeling like I am finally starting to shake some of this flu bug I've had. I'm not sure if it was the regular flu or the swine flu, but whatever it was it struck hard and it has lasted a long time. I've never been sick like that before where it just completely took over. Morgan and I have had quite the time of it the last few weeks. The fatigue was horrible, especially with how tired I already was. I was telling my mom about how I had been wearing my neck pillow around because my head would just start bobbing from exhaustion. I couldn't understand how when Morgan was sick he would just lay down in the middle of the floor and pass out. Little did I know...

My appetite has come back a little though, and that always helps to feel like you have more energy and get back to normal. I always tell people who aren't feeling good that if something sounds good to eat, try it - no matter how weird it sounds because it can jump start your appetite a little and it's better than eating nothing at all. After my doctors appointment on Tuesday, I was feeling pretty yucky but for some reason a Dr. Pepper sounded really good. So I swung into the Burger King right there off of G-Way and got a DP and some hash browns. It was the best thing I had tasted in over a week.

I'm trying to get all of the little things done now like packing my bag for the hospital and things for the babies. I still need to get some last minute shopping done at the store and I wanted to clean our living room carpet. I was also wanting to get a pedicure before I go in, because if nothing else it always helps to have pretty toes to look at even if the rest of you is feeling like crud.

The two week countdown starts today!

32 Week Checkup

*Some fun facts:*

-Baby A on the left is still head down and weighing over 4 pounds

-Baby B on the right is still breach and weighing over 5 pounds

(Do the math on that)

-Both heart beats are good and strong

-During the ultra sound the babies kept kicking and bumping the tech's Doppler around

-I'm measuring 42 inches on the tummy (that's another inch since last week)

-Dilated to a 2

-Saw a different doctor today since Doctor S. got called into surgery. This other doctor called me "mama" and told me I had bird legs and that is a good thing? Can anyone guess which doctor at APW that was?

-Looking at the scale is getting worse and worse. At my next appointment I think I should save myself the horror and not look.

So other than feeling like Quasimodo everything is great!

Belly Picture

Here is me at almost 32 weeks in all my glamorous pregnancy glory. Ha.

I wore a tighter shirt so you could get the full effect, yet I think this picture is a little deceiving. I feel like in real life I look (and feel) a lot bigger. Look at that horrible posture, uck. My back has been killing me lately. I gotta love when Riley takes my picture too. I love the guy, but I have to remind him to put the flash on, hold the camera straight, and our house has horrible lighting. This is about as good as it was going to get. I think this is my first pregnancy where I have gained almost all of the weight in my stomach. These babies are just sucking the life out of me. Here's to an ever growing tummy, bigger and better!

31 Weeks and Counting

I went to the doctor yesterday for my weekly checkup and everything still looks good. Doctor S. did a quick in-room ultra sound and the babies are looking great, funny thing is the baby on the left is still head down where it should be and the baby on the right seems to have a mind of his own and is always changing directions. Presently he's laying slightly sideways with his feet by the other baby's feet. My stomach feels stretched to the max and it is completely normal for the surface of my stomach to ripple like waves every few minutes. I think the natives are getting restless. I've been slightly nauseous the last few days and I think the pressure in my belly has something to do with it. Doctor S. said these babies are doing so well that if they try and come around 35 weeks or so he won't likely try and stop them. That is crazy since that is only 4 weeks away!

This morning after I sent Kendle off to school I crawled back in bed for a little while. No more than ten minutes later, the loudest growling I've ever heard came from my stomach. It seemed to go on for a long time. Translated, I'm sure it meant - mom get out of bed and get us some food RIGHT NOW!!! So the Morgster and I headed to the kitchen to make a power breakfast for the day - scrambled eggs, sausage, toast, bananas, and orange juice. Morgan loves scrambled eggs and sausage. He can eat more than most adults if you just keep serving him up. He is such a pleasant little companion in the mornings. He loves to use his fork, and if he can't scoop the food up with it, he'll pick up the food and put it on his fork. He cracks me up, he's Mr. Tidy.


*Ok, here's my whiny moment:
I have been feeling so exhausted lately. I have not been able to sleep, my body is just so sore and big and it hurts to roll over or lay on my side for too long. Not only that, but my chest feels so heavy it is hard for me to breathe at night sometimes. I've also tried sleeping on the couch, which is comfortable for a little while, but not that great. We got a recliner yesterday and that also felt good to snooze in for a little while, but not all night. So last night I started in the recliner, moved to the couch, and ended up back in our bed early this morning. Not a great night. I'm wondering if the nausea is partly related to the lack of sleep as well. I just feel like a walking zombie. My doctor prescribed something for me, but I'm not holding my breath it will work since I haven't had much luck with things like that before. It is really annoying when everyone keeps telling me to take it easy and rest and there is nothing more in the world I would love to do at this point - but I can't! It's so frustrating. My joints are also getting very sore, there are some days where I feel like my knees are not going to make it. Everything I do is in super slooowwww motion.

But once again the good is outweighing the bad and our excitement grows every day for these little fellas to join our family. This morning I was hanging up new baby clothes in the closet and looking at baby blankets and I got that giddy feeling like you do around Christmas time. I remembered that the trials are worth the reward. I've got to just hang in there and endure the maternity pants that won't stay up for just a little while longer.

Had To Do It

The other day while browsing for baby items online, I came across this cute little number from Old Navy. I decided to splurge and get them because I could not get the image of our two cute little dumplings wearing these together out of my mind.






















Not many things are cuter than a chubby little face peeking out from under a hood with bear ears.



P.S. Do you use ebates? If not, you're missing out on earning cash back through online shopping. Currently through ebates you can receive 8% cash back on Old Navy online purchases. It is super easy to use. You can also find online discount/coupon codes for many stores and use those in conjunction with getting your cash back. Old Navy also has a deal on their website right now where you receive 15% off and free shipping on orders of $75 or more.

29 Weeks

I had another ultra sound yesterday and got to have another look at what these babies are up to at 29 weeks. Both of these pictures are of baby "B" and his knee was in front of his face so he is kind of smushed. Baby "A" would not turn his little head around so we could get a good enough picture of him. They were both moving all over and giving the tech a hard time to get good shots and the things she needed.

Both boys are looking great and weighing a little over 3 pounds each at this point. Heart rates are good and I already knew they were very active, so no surprise there. The movement is all day long and I'm constantly feeling little hands or feet pushing out. Baby "A" is facing head down (maybe he will be the obedient child, ha) and baby "B" is feet down.

The bigger and farther along I get, the harder these ultra sounds are becoming. I can't stand laying on my back and feel like the wind has been knocked out of me. I was so embarrassed because I thought I was going to pass out and had to keep stopping the tech so I could sit up and take some big breaths. I've been feeling lately like an elephant is sitting on my chest. I was getting all tingly with pins and needles so she went and got me a fan which did help quite a bit. Still, the thought of having these every other week from here on out is not too enticing. Very much worth it though to know that everything is as it should be and the little guys are safe and sound in this big tummy of mine.

I'm getting so anxious now to finalize names. Riley and I have been having discussions about which baby gets which name. How do you decide who is who? We talk all of the time about what these little baby boys will be like, how we will handle two crying babies, how the other children will adjust to the big change and so on. We usually end up just shaking our heads and not finding any good answers, just knowing we will have to figure it out as we go along.

This pregnancy seems like it has lasted forever, the majority of it has not been very pleasant, but I've been trying to take a little time each day to just sit quietly and think about what a blessing this is for our family. Knowing this is most likely our last time for babies is very bitter sweet. I know years from now I will look back on this time and what an amazing experience it was.

End of the Week - Fall is Coming

This busy week is finally coming to a close. I felt a sigh of relief as I got Kendle off to the bus a few minutes ago. September is just one of those crazy busy months where you feel like your whole family is going in completely different directions. We only had one sit down family dinner this week, and we were lucky to do that. Almost every day has been filled with errands, meetings, practices, and work. I hope that soon, (SOON!) I can finally slow down and enjoy these last few months before the twins arrive. Not likely, but I can hope.

It's been hard trying to get ready for these babies to be born. Not knowing really when they are coming is the most difficult thing. I guess one never really knows exactly when their babies will be born, but Kendle was born on her due date and I was induced with Morgan a week before his. So I'm used to being able to count on dates and plan accordingly. As of right now, both babies are average size and weight according to my last ultra sound. My doctor told me I could have really healthy big (by twins standards) babies and could go almost full term with my good track record, (good track record of having 9 and 10 pound babies!?) so December or November is the question. In my mind, I keep picturing having some adorable little swaddled up bundles by Thanksgiving time.

We watched our first college football game last night, which always makes fall a little more of a reality to me. This morning Kendle went to go look outside the window and said "brrrrr mom, the window is cold!" She decided she needed a little jacket to wear to the bus. I love the first few weeks of fall when the mornings turn a little crisper, but the days are still sunny and warm. I go into baking mode, partly because I love treats and partly because I love the way it makes my home smell and feel. For dinners, hearty soups and stews start filling in the weekly menus. Everything starts to feel a little bit cozier.

I'm looking forward to a relaxing Labor Day weekend with the family.

Funny Baby Things

(Very much how I feel lately)


*Today I'm 23 weeks and counting....

Last Friday morning I had a doctor's appointment. I'm pretty much getting in-office ultra sounds or ultra sounds with the radiology department at almost every appointment (every two weeks) from here on out. That is good and bad. Good since I am getting to see the progress my babies are making and being reassured they are ok, but bad because ultra sounds can be very long, especially with twins and also very expensive. We have fantastic insurance, but wow - things will start adding up fairly quickly. My jaw about dropped off my face when I opened our bill for the ultra sound we just had before our trip. Good thing we only have to pay a small portion of that. Whew!

Anywho, at my doctor's appointment on Friday my doctor (we'll call him Dr. S. ) pulled in the ultra sound equipment to do a little looksie and check out these little guys. I told him I was concerned that I was feeling the majority of the babies movements on my right side. I was worried the baby boy on my left side wasn't as active or was having some problems.
*Side note- at my ultra sound two weeks ago one baby was head down and one was breach and they were fitting together like little puzzle pieces.
When the images started coming up on the little screen he let out a little chuckle. Both babies were turned sideways and laying across my stomach instead of up and down. Both of their heads were on my left side and both of their feet were on my right side. Well, I guess that explained all of the movement on that side. I was getting double the kicks over there. In fact they were kicking during the ultra sound. My doctor made the remark of "busy boys already" and I told him he had no idea. :) I guess these little guys are good buddies already and want to stick together.

I sure don't remember feeling this much movement with my other two until later on in my pregnancy, so it definitely plays tricks with my mind a little bit that I am not farther along than I am. And the size of my belly right now doesn't help that either. :) Yesterday during church whenever the organ started playing and we were singing they would start moving around. Not sure if they didn't like my singing or just enjoyed all of the noise. I am thankful I am healthy at this point and not having any troubles. It is scary to see "high risk" written on all of your doctor's reports and think about all of the problems I could be having. I need to cut back on the sugar a little bit, I have been having a little sweet tooth lately and I need to be careful.

*On my to do list this week: Shopping for bigger maternity clothes. I'm already not fitting into things I wore towards the end of my pregnancy with Morgan. Yikes!