Ohio Shower/Visit

Mid-February, Josh and I decided to make one last trip to Ohio before the arrival of the babies, and this was going to be our last overnight trip. It was kind of impromptu but luckily I was feeling well enough to make the trek. I am so glad we did!

My mom pulled together a baby shower with friends, family, church family and co-workers from the school. It was a wonderful shower and we were overwhelmed with everyone's generosity and willingness to come celebrate with us despite all the snow:) This is what our Sunday afternoon looked like!

Mom and sisters

Stash of fantastic presents!

Yummy and cute food table

Diaper cake = 80+ diapers

Very cute!

Trash and gift-writing helpers

Thank you so much to my mom for all of her hard work and planning. And to the rest of the family for their help in bringing it all together. We are very blessed!

We were also able to enjoy quite a bit of snow while we were in Ohio. I didn't get to enjoy the actual feel of the snow, but luckily Josh had some fellow snowbirds to share in the fun.

This was taken after some snow wrestling I believe

One other fun surprise was a gift from my sister in law. I knew she was making quilts for the babies (her first big sewing project) but had NO idea she would have them done for the shower. They turned out so well and are such a special gift to have.

Perfect little blankets!

Excited parents to be

Third Trimester

Wow! Long time no blog post! Sorry about that. I have about 4 to post in the next few days so please bear with me:) Monday began the beginning of my 27th week and 3rd trimester, so we have kicked it into high gear around here. We have had 2 awesome showers in the last 3 weeks and I am still in the process of organizing, sorting, putting away etc. We are trying to have the majority of our work done by 30 weeks so we can relax and take it easy on the home stretch.

We had a doctor's appt last Monday, our first in 4.5 weeks! Seems like such a long time. This week I had my sugar test, ultrasound and then Dr appt. I was not too worried about this appt just anxious to see the babies. The sugary, orange substance was not too bad after all for the glucose test, however I failed the finger-prick test with a score of 171 (has to be under 140 to pass). So they immediately took me back for blood work, for a more accurate sugar read and also to test my iron levels. Two days later I found out that I barely passed the iron test, but did pass so I don't need to do any extra supplements. AND I passed the glucose test with a score of 129!! Which means no 3 hour test for me. Hurray!

The ultrasound appt went really well. Both babies were growing, moving and looked great according to the technician. Baby Girl is weighing 2 lb 3 oz and Baby Boy 2lb. This is actually a little bigger than singletons so we were pumped about that! They are also lying transversely in my stomach, which means their heads are together on my left side and all 4 pumping legs are on my right......that explains what I thought was a very aggressive baby:) So apparently they are having fun talking right now, side by side. Here is a picture of both of their heads put together:

The doctor said everything looked good. I was measuring at 32 weeks ( I was 26 exactly at the time), my blood pressure and weight were good. The only additional restriction I was put on was no more walking for exercise:( Just to be on the safe side according to the doc. Now I will start going in every 2 weeks and they will do ultrasounds to keep track of the babies growth. Here is hoping for 9 more plus weeks!!

Here is me at 25 weeks and 26 weeks, since I haven't posted in awhile....beginning to fill out a bit!

25 weeks, another "I just woke up shot"

26 weeks

Ok, here is a fairly gross shot of my bare belly, probably the last time I will do this, but it will just give you a little better picture......plus some people have asked for this (and Josh made me take it):) Warning.....it is a little scary......

What a mugshot or driver's license picture would look like late at night..

So far feel pretty good, just some hip pain and crampy legs. I am starting to get a little more tired but hopefully that will wait just a few more weeks!

More posts to come soon of our showers.

What Josh Has Been Up To

It has been a busy few weeks in the baby preparation world. Josh especially has really been working hard and getting a LOT done. Below is the to-do list posted 2 or 3 weeks ago. I have updated our progress..


- Cleaning out nursery (see "before" pics below, taken AFTER we put a lot of stuff in attic or in garbage) - everything is out of nursery now but in other parts of the house to be organized
- Picking out fabric to make crib skirts - done
- Josh is building shelves in closet - done, pictures will be uploaded when closet finalized
- Making pillows for guest bedroom - should be completed tomorrow
- Organizing TONS of old pictures found in the office/nursery closet - FINALLY DONE
- Registering - done, Babies R Us and Target
- Making a trip to IKEA for some storage/shelving - done and put together by Josh
- Finished making a LOT of blank thank you notes for upcoming showers (with the help of a very good friend)

This week Josh has painted the nursery, put up crown molding (with the help of his brothers), and a chair rail around the nursery. PLUS put together 2 cribs. The nursery is definitely taking shape!

New paint, chair rail and crown molding

Changing table and different view of paint

Hard worker!

They fit! 2 cribs...wow!

Projects for the next few weeks include:

- Making crib skirts for both cribs
- Start organizing all the awesome hand-me-downs and gifts we have received
- Find storage bins/baskets for the IKEA storage unit
- Go to shower #1 in Ohio!

A special thank you for all the wonderful stuff we have been given thus far by friends and family. You know who you are:) We are beyond blessed and humbled by everything....and very appreciative!

To end, here is a 23 week picture. This is what 25 extra pounds look like on me:)

Please excuse the tired eyes:)

New pictures!

This will be a fairly short post, but it has pictures of the twins so hopefully that will pacify:) Nursery update to come soon with all the projects we have been working on these past 2 weeks. The following pictures were taken at my 18 week appointment.

The top 4 pictures are of our Baby Girl at 18 weeks 2 days. The second picture is a very clear wave:) The bottom picture is a pretty good profile shot, I think. The third picture is actually both babies (I think)...not sure who is sticking out their foot though...

The above 4 pictures are of Baby Boy....I hope this is not too graphic:) The bottom picture is another one of a foot. The top picture he is face up, 2nd picture face down. The little boy wasn't in the mood for much posing that day.

Ok, the top picture is Baby Boy looking at the camera. Bottom picture confirms it is a girl (according to the technician....hard for me to tell!)

I couldn't really figure out how to make the pictures larger on the blog (technology is not a strength of mine), but if you click on the picture, you should be able to see a larger version.

MLK Weekend in Arkansas

This past weekend we decided to make a trip to Arkansas to visit some dear friends while we are still able to travel, and we had an extra day. Car trips are getting a little more difficult but I am SO glad we went. Our first stop was Searcy/Harding, to visit our Birmingham friends who have recently moved there. We have really missed them, so it was a great few days to catch up and play with the kiddos. They are growing so much!

Decorations for our "Celebration". Big C decided we needed a celebration since we came in to town. And what were we celebrating you might ask......well, Jesus of course! Gotta love the hearts of children

Feasting at our Celebration...yes, I'm still eating dinner while others are on dessert

Batman and company headed to the HU basketball game. And cape stayed on the whole game I am told:)

Sweet sweet family!

Little Miss crawling everywhere

Sunday we drove an hour to Jonesboro to visit with Josh's longtime friend and college roommate, and family. We had a fun time catching up, visiting and playing with some active little boys. So much fun!

Adorable, happy family

Roomies

Thanks guys for a wonderful weekend!

In other news, today was my 21 week appt.....and the first one without an ultrasound! Am I spoiled or what?? Everything went well and Lord willing, I will go back in 4 weeks for my fun glucose test and additional ultrasound! Here is a few pics of me at 21 weeks...I have really packed on the pounds this week!

20 Week Update

20 Weeks! Another milestone. Yes, we are more than halfway now....hard to believe! We are now in full planning/preparation mode, trying not to be in panic mode:) Our list is so long, but I'm sure it will all get done, one way or another.

Here is a picture of me and the little ones at 20 weeks:


At 20 weeks:

- Feeling pretty good, much more energy.
- Short of breath a lot, mainly after sitting (I think baby boy rides pretty high)
- Gained at least 17 lbs (that was the total 2 weeks ago)
- Both babies are kicking, I generally feel them 5-6 times a day, mainly when I am sitting (very cool!)
- Officially wearing maternity pants and belly band (love it!)
- Have one registry down and one to go
- Having trouble getting up and down, which is a lot b/c I can't sit for very long without needing to move
- No cravings to speak of yet
- Thankful for each day

As far as our planning/preparation goes, here is what we are currently working on for the next week or so:

- Cleaning out nursery (see "before" pics below, taken AFTER we put a lot of stuff in attic or in garbage)
- Picking out fabric to make crib skirts
- Josh is building shelves in closet
- Making pillows for guest bedroom
- Organizing TONS of old pictures found in the office/nursery closet
- Registering
- Making a trip to IKEA for some storage/shelving

Corner of room where changing table and chair will be (PS we received a gift of 234 diapers, and calculated that would last us 9-10 days! Yikes!)

Soon to be crib area

Closet AFTER cleaning out a ton of stuff

So that is what is going on in our world right now. I need to get our 18 weeks ultrasound pictures scanned in or figure out how to upload our video if anyone is curious to see the babies:) That is also on the list!

We Are Having.....

Happy New Year's!! Wishing everyone a happy 2010!

On December 30, we went in for our "big" ultrasound, 18 week appt. Both babies were measured and examined. Both babies were in all the normal ranges and were even a bit big for their actual age. Praise God for a great report! The doctor said I was doing great, as well:)

We had fun watching the babies on the big screen for a while, doing somersaults with some extra caffeine I was told to drink. So amazing what you can see on these ultrasounds!

Then it was time for the big news....what were we having?? Both shots were pretty clear.......

Baby A:




And Baby B (much to Josh's relief):



One of each! We are SO excited and thankful for all of your thoughts and prayers for healthy babies. Now let the planning and decision-making begin!

Quick 18 week picture....I think I am starting to feel the babies now...maybe? Still hard to tell..