Yes, I'm Huge, I Know

As I would have expected this pregnancy is a lot different than my first since I'm dealing with two growing babies instead of one.  It seems like I went straight from first trimester (morning sickness and extremely tired) straight to third trimester (can't see my feet, hard time sleeping, heartburn and overall achiness).  Where did that second "I'm feeling great" trimester go?  It might have been here but only lasted a couple of weeks. 

How did this happen?  When I tell people that its twins they automatically ask if twins runs in the family, like that is the only way twins are even possible (and to that extent not even necessarily something that has to be genetic when conceived naturally).  Is that the new polite way of asking if I had fertility assistance?  I'm not embarrassed by the fact that I needed some medical help the second time around and find it quite fascinating that I could conceive so easily the first time (I'm talking, first try) but struggle so much the second, when usually it is the other way around.  Maybe I just like to be different.  Anyways, if you ask me if twins run in my family, then be prepared for the sharing of too much information on my part as I tell you that "no they don't run in the family and for some reason my progesterone levels tanked after my first pregnancy so after a year of trying with no luck my doctor prescribed clomid to help me ovulate and turns out I ovulated more than one egg and two ended up fertilized.  I'm very blessed." 

 

I can totally see where women, who have been trying for years and have gone through so much to just have the chance of conceiving, get so upset and frustrated when people are constantly asking them "when are you going to have a baby" or "it will happen, you just need to relax."  What are they supposed to say?  "I'll have a baby as soon as my uterus doesn't reject every embryo we try to implant in there" or "I'd have a baby if I could stop miscarrying."  I have become so much more sensitive to this fact that women with fertility issues don't want to hear that question and you never know who does or does not have those issues, so tread lightly.  On the comment of "it will happen when you stop trying" or "you need to just relax" is just annoying because it's not that easy of an answer and for someone to point out that all you have to do to have a baby is "relax" is an inconsiderate thing to say.  So for all the women out there who have gone through hell and back to get pregnant and have a baby, I admire your persistence and dedication and can't imagine the struggles you've gone through.  My issues were minor and easily fixed with a little pill and I'm thankful for that.

 

I'll add on to what pregnant women do not want to hear (or at least I don't want to hear):

 

1.  "Wow, you're getting so big."  Yes, I'm gigantic.  I have a mirror at home and I can see myself, you don't have to point that out. 

 

2.  "You're walking a little slow today."  Well thank you for letting me know that I'm dragging ass.  I'm tired, my back hurts, my hips hurt, my feet hurt and I'm only 5 months along.  I'm carrying more weight than I'm used to and parts of my body hurt that I didn't even know could be sore.

 

3.  "What a cute waddle."  This is like putting lipstick on a pig...trying to say something insulting in a cute way.  No pregnant woman wants someone to point out that they are waddling unless they are auditioning for a part in the broadway production of "March of the Penguins".  What more can I saw.

 

4.  "Twins!  You're going to have your hands full."  Thanks Captain Obvious!  First, I'd rather have them full than empty and every parent with a new baby, whether one or more, has their hands full.

 

5.  "I bet you're ready to not be pregnant anymore."  Are you trying to say that I look terrible as a pregnant woman or I look miserable?  Because to me you might as well say, "You look like hell, you've put on a lot of weight and pregnancy does not look good on you."   I'm well aware of the fact that I am not one of those women that look good pregnant.  I'm not Giselle the super model.  Being pregnant is an experience and I can't say that I enjoy it all that much, but I know that the end result is wonderful.  I love feeling the babies kick and move and every ultra sound I get is sheer joy.   

Jocelyn's Birthday Party

For Jocelyn's 3rd birthday party, I went with a Jasmine and Aladdin theme and tried to bring the world of Agrabah into our house.   The color scheme was pink, purple and gold.  I did a large table that sat on the floor with pillows around it for seating for all the kids to sit at and eat lunch.  I also did a tenting effect in the living room. I bought three rolls of 100 feet of table cloth (purple, pink, and gold) and used this stuff everywhere!  It was a very inexpensive way to make a dramatic effect.

The food table was pretty simple and I used gold paper plates as a backdrop to mimic gold coins.  I also had spray painted wine bottles (the really large ones) and glued jewels on them with gold, purple, and pink decorative feathers.  The food was very simple and might not have been quite enough, but I get so frustrated when I have a party and there is so much food left over that I probably went a little too lean this time.  One of these days I'll figure out exactly how much I need.

Mom put together the photobox for the kids to take their picture in.  It was decorated to resemble a room in the palace and Jasmine and Aladdin are seen flying on the magic carpet through the window.  I thought it turned out so cute. 

I hired a facepainter/balloon artist to come and provide some entertainment for the kids.  Thaden was up first and got his whole face painted like Spiderman.  He didn't keep it on for very long because he probably thought it was permanent and it scared him a bit.  Jocelyn got her facepainted like a fairy (not very Jasmine - but I was happy she got it done)!  The artist was a big hit and I set her up in the Agrabah Bazaar.

The cake came from a bakery in Pearland and I thought they did a wonderful job.  I purchased the figurines from Disney.com and took them in to the bakery and they came up with the design.  Jocelyn loved her cake and it was very tasty!  Worth the money because there is no way I could have done something even close to that.

The kids also got to decorate their own treasure boxes and fill them with treasure (coins, necklaces, jeweled rings).  I think Owen had more fun coloring his hands than the box but I think the kids liked it.  Jocelyn made 3 of them.  Gotta love Oriental Trading for inexpensive party activities.

Overall, the party was a big success and Jocelyn asked the next day for another party (Aurora this time).  Then when it was her actual birthday and I sang her Happy Birthday she didn't really get it because she thought she already had her birthday but I tried to explain that was just her party.  I think it finally sank in.  We had lots of family there and here are some great shots of grandparents with all the grandkids!

Big thanks to my husband, my mom and my sisters for all their help in getting the party together.  Without them, the ideas that were in my head would have never been able to come to life since I am not allowed on ladders these days and I certainly could not have done all of it without them. 

Baby Update - Week 20

I had an appointment with my perinatologist today to check on the twins at the 20 week gestation mark.  They are looking good and doing well.  Baby A is the boy and he is a whopping 13 ounces and Baby B is the girl and she is 11 ounces.  The doctor says that the difference in size between the babies is normal and not to worry about it.  Of course I want these little ones to get big and strong so when they make their debute they are healthy and won't have to spend any time in the NICU.  No signs of pre-term labor or anything like that going on, which is a relief too. 

 

Doctor says that I just need to be sure to take it easy and stay off my feet as much as I can.  She even suggested laying down for 15 to 30 minutes twice a day while I'm at work.  Good thing I have a couch in my office - now I have an excuse to actually use it.  It's pretty ugly and not that comfy and has pretty much just been there to take up space.  I remembered to bring a pillow to work today to put in my desk chair to make it a bit more comfy too. 

 

Otherwise, things are good with me.  I get tired very easily and am starting with the heartburn.  Nausea has pretty much subsided, but I will get dizzy and nauseous a bit if I stand for too long (and by too long I mean more than a minute or two).  Walking around is okay, just standing still causes problem.  Too much walking though and I start getting sore on the underside of the belly.

 

The next milestone will be making it to week 24 - where the babies have a much higher chance of viability if something were to happen.  Of course, that is still way to early and the likelihood of health issues is high.  So the goal is still ultimately to get to 38 weeks, but I am taking it step by step.

 

Here are some terrible ultrasound pictures of the babies. 

 

 

We are getting Jocelyn's big girl room ready to transition her from the nursery to a big girl bed.  It will be weird to have her in a different room, a bit farther from us, but she is very excited.  Then we'll be able to start organizing stuff for the twins' room and getting it all ready.  Let the nesting begin...i just have to get off the couch to be able to do it all. 

 

Jocelyn Turns 3!

Today we celebrate Jocelyn's 3rd birthday!  I am so blessed to be mother to this sweet, amazing little girl.  She has brought so much joy and happiness to our lives.  Everyday she says something or does something that nearly brings me to tears, either because it is so hilarious or because it is so sweet.  She is going to be the best big sister in the world and I can't wait to see what her future holds.

Happy Birthday Jocelyn!  We love you.

 

 

John took Jocelyn to the zoo today, one of her favorite places!  Wish I could have gone with them, but I'm stuck at work (saving my vacation days for after the babies arrive).  She's having a wonderful birthday so far!

 



 

 

 

  

 

 

Pregnancy Check Up

Just a quick post for those interested in the progression of the growing fetuses currently occupying my uterus.  As many know already, we are having a boy and a girl.  I am currently 18 weeks and 2 days along.  I had an appointment this morning with my regular OB/GYN and she said things are on track.  I did not get an ultrasound at this appointment, which was a first since the pregnancy began.  I was looking forward to seeing them on the little screen, but that's okay...I'll wait 2 more weeks until my appointment with my perinatologist on the 18th.  I did get to hear their little heart beats and that was wonderful.  My goal is to make it to at least 36 weeks, but 37 or 38 weeks would of course be better!

 

I haven't figured out yet some of the operations of my doctor's office.  I had one of the first appointments and was the only one in the waiting room until I got called back.  Someone was already in the room to my right (where the doctor was in the process of seeing a patient) but the room to my left was empty for the first 10 mintues while I was waiting.  The nurse came and took my blood pressure and my weight (boo) and then I waited for the doctor.  Sure enough, when the doctor was done with the woman to my right went over to the room to my left, skipping me even though I was there before her.  Go figure.  My appointment was at 9am and I didn't see the doctor until about 9:30.  If she's already 30 minutes behind that early in the day, I don't want to know how far behind she'll be by 4pm.   Not sure if the woman to my left had a fastpass or something, but that really annoyed me.

A New Year

How did it get to 2013 so fast?  All I know is that 10 minutes ago I was in college just dreaming about the future, and now here I am actually living it.  From my perspective though, it is turning out just as I'd hoped.  Love, family, friends and lots of fun! Can't ask for more than that.

 

I have a few things in store for 2013 (these are not resolutions) ..........

 

First up, of course is carrying these twins to term and delivering big, healthy babies!  I can't wait to meet them, but I want them to stay in as long as possible.  Keep on cookin' little ones!  I am 18 weeks today which is generally considered about 1/2 way in a twin pregnancy. 

 

Second, once these kiddos have made their appearance I will be getting back to the gym and start running again.  I'd like to do at least one half marathon this year....hopefully the San Antonio Rock n Roll since it is usually in November (plenty of time to heal and train) and I'm familiar with the course.  I seriously dislike the way the finish line is set up since you have to go uphill to get there and at that point of the race it's just painful.  Not only will training help me take off the weight I've been putting on (all for a good reason, so not complaining) but I just feel so much better when I exercise. 

 

Third, I'm going to get back into doing improv and really see where I can take it.  In the past it was very much a recreational thing, but I enjoy it so much and you only get to live once...so let's see if I can't make something more happen.

 

Notice that I did not include a trip to Disney World above.  I figured that with twin infants a trip to the Magic Kingdom will not be in the cards this year (or next year).  I'll have to be patient and wait since that would be quite a handful, and those that really know me know that I am not patient at all.  (Hopefully 2015!!)  Jocelyn will not be happy that we won't be going for a while since she asks me every other day if we can go to Disney World.

 

As with every year, I plan to spend lots of time with family and friends and watch this little princess grow and amaze me everyday........

 

 

So, let's get this party started and see where the year takes us!