Still Here and...Pregnant

I am currently laying on my soft, fluffy bed while DH and my in-laws are packing up the house.  Our goal is to have everything out by the weekend.  Heavy snow slowed down progress this past weekend.  I was attempting to do some "light" packing by bagging up clothes and going through things to either toss in the trash or give to Goodwill.  Then my lower back started hurting and sure enough I began contracting.  I am making myself take it easy and as soon as Eric realized that I had done too much, he also reinforced my need to take it easy.  I see dust bunnies and things that need to be cleaned and I have to tell myself no.  It's not about me and my wants.  It is about taking care of my little boys and doing everything in my power to ensure they come into this world well-developed and healthy.  These boys could care less if they have a room ready for them (or house in our case).  So I am focusing on the big picture--keeping these boys incubating for as long as I can.

I have been having trouble sleeping lately due to back pain.  That's not too much of a surprise considering I have what feels like a 12 lb. bowling ball strapped to my front side.  It occurred to me this morning how the fact that I have back pain due to the advanced stage of this twin pregnancy is nothing short of a blessing.  I realize that at 35 weeks pregnant with these two boys, there are so many MoMs out there who would have gladly traded out NICU time for the inconveniences of an advanced multiple pregnancy.  Or worse, dear mamas who lost their babies entirely and would do anything to carry a healthy baby to term.  It puts things into perspective for me.

So in that stream of thought, we are doing really well.  The NSTs for the boys have been taking a while each time (two hours or more) because they are very active and like to move away from the monitors.  I was checked this last Fri. and I still have not dilated (!).  Contractions have been more regular however and it has been a big motivation for me to rest more.  I have some swelling in my hands which is painful but my legs and ankles seem to be holding out.  My BP has been low and there are no signs of pre-eclampsia.  I cannot take any credit when the nurses or doctors compliment me on how well I am taking care of myself or say that I appear to be sailing right through this thing.  I give into the convenience foods and cravings just like any other pregnant mom.  The reality is I have been incredibly blessed and know (and feel) God's hand on me.  It is the God who allowed me to conceive these babies that is allowing me to have a healthy pregnancy.  I would not and could not short change His glory and sovereignty in the situation.  I would also like to add that I believe prayer makes a difference.  It always buoys up my spirit when people tell me that they are praying for these baby boys. 

Stay tuned for Guddat twins' arrival.  They could decide to show up any day now!

34 weeks and counting

I am past 34 weeks now.  I am trying to grasp that I will be the mama of two little boys in the next couple weeks.  We are getting baby clothes washed and the over night bag ready.  Our escrow on the new house closed earlier in the week so we are in the process of moving.  Between NSTs at the hospital, seeing the perinatologist in Reno, packing up our place, giving a deposition (long story for another time), and theoretically trying to put in some work hours at home (ha!), I am starting to feel really tired. I felt great yesterday but may have over done it.  I need to slow down and graciously let other people help me.  My MIL came over yesterday and she was a packing machine!  I am so grateful that she wants to help.  Soon more family will be in town and I know it is all going to get done but it is hard to be patient.  I want the babies' room to be all done but I know that is going to take a while longer.  I am not too sure how much I will be able to blog in the next week or so but we are plugging away here in NV.  The blessing is that these boys are nice and strong.  We have not had any concerns with their health and are so looking forward to seeing their sweet little faces. 

Wearing my comfy clothes after church.  These kids are growing like weeds!

Weekly Wrap-up

 We had a busy and productive week.  We are getting geared up for moving into our new house and the babies' arrival:

• Baby gear: Our mini co-sleepers that we are going to use as bassinets were delivered.  We opted for two separate co-sleepers for the babies so that we could order the movement sensor baby monitors.  Eric has been on a SIDS call when he working with the fire department and felt that we should get the monitors for our own peace of mind.   We also got the car seats and stroller ordered.  Once those items get here, we will have all we really need for these babies to come.
• I had my first round of NSTs (non-stress tests) this week.  Both of the boys were looking good.  Baby B was kicking the belt monitor so hard they thought I was having sizable contractions. The nursing staff was great and to err on the side of caution, swabbed me for fetal fibronectin (fFN).  The test was negative so I am confident I could reach at least 35 weeks with these little guys.  The second NST was also showing contractions however so they gave me a dose of terbutaline.  That stuff made me feel like I was going to crawl up a wall .  It felt like I had drunk way too much coffee.  Hopefully I can avoid it next time.
• We signed all of our loan paper work for the new house.  We are awaiting one repair to be finished in the house and then we can fund our down payment.  Once funded, we can close in a couple of days.  I am really looking forward to having a bigger kitchen and more cabinet space to organize things.  
• We did our taxes.  We aren't expecting a large return this year but feel grateful we don't owe.  I have to say that everyone should be wary of using a franchised tax service, particularly one that has initials with an H and R (am I being clear enough?).  They really messed up our return last year and our underwriter caught it when doing our loan.  So now we are in the process of having them file an addendum and pay what we now owe the IRS plus penalties. 
• I got my hair did.  I went back to a brighter blond and a shorter a-line bob.  I feel much less frumpy now.  You will all get to see it when I post my next baby bump photo. 
• More baby gear: We scored two sets of baby swings from a garage sale where a MoM was getting rid of stuff.  One pair of swings is a solid, stationary set and the other is a smaller, mobile set that we can bring with us to grandparents, friends, etc.  We got a great deal.  Now I am just taking off all the liners  and washing them. 
• Starting next week I am starting my maternity leave!  I am going to be doing some part-time hours from home via a VPN account so that I can stretch out my FMLA leave.  I have been so blessed to have been able to work as long as I have.  At this point it is just too difficult for me to sit in my office chair for approximately 8 hours.  Working from home, I can partially recline and be a lot more comfortable. 
• I kind of dread going out in public now.  People feel the need to make comments and ask way too many personal questions.  Just a few more weeks.
• We are getting really excited about meeting our boys.  It is feeling really real now!

What Will Our Boys Look Like?

So since Eric and I both celebrated our birthdays recently, I thought it would be fun to look at our baby photos to try to envision what our babies will look like.  Unfortunately, the baby pics of mine that I had scanned for our wedding slideshow won't upload.  Maybe the file size is too big?  If anyone else has had that problem maybe you can help me troubleshoot it.  Anyways, I was definitely able to get some photos of Eric put on here.  When Eric and I were dating...courting, whatever it was we were doing when we were boyfriend/girlfriend, I fell in love with his baby pictures and knew I wanted a crew of boys that looked just like him.  Well, God definitely heard the desire of my heart to have boys.  Now I just have to wait and see if they look like my dear husband.  

 

Look at those chins!

 Eric and his dad

 

Eric and his mom 

 

 Look at his dimples!  Now they are covered by a beard.

 

Eric and his brother Adam

Birthday Reflections

Yesterday was my birthday.  Yep, that's right, the day most of America thinks of as Super Bowl Sunday.  It was a good day in that I got to go to church.  We had communion in the afternoon service and it was a really good time for me to reflect on the condition of my spiritual walk.  I was thinking about how two little humans will soon be looking to me as an example.  I will be responsible for shepherding them--teaching them about God, their sin nature, their need for grace...their need for a Savior.  That is a huge responsibility and a humbling task before me.  Granted, I am not doing this alone.  I have my husband and co-laborer with me.  It will be our job to encourage one another in this calling of parenthood.  What convicted me yesterday as my pastor spoke of the prophet Hosea and the children of Israel chasing after false idols, is how often my own heart is deceived and swayed by the things of this world.  How am I going to be an example then to my two little boys?  The answer is that God's grace is more than sufficient for me.  It's going to be hard and I am sure that there will be days I wish I could give up but I don't believe God makes mistakes.  He is giving me these two little boys and He will equip me with the ability to raise them in such a way that brings Himself glory. 

I am now 29 and looking at the last year of my twenties.  I have grown up so much in the last nine years that I feel like a different person at times.  I thought I knew who I was at twenty but truly understanding who I am and what I desire from life is something that has evolved a great deal.  Since turning twenty I have graduated college, started a career, purchased a home, changed jobs, met and married my husband and moved to a new state.  And the changes continue.  I never would have thought that I would have two children before I was thirty.  I am still trying to grasp that.  I am going to be having two babies in just a few short weeks.  God does things we cannot even fathom and I am so glad that He does.

Babies' Shower

So I am pretty much recovered from being sick and finally getting a chance to catch up on last weekend's events. Last weekend was the  babies' shower.  It still boggles my mind that after all the baby showers I have attended over the years that this time it was me who was the future mom in the scenario.  My dad, stepmom and grandma made the drive from So Cal for the event.  On Fri. night we went out for Basque food with the family.  Oh man, that was good food but I fail to realize at times that there is less room for food in my belly.  I over ate but it was worth it.  At this point I was already feeling tired but I figured it was to be expected with how far along I was in this pregnancy.  I woke up on Sat. morning and was sore.  My knuckles were even sore but I chalked it up to edema.  My throat felt super raw and Eric confirmed that I had snored most of the night (what a lovely side effect to pregnancy).  After some peanut butter toast and green tea, I actually felt really good but I kind of saw the writing on the wall.  I got all gussied up in my dress that I bought for $9.00 off the clearance rack at Wal-Mart.  I was pretty proud of this dress and I got numerous compliments from my husband which meant it was a winner.  You have to know me but I am not much of a shopper and I dislike having to try clothes on.  I sized up the dress on the rack and thought, "Hey, I think this cut will work for a maternity dress."  It did in fact work once I tried it on at home; it fit like a glove and I can wear it again when I am not pregnant!

As for the shower, it was wonderful and I was so blessed.  So many ladies from our church came to share their support and celebrate mine and Eric's joy.  Since we live in a rural area, many families drive an hour or more to attend church and I don't take it for granted they made the drive that day and then were going to do it again the next day.  My dear friends Harmony and Jolene organized some games.  My MIL, SIL and Jolene's mother-in-law Judy, the hostess, got everything set up.  There were numerous hands that I know were involved behind the scenes to make it all happen. We played a game called "Who Knows Mommy Best?"  It was basically a little questionnaire about my childhood, the pregnancy and mine and Eric's relationship.  I figured it would be a hard game for most of those attending since I have only lived in NV for 2.5 years.  Apparently I was right and my stepmom and grandma tied for the most correct answers and even they only got half of them right.  We then played a game where people had to cut a length a string that they thought would be the circumference of my belly.  Most people cut way more string than necessary which I thought was funny.  Interestingly, it was a little grade schooler attending the shower with her mom that got it almost exactly right.  We then had lunch, my MIL did a devotional on the aspects of biblical motherhood and the presents were opened.  The ladies were all so generous and Eric and I were so blessed to be provided with so many of the things we needed for the babies.  It is a blessing that our Jehovah Jireh provided for us through the body of Christ.  I can't imagine if we had to buy all those items ourselves.  We also now have a good supply of diapers!

Sunday we had church and I spent the rest of the day relaxing with my visiting family members.  My parents wanted to take me out for an early birthday dinner and we went to a local favorite Italian restaurant.  It meant so much having my family there for the weekend for such a big event in my life.  Baby showers are definitely a special season in life.  I am going to be a mom...times two. I am still trying to grasp that at times!

I have some pics below.  Harmony acted as the official unofficial photographer for the event and I know her pics will be awesome.  At least you can get a small idea of what the day was like from the few I took.

 Heading out the door in my $9.00 dress!

 Just shy of 32 weeks

 Jolene, Joleen and Harmony

Two pairs of baby booties on the cake

 Stepmom Anne, Grandma Ida, me, SIL Alicia, MIL Fran and hostess Judy

Sickness

My immune system finally succumbed to the illness that has been going around our parts.  I have been home the last couple days and I am beginning to feel human again.  I am grateful that adrenaline got me through the baby shower on Sat. and my family's visit through the weekend.  It may be a couple days before you see a decent post from me but I promise I will tell you about the fun that was had this past weekend.  My dear Eric is taking excellent care of me and I have no doubt I will be up and at 'em in a few more days.  My big priority right now is taking care of myself so that I can take care of these growing babes.