Hospital Bag

I figured this might be a good time to share what I've packed to take to the hospital.  Looking for feedback and recommendations.  Am I forgetting anything important?  Taking unnecessary items?  Let me know your thoughts.

For Mommy/Daddy:

Twinz nursing pillow

Toiletries

Snacks

Chapstick

Cell phone charger

Slippers and Socks

Camera!!!

Comfy clothes (for stay and going home)

Deck of Cards (you never know)

For Babies:

Baby book

Aden + Anais swaddle blankets

Hand-knit hats

Mittens

Socks

Going home clothes

Blankets

Car seats and Stroller

Wipes/Burp cloths/Changing Pad (things that'll probably always be in the diaper bag)

In other news...
Keith and I are FINALLY discussing names.
Happy Thanksgiving Week!
Gobble.  Gobble.

Two week notice?

It's been a fun week for the babies room!  I finally made it to IKEA!  Something I've had on my list of things to do....forever....and feels great to finally accomplish.  I found some awesome items to help decorate the nursery, and things are starting to bloom!  Here are a couple teasers....

Wednesday I failed my 2nd non-stress test, but follow-up testing wasn't as extreme.  Our doctor feels like the gummies will be ready in another two weeks.  To make sure, we have a growth scan scheduled for next Wednesday.  We originally planned on the growth scan this week, but things were kinda hectic in the clinic.   It ended up being nice to have spare time in the afternoon, so Keith and I saw the new bond movie (awesome...go see asap).

The gummies enjoyed their first dose of turkey yesterday and we enjoyed a quiet Friday evening at home.  Sitting in the living room in silence was so relaxing and gave us time to process the zillion "are you ready" questions we endured at the lunch party.

I attended a very informative breastfeeding class this afternoon.  My hospital bags are packed and ready to go, and I'm starting to feel excited!  Are you excited too?

How far along? 32 weeks 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: 35 pound gain
Maternity clothes:  Finally caved.  Bought maternity jeans, and LOVE them!

Stretch marks:  None, yet..

Sleep:  Not great

Best moment this week: Yesterday, 2 things…I had thanksgiving dinner (YUM) and my “little” brother turned 21!!  Happy birthday Jammin
Miss Anything?  Taking a bath, beer, salami, being able to shave my legs, the ease of putting on socks/shoes, sleeping, breathing, not understanding what heartburn felt like…(it’s my blog and I’ll complain if I want to)
Movement: Flower rolls around quiet a bit and likes to punch me in the bladder.  Jordan is still lodged under my ribs.
Food cravings: Wonton soup…something I’ve craved quite a bit throughout this journey
Anything making you queasy or sick: Tomatoes/peanut butter
Gender prediction:  No clue
Labor Signs:  Daily braxton hicks contractions
Symptoms: Acid reflux, fatigue, carpel tunnel, leg cramps
Belly button in or out? More out than in
Happy or Moody most of the time: More happy, but definitely cranky
Looking forward to:  Thanksgiving.  Gobble Gobble

A Shower for Twins

Ended up being such a cute backdrop for gift opening!

This day was so full of love, laughter and creativity bursting in every corner.  My Aunt opened her beautiful home to friends and family and I simply cannot thank her enough!

Everyone involved: Mama, Aunt Nancy, Grandma Muriel and sisters Julia-Jessica-Rachael...thank you all for making this day such a wonderful experience!!!

I LOVE sister pictures!!!!

Slumber party with mama and the sisters!

I am SO excited to share a few shots from the day!  I've been busy incorporating many of the gifts into the nursery, and look forward to showing you how everything turns out.  Can't thank friends and family enough for all the wonderful presents!

The ladies who made it all happen!!  This is a WONDERFUL photo!  Love my Grandma's smile

The gummybears truly got some amazing things!  From water dragons to custom paintings!  They are SOO spoiled and loved.  Keith and I are going to babies'r'us this afternoon to pick up a TON of things.  We received a trillion gift cards and I'm really excited to use them for sweet items that will make me think of the shower.

Just can't get enough poms!

I've never had so much fun writing out thank you notes!  I even kept busy with shower gifts through that grueling diabetic screening.  My sister gave me a really nice baby book for the twins, which I started!  It's really fun!!  

Keith and I brought a few extra bags home, and if you were at the shower...can you believe I got it ALL packed up??  I guess it helps being neurotic and organized, cause I literally found a "spot" for everything!

My girlfriend Megan and niece #1 CHLOE!

Unpacking and organizing was a trillion times more fun.  Hanging clothes in the closet, filling dresser drawers and decorating!  I have a new mommy recommendation:  Get the color catching dryer sheets!  I sadly dyed SOO many things green.  Oh well, c'est la vie! 

Hope everyone enjoys the long weekend.  Many thanks to all military, past/present/future for serving this amazing country.  Especially my husband!

7th Inning Stretch

As my seventh month comes to a end I can't help but think about the seventh-inning stretch at the ballpark.  Stand up, sing a song, grab a snack and stretch your arms high above your head.  That's me most of the day.  Either my right arm propped up high, or both reaching for relief (or the snack).  I'm convinced gummyB (nicknamed Jordan) has bruised my ribs...Thanks kiddo.  Just for fun gummyA is nicknamed Flower.  I've been individually calling them these names since they started moving and grooving.  Both are Pittsburgh Penguins (of course), and both will NOT be their real names.  Just playing dress-up.  For added fun my nickname in utero was Rocky.

Yesterday was an interesting hospital adventure.  Our original appointment went well.  After a quick sonogram to check fluid and positioning (both still head down), I moved into labor and delivery for my first non-stress test.  They hook you up to three monitors.  Two measures each heartrate and one keeps track of contractions.  Usually you stay for 20 minutes then if all looks good you're free to leave.  The gummies took 3 hours!  Long story short, I was having tons of contractions (only felt a handful) and the nurses had me do a zillion preterm labor tests.  My goal from here on out is to stay rested, limit activity, keep hydrated and last another 3 weeks.  I go in for monitoring every Wednesday, and will be taking along my snowsuit.  Labor and Delivery felt like an icebox!  Even Keith was shivering!

Next post:  THE SHOWER!  Stay tuned.

How far along? 31 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain/loss: 32 pound gain
Maternity clothes:  Keith’s clothes are looking more and more attractive…but for now mine are fine.

Stretch marks? None

Sleep:  No better or worse, except I have signs of carpel tunnel
Best moment this week: Getting the phenomenal news…I’m NOT at risk for diabetes.  All my levels came back normal :)
Miss Anything?  Christmas ALE and laying flat on my face.
Movement: The usual.
Food cravings: Still loving my honeycrisp apples! 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Tomatoes still cause bad acid reflux
Gender prediction:  No clue, you predict this week.
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks contractions
Symptoms: Acid reflux and low energy
Belly button in or out? Half is out, half is flat.  Does your belly button return to “normal” after the pregnancy? 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Sleepy
Looking forward to:  Turkey dinner and a possible IKEA trip this weekend

The Double Double

I used to remember everything being a riddle when I was little....what's black and white and red all over?  There always seemed to be a few logical answers for everything, BUT only one was correct.  This isn't a riddle, but has a few logical answers (winning the lottery would be pretty exciting).  So I ask you this:

What is more exciting than the gummybear twins?

The one and only correct answer is this:

Double twin cousins shake rattle and roll
Me: 30 weeks 1 day
Jules: 17 weeks 3 days

DOUBLE TWIN COUSINS!!  Still confused and asking huh??  My big sister is pregnant with TWINS too!!  The double double is finally public knowledge!  If you recall me mentioning having a secret, or someone busting my heart rate theory (also a favorite moment of the week), it was allllll double double related.  Sooo happy and proud to say I'll be an aunt to a sweet girl (baby girl Alpha) AND boy (baby boy Bravo) come March!!

The trip home was like a dream....and the best one I've ever had!  So fun to see family and friends, dance in the rain,  smell the fall air and bring everyone closer to the gummies! 

Although both were VERY shy, they did kick once for Aunt Jessica to feel!  Most activity took place under my ribs.  Yikes.

I'm gathering photos from the shower and will post soon about the entire occasion!!  

Until then I leave you with a little list of things I learned on my travels:

*Passing people in the aisle on an airplane includes an awkward belly rub btn strangers

*(Not really new information...)  I have the MOST creative family members on the planet

*Baby showers are a blast

*Having to diet on vacation for my 2nd diabetic screen was possible, but NOT fair

*Contractions are scary the first time around and cause panic attacks!

*Keith remains REALLY calm in any given situation :)

*Donuts are #1 on the list of "things that make babies happy"

MAX DONUTS!  insert drool here....

Homecoming

Homecoming:

Keith is b.a.c.k. (he was delayed a day, but arrived stateside last Friday night)

Tomorrow I leave for the city of bridges!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday we had a checkup, to make sure we are on track to fly.  All looks GREAT.  They are both symmetrically grown weighing 3 lbs...little chunkers.  Finally found out my diabetic one-hour screen did come back slightly high (boo), and I need to have another test run.  Next Friday I'll be a cranky mama!  I'll need to fast for 14 hours and be on a diet for 3 days prior.  I think this will be my first diet ever.  I don't even follow lactose intolerance guidelines.  AWFUL WAFFLE.  



Gummybear A

I was happy to have another sonogram, so Keith could see how much the two have changed, and to figure out why I'm having crazy pressure under my ribs.  Turns out both gummies are head down and ramming their little feet in unpleasant places.  I need to rent more room for them... anyone know a realtor who can help?  I had the same technician as last visit, who got slightly better at taking pictures.  Maybe next time we'll get a good profile of both kids.

How far along? 29 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain/loss: 30 pound gain
Maternity clothes: An undershirt from GAP…40% off (fluffy clouds)

Stretch marks? None, although my veins are CRAZY bright blue.  Sometimes I think they are stretch marks.

Sleep:  It’s hard to share the bed with Keith.  I almost knocked him off his first night home.  In the morning he asked “what did you hit me with, belly or butt?”  hahaha
Best moment this week: Having Keith come home, and packing up for DA BURGH
Miss Anything?  I’m about to miss Geno and Elliot James!  Poor kitty babies
Movement: Yup.  Gummybear A (the bigger one) likes Bach, or anything with cellos!  Cool, right?
Food cravings: I’ve been digging sour cream and onion Pringles. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Eating dinner at 1130pm.  Not recommended.
Gender prediction: Seriously, no clue.
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Acid reflux.  Leg cramping/discomfort.  Feet in the ribs syndrome
Belly button in or out? Starting to push o-u-t (a bit)
Happy or Moody most of the time: SO happy!
Looking forward to:  HOME!  PRIMANTI!!!!!!  SNOW!

Off to pack..  Can't wait to see everyone and post pictures of the shower!!!  Everyone have a great weekend!

Chapter 3

Did you know butterflies are a sign of new life?

Welcome to the homestretch, aka Chapter 3.  Aren't you excited??  Still no word on my diabetic screen.  No news is good news I suppose, and so for now I feel no guilt indulging in sweets.

This past week was a little slow.  I'm slightly stir-crazy without Keith's company, and look forward to seeing him soon.  I've done well keeping busy by visiting friends, babysitting, building the dresser for the nursery, reading and watching "the nature channel" (my backyard).

This week the Monarch butterflies came through Texas on their cross-country migration to Mexico.  Although I didn't see many Monarchs, which would have been pretty special, I saw thousands of snout butterflies, which have hatched with all the recent rain we've had.  I've never seen anything like it!  Pretty amazing. 

How far along? 28 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss:  27 pound gain
Maternity clothes: Nothing new since last week

Stretch marks? None

Sleep:  Not too shabby
Best moment this week: Watching the flight of the butterflies
Miss Anything? Hockey!
Movement: Tons!  Can’t wait for Keith to join the dance party…finally!
Food cravings: This past weekend I couldn't survive without an Oreo blizzard!  I indulged, then was sick for 2 days.  Not fair
Anything making you queasy or sick: Heartburn was pretty awful a couple days ago.  I swear I needed a fire extinguisher to control the burn!
Gender prediction: Someone else just popped by heart rate theory & now I’m all confused.  (Also counts as a best moment this week)
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Acid reflux
Belly button in or out? Flat
Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty excited, and getting very nervous.
Looking forward to:  Seeing Keith, maybe tomorrow if the typhoon in Japan quits harassing the airport!

Here are two more nurseries I find beautiful and oh-so-inspiring!

Project Nursery

Project Nursery