promises promises...

Well I had every intention of blogging the last few days and I even promised in my last one to put up pix the next day--alas, the pregnancy has made a liar out of me. But, tonight, with an ounce of verve and energy I will post some pix and words. Today was a good day. Todd let me stay in bed until 10:30--HEAVEN!!! He played with the kids all morning and they had a ball! We met Lisa and Wy and the boys at the mall for lunch and germ-pit time and then came home to rest. I am SO feeling the effects of this pregnancy. I was bragging earlier that my itching had gotten better--and for the most part it has--but I itched ALL afternoon...everywhere. My belly feels like leather now since it is so dry and has been clawed at so much! The babies were wiggling around the whole time I scratched--they probably think it's a little massage. Anyway, I will be 33 weeks tomorrow, which is a good place to be. I am ready for them to arrive at any time. I treated Lily to a manicure and pedicure tonight, which we both enjoyed. Here are some pix from that and from my shower. Cheers!

A Good Day

Just a brief note--I tried to post earlier and blogger erased what I wrote and wouldn't allow pix at that time. Soooo, here's a quick update. I went to my OB today and I am measuring 43 weeks--oh my!! I weighed 212 pounds--no wonder my feet hurt and are swelling. My OB does think I have cholestasis and said to keep on my medication. Isabella's heart arrthymia is still around, but my doc said she really doesn't think it is a problem. She did schedule me for weekly non-stress tests in labor and delivery from now until the babies arrive, though, just to monitor their progress. I had Ty with me all morning with no stroller, so I slept all afternoon and I am still tired tonight. That boy has boundless energy!! Anyway, I PROMISE to post more tomorrow. Cheers!

Cankles

I know you are all disappointed that I am not including a photo this go-round, but the only things worthy of photography right now are with Todd at a super bowl party and I am at home with my enormous feet up! My swelling is worse than ever in the last 3 days--I guess 210 pounds on my frame would cause some swelling! My medication seems to taking the edge off my itching, but it still rears its ugly head like in church or the middle of the night or some other super convenient time. I did have my baby shower yesterday and it was the most sweet and wonderful event--I really have the best friends in the entire world and I felt so blessed and spoiled! Everyone outdid themselves! And Amy and Lisa, who orchestrated the whole thing, are diamonds in my crown of friends! I will include pix from the shower tomorrow. Also, my mom and dad were here for the weekend, working themselves silly as usual--they indulged my Pine-Sol craving by mopping my kitchen (I'm still enjoying the scent!!). They were instrumental in helping Todd and I get this house in order to prepare for James and Isabella. I can honestly say that I am ready for them to arrive. I am 32 weeks now and planning to change my OB appt to tomorrow from Thursday. More tomorrow...cheers...

A Brief Note

Today was a better day. I had my bloodwork done for my liver and should have results in a few days. I had my OB go ahead and prescribe me the medication for cholestasis, which should begin to relieve my itching soon. I was up in the middle of the night last night itching and scratching so much, I was actually dreaming about it and it woke me up. I proceeded to cry for 30 minutes because I was so miserable. Anyway, to lift my mood a little today, I went to Michael's to pick up some craft projects, and then went to Target to buy a few shirts that are actually long enough to cover my beach ball belly. I picked up Lily and Adrian from school and fed them lunch and then we made some more GAK--that is the greatest stuff!! Anyway, I am feeling better tonight and I pray that the medication starts working soon. Cheers...

Pearly Whites...

Today was Lily's first trip to the dentist, and she was a champ! She let the hygienist brush, floss, and count her teeth! I was so proud of her!!! Afterwards, we visited Build-A-Bear, which made the afternoon that much sweeter for Lily (and me too :)). Ty napped for about 4 hours this afternoon while Sonia was here, so she had a relatively easy time. I had a poo-poo day!! I actually had an ocular migraine this morning, which is the first time since Ty was about 2 weeks old. I lost my vision for about 40 minutes and then it all came back (I had about 5 or 6 of these headaches after Ty was born and 1 or 2 in my life before that). They are so scary. I was looking at Ty's face and couldn't see 95% of it. Todd came home to make sure I was OK and I just recovered on the sofa for a few hours. I also got the lab slip from my OB to repeat my bile acid test tomorrow morning--HALLELUJAH!!! My itching is so awful and I am just praying that I'll know what to attribute it to when the tests come back. My overhwelming thought is, "what's next???" I know I'm being tested, but I don't think I'm getting a very good grade... hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

The State of the Twinkles...

A quick update on today's scan--Isabella's heart arrthymia has resolved and her heart looked structurally perfect. James also looked perfect, and it was bliss to see them both on the screen. They are SO squished in there that it was hard for the doctor to get the shots he needed, but he managed :) Isabella is measuring 3 pound, 15 ounces, and James is measuring 3 pounds, 8 ounces--both above average even for single babies, let alone twins. I guess all the ice cream, chicken nuggets from Grandy's, Mrs. Field's cookies, Chick Fil'A, , and other nutritious foods I've been consuming have produced excellent results! I was so tickled to hear how big they are! As for my itching, it has only intensified today and I called my OB who will be getting back with me tomorrow morning. I mentioned the whole scenario to the perinatologist and he thought too that it might be cholestasis, which was my initial thought. If it is, they can treat me with actigall, which would improve my liver function and resolve my itching. I don't want there to be anything wrong with my liver, but I am almost praying that that's what this is so we can treat it! I should know tomorrow if they will atleast repeat the bile acid test, which would help diagnose this. Anyway, some of my very best friends are throwing me a shower this weekend and I must say that the excitement of it has helped to propel me through this week. After this Sunday, I can deliver at my hospital, which is a great goal for me too. Sooooooo, bottom line for today, PRAISE GOD that my babies are healthy and big and perfect!!! I need to keep my eye on THAT ball because that's what matters right now. More tomorrow--cheers!

Gray skies are gonna clear up... put on a happy face!

So I guess if you wait around long enough, my mood will improve--yeah!! Today was a good day--the kiddos slept in (making us late to church, but that's A-OK!), there was minimal whining and crying, the WHOLE family napped this afternoon--including Lily who NEVER naps!! Dinner was great and the kids ate well, and then we made GAK after dinner and had a blast! Who would have thought that some white glue and BORAX could keep ALL of us occupied for almost an hour! I plean to make more GAK this week--various colors :) Also, the playroom is now in use--not fully finished, but in use. Todd still has to have the electrician come, trim around the windows and doors, and do one more strip of flooring--but I got the green light yesterday for occupancy and the kids LOVE it--so do I!! On a pregnant note, my itching is now my entire body. I am calling the OB tomorrow to see if they can repeat my liver tests. Not sure if this is liver related or not, but I want to be sure. We also have our level 2 scan tomorrow and I can't wait. I love getting to see the babies and even though we're there to check on their well-being, I still love seeing their little faces and bodies--makes them a little more real. Anyway, enjoy the pix from today!! Cheers!

Here i am in all my pregnant glory--30 weeks along (I'm almost 31 weeks now AND larger!)
Lily and Ty were hiding under their blankets and having a good time--it's nice to capture these funny little moments where we're just cutting up at home... A very unprofessional yet perfect family portrait...pretty soon we'll need someone else to take the picture since all of our hands will be full!
Little man with his blanket...
The ball bucket has turned into a tunnel...
So I'll admit that today was probably the most difficult of my pregnancy. I have been a happy camper for most of this journey, but today really wore on me. I am breathless just having a conversation, my feet are killing me, my whole pelvis aches and hurts when I try to move...the list goes on and on. And I think emotionally I am struggling today. I know I need to stay pregnant for atleast 4 more weeks--probably more--but the reality of that hit me today. I itch. Literally and figuratively. And it's funny because the task of parenting these twins is so daunting and I know I have to hit the ground running--I bet I'll be wishing to be pregnant with them again instead of being up all night feeding and changing two babies...but that darn grass is so much more lush and attractive than the pile of weeds I feel like I'm in right now. There's so much I want to get done before the twinkles arrive and I am physically unable to accomplish much of anything. How VERY very frustrating. On a positive note, Todd is 98% done with our porch to playroom conversion. He's at Home Depot right now buying some last minute stuff, but the floor is down, the walls just need touch-up paint, and the windows need trim...but I've been given the green light for moving in toys tomorrow (actually, I'll be sitting on the sofa directing). So, my goal for tomorrow is to work on being positive about my current state. I will report on my progress...cheers...

I only thought I was big before...

So let's just face facts--I'm huge. I went to my OB today and my belly is measuring 42 weeks--her comment was "congrats, you're 2 weeks past due!" Sadly, I am only 30 weeks pregnant, so I know this final stretch is going to be a real challenge. I just can't imagine how much more I can grow--I am already pretty miserable! I've gained 50 pounds so far, which is on par for twins, but I'm supposed to keep gaining until they arrive--my feet are killing me! As for Isabella, her heart sounded good today and my scan is set for Monday. My OB's comment to me was that she'd never had a baby who had an arrthymia in utero turn out to be a problem after they were born--very VERY reassuring words. I really do feel at peace with all of this, but I just want to peer inside and make sure things are as they should be. My c-section will be scheduled for around March 17th, when I am 38 weeks. I told my OB that that was fine, but I would be praying for my water to break before then. I think around 34 weeks I am going to take up jogging or triathalon training...maybe drive back and forth over the train tracks... Anyway, as for my other babies, life is going well. Ty learned how to open door knobs today--buh-bye privacy! He is so expressive--he's my little narrator of life. He comments on everything around him, naming objects and surprising me daily at what he knows. He'll say, "Green tractor, Mommy!"--when did he learn green? "Two Trucks, Mommy"--he can count? And Lily is my little wardrobe diva. Her most prized possessions are her dress-up clothes. She is CONSTANTLY changing identities and outfits. One minute she's a princess, then a baby mouse, then Tasha from The Backyardigans, you get the idea. Poor Sonia, our nanny/babysitter gets pulled into Lily's fantasy world every Tuesday and Thursday--but she's a trooper and plays along famously. As for Todd, he has almost completed the back porch conversion. He installed dry-wall, sealed the whole thing, and painted yesterday--we only lack trim and another coat of paint to have the walls all finished. We are, however, waiting for Home Depot to return our phone calls due to their mistake with our flooring. If I can help it, I DO NOT plan to shop there again--big headaches from them!!
On another note, we started a new Beth Moore Bible study with my moms' group and I feel like I am really being tested spiritually. Our Sunday School lesson this week was on true forgiveness and I find my eyes are opened to where I fall short in that area--either forgiving or needing to ask for forgiveness. Our Bible study today was focused on the Holy Spirit and how after Pentecost, it is always with you and does not depart from you--I find that a comfort since I do feel like I fall short and I have the assurance that I am not going through my journey alone. My desire to draw closer to Christ has been further hastened by the passing of some seriously devoted disciples at our church and hearing about their lives--I wonder if the legacy I am leaving behind is worthy of mention at all? I pray that it is and that it will be as I grow in my faith. I apologize for the lack of pictures this time around, but I can only plead pregnant... cheers!

Worry, worry, worry...

Last night as I was listening to James and Isabella on the doppler (as I do nightly), I noticed that Isabella's heart rate was in the high 160's--a bit on the high side. I monitored again about 10 minutes later and she had a very noticeable arrhythmia. Todd was listening and handed me the phone to call my OB, who suggested we come in today to check it out. I saw a different OB, one that I really like, and she heard it right away too. She didn't seem overly concerned, but she is sending us to Shands to have a level2 ultrasound done to check all the heart anatomy and make sure everything is as it should be. She didn't seem to think that this was anything serious, but she said it's much better to just take a closer look and see what--if anything--is going on. I am relieved to be getting the scan done and will post more after it's done. In the mean time, please pray for Isabella and for my sanity...thanks!!

Happy New Year...time is already flying!!!

James Isabella
Here they are with their heads together--already plotting against their mother!!!

I blink and two weeks go by! So Christmas was wonderful...quiet, sweet, fairly relaxed. We ended up taking a quick trip to Jacksonville to see Todd's folks and grandparents since Grandma had a yucky spell and couldn't travel as was planned. I toughed out the car ride and enjoyed my last venture out of the county until atleast April. We spent our New Year's eve and day with Wy and Lisa and company, spending a total of four nights alternating houses for dinner and playtime for the kids. We joke that we have a kibbutz and I have come to find polygamy really silly--Lisa and I like that we have two husbands to share the work. The men watch the kids while we cook, or vice versa...not a bad set up!! Anyway, school started back this week and was such a relief. I miss my babies, but I also enjoy the break during the day. Also, Sonia, our wonderful babysitter/nanny/I don't know what to call her, started this week and I am LOVING it!!! She is the total package and I am so glad I hired her. I came home from my OB appt. tonight to a clean house, clean kids, folded laundry, and an empty dishwasher...I mean how awesome is that??? Speaking of my OB appt., they were backed up and I was there forever! I had an ultrasound and the babies are looking great! They are VERY squished in there and it's getting hard for the tech to get a clear shot. Isabella weighs approx. 2 pounds, 14 ounces, and James weighs approx. 2 pounds, 11 ounces. Their heads are together and they are like a baby sandwich--both breech and stacked up across my belly. I am measuring 39 weeks, which means my body looks, acts, and feels like it is full term. My belly has also started to itch and it's on fire in the afternoon and evening. I have a few scabs in fact from scratching so hard--I guess no professional belly pictures unless they can digitize out the massive flaming red and rashy stretch marks! So I guess I will endure this another 6 weeks--then I'll be 35 weeks and most twinnies come around that time. If I go longer, then that's just gravy for the babes. I also have to make it another 3 weeks so I can deliver at my hospital and not Shands. Prayers please!!! The pictures are from cookie decorating with Adrian and Jonathan, Lily full-body painting, Lily and Ty checking out a new toy, and Ty in his new rocker (thanks GG and Gran!). Also, here are some pix from today's ultrasound--cheers!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

I thought I would just take a moment today to stop and reflect a teeny bit on how blessed I feel to be surrounded by family these past few days...talk about an awesome Christmas gift! I'm really not up for any more travel until well after the twinkles arrive, so having my family and Todd's family here for Christmas has just been a treasure! This has been a very low-key and relaxed season--a bit of a departure from the way we've been conducting ourselves lately. The babies' room is fully bead-boarded and the crib is in place. The back porch is awaiting windows and finishing touches. I think we are in the eye of Hurricanes James and Isabella...anyway, here are a VERY few photos from the past few days. Ty and Uncle Tim, Lily and Ty in Venice NOT seeing Santa (they posed outside Santa's display but wouldn't go in), and me--26 weeks preggo. May all of you have a blessed Christmas Eve--what a special night to anticipate the birth of the saviour of the world... cheers!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...among other things

This set of photos seems to focus mostly on Lily, but I can assure you Ty has kept busy too! Lily had her Christmas show for school last night and GG and Gran were able to come down and watch--Lily knew ALL the words to the songs and clapped at the end of each one. A week ago, I took her to see the ballet, "Cinderella," and we sat with her good friends Natalie and Vallarie. They danced during intermission and I practically had to drag her out of the theatre! She LOVED it! The photos with Ty, Lily, and Daddy are from a messy afternoon where instead of painting paper, we ended up painting mostly hands and feet. The two of them had a ball and Daddy joined in the fun when he got home from work. So far it has been a great month and I think we are all excited about Christmas this year. As for me, I am 24 1/2 weeks along and had my OB appt today and I'm measuring 33 weeks! YIKES!! The ultrasound of the babies was awesome--they are perfect and they are both the exact same size--1 pound 9 ounces each! They are about a foot long from crown to heel and moving constantly! All of their anatomy looked just as it should! Enjoy the photos--cheers!

Just a quick post...

I realized I had not written anything since my birthday and I thought I would just jot a line or two to catch up. I'm 24 1/2 weeks now and I have another appt with ultrasound on Friday--can't wait! I am extremely fatigued and I feel like my belly is going to rip open sometimes. The kiddies are great and looking forward to Christmas. Actually, that's all for now since i have to go get Ty from school. Much more later--with pictures :)