Yellow Shirt

My DH has asked me numerous times to buy a yellow maternity shirt. He said he wants to see me in a yellow shirt and capri jeans pregnant. Hummmm? Not sure why, but I think it is pretty stinkin' cute! Awwwww I love him, I better start looking for my yellow shirt.

*Update* Gabe is doing okay, he wants to come home very bad. I checked into flights and the best we could do would only put him home about 16 hours earlier for almost $900. For now we just keep our fingers crossed. He is washing his hands like crazy and wearing a mask at all times. My new worry is him catching something on the airplane and bringing it back to me. :-( We plan to keep our distance from each other and to both wear masks at all times until we are sure he doesn't have it. My Mom works for a local hospital and can get him in Monday morning to be tested. Thanks for thinking and praying for Gabe, he will be home Saturday evening.

*Craving of the day peperoncinis and pickles!

17 Weeks

Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

I had a breakdown last night. The city Gabe is in has actually closed down the schools and had reported cases of Swine Flu. We got off the phone last night and I couldn't stop crying. He is going to start wearing his mask at all times and we will cross our fingers for the best. If he gets it, he will be forced to stay there. I am not even allowing myself to think about that... can't do it. For now he feels fine. He is strong and could make it through, but his Dad couldn't. I just want him home... yesterday!

No Pictures

No pictures this week, the camera is with Gabe in Mexico. I slept so well last night. You should see Phoenix sleeping in Daddy's spot in bed, he is such a protector since Gabe has been gone.

My BFF took me out to Mexican food last night and tonight I have acupuncture. When can I stop going to acupuncture? I really really want to stop I can no longer afford it. Wait, I could never afford it, but now I really can't. What do I say? How do I say it? I swear I owe much of the cycle success to him, so I need to let him down gently. The truth would be best... that I just can't afford $90 every two weeks (it used to be every week.) Maybe I will see if I can wean down to once a month. He really does help, he helps with my headaches and will eventually be able to help with back pain too. For now, he just keeps my chi even.

4 more days until honey is home

7 more days until gender scan, and Cinco De Mayo style celebrating

12 more days until my 1st Mother's Day

16 more days until my MIL gets here and sees my belly

22 more days until my 20 week scan, bathing suit shopping, baby shopping, and dinner at Benihana's for MIL's B-day

26 more days until my 27th birthday

I was recently asked what I wanted for my Birthday, my response "I already got what I wanted."

That is so true, but..............

What I really really really want is: For our two babies to be born healthy in September

Although a car detail, our bathroom painted, our baseboards touched up, and the pregnant Willow Tree figurine would be nice too. I have waited SO long for that figurine.

*Sigh*

Everything is fine with the LP's. I am definitely having Braxton Hicks contractions, but they are fine to have. I guess with twins they come much earlier, that and the fact that I am very in tune with my body. They are not effecting my cervix, in fact a month ago my cervix measured 3.6 which is fine and today it measure 3.9, which is even better. Everything is good!

The doctor was great today and was great about me coming in unscheduled. I saw the bubs for a second, and we saw a little butt right away. The doctor said "oh yeah, you wanted to be sure of the gender..." I screamed "NO, NOT WITHOUT MY HUSBAND!" So he quickly turned the screen off before I caught a glimpse. I would have had a good glimpse too as he was using the probe cam to check my cervix. Darn, so close! Only 7 more days!

I didn't mention it before because I didn't want to freak anyone out, or freak myself out any further, but one of my biggest concerns was this clear leaking fluid I was having sporadically. Well, they cotton swabbed me and ran it over a test strip and it did not turn blue, it is NOT amniotic fluid, but it is more than likely pee, since a Bub has situated himself right on top of my bladder. Nice and embarassing huh?

So thankful that the Bubs are fine, Gabe was also very thankful. You could tell he was very worried and so relieved when I had good news.

The 50 cent text message from Mexico on the way to my appointment: "Good luck! I love you guys so much!" The three of us love you too Daddy, and we will all sleep much better tonight!

Uh Oh...

I couldn't sleep last night partly because I was worried about the babes and the other part because I was alone. So at 6 a.m. I called the on call OB and they want to see me today to check everything out. This will be my first appointment without Gabe. Please please pray that the Little Pumpkins will be okay. I will update when I get home.

Missing

I am ALREADY missing Gabe and he has only been gone 6 hours. I sure hope this week speeds by.

I am also missing my babies, it seems like so long since I have seen them on ultrasound. Counting down the days, only 8 more!

I am a little worried, for those that have BTDT (been there done that) is harding of the uterus okay? It seems that every once in while everything tightens up and I can actually feel where each baby is laying. It is starting to scare me because it sounds like braxton hicks, which I read in my books doesn't start until about week 20. Is that what it is? Should I be worried? Should I call the doctor? I noticed if I stay VERY hydrated I don't get them. I have had a total of about 6 in the last three days. Any thoughts?

Update 1:48 PM: Honey made it safely a few hours ago and was greated with a mask to protect against Swine Flu. Oh my!

They ARE Braxton Hicks contractions. I have NOT had any today. I was on my feet and was a busy bee yesterday and the day before, so I was told to take it easy, drink plenty of fluids and call the doctor if they become more frequent. They will be checking my cervix next Tuesday, which makes me feel better. Now off to enjoy my Mac and Cheese (craving for today.)

So Proud

I am SO proud of my gorgeous husband who over the last two months has lost 18 pounds!

He decided he wanted to lose weight shortly after we found out we were having twins. You are going to love why he decided to do this. To be healthy and have energy for me and his babies! Isn't that just the sweetest thing? So proud of you my love, all three of us are! We thank you and love you mucho.

16 Weeks / Four Months

It just so happens that I am craving avocados right now at this very moment! Not much new to report except that I think one of the pumpkins has positioned itself on my bladder making bathroom trips even more frequent.

My love is going on a trip to visit his Father in Mexico next week. I am nervous about him leaving, not sure why. Please say a little prayer that all goes well and he returns home safe and sound. We haven't been apart for that long in ten years (the last time he went to Mexico) and I am NOT looking forward to it. I love that man more than I can ever explain and will miss him so much while he is away.

May 5th marks our next appointment which brings me back to last May 5th. It was spent in the ER discovering that I was having a miscarriage and a huge ball of emotions. I pray this May 5th turns out better than the last.

If you have a minute please pop onto http://in2mesee.blogspot.com/ and give Polly a big congrats and a special prayer. For those of you who don't know... Polly holds a special place in my heart. I owe a lot to her, we met on FF and she referred me to the study program, which didn't lead to the pumpkins, but led to the doctor and the path that brought us right here. Thank you so much Polly, I am so happy for you and am praying for you and your little one(s) often. *Hug*

I will be updating the tickers on the right to reflect a twin pregnancy due date. The OB won't allow me to go past Sept. 23rd, so I will use that as the new due date, although technically the new due date is Sept. 16th, which is 37 weeks and full term for twins. I just pray we make it until at least September 1st.

Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender. http://www.thebump.com/

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop. http://www.babycenter.com/

Loving My Weekend

Besides only one bathroom another draw back from our house is the small closets. Needless to say Gabe and I DO NOT share a closet. Gabe was using the closet in the soon to be Babies' Room. So, I moved all his stuff to the guest room/Elianna's room and got rid of LOTS of Elianna's stuff. Below are the things we have acquired for the babies. Most have been given as hand me downs from some friends at Gabe's work. Minus my Kate Spade diaper bag of course. Some of the clothes are my recent finds at yard sales, I have more in the attic. This is all still so surreal to me. Normally I avoid the "middle room" and I have since we bought our house because it was always meant to be "the baby's room" NOW it REALLY IS "the babies' room." I put the baby things I had in the attic so that I didn't have to face them everyday, and now it seems so odd that I am excited to get them down. It is hard to grasp my new reality, and I am still waiting for that black rain cloud, which I pray hourly NEVER EVER EVER comes.

My Mother-in-Law will be here in less than a month and will be staying with us. We have invited her to our 20 week appointment with the Periontologist in Walnut Creek. She knows of a great baby store in Walnut Creek. Oh the amount of time we have waited to shop for mine and Gabe's babies together. It will be a lot of fun!

My amazing husband and Step-Dad ROCK! This is how a bulk of our weekend was spent. Building a planter box and planting our garden! I am so proud of it and cannot wait until we have some yummy tomatoes. It was 87 degrees yesterday and gorgeous, today it is supposed to be 90.

Susie and I took a family member to the airport yesterday and afterwards we had a girly afternoon along with little Serena. I treated us to PF Chang's for chicken lettuce wraps, and she treated us to cupcakes (I had a chocolate peanut butter cupcake, she had a lemon butter cream, Serena had a huge oatmeal raisin cookie.) We went to Old Navy where I scored a flowing brown maternity dress off the clearance rack and Serena scored a bunch of new dresses and four pairs of flip-flops (gotta love Old Navy flip flops, I already got some for Elianna and I, we both tend to live in them in the summer.) Of course the main purpose of shopping was to hit Sephora for our Bare Essentials, which we got. My friend Heather turned me onto them, and then of course I turned Susie onto it, and now we are hooked. Serena begged her Mama to go into Claire's for some magnetic earrings. It was cute, she wants her ears pierced SO bad, she finally decided on a pair of little studs because I told her they looked the most "real." She was too stinkin' cute showing them off and pretending like her ears were really pierced. To top it off Gabe had a softball game last night and they won! What more could we ask for on our FANTASTIC weekend other than a couple belly shots?

Mom's Surprise Party and Easter

So I threw my Mom a surprise party... yes yes, I am a little nuts. I am STILL paying for the exhaustion. That took A LOT out of me, tired, tired, tired, but I think she had a fantastic time, so it was worth it. Approximately 80 guests turned out for the event and my Mom partied hard.

My Mama LOVES hearts, so this was right up her alley. The filling was fresh strawberries. Yummy!What a cutie! My bestie did the scrapping on this. She is such a fantastic scrapper.

My bestie, Susie also made these gorgeous center pieces. They were martini glasses, she is wonderful. Thank you Susie, I LOVE YOU!

My Bestie and I

Me and Delaney. Delaney is one of three. Yes that's right....she is a triplet! I tried and tried to get at least two of them looking in the same picture, but it wasn't happening so I just gave up. I wonder if it will be the same with our babies?

My Mama and her fantastic bestie (check out Mama's new hair do... I LOVE IT! This is the Mama of the triplets! She is giving us TWO unopened cribs for our twins. She never got around to using all three cribs, so she offered them to us. Isn't she sweet? How fabulous is that? Brand new cribs for free!

Still looks the same!

Susie and I on Easter

Tiff & Twins

Lil' Pumpkins

Serena & Annie. These cousin's have been wearing matching Easter dresses since their first Easter. They are now six. It has made me think a lot about who our babies will be close with. Unfortunately, they are much younger than most of the kids in our family and their cousins who are also older live out of state, but they will always have each other, what more could they ask for? On my Step-Dad's side of the family his Niece is pregnant, so I would imagine our little ones will be close with her little one.

Our bunny hides eggs in trees

I love you Serena Hope!

Craving of the Day

That is my craving for today, I came across some at the Long's Drugs today. It was SOOOO good. I am normally not a fan, but I guess the babies are. For those of you who don't know what it is... it is very similar to Sunny Delight.

Off to drink so more and give Memphis a bath before I fall asleep. I will be lucky to make it to 6 p.m.

Belly, Belly, Belly...

Oh My... 15 Weeks Already?

Continuing the march towards normal proportions, baby's legs now outmeasure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably still can't feel the movements. http://www.thebump.com/

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.") http://www.babycenter.com/

Happy 50th Birthday Mom/Grammy

Happy Birthday Mom. I think it is safe to say that one of the biggest things you could wish for today on your special day is finally coming true. I am so happy that you will finally be a Grammy and even better... times two! Cheer up 50 is not so bad, being 50 means you are closer to being a Grammy and you can get AARP discounts. I love you!

Love,
Tiffany

Dear Grammy,

Happy Birthday! We cannot wait to meet you, but we will... we promise (until atleast September). Next year at this time you will be holding us in your arms. I hope you have a wonderful 50th birthday. We have such a beautiful Grammy!

Love,
The Pumpkins

P.S. We bought you a present, and cannot wait for you to open it.

Yes, that is baby Elianna. Wow, how time has flown.

Holy Moly Bladder

They were not kidding, gesssshhhh I might as well just live in the bathroom.

Last week was a very emotional week between the loss of Bill, the reality that we will probably lose Ozzy, and the debate we had about getting rid of Memphis. I look forward to weeks that are not full of so much emotion and I look forward to what I hope is a very memorable weekend.

Happy Easter! Happy Easter!

14 Weeks

Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth. http://www.thebump.com/

Welcome to the second trimester! This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb. Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb. In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. http://www.babycenter.com/

OB Appointment

Yes, I had an OB appointment today and I have been keeping it a secret for one reason and one reason only. Saturday is my Mom's 50th Birthday and I was hoping to surprise her with the genders of the babies. Unfortunately it was too soon to tell, but I am happy to report that the babies looked great and the OB made a gender guess. Now remember this is just a guess... actually determination shouldn't be done until 18 weeks (my next appt. 5.5.09).

OB'S GUESS:
Baby A - Boy
Baby B - Girl

He saw something between Baby A's legs and looked and looked and could find nothing between Baby B's. He told me not to trust it, but I asked for a guess and a guess I got, and guess what? I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sure hope he is right.

I have been referred onto the Periontologist/Maternal Fetal Specialist. This is the doctor we saw for the NT scan. I will still be seeing the OB in town once a month, but I will also go to Walnut Creek every 4 - 6 weeks. In Walnut Creek they will be doing more thorough ultrasounds and cervix checks. I am very happy with this, not because I don't feel my OB is capable, but just because I want to be certain all is well and in Walnut Creek they specialize in multiples. I am also glad because the ultra sound machine in the other office is FANTASTIC, which means BETTER PICTURES!

How Twins Are Made

Happy Birthday Monica!

Happy 22nd Birthday to my Sister-In-Law Monica.

We love you!