Homestretch

I love keeping up our family blog, mostly because I love sharing photos and writing about what life is like for our family. But lately I'm finding that it is also a very practical way to get out information to a lot of people when, say, we're having twins and there are people who want updates! So, here is that latest: we are definitely in the homestretch! This morning my doctor scheduled me for a c-section this Thursday morning at 7:45am. Apparently the twins did not get the memo that they are allowed (expected!?) to come early since there are 2 of them! I will be exactly 39 weeks that day, which is the soonest the law will allow the doctor to schedule it since neither the babies nor I have any known health issues or risk factors at this point. But, I'll be honest and let you know that you may want to check the blog before that because I'm not sure I'm going to make it to Thursday. I'm almost halfway dilated at this point--crazy how different this time around has been than with Corinne! Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. Nothing about this has been even remotely the same. God's way of keeping me in check and relying on Him, no doubt. And that's as up to date as I can get you right now. Aunt Marcey may do some remote updates/posts for us on the blog in our absence. My mom is moving in when we head to the hospital and planning to stay for a while. Bags are packed, the car is partially loaded, and we are praying for a smooth and safe delivery of our little girls, as well as a great transition for Little C! Thanks for joining us in prayer all of these months. It won't be long!

As Sweet As Her Purple Sucker

Corinne is at a sweet age. She regularly tells me, "I love you, Mommy" and just today at lunch she said, "You're a good mommy". She says the same kinds of things to Brett, too, and we love that she can communicate her affection with words as well as actions. Hopefully she will love her baby sisters, too! And as for an update on them, I've begun to dilate but still have not had any contractions. So, it's the waiting game. I can tell you that we are ready--and I am very "done" carrying these two girls! We've passed the official 37 week milestone and I feel like that is more than adequate to carry twins. So let's get on with it!

The Alphabet as Art

This is the piece of artwork my sister, Laura, sent us all the way from California for the twins' room. (A major improvement over the plain old white board that we moved to another spot!) Laura found these very cool alphabet cards and then devised a plan to mount and frame them creating this amazing wall art for the room. I love it! The muted colors, simplistic, somewhat old fashioned drawings, and universal alphabet theme is perfect. Only she would think of creating something as cool as this. Thanks, L. I know the girls will love it just as much as we do! It looks fantastic in the room. (And by the way, the bubble wrap from the HUGE shipping package has provided tons of fun for Little C:)

Fresh Air & Smoothies

The first two pictures show what Corinne calls a smile...I'm not sure what to call it. But I'll take it--Little C has begun to feel a little better the last day or so (still, you can see the red nose and eyes)! We've played outside, worn our (Cinderella for hers) sunglasses, practiced with the soccer goal, and enjoyed a strawberry-banana smoothie (or two) that we made together!

Waiting

That's what we're doing! But, as I said in the last post, hoping to wait for at least a week longer because Little C. is still sick and that has been difficult in and of itself. Poor thing! There are so many reasons why this would be a really bad time to leave for the hospital--so your prayers on our behalf would be greatly appreciated!!

As for the twins...they are doing fantastic! We had another ultrasound today--probably the last one--and all looks perfect. However, Baby B is "perched" on top of her sister, lying sideways across my abdomen. This is called "transverse" in technical lingo. Baby A is still straight up and down, with her head being (way) down. I guess they like to snuggle with one another, even now:) And as far as weight goes...the doc couldn't be happier (or more surprised, along with the rest of us)! They are estimated to weigh 5lb 8 ounces and 5lb 10 ounces. I mean...I'm carrying around 12 pounds of baby! That is absolutely nuts!! The ultrasound tech laughed when the measurements were calculated because she couldn't believe it. Even now I haven't quite gained 25 lbs...so how is this possible? But, that is awesome news as far as health goes for the twins. Their weight, coupled with the fact that I will hit 36 weeks on Thursday bodes well for a short (or non-existent) stay in the NICU. And for that we are very thankful.

One of the things I've really struggled with this pregnancy is all the "unknowns" that are present just because I'm having twins. From delivery to nursing to the NICU and more, I have felt very anxious at times not knowing the answers or outcomes to these questions and scenarios. But today one of those was checked off my list. With my doctor's expertise and recommendation we will be planning on a c-section when I go into labor, due to various risks and factors outside of our control. All along I've felt very conflicted about how I might deliver the twins, but I'm feeling so much better now just knowing what is planned. So whether I would choose this method of delivery or not, I feel like one piece to this giant puzzle is at least now in place and that is an answer to prayer.

So it's waiting time. No signs of labor yet, not even a contraction. We'll wait until the twins are ready, and hopefully until Corinne is healthy. Exactly one month from today is my official due date. Sometime between now and then would be wonderful! We are anxious to get on with this crazy adventure!

Results Are In

Thanks to all those who voted in our poll. It is fun to see what the results say--although I'm pretty sure they don't mean a thing! And whoever it was that voted for week 34: well, that week has come and gone! I am currently in the middle of week 35, but desperately hoping it's not this week because Corinne is now miserably sick and so that would be VERY bad timing. I will know more after Tuesday morning's ultrasound and should have a pretty good update then on where things stand with the twins.

Easter Brunch

We enjoyed brunch with my dad after church on Easter Sunday. The weather was gorgeous and the food was delicious! My dad (Pop Pop) is famous for finding quarters from behind kids' ears...and sure enough, there were some quarters hiding behind Corinne's ears that day! She loved it and laughed so hard! And you can see she is checking her own ears for more, too.

Note: We tried to get some good family pictures as well as a picture with Little C and Pop Pop, but unfortunately she is still in a phase where she won't look at the camera if she knows we're trying to take her picture. Bummer! You'll have to settle for these, I guess.

Easter Dress

What is it with little girls and dresses? Corinne has been dying to wear her Easter dress since we got it. We have put it on several times this week in anticipation of wearing it on Easter. She calls it her "pretty dress" and says that "it's beautiful". And we would have to agree, she looked darling in it today (our completely unbiased opinion, of course:)!

Easter Morning

Growing up, my parents always hid our Easter basket somewhere around the house and we had to go and find it on Easter morning. So I did what came naturally and did the same for Little C. She was thrilled to find her basket and even enjoyed a lollipop before church...gasp! And for anyone who has played with Corinne and her dollhouse on the 3rd floor, you'll be pleased to know that in her Easter basket she got *new* dollhouse people! Hooray! Her others were literally falling apart.

Downtown

Friday was a beautiful day to explore Fountain Square after eating lunch with Brett. Even though (as Corinne kept reminding us) there was no water coming out of the Tyler Davidson Fountain. That actually turned out to be a big bummer for her, but there was plenty of other steps, people, pigeons, and kids to make her happy!

Stalling for Time

The other day Corinne and I had to make a quick shopping trip before heading downtown for lunch with Brett. However, we ended up with lots of time to kill between the two. What to do when I need to sit and rest? Two things that did the trick: 1) let Little C run up and down the cement ramp at the shopping center until worn out and 2) open up Mommy's purse! Lots of fun things in there! Sunglasses, lip gloss, etc.

Spring At Last!

We are cautiously optimistic that spring is here to stay. Today's temperature hit 80 degrees, and I have to say it felt great to be out! Thankfully my mom was with us today, so we headed to a favorite park near our house. With Corinne's fearlessness and desire to be outside, I just can't keep up these days and I need an extra set of eyes, ears and hands for her to really have fun and be safe. We accomplished just that today--lots of fun! Corinne still loves to people watch as well as play--she would see kids her age and ask, "Mommy, who's that?" So I think we'll have to work on learning how to introduce ourselves! Corinne kept up quite a commentary on everything we did and saw, which was both tiring and delightful to listen to. She speaks extremely well and it's rare that her words are not in full sentences--what a chatty girl we have! First born trait, perhaps? She'll probably talk enough for both of the twins! She's already planning to teach them how to walk and talk she tells me. Oh, and maybe read them a few books, too.
Corinne is pretending to "order" milk & cookies at the "counter" in the picture below. Her imagination is quite impressive these days!

But her favorite thing may have been the swing. She still loves to swing...and swing...and swing. That's sheer joy you see on her face.