New car! And other weekend happenings...

Babies, our work continues to prepare for your arrival. This weekend your dad painted your room (with a little bit of help from your mom, who's struggling to bend over these days). And your dad doesn't like to paint--so that's saying something. It's exciting that things are really starting to come together. Your bedding should arrive in the next week or two--we have pictures that need to be framed and a few other ideas to decorate your walls--but hopefully, very soon, your room will be all put together and ready to welcome you.

On Friday, everyone in my office had a lunch to celebrate your arrival, and they got you guys an awesome stroller:

When you guys get big enough, we will be out and about in comfort and style.

Then, we bought a new car on Saturday--exciting! Babies, it is fab. This year's Chevy Equinox is rather in demand, so when we got a call Saturday morning that one had just arrived that had most of what we were looking for (this particular vehicle lacked one or two features we'd wanted, like all-wheel drive and a power rear lift gate, but had others that are nice that we hadn't even asked for, like navigation, leather, and chrome), we decided we'd better go for it (note: in exchange for compromising on all-wheel drive, Daniel promised to buy me four-wheel drive when we move--just stating the facts for the record...). So, the car is totally hot, and hopefully will help us transition from single life to parenthood without giving in to mom jeans and minivans. And it has tons of space--enough for two car seats and a passenger in the back seat, as well as lots of room for Spud in the very back. We took Spud to the park last night, and while he was a little bit hesitant to hop right into the back of the new car, once he was in, he was digging all of the room.

We're at 30 weeks, babies! You probably weigh more than three and a half pounds a piece, about the size of a large jicama:

Next week, we have two dr. appointments, one for an ultrasound and an update on babies' size and position, and the other with my ob/gyn.

A day of firsts

*As I was walking down the street yesterday to get a cab, two women stopped me. As the first was about to ask about my baby (presumably, whether I was about to have it), the other cocked her head to the side and said, "Are you having twins?" It was the first time someone asked me if I had two in there--why yes, yes I do.

*We had to go to the hospital last night--our first visit to labor and delivery via the emergency entrance. There was some unaccounted for...moisture? Anyway, we went in after last week's episode of Top Chef to get everything checked out, and to make sure I hadn't sprung a leak. Turns out--everything is fine! My water is definitely not broken, and my cervix is still tightly shut. Also turns out that I was having some contractions, which is totally normal--the nurse declared my uterus to be "irritable," which is understandable as it has stretched to mythic proportions to carry these babies. As Daniel said--at least it wasn't my bowels that were irritable...

*As we were sitting in the labor and delivery semi-private triage center, we couldn't help but overhear the patient/doctor conversation going on next to us. Turns out--the patient DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS PREGNANT!! What?! That's a first.

So, first off, she was there with her mom and her adopted mom (questionable). Next, we overheard the doctor tell her that she's pregnant, then ask what medications she's been taking. I told Daniel that she might just be out of her first trimester, because I remember reading somewhere that days 17 - 52 are the most important, in terms of initial development...but then we hear the doctor say that she is almost FULL TERM in her pregnancy?! She's carrying a full term baby and she didn't know she was pregnant? How is this possible?!

I told Daniel to nonchalantly walk to the bathroom and try to get a look at this gal--he tried standing on his tippy toes to get a look over the curtain, but to no avail. We had a really fabulous nurse, and I wanted to ask her (HIPAA aside) if this happens frequently..we couldn't believe it, especially with my pregnancy and accompanying symptoms so un-hide-able!

This Weekend, or DC Baby Shower #2

I woke up Saturday morning and was so homesick. I don't think there's been a summer in my 29 years (woah, getting old--but whew, Daniel is older) that I haven't spent at least some time on the farm. Granted, it's been less these past 8 years than the previous 21--but since I moved to DC, I've always made it home for at least a week to hang out with my family on the farm in the summer (and usually some time in the fall and the spring too--winter is generally reserved for the ski hill and holidays at home in P-town). Except for this year...and I've really been missing it, and my family. Babies--next year, we're going to have to take a trip so that we all can play on the farm!

We're still crossing things off of our pre-babies-to-do list--Saturday morning, we test drove cars, and have decided on a Chevy Equinox. Now to begin the buying process...

Good looking, right? It drove really nicely, and will be just enough room for our little family, including Spud. I'm excited.

Then Daniel played hockey Saturday afternoon (in the ridiculous, almost-sending-him-to-the-hospital heat) while I went to another baby shower for the twins, this one hosted by Amanda and Jjana, friends from Church. I can't say it enough--people have been so generous with these babies! We received all kinds of gifts--from sets of towels (handmade for the babies from adult bathroom towels, so they're big, plush, soft, and absorbent), to blankets (some light blankets for swaddling, some homemade especially big to drape over their car seats without slipping off), to outfits with helpful pieces of new-mom wisdom (we got a couple of gowns for the babies, and the advice that when you're tired and it's time for a diaper change in the middle of the night, snaps are the last thing you want to deal with!), to dishes and spoons (because the first few months are going to fly by, and then we'll need all kinds of new stuff). The babies also got some fun toys and some Wee Sing music CDs--Spud even got five dog walks from a professional dog walking service, so he doesn't feel neglected right when we bring the babies home. There was amazing food and great friends and funny conversation--everyone has really made these babies (and Daniel and me) feel loved!

Then on Sunday--I taught my last pre-baby lesson at Church, and Daniel played more way-too-hot-outside hockey. I then had the distinct pleasure of visiting Olivia's fabulous new apartment and floating in her pool! It was the only outside activity I was up for yesterday--and it looks like it will be the only outdoor activity that's eligible for at least the rest of this week, which promises to only get hotter and more humid as the week progresses.

This week, the babies each weigh over three pounds, similar to four navel oranges (which means I've got eight naval oranges worth of baby in there...).
I have an every-two-week appointment with my doc tomorrow, I have a (TMI) breastfeeding basics class on Wednesday (yikes), and Daniel and I have a meet and greet with a pediatrician's office on Thursday (another thing to cross off of our list, find a pediatrician before these babies arrive!)--our next ultrasound is in two weeks.

Dinner's ready?

The turkey timer has popped, but the turkeys aren't done yet! My belly button is officially out there.

And did I say I had ONE stretch mark?! Hahaha, that's funny. The one seemingly has multiplied as my stomach continues to grow and my skin continues to stretch...oh boy.

See you in a couple, babies!

If:

A) the doctor doesn't adjust our goal date of September 14 (which would put us right at 37 weeks--although one doctor told me they'd start thinking about us having these babies at 36 weeks, and another told me 38 weeks, so we'll have to see), and

B) if things go according to plan (which hardly ever is the case), then

C) we will meet you guys two months from today! Only nine more weeks to go, we're getting very excited!

So excited, in fact, that Daniel sent me the following email last week:

I wish these kids would hurry up, I want to see them.

And I immediately thought to myself, me too, I want to see them too, I can't wait to see who's been moving around and raising a ruckus in my tummy these past few months, I can't wait to see their cute little faces, and their feet, and their hands, and their bums, all of them. But wait!...they need to stay in there! For as long as possible!

(I also had to laugh, because I'm sure there will come a time once they're out that we may wish they were back inside...)

Even with trying to balance wanting to have them here with needing them to stay put--we are getting really excited to have these babies! Something tells me these next two months are going to fly by...

Speaking of the babies: now that we're well into our 28th week, they can blink their eyes, which now have lashes. Their eyesight is developing--they may be able to see the light that filters in through my belly. They're also developing billions of neurons in their brains (very positive!) and adding more body fat in preparation for life outside of the belly (also very positive!). They probably weigh just under 3 pounds each this week, about the same as a big head of cabbage.

(just ask my hips--they can achingly attest to the increasingly large size of our babies!)

We Love Spud!

A year ago today, Daniel and I adopted Spud. The first time we saw his cute little face, we knew it was meant to be--his name was Spud, for heaven's sake. He's been a wonderful addition to our family--he's such a good dog! He loves eating peanut butter, playing tug-of-war with his toys, going to the park, chasing squirrels, wrestling with Daniel, running around with other dogs, seeing cats (he has a strange fascination with cats), and getting treats. He LOVES food. He is so much fun, and is usually my companion around the house, especially now that I've been spending more time at home--he's a pretty good helper dog, and a really good cuddler/kiss giver. And we have a feeling that he is going to be a great big brother dog...

Woah, big!

We found out today that we have two big babies! At our doc appointment this morning, we had another ultrasound and found out that our little girl is still twin A, sitting breech and transverse across the bottom of my belly. Our little boy is transverse at the top of the belly, and their little heads are still next to each other on the right side of my belly. It is amazing to see images of them on the ultrasound screen--these little guys are so precious. Little Ms. had a case of the hiccups while we were there. And the doctor felt it necessary to comment on the clear view we got (ahem), reconfirming that our little boy is INDEED a little boy (or not so little?), a fact you couldn't have missed if you tried. And we finally got a clear view of his heart--we saw all four chambers, and they all looked good and strong.

So, the average baby weighs under 2 pounds this week--we thought that ours would measure a little bit ahead, since they've been a bit ahead every time we've checked so far. We were guessing in the 2 pounds, 2 ounces ballpark. Nope--our baby boy weighs 2 pounds, 8 ounces, and our baby girl weighs in at 2 pounds, 10 ounces. KIDS--together, you weigh over 5 pounds, and with all of the other stuff in there, you all weigh the same as a full term singleton. No wonder my back and my hips have really been feeling the weight of you both these past few weeks! It will be funny to see how things stretch and grow over the next two months as you guys keep on growing. I might have to find some muumuus...I'm afraid nothing is going to fit over this belly!

In other cuteness, we were checking out our little boy and the doctor decided to try to get a profile picture of him for us, since we have never been able to get him facing the right direction for a picture. She finally gets his cute little face up on the screen, and right next to his nose is a foot--his sister's foot! Here's a cute picture of the two of them (albeit really dark)--she's just kicking him in the face. You two better be nice in there... (if you click on the image a couple of times, you should be able to zoom way in and get a better look)

Other things about the babies this week (which is our 27th)--they're sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing their eyes, and might even be sucking their fingers. At over two and a half pounds, they each weigh the same as a butternut squash.

State of the State: Or, Where is Your Bathroom?

A few new developments:

First, I have to go to the bathroom. All of the time. This was something I felt early on in pregnancy, due to hormonal changes. But I remember thinking, FUNNY, I totally have to go to the bathroom more now that I'm pregnant, what everyone says is true! Well, little did I know what was coming. My bladder must currently be the squished to the size of a walnut (and that's probably a generous estimate). I have to pee so often, it's ridiculous. And I feel like I really have to go, often right after I've just gone...it must be that there's not much room for storage in there. Sigh, so for the next couple of months, I'll be asking for people's and establishment's restrooms.

Second--I have a stretch mark. UG! It's not where I expected it--I thought the top of by belly (where my waist used to be) was far more stretched than anything else. But, the stretch mark has appeared on the bottom of my belly (which I have to contort to see anyway). Daniel's reaction: well, isn't it kind of to be expected? Fair enough. I'm sure it was inevitable--I've probably been lucky to avoid them so far, considering the stretching that has already gone down. And I'd imagine there will be more stretch marks that will appear, given the stretching that's still to come! But that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it! I've been doing some extreme moisturizing and oiling of the belly...but clearly, to little avail.

As far as things inside the belly--we've got some movers and shakers on our hands! Something tells me that real estate is becoming more and more precious in there. In the past few days, we've been able to discern bodies and body parts in the belly, as they move around, adjust, or kick. When Daniel first felt it, I think he was kind of freaked out--it's like one of our little baby's back, or shoulder, or bum, just right there. We'll know more on Tuesday after our ultrasound (as well as who's on first), but these babies are definitely getting bigger and taking up more space!

So--have a Happy Fourth of July! The babies and I have had some pool time in the past couple of days, which has been so nice. Floating and weightlessness is KEY during pregnancy. Up today: BBQ and fireworks.

Sweet Maxers

We wanted a dog so badly. I'm sure Rachel, Andrew and I bugged our parents about it incessantly. But it just didn't make sense--where we lived, the kind of work we did, how much traveling it required. So imagine our surprise when my parents came home one afternoon and my dad had a tiny puppy tucked inside his jacket! This was Max--by far the coolest toy poodle ever, and the much-loved Katseanes family dog for years to come.

Max didn't realize, or refused to accept, that he was wee--he thought he was as big as any other dog, and wanted to be treated as such. When we could, we kept his hair long so that he looked more like a miniature sheep dog than a poodle, and it also made him look bigger than he was--both of which helped to boost his puppy self image. He was never yappy, he was always cuddly. Max never failed to be endlessly excited to see you--you'd come home, and he'd be absolutely beside himself, so glad to see you, so glad you were there.

He loved food (which I can appreciate). He loved to play, always ready with one of his "babies" to play fetch and pull. He loved to have his belly rubbed. His spot was next to my dad in the recliner while watching TV, or curled up right next to (or on top of) my mom's legs in bed to sleep.

Max died yesterday, and we're all still crying. He was such a good dog. How sad it will be to come home, and not have him there, so excited to see us, jumping and running around, waiting to be picked up and rubbed.

Sweet Maxers--we love you and will miss you! As Rachie said--all dogs go to heaven...