Welcome to the Jungle

I got back from Boise last night--it was so sad to say goodbye to my family, but so good to be back home with Daniel and Spud. We definitely experienced spring weather in Idaho--we had rain one day, it was cloudy and windy one day, then beautiful and sunny the next days. But overall the temperatures were in the 60s and low 70s, with no humidity. UNFORTUNATELY, it is ridiculous here in DC! Spud and I went for a walk this morning, and by the time we got home, both of us were panting from the heat and the humidity...and that was at 7 this morning! It promises to be 90 with high humidity by this afternoon--I think we'll be seeking refuge in air conditioning!

And with that, here's a little Guns N' Roses, because we are seriously living in the jungle. And ah...the late '80s. Hilarious.

Kimmy and Jake's wedding!

I was so lucky to be in Boise this weekend, and to be able to attend my cousin Kimmy's wedding and see all of my family!

The bride was gorgeous, and Woodriver Cellars was beautiful venue...

Two lovely ladies, my mom and my Aunt Susan, and cute little Blake...

My sweet family...

Our cousin Michael (who is Blake's dad and Kim's bro), Rachel, Andrew and me (and the babies!)...

And Kim and Jake look like they're going to be very happy!


PS Many more pictures can be found here!

Happy Anniversary!

Three years ago today, I married the love of my life and the soon-to-be father of my children. It was a wonderful day, full of family and friends and happiness--we've had an amazing three years since, with many many more good times to come!

On the Road Again...

Today--a whirlwind. Tomorrow--leaving for Brainerd, Minnesota. Wednesday--heading to Boise. It will be so nice to have a weekend in Boise with the family! I only wish I could pack Daniel in my suitcase with me...

Sorry babies...

Turns out the little guy and gal started hearing last week (although there's some question as to how much they can hear in the womb)--I should probably cut back on the swears...or earmuff the belly, which is what I've resorted to so far. Cover your ears, babies!

So, the belly is starting to weighing me down...even though Spud and I still do a lot of walking, in the past few weeks I've started get winded pretty easily (like going up and down stairs), and last night I had to officially heft myself out of bed to go to the bathroom, and it took me a second to get my balance once I got up. Measurement: 43 1/2 inches around the belly, no wonder!!

Busy weekend!

Man, we were busy this weekend. While I worked on cleaning the house and getting a few groceries, Daniel and Spud spent Saturday morning at the vet's office, getting a vaccination and a heartworm test. Evidently, Spud is better at giving blood than I am. What a snot. And he's a big boy, clocking in at a bold 62 lbs (not that I should be telling anyone that they weigh a lot right now--but seriously, dog?).

Then, we made a HUGE delivery to Goodwill--we're starting to clean and purge, and a carload was ready to go. I'm sure we'll have at least one more before we're done and the nursery is ready. I'll say that the organizing, cleaning, and tossing feels really good--but there are still a few big things to tackle in coming weeks!

Next up: car test drive. Of course, the Chevrolet dealership we stopped at is phasing out Chervolets (really Rosenthal?)--so they had zero Equinoxes on the lot (super), and one used Traverse, which we took for a spin. Pros--it drove pretty nicely (which is not a surprise, as I tend to like the way Chevy's drive), had lots of nice features, good safety ratings, and seats 8. Cons--that sucker is big (evidently, it's built on a Silverado's wheel base--I'd probably just take the truck--or if we're going with that size, a Tahoe), was a bit minivan-esque, is at the very top of our car budget, and was a very unfortunate shade of EGGPLANT. Thanks, but no. Clearly, more weekends are going to have to be spent test-driving cars.

We went to a dinner party that night with a group of my coworkers, which was fun--Sunday was church for me, hockey and tennis with Matt for Daniel--then the park with Spud, and dinner and (finally!) birthday cupcakes at home. Overall, a pretty successful weekend!

This week, we start measuring the length of the babies a different way--up until now, it's been a head to bum measurement. Starting now, it's a head to toe length--and this week, our guy and gal are each about the length of a banana!

A good Sunday

Today's Sunday School lesson really resonated with me, probably with all of the changes our little family will be going through in coming months. The lesson was on the first few chapters of Joshua, and the first lines that really stuck probably did so because we will need to:

Be strong and of a good courage...(Joshua 1:6, and is repeated three times over the course of four verses)

And, as we expand our little family:

...choose you this day whom ye will serve;...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

Good stuff, I tell you. Good stuff. I also ran into Bishop Parker (who is the leader of the ward), whose wife just had their third child last week. He had just heard our news and was really excited for us, and asked how things have been going. I told him things were going really well, and I said I guess we'll just have to figure out the rest as we go along. And he agreed, that's all you can do--do the best you can, and leave the rest up to the Lord--and it will all work out. I don't know why, but I found that sentiment very reassuring.

Signed--the Church Lady (evidently!)

Randomness on the Perceived Physical State of Stacey

First: at the spa this weekend, the woman giving me a facial greeted me with congratulations, and asked how far along I was...and continued to guess that I was 6 or 7 months pregnant. No, nope I'm not--thanks for your guess, and suggestion that I am LARGE and well into the latter part of my pregnancy--but I'm not even 5 months in yet. It turns out that the books are correct--I look 6 - 8 weeks further along than I would if I only had one baby in there. I'm trying to embrace that I'm going to be downright huge before this is over.

Second: moments ago, I was sitting at my desk, typing away, when an office mate walked by. Now, I've known this gentleman for many years--I used to work with him when he held various positions at USDA, and he has since (been booted out with the Bush Administration and) opened up his own consulting firm and rents office space from us. In fact, I may owe him a debt of gratitude for being considered for my current position. Anyway, he walked by and popped his head in my door and said, "How are you feeling?"

To which I responded, "I'm feeling pretty good, thanks for asking."

He then said, "Well, you look WONDERFUL."

And I said, a bit bewildered, "Thanks?..."

So he further explained that I'm starting to get to "that point," which he remembered from his wife and her pregnancies, when I just need to be told that I look wonderful...even though "changes are occurring." I assume he's referring to my RAPIDLY EXPANDING WAISTLINE, among other things.

Bizarre conversation...but I appreciate the sentiment! I'm feeling and looking pretty big--so the compliment, however random, was well received!

Girl's weekend away!

Whew, what a weekend! I got to spend this past weekend with one of my best friends at a beautiful resort overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, eating delicious food, reconnecting and having great conversation, swimming (which relieves all kind of pressure in the back and hip department, love it!), shopping, and being totally pampered at the spa. It was in a word: heaven.

This is where we stayed: the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa, and Marina in a little town called Cambridge, MD, just over the Bay Bridge. And it was in actuality as lovely as it is in the picture.

Let's talk more about the spa. We were there most of the day--I was treated to a Baby on Board Massage, a Baby on Board Facial, and a Signature Pedicure. First off--the massage--heaven. Daniel may have created a monster, because I might demand one semi-weekly from here on out. I'm pretty sure I nodded off while my masseuse Donna rubbed my back, and I'm pretty sure I snored myself awake. Classy spa behavior--but what can I say?! I'm pregnant.

Next up--facial. I don't get facials very often, but I'm telling you what--my skin feels and looks great. Again, spa-monster creation underway. And my facial wasn't only rubbing and applying of agents to my face--nooosireebob, it involved scalp massage, neck and shoulder massage, and massage and deep heated hydration of hands and footsies. Again, it was wonderful.

And the pedicure--my feet haven't looked or felt this good in a LONG time. They used Farm House Fresh products, including a superfine sea salt scrub (I like alliteration!), a honey butter hydrating glaze, and a sweet cream lotion...drool.

Overall--fantastic weekend. Thank you sweetie.

Sidenote: I feel like there has been lots of gushing about Daniel lately--which is kind of gaggy. But he deserves it. He planned this weekend away for Olivia and me--well done Daniel for thinking I needed a girl's weekend away, for putting it together, and for pulling it off, all without me knowing a thing about it. I had such an amazing time--it was great to get away with Liv for the weekend!

So, this week I had another doctor's appointment, this time with my actual doctor, Dr. Alice McKnight. And I tell you what, I like that woman a lot. She can deliver my babies any day...and hopefully she will! Anyway, I got to hear their little heartbeats (which took a few seconds to find, squirmy little devils), had my uterus measured, was weighed (YIKES), and had lots of good conversation with my doc. I also had blood taken for some additional testing for the babies (this time for spina bifida and a few other things--while everything looked fine in the ultrasound, the doc recommended we get it anyway). Dear Babies: take note of the things your mom is doing for you already!!

In good news, all is well with the babies!

This week, they each weigh just over 9 ounces and are roughly the size of a large heirloom tomato (who comes up with these vegetable classifications?!).

This picture gives good perspective...

but I like this picture better!

Oh so cute--we're having both!

And the verdict is...

We have a baby girl and a baby boy!!!

Aforementioned: TWIN JACKPOT.

The doctor was able to give baby A a full anatomy check, and all is well, from the chambers of her heart and the size of her head to the length of her femur. Unfortunately, she was in a rather modest position, so the doctor was not able to get a 100 percent clear view--but the doc was certain enough to rule baby A a little girl.

Baby B was in a trickier position. He only got about half of his little features checked out, because he was all balled up and had his back to the camera. Everything that we were able to see looked great--but we'll have to follow up and check the rest of him out at our next appointment (and confirm that baby A is indeed a girl!). But with baby B, the doctor was able to conclusively say that he is a boy!

Sigh--what a relief that everything is good, that they are healthy and developing perfectly. They both weigh 9 oz (and from the look and feel of my tummy this week, they are in the midst of a growth spurt!). What fun news that we will have a little girl and a little boy joining our family this fall!

Here they are: baby A is our precious little girl, who was more willing to show off to have her picture taken, and baby B is our sweet baby boy, who clearly has a strong back!

(you can click on the image, and it will open up larger to get a better look...)

PS let's give credit where credit is due: Daniel and I do good work. Two eggs--thankyouverymuch, Stacey. Two sperm, one with the X and one with the Y--thankyouverymuch, Daniel. Great work, team!

I'm not ashamed.

So...I might have eaten an entire watermelon over the last three days (give or take). Nom nom nom...watermelon tastes like summer! And it was delightful.

And funny, it kind of looks like I ate an entire watermelon in one whole gulp!! This is the belly at 18 weeks--there's no fooling anyone these days.

A big week!

It was so nice to have a relaxing and restful weekend! With both of us getting over colds, I think we needed some downtime--and this weekend provided us with just enough. We made a chore list, and actually completed everything on the list (this is noteworthy for us...very rarely do we get everything around the house done in course of a weekend!). Spud finally got a bath (whew, he was getting to be a stinky dog, he needed one!), and lots of time at the park.

We also ventured out to Babies R Us to check out some baby goods--we test-drove a few strollers, looked at swings and carriers and pack and plays and all kinds of other things. Seriously, there is so much baby stuff. One word: yikes.

Two big things this week: first, it's Daniel's birthday on Thursday! (sidenote: if anyone else was nerdy enough to catch 60 Minutes last night, you saw a piece about chef Jose Andres, who has many restaurants here in DC, many of which I am a huge fan. It was a great segment--and he has inspired me to make dinner reservations at Cafe Atlantico for Daniel's birthday. Hopefully the chef is having a good night Thursday night...) And second, we have our big second trimester, head-to-toe ultrasound at the specialist's office--and with any luck, we should find out the sex of our babies, which are about the size of bell peppers this week (about 5.5 inches, from head to rump). So exciting, lots of celebrating this week!!

So good to me

It's really the little things that matter in life. Like when I got home from a brief stop at church today (the a/c wasn't working in the chapel--really?! A pregnant woman can hardly be expected to sit through church in conditions like that.), and found a vase of beautiful roses on the counter. Back story: last night, Daniel and I went to the grocery store (super exciting on a Saturday, I know). We got general provisions for the week, as well as specific ingredients to make spicy shrimp with mango salsa and coconut rice for Sunday dinner (which was both spicy and delicious). Anyway, I also suggested that we get stuff to make hamburgers, because they sounded good and it was supposed to be grilling weather next week. Of course, I suggested this after we'd already walked past the bread department and the meat counter. And let me tell you, even on a Saturday night, a grocery store on Capitol Hill is no low-stress, let's-hang-out kind of place. So, hamburgers were going to have to wait until next week. Also, as we were checking out, I said (mostly to myself) that I'd walked right past the flower counter--I'd meant to grab a bunch of tulips for the house. But again--too bad, definitely not worth going back.

Fast forward again to Sunday--I get home from too-hot church, and what do I find? Daniel has stopped at the Safeway and picked up stuff to grill hamburgers for lunch, AND bought me beautiful flowers. Did I need either of those things? Nope. But was it so nice of him to go out of his way to get both of them for me? Yes. And were the hamburgers TOTALLY DELICIOUS?!? Absolutely.

And isn't he sweet? So glad he's mine.