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.