Lynds & The Twins

So these pictures are totally my favorite. As soon as we found out we were having twins I knew I wanted to do announcement pic at Lynds. It's our family tradition to go each year around Damon's birthday to pick apples. I thought welcoming the twins on one of our favorite days would be perfect. And it was in it's own imperfect way. Damon always hates having his picture taken, so rushing out the door to do so after a stressful day at work is not ideal. Wesley and Mia couldn't hold still for the life of them. As demonstrated by the shot of me grabbing Wes by the back of his shirt as he tries to sprint away. But Damon showed up & the kids were beyond excited. Mia thinks we should name the babies Robert & Steve if they're boys which made Damon & I cry laughing. I can't even imagine the chaos next years pic will be and I can NOT WAIT!! We weren't expecting you babies, but we can't wait for you to complete our family.
Thanks for the pics Aunt Carrie & Uncle Phil xoxox

 

Please Excuse my Ridiculous Rant

I gained 35 lbs pregnant with Wesley.  A few pounds less than with Mia.  3.5months post partum &  I've only lost half that.  I am pretty sure that initial half I lost the day I gave birth. Which has lead me to be frustrated with my body lately. Really body, no change in 3 months?   I keep trying to remind myself it took ten months to get that way & will prob take at least that or even longer to get back to kind of normal. As normal as an I have two babies body can  be for anyone who isn't a Victoria's Secret Angel.

I try to ease my love handle annoyance by shopping,  adding pieces to the three wardrobes I must maintain as a Mom...  I often have to explain to my husband that a mom needs 3 full wardrobes.  First is my skinny Lizbon wardrobe. Enough said. Next comes the I've lost half the baby weight but still can't get a leg in my skinny jeans wardrobe. Oh yes, and all my shirts must allow access for my super sweet breast pump fall into this middle category as well. Soooo wanting to throw that thing out the window thanks to my baby who refuses to nurse.  Last but not least the I'm so ginormous I can only wear my husband's pjs wardrobe.  See, Moms require three wardrobes!!!  Don't be jealous!
Currently I am in the middle wardrobe, barely able to button those pants, too.  Luckily scouring the thrift store is my fav & I managed to score this dress which meets both requirements for the middle wardrobe.  Not too mention super light and comfy. So today I am embracing the middle body.. GO ME!

38 Weeks

Dear Baby Boy,

We still haven't chosen your name...  Last night Daddy asked Mia what we should name you & she said "Andre."  Not sure where that came from but you can thank me later for not letting her name you!!!  I bribed her with a cookie for this pic FYI.  I thought we had narrowed names down to Nicholas, Chase, Wyatt & Sawyer, but Daddy keeps throwing out new suggestions. The latest was Mason.

We thought for sure you were coming Friday/Saturday as mama was super uncomfortable, having lots of contractions. We even took you to hear the Fire/Police pipes & drums thinking it might stimulate labor. Sadly, you've been quiet since!!!  Mia woke up with a fever /cough/ & weird hives yesterday morning. As much as I ache to hold you now I'm hoping you stay put another few days to let the germs clear away.  I have another (your 3rd) growth scan on Weds. to make sure you're not a giant.  At your 1st you were 4lbs, then you leapt to 6lbs, please please please sweetheart spit out the peep juice & only weigh around 7.5 lbs!!

Love you tons,
Your mama

36 Weeks

This week I found myself in a strange pregnancy limbo.  Feeling so excited to meet our sweet baby boy, anxious & nesting like a mad woman. On the other hand truly wanting to savor the pregnancy, feeling him roll, kick & have little parties in my belly. Savor Mia kissing my belly saying "I wuv you brother."  If me having the insane urge to get up at 2:30am on Saturday nite to do laundry (ummm, unheard of!!!) means anything this (still unnamed) baby could be arriving sooner rather than later..lol I also cleaned out my side of or bedroom closet & the shoe closet.  Sadly the amount of cleaning & organizing I've done is minimal to the amount of shopping. Shopping=Nesting at our house.  Please come quick baby brother or mama might spend the family fortune:/  

Sunday morning after my weird cleaning/nesting session I woke up with this intense ache/burn in my lower back & hips.  It got to the point where I was waddling & struggling to walk up & down the stairs. I did not have this w Mia at all. At my weekly check up on Monday I thought for sure the nurse practitioner would say it's a sign of impending labor. Instead she suggested a visit to the chiropractor.  So I did just that & had my 1st ever adjustment today. As soon as I got off the table the waddle was gone.  My sacro iliac is back in tune, for now:) I'm still sore but def moving forward as opposed to the lovely fat lady waddle.

 

My appt w the high risk Dr. who manages my diabetes was not so great.  The growth scan suggested the baby gained 2 lbs in 3.5 weeks, which he termed excessive. It's all that damned Valentines candy. Hide it from the pregnant lady people!!!! Baby boy measured approx 6lbs 2oz, putting him in the 72% for 35.5 weeks gestation.  I am now required to make weekly hospital visits for fetal monitoring, on top of weekly visits to the regular OB. It's hard to remain stress free let me tell you. All I can picture is a 10lb baby. Enough said!!!

A few nesting splurges. The Beco Butterfly 2, thanks Mom!!!  This sweet Dwell Studio fox blankie. I'm not gna lie I have a serious blanket fetish (this is not just limited to baby blankets!).

35 Weeks

These past few weeks have been ROUGH!!!! Last Thursday I was in a car accident. Someone ran a red light. Off I went , my 5th trip to the hospital so far this pregnancy. As scary & annoying as it was ( my bumper is still hanging off , waiting for her insurance, grrrr) it could have been soooo much worse. She just grazed the front, my car slicing her passenger side open like an evil transformer!! If I had been further into the intersection she would have totally t-boned me on the driver side. Luckily, no one was hurt, Mia wasn't w me, & my car is driveable. I wasn't even sore the next day!!!!    Then last Friday nite before our baby shower Mia got sick. She was up w a high fever ALLLL nite. Damon took pity & let me sleep, getting up with her every hour all nite. He ended up sleeping on the floor in her room. Our shower was amazing but the rest of the weekend we all spent nursing snuffy noses & body aches. Mia turned into a demon overnite. Whether its the terrible 2's, the cold or the 2 new bottom teeth that popped through she has been HORRIBLE!!!!!!! Like I can't wait to drop her at Nana's, horrible.  Add in my glucometer irritating me 4xs/day, our vacuum busting & today our washer dying w a load of clothes inside, I want to curl up in bed & not get out for a month!!!!!

What Love Looks Like

I love to celebrate life & love with my family & friends.  Damon & I don't get to escape for a romantic Valentine's getaway this year but last Saturday we were surrounded by love in anticipation of our sweet baby boy.

Mia testing out our traditional Mrs. Goodman's cake w Nana. Big Sister got lots of attention. Uncle Tony even got her a a new baby doll. I love this picture of her & her friend Nathan, looking like baby super models:)

 As usual Brandi (not pictured due to blurry/bad lighting) helped me craft. Bird cage fixture from Franchescas, a swell as my shirt & cardi. Thank goodness for their long, adorable tunic ops!! Long live Franchescas my go to store!!!!  Also not pictured,a naming station where guests voted to help choose Baby Artoo's name.  I'll share some photos & results soon!

Around Here

A few sweet moments from our week.  1. & 2. Brandi came over last nite & we crafted for baby boy's shower . Our tradition is to watch movies. these were our selections. We only made it thru Clueless & 1/2 of Ever After. 3. I had to capture Mimi in her cute owl towel all snugly w Dad after her bath. 4. All snugly w mom just because:) 5. She loves to hide and in her best "come find me," hide & seek voice she calls out "Miii--aaaa, Miiiiiii-aaaaaaa." It's the cutest!!. 6. That is my 32 week baby bump!!!!

Not pictured: My late nite dinner date with Sara at M&E's and library story time with Erin, Claire & Ian.

31 Weeks

Technically 31.5 Weeks:)  I failed the 3 hour sugar test & officially have gestational diabetes for the 2nd time. I honestly believe my sugar is probably high even when I'm not pregnant.  We will have to meet with a high risk doctor for conversation & a growth scan but so far my belly is measuring perfectly on track indicating he is NOT going to weigh 10 lbs!!! My weight gain is slightly higher then it was w Mia, but not out of control.  Damon suggested a trip to Ultrasona to see our sweet boy's face this weekend. Can't wait for Sunday:)  It is going to be so cool to compare Mia's u/s pics w baby boys!!

 I am feeling great, plenty of energy & sleeping fairly well. I've been scouring pinterest for baby shower inspiration & I'm ready to start crafting:) The colors will be robin's egg blue, sunshine yellow, grey & as much chevron as possible:)

Photos : Cake Unkown Pinterest
                Idea Board by Apartment 34

The Big Melt

Yesterday driving home from work I was inspired by the gorgeous light in the field near our house. One of my favorite things bout living here has always been the lovely sunsets.  For once the weather was in sync w me & it warmed up to 45 degrees!!!!  

Trying to show off my 29 week baby bump but seems like my clingy babe was more interested in mama holding her so she could show off her GIANT bruise. She fell off the couch last nite... i start my photography classes tomorrow!!!

26 Weeks

At 26 weeks I've realized both (holy $%#!, I have 2 babies!!) of my children have alter egos. Mimi is currently  channeling Stewie Griffin while the tiny man hopes to be the next Daniel Larusso. He especially enjoys his practice sessions between 3am-6am!!!! Together they are quite the team. If you see me & ignore the bags under my eyes....

6 Months

In less then 4 months we will welcome our tiny baby boy!!!! He likes to eat & gets 100% of the blame when I tell you I've gained close to 20lbs already!!  Maybe 1% blame goes to my sister in law's amazing cookie/brownies that she made for our Thanksgiving celebration. Or my other sister in laws to die for chocolate cake.... I guess its clear that I passed my sugar test at 20 weeks!!!

My bagel craving has been replaced with a serious chips, salsa & guacamole craving! I'm sleeping well & have lots of energy!  Unfortunately all my energy seems to be put towards super stressful work times these past few weeks. Not sure what to do about that except thank goodness work didn't get crazy during the death (1st trimester) I would not have survived.  AND thank goodness to my amazing husband for doing EVERYTHING. He keeps us moving in the right direction, even if he doesn't know it.

I feel soooo much bigger & more awkward at 6 months then I did with Mia. I almost fell into the closet squatting down to get some shoes yesterday.  I'm not wearing maternity clothes but pants that are a few sizes bigger anchored w a BE Band I just bought at Target. We we see if this works as my ever expanding belly grows to epic proportions!!!

A few weeks ago we put a few of our favorite names into a bag to see if destiny would guide us in choosing Artoo's name. The results were as follows.
Daddy Pulled Nero. I am not even sure how that one got in the running. ugh
Mama: Pulled another daddy choice, Patton, which we both like but not the shorter version, Pat.
Mimi: Finally pulled a Mama choice, Chase, my #1 pick! Destiny?....daddy is just not going for it.