Joy Comes in the Morning

My heart is full and my cup runneth over.

Introducing my beautiful children.
Who have captured my heart
and shown me that joy does come in the morning.
I can never express my gratitude,
joy,
thankfulness,
and complete, never-ending, heart-filling love
that I feel for these two little chipmunks.

Andrew William

Born on December 17, 2012 at 8:20 am

6 pounds 7 ounces, 19 inches long

Annalise Marie

Born on December 17, 2012 at 8:21 am

5 pounds 4 ounces, 18 inches long

Joy does come in the morning.  At 8:20 and 8:21.

Everyone is healthy and doing well.  

What Pregnancy Has Taught Me

I swore if I was ever pregnant again, I would never complain.
I would appreciate every little ache and pain.
I would revel in the beauty of my ever-expanding belly.
Well folks, I have tried not to complain.
I've worked really, really hard.
I know there are bucket-fulls of women who would pay and do a lot to be in my position.
I was one of them.
I got annoyed when I read and heard about women complaining about how
awful they felt.
But, I have learned over the past few months that
my complaining does not mean that I don't want this.
Or I would rather not be in this position.
Rather, my complaining is more because I am ready to meet them.
And have them here.

So, I am writing this in the spirit of "what I have learned through pregnancy"
rather than "I am complaining about pregnancy."

What I have learned:

• God has a giant sense of humor.  Just when I think that my belly has reached its max limit, it grows a little bit more.  I'm pretty sure that if we kept this up, my skin could be see through. And I could watch Herbie and Puckett like I used to watch the polar bears through the glass window at the zoo.  And, there will be no skin pictures on this blog.  This wonderful miracle of growing babies is not always a beautiful miracle.  

• As I have mentioned before, karma is one nasty lady.  The cankles continue to grow and, just to be funny, I suppose, my feet only fit in Crocs.  Which is unfortunate in itself.  Cankles would be one thing.  Adding Crocs to the mix just makes it oh-so-much-more-humbling.

• There are some kids that know a lot about pregnancy and babies (others don't know a lot at all).  Questions that have been asked (males and females):  How do you think nursing will go?  Are you going to have a c-section? Did you know if you push hard enough that you poop? Are you going to keep their umbilical cords? 
• I haven't quite learned why other things need to accompany pregnancy- such as other changes to the body that I will not mention.  Some things don't seem completely necessary.  They are just big pains in the butt.  Literally.
• My husband is wonderful.  He has now taken over all of the household chores, such as hand washing all the floors every weekend, vacuuming, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, cleaning the showers, etc.  I haven't done any of these things for a long time.  And I am very appreciative.  And I am not really looking forward to the time when I get to do some of these things again.
• My belly is a perfect level to knock little kindergartners in the face.  It's also a perfect level for them to stare at. And they are not subtle.

Baby and such update

How Far Along: 36 weeks and 3 days.  Yes, that 3 days is important.

Size of Babies:  Not sure officially. At my 35 week appointment, boy was weighing in at approximately 5 pounds 8 ounces and girl was weighing 5 pounds 3 ounces. However, this is very approximate and this was a week and a half ago. I have faith that they have gained since then. I would love if they were both over 6 pounds when they are born.

Weight Gain: None ya.  But, I have gained weight.

Belly: It hasn't gotten any smaller.


Go ahead and laugh. Other people do.  And then they realize what they are doing and then feel badly.

Sleep: Same as usual.  Better than when they arrive.

Movement: They are still moving and still definitely trying to find their own little special space there.  However, I think that is impossible.  At 35 weeks, girl was laying diagonally across my belly, with her head under boy's tummy.  This explains why my belly is totally uneven at times.

Latest Doctor's Appointment:
1.  I had a doctor's appointment this past week (36 week appointment).  That was my goal- get to December 5 and I made it.  And, I even made it while teaching full-time.  Bam.
2.  I was about 1 cm dilated and a little effaced- not much of any action. Dr. E thought that there wouldn't be anything happening this week.
3. They passed their BPP tests (movement, tone, fluid, and breathing) and their NST again.
4. I also asked Dr. Eck if I could deliver them on 12-12-12.  I thought I might as well try.  It would be a great birthday because of the obvious reasons and because my nephew's birthday is on the 11th, my coworker's is on the 12th and my dad's is on the 13th.  Unfortunately, she just gave me a smirk that said, "Nice try."  She felt like the 12th was a little early if they are still comfy in there.  Which, I completely understand.  I know that the longer they are in there, the better.  But still.  12-12-12?
5.  We did decide on a date!  Prep for the Twins' first home game will be  Monday, December 17 at 5:30 am.  The game will start at 7:30 am. To say that I am thrilled and excited and terrified is an understatement.  We covet your prayers over the next week or two as we prepare for this--a day we have been waiting and praying for for many years.