Ready for a Vacation!

I know I have been neglecting the blog for a little while. You will just have to bear with me. This past week has been a "week". It seemed long, I tired easy, and I have been getting pretty sore. On the up side, I have been feeling the babies move a lot more lately. That has been really comforting. I also had my first baby shower the other night. Matt's co-workers and wives of co-workers threw me a shower. I thought it was super nice, even though it was a bit early. The reason being is it is moving season in the military, so lots of them will be off on new adventures. They wanted to give me a shower before everyone left. It was a great last get together, and we had some great laughs. Thanks everyone for being so thoughtful!

We are getting ready for our "last" vacation before the babies come. Matt might try to squeeze in a couple more beach trips this summer, but this will be the last time he officially takes time off before the babies come this fall. We are going to go to Vegas for a night, and then off to Utah for the 4th of July. It will be short, again, only one week including the weekend, but it will be fun to see family one more time this summer. So I better stop the typing and start the packing! We leave tomorrow morning!

The Belly Chronicles; edition 4

We are moving right along in the belly growth and development department. I am now 22 weeks along, and well over half way. Things went relatively well at my last OB appointment. Dr. W thought everything looked good with the ultrasound results, and with my stats., so that was a big relief. One thing we still aren't completely sure about is the separate sac issue. There have been a lot of "we thinks", but no "for sures". Dr. W said he would like to find out for sure, because it would change my care some what as far as delivery goes and such. As a PRECAUTION they are sending me to Apple Valley (about an hour away) to a specialist who deals specifically with twins. Dr.W said he usually sends all his "twin" patients down for a consult with the specialist, so don't get worried it is just protocol. They deal with these kinds of pregnancies (as if I am so unusual!) all the time, they can spot problems, give recommendations, and if I go early they would be delivering me anyway...so it is good to be familiar with them. So far though everything looks great, and I feel good but large. I am at 22 weeks in my pregnancy (like I mentioned before), and with a typical, single baby, pregnancy, one would measure about 22 inches. Well, Dr.W measured me and I am 33 inches....measuring the size of a woman 33 weeks along in a normal pregnancy...which would be about 7 months along or 7 weeks from delivery. Yikes...I am huge, and feeling it. But, oh the joy when I feel these babies move, which they are doing a lot of now. It is one of the coolest things about being pregnant, and one of the greatest reassurances and joys. I have always loved that part of pregnancy! We still have no names officially picked out. A few names we are toying around with...but nothing definite. We did get tired of calling the babies "A" and "B", so we picked out some nick names. Baby A is called Axel, and Baby B is called Bronco. Everyone is worried that the nick names will stick...but I don't think they will. It is fun to call them something other then baby or a letter...so for now that is their names. We will keep you posted after the next OB appointment, but for now both babies looked great on our most recent ultrasound. They were moving, good heart rates, and measuring well...if not a bit small which is normal with twins. They may move my due date back to Oct. 29, but will wait until my consult with the specialist to make any decisions on that. For now we are just growing and moving along!

Summer Time Fun

Summer has begun, as well as all the fun activities that come with it. We have already had our "big" summer vacation when our cousins came earlier in the month. Since then we have been busy with some other activities.

The girls took swim lessons, and are progressing well. Hannah is still on level 1...only because she refuses to go under water, but she is getting very close! Hopefully the next session she will do it and move up to the next level.

After swim was done, we signed the girls up for golf camp. Cora was still too young to participate in this, but Hannah and Anya had a great week. They got to spend two hours every morning for a week at the pitch and putt course. Luckily it was nice and cool...so the heat was not bothersome. I think they had a great time, they met some new friends, Anya refreshed her skills, and Hannah learned some new golf skills.

Since Cora could not participate in golf camp, we signed her up for Tumbling camp. She loved this class, plus her good friend Ella was in the class too...so it was lots of fun for her. By the end of the week she was tumbling and twirling like a pro.!

After camps we have just been having some good old fashioned summer fun. Getting wet on the trampoline is always a big hit, plus we have been lounging at the pool and just having a great start to our summer!

June 14th, The Army's Birthday, Flag Day, and Last But Not Least...Matt's Birthday!

Sunday, June 14, has a lot of meanings attached to it. My favorite is that it is my honey's birthday. He likes it because his birthday is on Flag Day....and it was cool while he deployed to share a birthday with the Army as well. I don't know many other deployed soldiers that can boast of having cake and ice cream as well as a party on the birthday's...sponsored by the Army!
This year his birthday fell on a Sunday, so no fancy meals out, and he had meetings. Still, he was able to keep his meetings short, and we got to have him home by lunch. We had his favorite "cheesy chips" (nachos) for lunch, and after he partook of the luxury of taking a Sunday nap. Something he hasn't been able to do for some time now. While dad was taking his birthday nap, the girls and I made dad his birthday cake. Matt's favorite cake is yellow cake with chocolate frosting. He loves when I layer it, and cut each layer in half so there is extra frosting. This year I decided to not be lazy, and we made the cake from scratch. The girls had a blast as they helped mix the ingredients together. At the end Hannah exclaimed" Mom, it DOES look like batter". Too funny!

I even cooked Matt a meal he hasn't had in a long time (since he lived at home), mainly because I don't eat seafood. Matt requested shrimp quiche for dinner. I thought it turned out beautifully, but the taste was a little off...not really my fault. We had acquired the ingredient list on the fly in the grocery store from a phone call with his mom. So there was a misunderstanding about one of the ingredients...something I have promised to rectify this weekend when I make it again for him. This time using all the RIGHT ingredients!

After dinner, eating cake and ice cream (which was red, white and blue...a nice touch I thought), we opened presents. The kids were worried that Matt would be disappointed he was only getting three presents (one of which Hannah proudly wrapped all by herself), but I assured them that he wouldn't care or be disappointed. I was right. Matt loved his gifts...but most of all he loved being home to celebrate his birthday with his girls.

Disney, Beaches, and Anniversaries

This past week, I think we completed our most ambitious vacation experience yet. Matt's sister and her family came out for a visit, and we decided to go as two families to Disneyland and the beach. Come to find out, June in California is not ideal beach weather...but the kids didn't mind and we had some great beach moments; including some "great" beach burns. All the kids, big and small, enjoyed getting into the sand and surf. The beach (both days we went) was hardly busy at all, so it made keeping track of the kids a lot easier. It was a blast! Especially for those who had not been to the beach before.

We also spent three days in Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure Park. Now that was an awesome experience. Everyone had a great time going on the rides, shopping and exploring all Disney has to offer. We stayed in a great hotel that was basically across the parking lot from Disney. They gave us three, two room suites for the price of a standard room. So we had beds for everyone! I think we hit all the major highlights of Disneyland. I didn't go on many rides myself, being prego., but that worked out well too. We had many children under age/height for some rides, and others that refused to go on certain rides. At one point I was sitting on a bench with 6 little kids, holding a baby, while being pregnant. I got some "double-take" shots for sure. I really didn't mind being with the kiddos, especially since my family had just been to Disney last December. The best moment was fitting our group of 17 in for our photo with Mickey. The staff did an amazing job, and Mickey was very patient...allotting time for hugs to everyone who wanted one. I think it was a truly magical experience for all.

While in Disney, Matt and I noticed that June 2 came. This is the one year anniversary date of Matt coming home from Afghanistan. I can't believe it has been a year already...yet it seems like so much longer. Who would have thought that a year from that point we would be settled in California, enjoying sights, and expecting twin boys. I am so glad to have him home with me and the girls. Even though we have opposite views and opinions (quite often), we still make it work and enjoy being with each other. He's my love, and I can't imagine being without him. I still can't believe I did it for 15 months. So he has been home a year...but he still hasn't been home as long as he was deployed. That is a mind bender!

The Belly Chronicles: edition 3

I admit that I am slightly tardy with my Belly Chronicle Editions. I hope this one makes up for it! I am now a healthy 19 weeks along in this pregnancy and about half way done! I am so excited about that part! I have filled out nicely as you can see from the belly shot below. When I went in for my 14 week check up, Dr. W measured my belly and told me that I measured like I was 20 weeks along...Yikes. Now I am much bigger then that, and look like I am maybe 6 or 7 months along, when really I am only 4 1/2 months. I already have people asking me when I am due...how depressing, at least I have the excuse it is two, right?!

Here is the Belly. This shot was taken on Monday, Memorial day, when I was 18 1/2 weeks along.

We were able to squeeze in an ultra sound at 18 weeks. This was the "big" ultrasound, so I was nervous and excited. They go over all the babies anatomy and make sure everything looks good. They even check things like the bladder, diaphragm, kidneys and so on. I was amazed at the things the Tech could find. We were a little worried about being seen. Even though I scheduled the ultrasound when Dr.W told me too, the Tech thought it was too early. He said even though I am 18 weeks, because I am having twins they would measure smaller...so he was doubtful he would get all the shots he needed. I suppose he took pity on me, because he decided to have a look see and see what he could find. He looked for the babies sex first, and zoomed in on Baby A...right away he could tell that Baby A is a BOY! He said he had no doubts about his declaration. I am of the mind that nothing is 100% until birth...but for now we think Baby A is a little boy.

Here is Baby A...no privacy!

Baby B gave us a little more trouble. The Tech. could tell it was another BOY...yes, the prediction is 2 BOYS, but Baby B did not want to hold still with both legs open so we could get a good photo opp. He would squirm all over and twist and turn. Finally, towards the end we got a passable shot. It is not as good or clear as Baby A's, but still it certainly looks like a boy. We have never seen anything like that between the legs with our girls!!!

Baby B, we really had to work for this shot, and it is still not the greatest!

So, for now we are calling them both baby boys. I will have another ultra sound in a few weeks at my regular Doctor appointment, and we may have Dr.W check again...just to see if his conclusion is the same as the Ultra sound Tech., But the pictures kind of speak for themselves I think. The Tech. was able to find all the anatomy he needed, and everything was in it's place measuring normal. The Tech. and Dr.W both thought they found a sac barrier. It is just real hard to see because everything is so squished. So we "think" the babies are in separate sacs. However, the Tech. was only able to find one placenta...which means the babies are most likely identical. Of course, he wouldn't tell us with 100% certainty, but to be fraternal twins there must be two placentas....and since I only have one, well we draw our own conclusions! Both babies look perfect and healthy! We really can't ask for more. Baby B gave us more trouble then Baby A, he kept twisting and turning...disrupting the photo's the tech. wanted to take. All in all my ultra sound lasted almost 2 hours! It was fun to see the babies though, and to know that at this point everything looks great. I have started to feel them move around. It is not too consistent yet, and I am just now starting to be able to tell "who is who" when the babies move. I feel them at least once a day though...usually more. Well, stay tuned for the next edition, where I am sure I will be much rounder!

Cora's Birthday Celebrations

Please pardon the tardiness of this post. It seems like I keep playing catch up lately, not enough time for all I need or want to do. I am grateful though, hoping fall comes very quickly!

Cora's birthday was on May 17th. Holding with tradition, she got to pick what she wanted for dinner...and picked Chuck E Cheese. Because her birthday fell on a Sunday this year, we went to Chuck's on Saturday. Cora got a three day long celebration! The girls had a blast, like always, and Mom and Dad were ready to leave when it was time! On Sunday was Cora's actual birthday. She wanted a chocolate princess cake from the store (she was adamant that it be chocolate all over, and from the store), and Macaroni & Cheese for dinner. So it was a very easy birthday for Mom, for which I am grateful. We had fun eating cake, ice cream, opening presents and we watched "Wall-e". On Monday she had some friends come over for a little pool party. She was so excited, this was her first ever "friend" party. It went well, except it started to sprinkle during the cake eating. The kids all dashed inside like they were going to melt from the rain. True to desert living...the rain lasted minutes and the kids were back outside. I think she had a great 4th Birthday!