This n' That

I listened to Kawi as he spent 5-10 minutes making nose-blowing sounds in his cage this week. I think my pregnancy sinus issues are getting to him. Also, when we are outside on the hammock and a scary butterfly floats by, Kawi uses my huge belly as a barrier to hide behind. See what I've been reduced to?

I am beginning to understand what a bowling ball feels like, both when eating and sleeping. Today I knocked a container of pineapple tartar sauce onto the floor when getting up from a restaurant table, and it splashed onto my pants. I just kept walking, and cleaned up when I got to the car. Also, I totally get what a hamster ball feels like. Rolling is the best (and often only) way to get out of bed these days, and sometimes I think those kicks and wiggles sabotage my efforts to move in the right direction.

I have a rational fear of getting stuck on the floor and being unable to get back up. This week while buying paint for the fence, C called my cell phone. I explained that I should be able to help with some of the painting, and he suggested I spend time in my garden instead. "Er, bending over is a little difficult for me these days..." I explained while a crowd of people at the paint counter looked on. At the grocery store this week, the clerk smiled at my bulging belly and said, "Anytime now?" I smiled back and told her I still had more than two months to go.

Today I had the safety department show me how to install our car seats, and I came to the conclusion that they are NOT going to fit in our car.


Unless we both want to kiss the dashboard, that is...


We have been looking at Crossovers for options already, but this conclusion moves the priority up a bit on the backlog of projects to be completed in pre-baby time including a shed, a bath remodel, a water softener, fence painting, and {I wish} a deck??? Okay, so the deck just isn't going to make it this iterative release. Somehow a garbage can enclosure made it onto the list, due to additional space needed in the garage. So be it, but C, you are not off the hook with that deck forever. You say it's my project, but as project manager, I hire you as lead contractor. So there.

Tomorrow is my baby shower and I'm not sure what to expect. Sure, I have attended showers before, but of course, never for me. They can be lots of fun, but since I am the primary president of almost 100 children, the children have also been invited to the shower/celebration of our baby girls. I can honestly say that I have never attended a shower with children in attendance, so it will be a new experience. There will be no juicy breastfeeding or child-birthing stories shared at this shower, I assure you. Also, I am usually the one planning events for other people, so oddly, I feel a little uncomfortable just showing up to something being held on my behalf without any effort on my part. These are very kind people, and I am sure it will be a wonderful experience.

Well, that's all my mushy brain can contribute for now folks. May all good things come your way!

Aaand the Winner is...

The results are in. We had our ultrasound this morning. The brains were healthy. The spines were closed and healthy. Each heart contained four perfect-looking compartments. Internal organs were all in their proper locations and nothing was visibly incorrect or out of place. The babies' weight and size was good, and neither had a cleft palate. They were wiggly, and one even waved, a good indication of strong mental capabilities.

My mom eagerly awaited the news. She had the perfect role models for grandparents. She felt unconditionally loved, doted on, adored, cherished. My mom couldn't wait to be a grandparent. It's what she lives for. She especially loves doting on the girls, perhaps because as a child she was an "only grandchild" for many years. Every Easter she was given a new complete outfit, muff, gloves, shoes, dress... and a huge Easter basket. I have the photos - the proof year after year.

For Christmas the living room overflowed with gifts. It was so full that you couldn't walk through the room. Her grandparents kept her at their home as often as possible. During the summer she lived with them. Her grandmother adored her so much that she even asked if my mom could live with her all of the time.

"I don't care how much money we make. Our kids are going to learn how to work." C said. Needless to say, there are some conflicting philosophies going on here.

We made it through the inventory of Baby A, head to toe, and then we had a perfect view of... a little girl!!! C had the biggest smile on his face. I wish I had a camera to capture that smile.

Baby B was squirmy and very active. Everything looked perfect. Once again we had a shot of the legs and we both were surprised to find that it was another GIRL! Miscellaneous from Missy, way to go! You guessed it! http://recursively.blogspot.com/2011/08/pink-blue-or-pink-and-blue.html

Mom's response to her two new girly-grandbabies?

"FABULOUS!!!!! All pink! :) wow I can go crazy! I'm so thrilled for you both." Yep. They'll be spoiled alright.

Needless to say, we are very excited to welcome our baby girls in the next 16-18 weeks.

Speaking of Being Content...

Last night I woke at 3AM. I was overheating in my well-insulated shell. I downed four full glasses of water before I started to cool down, and by then I was very awake. Once awake, I have learned that I might as well do something more productive than count the minutes on my clock in bed. Sometimes I write in a journal (real paper ones), or read something interesting. This time I blogged.

At long last my eyelids grew heavy. I had been sitting in a cool part of the house, and my feet were cold just like I like them. I snuggled back in bed with my Boppa pillow and my bestest buddy, and started to drift off to sleep. Baby B had other ideas. Now was a perfect time to kick-kick-kick-kick... Soon Baby A was awake, too, and decided that kicking sounded like a fine idea. I rolled onto a different side, but on they went. I was so tired that I finally fell asleep in spite of my kick-boxing babies.

Not long after I fell asleep I woke with a terrible jolt of pain. It felt as though some fierce beast was gnawing at my right calf. I had forgotten to take my prenatals for the first time in forever, and those babies decided that they would suck every ounce of potassium right out of me. Where are bananas when I need one? C helped massage the Charlie horse until I could fall back to sleep.

Despite my restless night, I had a reasonably productive work day today. Instead of a thrilling evening out on the town, I am opting for a recovery nap. I might as well enjoy them while they last... Alas, I am content.

Pink, Blue, or Pink and Blue?

You have one week left to guess what we are having. We have held off purchasing much of anything because we still don't know what we are having. Unlike certain individuals who stray far from my way of thinking, I have never been a fan of being "surprised" at birth.

We haven't seen the babies for 6 weeks and I am going a little stir-crazy. At the recommendation of my OB/GYN, we are waiting until the full 20 weeks for this ultrasound; something about being able to see the brains, liver, kidneys, and other "important organs." For some reason she didn't list reproductive organs among those, but of course, those will be visible as well.

So here are our guesstimates. These are no reflection of what we WANT them to be, rather what we THINK they will be. We would both be absolutely delighted with healthy, happy babies of any gender:

I think we are having two boys. C thinks we are having a boy and a girl. What do you think? 

Make My Arms Longer, Please?

I am of the opinion that, along with all of the other changes that come with pregnancy, one's arms should grow in length 2-4 inches, returning to their former length following childbirth.

I felt them kick on Sunday. I am sure I felt them before, only there was no question on Sunday. It was like a little jab, and I can imagine that it will feel more like a punch later on when they are bigger than five inches. I also dreamed that they were born. C and I were lying in bed, and they were there, small and new. I woke up feeling like I would burst with happiness.

I am hitting the stage of, "Now I've got them inside of me, I will at some point have to get them out." There are many interesting thoughts that follow that vein, and so many unknowns. I start thinking about birthing classes, and wondering if reading all of those books will really help. Will they be in position to come naturally, or will I have to undergo surgery? Will they weigh enough that we will get to bring them home, or will they have to continue baking in some incubator?

Exercise is proven to increase birth weight, which is an odd thing to wish for when you are eager to birth two babies without the doctor touching a scalpel. Still, exercise I will. "Strengthen your abs and your back so that you won't have problems later." I was told. I am still doing Jillian workouts with a few adjustments. Sometimes I use my knees during push-ups/planks, and getting up and down between circuit work requires slow motion. Supermans are out, and I can't plyo quite as intensely. Occasionally I have to pause to catch my breath since three of us are competing for my oxygen. Yesterday I did 30 minutes of circuit work, 15 minutes walking briskly on an 8.5 incline, 15 minutes running, and 15 minutes doing back exercises.

I finally found my salad groove again, and have been able to eat more veggies. My main crave so far has been fresh fruit, but eating more vegetables feels great. We gave Kawi a huge romaine leaf yesterday and C captured it on his Blackberry. I think he likes it when we eat more veggies, too.

I am dying to SHOP for baby things, but I have this little problem: We still don't have the gender verified. Today I am at exactly 17 weeks, so just three more weeks to go before we know! I did discover something fabulous last night: my new sewing machine will do applique! Custom Onesies, baby! It also sews on buttons, although the 10-step process makes me think that a hand-stitch will be much faster.

Work is going great. I feel I am able to strike a good balance between work and life without work taking over. There is plenty to do, but prioritization means that managing the affiliate relationship always takes precedence. I have made more trips to FedEx this month than I have my entire life, over-nighting urgent data. I took my old team out to lunch this past week which was delightful. They asked questions about my new company and I think I changed several misconceptions. I love the un-corporate world. My new job takes everything good about my old job and magnifies those elements 100x.

Speaking of a balanced life, in addition to cozy hammock time and blueberry pancake Fridays, C and I have been venturing out on summer evenings to enjoy 4th of July celebrations, dinner with friends, birthday parties and most recently, professional sporting events. I recently managed to get front row tickets to a baseball game, and even the bench seating at the soccer game was thrilling! Saturday may include an early jaunt to the farmer's market, followed by a baptism at 11:00 AM.

On Pre-Motherhood

When you have waited as long as I have to have children, even 16 diapers a day sounds like a reasonable way to spend your time. You cherish things like morning sickness because you just feel so lucky to experience it at all. You cherish every little step along the way, and think, if I only ever get to hear that heart beating and then it all goes awry, I will count myself immensely blessed. You look at those tiny faces and recognize something familiar. You promise yourself that any tragedy to follow will be worth these precious moments of watching tiny hands lifted to tiny faces and tiny legs kicking wildly inside of you. 


You count every step, every ache, every 30th trip to the bathroom a blessing because you don't know how it will all turn out, and you don't know if you will ever travel this road. You look at your swelling body and love it, you listen to your asthmatic breathing and embrace it. You are in awe that you get to even experience for a moment this wistful dream that so many take for granted. You choose it all, you embrace it, you cherish it. It isn't a burden; it's an honor. 

Ahem. I have something important to say... via Text Message:

Chivalrous C has never left the toilet seats up in our house, but now he has started closing the lids as well. I am not sure if he is concerned about alligators climbing out of them, or two little curious birds trying to take baths in them...


The most important news should always arrive via Text Message, didn't ya know? 
Texts between C and his mom:

C: We are pregnant.

K: April fools? 

C: Nope, it's not April 1st.

K: Can you tell that I'm always guarded?

C: I don't blame you.  But this is fo real.  I put it on Jesus!:)

K: Well that's just about the best news since I was engaged to S!

C: Yea!  We are very happy. But A and I are only telling grandma and spouse.  We believe we are only a few weeks along and have an apt to check heart beat etc in a couple of weeks.  Once we are there we will let everyone know!:) Just don't want to jump the gun, ya know.  So please no calls, facebook, etc. for now. :)

K: Way to go JESUS! We've prayed a lot too. Must have been the Primary calling. Our entire presidency was preg at the same time. Pres had twins. 

C: Jesus is cool. Thx for the prayers. Now we pray for health!

K: You got it!  Just more prayers.  WOW!

C:  Crap, now I have to be responsible and stuff.

K: Ha ha ha! Bout time you have your own to worry about!

C:  Just happy to have someone to mow the lawn.  I'll start him/her early.  Years to make up!:) Prob need to put a booster on the mower.

K:  Give A a big hug for us and take good care of her.  Good timing for Mom's Day!

C:  Ok will do.  I'll keep you posted.  As soon as we know I'll let you know.  Thx.  Love you.

K:  You'll be the booster.

C: :)

K:  Love you too.  Good night.  FINALLY A GRANDKID IN [State where we live]!!!

• 3 months shy of 12 years trying.
• One big belly that will get MUCH bigger.
• 2 little squirrely peaches in a basket with long skinny legs.
• 2 very grateful parents who never gave up hope, and a whole bunch of other happy people to boot. 
• 1 grandpa who wasn't allowed to tell anyone for the past month, so he shouted out of the car window on the freeway, "I'm gonna be a grandpa of TWINS!"