Pursuit of More

2011-12-23T12:26:00.000-05:00

Lately, my mantra has been: my actions/thoughts should add meaning to my life, if it doesn't, then I will not do it.

So, when I read the following, I thought of a couple of good friends who are actively seeking a mate and seem to constantly run into a dead in. I try to encourage them not to settle for less than they desire just to quiet their need to be in a relationship because often times settling results in regrets.

Read the following from www.divinecaroline.com

Reprinted from: www.divinecaroline.com
Why Do I Waste My Time and Energy On You?
By: Shuntai Beaugard
Time and energy are precious commodities. We can never seem to get enough of it or have enough of it. So, why do you continue to invest your precious time and energy into a relationship or marriage that no longer works for you? Why do you continue to invest your time chasing someone that’s not worth what you have to offer? The answer is simple. You’re settling. You are settling for someone that may not show you the love that you deserve. You are settling for the lies, inconsistencies, and disrespect. Oh, I am sorry. He/she maybe stroking your ego from time to time and maybe even putting it down in the bedroom. The sexual love and attention is so good that you disregard your real worth. Or maybe it’s the opposite. They don’t even touch you anymore or even notice you. He or she just tolerates you because you bring something to the relationship; finances, kids or material possessions. It’s probably cheaper to keep you. You are worth more. You need to recognize that despite of what you have been through or the baggage you may carry, you are worth more than what you’re getting. Don’t continue to invest your time and energy into someone undeserving of your love. Life is too short to settle. So, why are you?

Good Luck!
Shuntai Beaugard, Relationship Coach
First published December 2011
Via http://www.divinecaroline.com/22081/121016-do-waste-energy-you#ixzz1hNOXye4J

Whoa! Wait! It's December 1st???

2011-12-01T13:32:00.000-05:00

Seriously!? It's REALLY December 1st?

Now, how did that happen??

I hope you are all enjoying the holidays and celebrating with family and friends.

As 2011 soon come to a close, I reflect back on the year and vividly remember many of the year’s moments and tuck them in my mind to remember and cherish for a lifetime. Experiences in life; good, bad or indifferent bring us closer to where we are created to be. All things work together for our overall good. Each day is a gift! That’s why it is called the present, right?

I especially love to remember some of the funny things my kids have said, like.
The Young Man is now 15 years old: “Seriously!? Seriously, Mom!? You’re really gonna wear that? Fine! Just drop me off, but DO NOT.. DO NOT get out of the car! Please!!!”

Baby Girl, my 4 year old, sneaking in the bathroom while I’m in the shower: “(Giggle, giggle) Uh, mom!? (giggle, giggle)… I see your butt hanging out!”

Baby Girl (again), while out at the playground one evening last week: “It’s getting so dark and cloudy out now. I think it’s those people in China doing that! Oh, Mommy, can we go to China? We can take all our family with us!”

X2, my 20 month old girl twin, while pulling at her twin brother’s diaper: “X1 stinks!”

X1, my 20 month old boy twin, very loudly proclaiming in the middle of my oldest son’s basketball game: “Let’s go! Come on! Let’s go!”

Or the things I never imagined I would say:
“NO! Don’t eat that! It’s for the dog!”

“Yes, I certainly would love to hear your pee while you’re on the potty!”

“OK! OK! We’ll listen to Ice, Ice Baby one more time. Then, it’s time for a bath.”

“Oh, no! What the heck is this dried up on my shirt?” 10 minutes after arriving to work.

As my kids grow up, I realize how short my time with them truly is. It’s the little moments like bath time, story time, or morning hugs and kisses that are my cozy, safe place to hide and revive when things in life sometimes seem to overwhelm me.

I sit and watch my children play in their free, unashamed, unreserved way. They don’t concern themselves with the details of who’s watching, what people may think, how they may look or if they are doing it right. They laugh heartily, merrily and fully enjoy whatever it is they are doing, whether it be pulling the toilet tissue off the roll in record time, dumping bath water on the bathroom floor, smearing spaghetti sauce through their hair as if it was hair gel, torturing the dog with multiple bear hugs, dumping the freshly washed and folded clothes all over the floor, or squealing in a high pitch during a basketball game while your oldest son is at the foul line. They fully enjoy the moment of it all! Even when you catch them in mid-act, they usually smile as if to say, “hey, this is fun! Want to join me?”

What happens to that free spirit when we become responsible, law abiding, serious grown-ups!? Who says that as responsible adults, we should give up on playing, dreaming, being fully present, feeling alive and living out loud!?

During this holiday season, allow yourself to dream, to have fun, to tap into your inner child and to truly be present in life and live it fully! Hey, if splashing around in the toilet or drinking your own bath water is your thing, go for it!

“Dance as though no is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth.”

Happy Holidays!

Get paid for telling companies what you think about their products!

2011-03-04T09:30:00.000-05:00

Do you believe that you can be paid just for giving your honest opinion!?

Pinecone Research is looking for a few good........ survey takers!
You get paid $3 per survey and surveys usually take about 10 minutes to complete.. $3 for 10 minutes of your time??? Not bad, right. You can either receive a check in the mail or just get it direct deposited to your paypal account. Sometimes you may even be sent a product to use/evaluate in your home and then you will fill out a survey to tell the company what you like/dislike about it It's a win/win. You get to learn about new products on the market and the com
Here is the link to the registration:
www.pineconeresearch.com/signup/ds632.aspx?&sid=BGR

Want to learn more about this opportunity or email Karen Scott for more information!

If you sign up, let me know! Now, go earn some money.. I'm sure you'll find some way to use the extra money... groceries, gas, morning coffee, afternoon snacks, Friday night movies, pizza.... I can go on and on..

Good Luck!

The Snot Sucker!

2011-02-23T15:48:00.001-05:00

Nosefrida - The Snot Sucker!

http://www.nosefrida.com/index.html

I am so buying this. X1 is constantly congested and it's usually a fight to suction out his nose. Most of the time, I'm so not up for the fight and I usually just let it go and then he ends up with an ear infection...again!

Hey, if the reviews are the least bit truthful, I think its worth a shot. I'm searcing online tonight..

I'll let you know how it goes.. Hopefully, it's not $15 wasted..

Stay tuned.

Still Breastfeeding Twins!

2010-12-08T10:17:00.000-05:00

The twins are now 8.5 months old and... I'm still breastfeeding. Not exclusively, but I am doing it.

When I think about just giving up on nursing, owning my boobs, and only showing them to shower, I think about:

* How it makes me laugh when X1 and X2 would sometimes prefer to nurse rather than to drink a bottle.
X1 was home sick with da hubby and I came home early for my Dr. Mom shift. X1 was drinking a bottle, but dropped it in favor of me.. I guess when you are not feeling well being cuddled up with mom is so much better than sitting upright in a chair holding a bottle.

* X1 and X2 usually nurse at the same time.
Since I have 2 boobs, I prefer to nurse them at the same time to save time. As they are much heavier and bigger now, its sometimes a chore to get them both on the pillow to nurse.

* X1 and X2 interact with each other.
X1 and X2 often hold hands or rub each others forehead or cheek while nursing at the same time. I think it's just so cute to see them do it.

* Everyone is comfortable with the idea of nursing.
When I first told da hubby that I would nurse Baby Girl (now 3) he thought it was strange since he had never been around anyone that nursed. He would even cringe when I would ask him to place a bottled of freshly pumped breastmilk in the fridge. Just to really get him going, I would even squirt milk at him and he would always react with fits of screeches and squeals as if I was tossing some dangerous acid around and attempt to run away. Now, it's nothing to him and just as natural as showering in the morning or brushing your teeth after a meal. Even Baby Girl asked me to nurse her baby doll because it was hungry. ;-)

* I also love that breastmilk seems to have magic powers.
X1 and X2 seem to recover a bit faster from colds when I nurse. X1 was very congested and somehow after nursing his nose was clear and he was able to sleep comfortably.

* X1 and X2 love to eat!
Although they are only 8 months old, they seem to be willing to try to eat almost anything. They both love to eat, especially X2. She will cry relentlessly until she gets her food. If she sees you eating, she takes it as an invitation for her to eat.

* It forces me to take a break.
No matter whats going on, I have to sit down for at least 15 minutes with my babies as they eat. In the middle of cleaning or preparing dinner and the babies want to eat... I get to take a break.

Breastfeeding twins is not easy, but I love spending the time with the babies as they grow strong and big.

Dreading the Return to Work!

2010-11-19T10:47:00.000-05:00

I had started this post about 2 months before I returned to work.. I have now been back to work for about 4 months!

So, I'm posting it anyway... Journey back in time to when I reluctantly planned to return to work. I did do some of the items on the list below.. but, I still want to take my ladies' trip and had a spa day!

Boy, does time fly! Two months of my maternity leave has already passed. I can't believe it. Where did the time go?!

I need to maximize the remainder of my maternity leave and do all the things I won't be able to do when I return to work..

Help me make my list...
- Take a ladies trip
- Have a spa day
- Spend time just holding the kids
- Sit outside and enjoy the beautiful summer weather
- Be more leisure and relax
- Visit with friends and family
- See a movie in the middle of the day
- Visit work and maybe even have lunch with coworkers

Baby Free Nights

2010-11-19T10:43:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that we had 2 nights without the kids and .... it was GRRREEEEAAATTTTT!!!!!! :-) I now feel so refreshed and rejuvenated. Oh, what a feeling! I actually feel rested for the first time in about a year!

The day of our anniversary, a friend called to say that one of her coworkers had a nice room at a very nice hotel in the area, but they didn't want to use the room because they could stay with a friend instead, so they didn't want it to go to waste so they offered it to da hubby and me. The best part is that she also offered to watch the kids overnight in exchange for pizza and laundry privileges. I did not hesitate and agreed.. quick, fast and in a hurry!I couldn't believe that she would volunteer for this.. My kids will chew up and spit out any sitter that dares to care for them! Most people that have watched the kids leave almost out of breath and looking very tired and haggard saying, "Boy! I don't know how you do it!" I usually just laugh and invite them to come again soon. They rarely take me up on the offer. :-)

Anyway, we started the night at a Thai restaurant. It was my first time eating Thai food and it was so delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed it. We then went to see Saw 3D.. It was a good movie with a conclusion, but it was a bit violent and full of blood and guts. Although, I don't usually mind such things, I did have to turn my head a few times.

The next night, we went to NYC for a wedding. The bride is a friend of da hubby and she offered to give us a room to stay overnight after the wedding. Oooooohhhhhhh.. another baby free night!! I just can't get over it... It was nice to just go to sleep.. and sleep straight through the night without interruption and wake up on my own in the morning without startling awake to the screeching cries of X1 or X2 or the combination of them both as a finely tuned harmonized choir.

Nor was I awaken by Baby Girl crawling into bed with me or to the sound of the Young Man saying, "Hey Mom, are you ready?" To then I always respond mostly asleep, "Ready for what?' "I have practice and need to be there in 15 minutes". Although, it was nice to not deal with these things for 2 days, I missed them.. I know it won't be forever that these things will occur. In the blink of an eye, the kids will be grown, out on their own and may have a family on their own. I could never have this times back. They will never be 8 months, 3 and 14 years old again. So, a little break is nice.. it like hitting the Esc key on my computer and getting out of the mode that I was in and kind of go back to the main page of life. A revived mom is able to appreciate and love each of moment and see them as the precious moments that they are rather than as annoying and bothersome inconveniences that a tired and overwhelmed mom sees the nightly interruptions as.

Life can be sweet... it just depends on what lense you are looking through!

Happy Anniversary...

2010-11-19T10:21:00.000-05:00

Happy 5th Wedding Anniversary!

Five years ago, I married my friend.. the one I laugh with, live for, dream with and love...

That was the quote on all of our wedding materials.

Wow! Our wedding day seems so long ago and yet feels like it was yesterday. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful beginning. We got married in Montego Bay, Jamaica at the Wyndham Rose Hall Resort on the beach at 10:30am on 11/5/2005. In our wedding video, you can see people in their bathing suits walking by or hanging out on the side watching the wedding.. Funny!

Am I a bad wife???

2010-11-04T15:34:00.000-04:00

Shhhhh.. Please let this stay just between me and you.. Don't tell Da hubby.

Tomorrow is my anniversary and I have no gift for Da Hubby. I know it's not about the gift, but more of a celebration of our love and relationship and life we've built together.I would just like to give him a gift that is a small token of the celebration. I know what I would like to get, but I don't have the time to search around for it.. Boy, oh boy, did I procrastinate on this one!

Any helpful advice on nice 'hey, babe! You're the best and I'm so happy we got married and today is our anniversary' gift ideas??? :-)

Am I a bad wife???

Teaching bad habits and pickle sandwiches

2010-11-04T15:20:00.000-04:00

Man, 3 years old is such a fun and yet interesting age. Baby Girl is just something else and really gets me laughing out loud sometimes.

Maybe 2 months ago, I was tired and cranky and Baby Girl was being a bit demanding and so were X1 and X2, so I joking held up my fist to Baby Girl and said, "you want a knuckle sandwich?" She smiled shyly not too sure what to make out of my question. Well, she must have sort of remember this event because just the other day she looks at X1 and holds up her fist and says in a high pitched voice, "You wanna pickle sandwich"? I couldn't help myself and burst out laughing. I made the mistake of correcting her and telling her that it's a knuckle sandwich and she has been running the line ever since. Da hubby thinks it was a mistake to correct her, but I think it's just the funniest thing.

And, now, back to our regularly scheduled program!

2010-10-26T14:14:00.000-04:00

My, has it been a long time since I've posted on this blog! I knew it's been a while, but kind got lost in the see of life with twins plus 2 until Twin Dude Mama reached out to me. TDM, Thanks for pulling me out of the fog..

I have so much to catch you guys up on. It's been way too long.. and hope to never let my absence be so long again.

So, where to start... I guess the present is good.

Baby Girl is now 3 and often likes to be referred to as Princess Baby Girl. She has also been known to wear big frilly dresses and her princess high heels to the playground.

X1 and X2 are now 7 months. They are just recovering from the worst colds I have ever seen babies suffer. They are both sitting up and begging to crawl. They are so close to crawling. Oh, lawd, have mercy on me!! They have both been much more active and are able to wiggle themselves to me and claw themselves up enough to lay across my leg without assistance. X2 has 1 tooth on the bottom and that sucker is super sharp, like a mini dagger!

The Young Man is now in high school and trying to find his cool factor (which he thinks entails wearing baggy pants that sags off the butt)! Uh, no, sir! I told him I would either staple the pants to his waist or to his knees.. his choice! I make sure he puts on a belt on his way out of the door to school, but who knows if he keeps it on.. Maybe I'll take a few pictures of him so he can see how it looks.

Me - I'm back to work, but not fulltime. I work 4 days a week and spend the one day off running to appointments and/or huffing it at home trying to make some sense out of my house that seems to be busting with stuff... Ugh! I want to hire a cleaner to come in every other week, but things are just so disorganized with me trying to figure out where to put everthing that I'm too embarassed to have her come in yet..

Da hubby has been super busy with his photography business. Things are going quite well for him and I'm very proud that he's seeing all the fruit of his labor.

Acting Out!

2010-06-09T22:11:00.000-04:00

Baby Girl has started acting out at daycare.
Yesterday, she bite another child in the class. I talked to her about it yesterday and even this morning while getting dressed and ready to go to the daycare.
Today, she threw her cup of milk in the face of a child.. No, not once, but twice!!! Geez!

WHY?? Oh, WHY!? And why my child? I've always heard about biters in daycare, and was always happy it wasn't my child.

Is she not getting enough attention.. er, well, positive attention at home?
Is it a cry for help?
Is she just testing her limits?
Is it just an impulse action that she didn't give any thought to before doing it?

Caring for the twins is quite time consuming.. but I don't want it to be at the detriment and/or expense of the other children. Something has to give...

I'm looking for tips/advice in this area from moms that have been there and done that!

PLEASE HELP!

Follow-up to a picture is worth a thousand words...

2010-06-08T22:08:00.000-04:00

So, Baby Girl is still getting her potty training down. She's doing well with it, but when she's too distracted by something fun she may wait too long to go to the potty.

Well, this day, I was trying to multitask: cooking dinner, caring for the twins and probably talking to my best big sis all at the same time when Baby Girl said she had to go potty. Off she went and after a few minutes she returned, but 5 minutes later she said she had to go again and this time, I was a bit more interested in what was going on with her.

What I saw.... was... undescribable!

Well, since this is a blog, I guess I have to describe it, right?!

Baby Girl was doing a some weird wide legged hop down the hall towards the bathroom with no underwear on and her dress up around her waist. She had a turd hanging from her rear-end and with each hop, she made a deposit on the floor. YUCK!! I ran to her to stop her from hopping and to ensure she got to the bathroom without further incident. Once she was secured to the potty, I went back to clean up the floor.. but there was nothing there!!!

Apparently, Coco the dog a.k.a 'the clean up crew" did the job for me...

YUCK!!!

I couldn't believe it!!! For the rest of the night, Baby Girl kept saying, "Coco ate my poop!" And of course, Coco tried to give everyone very generous kisses all night!!

YUCK!!!

ISO Childcare

2010-06-02T23:52:00.000-04:00

I am In Search Of good, quality childcare..

I'm planning to return to work soon and I am in major limbo! I have no plans,no setup, no backup plan for childcare and I'm getting anxious.. Two months have already passed and I'm sure the remainder of my maternity leave will fly by.. Ugh!!!

Why can't NY be like Canada and I would have 52 weeks off from work for maternity leave at very close to 100% of my salary.. That would be nice, but I guess after the 52 weeks, I would then still be in the same boat of having to find childcare, but it'll be nice to procrastinate the search for a much longer time.

What's a mom to do?!

Definition of a friend

2010-06-02T23:48:00.000-04:00

Today a friend called and asked me what I thought a good friend is.

Ii really got me thinking...

My response to my friend is that a good friend is one that listens and knows her/his friend well enough to know how to respond. Some people want complete honesty.. Others want honesty only when asked.. Still others say they want complete honesty, but really can't handle it. And yet still others prefer to only have you agree with them.

I think I have friends in each of these categories.

I definitely want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! Sure, the truth hurts, but I would rather have the truth than to follow down a path with false information, a facade or whatever you want to call it.. It all boils down to being a lie!

So, my definition of a good friend is one that knows me. Listens and supports.. One with whom I can be myself unashamed, fully comfortable and totally relaxed, just natural and pure.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

2010-06-02T23:34:00.000-04:00

Take a look at this photo?

Below is a pic of my hallway floor.

Can you guess what happened here today????

Nubs and all!!!

2010-05-25T01:37:00.000-04:00

I am just nubs!!! I can't believe it!! I've spent the last few months chewing up my fingernails..They are gone.. What I have left can't even be called nails.. I have stubby little fingers with nubs on them!! Ugh!! How gross! I'm totally disgusted and yet, I can't stop!! What happened?? Nerves? Anxiety? Survival mode? Coping mechanism?

I noticed what I was doing the other day while sitting on my bed with Baby Girl. Absentmindedly, I put my fingers to my mouth to proceed to naw on my nubs.. and she looked at me.. and then put her fingers to HER mouth!! Oh, no! Oh, no, no, no! Not my Baby Girl!! She can't have nubs like me.. I want better for her! She must have nails!! Pretty nails!! Long nails!!! LOL...

I've really got to stop biting my nubs!! What a terrible, ugly and disGROSSting habit!! Hehehe.. Like how I just created a word.. disgrossing.. a hybrid of disgusting and gross!! Ha! I can be so clever at times!!

Organizing...

2010-05-25T01:34:00.000-04:00

For the span of the twins life, I've been trying to organize..

Every item in the house, must have a place.. If it does not then maybe it's place is outside of our home. We have been in major transition while trying to make room for X1 and X2 and everything seems to be in boxes, totes, stacked in a corner, stuffed in a closet, shuffled into the garage or forgotten in the storage closet in the basement.

Although, I know I need to do a major sweep of organization in the house, when I start, I feel overwhelmed and wonder where to start.. Sure, I know I should start with one room at a time.. but then I get distracted by something in another room that needs to be cleaned or someone that needs to be fed, diaper changed, hair combed or is missing a sock, hat, keys, book, ball or whatever is of utmost importance at the moment. Then, I look out the window and think, "It looks so beautiful out.." I live in the northeast and having such warm and beautiful days are so short lived that it's imperative to take advance of every bit of warmth and sunshine that surfaces.. And so, my organizing just doesn't happen! But I'll get to it.. maybe tomorrow!

The hardest job ever...

2010-05-25T01:02:00.000-04:00

Wow! Being a mom is one, if not THE hardest job in the world..and the rewards are great!

- hugs and kisses becomes the 'well done' response from the boss
- annual doctor visits where I see how much my children have grown and developed becomes my annual peformance appraisal
- every birthday date becomes my work anniversary date
- nap time becomes my lunch break

Being a mommy forces me to see life through the eye of a child.. to live, laugh and experience things again as if I never had before. Children are so carefree, so unjudgemental, so comfortable with themselves, so unconcerned about how they look, what others may think..

Tonight during dinner, Baby Girl decided she had to dance to every and any interesting song that she can hear from the television that played in the living room. She would hear the music and then look over at me and say, "I want to dance"! I would say, "Sure, girl, go ahead and dance!" And she dance she did, with all her heart and might..and with such glee. Just as quickly as the song began, it ended and she settled back in her chair at the dinner table to finish eating. On any other day, I may have said that having the tv on in another room while we ate dinner may have been a mistake and dinner should not be interrupted... but.. why not? Baby Girl had fun..and I want her to equate home with love, comfort and FUN!! So, if tomorrow, I forget to turn on the tv and Baby Girl says that she just gotta dance.. I will still say, "Sure, girl, go ahead and dance!"

Seriously!? Jewelry made out of cremated remains!?

2010-05-17T22:55:00.000-04:00

In a recent Law & Order episode, a woman had a ring that she said had fake diamonds that were formed from the ashes of her first husband. Her second husband was murdered and she was planning to have a pendant made out of his ashes.

I couldn't believe it, so I googled "

It's REAL! You really can make jewelry from human ashes... Wow! I just not sure how I feel about that.. Would I want to wear a ring with fake diamond that were made from his remains?

I found the following articles on the topic:
Lifegem diamond
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/3011356/making_a_diamond_out_of_me_create_diamonds.html
DNA2diamonds.com

Amazing... Isn't it!?

Breastfeeding twins... Am I CRAZY or what!?

2010-05-17T22:44:00.000-04:00

I have been breastfeeding my twins and.. they are growing! I can't wait until their 2 month to see just how well they are doing.

While pregnant, one of the books I read was, Oh Yes You Can Breastfeed Twins! Plus More Tips for Simplifying Life with Twins by April Rudat.

This is a good read and now, almost 2 months since the twins' birth, I still find myself consulting it from time to time. Although, the book centers mostly on the author's experience, I have learned a lot from reading it and feel encouraged in my current mission of breastfeeding my babies.

Sure, I spend most of my time with my shirt up and boobs hanging low, but my babies are thriving from what my body is providing. Don't get me wrong.. I am not a breastfeeding bully and tell every newly pregnant woman or new mom that she MUST breastfeed and that it's best for her and her baby and if she doesn't breastfeed then she is a bad mommy. No, of course, I don't feel that way. When I had the young man, I wanted to breastfeed. I was young and didn't know that there was so much support and information available. I didn't know anyone that had breastfeed and when the labor and delivery asked how I planned to feed my baby, I hemed and hawed for a few minutes and out of uncertainty, anxiety and thinking I had to go it alone, I choose to bottlefeed. Today, he's a healthy, intelligent, bright young man who is thriving and growing normally. I have nothing against formula, I just regret not giving breastfeeding a chance and seeking out help along the way.

I do encourage any newly pregnant woman or new mom interested in breastfeeding to try it. I also try to inform these women that there is support, assistance and information available in so many arenas to help them through any questions, concerns or problems they may have. I am enjoying the time I spend with the babies while I breastfeed. I didn't always use a pillow to support their weights while nursing, but now that they are getting much bigger, I now find it easier and more comfortable to use a breastfeeding pillow when tandem feeding. I almost always use the football hold position, but now that they are bit heavier than just a few weeks ago, it's an acrobatic balancing act to get them into position and/or burp one while the other is eating.

To get started on a successful breastfeeding path, most hospitals have lactation consultants on staff that visit new moms and babies in their rooms and answer questions, assist with latching, provide support and offer suggestions and information. Also, many labor and delivery nurses are trained to help with breastfeeding. Many of the most popular formula companies offer a lot of information on breastfeeding on their website as well as in their literature. Check it out. Go to Similac, Enfamil or even breastfeeding companies like Medela

The La Leche League (LLL) http://www.llli.org/ offers a wealth of information online and also offer local groups where you can meet with other nursing moms at regular intervals to discuss breastfeeding and/or child related issues. I joined my local LLL group while pregnant with Baby Girl almost 3 years ago. I joined again when I learned I was pregnant with twins. Wouldn't you know it.. there was a mom with twin boys. She used a twin nursing pillow and nursed her boys at the meeting. No shame, no reservations or hesitations and was quite comfortable. I loved it! She let me know that it was indeed possible to breastfeed twins. If she could do it, so can I", I thought. After that meeting, I ran into so many other people that told me they had a friend that breastfeed twins.. This was added confirmation that it can be done.

Now, I can say... I AM doing it! You CAN breastfeed twins.. Let's see how long we can do it.

Letting Go of Anger..

2010-05-11T19:15:00.000-04:00

I have been battling anger and all that comes with holding on to anger like bitterness, resentment, holding a grudge, revenge, unforgiveness for some time.

You see, someone very close to me (a family member) hurt me.. by lying, being deceitful and I felt as if they didn't even care. When I found out about the lies and deceit, I, of course, confronted them and they were so nonchalant about it by saying that it happened months before I found out and that it wasn't a big deal. To this day, I don't know the details and the person never really admitted to what happened. I think the omission added to my hurt. The person never asked for forgiveness and never did anything to make me feel as if I can trust again. I began to feel like I must have done something wrong to deserve the betrayal.

I held on to the anger for almost 2 years! Those 2 years of my life felt so barren, so lonely, so confusing, so lost.. I didn't feel like me... I felt like a foreigner in my own body. I didn't know myself or even recognize myself any more.

While on a family vacation, my anger was a constant companion. Every time I spoke to this person, it was in anger. The person will say hello, and I would respond... but with such attitude, disgust and even some hate.

I couldn't see it.. until another family member asked me why I always spoke so badly to the other person. And I said something like, "Well, they get on my nerves and makes me respond that way by the things they do". The family member said, "All I see is your bad attitude and the negative way in which you speak to them. I don't see them do anything to you!"

That was so powerful.. It cut me in a way that woke me up. I realized that no matter how much hurt this person caused me, no one witnessed it, but everyone was seeing the way I treating the person that hurt me and instead of highlighting how they hurt me, all the others on the trip were looking at me in a bad light, and my bad attitude was highlighted. I WAS the problem.

I started to think about the effect that holding on to anger would have on my body, my happiness, my ability to be the best mom and my future. I didn't want the anger to have so much power on me anymore. I didn't want to be a slave to the person that hurt me anymore. I CHOSE to forgive. The person didn't ask for it.. didn't deserve it.. didn't show that they were sorry and didn't even seem to care that I was still hurt over all of it for so long. Although I chose to forgive, I didn't forget. Although, I didn't forget, I now try to lay aside any ill feelings I still have about the incident. It's obvious that this person no longer thinks of how they hurt me and has moved on with life, but I was still stuck.. stuck at the moment when I found out about the lies, stuck at when I confronted, stuck at when I dug for more information, stuck at when I should have made a decision to sever ties despite the relationship being with a close family member. I had to take my power back. I have to own my happiness and choose to make a decision to live my best life. I am in pursuit of more for my life..

Holding on to anger can do some nasty things to your body.. I don't want it or need it... I need to be all I can be for my kids. If all I need to do is let go of anger and not let things bother me and fester for a long time, then that's what I'll try to do to be the best me and live my best life. I'm letting go of anger... and all things negative.

What do you think?

2010-05-05T12:58:00.002-04:00

I just read this artcle about Twins Law.

What do you think?

Should ALL twins be separated in school? Should twins be in separate classrooms? Should it be mandated by law?

Or should it be the parents choice whether twins be separated or not?

Go over to: http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com/twins-law.html. Read the article and weigh in on the topic.

My feeling is that it should be the parents' choice. All people are diferent and we all learn differently. If both twins benefit from being together, then they should remain in the same classroom. If one benefits, but the other isn't then they should be separated.

Is it not that easy or am I missing something?

All my children....

2010-04-28T15:35:00.001-04:00

The Young Man

The Young Man is almost 14 and talking about working.. I can't believe it. Where have all the time gone? He is so responsible, funny, smart and dependable. He is all about sports.. baseball, basketball, football. Everyone just loves the Young Man. Because he's the oldest and so responsible, I'm trying to be careful to give him as much attention as the younger kids. He's my joy and I'm so proud to be his mom.

Baby Girl

Baby Girl is growing so quickly.. right before my eyes! She wants to wear nail polish.. on both her finger and toe nails!! Da Hubby doesn't like it, but I kind of think that it's cute. She's such a girlie girl, but she is all about the fun. She loves to have a good time, whether its playing basketball in the driveway, jumping on the trampoline in the backyard, going to the library... It's just fun, fun, fun all the time. Which explains why she never have time or a desire to take a nap during the day, but almost always ready to go to bed at night.

X1

X1 is pretty short on patience and doesn't like to wait. He loves to look around his surroundings and check out the face of the person holding him. He's my big boy! He

X2
X2 is pretty patient to a limit. She definitely knows what she wants when she wants it and will let you know when you've taken too long to give her what she wants. She's very cuddly and loves to be held and fall asleep on my or daddy's chest.

Coco

I love this dog! Coco is a very sweet dog and although she's about 83 lbs, she seems to think she's a lap dog and always try to lay or even sit in someone's lap. She definitely knows she's a part of the family and whenever Baby Girl is standing near one of us asking for us to give her a snack, Coco is usually standing in line behind Baby Girl patiently waiting her turn for a snack. Lately, she's been pretty protective of me. Twice in the last week, she didn't seem to like Da Hubby giving me a smooch and barked at him. Not sure what is the deal with that.

"I'm sorry... but I've never been peed on before!"

2010-04-28T14:56:00.000-04:00

It was a day that I was just absolutely tired.. I had a headache... Baby girl was dying for affection and attention.. X1 and X2 were just being babies and needed to be fed/changed/held.. I was ready for a break when it happened...

While trying to 'multitask' as he likes to call it, Da Hubby was changing X1's diaper while watching television. Suddenly, he yelps! I look over and Da Hubby is ducking and looking shocked.. and then I saw a fountain link spray of water in the air and Da Hubby jumps back, againg yelping loudly. X1 was giving Da Hubby a pee shower. After a long full day, I wasn't entertained at first because I was thinking, "oh no. I have to change X1's clothes again!!" So, I asked Da Hubby to cover the 'source' of the fountain and reminded him that it happens. I left the room to breathe and just think of something else. Minutes later Da Hubby comes out very sincerely and says, "What's wrong? Why did you leave the room? I'm sorry....but I've just never been peed on before."

Then, I was entertained...

He was so serious and sincere trying to explain what happened and his side of things. LOL!! I quickly jumped on the phone and called everyone I could to share this story..

Diapers................$19.99 for Jumbo pack
Clean sleeper.. ....$3.99
Getting peed on for the first time by your son..... Priceless!

In this game of childrearing and especially caring for twins, I realize that it's so important to have a sense of humor. Sometimes, if you don't laugh, you'll probably cry!

Survival Mode!!

2010-04-20T23:24:00.000-04:00

While pregnant with X1 and X2, I've heard many twin mamas say that the first few months is like operating in survival mode! I am a witness!! It's true!

- There are days that I don't shower!
- There are days I shower, but not until about 2pm!
- Most days I wear a hat.
- Since giving birth, I haven't spent any serious time or effort on my hair.
- Pedicure?! Pedicure?! My feet have not intimately known a pedicure in months!
- I can't believe that my twins are already a month old!
- Time really does fly.. even when you are just trying to survive.

Babies are here! Welcome X1 and X2!

2010-04-05T16:31:00.000-04:00

I'm still in shock..

Babies X1 (boy) and X2 (girl) are here!! They were born on Friday, March 19th via c/sectionbecause X2 was breached. Dr. C refused to attempt a vaginal delivery if either baby was breached.

Baby X1- Born at 2:59am at 5lbs.

Baby X2- Born at 3:03am at 4lbs 4oz

My pregnancies with the twins and with Baby Girl ended with me eating out somewhere.. With Baby Girl, it was Outback Steakhouse. With this pregnancy, Fuddruckers!! LOL!

At my doctor's appointment, it was obvious that I was having contractions during the NST. Some I felt and some I didn't. The ones I felt weren't painful at all. Judy, the OB nurse, nor Dr. D were concerned and just told me to drink more water. I went on with my day and met some friends at Fuddruckers for dinner. All the kids had a ball and it was great seeing my friends as it has been a while since we've all gotten together. They were all waging bets that I wouldn't make it to April carrying the twins and most certainly wouldn't make it even close to my due date of April 27th. One friend commented on how my shirt barely covered my belly and how hard my belly was when she touched it.

As I got home, I followed the normal routine of getting Baby Girl ready for a bath, storytime and then bedtime. I watched a little television and then fell asleep. I woke up around 12:30am when I felt my underwear soaked.. I was scared because I didn't know what I was soaked in... urine, blood or bag of water. I yelled out to Da Hubby who was jarred awake and ran to the restroom.. I probably sat in the bathroom for about 15 -20 minutes where I kept having a gush of water and then pressure.

Uh, Dude! I'm in labor..

I calmly told Da Hubby that I had to call the doctor because I thought I was in labor. Da Hubby is usually as cool as a cucumber, so the fact that he decided to go back and lay down, wasn't too alarming or strange, but I was a bit surprised that he wasn't moving more quickly.

Dr. C told me to come in as soon as possible. I was happy that she was on call and would deliver my babies, but because she was at the catholic hospital, I would not be able to get the tubal ligation, if I was to have a c-section.

Da Hubby was finally ready to go.. We climbed into his truck and something must have snapped him into reality because he suddenly began to drive like he had a purpose.. He began running lights and driving quickly. He dropped me at the door of the hospital about 1:15am and I agreed to make my way to Labor and Delivery alone while he found parking.

I explained my situation to the nurses and they didn't seem to believe that I was in labor or that my water broke. The midwife came in to check me and she just took one look and said, "oh, yeah! You ruptured.. I can see it! I do need to check your cervix, though... Wow! 7 centimeters.. ok. maybe 6. She's ready!"

Dr. C came in to greet me and since my doctor's appointment earlier in the day showed that X2 (girl) was breeched, we were going to proceed with the surgery. To be sure, Dr. C did a quick ultrasound to ensure the babies positions. X1 was very low and ready to meet the world!

Things began to move very, very quickly.. So many people came in the room and greeted me and introduced themselves.. So many people were all talking to me at the same time.. Asking questions.. Waiting for answers... Being registered.. "What's your address?" Giving me all the information about the epidural etc for the c-section..."When was the last time you ate?" Putting in an IV in my arm.. "Honey, please make a fist.." "Ok. I'm Lisa and I'm going to shave you now". Even Da Hubby was asking me to remind the doc about the tubal ligation all while being pummelled by serious contractions... UGH!!! Now, I know why some women in labor cuss folks out.

Da Hubby had no clue of what was happening (He was either very tired and still in dreamland or in serious denial and thought I was going to be sent home any minute) until the nurses gave him surgical scrubs to put on. He was so confused and didn't know what to do, he started stuttering and stammering and asked if he should put it on now. The nurse simply responded, Yes! He put it on and complained that it was not fitting him correctly and asked for a bigger size. The nurse told him that there is only one size and that he had it on backwards. LOL.He finally got it on correctly and next I knew I was being wheeled into the OR. The nurses warned me that the room was brightly lit and cold. And it was! As soon as I entered the room, I announced.. "I'm going to throw up!" Someone quickly gave me a spit cup and all of my dinner was staring back at me.

I was placed on a very skinny table and told to hunch over and stay very still... uh, while having contractions!! You can't be serious.... Finally, the epidural was done and the nurses threw me down on the table quickly because my legs got very heavy very quickly. They inserted a catheter and there were a lot of people in the room all asking if I was ok and telling me to expect some pressure, tugging and pulling, but no pain. Da Hubby was finally allowed in and told to hold my hand. Dr. C asked, "can we cut???" And it all began.

I met X1 (boy) at 2:59am. He was 5lbs. 18 inches. He was also breathing on his own and doing well.

X2 (girl) was a bit stubborn and gave Dr. C some trouble. She was grunting and I felt quit a bit if pulling and pressure. She was finally born at 3:03am. She too was breathing on her own, but needed a little help. She was 4lbs 4oz and 17 inches.

X1 and X2 had to go to the NICU due to their premature birth (34 weeks, 2 days gestation). They spent 10 days in NICU and I'm so happy they both were able to come home together.

They are both beautiful babies and I'm still in shock that I have TWO babies.

"OH, NO, SHE DIDN'T!!

2010-03-18T16:03:00.000-04:00

But she did....

Baby B (girl) flipped!! She flipped!! I can not believe it! Both babies are NOT vertex (head down), so I will be scheduled for a c-section!

I just returned from my doctor's appointment and was expecting to hear what I've been hearing since 17 weeks... That both babies were in the vertex position. This was the green light.. my free pass.. the golden ticket.. the get out of jail free card.. for us to try to have a vaginal delivery! I know many people thought I was crazy for wanting to have a vaginal delivery.. but I would prefer not to have surgery and/or need to deal with the recovery in addition to trying to care for the babies and everyone else. I'm really hoping that by the time the c-section is scheduled, both babies are head down and we can try for a vaginal delivery and both stay head down until both babies are out. I've heard all sorts of stories of Baby A being born vaginally and because of all the extra room, Baby B decides to flip and flop and swim around and just explore all the new space he or she just won! So then Baby B would be born via c-section. I don't want that either!

I would be lying if I say that I'm not disappointed.. I am! I'm very disappointed.. I even feel dupped! Dr. C even assured me the last time I saw her that the babies didn't have much room and would remain head down! How in the world did she flip!?! And I didn't even feel the difference!!

*** EMERGENCY INTERRUPTION ***

This post has just been interrupted by a call from my doctor's office....Please stand by.

Dr. C (I requested that she deliver the babies) agreed to perform the c-section and.... a tubal ligation. More about the tubal ligation in another post..

I planned to work until April 7th and can you guess when the surgery is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 8th!! 8:30am!!

Da Hubby was planning to go out of town for work April 7th through April 9th.

Oh, boy! I'm not sure of what I make out of all of this... I need to let this all just marinate...

34 Weeks Today!!

2010-03-18T11:13:00.000-04:00

I'm 34 weeks.. another milestone??

According to : http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/twins-and-multiples/giving-birth/your-tentative-timetable.aspx - Making it to week 34 in a twin pregnancy means that the babies will have a high chance of survival. Because full lung maturity occurs between weeks 33 and 37, twins born between 32 an 34 weeks may need to spend some time in the NICU, but may not experience any long term health issues.

Pretty good news and pretty good odds, right??

What's a NST?

2010-03-16T16:07:00.000-04:00

A NST is a non- stress test. I came across this article today that would give a great description of what to expect during a NST.

Because It's Friday...

2010-03-12T12:48:00.001-05:00

A picture of me and Da Hubby at a Bridal show.... I was about 5 months pregnant and stuffing my face with all the delicious banquet hall's food samplings.. Yumm!! Can you tell that I was enjoying it?? LOL

Da Hubby is now realizing that this is NOT a drill!!

2010-03-12T12:42:00.000-05:00

Da hubby had to go out of town (about 2.5 hours) for work Wednesday afternoon and was expected back early afternoon yesterday, but didn't get back until late last night.

Since Da Hubby wasn't home and I wanted to attend parenting class last night, I didn't feel like cooking or even arranging a meal out of what was in the fridge. These days I hate spending my hard earned money, but I just wasn't in the mood and asked the kids if they wanted to go to Fuddruckers for dinner. They both enthusiasticly replied with a big yes. I went to my meeting and told them to be ready within an hour. They were! Could you believe it!?

The Young Man has such a big appetite that it scares me! He ordered a bacon cheddar burger and since I wasn't too hungry, I got a turkey burger to share with Baby Girl. I had to sweeten my meal with a vanilla milk shake, of course. Then I wonder how I can possibly gain weight in 1 week!!

While at dinner, I forgot my phone in the car and the Young man must had been so engulfed in his food that he didn't hear his phone when Da Hubby was calling. When the Young Man noticed he called Da Hubby back and he was frantic! He said he was worried something happened since we weren't answering our house phone or our cell phones. I guess he realizes that these babies can come at anytime now and that the next call he gets from me will NOT be a drill!! You see, Da Hubby is cool, laid back, never see him sweat, never seems like anything bothers him type of guy...That's his way.. until he opens his mouth.

This morning he started asking all types of questions about how I'm feeling and if I think I can continue working. He also asked when I told my supervisor would be my last day of work and what my doctors say about my working. My doctors told me to go with how I feel and work as long as I feel up to it. My supervisor at work tells me to listen to my doctors' orders and don't push myself to do anything that goes against what they advise.

I work in a downtown area, so parking is an issue! Da Hubby asked questions about how far I have to walk from where I park to work. I have been telling him these things for months, but I guess he hears only when he's interested in the subject at the time. There are parking meters in front of my work building and like I said, I hate spending money lately, so I rarely park at the meters unless I have quarters and it's only for a few hours when I go to or return from an appointment. So, Da Hubby promised to supply me with a bunch of quarters so I can park close to the building and not walk so far for the remainder of the time I will be working.. I guess he is now realizing... This is NOT a drill, people!!

33 Weeks and NST!!

2010-03-12T12:26:00.000-05:00

I had my 33 week NST appointment yesterday.

Judy, the OB nurse, wanted to start with the baby that was the most active last week. That was Baby B (girl). Apparently, she did not want to be monitored and kept moving away. Because she kept moving, the monitor kept going off and could not retain Baby B's heart rate. Judy had to come in and sit and hold the monitor in place and at some point I had to hold the monitor in place with one finger!

Baby A (boy) did much better and although he moved a lot, he didn't change positions as much as his sister did.

Both babies passed their NST, and next week, we will see Dr. D, Judy for NST and Carol for ultrasounds. It will be a long appointment. Hopefully, without the fire drill like two weeks ago!

- The room was a bit warm. Pregnant women should not be left in warm rooms alone to sweat in body places that no one knew you can sweat in!! Just plain disgusting... I always feel like I need to shower afterwards. Good thing my appointment was late in the day and I didn't have to return to work.
- I can't believe I gained weight since last week!
- I was having contractions while being monitored! I didn't feel any and most were on a small scale but there were a few high spikes!! Eek!!!
- Judy called Dr. C in to review the results. Did Judy think something may have been wrong?????
- Dr. C gave the A OK and I was sent on my way until next week.
- There's a rumor that after this summer Dr. C won't be delivering babies. I sure hope she delivers my babies as a last hurrah!! She's all for me trying to deliver vaginally... that's what I prefer, but of course, if there's a medical emergency or any concern that may seem as if delivering vaginally is not a good option, I will gladly accept a c-section.

Twin Pregnancy and Plastic Surgery!

2010-03-12T12:08:00.000-05:00

While listening to many of the moms in my local Twin Group talk with such acceptance about the changes their bodies went through during twin pregnancy and the aftermath of carrying twins, I grew a bit anxious and apprehensive about what to expect after delivering the twins.

Sure, I'll bask in their beauty and wonder at how they both cohabitated in my womb and will forget all about any discomforts and aliments while carrying the babies to term, but would I also begin to look at my body and wonder, 'Seriously?! Who's body is THAT!? And when is my real body going to come back??"

One of the mom's in the Twin Group announced that she would be having a tummy tuck. You would have thought that she announced that she got a big promotion at work or that she won a year of FREE housecleaning or even that she won the lottery. People were amazed, happy, congratulated. Some even told others at other meeting when this mom wasn't around. This now famed mom's children are almost 3years old. She works out, eats rights and despite a bit a budge in the belly area (which isn't noticeable) she appears to be in great shape. She completed her research, selected her doctor, went for consultations and have her appointment set for surgery. I have not yet heard if she had the surgery and what her results were, but it really got me thinking.

When I get thinking, I let me fingers get to work with Google's help... I came across this article that I found interesting and definitely a good start when considering plastic surgery after having twins.

Review the article here!

Great Wrap-n-mat Giveaway!!

2010-03-12T11:54:00.000-05:00

Go over to Truth Be Told Blog and check out this giveaway: Wrap-n-mat Giveaway!!!

I've been looking a reusable snack mat and pouch for a few months. I scoured Etsy.com and found a few with really cute patterns, but there is something about this Wrap n Mat that just grabs my attention.

Is it because it looks like it would be super easy to fold your items up in?
Is it because it looks so simple that even a toddler can manage it while eating snacks out of it.
Is it because the patterns are cute?
Is it because you can wash it quickly and easily without having to turn it inside out, but just lay it flat to dry?

There are so many reasons to at least join the giveaway! I hope one of you will be the lucky winner.. Good luck.. and Go, Go, Go over to Truth Be Told blog!!

Car Full of Car Seats!!

2010-03-06T13:07:00.002-05:00

My car is full of car seats!!

I now have Baby Girl's carseat installed in the 3rd row of my Chrysler Pacifica and 2 infant seats installed in the 2nd row bucket seats!! I feel surrounded by car seats! where car seats go to die! I'm full surrounded!!

I was nervous that Baby Girl would be upset that she is waaaay in the back of the car, where I've been having to turn down the radio and repeatedly ask her to repeat whatever it was that she just said.

Last night, after meeting Da Hubby for dinner at Johnny Rocket's, while I was driving, Baby Girl tried to give me her hat. I tried to ask her to just hold on to it or to put it down, but she insisted on giving it to me and got very upset that I wouldn't take it. Yes, it was close to bedtime, but if this is any indication of what the next year of my life is going to be... I'm going to have to learn to drive with a whole lotta noise behind me!

So, for evidence of my car full of car seats....

32 Weeks Doctor's Appointment

2010-03-06T12:44:00.000-05:00

I went to my 32 Weeks Doctor's appointment and it was a looooooong one! I left work at 12:45pm for a 1pm appointment, but didn't get back to work until 3:30pm!!

Da Hubby called while I was just parking at my doctor's office to tell me that he would join me! I was very surprised, but of course, welcomed the company. I checked in at the reception desk and left my 'specimen' as usual and before I sat down, they were calling me to for my weight and blood pressure check, but before I could go back to the nurse's area, fire alarms went off! THE HORROR!! I'm very glad I wasn't still in the restroom or even in the middle of my exam as some of the other women at the office were. I was full expecting them to run out of the exam rooms in their paper gowns, but no one did! LOL

After standing outside of the office building for a little over a half hour, I was weighed and my blood pressure was checked.

Weight : (gulp!) I've gained about 30 lbs total so far!
Blood pressure : Normal 120/70

Me at 32 weeks, 5 days in the lounge at work

I got to see Dr. C today. It was pretty quick. Just from feeling my belly she figured both babies were head down. She checked their heartrates on the doppler.

Baby A HR (doppler) : 142
Baby B HR (doppler) : 140

Then, it was time to see Carol for ultrasounds and the first NST (Non-Stress Test). Carol decided to monitor Baby A (boy) first. I had 2 monitors strapped to my belly. One monitoring Baby A's heartrate and a second monitor was placed at the top of my belly to monitor contractions. Carol gave me a little buzzer and told me to click it everytime I felt movement. Doing this made a mark on the paper to indicate the movement because usually that's when the monitor would go off and not read the baby's heart rate. I had to lay there for 20 minutes. Hubby and I passed the time by talking and reading magazines. Halfway through, Carol came and checked on me and thought that the heartrate accelerations should spike much higher than they were. She decided to wake the baby up by placing a microphone looking thingy by my belly where she thought his head would be and pressed the button. It was a very loud horn and I have never in all my pregnancies felt a baby jump so much.. The poor lil guy was scared!! I could even feel his sister get a little startled too.. His heartrate did spike like Carol wanted to see, but he settle right back down. All the jumping at the same time actually hurt! Judy must have reported her findings to the OB nurse, Judy. Judy came in and looked at the results and thought everything was great. She said that the readings were right on for the baby's development. Later on in pregnancy is when the spikes in heartrates would be much greater as Carol was expecting to see. So, no worries! It was then Baby B's (girl) turn at bat. She also did well. Judy continued to explain that they like to see at least a 15 point jump in the heart rate 5 times during the 20 minutes and the babies did it! WE PASSED!!

Next, Carol had to do the ultrasound. This is the first time that Da Hubby has gotten to see the babies. Carol measured the femur of each baby and checked the babies positions, head circumferences, heart rates, breathing motions and my fluid levels. All looked great.

Baby A HR (u/s) : 144
Baby B HR (u/s) : 146

Baby A weight : almost 4 lbs
Baby B weight : 4 lbs 4 oz

Now, I will be going weekly to the doctor's office. Every week for the NST and ultrasound to check the fluid level, but I will see the doctors every 2 weeks. That's a whole lotta doctor appointments.

For now, I'm still working! It's getting a bit harder to sit all day.. On Friday, I had to use my break time to lay down in the lounge for a few minutes. I felt a bit better. I think I really should start forcing myself to use my 2 breaks and half hour lunch to lay down and rest in the lounge. It may make all the difference.

Well, until next time, take care of yourself and each other!

Because It's Friday...

2010-03-06T12:18:00.000-05:00

Ok.. Well, today's really not Friday.. but hey! I'm my blog, right?!?!?

Here's a not so good shot of the belly at 32 weeks 2 days. I tried to take it of myself. You know... I just realized that I don't have any pictures of myself pregnant with the twins!! Yikes! I better get started before it's too late. Time is quickly ticking away.

32 Weeks 2 Days

32 Weeks Today!

2010-03-02T15:06:00.000-05:00

Today, I am 32 weeks!

I was almost afraid that I wouldn't make it!!

Starting Thursday night, I started seeing small remants of what looked like my mucus plug. I got anty and waited for something else to happen.

NOTHING!

But the next evening, I saw a smaller bit of the mucus plug on my underwear. Da Hubby was out of town and since I didn't feel any contractions, no water broke, no other symptoms, I again decided to wait it out until something happened. I mentioned this to my sister and then when Da Hubby came home I told him also. Both, said that I should at least mention it to the doctor, just in case. Better safe, than sorry. So, Monday morning, I called the doctor's office and spoke with the OB nurse, Judy. Judy asked for a description of what I thought I saw and then asked if there were other symptoms. She said she would talk to the doctor and will return my called. Judy called after lunch and told me to get to Labor and Delivery to be checked to ensure that there was no cervix progression. I started to get a little nervous, but decided to just stay calm until I was checked and things were verified and determine what condition I was in. I left work early and explained the situation to my boss, who totally understood. I called Da Hubby and mom and sent Best Big Sis and Lil Sis a text message explaining what was happening.

I delivered in this hospital 2.5 years ago, but somehow forgot my way around. I walked and walked...

and finally found the Labor & Delivery area. I was admitted and did all the preliminary things: pee in the cup, change into a lovely blue, ill shaped gown with the butt open and then I climbed into the bed and was immediately hooked up to a monitor for each baby as well as a contraction monitor. The babies were doing well, but the nurse informed me that I was having contractions. I didn't feel a thing! Not a thing, except for a baby foot in my ribs!! The nurse reported her findings to the doctor. A doctor came in and wanted to check me vaginally..

Ugh! I hate that part of labor the most!

The doctor was barely able to reach my cervix and said it was 'positive' and still very high. That was good! Because I wasn't feeling the contractions, again, it was a good sign, but they wanted to keep me for evaluation for a few hours just to ensure that there were no changes. I sat and read my US magazine, sipped on ginger ale and ice water while watching the Tyra show while I was hooked to all the monitors and getting fluids through an IV. The babies were so active especially Baby A (boy) that the nurse had to sit with me and hold the monitor on my belly for some time. Around 4:30pm, the doctor came in and asked if I wanted to go home and I nearly jumped out of the bed and ran for the door, but, I had to be checked vaginally again!

Ugh, did I tell you how I hate that part of labor the most!

Things were the same and I was released to go home with admonition to keep my previously schedulded doctor's appointment on Thursday as a follow-up, take it easier, put my feet up, rest more, stay hydrated and watch for signs of labor such as vaginal bleeding, bag of waters breaking and/or contractions. I went home and just took it easy. I didn't cook dinner and today, I feel great!

Surprisingly calm.. when you don't have expectations.

2010-02-26T14:38:00.000-05:00

When we are upset with a situation or a person, is it because of our expectations of how the situation was going to turn out or how a person was going to react or what they would say??

I'm thinking the answer may be yes.

We never have control over what others do and/or say, but we always have control over how we respond or react to people and situations. It's not always easy to think before you act, but in the end, it's probably the best thing to do...

Where am I going with this??

Well, here it is.. Not a rant.. Not a vent... I just want to open some discussion and talk about a recent situation.

I was talking to mom last night and told her about some symptoms I was having (more about that in another post) and she said that it may be a sign of impending labor. I argued that it was too early as I'm not even 32 weeks yet!

She then asked what was my plan for care of Baby Girl and the Young man while I was in the hospital. This caught me off guard and a bit by surprise as although we never discussed it, I assumed since she only lives about 7 minutes from me with Lil Sis and my niece, that they would be my plan depending on the circumstances. I was so surprised or.. I really don't know how I felt that I didn't even speak up and say, "well, I thought you and Lil Sis will help out for a few hours here and there while da hubby would be at the hospital with me".

Mom was so surprised that I didn't have a plan in place and gave a few suggestions that I send the kids to NYC where MIL and/or Best Big Sis live for a few days. Huh? Well, yeah, I guess so.. I just didn't think that far as I just assumed mom will help out. Mom and Lil Sis is the only family I and da hubby have here. I could ask a few friends, but they are all busy with their lives and their families, that I really hate to impose on them. I'm sure they wouldn't mind and I guess, I should just ask, just in case I need them.

Then, I called Best Big Sis and told her about the conversation with mom and she sounded disappointed, but as always offered to help. She mentioned that she would talk to the babysitter that cares for her 8 month old daughter and see if the babysitter would agrree to care for Baby Girl. Really!? How would this work, unless I go into labor over the weekend or clost to the weekend? Baby Girl would need to get down to NYC which is about 2.5 hours away.. I would need to pay this babysitter for however many days Baby Girl is with her.. The babysitter would need to agree to the arrangement... and I would still need to pay daycare fees even though Baby Girl isn't in attendance to retain her spot.... And Baby Girl takes some time to warm up to people when she first meet them. Just yesterday when I dropped her at daycare, there was a new assistant teacher in the classroom and Baby Girl looked at her as if she had feet for a head and was covered in dirt, poop, bugs. She held on to my hand and whined a bit until she saw her regular teacher and ran to her. So, how would she handle such a situation?

Ugh! My head hurts just thinking of all of this.

Best Big Sis called this morning and boy was she ralled up! She must have slept on what I told her last night and then talked to mom this morning and she was so upset. She told me of the conversation with mom and how they talked about me. Mom mentioned how surprised she was that I didn't have a plan and Best Big Sis asked mom why she was unable to help me since we live in the same city.. only minutes apart. Well, to make a long story short, Best Big Sis told mom that everyone is busy and everyone has things that they must take care of, but you help and support those around you that need help. Best Big Sis even reminded me that when she had her daughter in August, mom took time from work and came down for a week to help care for Best Big Sis and her baby. Indeed, Best Big Sis' fiance was out of town during the time and I guess Mom felt that someone should be with her. I agree with that and encouraged my mom to be with her since I was starting a new position and couldn't or at least felt like I shouldn't take any extended time off.

For me, life shouldn't be about counts... I do this for you today, so I expect you do that for me tomorrow.. That's just not me. I like to help when and where I can. Sometimes, I feel like it's a curse. I feel blessed, but there has been times that I needed help, and often times, been told that there was no help there. So, I just figure it out and try to do the best with what I I have to deal with it.

Should I be upset? Sad? Disappointed?

Surprisingly, I'm not.. I'm calm. I'm cool.. Chillin'... and even when Best Big Sis said she was going to call Mom back and say more, I pleaded with her not to. What's the point? I understand! Mom is busy.

I guess although I assumed mom and Lil Sis would be around to help while I was in labor and/or in the hospital to at least help with my kids for a few hours depending on how things unfolded, I didn't expect it and therefore, I guess that could be why I'm not disappointed. I worry that not expecting things may cause me to be a bit pessimistic or calloused... but for this situation, I'm sure something would work out. I'm not going to worry. Worrying never changes situations! I just need a plan...

You know your belly is huuuge when......

2010-02-26T14:01:00.001-05:00

- you knock poor little kids down if you turn around too quickly

- your belly enters a room before the rest of you do

- your usually large boobs look small 'cause your belly is so big

- you have stains on the belly of your shirt at the end of the day with the evidence of everything you ate

-your hubby starts resting the remote on your belly while watching your dvr'ed shows

- you absentmindedly rest your hands on top of your belly

- the bottom of your shirt gets soaked while washing dishes, washing your hands or doing anything involving water

- you enter a room and everyone's eyes are on your belly and then slowly wander up to your face

- you can not see any part of you below your belly

- you hope your shoes match

- you only wear slip on shoes

- you dread dropping anything when no one is around and you are forced to pick it up yourself

- strangers in the street yell, 'a boy?' or you overhear them say, 'she must be having a boy' when you walk by

- your shirts are a tad too short in the front

- you hesitate just a little before making your way throw a narrow area

- you learn how to quickly measure with your eyes the size of a narrow walkway and your body before going through

"My, you sure do have a big belly there!"
"Well, big enough to smack you around, my dear!"

Pretty cute undershirts!

2010-02-23T13:46:00.001-05:00

Check out these Colorful Topless Undershirts!

Now, that a lot of my shirts are starting to get a little short in the front because of the growing belly, I had to rely on my full panel jeans to make up the difference. I tried using one of my old Belly Bands that I used in my pregnancy 2 years ago to old up my non-maternity pants while my belly grew.

Not only can these be used for pregnant mamas, but maybe new mamas and even non-mamas who like their shirts to be a bit longer and love the layered shirt look without all the layers..

I saw this item featured on Parents.com and love the look of this. Unfortunately, the topless undershirt featured in the online article doesn't appear to be available at Toplessundershirts.com.

Check it out!

Twin Birth Statistics!

2010-02-23T13:38:00.001-05:00

From FitPregnancy.com

According to an article at FitPregnancy.com, twin births have increased 70% in the past three decades.

See the article, Pregnant with Twins, for three different twin birth experiences.

Interesting stuff!

A mother's thankful job!

2010-02-22T14:14:00.000-05:00

Although a mother's work is never done, there are times when you feel good that all your hard work is noticed and returned in some small gesture..

Early Sunday morning, Baby Girl woke up screaming, crying and yelling for Daddy saying that she had to go to the potty. Daddy was in la-la land or at least pretended to, so I got up to see what was the matter. She was soaking wet... drenched in urine!! So, I escorted her to the bathroom, but I think whatever she had to do was already done. I took her back to her room, changed her jammies, changed her sheets.. and mind you, the belly was definitely in the way and my back was aching my the time I was done with it all.. Baby Girl quietly sat in the rocking chair watching. When I was done, I was worried that she wouldn't go back to sleep. As I turned to look at her, I said, "OK! Baby Girl".. and then it happened! My heart melted and swelled with such pride only a mommy could feel.. She said, "Thank you, Mommy!" So full of gratitude and sleepy happiness that now she can go back to sleep dry, warm and smelling sweet. That was it! "Thank you, Mommy!" made my day.. my week! maybe even my month! That.. my dear friends, really made me feel like it is all worth it!

How to change a cloth diaper.....

2010-02-16T16:20:00.000-05:00

Check out this link from: The Cloth Diaper Whisper at http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/.

How to change a cloth diaper!!

Step by step.. What to expect... and how to cloth diaper a baby!

You ARE what'cha eat!!

2010-02-16T15:53:00.000-05:00

I found out that this saying, "you are what you eat" to be a very true statement.

Why, oh, why.... do the things that taste so yummy tends to be laden with fat, calories and sodium!! Soooo not good for you. You would think if they can make fruits and veggies taste as good, we all would eat a lot better all the time.

We hosted a small Super Bowl get-together at our house last weekend and order a few pizza pies. Well, there was a lot left over... So, why let it go to waste? Leftover pizza was my lunch for 2-3 days straight last week! On top of it, I added Pepsi to the mix for most of those days as well.

I know! I know! I should know better! Trust me, I've learned my lesson...

Because, as a result of all that pizza eating, by bedtime each of those nights, my ankles were slightly swollen, my hand were are also slightly swollen (my fingers were fine), my mouth was so dry and maybe once each day, I was feeling a bit light headed and/or my vision blurred. It wasn't a constant thing, but by the third day, I started to worry. I could have attributed each of the factors on something else like.. well, I sit at a computer and stare at the screen most of the day. That could explain the blurry vision. I just didn't think it sounded right, so I called my doctor as well as my health insurance case manager. The doctor's office didn't return my call for several hours, but the health insurance case manager called back right away. I told her about my diet the last few days and said that the diet may be the cause and encouraged me to call my doctor.

She also gave the following advice:
- Watch your salt intake.
- Prepare most of your meals at home.
- Drink more water.
- Limit soda!
- Watch all caffenated drinks.

When my doctor's office called, the OB nurse encouraged me to get my blood pressure checked. I decided to go a drug store that have the blood pressure check stations near the pharmacy. By the time I reached the local CVS, I was nervous and out of breath! I rushed into the store thinking I had to beat the store closing. I was worried about what a high blood pressure reading would mean for me and the babies, and how would it affect the rest of the family at home. My main concern was.. how do I know if the reading is bad or not!?

I really had no clue of what a bad blood pressure reading was. So as I sat while the cuff tightened around my arm, I read all I could on the machine's panel about normal, and abnormal readings.
The first reading was scary.. 141/93!!
Repeat... 131/83!
Repeat... 126/73...
Repeat... 116/70...
Repeat...121/60.. I guess I'm ok.

For the last few days, I tried to limit my sodium intake.. and prepare most of my food at home. I drake mostly water..Throughout this pregnancy I have been prety good with my diet. Things had been progressing well!

I definitely need to do better with taking care of myself in these last few weeks...

By the way, I'm 30 weeks today!!

"I see two!!" "Two what!?"

2010-02-12T15:00:00.000-05:00

I don't think I ever shared how I found out I was expecting twins...

There was a lot going on at the time.. and I hadn't been paying much attention to the calendar. You see my "Aunt Flo' would always visit me regulary every month. So regular that I was able to put it on a calendar and plan for it like paying a bill.

For a few weeks before, I would have dreams about being told or finding out I was pregnant. Or I while in the mirror brushing my teeth, I would have a random thought that I was pregnant. Weird, right!? I know.. I thought the same thing so, I just ignored all of it.

While at work one day, I was looking at the calendar to plan when I was going to work overtime and then I said, hey, it's the end of August and I can't remember the last time I had my "Aunt Flo' visit. So, I flip to July.. no entry indicating when Aunt Flo visited... hmmmm... So, I flipped to June.. There was an entry.. I began to panic.. So, "Aunt Flo' didn't visit me since June and now it's the end of August! How can that be? How can I not have noticed? I had a lot of my mind and was quite distracted.. but for 2 whole months!! So, I flipped back to July and thought.. Ok.. So, 4th of July weekend.. I did this or that and no 'Aunt Flo'. Ok.. The next week, I did this or that.. and I finally narrow down that I may have had a visit at the end of July... Ok, but.. am I pregnant or just getting old??

On my way home from work, I stopped at the Dollar Store and while there I saw a pregnancy test.. Quiet down!! I can't continue over all the laughter! Yes, I got a pregnancy test from the Dollar store. How bad can it be? What's the worst that could happen? I waste a dollar because it didn't work? So what!? I've wasted more money on other things before and I'm still here to tell about it.. But in my mind, I wasn't pregnant. I was probably just late and miscalculated my last visit from 'Aunt Flo' and maybe because of some stress, she was late. Right? Right! That's what I told myself..

When I got home I set Baby Girl down with a snack and told the Young Man to give me a few minutes along. I went into the bathroom to take my Dollar Store test. This was not the all mighty, fancy, shmancy $20 digital test. It was the pee in the cup and use the supplied syringe and squeeze 2 drops of urine on the test kind! LOL.. So, I did the test and waited.... I got distracted playing with my hair or face in the mirror or something.. and almost forgot about the test. I looked down and saw two very dark lines.. Oh, shoot! Two lines! Wait! What does that mean? Where's the box!? Where's the box!? Oh, here it is..(digging it out of the trash). I told you.. I didn't think I was pregnant. There it was! My answer! I was pregnant! I started to cry! Sad tears! We weren't planning for more children just yet. I was trying to loose weight and get to my best health possible.. This just didnt' seem like the right timing. I called Best Big Sis and she was on the phone with the friend and I told her to call me back right away. Something in my voice must have told her it was important, so she rushed off the phone with the friend to talk to me.. She too was shocked by my news.

I was scared to tell Da Hubby. I knew he would be upset. He had been laid off from work when his company closed all of their branches in the U.S., and he was focusing on getting a new job and/or going fulltime with his own business. You see, I had been fooling around with trying to get new birth control because I was convinced that the one I was using was making me too womanly in all my womanly parts and causing the weight gain. I didn't plan it right and wham! I got knocked up. We talked about options, but of course, Da Hubby didn't want to tell me what he thought we should do, but did outline all of the same concerns I had.. Baby Girl was about to turn 2 in October and she is still developing and needed a lot of our time and attention. We were already occupying all 3 of our bedrooms in our small ranch style home. Finances were becoming an issue as Da Hubby's severance pay was beginning to dwindle. He was mad and called me irresponsible for only being concerned about my weight and not about the possibility of becoming pregnant. He stopped talking to me for 3 days! 3 days! I felt so alone.. I was angry.. ashamed.. hurt! Most of all, Ididn't know what to do.

I let about 3 weeks pass and I finally made up my mind to see my OB and at least see if the pregnancy was viable. The doctor gave me an appointment for the next week, when I was about 9 weeks along. Dr. D wanted me to do a Ultrasound before even talking to him. So, I saw Carol. She asked a few questions and decided to do an internal ultrasound. As she inserted the probe, it took her some time as she was viewing the screen before she spoke again. She turned the screen so I can view it and said, "Ok! Do you see what I see?" I said, "Uh, I don't know. What do you see?" She said smiling, "I see two!" I thought for a moment trying to understand what she was saying. I thought, 'two what'!? But I said out loud very slowly and cautiously, "Twwwwoooooo.... baaaabbies?" Carold replied, "Yes, see! One here and the other here"! I then asked still confused, "And they are ok? and viable". "Oh, yes! They are both measuring a little ahead of dates at 9weeks, 5 days and have strong hearbeats!" My word! How can this be? Two babies.. Da hubby is really going to flip. If he thought we didn't have room for 1 baby, what is he going to say about making room for 2! What am I going to do with 2 babies!? 4 kids total! Me?? How? Why? WHAAATTTT!!!?? I was in utter shock as I texted messaged Best Big Sis and my 2 friends that knew I was going to the doctor that day: "Cant talk. At doc. It's frickin twins!' I got immediate texts back. "What!?" "For real!" "Call me later."

Carol sent me home with the babies first pic together. Da hubby didn't even ask about the appointment, so I just handed him the ultrasound pics and told him there were two.. He stared at the pictures for a while and said, "Come on! Stop playing!" He was still trying to make sense out of the shadowy blobs in the ultrasound pic and I said, "I'm not! There are two babies. Twins!!" I got closer to show him, "See! One and Two!" His mouth dropped open and then said. "Wow! This changes things. It makes things harder". We need to either buy a new house or add an addition".

Just Because, it's Friday.....

2010-02-12T13:52:00.001-05:00

I found a great blog: Reclaiming the Woman Inside! It hasn't been updated in some time, but, boy, there sure is a ton of postive information on there. As a wife and mother, it is so easy to loose yourself and morph into your roles, but that's not all of who we are! We are not just moms, or wives, but sisters, daughters, friends, coworkers, employees, citizens, clients, marathon runners, party planners, leaders, politicans, personal trainers, hikers, bikers, runners, swimmers, loungers, reality show experts, photographers, dancers, singers.. etc.. The list can go on and on... The point is.. we are women and although we loving me all that we are to others, it's very important to be ourselves and enjoy our lives just as ourselves sometimes.

Go check out the blog at Reclaiming the Woman Within! I promise you won't be disappointed!

Until next time, take care of yourself and each other!

See, So, I am NOT dangerously insane!

2010-02-12T13:42:00.000-05:00

I've talked about cloth diapering the twins. I wanted to cloth diaper Baby Girl, but chickened out after Da Hubby said that he didn't want anything to do with it and refused to live in a poop smelly house. I also didn't know not one person that was cloth diapering to ask advice and see it in practice.

Sure, tons of blogging mommies cloth diaper and I am confident many are more than willing to assist, but I wanted to see, touch, smell, experience, but not on my own, the cloth diapering world up close and in practice. But I had no idea where to go, how to ask, how to get started... and just didn't have the guts to shell out money and give it a whirl. I, of course, spent hours pouring over internet searches on cloth diapering and looked at cloth diapering website, but it was so overwhelming... prefolds, all in ones, pockets, covers, Huh? What!? Speak English!! It was too much for me... so I gave up the idea before even getting into it.

Now, that I'm expecting the twins and will have double the expense, it's extremely important to me to find ways to cut costs and yet make my life easier.. So, my research of cloth diapering is back on! I promise myself to just try it! I want my own experience to be my teacher!

I think I got the extra incentive to get back to thinking about cloth diapering because I came across this post today! See, So I am NOT dangerously insane for thinking of cloth diapering... and cloth diapering twins.. It CAN be and IS being done!

Feel free to add any cloth diapering comment, advice and/or experience you may have. I want to know it all.. the good.. the bad,.. the ugly.. the I wish I had never.. and the I am so ashamed I will never tell anyone....

So, that's what those are for??

2010-02-08T16:15:00.000-05:00

From Breastfeeding Is Beautiful

I've been thinking hard about breastfeeding the twins. I really want to give it a shot! I had such a good experience with nursing Baby Girl and I was sad to see the nursing relationship end, but was also happen not to have to lug my "breast friend" aka Medela Pump In Style breatpump along with me to and from work. Of course, when I tell people that I'm thinking of nursing the babies, I get the weirdest/strangest looks, but no one ever says anything. This is usually from moms that have never nursed their children, so if I told them that I planned to nurse a single baby, I may get the same reaction.

I've been reading a few books lately that says it's definitely possible to nurse twins. One of the books is "Oh Yes You Can Breastfeed Twins! ...Plus More Tips for Simplifying Life with Twins" (Paperback) By April Rudat.

She gives first hand experience about what worked and even what didn't work with nursing her twins. The author was a stay at home mom and nursed her babies for 2 years! I also met a mom in my Moms of Twins' group who also did the same.

Breastfeeding definitely benefited both Baby Girl and I and I can only imagine that it will benefit the twins two times over, especially if they come early. Two boobs, two babies.. It makes perfect sense to me!

You must be bugging!!

2010-02-08T15:09:00.000-05:00

LOL! Growing up in NYC, my childhood was riddled with slang! I was fortunate enough to know when to slang and when not to slang.

One of the biggest slang phrases when someone said something stupid, ridiculous or nonsensical was, "You must be bugging!" I bet if I tried that phrase on the Young Man, he will look at me as if I had two heads and arms for ears.

So, Da Hubby was away all weekend and called one night while the kids and I were at my college's alumni event and wanted to know how I felt about getting a second dog..
Uh, excuuuuuuuuse me!
I beg your pardon..
I'm sorry!?
Please repeat that.
WHAAAAAAT??
Come again?
Whatcha talk'n 'bout, Willis?
Perdon a me, por favor?
You crazy, man?!
You'se bets a gets outta muh face, Dude!
Er, seriously?
Is this a joke?
Am I on Punk'd?
Am I on Candid Camera?!
You must be bugging?!

These were all the things that immediately swirled in my head and I am pretty sure most of it came out of my mouth.

Da Hubby then said, well, I'm just asking to see what you had to say. Uh, why? Why even ask a question unless you were interested!?

So, I elaborated on my response because apparently the phrase, You must be bugging?! didn't seem to phase him at all. I reminded him that in a few months we will have twins to care for in additon to our sensitive and yet protective Doberman Pincher/mastiff mix, Coco as well as our 2 year old Baby Girl and teenaged Young Man. We barely have time to do the things we need to do now for all of our little ones and keeping up with the house and now he wants to take on his friend's headache and take a dog off of her hands!
Oh, You must be bugging?!

His friend is moving and wants a smaller dog and plans to return her dog to the shelter where she got her within a month if she doesn't find a home for the dog. Da Hubby felt sorry for the dog (which is sweet) and thought the dog deserved better and seems like such a nice dog. She barely barks. To sweeten the deal, his friend even offered to pay for 1 year of dog food!

OOOOHHHHH!!! Happy, happy!!! Joy, joy!! Why didn't you say that before!!

1 year of dog food in exchange for taking care of a dog!?! One that will need to adjust to us and a new home and surroundings.. get along with our Coco and the handful of fun, games and roughness, we call Baby Girl! Did I ever tell you how Baby Girl likes to torture Coco. She steps on Coco in order to climb onto our bed. Did I tell you how she sometimes asks Coco if she would mind if Baby Girl sits on her back!? Most of the time the answer is no because Coco will just sit there while Baby Girl climbs on her back as requested. The few times that Coco doesn't want to be bothered, she'll just get up and walk away sometimes dropping Baby Girl to the floor while she's in mid climb.

This is a picture of Coco enjoying her gift on Christmas Day!

Oh, and the new dog will need to go to the vet (Is this friend willing to pay for the vet bills too?) Oh, and what about when we want to go out of town?? The only place that Coco feels comfortable boarding is at the vet.. so 2 dogs for several days at the vet boarding = yikes!
yeah, ok, sure, right! One year supply of dog food will just equal to all of that and then some!

Whatever Da Hubby and this firiend is smoking, must be some really good stuff... With me being 7 months preggers with TWINS, da hubby trying to get his business going and 2 kids and a dog and a home to care for and he's thinking about taking on someone else's headache.. Yeah, let me think about it and get back to you on that! Oh, and while I'm thinking, please share that stuff you're smoking!

Until next time, take care of yourself and each other!

28 Weeks Doctor's Appointment..

2010-02-08T14:03:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday, I went to my 28 weeks doctor's appointment... Folks, we are now in the home stretch! The third trimester and I am getting nervous!

The funny thing is that coworkers, friends are all getting so excited to meet the babies and ask me if I'm ready and my response is usually a flat sounding 'no'! Not that I don't want to meet these two little guys, but I don't want to rush it.. I know they are coming regardless of my readiness, but the longer they bake, the better for us all!! Their arrival seems like it may shake the earth we stand on and turn life upside down. We the arrival of twins, life will be quite different for us all and a big adjustment that we all will quickly need to pull together and get with the program.. So, yes, I can wait, until the day the babies decide its time to meet me. Well, assuming that all things continue to progress as they have, I assume it will be the babies that decide, but maybe Dr. D or Dr. C will make the decision.

28 Weeks Doc. appointment Stats:

Blood Pressure: ?? Nurse didn't say and I didn't ask
Weight: (Ugh!!) + 25 lbs pre-pregnancy weight

Baby A- It's a Boy!

Weight: 2 lbs 13 oz

Heartrate (doppler): 148

Heartrate (ultrasound): 142

Baby B - It's a Girl!

Weight: 2 lbs 12 oz

Heartrate (doppler): 146

Heartrate (ultrasound): 140

While getting ready for work on Thursday morning, my cell phone rang (which is unusual). It was Lil sis calling and asking about my appointment. She wanted to attend and see Baby A and Baby B. How sweet, right!? I gave her her details and wondered if she would really come. Da Hubby hasn't come to any of the apoointments and overheard the conversation with Lil Sis. I had been telling him when my appointments were, but he never seemed interested and never planned to attend with me, so I stopped telling him since I had the impression that it was no big deal to him.

I was having trouble with my cell phone.. AGAIN!!! So, I wasn't able to call Lil Sis to ensure she was coming. I met with Dr. C this time and we discussed a few things. Months ago, Dr.D said after 28 weeks he didn't want me traveling for more than one hour away. Dr. C said to just see how I feel and if I feel up to it, then a trip to NYC to visit family should be fine. My skin has been excessively dry later and Dr. C noticed it right way. She told me to use whatever I wanted, but didn't give a good suggestion for something that penetrates the skin and soothes the dryness. I also asked Dr. C. if I will have to stop working soon. She again said to just see how I feel.. So... time will tell! I'll work for as long as I feel up to it.

Then, I went to see Carol for my ultrasound. Lil Sis still hadn't arrived. I mentioned to Carol that I thought Lil Sis will come to see the babies and she offered to stall since she didn't have another patient for an hour. I checked my phone and there weren't any missed calls, so I told that we should just start. She agreed and offered to give Lil Sis a quick show if we had completed the scan before she arrived. Well, Mom and Lil Sis came and arrived right after Carol completed the scan. She showed them the heart beats, the limbs, the 'proof' of their sexes and even the 'breathing' moments! Could you believe that we can even see their chubby checks!! Baby Girl had chubby checks too and I knew she would look just like Da Hubby.. and she does!

As I left the doctor's office: I had to go to the lab to get a 1 hr glucose scan soon and 2 appointments. 1 appointment is in 2 weeks at 30 weeks (doc. appt and u/s) and the other is in 4 weeks at 32 weeks (doc. appt, u/s and Non-Stress Test (NST)). Carol said the NST makes the appointment long. A monitor is placed on each baby one at a time and is monitored for 20 minutes each! This is in addition to a regular ultrasound scan and doctor's appointment.

I'm still in denial and can't believe that I'm carrying twins. It's just so surreal. Pregnancy is amazing... A few cells join and then 9 months later.. a baby!! Unbelievable...

Until next time, take care of yourself and each other!

Welcome to the 3rd trimester!!

2010-02-02T12:28:00.004-05:00

I'm 28 weeks today! I'm now in the third trimester... YAY! I've met yet another milestone...

I'm excited..but I'm also getting a bit nervous. We are coming to the home stretch.. I have my next doctor's appointment on Thursday. I'll be great to see how the babies are doing. I'm getting big too.. I need to put up a picture for you!

Soon, I will be meeting two new little people, who will be in my care.. two new people to get to know.. to love.. to teach...to raise! What a mighty feat! It's almost overwhelming.

I have soooo many questions, so many thoughts....
- When will I meet these two?
- What will they look like?
- What will there personalities be?
- Will they be good sleepers?
- When will I go into labor? Middle of the night? While at work? Right after work?
- What will labor be like?
- What will delivery be like?
- Vaginal delivery or c-section?
- How much pain? 2x as much?
- Can I still travel? If yes, how far away from home?
- Bedrest?
- Which doctor in the practice will deliver my babies?
- Who will care for the older kids while I'm in the hospital?
- How do I transition the older kids to having 2 new siblings and yet still spend the time with each child? A mom of twins gave me good advice that I want to retain. She said that anyone can hold/feed/care for the newborns and they won't mind as long as their needs are being met, but my older kids will know that I'm paying them attention or affection and they will want and need attention and affection from mom.
- Do I start asking family and friends about availability/willlingness to help out with the older kids while I'm at the hospital, even though I don't know when these babies will arrive? My 2 older kids both came 1 week before their due dates and were both over 7 lbs. I'm not sure I can keep this guideline in mind for the twins.
- Who will care for the babies when I return to work? Continue to research and ask around!

- Am I ready? Well, ready or not, they are on the way!
- Exactly how long can I comfortably (financially) stay home with the babies on maternity leave? Continue to work with supervisor and HR department to develop the maternity leave plan.

WAIT!!!
Did I just start answering my own questions???
Ok..I think it's time to end this post! Asking and answering my own questions can't be good..
Can it? It all depends!

Ugh!! There I go again.. LOL!

Alright.. That's it! I'm gone!

Until next time, take care of yourself and each other!

Just Because, it's Friday.....

2010-01-29T16:05:00.005-05:00

I have been thinking... Yes, that's the burning scent you have been smelling!

I was thinking about the comments I have been receiving lately from mostly strangers who ask about my pregnancy...

Comment:              When is the baby due?
My response:          At the end of April.
If I had a do over:    I'm still in shock and can't believe how quickly the day is approaching!

Comment:               Is it a boy?
My response:         Yes, it's a boy and a girl. Twins!
If I had a do over:   I'm still in shock and can't believe how quickly the day is approaching!

Comment: Twins!? Twins!? Really?? Do they run in your family?

My response:          No twins on my side of my family.
If I had a do over:   They run, they walk, they crawl or even scoot around depending on their age.

Comment:                Is this your first?
My response:          No, it's my 3rd and 4th
If I had a do over:    I'm still in shock and can't believe how quickly the day is approaching!

Comment:                Didn't you just have a baby?
My response:          Yes, I did. She's 2 now.
If I had a do over:    Yeah, and what's it to you!? I didn't know I had to check with you before getting knocked up again..

Comment:                  (With a look with disgust, horror, doubt and disbelief) You are done, right?
My response:            Yes, I think our family is complete now.
If I had a do over:       I was just talking to hubby about that last night.. I think we're going to keep trying to see if we can get triplets or maybe even quads.. That'll be pretty cool.. and then I think we'll stop

Comment (from a male): Wow! I thought I was a stud, but your husband got me beat!
My response:                   Ooohh!! (Smiling uncomfortably)
If I had a do over:            Cree-py!! I really don't need to hear that! Thanks for sharing..

Comment:                Better you, than me!
My response:          Uh-huh..(I usually just smile and nod!)
If I had a do over:   Yeah, I was thinking the same exact thing!

Comment:                Wow! You're going to have your hands full...
My response:          Yes! I know!!
If I had a do over:   Yes it willl and my heart will be too..

How about you???
Have you gotten any strange comments or questions and wished you had responded a different way?

Or maybe you have a Just Because, it's Friday comment...

HEY!!! BIG BOY!!?!

2010-01-29T10:10:00.000-05:00

The other day, Baby Girl was sitting in her high chair eating and Da Hubby walked by very quickly all in a big rush to get to the bedroom. Baby Girl cried out after him, "Hey, Big Boy! Hey Big Booooooyyy!!"

I know I shouldn't have laughed, but it just couldn't help myself.. Not only was this response totally unexpected and unsolicited but I had no idea where she came up with it... We later learned that her big bro, Lil Man taught her that saying for some odd reason. As I think about it over and over, I just laugh out loud! It was funny!!

Unfortunately, da hubby didn't find it funny, but I thought it was hilarious!! Am I wrong?! LOL.. I think not! Hey, if the tables were turned and she called me something out of the blue, I think he would have cracked up, right???

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

2010-01-26T21:15:00.000-05:00

ssssshhh.. Don't tell anyone, but I have this crazy desire to go to a karaoke and sing

Wait! What!? ARE YOU LAUGHING AT ME!? LOL.. I don't know.. I just had the random thought and I think it would be so much fun!!

Can't you just picture it now...

The room is dark.. I walk out on stage.. preggers belly and all... lights turn up slightly and I start....

(oo) What you want

(oo) Baby, I got

(oo) What you need

(oo) Do you know I got it?

(oo) All I'm askin'

(oo) Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)

Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home

(just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)

From lyrics007.com

Com' On! Sing it with me now...

What you want.... ooo

We're not in Kansas, anymore!!

2010-01-25T15:32:00.000-05:00

My weekend was full... but of doing almost nothing!

Things have definitely changed.. I've crossed some kind of empasse.. I've reached that point... I'm almost there.. I think!!

I volunteered to work 5.5 hours of overtime.. Good, right!? I would have stayed longer to finish up a few things, but decided to go home since da hubby had a work appointment and I needed to hang out with baby girl.

So, Baby girl and I ate a quick lunch and then off we went... met a friend.. went to the food co-op, where baby girl and I, oh and about 30 of my dear friends suffered from her missing her nap. She just started crying and whining loudly and wanted to be picked up. I had 3 items in my arms, her hat and my reusuable bag and there just wasn't any room for her 30+ pounds in my arm.. Just thinking about picking her up to keep her quiet made my back cry out with such passion that I have never hear before pleading with me not to do it!! There we were tredging around the food co-op quickly trying to gather the few items I came for and pay for the items, so we can be on our way, all the while Baby Girl cried.. loudly.. without a care in the world even when a 5 or 6 year old boy continuously mocked her.. over.. and over.. and over again.. It was bad enough to hear Baby Girl.. and search for my items (they moved things around) and then to have the repeat recorder of a little boy mimick everything Baby Girl cried...

Oh, and while we were in one of the aisles, Baby girl saw a box of organic cereal that happen to have Clifford, the big red dog on the front of the box and began opening.. Yep, I had to buy a $6 of organic puff cereal.. She ate it and enjoyed and I really hope she'll eat and enjoy that whole big ole box too!

Baby girl ate the cereal in fist fulls while in the car. Ah, I guess Daddy didn't feed her before his shift ended. We stopped at a discount store and I found the cutest pink faux fur coat for Baby girl..

I have no idea why.. but I then decided to push my luck even further and go grocery shopping. I haven't been shopping in a while and we didn't have much other than beans in the house to eat. Hubby doesn't really care for beans. I had my coupons, my mental list of needed items, my discount card and Baby Girl in the kid friendly car cart and we were doing well, until I had to get the last 2 items.. I couldn't push the cart any more!!! It was heavy.. and I was e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d!!! I wanted Calgon to take me away.. I wanted to throw myself on the ground and throw a tantrum. I was on the verge of asking the supermarket staff for help.. I just couldn't go any further.. I called Da Hubby to come to the rescue. He was surprised that I was still out shopping and asked why didn't I leave the items sooner before getting so tired and come home. We needed food! I felt fine until the last 10-15 minutes when I had to get the two last items.. As soon as he arrived, he told me to sit down while he got the last items and agreed to meet me at the register. He looked at my cart full of items and said, "Wow! That's a lot of stuff.. I didn't know you were going to buy so much.." "And this cart is really heavy too! How were you pushing this thing around like this!?" We made it home and to bed I went.. I stayed in bed until Sunday afternoon... My energy was sapped.. But, today, I am better and rearing to go!

This incident made me realize that I'm not in Kansas anymore.. Twin pregnancy is indeed not like a singleton pregnancy! No more big food shopping alone for me... I'm done with that!

Ahhhh!! Sweet Relief!!

2010-01-22T13:46:00.000-05:00

It's so amazing what maternity pantyhose can do in terms of comfort!! Who woulda thunkit!?

This is my 3rd pregnancy and yet, I always thought maternity underwear and pantyhose were a waste of money.. but, oh, was I so ever wrong! It's been weeks since I've worn a skirt or a dress. Mostly because it was just easier to wear pants in the chilly northeast.. The other reason is comfort! Regular pantyhose always seemed to hit below my belly, which is good, but then halfway through the day, I would feel as if it was digging its way into my belly and became quite uncomfortable!

So, while in Target a few weeks ago, I purchased 2 pairs of maternity pantyhose: 1 pair of tights and 1 pair of sheer stockings. They were each about $15, but I knew I had to try or either swear of dresses and skirts for the rest of my pregnancy or suffer the strain of the pantyhose band.

I finally got to wear my Assets maternity tights today.. and ahhhh!! What Sweet relief in a pantyhose.. So comfy, roomy and it makes me feel quite put together! Wish I had purchased them and actually wore them sooner... Silly me!

25 Weeks Doctor's Appointment

2010-01-14T16:14:00.001-05:00

Today was my 25 weeks doctor's appointment. It went well, but very quickly..

Blood pressure: The nurse said it was 'very good', but didn't give the numbers.
Weight:              + 5 lbs.. Uh, no, I'm not giving you the exact weight. Are you crazy!?

Baby A HR:    148
Baby B HR:    148

Baby A weight: 1 lb 14 oz
Baby B weight: 1 lb 12 oz

This amazes me because my little niece K was born 2 months early at 1 lb 7 oz. My little sis had HELLP syndrome and they had to take the baby out. Lil sis was in pretty bad shape. She was so swollen everywhere.. and she's the kind of person that want to run to the doctor for everything and she did. By this time she had been to the doctor so much, everyone was tired and didn't pay her much mind. Good thing she followed her gut and got herself to the hospital.. Her blood pressure was extremely high! She had protein in her urine and her liver was showing signs of shutting down. K spent about 2 months in the NICU, but she is now a beautiful, but a little small 2 year old. She's walking, talking.. She really thrills me and lights up my mood everytime I see her. She's a miracle! My Baby girl is bigger than her, but baby girl is tall.. she's in the 97th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight, so she's taller than a few kids her age and even a few older than her. Baby girl always assumes the lead when spending time with K despite my constant reminders that K is older.

So, I saw Dr. D today.. There are 2 docs in the practice and OB patients MUST alternate seeing each doctor at visits. This way you will be comfortable with both doctors by the time you deliver because it's really a toss up on who you will get . Whoever is on duty the day you deliver will be the delivering doctor. The doctor also dictates which hospital you will deliver at as well. Dr. D. studied and trained at one local hospital and prefer to deliver babies there. Dr. C prefers the other local hospital located on the same street as the other one, just a few blocks away. Although, Dr C is my official OB doctor, I have to follow the rules and see both. Rumor has it that in a few short months, Dr. C won't be delivering babies anymore! WHAT!? Why?? Next appointment I get to see Dr. C and I'm just going to ask her.. Hope I remember to! I would really love for her to deliver the twins! Dr.D delivered baby girl. He actually had a much better bedside manner than I expected from our appointments.

So, anyway, the doctor's office was mobbed with women..
some old, some young, some in between..
some preggers, some not, some hoping to be..
some with husbands, most alone...

As my 1pm appointment, turned into a 1:35pm..
I stood near the restroom door (Could you believe they only have 1 toilet??) to leave my 'sample'. The woman before me took FOREVER! By the smell of things when I finally got in, I assumed she had to drop some kids off in the pool...

I'll cut Dr. D some slack because of all the business, I'm sure they were running behind in schedule, but he visited me while I was in the ultrasound room with Carol. He greeted me and asked how I was. I said fine, but getting tired and having hot flashes. He repeated and said, "hot flashes"?!?! Both he and Carol chuckled and then he asked Carol to get the babies' heartrates on the ultrasound. She rushed to get it - both were 148. He said thank you, Carol.. Then looked at me and said, "We'll see you in 3 weeks! Keep up the good work." He pat my on the arm and said "ok, see you then. I simply mutter, "Oooooookaaay...Thanks, Dr. D... See you then." He rushed in.. rushed out.. I guess that's just his way. That was kind of how my delivery was.. He rushed in all casual with a couple students about 15 minutes before the birth, delivered baby girl, congratulated me and da hubby and was off! I don't think I saw or heard from him again until my 6 week postpartum appointment..

I'm pretty sure not all OBs are like this. Dr. C isn't! That's why I love her. Could it be a male doc vs female doc difference?? Or just a simple personality trait difference? Whatever it is.. I really hope it doesn't affect the OB care for the the remainder of my pregnancy and I hope the delivery goes smoothly as this will be my last pregnancy. After these babies, I am done! I think I'll be closing up shop.. Going fishing... Going off to the pastures.. eh, er.. well, I really don't know any other phrases and the ones I just listed may not even be accurate ones to use in this case.. A few months ago Dr. D mentioned having a c/section and if I deliver at his preferred hospital and have a c/s then I can get my tubes tied. So, folks.. that might be what I'm doing... Not that I want to have a c/s, unless it's medically necessary. Right now, both babies are vertex, but anything can change between now and then. I read that babies at this stage can balance and know when they are upside down! Anyway, I still want to research all I can on tubal ligation: the good, the bad, the ugly, the unknowns, the what-ifs, etc. It just seems, well, so permanent and so final! I know there are other options, but I would love something that doesn't mess around with my hormones or have some big side effects..

I'm really open for suggestions, advice, comments.. Let me hear from you on this..

Still shook from my weird dream last night!!

2010-01-14T12:02:00.000-05:00

I'm still stuck on the dream I had last night..There were so many elements in the dream and I wonder if any relate to my subconscious thinking.

Here's the dream:
I go to a routine doctor's appointment and right there in the office the doctor states that the its better for the babies to come out and that they shouldn't remain inside me anymore. She said a bunch of stuff I didn't understand or comprehend. She used medical terms and lingo. I went home that day with the babies and without any instructions. I laid each baby on the kitchen table on blankets and left them there to sleep. Some time later (days, weeks maybe months have passed) and my older sister came to visit. She asked about the babies and I happily retold the whole doctor's appointment story and how the babies have been laying on the table ever since coming home. Sis looked at me very concerned and asked slowly, 'but you have been feeding and bathing them, right!?" I replied, "No! The doctor didn't say to do any of that." We checked on the babies and they were alive and seemed fine. They looked about about 6lbs or 7lbs. I picked them up and they began to cry. As I looked at both the boy and girl closely, they both had teeth! The girl's teeth were small and dainty. The boy's teeth were large and spaced out and some in the back were brown with decay.. Then, I noticed the inside of his mouth and around his lips were white! Inside his nostrils as well. I was very concerned, but said, 'well, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon and I'll check with the doctor about it then.' I tried to lay the babies down in the spot that they have been since coming home, but now they were wide awake and fussy.. She I continued to hold them, but still not sure what to do or not do with them. I decided to explore baby boy's teeth. Somehow all of his rotten teeth about 6 of them ended up in my mouth. I spit them out on top of my dresser and were gathering them as I thought to myself that I would take them to the appointment to show the doctor. Then I noticed even larger, bloody teeth in the mixture of teeth. I looked up in the mirror on my dresser and noticed that I was missing 3 teeth and one of them was near the front. Another front tooth was loose. After playing with it a bit, I thought I should just remove it. As I tried to remove the front tooth, I discovered that it was wired to both sides of my mouth with a metal plate that was supposed to stick to the roof of my mouth, but that was also loose.

I then told myself to call my dentist, but it was already late in the afternoon and probably wouldn't let me come in today, so I would have to wait until tomorrow, but I had to go to work and also had my doctor's appointment and was trying to arrange how I was going to do it all and be effective. I tried talking to my mom, but every word was garbled and strained because of the missing teeth and the collapsed metal! I was so distraught and knew that I couldn't go into work that way. I had to find a good dentist to fix my teeth quickly and correctly!!

Fact:         I have had some sensitivity while brushing and eating sweet and/or cold items.
Thought: Maybe I really need to make a dental appointment.

Fact:         I do have a doctor's appointment this afternoon!! I don't feel it, but maybe deep down I'm worried about the babies development??
Thought: I've pretty much gone with the flow of pregnancy, but have been wondering whether I would recognize signs of preterm labor and lately, I've been feeling a lot less like myself.

Fact:         Loosing teeth is scary!
Thought:  Making that dental appointment ASAP!

Expecting twins?! Limited space!?

2010-01-13T16:04:00.000-05:00

If you are expecting twins, but limited on space, think about buying bunk cribs!!

Yes, you read that right! Bunk cribs!!

You can purchase a bunk crib here. Kind of cool, right? Who woulda thunk it??

Visit http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com/twin-cribs.html for other neat ideas for preparing for your multiples..

Uh, Dude! That's NOT chocolate!!

2010-01-12T15:40:00.000-05:00

LOL!

At work today, I grabbed a truffle from a box of candy in our shared area.. As I took a bite, I thought, "Oh, yummy!" Then I looked at my fingernail and noticed that some chocolate was on my finger and a little under my nail.. I licked it off!

Hey, no shame in my game..

Suddenly my life in the future with twins and a not yet fully potty trained 2 year old flashed before my eyes! My mind replayed the same 'chocolate' under the fingernail scenario and I was totally grossed out and yet tickled at the same time... WHAT IF IT WASN'T CHOCOLATE!? I really would have hated to find out my licking it!!

LOL!

"You're eyes are soooo shiny!"

2010-01-08T15:08:00.000-05:00

The other day I was waiting in line at the Customer Service Desk of a local supermarket. There was a cute little old lady in front of me. After her transaction, she turned around, looked at me and said, "So, when is that baby coming??"
I said, "Oh, well, there's two. April. They'll be here.... '
She cut me off and said, "I knew it! I knew it! You're eyes are sooo shiny! Just sooo soo shiny!"
I just smiled kind of confused. She then wished me luck and said goodbye.

I've never heard anything about pregnancy and having shiny eyes.. So, me being me, I had to 'google' it!

I only thing I found regarding eyes were totally unrelated to the shiny eye comment:
* From baby gooroo: If a pregnant woman denies herself a craving, she will get a sty in her eye.
The sty in the eye myth: This tale says that anyone who denies a pregnant woman a craving, will get a sty in their eye. No scientific backing for this tale, but just to be on the safe side, it is probably best to just ask for directions to the nearest 24-hour supermarket when a craving occurs.

Ode to Blessed Nest Pillows!

2010-01-07T12:04:00.000-05:00

I know I've professed my love for my Blessed Nest Nursing pillows several times, but I'm telling these pillows are great! I absolutely love them.

Without a doubt, I would not get as much comfort and rest as I desire and need without these pillows. Da hubby laughs at me because I must arrange my pillows in just the right way before getting in the bed, but he understands!

So, this post is ode to my Blessed Nest pillows: The Nesting Pillow and The Nest Egg!!

Love..
What is love??

Can love be true?
Can love be bliss?

What feeling is this?
For pillows?
Oh, yes!

My comfort, my sleep, my joy-
Blessed Nest Nursing pillow and Nest Egg!!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...

Teeheehee!! I tickle myself sometimes...

Twin Pregnancy IS very different..

2010-01-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

This twin pregnancy IS very different from my other pregnancies because.....

- It takes a mountain of pillows to achieve enough comfort to fall asleep and remain asleep through the night.
- My nose is either running, stuffy or a combination.
- I am constantly sneezing.
- I can't always breathe through my nose and am forced to breathe through my mouth.
- Because I have to breathe through my mouth, I always wake up with the cotton mouth feeling.
- At 24 weeks, I already weight close to my end of pregnancy weight with baby girl.
- I'm bursting out of my winter coat already.
- I can't seem to find a nice looking, inexpensive, coat to wear.
- Some of my shirts are starting to feel a bit short in the front..
- An older woman in the supermarket told me that my eyes are very shiny. Huh??
- My skin is so dry!
- It's amazing how much my skin has stretched.
- Now, I wish I had some maternity undergarments. I really need them!
- I get side splints and need to lay down or contort my bed to remedy them.
- Backaches galore! I'm glad da hubby has big hands and a strong grip, he's always able to fist massage out the kinks.

24 Weeks!! It's V-Day, Baby!!

2010-01-06T15:41:00.003-05:00

I am officially 24 weeks..

It's V-day! Also known as Viability Day!!

This is my first, er, well, maybe, rather it's my 2nd major milestone. I would say that the first major milestone is reaching the 2nd trimester..

Although, babies born at 24 weeks have a good chance of survival. However, it's not ideal, as the babies will spend a quite a bit of time, maybe as much as 3 months, in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (aka NICU) of the hospital. Lung development at this stage will not be mature. Full lung maturity usually occurs between 33 and 37 weeks.*

The good news is that about 1/3 of babies born around 24 weeks will survive without long term health problems.

28 weeks will be my next milestone. The rate of viability nearly skyrockets!! 90% of babies born at 28 weeks survive! Pretty good odds, right??

* Source: What to expect.com

Tiny Tush Elite Giveaway!!

2010-01-05T13:53:00.000-05:00

In the market for a cloth diaper??

Take a peak over at the Dirty Diaper Laundry Blog for its latest giveaway:
http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/tiny-tush-elite-giveaway/comment-page-5/#comment-12073

Tiny Tush sounds like a great company and their cloth diapers are adorable!!

I looooove giveaways! They always open my eyes to new products and new companies.. It's a great way to find out about products that I must have, but didn't even know that it existed. :-)

Forbidden to multiply and prosper!?

2009-12-29T13:25:00.002-05:00

I just read an article at: http://www.fitpregnancy.com/blog/news/Pregnancy-Ban-Stirs-Up-Tension-79862392.html.

The article addresses the military's new order as of November 1, 2009, that all soldiers currently stationed in Iraq will face court martial and/or jail time, if they become pregnant or impregnate a service member. This includes married couples.

As you can guess, this is creating quite a stir! The military so far is supporting this order because under policy pregnant soldiers are to report their pregnancy within 14 days of finding out about their pregnancy. She would then be removed from the war zone. The military contends that this then places the military at a disadvantage as a vacancy occurs and the soldier may not be able to be replaced quickly.

Pretty interesting, huh??

Left-handed?! You may have been a twin!!!

2009-12-22T12:27:00.003-05:00

Whoa! Pretty interesting.. I wonder if there is any validity to this.

I've just read the following at http://www.nomotc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=64&Itemid=54

"It is conjectured that since twins are more likely to be left-handed than the normal population, left-handed singletons may be surviving co-twins of a vanishing identical. "

Interesting, right!?

Ok.. maybe not really, but I've always been fascinated with left handed people.
* Are all left handed folks good in math?
* Are all left handed folks the best in dealing with money?
* Do they do the best in careers dealing with numbers???

I always thought leftys were different.. special.. almost having some kind of super power. Interesting...

21 Week Doctor's Appointment

2009-12-21T14:04:00.005-05:00

Now, I wish I had done this doctor's appointment status all along.. Well, no time like the present!

21 Weeks Doc. appointment Stats:
Blood Pressure: 130/73
Weight (Gulp!!): + 17 lbs pre-pregnancy weight

Baby A- It's a Boy!
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Heartrate (doppler): 150
Heartrate (ultrasound): 148

Baby B - It's a Girl!
Weight: 1 lb
Heartrate (doppler): 160
Heartrate (ultrasound): 150

I mentioned my weight concern to Doc. C and she was not at all concerned. She looked at me like I was crazy, but was nice and tapped my below and said, "yeah, but what do you have here?!" I tried to protest that I had only gained about 22lbs my entire pregnancy with Baby Girl and I am only half way through this one.. And she just said, "You're having two! It's to be expected." Doc C. also complimented me and said I looked good. It's nice to get such a compliment especially since I don't always feel as if I look good. I just feel, well... big!!! and round! We also talked about delivery: cesarean section (aka C-Section) or vaginal. Ugh! It all depends on the position on the babies. Both MUST be head down! I exclaimed in a whiney voice, "Both?! Head down?!" Doc. C. shook her head and said yes. Ugh!! (Yeah, I said that out loud). She just said, "Well, talk to those babies and tell them to stay head down!

For the last few days at work, people have finally noticed how big I am and are now sure that I'm pregnant. I guess for the last few months they all just thought that I must be throwing back some burgers, fries, wings, milkshakes, liquor and too many sweets and was packing on the pounds. Some said they thought I might be pregnant, but didn't want to make the mistake and ask me. LOL! I totally understand! I did that to someone recently and felt horrible! I tried to clean it up by saying that I mixed her up with someone else and apologized. I don't think she bought it. :-(

After, chatting with Doc. C, I met with Carol for the in- depth ultrasound scan to look at the babies' organs and overall development. Although, I love seeing the babies, I couldn't wait for the scan to end. It was horrendously hot in the ultrsound room. It was worst than being in an oven (not that I've ever been in one, but you get the idea). It was HOOOTT!! Everything looks great with both babies. They are on track and progressing as they have from the begining. They always measured a little ahead of their dates and that has stayed the same, but this time their weights are a little further apart, but nothing to worry about. So, onward and upward until January's doctor's appointment.

I've decided to join a parenting group. I know.. "WHY!?", you may ask. Well, although, I've been around the block a few times and this will be babies #3 and #4, I'm just feeling a bit challenged by having these surprises babies and adding on to our family times 2. I just don't feel ready... yet! Can I stretch myself further when most days I already feel full extended? Do I have room enough in my heart to love and care for 2 more babies? Will I ever get any real sleep? How will I function on little sleep and having so many demands on me? Do I have enough patience to care for 2 newborns, a toddler and a teen, oh and my teenaged mixed-breed dog!? I forget to mention her, but she craves for attention sometimes too. Lately, if I don't full shut the bathroom door, she'll barge in on me, come in the bathroom, shut the door behind her and then plop herself down at my feet! Gotta love that dog!

So, I attended my first parenting session the same night as my doctor's appointment. It seemed quite interesting, but it was so difficult to concentrate. I brought Baby Girl along because there's child care available and I thought she would love it. The Little Man had an afterschool activity and wasn't home in time and da hubby was out of town on business, so it seemed like the best option to take her along. She sounded all for playing with the kids and all the toys as we drove to the center. As soon as the child care room door opened, Baby Girl opened the floodgates and refused to calm down until they finally brought her in to sit with me. She was quiet for about 10 minutes, but the other moms in the group were talking, having side conversations, constantly getting up from their seats, and still others were in the doorway of the meeting room carrying their own conversation. Although, I was in the room, I practically missed the whole session! I'm definitely going to keep attending the sessions and I hope I learn a few things.

In my own little world...

2009-12-21T14:00:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, I feel like I'm in my own little world... especially on this blog. I write.. very few comments.. It makes me want to give up, but then I think about why I started this blog in the first place.. A way to share ideas.. to put my thoughts down.. to get some clarity when there are so many things on my mind and I rarely have an outlet to release all my thoughts.

So, for now.. maybe its good that I don't have many readers. This way I can say what I think and feel..uncensored. I don't have to worry that so-and-so will read this and then tell this one and that one. This I guess will keep me honest, and truthful for what is true in my life..

And so, for now.. I like being in my own world.. They all like me here! :-)

Bravado Giveaway at Dirty Diaper Laundy

2009-12-15T12:23:00.005-05:00

Run, don't walk over to Dirty Diaper Laundry blog: http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/

They have a great giveaway now. Bravado nursing bras!!
http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/bravado-embellished-microfiber-nursing-bra-review-and-giveaway/

I am in major search mode for a good quality, supportive and yet comfortable nursing bra. Everytime, I'm out shopping I think of going to check out the nursing bras, but then I get cold feet and a bit intimidated.

Should I buy one now?
Will the 'big girls' grow even more during the remainder of the pregnancy?
What size to get?
Do I try it on in the store?
If it don't fit right, can I bring it back?
What about shopping for a nursing bra online??

Ugh!! And then I just go the opposite direction of the nursing bras in the store and go home!

So, if you're in the same boat as me.. go check out the giveaway for the Bravado nursing bra. This may be your golden ticket to your 'girls' happily ever after! :-)

21 Weeks Today..

2009-12-15T12:18:00.003-05:00

Today, I am 21 weeks preggers with twins.. and it shows.. Man, I feel huge. I watched the movie Juno this past weekend and have come to learn a new phrase because of the movie.. "I am a planet!" That definitely accurately sums up how I feel. Round.. big.. rather massive and I'm only about 1/2 through this pregnancy.. I've gained about 14lbs so far... So, 21 more to go... My doc wants me to gain up to 35 lbs.. Sounds like a whole-lotta woman, doesn't it!! Well, it does to me, especially when you start off the pregnancy at 160lbs and 5'4". I don't know why I state my height as if pregnancy will change how tall I am..

So far, I'm feeling good, but starting to move a bit more slowly.

I can't wait to be able to breathe through my nose again.. I'm constantly sneezing, snorting, blowing, sniffling.. It's really annoying to me, so I can only imagine what my coworkers think in this Swine Flu times...

The Aftermath of Multitasking...

2009-11-23T14:08:00.004-05:00

This is the aftermath of me trying to multitask around the house... cook, clean, organize.... oh and watch baby girl too..

This happens to be soap! Baby girl found a bar of soap while I was cleaning the bathroom. She obviously knew it was soap and rubbed it all over her forehead and nose repeatedly.. Da hubby had no idea this was happening at the time and when I showed him this picture of what his daughter was up to, he asked, "Well, why you let her do that!?!"

Bad Mommy!?

2009-11-20T13:23:00.004-05:00

What is it about the age of 2?? and me being the mommy of a 2 year old??

When the little man was 2, he fell off the side of my daybed when preparing for bed and broke his arm..

Last night, baby girl and I had a great time laughing as I tickled her. She rolled off the bed, fell and hit her head on a glass from a picture frame that I had in a corner near my bed. She also cut 2 of her fingers.. Thank God! It could have been so much worst, but 'oh, my poor baby!' I felt horrible and just kept kissing and hugging her. I hate seeing my children in pain. Hubby helped me clean her up and get her bandaged and although she didn't like the bandage on, she was in good spirits mostly. Even this morning, she was laughing, singing along with her favorite television show. It was all good.

Hubby forgot to mention the incident to the daycare so they would be aware. The daycare called and left a voicemail message for me at work to call them back because they noticed her hand was bleeding and looked like paper cuts. She told her teacher that it happened at home with Mommy. (Gulp!) My baby girl said all of that! Wow! She's really chatting it up now.
I called and spoke with the teacher and explained what happened. She said that they were worried that it happened at the daycare as some of their toys are old and thought one might have been worn and had a sharp edge and cut her.

All is well now. Baby girl is still at daycare and carrying on with her day as normal. (Big sigh of relief)!

I know kids get hurt all the time, but, :-( I feel like such a bad mommy.

Moms of Twins' Meeting

2009-11-17T11:37:00.004-05:00

I went to a Moms of Twins' meeting and.... I love it! It was great.. I spent so much time talking and listening to moms with varying experiences, but all who did it, done it and lived to talk about it. They have so helpful already.. I'm in! I'm joining! I had so much fun that I didn't leave the hostess' house until after 11pm. I left my cell phone in the car and hubby was freaked that (a) I had been gone so long and (b) I wasn't answering my phone.. Uh, hello, honey??? It was in the car and I had no idea that I would be there so long..

Let's see..
So, I met a mom who carried her twins to 40 weeks and 4 days!!! Yep! I couldn't believe my ears.. I just stood there with my mouth wide open for a while in disbelief... But 'they' say it's usually 37 weeks the latest..

There was another mom with twins born at 24 weeks and another with twins born at 26 weeks.. Ugh! Scary.. but after weeks in the NICU all is well and babies are healthy.

Some tips I received at the meeting:
- Singleton is a real term and one that only moms of multiples use after having multiples. lol
- Look for twin discounts. Many companies offer them especially formula and diaper companies.
- BJs and Sam's Club are the places to go to get diapers and formula the cheapest!
- Prepare yourself mentally for the idea that your twin babies may have to stay in the NICU no matter when they are born.
- Prepare yourself mentally for a c-section, but don't count on it. If both babies are in position, you very well may have your babies vaginally.
- Make up your mind before giving birth: formula vs. breast. Many hospitals assume you will formula feed and if you are resting from a c-section, the nurses may offer babies formula without consulting you. Make your decision clear to yourself and to others in the beginning.
- If breastfeeding drains you, it's not the worst thing in the world to formula feed your baby. If it'll save you time, energy and sleep, then do what's best for you and the babies.
- Do get caught up in having the babies early. You may be the woman giving birth vaginally at 40 weeks!
- And the most important of all, don't freak yourself out with worrying about all the what-ifs. Be aware, be prepared, but try to relax. Once babies arrive, you will have enough to worry about, so just try to relax and not worry to much..

See.. in just one night, I learned a lot! These ladies are a wealth of knowledge. I know I'll be able to ask them anything, and someone will have experience and have an answer. I may just try to come up with questions just to stump them! :-)

Definitely, I'm looking forward to the next meeting and even the Christmas party scheduled for mid December. It'll be so great to see a room full of twin babies, toddlers, their siblings and their parents!! I'm bringing my camera.. I'm sure I'll get some pretty interesting shots!

Until next time, take care of yourself and each other....

17 Weeks Today!

2009-11-17T11:31:00.006-05:00

I'm 17 weeks today...

and I still can't believe that I'm pregnant!

You know?? Note to self: I really should start posting pics.. Nothing to it, but to do it!

Seriously.. I don't! It feels like it's all a dream... I can't wrap my brain around it... I'm waiting to show up to a doctor's appointment and they sit me down and say, "Oh, I'm really sorry! There's been a mistake. You aren't pregnant with twins. We've mixed your records with someone else." I would protest and say, "but I've had tests.. and ultrasounds that all show that I am pregnant'. They will give me the sad, pity face and shake their head real slow and just simply say, 'Sorry.. "

:-) I'm weird, huh?

I know, I am! But that's how I feel. I guess I won't believe it until I have two babies in my arms and even then I would probably sit at home waiting for their real mom to come and pick them up.

Today, I also had to do the AFP test. I guess today was 'have your blood drawn for something' day at the lab, because everyone, their momma and best friend was there. I had to wait an hour! I'm so glad I had enough sense to get there as early as I could.

And tonight, I'm going to my first mom of twins meeting. The meeting is for mom's only, no babies! I kind of like that! The group also have several events that are for the family, but 2 hours, one night a month, without the kids, without the hubby..mmm! Sounds like heaven!

Cool Giveaway at Dirty Diaper Laundy!

2009-11-17T11:16:00.003-05:00

Dirty Diaper Laundry is offering a cool giveaway. I haven't heard about the diaper company, Baby Kicks, Babykicks.com, offered in the giveaway before, but I love what I'm learning about them so far.

Check out the giveaway details over at Dirty Diaper Laundry: http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/baby-kicks-organic-fitted-diaper-giveaway/comment-page-4/#comment-10138

Sleepless Night!!!!!

2009-11-17T11:11:00.004-05:00

Baby girl woke up 4 times the other night yelling:

"Mommy!"

"Dada!"

"Pick me up!"

"Open door!"

She even called out for her big brother who decided that he had enough of his sleep interrupted by her crying andyelling and went in her room, asked her if she wanted to come with him and she said, 'Yep!'

Off they went to his room and all was quiet until da hubby thought that baby girl may try to repeat this every night and took her out of the lil man's room and put her back in her own bed. She was fine for about 45 minutes and started up with her refrain:

"Mommy!""Dada!""Pick me up!""Open door!"

I went in and sat with her in the rocking chair for a while, but everytime I tried to put her in her crib she woke up. Bright e yed and busy tailed. So, I brought her in our bed. She woke up shout different things every few minutes,but when it was time to be up and about, guess who was sleeping while we were all reluctantly dragging our tired bones out of bed, in the shower and around the house to prepare for work..

Ugh!! I hope this is not a new phase or stage.. So help me, God!

Weird dreams..

2009-11-13T15:07:00.003-05:00

Last night, I had the weirdest dream and just had to share...
I always look for meaning in my dreams, but this one is just too odd to have any meaning.
In the dream, da hubby and I are leaving a supermarket. I am driving and in a bit of a rush. It's late and I think we needed to get home to the kids or something. So, I back out of my parking spot, really fast, then turn real fast and then pull up into the lane real fast. Hubby mentions that I should slow down and I snap back that I'm a good driver and have been driving for years and haven't had an accident or gotten a ticket in years. I continue zigzagging as I make my way out of the crowded parking lot. Then, it happens! I hit a red crossover vehicle.. so hard that the side door is hanging from its hinges. I stay in the car in utter shock. Hubby doesn't speak a word. And then I pull off and leave, hoping no one saw me and that neither the incident nor my license plate had been seen on the security cameras in the lot.
We make it home and I think all is well and that I got a way with it. As I try to sleep and forget the incident, I toss and turn, troubled that the cops were going to find me and fine me heavily. My insurance will go up very high for the accident but also for leaving. I didn't leave a note. What about the owner? Were they able to make it home and if not did they have the resources to make it home? What if they had children waiting at home?
In the wee hours of the morning, there's a knock on our front door. I got very nervous and began to worry about the reason for such a late hour visit. I cautiously opened the door and there was an unfamiliar man. He soon intoduced him as the brother of the owner of the car I hit! He said came for the money to fix the vehicle and would not accept NO for an answer. He also didn't accept checks or credit cards. CASH only!!! He says that there was $2Billion dollars to of damage to his brother's vehicle and maybe more than that. In cash.. In cash?! Cash!! Seriously?!
As the hour drew later, he finally decided to leave without the money, but made it very clear that he would return and encouraged me to remember the payment agreement. I was scared and told hubby so. We tried to figure out all the ways we could come up with the money or ways to repair the vehicle. Hubby had a great and well thought out plan that we could execute step by step and have the vehicle repaired to meet the brother's demand but also in a way that allow us to comfortably meet the demand. I was so grateful and thankful and just couldn't stop expressing it to hubby. I kissed his face and hugged him incessantly.
Now, here's where things get weirder.
I get up in the middle of the night, after having the most restful sleep that I've had in a very long time. We had figured out an answer to our problem and worry free. I made my way to the restroom in the dark. While in the restroom, I feel the presence of someone. As I look up, a slimy pink body cover submerges me from head to toe and covers me like Syran wrap.
I told you it was weird....
I thought that this was my punishment and that I would have to look like a pink alien for the rest of my life. As I moped around for a day or so, a neighbor visited and saw me and asked what was wrong. I explained what happened and she said, "oh, I must have released something from the other world and it latched itself on you. No worries! I just have to say this little thing and you will be fine." She said some long phrase and then the slimy body cover came off as if I was wearing a costume..
And then I woke up.
It was just so weird. I can't believe that I even remembered so much of the dream..
Weird! Just weird!

Christmas shopping!? Already??

2009-11-10T12:57:00.007-05:00

Wow! Where is the time going?? We are in Christmas shopping season!! Already?! Boy, you better not blink or you find yourself in a room of party goers yelling, "Happy 2010!!"

Well, to get you in the Christmas shopping spirit, check out Wood Creations!! Purchase a personalized, engraved wood toybox for the little on in your life.

Wood Creations are offering blog readers 15% off any toybox from woodtoybox.com. Just use the promotional code toybox4u before December 31, 2009!!

For details, go to: http://www.sheblogs.org/2009/10/win-1-of-3-personalized-wood-toy-boxes/#ixzz0WTqyAfkt

MMMM.... Chocolate Milk!?

2009-11-10T12:30:00.004-05:00

I can't believe I'm having a love affair with chocolate milk!!

I mean what am I? 7 years old!?

I can't remember the last time since I was 7 that I actually wanted and drank a whole carton of cold chocolate milk.. Chocolate milk! Chocolate milk!?

But, I find it oh, so tasty these days!!

While in the grocery store for the last month, every time I'm in the milk aisle and pass the chocolate milk, my eyes light up and my mouth waters.. and I just gotta have it! Yes! Chocolate milk!! Cold chocolate milk!!

On my off days from chocolate milk, I crave dill pickles. .YUM! Cold, right out the fridge.. Juicy.. sour and yet a lil sweet.. with a bit of a crunch! That's the way I like it!! Uh-huh! Uh-huh!

Now, I've always thought the pickle craving was just an old pregnancy myth.. You know what I mean, right!? How movies and television shows always depict a pregnant woman eating some weird combo of pickles and ice cream or finding out that she is pregnant only after fainting!!

Funny! Weird! But for now.. I'm so loving pickles and chocolate milk and sometimes I'll enjoy them together!! Yum!

To Cloth Diaper.... Or Not to Cloth Diaper? THAT is the question!?

2009-11-09T16:34:00.003-05:00

I really want to try to cloth diaper the twinkies. I researched and wanted to with Baby Girl, but when I mentioned it to da hubby, he looked at me as if I had two heads. It was worst than when I first mentioned that I would breastfeed. He didn't get it, but I had answers. I attended La Leche League (LLL) meetings and saw mamas breastfeeding their babies at the meeting. They made the breastfeeding idea 'real'. Attending the LLL meetings while pregnant really equiped me for the task. Not only was a knowledgeable about the benefits, the breastfeeding laws protecting moms that breastfeed in public, and that I can and will have support. But I also learned that it was doable, and can be my reality.

With cloth diapering, I don't know any real life people that recently have or currently is cloth diapering. So, when I presented da hubby with the idea of cloth diapering, he mentioned the stinch, the task of laundry, his unwillingness to deal with poopy cloth diapers, disposable vs cloth wipes and I tried to respond to each of his concerns.
- We will use a dry diaper path to store stink diapers after first rinsing any material from it.
- We will do laundry a few times per week.
- We will use cloth wipes and can easy just wash them along with the diapers
- We will save money!! I thought this would get him, but it didn't!

He said he would rather spend the extra money for disposable diapers than deal with the mess of having to wash cloth diapers.

I then mentioned how long it takes for disposables to decompose in the landfills. 500 years!! I mentioned that our own baby diapers are still sitting in the NYC dump somewhere. It shocked him, but still not enough.

All of his questions, and the wealth of cloth diapering information on the internet overwhelmed me and I didn't cloth diaper my baby girl like I wanted to. The twinkies will be my last opportunity to cloth diaper and I would at least like to try it..

I got some good info from a staff member named Serena at Kelly's Closet and I'm definitely going to heed her suggestion. I'll share a little bit of what she told me:

Men usually respond very positively to the math and savings aspect of cloth diapers.
-Disposable diapers will cost approximately $2000-2500 PER CHILD over the course of 2 years (this is not including disposable wipes, diaper creams for the inevitable diaper rash that is more prone to happen than with cloth diapers, etc).
- Even with the "fancy" cloth diapers such as the pocket diapers (ie. bumGenius) you're going to spend approximately $300-400 per child. That's $600-800 for both children versus $4000-5000. Hmmmmm... which would he prefer to spend?
- Cloth diapers can be purchased a little each month to help break up the initial cost and you may also opt to sign up for a registry so family and friends can help share reduce the cost even more. Nevertheless, the overall savings is still far greater.
- laundry can be a very daunting task for many. My best recommendation would be to set the days you plan to wash. For instance you can opt for Monday, Wednesday and Friday and take the weekend off - or you can opt for Tues, Thursday, Saturday. If you schedule days for your cloth diaper laundry then it will help get you in a routine and ensure you keep on top of things. You can even opt to schedule days for the regular laundry.
- Another helpful thing is to throw the diapers into the wash in the evening... start the diapers around 5 or 6 for the cold wash... and just before bed you can start the diapers on the hot wash... then, when you wake up in the morning you can simply toss them in the dryer or hang them outside to dry.
- I would recommend highly recommend prefolds and diaper covers - especially for when your little ones are newborns. Surprisingly, prefolds and covers aren't quite as complicated as some people think - but once you get through the brief learning curve - they're very simple! AND, they are one of the most economical options so your diapering budget can be even significantly less than the aforementioned costs.
- I'd also highly recommend an all-in-one such as the bumGenius Organic All-in-Ones, or an all-in-two system like the Gro Baby or Flip diapers.
- As for storing soiled diapers I definitely recommend using a dry pail (wet pails are a safety hazard and are actually more likely to cause stinky problems). Simply buy a 13 gallon trash bin with a lid and put a diaper pail liner inside and you have a quick and easy diaper pail that keeps the smells contained (although you'll get a good whiff when you open the pail lid after a day or so - but when the lid is closed you shouldn't smell anything). You can also opt to sprinkle a little baking soda inside the pail or use a pail deodorizer.

Great info, right??

As for now.. my answer is TO cloth diaper... Sure, it'll be a lot of work, but it'll be worth.. Heck, being a mom is a lot of work, but putting in the effort to raise children with manners, a respect for others, adults and themselves, with a sense to become a fully functioning, productive, and contributing member of society is worth it all!

Feel free to share your cloth diapering experience and/or research. I need to learn as much as I possibly can!

O-M-G!!! How sweet!!

2009-11-06T11:02:00.003-05:00

O-M-G!! How stinkin' sweet are Heather and Donna over at Blessed Nest!

Yes, I know I'm been talking alot about their Nesting pillow and Nest Egg, but I'm only expressing my true and honest feelings!

Uh, what great people.. great company.. and great products!!!

Check out their blog here:
http://www.blessednestperch.com/home-at-blessed-nest/2009/11/6/warm-and-fuzzy-feeling-that-all-is-right-with-the-world.html

Da Hubby loves Blessed Nest Nesting Pillow and Nest Egg too!

2009-11-06T10:25:00.004-05:00

Last night, while lying in bed watching television, I told da hubby about my new found love, Blessed Nest Nesting Pillow and the Nest Egg.

I was starting to get sleepy and started to nestle in bed when I realized that I left my Nest Egg http://stores.blessednest.com/-strse-The-Nest-Egg/Categories.bok in the car! I got up and went to get it. When I came back, I told da hubby how great the pillow is and encouraged him to to try it out. I pushed the pillow under his head and he laid there in a trance like state, simply blinking. He then said, "Wow! This is comfy!" Then, I said, "See! Feel how the Nest Egg pillow supports your head and you don't feel as if your head sinks into the pillow. I told him how I took my pillow to work and used it to be comfortable in my chair all day while working on the computer.

Then, I went on and on about how the Nest Egg is just the right size to throw in your bag when traveling and how comfortable it is whenever.. whereever!! He said that I sounded like I was giving a sales pitch. HA!! Da Hubby then said, "I can see how I can carry this on the plane to be comfortable on the plane ride. Yeah, this is pretty cool! So, where's the big pillow you were talking about?" So, I pulled out the Nesting pillow and explained that it's a nursing pillow. Da hubby asked why did I need it if I already had a Boppy. I told him that it doesn't really compare because I can use the Nesting pillow for much than just nursing and then showed him all the ways that the Nesting pillow can be used: under my legs while sitting up watching tv or reading a book; or propping myself up when I want to be on my back, but don't want to lay flat on my back. Again, I went on and on and again encouraged him to try it out.. He loved it!

Blessed Nest Nesting Pilllow and Nest Egg!

2009-11-05T16:31:00.005-05:00

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

My Blessed Nest Nesting Pillow and Nest Egg has arrived last night..

Oh, boy! You know I had to try it out right away. I just love it!! I love the fabric, the texture, the design.. Uh, it is just oh, so comfy!

So, I curled into bed and looked over at my pillows debating whether I should try them out. I really wanted to, but, do I want to get it all dirty?? It's brand new... and pretty.. and... What the heck! I've got to try it out and I've got to see if it can replace my big body pillow and maybe, just maybe, I'll sleep through the whole night without waking up and then taking more than a half hour to go back to sleep.

Well, I admit, I'm not good at replacing my bed pillows often and right now, I just use one pillow and it's so flat and old, that after some time of laying my head in one area of the pillow, my head sinks in and then the heat from my head seems to make the whole pillow hot and then I sweat and it's just a whole vicious cycle that I then have to fold the pillow or somehow crumble it up to get some more fluff to my pillow and get comfortable.. Ugh!!

The Nest Egg is just the perfect size! I used it as my head pillow.. Oh, it was just right.. It didn't get mashed in from my head.. It didn't get hot from my body temperature. I never had to readjust it in order to get it to fluff up more in the middle of the night.. Major comfort! It was almost like lying your head on a cloud. .Or better yet, like laying your 5 year old head in your mom's lap when you are tired, but out somewhere that you can't go lay in your bed.. Ugh! Can you now imagine what I'm talking about?? Yes, that kind of comfort that gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling that all is right with the world and now I can rest my head and go to sleep in peace!

LOL! I know.. I am quite the little drama queen. I swear, I should have been an actress. My flair for drama is wasted on monitoring and administering computer servers!

So, after a while, I then grabbed the nursing pillow.. Not too heavy, but not light and flimsy.. and again just the right size to do it's job. I love sleeping on my back, which many OB doctors advise against after the first trimester, but it just feels comfortable to me. So, I like to place a pillow between my knees to make me comfortable as I lay on my side. The nesting pillow did the trick.. I then felt as if I curled up on that cloud and floated off to sleep!

Well, that is until Baby Girl decided that she was done with sleep at 2:30am and stayed awake up 5am, but then woke up again at 7:30am (her regular morning wake up time). With her awake meant it disturbed my sleep while da hubby snoozed the whole time right next to us in the same bed!! How is that even possible!?

I couldn't bare to leave my pillow home this morning, so I threw my nest egg in my bad and brought it to work with me.. Nice cushion for my lower back while sitting in my computer chair all day!! If you are looking for a comfy pillow for nursing, sleeping, lounging.. please go check out Blessed Nest at http://stores.blessednest.com/StoreFront.bok. They are a great company. Heather and Donna will really take care of you. Tell them that Rocketgurl sent you!!

Anyway, all in all, I love Blessed Nest and their nesting pillow and nest egg. I am so in love and can't wait to get at least 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep soon! I would really like 8 hours, but 6 will do. Maybe tonight will be my night! Wish me luck!! :-)

Until next time, take care of yourself and each other....

Our Daughters, Ourselves...

2009-11-05T16:29:00.008-05:00

Our daughters, Ourselves..

I've wanted to write this post for some time now and just never made the time to collect my thoughts enough to complete it, so here it goes...

This little girl, my Baby Girl, just amazes me and yet baffles me daily. She's so smart, so fun and full of life. She enjoys singing, dancing and just having a great time. Of course, her being full of energy often wears me out, but I guess I wouldn't have it any other way!

A few months ago, Baby girl, the Young Man and I went to a video game store. The Young Man was very interested in a new video game and was overly excited that a local game store was offering a tournament where he could play this new video game against other enthusiasts. The winner won a copy of the video game!

After agreeing to take the young man there, I had no real idea how long such a tournament could run! As I started to get tired.. and standing was wearing thin, I put my hands on my hips just out of subconscious habit. I only realized that I placed my hands on my hips when I looked over at Baby Girl and there she stood with her hands on her lil' hips!!

It was at that very moment that I realized the power.. the value.. I had in teaching her about herself, about how a woman behaves, how she should carry herself. I also thought about any subconscious things I may teach her. Perhaps, when I look in the mirror dissatisfied with my body and mumble some negative comment about myself or when I decline dessert with a comment of , "oh, boy, this butt knooooows I don't need any of that cheesecake!"

No! I don't want her to be negative about her image, her body, or herself. I want her to love herself as she is. She's a wonderful, beautiful, smart and fun girl! I guess I can't really teach a lesson that I haven't mastered myself. Sure, there are times that I'm happy with what I see when I look in the mirror, but even on the days that I'm not so happy with a bulge or two under my sweater instead of calling myself all sorts of fat, and pleading with myself to go to the gym more and quit eating so much, I should instead focus on what is right.. maybe my eyes, my hair, my smile, my shoes.. Something, anything, positive! I need to find something positive to always say about myself.

This would not only help me, but it'll help my daughter, her daughter and all the daughters that'll come afterwards.

It's important to be and see ourselves in a positive light. Life circumstances and situations, even people can sometimes highlight negative things about ourselves and it's usually a good time to work on areas where we can improve, but again, we should view this as an opportunity to reaffirm ourselves and highlight the good, the positive.

One day, while letting my daughter help herself out of the car, she decided to climb into my driver's seat and pulled down the visor. She moved her finger in a circular motion on the visor mirror and then touched her lips as if applying gloss on her lips. My mouth gapped open and I stared at her and thought, "Now where did she get that from?" Then, it occured to me! She had to have seen me do that!

To this day, I can not put on gloss, chapstick, lipstick on my lips in front of her without her excitedly saying, "I want some!"

Another time, while preparing for work, I used body spray on my wrists and guess what?? She asked that I spray some on her wrists by saying, "I want some!" Again, today, I can not put on body spray without sharing it with her.

And yet another time, our dog, Coco was in our backyard barking. As I made my way to the backdoor to see what the matter was and encourage Coco to either stop barking or to come inside, Baby Girl jumped in front of me as I opened the door and began to shout loudly, "Coco! Coco! Stop barking! Come inside!" Huh!? Now.. where.. did.. she.. get.. that!! Oooohhhhh!!!! Again, from watching me!

I've found that I have a shadow in other areas as well.. brushing my teeth, using the 'potty', eating vegetables, getting dressed, doing hair. It just amazes and yet, baffles me, how she tries to model me. My hope is that as she models me, she picks up and take on all the positive things of me! But, if she sees things that may be negative, she must also be bound to see, follow and model, right? Seeing my daughter serves as a mirror to see myself, but through Baby Girl's eyes and lends the opportunity to be more aware of what I'm reflecting to my young daughter and to the world about who I am, what I stand for and how I want to be remembered!

Happy Anniversary...

2009-11-05T16:26:00.003-05:00

Happy Anniversary.... to me and da hubby!!

Today is our 4th anniversary.

My, does time fly and yet it seems like a long 4 years. LOL

He surprised me by having a bouquet of red and yellow roses sent to me at work. With a little note that reads: " Happy Anniversary. To a wife who makes it all worth it! I love you, Da Hubby".

Awwww... Isn't that just sweeeeeet! :-) That really made my day. Thank you, Sweetie!

I've been H1N1 Vaccinated!

2009-11-04T13:43:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I mentioned that I was called by my doctor's office to come in to the H1N1 vaccine clinic last night. After speaking with the OB nurse and doing some research on the internet, I was still a bit nervous, but decided that what's meant to be will be and everything is in God's hands. With that thought in mind and confidence in God in my heart, I went to my appointment, read all the material they gave me about the vaccine and it's relation to pregnancy and felt a little bit at ease.

It wasn't as bad as I had imagined. My arm where I got the injection was a bit sore for about 15 -20 minutes after, but it was very light soreness. Nothing bad at all.

But I was a bit weirded out when the nurse requested that I sit in the waiting room for about 10 minutes following the vaccine. Me being the drama queen that I can be at times, I thought up all the possible 'what-ifs' as to why they made such a request..

Anyway, just wanted to report in that so far I am fine.. No side effects from the vaccine. The materials I read noted that if you were to have any reactions to the vaccine it would be in the first 1-2 days following the vaccine..

We shall see!

Until next time, take care of yourself, and each other!

Uhhh.... I'm just not sure what to do...

2009-11-03T12:29:00.003-05:00

So, this morning, I get a call on my cell phone from my doctor's office. It's the receptionist. I'm a bit alarmed of the call, because I haven't been in since 2 weeks ago and expected back in 2 weeks, haven't had any recent tests.. So.... why are they calling?!

The receptionist said the doctors told her to call me and ask if I may be interested in attending the H1N1 vaccine clinic TONIGHT. TONIGHT! TONIGHT? TONIGHT!?

Uh, er, ummmm.... ok!?

Yes, that was my actual response. I signed up for the 6:40pm slot tonight, but I'm nervous! I've heard so much hoopla about getting vs. not getting the vaccine.

Is there enough information about the vaccine?
Is there any information about the side effects?
Are the side effects worth it versus actually contracting H1N1 aka Swine Flu?

I wasn't scared about all the news coverage and knew that I may be confronted with the decision to get the flu shot, but I never had one and I guess I didn't think it would be a big deal, but apparently, it IS!!

Of course, I 'googled' H1N1 side effects and pregnancy and oh, boy the scary things to read!

But what's better?? Getting the vaccine in hopes of protecting yourself or actually contracting swine flu? Would I regret getting the vaccine? Would I wish I hadn't received it?

I hear the swine flu is no joke.. and especially isn't for pregnant women, who according to some research I've read is the #1 persons of concern because pregnant women who contracted H1N1 has the highest incidence of death.

As of now, I will at least show up to the appointment tonight.... but I will be lying if I said I wasn't the least bit nervous.

Stay tuned for details of my appointment tonight..

Will I or won't I??

You all know how I looove good giveaways!!

2009-11-02T10:42:00.002-05:00

Well, by now, you should all know how much I love a good giveaway!!

Today, is no different.. I just love giveaways!! I came across this great blog called A Giveaway Addicted Mommy! Nice name, huh??

Well, she is hosting a Snazzy Baby giveaway of either Snazzy Baby's Travel chair or knee pads. Take a look at Snazzy Baby products: http://www.snazzybaby.us

There's still plenty of time to enter!!

Check it out here: http://agiveawayaddictedmommy.com

Let me know what you think of the products.. I think the travel chair is just too adorable!

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

2009-10-29T14:17:00.007-04:00

Remember, this post????? http://pursuitofmore.blogspot.com/2009/10/do-you-wanna-win.html

Can you guess who won???

Wait for it...
Wait for it....

Yep, Meeeeeeeeee!!!! I'm a winner! I'm a winner!

I am over the moon ecstatic! Can you tell!? This is definitely my first 'real' introduction to cloth diapering. Not only did I win the Gro Baby 50 count disposable soakers, but The Natural Baby Company (manufacturers of Gro Baby) also sent me a Gro Baby Cover!!!

WHAT!? I couldn't believe it and couldn't wait until I received it at my door!

It came pretty quickly and couldn't wait to try it out on my 2 year old!! Well, when I say 'try it out', I just tried it on her.. Although, we are currently potty training, I think I may actually have her "try it out' for a few hours. The Gro Baby shell is a One Size and my baby girl is in the 90th percentile for height, 50th percentile for weight, so I was interested in how it will fit her.

Right before bath time and after potty time, I tried the Gro Baby shell with the disposable soaker (size 1 - which is way too small for baby girl). The poor thing seemed so confused with what I was putting on her and tried to pull the diaper off by the velcro tabs. I told her it was a new diaper and Mommy just wanted to see it and asked her not to take it off.. She obliged, but for the first minute of having it on, she walked with her legs gapped as if she had just rode a pony for an hour.

She finally relaxed and played around like she was nude! I got her to model for me for just a few quick pics. I wish I had gotten a few better ones, but hey, at least I got something, right??

While baby girl and I were finishing our quick impromptu photo shoot, da hubby walked in the room wondering what was going on and wanted to know what baby girl was wearing.

I simply told him that it was a cotton diaper and then a quick conversation began...

Da hubby: "Ugh, that can get messy and that thing will have to be washed after each use."
Me: "Well, yes and no!" It's a cotton diaper but with a disposable soaker inside that
can be removed and thrown away. Like this.. See!? You can then put in another
'liner' and the cotton diaper shell should be fine.'
Da hubby: (Almost excitedly) " Oh, so you can save a lot of money!!!"
Me: "Umm, yeah, Sweetie. I guess so.... "

I guess when it comes to men, the bottom line is the almighty dollar! HA!

hmmm...(Light Bulb moment!) I wonder if it will work in other areas.. .

"Hey, Babe! This dress is made of 80% cotton and 20% lycra. It will not shrink, stretch, pill or fade, and it has a liner in it that you can just throw away when it gets dirty... So, we save a lot of money!"

"Oh, look at these great shoes! You can wear them in every season without them getting dull, scuffed or beat up looking. They always fit comfortable and see, it has this disposable liner that you can throw away.. So, we save a lot of money!"

What do you think?? Go/ No Go?? Should I try to expand the disposable liner trick to all items that I want to purchase? Think he'll go for it?? Nah, me either! But I may just try it anyway.

Anyway, I really like the GroBaby and will definitely give it a try with baby girl. It'll be a good test before I'm able to test in on my 'twinkies'.. 'Twinkies' = twins.. Teeheehee... I think the GroBaby is a great start for my fluff stash and may be an awesome and useful tool in my arsenal against pee, poop and blow outs!!

Until next time, take care of yourself and each other...

Hurry!!! Pampered Prego's Giveaway ends soon...

2009-10-29T13:49:00.004-04:00

Hurry!! Hurry!!!

Pampered Preggo is hosting a Halo Sleepsack giveaway that ends Oct. 31st!!
For giveaway details, go over to the Pampered Preggo at: http://www.pamperedpreggo.com/2009/halo-sleepsack-giveaway-sids-awareness-month/review/comment-page-2/#comment-128

It's SIDS Awareness month!

Did you know that??

I didn't... :-(

This makes me sad because the month is nearly over and I'm just learning that October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Awareness month. So, not only am I mentioning this giveaway because I love the product, I think it's important for anyone that cares for children to educate themselves about SIDS.

I wanted to learn more about the Halo Sleep Sack and ways to prevent SIDS and visited the Halo Sleep Sack website. A wealth of information for parents, doctors, childbirth educations etc. Please visit https://www.halosleep.com/. I found the FAQ as well as learning about why the company was started quite interesting...

In honor of SIDS Awareness month, you owe it to yourself and to any children you care for, to learn more about SIDS and how to prevent it.

Do you know what SIDS stands for?
What positition should you lay baby to sleep?

Until next time, take care of yourself and each other...

One reason to try cloth diapering.......

2009-10-26T16:14:00.004-04:00

If you need a reason to try cloth diapering, I have one for you!

Check out this wonderful giveaway from http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/.

The wonderful giveaway this week is for a 6-pack of little gPants plus your choice of a case of gRefills -or- 2 packs of gCloth inserts.

Get details here: http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2009/10/fluff-friday-52.html

I really love this blog! A wealth of information and real world view of cloth diapering.. Check out the giveaway, but also lurk around and get a taste of of that is cloth diapering!!

Enjoy!

Did I forget to mention....

2009-10-23T11:25:00.004-04:00

Oh, it just occurred to me that I may have omitted some critical info here... After my last post about my achy back and sleep disruptions.. and buying and uh, nursing pillow, I realized that I haven't shared the big, surprising, shocking, still doesn't seem real news!!

My friends.. I am pregnant! That's right! You heard me.. knocked up! I'm with child! I am in the family way! I'm preggers! I'm prego!!

13 Weeks along,.. Oh and.. the other part of this big, surprising, shocking, still doesn't seem real news.. is that it's TWINS!! Yep, TWINS!!

Wow! How exciting and yet overwhelming!!

Oh, my achy back..

2009-10-23T11:13:00.005-04:00

Oh, my achy back.. and sides.. and hips... and neck!!! Ugh!!! I'm not sure that I can bear much of this...

Last night I tossed and turned... I just couldn't get comfortable.. I even had the whole bed to myself since hubby is out of town for a conference. I got some relief from my trusty old body pillow and was able to finally get comfortable, but..... I woke up this morning with stiffness in my lower back and neck.. Not good!! This chick loves her sleep and I just can't have restless nights of tossing and turning and then waking up feeling like a pretzel.. Nuh-uh! Not me! Now way! Just can't do it! Don't wanna do it!!

Last week, I came across this great company, Blessed Nest. I sent an email inquiring about their product and one of the owners, Heather emailed me back in just a few short minutes! She seems like the sweetest person! I automatically fell in love with her and fell in even more love with her product. So, I ordersed a nesting pillow in the Blue Truffles design.

Check it out at: http://stores.blessednest.com/-strse-The-Nesting-Pillow/Categories.bok

I am anxiously awaiting my nesting pillow! I really hope that the nesting pillow will be my secret weapon in my arsenal to defend my right to a good night's.. or midday snooze.. I love to sleep and I just can't bear to part with it!

Once my pillow arrives and I get a few nights of breaking it in, I'll be sure to let you know how the nesting pillow held up.

Until next time.. Take care of yourself and each other!

A great giveaway!!

2009-10-15T09:12:00.002-04:00

Albanymommy.com is hosting a great giveaway.

Check it out at: http://www.albanymommy.com/2009/10/clorox-green-works-now-makes-a-laundry-detergent-line-a-green-laundry-line---a-got-a-bottle-of-detergent-and-a-bottle-of-s.html#comments

This stuff sounds like magic in a bottle... and available in Original, Lavendar and Clean & Clear.

Also available is Green Works Natural Laundry Stain Remover.

I'm so super excited and can't wait to get my hands on this stuff!!

Eli's Lids: # 12 Blessed Nest

2009-10-08T15:36:00.000-04:00

Eli's Lids: # 12 Blessed Nest

Go Check out Eli's Lids for their Blessed Nest Giveaway!!

Yet another fabulous giveaway!!

2009-10-08T13:34:00.004-04:00

Ok! Wow! I found get another great blog.. http://ourlifeupstate.com/ and another great giveaway!!

For details, check out: http://www.ourlifeupstate.com/2009/09/baby-in-fishbowl-review-and-giveaway.html?showComment=1255023261063#c8060265277971099758

The giveaway is a $15 coupon to be used at Baby in a Fishbowl.. I love their slings!! So beautiful... so uniquue... some reversible!! Please check them out!! It's owned by a husband and wife team!!

Do you wanna win!?

2009-10-06T15:40:00.003-04:00

Check out this cool giveaway at: http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2009/10/super-fluff-friday-49-3-giveaways.html

When I was carrying the lil girl, I thought about cloth diapering and did quite a bit of research. I was so in! That is until da hubby started asking the real questions, "What do you do with the poop? Having stinky, poopy diapers sitting around the house is just plain disgusting.. I'm all for saving money and doing the most natural thing for baby, but.........' Through all my research, it all sounded good, but I wasn't sure if it was going to be practical. I didn't know any 'real' people that can share their experience with me. Now, I wish I had researched more and reached out to 'real' people that had real experience that they were willing to share.

In any case, I love the Cloth Diaper Whisperer blog and will be visiting quite often for now on.

Now, get!! And go check out the Cloth Diaper Whisperer and the diaper giveaway!!! Good luck! :-)