Preggers II -- Twins: 22 Weeks

I am very late with this post... but I'm not 23 weeks yet, so I guess I am still within my window to accurately post this.

How far along?  22 weeks

How I am feeling?  Very tired... physically tired throughout the day, but I believe all the work packing has a lot to do with this.

How big are babies?  The size of spaghetti squashes... close to 1 pound a piece and about 11 inches long from head to heal

Sleep:  Very well in our new King size bed!  Once I'm in bed, it is hard for me to move around, but I am sleeping much better

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions:  I really don't know... two babies -- the one on the right is much more active than the one on the left

Babies Nicknames:  Babies, or Twins

 

Weight Gain/Loss:  Gained about ten pounds according to my home scale... the doctor's scale always says I've gained more

Best moment this week:  Watching Michigan's decisive victory over BYU this past Saturday, and getting so much packing done this past weekend

Food cravings:  Baked Lays Chips

Missing:  Being able to breathe normally without having to catch my breath

 

Movements:  Yes, often and throughout the day

Labor Signs:  No, thankfully.

Comparison:  Here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 22 weeks when I was living in Texas for three weeks finishing an Orientation and Mobility practicum placement.

 

And here I am with the twins at 22 weeks:

General Attitude: Very excited about our new house and very motivated to pack anything and everything possible so we can move as soon as we close.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  Chris' sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Daniel and our niece Zivah are in Denver this week and we are headed down to see them this weekend

Milestones:  I think I am outgrowing my Michigan pregnancy shirt... more of my skin shows at my belly each week

Made Me Laugh

This made me laugh...

Well, Tracey Ann would be Cayenne Pepper and so far, the twins would be Cinnamon Rolls.

In The New House

In the new house, it is going to be fun to create a home.  As I'm packing up our house I am thinking about where furniture and pictures will go in our new home.

One goal I have before the twins arrive is to make a copy of this print, frame it and hang it where I can remember how blessed I am:

Also, I want to commission a painting like this for our childrens' rooms:

 

Country Nation

There is a new song circulating the College Football scene this season and its by Brad Paisley.  Honestly, I used to really like Brad Paisley... then, frankly, I felt like he got a little too modern, too rock-and-roll, and too liberal for me.

But, I had heard parts of this song, Country Nation, a few times in the past few weeks of College Football, and so I looked up the video... it is really cool.

First of all, it's filmed on Vanderbilt's football field, which is awesome!  Also, when I've just heard the lyrics of the song, it's enough to make me want to cry... but to see the video, it's more lighthearted than the melody implies.

In honor of Michigan's third win in a row for a current record of 3-1, here is Country Nation:

These Are The Moments

I have not heard the song, "These Are The Moments" in years... it has never really been one of my favorite songs, but I do know the words.

Yesterday, I looked at Tracey Ann, and my breath caught, and the refrain of that song just flooded in my mind...

These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I've found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more

I've never thought about this song as lyrics to apply to my child or children... but now, I think I always will.

Tracey Ann is at an age where she does not like my taking pictures of her.  If she spots a camera, she says "NOOOOOO!" and stops doing whatever the cute thing was I wanted to capture.

Luckily, yesterday I was able to capture this sweet moment before she noticed:

These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I've found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more

I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
And every prayer has been answered
Every dream I've had's come true
Yeah, right here in this moment
Is right where I'm meant to be
Oh, here with you here with me
No, I could not ask for more
Than this love you gave me
Cause it's all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
No, yeah
No, I could not ask for more

ABCs

ABCs for fun...

 

A- age:  31 years, 8 months
B-biggest fear:  House fire, snakes, spiders... but let's not talk about those things
C- current time:  9:42pm

D- drink you last had:  Water

 E- easiest person to talk to:  Probably my mom
F- favorite song:  Christmas songs
G- ghosts, are they real?  I don't know... the Bible condemns dabbling in the spiritual realms

H- hometown:  Norton Shores, Michigan

I- in love with:  Hubby, Tracey Ann, and our twins

J- jealous of:  Women with amazing, athletic, toned figures... but I'm less jealous while pregnant

K- killed someone?  Excuse me?

L- last time you cried?  Last Friday morning because we didn't have any Cinnamon Rolls

 M- middle name:  Sanden (took me 27 years to score a middle name)
N- number of siblings:  two by blood, four by marriage

O- one wish:  I do not really make wishes... I pray

P- person you last called:  My Momma

Q- question you are always asked:  "How are you feeling?" because I'm carrying twins

R- reason to smile:  I have a healthy happy toddler, a wonderful caring husband, and two healthy babies in my belly

S- song last sang:  "Get Up and Dance with Me"

 T- time you woke up:  6:45am
U- underwear color:  Classified

V- vacation destination:  Hubby and I will make it to Asia and Australia eventually

W- worst habit:  Not cooking dinner

 X- x-rays you've had:  Dental
Y- your favorite food:  Steak, Pizza, or dessert

Z- zodiac sign: Who cares?

So Funny

I saw this clip on America's Funniest Videos on facebook... and I was laughing so hard, I had to share:

Have a great Wednesday.

A Mother

My life could have gone a number of different ways.

I was never one of those people who knew they were destined to graduate high school, attend a nearby college, move back to my hometown, settle down, and marry a fellow Sailor (my high school mascot).

My life might have gone anywhere.  My parents exposed me to so many places and people throughout my young life, that I really could have gone anywhere.

There were times I thought about having a high-power career in in a big city like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago...

There were times I thought I might end up living overseas -- either as a missionary, working for the department of defense, or married to a serviceman...

There were times I thought life might take me to Alaska, or Texas, or Main, or Alabama...

Many careers were considered over the years -- doctor, lawyer, advertising executive, harpist, actress, singer, ski instructor, beautician, teacher...

But in every scenario of imagining my life, for as long as I could remember... I was always a mother.

Having children was always an absolute must when I imagined my life.

Tracey Ann, and our twins... and any other children we are blessed to have really are my dream come true.

 

Preggers II -- Twins: 21 Weeks

How far along?  21 weeks

How I am feeling?  Honestly, more and more uncomfortable, but trying not to focus on that

How big are babies?  The size of carrots... 12 ounces and about 10.5 inches long from head to heal

Sleep:  Pretty well, but sometimes I wake up sore... but we just bought a King Size bed for our new house, and Hubby decided we should move it into our current bedroom for the time being, so hopefully having some more room in bed will help all of us (Hubby, the twins, and me) to sleep better

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions:  I really don't know... there were a bunch of boys at Chic-Fil-A in Grand Junction on Friday and Tracey Ann nearly got trampled, and so I immediately began hoping for two girls... but I do think at least one is a boy... maybe.

Babies Nicknames:  Babies, or Twins

 

Weight Gain/Loss:  I've finally gained a few pounds

Best moment this week:  When Hubby brought me a cinnamon roll on Friday morning... YUMMY!

Food cravings:  Cinnamon rolls, and Baked Lays Chips

Missing:  Being able to lean over into Tracey Ann's crib to tuck in the blankets or pick up a toy

 

Movements:  Yes, usually when I sit down and get my feet up at the end of the day, and Hubby can definitely feel them now.

Labor Signs:  No, thankfully.

Comparison:  Here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 21 weeks when I was living in Texas for three weeks finishing an Orientation and Mobility practicum placement.

And here I am with the twins at 21 weeks:

General Attitude: Honestly, through both of my pregnancies, I have really tried to keep a very grateful attitude with the knowledge that many woman desire to be pregnant and cannot for one reason or another.  That being said, as I am experiencing more and more physical discomfort, it is becoming harder and harder to feel grateful.  I am trying, but this is the hardest it has been thus far.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  Sleeping in a new King Size bed, and we have inspection negotiations this week with the house we are buying, and that will be a huge step toward having this house purchase finalized.

Milestones:  It probably is a milestone the level of discomfort I have reached.  I became physically uncomfortable while I was carrying Tracey Ann, but it was mostly in my last month.  I'm trying to just take things one day at a time and not be overwhelmed at how much of my pregnancy remains.

Homecoming

Last weekend was Homecoming for Rifle High School and it was pretty fun to participate a little.

We attended the Homecoming parade and the Homecoming football game -- we left at half time and Rifle was up 53-0.

God Bless little towns...

Sort of sleepy during the parade

Football float

Hanging out in Daddy's office after the parade

A little sleepy between the parade and the football game

Ready for the game

Having fun in the stands

Getting to see the Rifle Bear

 

1000 Words

1000 Words

 

Hair Ties

Now that we're regularly doing her hair in pigtails and pony tails... sometimes her hair takes awhile to go back to normal once the hair ties are removed.

Just Walkin The Dog

Tracey Ann really enjoys walking her puppy these days...

 

Terrifying

Hubby and I have some news that I have delayed sharing for weeks.  We have had an offer accepted on a house in Rifle.  We are now under contract and have a closing date set for the middle of October.

This is not only big news, but a tremendous answer to prayer, and a very big life milestone for both Hubby and myself... and yet I have waited weeks to share the news here on my blog for one simple reason -- I was still processing this life changing event.

Not only did I delay sharing the news on my blog, but I have told none of my close friends.  Sure, I told a few acquaintances in town but I did not tell any of my friends who would ask me how I was doing or would be able to read in my voice how thoughtful and not-fully-excited I was about our situation.

It wasn't until last week when I was on the phone with a friend -- not a close, old friend of mine who knows me well, but a mutual friend of Hubby and mine whom we've known a few years and whom Hubby had told we were in the process of buying this house.  She and I were talking and the subject of our new home came up and, of the process and major event she said, "Isn't it terrifying?"

...

...

... And from the moment she said those words, I felt like I could take a deep breath and admit that "YES!  This process is absolutely terrifying!"

I had been feeling so guilty that I was not more excited about buying a home, and I had been an absolute wheel-barrel of emotions for over a week, ready to burst into tears any moment as we learned more and more about the process involved in buying a home.

To hear a friend and peer state aloud how truly scary it was for her husband and her to buy their first home allowed me to exhale and admit that this really is a tremendous responsibility, and a completely new process for Hubby and me, and it is okay to be... well, terrified.

Not only is this a larger purchase than I've ever made, I have never borrowed money like this before, and I have never made a commitment to a location in my life.  After my 18 years in my parents' home in Michigan, I spent some time and RENTED places in Virginia, Nashville, Eagle, and Rifle, Colorado... but nothing has kept me in those places.  I have always known I could up and leave any of those places at the drop of a hat with minimal consequences.

Buying my first home is a truly terrifying process... but it is very exciting... and ever since my friend spoke those words, "Isn't it terrifying?" I have been able to breath easier and admit... yes, this is terrifying... but its also very exciting... and it is okay for me to feel both terrified and really excited.

So, our big exciting news is that, Praise God, we are under contract for buying a home in Rifle, Colorado.

For us this is really big, really amazing, really scary, but fantastic news.

I will keep you posted on how things go.  Thank you for your prayers for us and specifically for God's Will during this process.

Preggers II -- Twins: 20 Week

 

How far along?  20 weeks

How I am feeling?  Blessed... and tired.

How big are babies?  The size of bananas... 10.5 ounces and about 6.5 inches long from head to bottom

Sleep:  Pretty well, as long as Tracey Ann sleeps well -- we've had some rough nights lately

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions:  Possibly boy/boy... possibly.

Babies Nicknames:  Babies, or Twins

 

Weight Gain/Loss:  I've finally gained a few pounds

Best moment this week:  Hubby's birthday was yesterday and it was so much fun celebrating and spoiling him.

 

Food cravings:  Butterfingers... I don't know why

Missing:  Being able to lay on my back.

 

Movements:  Yes, usually when I sit down and get my feet up at the end of the day.

Labor Signs:  No, thankfully.

 

Comparison:  I couldn't find a 20 week picture with Tracey Ann, so here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 21 weeks:

 

 

And here I am with the twins at 20 weeks:

Also, here are the twins at 20 weeks.  The ultrasound tech said it is really rare to get a picture like this of both heads and both faces during an ultrasound.

 

General Attitude: Very blessed -- we sort of have a routine now, however crazy it might be, and our little family just fills me with joy.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  Hopefully Tracey Ann sleeping better at night.

Milestones:  Hubby and I had our 20 week ultrasound and it mostly went well.  We saw a doctor we had never seen before in a different practice, simply because their schedule worked better for us to get the ultrasound, and I didn't care for the doctor.  All in all the appointment went well and made us incredibly grateful for the doctor we have in Glenwood Springs.

My Husband...

My Husband is so many things... and most of them are so perfect for me.

God put so many specific little traits in my husband that I never knew I needed in a mate, and, frankly, I was never looking for in a mate... but God knew how to perfectly design him for me and me for him.

 

Today my hubby is 35 years old... so young and so handsome and so perfectly suited for me.

He's been on earth for 35 years, but I have only been blessed to know him for a little less than five years.  But in those less than five years, he has made so many of my dreams come true.

Since the time I was a little girl, I have wanted to fall in love with a man who was like no one I had ever met.  I wanted for that man to make me his wife and to love and serve him every day in a way he had never been loved or served before.  I wanted that man to make me a mother and to watch him be the best father in the world to our children.

It blows my mind that this one man, my wonderful husband, could make so many of my dreams come true in such sort time -- that I am so lucky to be married to this amazing man.

I love you, Hubby.

Happy Birthday, Babe!  You have made so many of my dreams come true in this short time you've been in my life and been my husband.  I hope I can make half as many of your dreams come true as you have made mine.

Selfies...

The other night Hubby and Tracey Ann were having fun taking selfies after bathtime, and they have now turned out to be some of our favorite pictures.  I jumped in at the end too to be apart of the fun.

These times are so precious when we are still a little family of three for a little longer.

 

Thank You.

Forever... thank you to all the first responders.

To all the firemen, policemen, military, medical teams and more who run toward trouble when everyone else is fleeing, thank you.

1000 Words

1000 Words

 

Ready To Go...

Apparently Tracey Ann thinks she is ready to go.

I think she knows that so many children are starting school right now, and she is ready to go. 

 

I Remember

I remember what it was like to be single and dreaming of what my life would be like when I found a man who was vying for my heart.

I remember what it was like when I was in a relationship, and being courted by a good man, but something wasn't right.

I remember that fearful pit in my gut when I wasn't sure about the future of our relationship... or when I could tell that the man was not sure about the future of our relationship.

I think of that when I see television shows and movies where a couple is going through a dramatic time -- which, let's face it, occurs on tv and in movies more often than romantic, committed, lasting relationships.

When I see girls experiencing heartbreak when they are blindsided by a man's apathy or change of heart, and I remember being there no so long ago.  Drama in relationships existed in my life during the span of six- to thirteen years ago.

Ever since Hubby and I got married, it has been such a joy and comfort to feel fully committed to each other for life.  Yes, we have disagreements, yes, there are times when our marriage needs more devoted attention than others, but we are committed for life.

I remember the uncertainty of wondering if a boyfriend was going to change his mind and just walk away, and I thank the Lord every day for my husband and our marriage where no such uncertainty exists.

Preggers II -- Twins: 19 Weeks

19 Weeks:

 

How far along?  19 weeks

How I am feeling?  Well... large.  I feel like my belly gets bigger every single day.

How big are babies?  The size of mangoes... 8.5 ounces and about 6 inches long from head to bottom

Sleep:  Pretty well, but still jumping up to use the restroom throughout the night.  This week, there was one night where I wasn't well-hydrated and so I didn't wake up to use the restroom... instead I awoke with horrible leg cramps throughout the night, which is a sign of dehydration.  So, waking up to use the restroom is not so bad.

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions:  Not really anything yet

Babies Nicknames:  Babies, Twins, or Peanuts... because two peanuts come in one shell

 

Weight Gain/Loss:  I've finally gained a few pounds -- about three

Best moment this week:  It was really fun to go to the Michigan game and have a night away with Hubby.

Food cravings:  Nothing really in particularly

Missing:  The ability to lean down into Tracey Ann's crib without my belly getting in my way

 

Movements:  Yes, and Hubby can now feel them

Labor Signs:  No, thankfully.

Comparison:  Here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 19 weeks:

And here I am with the twins at 19 weeks:

And here I am in a side-by-side comparison with the same outfit:

General Attitude:  I was pretty emotional this past week... Hubby and I had a lot to do and a lot of decisions to make, and they would have been emotional for me anyways... but with a double pregnancy going on, I was incredibly emotional all week.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  Hubby and I have the 20 week ultrasound this week, and I don't know that I am really excited, but I am a little nervous to make sure we don't find out the gender.  I will be glad when that appointment is over and the genders are still surprises.

Milestones:  Hubby feeling the babies move!