Bad news, good news..

Don't worry - it's not really BAD news.. But I'll start with that so as to not worry anybody. Rob and I went in for a checkup today on the babies. When they called us back, the nurse did the usual things - took my blood pressure and we listened to the heart beats. Their heartbeats were 156 and 165. As the nurse was listening and trying to get a good read on the heartbeats, you could hear swooshes mixed in. And yes -- those would be the KICKS! Even the nurse was like, "Wow! Those babies sure do move a lot!!" :) Yes, yes they do. So, when she was done with that she said the doctor would be in shortly and left. Rob and I had thought we were supposed to be get a quick ultrasound - but thought maybe it would be at the next appointment. When the doctor finally came in she said, "Sorry for the mix-up.." to which we said - "huh?" Yes, we were supposed to have had an ultrasound and the ultrasound tech had already left by the time they figured it out. So that's the bad news. (See -- it's not that bad!) The GOOD news is that she wanted to me come in sometime this week to get that ultrasound which means that since my Mom is going to be here on Thursday, she can come to the appointment with me and see her grandbabies!! So exciting!! :) The appointment is scheduled for Friday morning, so I'll be sure to post updates then. Also, two of my sisters and two of my friends are going to be throwing me a shower this weekend at the house. I'm just excited to see them as well as many of the guests who are making a special trip out to see me. Updates will be coming!

Bellaire Baby Shower

This past Saturday (2/25) my Aunt Colette and Great Aunt Jo threw me a little baby shower with a few of my Aunt Colette's sisters. All of her family is VERY talented and creative, so when she asked if I would be available for a little get together, I jumped on the chance! :) They had planned on lunch as well which is always great for pregnant people! Anyways, we started off with opening some gifts. Her sister Cecilia opened with a sweet little poem about a baby - and in my case, we changed it to babies. Here are some photos so you all can see the beautiful gifts!

 Opening my gift from Aunt Jo. This was a piece that was made by an older relative.

 Blankets that Cecilia is working on for me. I thought it was actually neat to see the before of them so I can truly appreciate what the final products are going to look like when they are finished. 

 These are two crosses and two small memory boxes that Caryn bought and personalized for me. I have been wanting to look for crosses for Madilyn and Carter, so I was really exited to get these!

Two beautiful blankets made by Canice. Obviously, the pink one is for Madilyn, and the orange and blue is for Carter. You can't tell from this picture, but the blue on Carter's has 3 little trucks on them. 

 Close up of my sweet Aunt Jo and I.

 A group shot - minus Caryn

Two of my favorite people! :) Aunt Colette and Aunt Jo 

After opening gifts, we sat down to a yummy meal - and an even yummier dessert! My favorite - a fruit tart! Thanks again to these wonderful ladies for making this shower an event to remember. Madilyn and Carter are already loved by so many, and I can't wait for them to get to use all of the wonderful things that were given to them today!

Broadway Baby Shower

This past Thursday, my wonderful 2nd grade team at Broadway threw me a baby shower. The invitations were adorable - and I loved how it opened! 

Besides getting pregnant, being apart of this team has been one of the biggest blessings in my life, and I truly feel as though I have made some friendships that will last for a lifetime! For the shower, my team decorated the library and filled it with some yummy foods and delicious punch. There was also a cake that was so beautiful I almost didn't want to cut it! But, I am glad we did because it tasted just as good as it looked! :) There was also a diaper cake that was adorable - and I don't think I'm going to take it apart for a little while longer because it is just so cute! There were several members from each team on campus in attendance, and I felt very loved from all of their generosity and especially from their kind words. Some of the gifts I received were: my diaper bag, diapers and wipes, a boppy pillow, burp cloths, two blankets, clothes, an activity mat, sheets, and gift cards. Like I said in the beginning - I really feel blessed to work on such a great team, but I also feel honored to work in a place that makes you feel special and is excited for you in your professional and personal life. So THANKS to my team for a great shower!  **As a side note -- today is Feb. 19th - which puts me 3 months away from my due date!!! Time sure does fly!** And to close, here are a few pictures!

 Edible (and adorable!) cake!

Diaper Cake (adorable, and not edible!)

My wonderful, amazing, and generous team! Love you ladies!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I do have updates -- but I am going to start off with saying this: I have the best and sweetest husband in the world! (He already knows this - but I'm sure he doesn't mind hearing it over and over again..) My morning started off with Rob giving me a copy of a cd that I have been wanting for a while. We weren't sure if it was ever going to be released, but Rob kept his eye out, and lucky for me, I got to listen to some wonderful songs on the way to work this morning. Then at work I got a dozen roses, a box of chocolates, and then a set of bath things. Once I told him I got that, he said -- just wait -- there's another one coming that is even better. (Seriously? All I needed was the cd!) The last package was a dozen cake balls that my team at work graciously helped me eat some of. :)

Anyways, after work, I met Rob at the doctor's office and we had a quick visit. They did a growth ultrasound to see how well the babies are growing, and they are both doing great! They are both close in size and weight. Currently, Carter is measuring a little longer (though not by much) but as I said, they are both close. They both come in right at about 2 lbs each. The ultrasound tech measured the size of their tummies, leg bones, and heads. She also checked my cervix (which is right where is should be - actually above the normal line, so that was good) and amniotic fluid. After the tech took those measurements, we met with our doctor. She came in with printed out copies of the measurements from the tech - and said, "You are doing a splendid job of growing these babies!" **YAY!!!!** Music to my ears. I am SO thankful they are both healthy and measuring where they are supposed to be. My next few appointments will be every two weeks, and then we will be moving to once a week. I can't believe how quickly time has gone by - and that Madilyn and Carter will be here before we know it! :)

So - to finish up my day. After the appointment, Rob went and picked up some pizza we had called in for carryout. (That's my kind of Valentine's!) He still ended up beating me home - but anyways.. Once I got inside, I saw the pizza box, and a heart shaped box next to it. It was a cookie cake that said "Happy Valentine's Day!". Good Lord. This man is completely amazing. What did I get him you might ask? Well, I always like to remind him, I have two little babies that I am carrying around and growing - so that should count for something.. But, in all seriousness, his gift is on the way - somewhere in the land of USPS. Lucky for me, I have a hubby who loves me, and won't mind a gift that is a little late! ;)

I'll be writing again soon because I am having a baby shower at school on Thursday. (Have I mentioned ever that I have THE BEST team EVER??) Hopefully there will be lots of pictures to share with you all! Hope your Valentine's Day was as happy as mine! <3

Double digits!

We are officially in the double digits left in the pregnancy. Today, we are 26 weeks and 98 days remaining. To me, that is INSANE! :) Some days it feels like time has flown by, and other days it feels like I've been pregnant forever. But I know Madilyn and Carter will be here before we know it and our lives will be forever changed - and in the best way possible. I am so excited to be a mother, and I can't wait to see what a great father my husband is going to be. He is already such an amazing person, and I think being a dad will just be the icing on the cake! Speaking of.. here's a little story before I go..

A few nights ago, we didn't feel like cooking, so we went out for BBQ. I ordered my usual brisket sandwich, and as we were done paying, the guy behind the counter said to help ourselves to the pickles, onions, and whatnot until our food was ready. So, I got a small plate of pickles and onions for Rob and then we sat down. When we sat down, I took a pickle or two to eat while we waited, and Rob's face lit up. He said, "THIS is the moment I have been waiting for the whole pregnancy." Yes, he loves pickles and wants me to love them too so that he can eat them all the time without me looking at him thinking 'man those pickles smell!' And he thought this dream of his would come true when we found out I was pregnant - but so far no real pickle cravings! But, anyways, I made his night, and I know he is hoping this pickle trend continues. (We do have about 3 or 4 jars of pickles in the fridge - just waiting to be devoured.. But, I am thinking Rob's going to have to help out with those too!!)

I'll be posting an update next week - we have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday (Valentine's Day) and we'll get to see the babies! Pretty nice gift, if I do say so myself! :)

Results!

I got a phone call from my doctor's office on Wednesday and they left me a message telling me they had some test results. Not exactly what you want to hear on a message -- especially when your doctor tells you they will send you your test results in the mail unless something is wrong. Anyways, I called back and they said the test results came back normal! Yay! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers - because I wasn't sure how the test results would be. They do want me to get more iron - but that is something that can be easily remedied. Anyways, that's the news for now! Until next time...