Away To Me

My Boy is too funny.

First I give you the bath video. Silly boy! And now I give you video of Jake watching the video of him in the bath. Gosh I love this boy!

In a very pregnant state of being

Today I am 34 weeks 1 day along. Woohoo. I'm feeling huge. Anyone want to play "guess the fundus"? If you guess correctly ..... you will win ..... well wait,  I don't have the energy to create or give out prizes. Oh wait, maybe I could divulge a middle name of one of the babies if you correctly guess how big my fundus is measuring. Keep in mind when guessing the size that in a singleton pregnancy you are generally 1cm per week of pregnancy. So if you are at 34 weeks with a singleton you generally measure around 32-35 cm. (I was 46cm a week ago).

My mom was down for a 2 day stay. It was a very nice visit and I'm thankful we enjoyed each other's company with minimal awkwardness. 

I would love to comment on the octuplets but honestly I don't have the energy to write a thoughtful post on it. I just think the whole thing is disgusting, but I am amazed at the health of the babies and the fact that this mentally unstable idiot mother could carry them to 30 1/2 weeks.

I don't have the details in regards to our victory against the insurance company. I should however receive a letter soon that details what they will and won't cover. I will let everyone know then how this will work. I'm just very pleased we got some sort of deal made.

I still do not waddle and I keep hearing from everyone including my OB, "You don't walk like a pregnant woman". That makes me feel good. I feel very agile considering my size. I honestly feel very good, just tired. Getting up and out of a chair multiple times a day to do stuff with Jake is tough. I also have had more contractions this past week. I'm pretty sure Thursday morning's trip to the grocery store was my last trip. It wasn't comfortable and I couldn't even put the groceries away when I got home. I had to sit for awhile first. 

Last Wednesday I had an OB appointment  and an U/S and a NST (non-stress-test). I'm quite pissed by the fact that the u/s office screwed up the scheduled appointment. They had me down for Thursday, not Wednesday. (I know I booked Wed). Anyway, I had to go to another u/s room that was down stairs. I got two less competent sonographers than what I'm used to up at the MFM clinic. The u/s was very long and very uncomfortable. I'm pretty tough, but I had tears in my eyes a few times trying to make it through the 2 hours and 15 mins of being on that table. Seriously, I have a hard enough time getting fully comfy in my own bed with pillows. And the other annoying part was I didn't get to meet with the perinatologist after the u/s like I normally do and the sonographers weren't forthcoming with info like they are upstairs.

I also didn't get a report from the doc on Thursday, so I have to wait till Monday to find out all the details. What I do know is that Poncho is BIG! He's estimated at 5 pounds. Lefty is small, 3 pounds 15 oz. In the 3 weeks between appointments, Poncho gained 18 oz and Lefty gained 14 oz. I'm not too worried, but I am concerned. I am looking forward to speaking to the doc on Monday about their sizes. I think everything else looked good as far as the placentas, cord blood flow etc.

At the NST that followed the u/s both babies looked great and were doing awesome. I had very little uterine activity (contractions) and all and all was given a big thumbs up. So that was good news.

Oh also, both babies are still head down. Both are face down also. Lefty is directly above my cervix and Poncho is to my left of him lower than that. How, I'm not quite sure, but trust me in order to get the measurement on Poncho's head, they basically wanted to pry my leg off like you would do a Thanksgiving Turkey drum stick. I swear the u/s wand was in my groin! And the scary part is, his feet are up by my sternum. Like right where my bra runs in front. 

So that's the latest and greatest.

I hope to post a tad more now that I'm cutting back on activities and my mom's visit is over. 

Victory is Mine!

Insurance company buckled! They are going to cover our midwife and our home birth. Bastards won't cover any post birth stuff. But hey, it's a step, right? Doing the very pregnant happy dance now. 

Baby Shower Show and Tell

I had my Skype baby shower yesterday. What an amazing time. Seriously, it was a blast. My friends were so very generous and thoughtful. I can't express enough how much it meant to me. Truly this was one of the nicest and most thoughtful gifts I've ever received. Hubby and Jake were included in special ways and that made me cry. I just really wish I could adequately explain how much it all meant. 

I have to do a show and tell so you can see how wonderful these ladies are and what great taste they have!

Baby boy burp cloths from Amy!

Daddy's Team matching outfits from Amy!

Ear thermometer from Amy!

Tons of Onesies from Camille. Who is still worried I won't have enough! LOL Seriously, even after she learned of my stash of newborn onesies she got us 25 more! Plus 4 of the gowns! So sweet!

Giggle Toys from Kathy. Really, I have neglected to buy the twins any toys of any sort. I just have focused on the need-to-have stuff and lost site of some of the fun stuff for them and for us! 

Kathy also got Jake an adorable gardening set. It is so cute and he loves it. He puts all of his tools in it. And the snnnnnnake book is a hit too. Jake loves to draw out the word sssssnnnnnnaaaake!

Here he is modeling the gloves/apron of the gardening ensemble! 

Kathy also bought these swaddler blankets. These are going to be great for hubby who was okay with swaddling Jake; but these will surely make it easier for him!

Kathy also found these awesome sleepers with zippers instead of snaps! Do you have any idea how hard it is to find zippered things that are cute! Awesome job Kathy!!! (and awesome job to her kids too who helped her do the shopping).

This is the cutest layette set I've seen! It's a rain forest theme! Leah got matching sets for the boys. I think monkeys may be appropriate for my two little guys! Leah is a new mommy to a gorgeous little boy! 

And this thermometer is from my darling friend Renee! Her note that accompanied the gift is priceless. She basically said she hoped I never had to use the thermometer! I cracked up when reading that. Renee's boys have certainly had their share of ear infections and colds so she appreciates a good thermometer. Thank you Renee!!!

We had such a good time online yesterday. I tried to open the gifts, then describe them as quickly as possible. After all the gifts were opened I rushed to take photos so I could show everyone what I had probably inadequately described. It really was a blast.

Thanks again ladies. You have made this pregnancy so special. 

Quote O' the day

From my dad upon seeing me for the first time since Christmas eve. 

"Wow, you look like a uterus with hands and feet".

Friends

When I ask Jake if he is excited to go to school the next day he says, "yes, friends". His vocabulary is limited and he isn't overly excited to chat my head off about his school activities, but when he sees other kids he says, "Friends". He can't remember or can't pronounce or a little of both of these things, the names of his class mates. So when we enter the class room and the other kids say, "Hi Jake" he replies back with a big smile, "Hi friend/s" Frankly I think it is beyond adorable! 

I got to thinking about my friends today. My real life friends are so diverse. I must say I don't have any friends my age or in my life circumstances. I know I've put myself in this position by the lifestyle I've led. But sometimes it is hard. All of my closest real life friends are considerably older than I am. Like in their late 40's through early 70's. They are grandma's or mother's to children in college or in once case, in high school.  Basically all of the ladies I call my friends live in a different era of their lives. But, I know that if I need anyone of these ladies, I could count on them. That is the true measure of a friend, not their age or their activities or life circumstances, but whether or not you can count on them when you need them.

My other friends are a handful of ladies I've met on line (mostly through my adoption support forum - but one from blogging and our IVF journeys). I am amazed, truly amazed on a daily basis on how close I am to these wonderful friends. None of whom I've met in person and only a few of which I've spoken with on the phone. These friends and I have much more of our daily life circumstances in common than I have with my in person friends. In most ways I feel closer to these ladies because we share our daily lives so much more often than I do with my friends who really don't care about Jake's potty issues or other mundane things that they had to deal with 20+ years ago.

Last Thursday I called one of my local girlfriends to check in with her and see how Jake's goat is doing at her place . The first thing she said to me is, "When I can I throw you a baby shower". I answered pretty honestly, that it was a lovely of her to offer but at this point it is too late as we have purchased everything we need and that I could have babies before she could get invitations out. I admit, I was very pleased that the offer was made. I know most people don't have shower's for their second children, but we never got a shower with Jake, just a "meet the baby party".  Part of me felt a little slighted. (insert big blushing emoticon here) that none of my other girlfriends or my SIL or MIL mentioned it (prior to our Christmas blow out). But given my circumstances and our remote location it wasn't a complete surprise. My father is the only family member to offer to purchase anything for the babies. No one else from my family or Alex's family has offered. I realize a lot of that stems from the fact that we are very independent and haven't asked and that Alex is employed and things are financially okay. We have informed my dad that we will think of something he can do or buy for the babies when the time comes. 

With all that being said, I was beyond shocked when I found out last week that my friends from out of town (I hate to call them on-line friends because that seems to minimize how important they are to me) are going to throw me a baby shower! Seriously, it was  probably one of the most unexpected and special announcements I've ever heard. I have received a few packages both last week and today from these ladies. I have strict orders to not open the packages, so there they sit, waiting to be opened and reminding me how very lucky I am. Once all the packages arrive we will all plan a time to be on-line and I can open them and we can chat on Skype. How special is that! Frankly I think this is more special than a real life baby shower. The special relationship I have with these ladies is priceless. They will never know how much their friendship and support has meant to me throughout my adoption journey and now my pregnancy journey. There advice is invaluable, their support undying, their encouragement inspiring. Truly there is no way I could thank them enough for their friendship. 

If I hit the lottery or came into a sizable amount of money I can guarantee you that I would be funding a get together for all of us to meet and spend a few days with each other and our children. I feel like I know each one of these ladies and their children or husbands or both so very well. 

I really have so much to be thankful for. My friends are right at the top of the last. 

The little things in life! Happiness moment.

Today I had a happy moment.... a happy day actually. I'll recap the whole day in another post, right now I'm too tired. But I had to share a happiness moment.

I had to pee very badly and I was nowhere near a bathroom. I was out in the middle of a National Forest area. (no seriously - today at 33 weeks 2 days pregnant). So I found a place to pee away from the other people who were with me. 

Here's the happiness part: The place I found to pee, had a fallen tree with a limb sticking out that was waist height when squatting. It was instant leverage to get heft myself up from the squat! Happiness!

33 Weeks preggo and Jake update!

Things are well, boring but well. I really wish I had more to offer this blog. But right now my days are either doc appointments our hanging out. Not too much to read about I'm sure. 

I'm 33 weeks along today. Realistically that means I've got 3-5 weeks until the "big day". I visited my chiro today. He really helped me. I was surprised at how much better I felt after leaving his office today. He explained the SI joint pain I was having today and what I can do to help myself fix it. It made a lot of sense and I feel better about it. I know there is only so much comfort a chiro can provide this late in pregnancy but I still am surprised at how much better I feel after I visit him.

The only other thing of interest or should I say importance has been Jake's behavior. It has deviated from the norm and gave me a bit of concern and worry. It seems his poor attitude was short lived, three days of making me worry about him, it has seemed to resolve it's self. I spoke at length with his teacher today and even she said he was much improved today. He was only Mr. Tude on  Wednesday. To be honest, I think him being the new kid at school has worn off and reality has sunk in. His first weeks there the little girls coddled him and picked up his projects for him or helped him pick up. Then the little boys showed off for him because Jake would laugh at their antics. Talk about feeding fuel to the fire. Now that dynamic has worn off and he's been having to pick up after himself, by himself. And the little boys don't find as much joy in showing off for him. Reality my dear boy, reality can bite.

I'm still not sure if he has any idea that I'm going to have two new babies in his home. That he is going to be a big brother. I think he'd delight in a new puppy or a couple of lambs. I can only hope we have half that reaction to two siblings. I constantly sent mommy guilt aside when I feel bad for him. It's hard not to hurt for him and the changes he is going to go through. But he will not be the first child in the world to get younger siblings. He just gets two at once. And I have to remind myself that the adoption aspect of this won't play a part in till later. The adjustments he is going to go through, he would be going through if we adopted twins or if he was a bio child and he had twin siblings born. So, I can relieve myself of that guilt right now and remind myself that Jake is going to experience a part of life that every older sibling experiences. 

I must brag on my boy though. I really can't believe how smart and observant he is. He always spotted Ford logos and would say, "Mommy's truck". Well last weekend we were watching football and they were showing sponsors (advertisers). They weren't showing products, just logos. The GMC logo came up on the screen and Jake said, "That's mommy's truck". I mean, I hadn't had the car but 2 weeks and he already realized that we now have a GMC. It's not like we discussed this with him! We were truly amazed by how smart and observant he is.

Also, on Monday I had my last photo shoot for awhile. I took Jake with me as he didn't have school due to MLKjr Day. We went to lunch with the client. The restaurant had lots of license plates and tin signs up and down the walls. (it was a roadhouse type place - peanuts on the table, etc). As we were walking down the hall from the back patio area, Jake spotted at TEXACO sign. He stopped and said, "T.E.X.A.C.O". I said, "Very good"! The client who truly is more like a friend than a client said, "WOW!!!!" So did the waitress who asked me how old he is. I was such a proud mama. I love that my boy loves letters and that we read books to him and that we play with flash cards as one of his favorite one-on-one games. 

This is why I want more children. To experience these types of moments again and again. I can't wait to hear Jake encourage his younger siblings to read letters, or pee on the potty or put their dishes in the sink. He's going to be an awesome big brother. 

Lots of appointments!

I went from "great", to "a bit uncomfortable", to "very pregnant" feeling in about 3 days time. Amazing how quickly the body changes. Tuesday I had an appointment with my midwife, her 2 assistants and 2 students. Despite the number of people there, it doesn't bother me a bit and I enjoy these ladies very much. I leave there feeling happy, feeling my questions and concerns have been answered and generally feeling like I'm doing great. The midwifes measure me, take my BP and pulse, listen to the babies heartbeats and also palpate my tummy to see the position of the babies.

I also had an OB appointment and a NST appointment yesterday. I leave the OB feeling like it is a waste of time being there. It seriously takes all of 5 mins. I get weighed, pee in a cup, she takes my BP (110/70), measures my tummy ( 45cm) and listens to the boys heartbeats (Lefty 130's - Poncho was moving he was in the 140's), asks if I have any questions, asks if I've had any contractions and makes sure I'm schedule for my next u/s and my next NST. She's very nice, and I know if I did have any real concerns should would be more than accommodating to answer my questions, but the entire feeling of the appointment is different than going to the midwife.

The babies are doing great. Poncho seems to be very big. His side of my belly is bigger and he is making things uncomfortable. At the NST both babies have excellent heartbeats and their accelerations are good. Their movement is excellent, kicking away at the monitors and such. Both babies are still head down (they do a quick u/s to find heartbeats for the monitors). 

So no real complaints from me about the level of care I'm receiving from the docs. I must say, some of it is over kill though. Next week I'm supposed to go in at 8:15 to my reg OB, then at 8:30 I have to be across the street to the hospital for the NST (which I won't make in time, but they said I could be late). Then as soon as that is done I have to go down the hall for the ultra sound. It's a big ultra sound where they will measure the babies again. Hopefully Lefty is growing well and not dropping below the 10th percentile. 

The following week my midwife comes to our home for a visit. They can assess our house and where we should set things up for when the birth happens. They make sure I have all the things I need to have for the birth (some of which I still need to order) and generally go over the game plan. I'm very excited about this appointment. I must say, every day I feel more and more excited about birth and and confident in our decision to stay at home. (assuming all continues to go well with the babies).

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my chiropractor again. Never thought I'd be one to brag on a chiropractor, but this guy certainly has made things easier for me. I'm going to see if I can get in to see him today as I have to be in that same town for my hair cut today and since I'm hurting a bit it would be nice to get in early.

Thank goodness next week has fewer appointments! 

Need some help from my clever blog readers

Okay, I'm thinking about doing one of those custom vinyl wall lettering things for the nursery. I've found a few quotes that I like:

"Because I have a brother I always have a friend"

"Twinkle, Twinkle little star, you'll never know how loved you are"

"Four little arms to hold tight, for little cheeks to kiss goodnight"

"Always Kiss Us Goodnight" 

So those are the ones I have now. Any suggestions from you guys? My favorite is the first one, "Because I have a brother, I always have a friend" and I like the way it looks in this example. (scroll down till you see it).