Dr. Pence and Too Many Beds

Joanna brought home a mask and a pair of gloves from my dentist appointment last week, and they have been THE BEST TOYS EVER since then.  :)

Though the gloves are not currently still surviving.  :)  Matt brings some home from time to time accidently in his scrub pockets though.  So it’s all good.

The other night I went to check on the kiddos before bed and found them all in Joanna’s bed.  You can see the girls snuggled up on the left and James’ wee hand down on the right.

I have since moved the other two beds out of the house because clearly they don’t need them.

Obviously I’m kidding.  :)

But it is nice that they have room to snuggle when they need to.  :)

Alright… a couple of things that don’t have pictures to go along.

Joanna has predicted October 11th as the birthday for the brothers.  She knew James’ birthday, so I have to take her prediction with some seriousness.  :)  Natalie thinks the boys will come on James’ birthday, which is October 18th.  Does anybody else have any predictions as far as birthday and birth weights for the boys?  It could be a fun game!  There could be prizes!

On a less lovely note, we got news last week that Matt will be losing his job at the end of the month (through no fault of his own!).  He works for a company that is contracted by the facility that he works at.  That facility (or rather their powers that be) have chosen another company to staff their therapy department due to that other company under bidding Matt’s company.  (I’m sure there’s a smoother way to explain that.)  We really covet your prayers over this situation.  Obviously losing a job is never a great thing, but the timing of this job loss is what is causing us so much worry and stress.  We know that God will provide, but the waiting and the doing in the mean time is hard.

Playing in the Rain

Tuesday morning Joanna and I sent the little ones off to school with Lisa, and we packed up our homeschooling stuff.  Our house was being cleaned (!!!) so we headed to my Grandma’s to work.  Even though we essentially dropped in on Grandma and Aunt Gail, they still fed us lunch.  :)  We’re such lucky girls.

It started to rain just as we were leaving, and when we got home there was quite a healthy downpour.  Wahoo!  I told Joanna to go get her rain gear on and let me take pictures of her playing in the puddles.

She was SO EXCITED!  (And I was excited to just have one dripping, muddy kiddo to mess with after the fun.)  :)

I played around with different edits on some of these pictures, so you kind of have to look at them individually, instead of as a group to appreciate them.  They don’t really mesh.

Trying to stomp in the shallows:

Come pose for your mother:

And then running out to the street where the real puddles are!

I think this one may be my favorite.  I like how it shows her motion of jumping and running around in the puddles.

Stopping to look at her reflection:

I wanted to slow my shutter speed down a bit to show the motion of the water as she splashed.  It made her blurry too though.

The response I got when I asked her how excited she was to play in the rain and puddles:

And she’s big enough that she wiped off her feet and hopped in a warm shower to rinse off the mud with almost no help from me.  Whew!

I kind of dream about having a bathroom with a door to the outside.  Just open the bathroom up and let the muddy, dirty, sweaty kids in to shower.  Clean only one room instead of also the trail there.  :)

Maternity Photo Shoot

A couple of weeks ago, a friend on Facebook let me know that a local photographer was looking for pregnant “models” to try out some new techniques.  I signed up and headed to Spring last Thursday to have some maternity pictures made!

One photo is posted on Facebook in a gallery here.  If you click over and leave a comment on my image, I can “earn” a free 8x10 or accordion book of the session.  And that would be lovely!  Don’t forget to “like” Kara Powell Photography while you’re there; she does beautiful work (and has lots of gorgeous newborn twin shots in her galleries)!

She sent over my gallery today with the rest of my images to peruse through.  I get 2 digital images as a thank you for “modeling” and an option to purchase more.  I need help picking!!

You should be able to click here and then enter Pence as the password to access the gallery.  (Make sure to capitalize the P in Pence.)  Each photo is numbered 1-17 – let me know your favorites!  It’s hard to pick favorites of myself.  :) 

It was very fun and it’s nice to have some “glam” shots of myself carrying those boys.  :)

34 Weeks

34 weeks

How Your Baby’s Growing (from Babycenter.com):

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (about the size of a cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

How far along: 34 weeks
Pregnancy symptoms: heartburn; carpal tunnel syndrome; trouble sleeping; lower back pain, making it difficult to walk; mega stretch marks; tiredness; hip, pelvic, pubic pain; anemia; swollen everything – feet, legs, hands, belly  :); constant need to pee; stretch marks
Food Cravings: these may not all be current, but they happened some time this past week: pork chops, Pringles, pie, potato soup (it is a total fluke that those all start with P)
Food Aversions: Some sweet things
Sleep: Sleep is pretty rough.  My everything hurts at night, and there’s no comfortable position.  Even so, I can sometimes get everything positioned just right and get a few hours of sound sleep in a row.
Measurement: 229lbs
Movement: Even with how tight it is in there, I still feel them both move regularly.
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks contractions, some of which are doozies.
What I miss: A lot, frankly!  I miss being able to walk across a very small room without my back hurting.  I miss not having to go to the bathroom constantly.  I miss my hands not falling asleep and being in pain all the time.  I miss having more things to wear.  I miss being able to do simple chores.  {I’m whiney!)
What I’m looking forward to: cooler weather, meeting the babes (I’m ready when they are!), getting the nursery put together (hopefully before they come?)
Milestone: I have a few!  34 weeks feels milestone-y as far as growth and viability.  We finished our Bradley birth class tonight.  And (I’m technically finishing this on Tuesday) I made it to October!  This is in all likelihood the birth month of the boys!
Thoughts from the children: Joanna asks so many thoughtful questions, but of course I’m not thinking of any right now.  :)
Doctor’s visit: I had another non stress test, which was rather uneventful.  Yay!  I had some blood work last week that showed I’m still anemic, even taking an iron supplement.  So I’m taking the supplement twice a day now.  Or twice when I remember the evening one.  I don’t have a routine set up for that one, so I keep forgetting.  I set an alarm on my iPod; hopefully that will work.
Other thoughts: I actually feel better this week than the beginning of last week.  My mother says I must have gotten stronger.  :)  My everything still hurts, but it’s not that unbearable pain from last week.
Baby-related projects:

• I’m putting this on the list kind of after the fact: Work on potty training James.  Hallelujah that boy is doing so so well!
• Clean up/organize the girls’ room to make space for eventual James.
• Go to IKEA.  Look at and possibly purchase the Kura low loft bed and shallow mattress for the girls.  **I’ve been putting this off since it is logistically hard, but we are ready to get this done!
• Move the majority of the toys into the main living area to make space for sleeping and clothes in the bedrooms. I still need to sort through and organize the books, which are in a giant pile on the floor.
• Do some research on the best sleeping arrangements for newborn twins.  *I’m currently planning to use a standard sized pack and play with the newborn “shelf” in it for our bedroom when they’re bitty.  If we discover they don’t sleep well with each other, we can always switch to two pack and plays or just use the cribs.
• Figure out number of diapers that would be ideal for the babies.  **I think at this point we’ll just get a few more newborn sized diapers and then wait and see what works when they come.
• Pick out infant car seats.
• Organize James’ closet.  (This is where the not-in-use clothes live as well as a lot of baby things, and it’s a super-pit.)
• Shop for a king sized bed.  We really really really really want one.  :)  But the logistics and expense may mean this isn’t the best time.
• Tinker with a baby registry.  We don’t need much, but I have started putting some things on an Amazon registry when I think about them
• Pull the baby boy clothes from the attic and take inventory.
• Possibly get some maternity/family pictures made.  **I got some maternity pictures made last week!  There will be a separate post on that.
• Wash, dry, fold, put away the 0-3 months clothes. 
• Pull the new infant car seats out of the boxes and make sure they are what we think they are and work as they should. **Done! And I’ve started stalking Joanna’s new car seat, waiting for a great price.  **We got Joanna’s new seat last week!  “We” have yet to put it in the car and make sure it’s going to work, but it’s here!
• Preregister at the hospital.
• Work on a birth plan (mainly just for us but also to bring up any questions I want to ask my doctor about this different kind of birth coming up!)
• Hospital bag lists – one for labor/delivery/right away, another of things I’d like to have if I stay a few days.
• Work on “decorating” the nursery.  Basically this involves pulling out anything that isn’t baby boy related and putting up things that are!  **It’s really not too bad in there, it just needs some TLC.  This may simply have to wait until some far away time to get done.  :)
• Pack the hospital bags, including a list of things to add at the last minute.  This is pretty much done.  I felt the need to get that taken care of last night.  Basically, as long as I have my camera and camera bag, I’m happy to go to the hospital with nothing else.  Somebody can bring me the things I’ll want for my stay later on.  :)

Sometimes you have to scoop up all the pictures in your “To Blog” folder, and just post them, even though they are wildly not related to each other.

Natalie got herself dressed up and then this little doll dressed up, and at some point along the way realized they were very similar, so she had me take her picture.  :)  (Or I made her stop and pose, whatever.)

Almost two weeks ago, Joanna and I took one of our MDO days to shop at Target together!  I rode the motor scooter around the store while she walked, and it was very fun!

We even treated ourselves to a little junk food lunch.  :)

Anyway, while we were there the bedding section sucked us in, and I ended up finally buying bedding for our king sized bed!

I was eyeing clearance sets and saw this dandelion duvet cover set, but only in a queen size.  But then Super Joanna found the king – wahoo! 

I just really a whole lot love dandelions.  And I liked the neutral color as well.  The color isn’t great in the photograph, but it’s pretty close-ish.  I also picked up a white bed skirt (which Matt IRONED for me and put on all by himself) and a set of sheets.  The sheets are pretty close to the color of the blue pillows in the picture.  It feels so good to have a real set of bedding on the bed.  Now, in real life, the duvet cover (which I found an insert for on Amazon) is laying on the floor and I’m using my thinner twin quilt until it cools off a bit.  And Matt has moved out to the couch again because I keep the bedroom too cold.  Poor guy.  There are pretty sham covers that match the duvet, so at some point if I ever shop again, I’m going to pick up a couple of super cheap king sized pillows to fill them.

It makes me feel good when my bedroom is a nice place to be.

Switching gears completely… a week or so ago, Kroger had their snow crab legs on sale (and I love crab legs!)  So we splurged on a few pounds to share for dinner.

We decided to forgo plates (it was a wise choice).  I served ‘em up with smoothies so it was practically a balanced meal.  YUMMO!

One day last week (I think) Joanna and I did some school work outside since the weather wasn’t super awful.  I made us some milkshakes (milk, frozen bananas, peanut butter), and we enjoyed a little almost-fall weather.

Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate when nature is right there.  (Eh, who am I kidding?  Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate anywhere!)

I’ve been slowing down week by week, day by day, so we ended up a bit “behind” on school this past weekend.  We have finished seven weeks to public school’s four, so we’re not actually behind on anyone’s standards.  And we can go into the summer further if necessary.  Anyway, I decided to make this week our catch-up week, and it was an excellent decision!  We have a few math lessons (they are Joanna’s least favorite I think) to do plus a ton of reading (it was sort of “extra” in the curriculum) that we can do.  And I’ve skipped some language arts stuff here and there that we’ll do.  I thought about doing a make-up week before my back really went out, so I felt doubly sure it was a good decision after that!  And it’s crazy but I have some kind of appointment four out of five mornings this week – yowza!  Next week we’ll start refreshed with week eight, all caught up with everything!

The kids love to put on CDs and dance in the living room.  James is often asking for “a pretty dress” to dance in.  Today I told him to go find something he wanted to wear, and he brought this dress.  He had it on a few times today, and he was so happy.

Natalie figured out she could put one of the bouncy balls from the baby shower in her dress to be pregnant.

Of course sister followed suit.

Later Natalie gave birth to a cute little pink doll, but I didn’t take a picture.  :)

The heat index was only 90 today and the backyard was pretty shady, so I sent the kiddos out to play for awhile this afternoon.  They love playing out there and can entertain themselves forever with very little in the way of toys or what not.

All was well until James discovered an ant pile.  :(  He was perky again after Momma’s (made up on the spot) remedy of a warm bath with baking soda and then some salve on the bites.

Well, being stuck on the couch, barely able to walk does one thing for me – I think I’m caught up on blog posts!  :)

33 Weeks

33 weeks

How Your Baby’s Growing (from Babycenter.com):

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark (about the size of a pineapple). He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How far along: 33 weeks

Pregnancy symptoms: heartburn and misc. other GI stuff; carpal tunnel syndrome – mostly on the right; trouble sleeping; intense lower back pain, making it difficult to walk; mega stretch marks; tiredness; hip, pelvic, pubic pain; swollen everything

Food Cravings: snow cones, poached or fried eggs, blueberry pancakes and muffins

Food Aversions: Sometimes things smell icky, but I don’t really have trouble eating anything.

Sleep: I could be better.  I was up for a couple of wee hours this morning with everywhere pain.  I can’t sleep on my back because I cut off circulation and get woozy; I can’t sleep on my belly for obvious reasons.  I am basically switching side to side with every bathroom trip in the night (usually 2-3 hours).  Every time I wake up the hip that I’m sleeping on is in major pain and the hand connected to the arm I’m sleeping on is either tingling, asleep, or in pain.  (I know I sound very whiney, but I’m wanting to keep it real here!)

Measurement: about 51 inches around the belly

Movement: I don’t think they have a ton of room in there, but I do feel big, all over body movements as well as small bits here and there.

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks contractions, some of which are doozies.

What I miss: Being able to walk comfortably, being able to do some chores, not feeling tired all the time

What I’m looking forward to: continued cooler weather, meeting my babes (but not for several weeks!), a maternity mini-session this week (more on that after it happens).

Milestone: I kind of feel like every day is another milestone.  Everyday I can keep on going, keep on carrying these babies, is amazing for them.

Thoughts from the children: Both girls had bouncy balls shoved up their shirts today. 
They are both very observant to the weird shape and texture of my giant belly.  :)

Doctor’s visit: I had a quick visit this morning which included a Non Stress Test.  I reclined on the table with monitors for each boy and one for me strapped to my belly.  For about 15-20 minutes I just laid there and watched their heart rates on the monitor.  They were all over the place!  They mainly stayed in the 140s-150s, but Baby B’s ranged from 133 up to 170.  That seems crazy to me.  Dr. Torres didn’t think it was crazy though; she said they looked like healthy boys!

I was going to go by myself and have my mom watch the kids, but I was hurting so badly, Mom loaded the kids up, dropped me off at the door, and took the kids for a bite of breakfast.  Isn’t she amazing?

On our way out, Natalie found these acorns, and they made me think of the brothers.

Other thoughts: I had a little turning point or hit a wall or something this weekend.  I’m in pretty intense pain all the time, and I can’t seem to do anything about it.  My lower back has just hit it’s limit I guess.  Every step I take is excruciating, increasing in intensity as the day wears on.  I’m a really fun wife and mom right now.  :)  I am thankful that my mobility impairment is temporary.  And that, even though some days I think I can’t do it anymore, I CAN.  Thank you Lord for the strength, even though I don’t feel strong.

Another preggo shot for fun.  This one was taken after my baby shower on Saturday, just in case I ended up being lazy or behind on Sunday morning.

Baby-related projects:

• I’m putting this on the list kind of after the fact: Work on potty training James.  Hallelujah that boy is doing so so well!
• Clean up/organize the girls’ room to make space for eventual James.
• Go to IKEA.  Look at and possibly purchase the Kura low loft bed and shallow mattress for the girls.  **I’ve been putting this off since it is logistically hard, but we are ready to get this done!
• Move the majority of the toys into the main living area to make space for sleeping and clothes in the bedrooms. I still need to sort through and organize the books, which are in a giant pile on the floor.
• Do some research on the best sleeping arrangements for newborn twins.  *I’m currently planning to use a standard sized pack and play with the newborn “shelf” in it for our bedroom when they’re bitty.  If we discover they don’t sleep well with each other, we can always switch to two pack and plays or just use the cribs.
• Figure out number of diapers that would be ideal for the babies.  **I think at this point we’ll just get a few more newborn sized diapers and then wait and see what works when they come.
• Pick out infant car seats.
• Organize James’ closet.  (This is where the not-in-use clothes live as well as a lot of baby things, and it’s a super-pit.)
• Shop for a king sized bed.  We really really really really want one.  :)  But the logistics and expense may mean this isn’t the best time.
• Tinker with a baby registry.  We don’t need much, but I have started putting some things on an Amazon registry when I think about them
• Pull the baby boy clothes from the attic and take inventory.
• Possibly get some maternity/family pictures made.  **I get to be a “model” for a local photographer this week, and I will get a couple of digital images for my time.  Wahoo!  And we booked a family photo mini session for November, when there will be SEVEN of us!
• Wash, dry, fold, put away the 0-3 months clothes.  **A sweet friend came over and stole them to wash, so that’s done!
• Pull the new infant car seats out of the boxes and make sure they are what we think they are and work as they should. **Done! And I’ve started stalking Joanna’s new car seat, waiting for a great price.  **We got Joanna’s new seat last week!  “We” have yet to put it in the car and make sure it’s going to work, but it’s here!
• Preregister at the hospital.
• Work on a birth plan (mainly just for us but also to bring up any questions I want to ask my doctor about this different kind of birth coming up!)
• Hospital bag lists – one for labor/delivery/right away, another of things I’d like to have if I stay a few days. **Made ‘em.
• Work on “decorating” the nursery.  Basically this involves pulling out anything that isn’t baby boy related and putting up things that are!  **It’s really not too bad in there, it just needs some TLC.  This may simply have to wait until some far away time to get done.  :) 
• Pack the hospital bags, including a list of things to add at the last minute.

Anna is Seven!

Over a week ago now (yikes!), Joanna got to help her best bud Anna celebrate her birthday with a sleepover!

Hopping into the car full of friends!

I got distracted by someone/something so my lighting was way off and nasty.  I attempted to correct it a bit with PSE, which is why Joanna’s face looks a bit funny.

Their first stop was Mudpie to paint.  And actually Natalie got to go along to hang out with her buddy Emma.  So if I’m not mistaken, that meant that Lisa was at The Mudpie with eleven million little girls all by herself.  She’s amazing.  :)

They had a great time, and we’re so happy God made our Anna and that we’ve gotten to love on her for SEVEN years now!!

Joanna may not be cut out for sleepovers though, since she apparently stayed up until like 1:00 IN THE MORNING.  (More thankful than ever for our homeschooling schedule that allows her to catch up on sleep little by little in the mornings!)