A year ago...

{Mabelle and Annabelle}

The little one on the right joined our family....and is now 3 times the size of the one on the left! Not to mention 300 times the trouble!

The 500+ bulbs that Bubba and I planted on a cold and rainy Fall day made their appearance- thank the Lord!

These little bunnies were discovered nesting among some forsythia in the backyard. The way they were discovered involved Mabelle digging and pulling one out (ultimately killing it). It was a horrible day as I bundled the bunny up and drove as fast as I could to the Humane Society. They were closed so I did what any crazy, bawling woman would do- I banged on the doors like crazy, only to have them tell me it was dead.
But...because that happened we were able to save the other 6 by taking them to the Wildlife Sanctuary where they wouldn't be disturbed. There really isn't anything sweeter than pulling bunnies out, all soft and warm, only to find more hiding underneath.

This year, as Spring fever settles in we are awaiting the biggest change to our lives yet- our two babies! They have become extremely active lately, making their presence known 24/7. Bubs and I will often just sit and watch my belly go crazy and talk about how surreal it will be when they are "outside" babies.
Update: My cervix has stayed stable even with the increase in activity and both of the boys look great!

Nesting? Nesting?

{Harrison Michael}

{Oliver William}

These were from 24 weeks, ever since then they have been too crammed in there to get any great pictures. I look at these all the time- I taped them up on the wall next to the couch. I can't believe those are my babies. I can tell the have their daddies nose and not my polish shnoz- thank goodness! We talk all the time about what they will look like and I just can't believe how close we're getting to finding out!

I have now re-entered the nesting phase. The house has gotten a little out of control since I've been on bedrest and the fact that it is shedding season and track mud all through the house time has not helped the situation. I want nothing more than to take the day and deep clean this pig sty!

Alas...I am being good and picking one task to do each day and nothing to strenuous. Brian has been a huge help and has been really understanding about my OCD tendencies! Although I like to save his energy to get him to make me kettle corn- he's a kettle corn making genius! mmmmm soo good! On my next outting I'm going to get him a popcorn pot with a stirrer, because he never mentions anything he wants but made a subtle comment that he thought he could make even better kettle corn with "one of those pots that has a turner thing."

The dreams I'm having have reached an all time crazy! All from last night- found my mom's sewing machine on the side of the road but couldn't pick it up because it was more than my weight limit, got a new puppy, moved to Portland and LOVED it, had amazing sex with Bradley Cooper... and killed some more snakes (this one has become a regular).

Yup all in the life of moi...it's oh so glamorous!

The Rollercoaster

(The sunset over the Bay, a view we hope to have again)

I'm sure all pregnancies are an emotional rollercoaster. I guess I wasn't prepared for it.
Just finding out you're pregnant is life changing...for us we were shocked and so excited that it happened!
Then we went for out first appointment at 7 weeks and found out it was twins. Holy Cow!
I, of course got every book I could find at the library and started reading. Many nights were spent crying and bundled up with anxiety and fear of vanishing twin. Then of course I started spotting. One day the spotting was so bad I though for sure something had gone horribly wrong.
Then we passed the monumental 12 week mark- ah relief- until I read that the rate of miscarriage is higher in twins and doesn't really go down until after 20 weeks. At 16 weeks we were told with 80% accuracy that we had a boy and a girl! Perfect! I of course went on a shopping spree and got the cutest things!
18 weeks- it's actually 2 boys! At first I was little heartbroken, what happened to my baby girl? Then I quickly got over it and decided to move on. That was until I went to return all the little dresses, headbands, shoes and most noteably the pink bird sheets that I loved! The Target return lady was mean to me and once I got to the car I just started bawling. Over the next couple of days I started to realize all the benefits of having two boys and now I can't imagine it any other way.
Ok, so 20 weeks now- whoa! I must say week 20-23 was great! I was pretty worry free, uncomfortable but happy!
Then week 23 happened and we all know the story...
Now at 30 weeks, and another negative ffn under my belt, I'm starting to feel really good! I might get to have the natural birth I really wanted and I may not have preemies. Heck- I might even be succesful at breastfeeding- because really at this point I'm pretty damn determined! ;)

Thank you all for taking the ride with me, hopefully things will just coast from now on.

With all the great news about restrictions being lifted, I treated myself to a lovely prenatal massage. Ooohhhh it was so good! The best part was the table- it had a nice removal "donught" to cradle your belly. It felt amazing to lay that way and take all the pressure off. The masseuse also did this cool thing where she monitored the boys heartrate at the nape of my neck. She said she had never done it with twins but she got them loud an clear. She predicts I will have two very healthy boys at 36 weeks. Sounds good!

Then yesterday, in the glorious weather, I went to what will be my new workplace- Buds n Bloom. It was so nice and they had an amazing selection of gorgeous spring flowers! Then I was off to have maternity pictures done by my uber talented friend, Aubrey.
It felt so good to be enjoying my pregnancy. She made me feel so pretty and special and of course we goofed off a lot and I may or may not have flashed the lovely customers from the natural foods store... I may be prego but the sass is not gone!

Check out her blog to see the pictures....

Oh Happy Day!

29 weeks!!! (Outside with sun!!!)

Yesterday's appointment was perfect. My cervix stayed stable, 2.5 cm with pressure. Oliver weighs 3.1lbs, Harrison weighs 3.6 lbs, Harrison's kidneys are looking better and they are both head down!!! (They also have hair- which the tech and dr. said they hardly see on 29 wk babies- it must have been all the Ben and Jerry's)

After all the great news Dr. Steele decided to put me on modified bedrest. So I can now get up a couple times a day and I can also sit upright more often. This of course all gets taken away if I get a positive ffn on Monday so I will be calling for extra strong vibes that day.

Bri and I went to Sonic after the appointment to celebrate with lime-ades- oh so good. He spent most of the week-end getting the house ready and it looks amazing!

When I was outside for that picture yesterday, I wandered over to my strawberry patch and it's all coming up green and already shooting off runners. When I planted it last year, I thought about when we would have babies, there would be cloth diapers sunning on the clothesline and I would be wearing the baby in a sling while I plucked strawberries and gathered them into my apron....
The more realistic dream is more like this- there will still be cloth diapers on the clothesline, but most likely Annie and Mabes will be playing tug-a-war with some as they steal them from the basket, and now instead of wearing one baby- I will be trying to soothe two while I shove strawberries into my mouth before the birds crap on them....

I don't want to get all sappy on you guys but- I really do believe all the vibes, thoughts, prayers and extra calories you have sent my way has done these babies good!!! I can't thank you enough. Dr. Steele said a good short term goal is 32 weeks, then 35, and finally 37.

I think we finally know why we were blessed with twins too- I was reading "Conceive" magazine and it said if you laugh a lot you are more fertile. We just happen to laugh a ton! I mentioned this to Dr. Steele and she said that in medical school she learned that if you have lots of sex that helps too. Needless to say, Bri was all shades of red and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed razzing him.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Shower

My sister and friend, Michelle, along with help from my Mom threw me the most amazing shower this last week-end. It was an adorable pea in the pod theme. The weather also cooperated beautifully- sunny and in the 50's!

We had amazing food, caramel apple salad, fruit pizzas, veggies and dip, taco salad, and lots of cake! Yum!

The girls also all made onesies for Harry and Ollie, they are so cute and I'm already planning a project for when they grow out of them! In pregnancy world- I have earned myself some pretty impressive stretch marks on my hip- I no longer have any muscle strength and I'm starting to get a little run down about this whole bedrest crap!

We're now past the awesome 28 week mark and happily heading into the 30's. I now feel confident in my boys and am starting to come to the realization that after all this- I will have two babies to care for. I will actually hold these little men that have been abusing my insides for weeks.

Our house is slowly becoming "babified" there is a pack n play and bouncies in the office, a double stroller in the dining room and car seats in the living room! I also get notices daily from Amazon about shipments on their way- the next few weeks should be full of exciting baby goodies! Brian was in the office last night and as my shadow slinked by into the bathroom- he said "we're going to have the luckiest boys ever." I wasn't sure what he was referring to and when I asked, he said, "They have the coolest stuff!" I'm sensing lots of cool dad and boys toys in our future. You see most parents getting frusturated with their kids asking for toys in the store, well I think I'm going to be at an unfair advantage when the boys plus dad insist that we need a Nerf super soaker! ;)

Negative!!!

mmmhmmm that's right!
fFn came back negative!!! 2 more weeks to go for sure!

Next Monday I have another cervical check, hoping for at least 2 cm!! We also get a peek at the boys at this appointment! It will have been a month since we saw them last!

Birthday!!!

Bubba is 25 today!!!!

I can't believe it. My 18 year old boyfriend is now my 25 year old husband, father of our children!

Unfortunately, with bedrest, he won't be getting any special homemade meals or cake, but I did clip a coupon for Papa Murphy's pizza and I ordered him a blizzard ice cream cake.

Tomorrow is my shower!!! Brian's family is coming up from Kansas, Milwaukee, and Minnesota and my family and friends are coming down from Rhinelander! I am so excited to see everyone!
Our problem child, Annabelle, is heading off to doggie day care/ boarding for the week-end so I shall be stress free!

My friend, Aubrey, came to spend the day yesterday. We had such a nice time eating and watching t.v. It was unbelievable how much faster the day went by! I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful sunshine!

Normal...

Well, I guess I'm normal. This is good, although I prefer to be exceptional. ;)

The peri (Dr.Steele for locals) called this afternoon and said she was pleased with the condition of my cervix. She said to have 2 cm left with pressure applied is normal and nothing to be concerned about. Sounds good!

She also said I can and should have some maternity photos done! Woohoo! I of course asked a zillion questions about how much I'm doing, is it ok if I get up to let the dogs out? Can I go upstairs once or twice during the day, etc. She pretty much laughed at me and said I'm doing everything I can and doing it right and to quit obsessing and worrying! Do you think she's caught on that I'm a bit of a control freak/perfectionist? I mean we barely know each other! Is it that appearant? Don't answer! Oh- and I mentioned her name, because she is by far the most amazing medical professional I have ever met. She takes time with you and makes you feel like you are her only concern.

They will repeat the fFn test on Monday, and it will again be negative! ;) A week after that I will go back to Dr. Steele to have my cervix checked and to get a quick peek at the boys to see how they are measuring.

In non-baby related news: Jake (The Bachelor)- what was he thinking?!!?? I was shocked, although Tenley deserves better- a pilot will never be home! Who wants that?

Dancing with the Stars: Kate Gosselin- really Kate really?

Ellen: I love her and am going to write to her really soon to tell her she has saved my sanity during bedrest. I look forward to 3:00 everyday just for her!

Reading: Roses, my OB recommended this 700 pg monster! It took me awhile to get into it and now I'm loving it. If anyone wants to borrow it after I'm done, let me know!

I officially quit my job at Petal Pusher and will be starting my new job at Buds n Bloom after maternity leave- so excited and relieved! I can't wait to get my hands on some flowers!

I've been craving: strawberry bread, fruit salad, and corn on the cob. I'm thinking this may have to do with the sunshine and my excitement for summer!

I have gained almost 20 lbs now! It will be interesting to see how bedrest effects this. I read that after 3 weeks on bedrest you lose 25% of muscle mass and 50% of your muscle strength. So I'm pretty sure I'm going to be like flubber when I have Harry and Ollie.

I have officially been on bedrest for one month now and I could not be more grateful. My second L&D scare was by far the darkest day of my life. It was all of you and your positive thoughts, prayers, cards, meals, everything that kept me going- I am so lucky to have such a strong support system. Your words and comments are what keep me going.

My mother, the lay minister, may not like what I'm about to say but in the interest of full honesty, I must confess that I am not one that prays to God often. I pray to loved ones that I have lost, my Grandma Curly and Grandpa Wayne receive most of my prayers. I never met Grandpa Wayne but I feel like I know him and well, Grandma Curly was an angel on Earth so I assume she has some pretty special wings up in the big house! I have spent more time this last month praying, meditating, pleading, visualizing, etc. and Grandma and Grandpa and God have heard from me a lot!

How's that for a random post!??!?

Nothing too exciting...

Well I had an appointment today and it started off great.
The u/s tech measured my cervix and it was 3.6- totally awesome and then they take the measurement for 3 minutes...it changed right before our eyes and got as low as 2.0- not cool.

The peri was out of town and will be calling tomorrow to see where we go from here. So let the waiting begin.

It's been so nice having Brian home yesterday and today. We've played a lot of Wii, watched junky TV and he's kept me well fed. Now he's been getting the house ready for the shower next week-end.

It's sunny and warm (by WI standards) today! The dogs have been basking in the sunlight all day. I'm so happy it's March and I'm 27 weeks!!! It's Brian's birthday this Friday and he'll be 25!
I hope you all enjoy the weather.