There's No Place Like Home

Clearly the top photo was taken with an actual camera and the lower one with my phone. Last night our kids went to Trunk or Treat at church.  They were Minnie Mouse and Dorothy.  Tonight, we'll be going trick or treating at my parents' house and they will be a lady bug and a pirate.  More pictures to come.

The Unexpected

Funny when you realize your life is less normal and more unnormal (I know that's not a word, but it fits in my sentence).  You know, like most days we're dealing with the unexpected...unplanned for...spontaneous things in life.  Little things like pink eye, a run to Walgreens for the prescription, etc.  You know, nothing that should be normal, yet oh so normal with kids.  I think instead of waking up with a plan, I'll try something new.  Like, wake up with no plan, no agenda and then we'll see what happens.  That'll probably last a day, but eh, why not try it?  No one will be disappointed or surprised right?

27 Weeks

Baby Boys:  27 Weeks - measuring 34 weeks

And just for fun...here's comparative pictures of my pregnancies with the other two.

Annelise: 34 weeks

Elliora: 34 weeks

This week's milestone: Reaching the third trimester!

I feel accomplished.  Months ago I thought once I reached this point, I would be on bedrest, huge and in a lot of pain.  Instead, I'm still working, able to do most things around the house (minus cleaning the tub and picking up heavy objects) and feeling great.

I passed my glucose test, which was a shocker.  I've only gained 10.3 pounds and my blood pressure is perfect.  The only complaint I have is the strain on my back.  There are some days that I feel like my back muscles are shredding.  I guess that's expected when you're carrying twins.

The boys are very healthy.  Both measure about 2 pounds and 14 inches (that's 28 inches of baby inside me!).  Baby B flipped a few weeks ago, so they are both head down.  Too bad I'm not having a natural birth - they'd be all set to go. 

We see lots of movement outside the belly...and my girls love it.  Baby B is much more active.  I'd say he's the instigator and Baby A responds to his jabs.  Sometimes I feel like a leg is going to come straight out of my belly.  I'm thankful for that - its much better than getting stabbed in the ribs, which I remember being painful.

Honestly, I'm loving being pregnant with twins.  Its amazing to think that there's not one, but two little bodies growing inside of me.  We're often overwhelmed at the thought of having to change 20-30 diapers a day once they arrive, but we focus on the joy of having two sweet little brothers for our girls to love.

So, the hope is that we make it eleven more weeks.  I'm scheduled for a c-section on December 28.  I think that's the perfect, snuggly time to welcome two little babies into our home.

P.S. Send diapers!

Pumpkin Obsession

I'm really obsessed with pumpkin this time of year.  And I think pregnancy (and all of its cravings) is only making it worse.

Pumpkin muffins
Pumpkin lattes
Pumpkin dump cake
Pumpkin pie

Did you know that our local ice cream shop makes pumpkin pie flurries?  I haven't had one yet, but that craving is sitting in the back of my mind (where all the other ones stayed for a mere hours before they were acted upon).

So I'm wondering, what are your favorite pumpkin recipes?  Obviously all of mine involve the dessert portion of a meal...but I'm open to appetizers, entrees and more! 

There has to be some nutritional value to pumpkin, right?

Elli is Two

Happy Birthday to our sweet, little Elli!

Two years ago, at this moment, I was laying in an operating room, anxiously awaiting the arrival of my second daughter.  She entered our world shortly after 8 and has kept us on our toes ever since.

Now she is a spunky little two year old.  Where did the last two years go?

Things I'd like to remember about Elli at this age:

• She is extremely generous.  Her birthday card from great-grandma contained 2 one dollar bills.  She immediately handed one to Annelise.  I love that she want to share and I hope the instinct stays with her forever.
• She is spunky.  She walks (runs) with confidence.  
• No one is a stranger to her.  She says hi and waves to anyone and everyone.  I love that friendliness comes so easy to her.
• Taking a "sassy" (pacifier) doesn't stop her from talking up a storm.  She is saying full sentences and most of them relate to tattling or bossing big sister around.
• She loves to look around a room and name all of the people she sees.  Its like a quiz she gives herself.  Of course, everyone gets a hug as she names them off.
• When she accomplishes a task, like putting a set of blocks together or fitting two puzzle pieces in place, she screams "I did it!" and immediately sticks her hand up and size "Five?"  I always laugh - and I always give her high five.  Where did she get that from?
• My dad calls her the terrorist of the family.  And its true.  She's sweet and spicy all wrapped up into one.  She antagonizes her siblings and cousins...but is the first to jump in the middle of a fight and break it up.
• Growing has never been a challenge for her.  She's wearing size 2t clothes very easily and I just had to go buy her a new pair of size 6 shoes, because all of her other ones were "No fit."  Pretty soon, she and sissy will be sharing clothes, which will be quite convenient for mommy.
• When she sits on Matt's lap at the end of the day, she loves to stroke his face in her hands.  I'm sure he's in a world full of daddy dreams at that moment and I never interrupt.  Its special.
• "Giki" (blanket) is her right hand man.  We go nowhere without it - and it was do we suffer grave consequences.  If you're in her club, she'll share the tag with you.  And if she really likes you, she'll rub the tag on your face.  Weird, but endearing all at the same time.

I could go on and on about Elli.  Her personality and sweet spirit are such a beautiful mix.  I love that she is so sweet and tangy all at the same time.  She keeps us on our toes and we love everyday that she is part of our family.

We love you Elli Grace...Happy Birthday!