Which high chair to go with...

One of the items that I have made it a point to put some research into is a high chair!  However, in all of my efforts to find the BEST one... I am officially stumped! There are so many that claim to be the BEST in one area or another!  Here are a few of my favorites: 

1. Mamas & Papas Juice High Chair (Pink)

2. Mamas & Papas Pixi High Chair (Pink / Teal)

3. OXO TOT 'Seedling' High Chair (Graphite)

4. Babyhome 'Taste' High Chair (Cloud / Graphite) 

5. Graco Slim Spaces High Chair - Manor

As you can see, my top choices are all said to be lightweight and compact/minimalist.  I think I gravitate more towards these styles because we will be needing and registering for TWO for these sweet baby girls!  I figure that if we have to have two high chairs, I would like for them to be lightweight and less bulky.

PLEASE offer any and all suggestions, opinions and reviews on the high chairs I've mentioned OR any others that I should be looking at and registering for! :)  Thank you for any and all advice!

Which bottle to choose? (Dr. Brown's Research)

Well, I think I have hinted to Mike enough times that it is time to START our registry, that we may actually start one! :)  We've decided to register at Babies "R" Us and Amazon.com, more details on that to come in a following post!  However, before officially starting a registry, I knew that I would need to research quite a few items.  One of those items being BOTTLES!  There are so many choices and I really had no idea where to start!  I had been looking online and it seemed that there were four top runners which included: 

Dr. Brown's, Medela, Phillips Avent and Munchkin Latch

Here is the summary of my findings on Dr. Brown's bottles: 

Important Notes:  These bottles are unique because as your baby is feeding, air is channeled from the nipple through the vent system and straight to the back (bottom) of the bottle, bypassing  the breastmilk/formula.  This allows air to never mix with the breastmilk or formula which also allows for minimal oxidation and vitamin preservation. This ventilation system helps to reduce feeding problems associated with colic, spit-up, burping and gas. 

- BPA Free | Preserves Vitamins C, A & E - Lipids | Vacuum-Free Feeding Like Breastfeeding | Reduces Colic, Spit-Up, Burping & Gas | Made in the USA 

Bottle Options

• Standard: (Available sizes: 2 oz. / 4 oz. / 8 oz.) These bottles have a traditionally narrow shape and the silicone nipple has a standard profile.

• Wide-Neck: (Available sizes: 4 oz. / 8 oz.) This wide-neck bottle claims to have a more ergonomic design that says it’s easier to fill and to hold.  The silicone nipple on this bottle has a wider/broader base and apparently some moms that breastfeed prefer these nipples to the others.

• Glass: (Available sizes: 4 oz. / 8 oz) This bottle looks to be the same concept of the standard bottle but in a glass bottle design and the silicone nipples are identical to the ones that come with the standard bottle.  The silicone bottle sleeves are available to purchase separately.

• Pink & Blue: (Available sizes: 4 oz. / 8 oz) These bottles and nipples are identical to the standard design, however, these allow you to cater more towards the gender of your baby with the blue and pink design.  

• Additional Bottle Products/Accessories Available: 
• Deluxe Bottle Warmer
• Deluxe Bottle Sterilizer
• Microwave Steam Sterilizer
• Microwave Steam Sterilizer Bags
• Bottle Brushes
• Drying Rack/Folding Drying Rack
• Standard Dishwasher Basket/Flexible Dishwasher Basket
• Formula Pitcher
• Formula Caddy
• Insulated Bottle Tote
• My Bands

Pink Bows OR Blue Bow-ties

On Tuesday, June 16th, Mike and I had our sonogram to hopefully find out the gender of our sweet angel babies!  The available appointment times during week 18 did not work with Mike's schedule so we opted to torture ourselves :) for a tad longer and went on Tuesday when they were officially 19 weeks.

Sooooooooooo...

Blue or Pink?
Tutus or Trucks?
Bows or Bow-ties? 
Butterfly Kisses or Muddy Hugs?
Football Practices or Dance Recitals?

Predictions:
Jess: "I think it's going to be one boy and one girl.  I mean what would I do with two little boys?  It's not two little boys... right?  I mean if it is then God has more faith in me then I have in myself but I really don't thinks it is." (as I blank stare straight ahead, deep in thought as to what I will do if these babes are two boys)

Mike: "I think it's two girls." And let me tell you, these words were almost whispered!  I am sitting next to him in the car and if I wasn't looking at him as he spoke, I would have missed it!  I am convinced that he spoke so softly, scared that if he said it out loud he God would hear his reluctancy! :) 

I had read that drinking a Coke or drinking orange juice would ensure the babies would be a bit more wiggly, because of the caffeine/sugar, so there was a better chance of getting a glance at 'the goods'. :)  I opted for the orange juice!  By the time my name was called out in the waiting room, I was a ball of nerves!  I was more so just anxious to see the sweet babes!  It felt like it had been forever since we'd seen them last!  As soon as I saw them show up on the screen/television, my heart was at ease!  Then I remembered we were there for some other big news! LOL :) After doing detailed and precise measurements of every part of their little bodies, it was go time...

***DRUM ROLL***

Sugar & Spice
and everything nice,
that's what little girls are made of.
Sunshine & rainbows and
ribbons for hair bows,
that's what little girls are made of.
Tea parties, laces and baby doll face,
that's what little girls are made of. 

All thanks and glory to God for these sweet baby girls!

Ahhhh!!!  We are having twin girls!!!  

Turning 30 Feels Good

"Dirty 30"... This label just doesn't sound appropriate when describing my 30th birthday this year since I'm sharing my day with the sweet babes in my tummy that turn 18 weeks on the same day. I've never been scared, worried or upset about my turning 30, nevertheless, I had a crazy emotional day the day before!  I blame the sweet babes in my tummy for my crazy, sad and emotional day!  Poor Mike, I think I scared him more than I meant to especially while sobbing "I'm really okay, I think it's just the hormones" while completely losing it in the shower!:) Here I am at 30 and the sweet babes at 18 weeks! Please excuse the puffy eyes, I didn't sleep well the night before:

Since Mike worked on my birthday, I was spoiled by my little sister and dad!  Breakfast, manicures, overwhelming trip to Babies 'R' Us and then lunch with dad! I closed out my eventful day with a nap and a night at home! :) The hubby took me out for a wonderful dinner the following night to Pappadeaux!  About 10 minutes after getting seated at our table we realized that we were actually seated right next to a table that had a set of twin girls, about the age of 8, and seemed perfectly sweet!  Ironic? :) 

This birthday brought up several different emotions for me and they all seemed to circle around the fact that next year I wouldn't only be a sister, daughter and a wife but also a mother.  It was wonderfully blissful to have moments to reflect on that this year.  I was spoiled with gifts to pamper myself and then some clothing that will 'grow' with me over the next few months! :) 

To close out my birthday week, my sisters, parents, hubby and I ate our hearts out a Maggiano's and then ended the night watching Jurassic World!  I had been looking forward to seeing that movie since they began promoting it last year!  It was so good! :) Almost as good at Jurassic Park... almost! :)