Playing Catch Up...

I'm sad and embarrassed at the fact that it was been several weeks since my last post! The next few blog posts will be me playing catch up!  Everything has been moving at a whirlwind speed and we've just been trying to keep up with it all!  So here is some "bump love" and let's get started on our "Catch Up Blog Series" :) 

Texas Proud... OU Who?! :)

(Red River Shootout 2015)

Thank God for Little Girls

These sweet little girls have been doing a number on this momma!  Since school has started my aches, pains and soreness now include my stomach, hips, pelvis and back!  I am obnoxiously stubborn so I bend far too much and do not sit or stay still for as long as I probably should during a typical school day, however teaching my prekindergarten little ones really does not allow for that! :)  I usually do not feel the discomfort or soreness until later that afternoon or evening and then I'm quickly reminded about how busy my day was.  Other than the aches and pains, I am feeling wonderful!  Thanks to God for that!  My emotions have definitely been heightened... Mike would attest to that! :)  I always seem to have 100 things running through my head at any given moment and I am well aware that the days and weeks just continue to move a lightening speed!  

Mike and I have been working and adding final touches to the nursery almost daily, however, we are almost ready to reveal the final product! :)  I will next post about the wonderfully perfect baby shower that was thrown for us and then how my mom and sisters are saints for the amount of time, work and effort that they put into a full days work in the nursery just a week later! I cannot wait to reveal everything!! 

27 Weeks

Sweet Angel Babies are 27 Weeks (Tuesday, August 11th)

Size of Babies: Bunch of bananas | Each baby is about 15 in. and about 2.2 lbs :)  

Total Weight Gain: 9-10 lbs

Stretch Marks: NONE... thank you Jesus!  I've been lathering lotions on this belly of mine several times a day; especially out of the shower and before bed! :)  I'm currently using the following: 

(Avon: Skin So Soft | Mustela | Bio-Oil)

Belly Button... Out or In: Out or, depending on the day, flat!  I seem to have a hernia developing right behind my belly button so although I feel no pain or discomfort from it thus far, it can make my belly button very sensitive to the touch every now and then. 

Maternity Clothing: Yes!  Although the only maternity bottoms I've worn are leggings and a couple of pairs of shorts, I'm loving maternity tanks and shirts!  Belly bands are officially part of my wardrobe on days when my belly button is sensitive.  

Sleep: No!  For example, it is currently 2:55am and I have my first day back at work tomorrow from summer break!  Ugh.  Every now and then I will get a great nights' rest, however, more nights than not I am bright eyed and bushy tailed in the wee hours of the morning!  

Best Moments This Past Week: My loving husband surprising me with a last minute, overnight trip to Port Aransas!  We absolutely LOVE the beach!  Just something about sitting on the beach, toes in the sand, sun on your shoulders and only the sound of seagulls and waves to be heard! More pictures and details to come in a later post! :) 

Movement: YES!!!  It's amazing and beautiful!  It's amazing to feel very distinct movement in two separate parts of my body.  It's usually in my ribs and in my lower abdomen.  They are getting bigger and stronger so Mike is able to feel them even more!  These little girls seem to be shy with anyone else though! Haha!  I hope that soon my sisters and parents will be able to feel their kicks and wiggling :) 

Cravings: Ice cold water and fruit!  Although I've always loved fruit and considering the temperatures being around 100-104 every day, I would be surprised if I wasn't craving water!

What I miss: Being able to go from sitting or squatting to standing without causing a contraction or discomfort in my stomach.  I also miss being able to spend a weekend running around like crazy with Mike and not needing an entire day afterwards to recoup and regain a bit of energy! Ugh.  

Medical Updates on Babies: These sweet angel babies are beautifully and wonderfully healthy!  They are on track with the size and weight of one baby in utero at this stage of pregnancy!  I am so proud of them and so thankful to God for allowing my body to grow these healthy babies!  I continue to get contractions every now and then but they're not combined with any other worrying symptoms so I challenge myself to not stress or worry about them.  Since I have been officially diagnosed with an "irritable uterus", I suppose I will continue to get these contractions off and on.  Mike and I just continue to pray that our sweet girls continue to safely grow safely inside me for many weeks to come!

Getting these sweet little girls checked on!  They are already very drama filled! :) 

(July 22nd) 

How is Daddy?:

The hubs was so sweet, caring and calm until after we received the great news that we weren't in pre-term labor because of these contractions!  After we were discharged, I changed and readied to leave while Mike collapsed onto the bed, in very dramatic form, covering himself with the sheet and saying, "this is what you and the girls are already doing to me"! Haha! :)

Other than that... daddy is great! :)  We both are getting so excited!  He has been helping out with everything and anything which is amazing.  He's so patient with me and my absentmindedness and/or hormones! Haha! :) 

Beaching the Day Away

Seagulls
Sunshine
Smiles

Sweethearts

Please take me back to the beach!  Mike and I went on a short beach getaway a few weeks ago and I am determined to get back there ONE MORE TIME before these sweet angel babies get here! :) I've always loved trips the coast but this one was extra special... we were beaching it for four! :)  Mike and I were so relaxed and stress free! The water was warm, the weather was great and the company was the best! Here are a few snapshots from our first "Family Getaway"! 

Hurray for tan pregnant bellies! 

Our angel babies loved the warmth of the sun (through my big belly, of course) and their mommy and  daddy being able to chill out and relax! :) 

My love, my life... my baby daddy! :) Heehee!

The Crazy Cajun!!!  

I could eat here morning, noon and night while in Port A!  Mike and I are a match made in heaven... He gives me ALL of the shrimp and the crab legs are ALL his! :) 

Garage Sale Treasures

Garage sales in Texas... during the month of July... while pregnant seem to lack all appeal!  However, I was feeling extremely optimistic a couple of weekends ago and Mike was, obviously, filling very patient because we ventured out for a few hours to two separate neighborhood garage sales.  Neighborhood garage sales are the way to go if you are looking to go garage sales on any given weekend!  We loaded up on snacks (apple slices and carrots for me | granola bar and peanut M&M's for Mike) and tons of water and headed out!  

Neighborhood garage sale #1... Complete Bust!  It was a HUGE neighborhood that had signs all throughout promoting the grand participation they were going to have and even arrows leading us through the neighbor that eventually led to nowhere!  We ended up seeing nice houses and land for sale that interested us more than weaving our way even further through the neighborhood so we left there and headed to neighborhood garage sale #2.

Neighborhood garage sale #2... Complete Hit!  This neighborhood setup was exactly what one would expect from an entire neighborhood.  At least every other house or two participated and every house had a wide range of children's items or large furniture items.  I really didn't have anything particularly in mind to buy but thought that if I could take a look at baby clothes and found anything in great shape than that would be fantastic.  I have said since the beginning of our pregnancy that I was NOT going to purchase any new clothing until after our baby shower so then I could see what/if I needed anything.  That being said, I am very aware that I will need an excessive amount of clothing since they'll go through clothes/changings like crazy throughout any given day.  For this reason I wanted to start stocking up on our basic onesie collection.  I am particularly picky about wanting clothing without stains or ones that don't look too worn.. as I'm sure that our sweet angel babies will work their own magic on breaking in the clothing with stains and such. :) 

Sooooo... I seem to have found a few things that I liked! :)  We totally hit the jackpot!  We found over 50 onesies, pants and outfits!  I also found a couple of older wooden toys which I really favor because I like the nostalgic feel of them. :) Throw in a tummy time mat, new/un-used crib sheets (great as backups) and a couple pairs of shiny/glittery infant shoes and that was the majority of our haul! 

My BEST BUYS, however, were:

1. Dr. Brown Bottles: One mom was selling 6 brand new, never been used Dr. Brown bottles ranging in size from 4 oz - 8 oz and sold them to us for $5... for ALL 6!  Theses bottles typically cost between $15.00 - $20.00, depending on where you purchase them.  That was just a ridiculous deal! :)

2. Summer Swaddle Wrapsacks: These usually run about $15.00 - $25.00 each, depending on where you purchase them, and we bought 3 for no more than $2.00!  Two of them had never been used! 

I would, most definitely, consider that a successful adventure! :)  "The girls" totally hung in there, with the summer heat and all!  I have to admit that it was because of them that we probably received the awesome deals that we did.  Sellers would ask how far along we were and if we knew that gender to which we replied, "Just over 5 months and THEY'RE girls"! :)  It was usually at this point that we'd discuss price and I think most people just felt "sorry for us" or knew the adventures that awaited us and gave us splendid deals!  :)  Thank you angel babies for getting mom and dad great deals! :)

22 Weeks (Picture)

These sweet little angel babies are growing at a much faster pace these days! It's amazing how different my stomach can look day to day but also morning to afternoon!  Sometimes they are more 'out there' than other times. :) I am really beginning to feel these sweet babes and the toll that is being placed on my body.  I just find myself wanting to clean, go through and organize every room, closet and drawer in our house... my body, on the other hand, is beginning to remind me that it needs more frequent breaks.  I wish I could say that this is an easy transition but it, most definitely, is not.  It is hard to stop physically when I'm willing and mentally ready to do things.  It also makes me nervous and leery about the coming weeks and months.  So for now, I pray and talk sweetly to the girls! :)  I'm trying to stretch and exercise, safely, in order to keep my body healthily active as long as it can be! :)

Here are the sweet babes and I at 22 weeks!  Love you sweet girls!

22 Weeks

These sweet angel babies have made it to 22 weeks without complications, thanks be to God for that! Here are some fun updates:

Total Weight Gain: 7 lbs

Symptoms: Headaches - I have been battling headaches throughout my pregnancy and really try to relieve it by drowning it with water or laying down for a bit; I try to not have to take medicine / Growing Pains - OUCH!  I have been experiencing these, very off and on for about 5 weeks now.  The last time these were extremely uncomfortable, the sweet babes were completely shifting their position which was neat and made sense at the sonogram that followed the growing pain discomfort.  The pains have shown themselves again in the last couple of days and boy can I tell these girls are bigger now! / Insomnia - Yawn... I have never, and I repeat NEVER have had a problem sleeping or napping!  However, this has completely began to change.  I find myself staying up till 5:00am or 6:00am cleaning (nesting), organizing, reading or working on my computer only to still wake up by 9:00am - 10:00am.  I. Am. Tired!

Stretch Marks: None... yet!  :)  I apply lotion/oils 2-3 times a day to aid my skin in its involuntary stretching!  (See photos below of the ones I'm currently switching back and forth with):

Avon Skin So Soft

Bio Oil

Signature Collection Cucumber Melon Ultra Shea Body Cream

Belly Button... Out or In? Half out and Half in! :)  Depending on where these girls are hanging out in there, my belly button looks more out or in! LOL

Maternity Clothing: Although I have enjoyed wearing the pretty and comfy maternity tops that my mom has bought for me, this was the first week I've worn maternity bottoms (Shorts that my older sister bought for me back in June) and they were so comfortable! :) I am still wearing a majority of non-maternity clothing but that's going to quickly change! :)  My little sister bought me a couple of non-maternity tank tops but the way they're cut and fit, I will be able to use them all hot summer long! :) 

Sleep: Please Refer to 'Symptoms'.  I am able to get a good nights rest about 3-4 days out of the week.

Best Moment This Past Week: Movement! :)  I have been praying and begging to feel these sweet girls move and I have finally been able to feel them this week!  Mike can feel the sweet girls too which just makes my heart so happy to see his expression when the kick/push against his hand on my stomach.  

Movement: Yes! Yay! :) I can feel them daily now!  They are still light pushes and kicks but most definitely movement!  It's so neat trying to figure out exactly which baby is moving and what body part is we're feeling. :)

Cravings: None... I'm eating a lot of fruits and vegetables but I typically do this any way and my body naturally craves healthy, light foods... especially during these hot summer months!

What I Miss:  I have just gotten my taste back for coffee and I wish I could have a cup with hazelnut creamer every morning!!!

Medical Updates on Babies: We found out this week that Baby A seems to be breech.  She needs to move within the next 2-3 weeks or she'll lack the room and space to be able to.  If she does not or is not able to do a complete 180, then we will definitely be looking at having to have a c-section.  We have a sonogram scheduled in about 2 weeks so we're praying that Baby A is doing some flips in there! Baby B is looking all good though! :) 

How is Daddy? Mike is so very loving and attentive, even more than usual ;) He is completely calm, cool and collected but I know he has 100 things running through his mind at any given moment.  He continues to pray and support the idea of us making it to 36 weeks, which is great when my confidence falters! 

Also... Happy 4th of July (belated)!