Keeping Up With The Boys!

Lilypie

Friday, May 29, 2009

Starting to Show!

Twin Belly
Posted Sunday, September 07, 2008 10:32 PM

I haven't taken a pic of mine and Matt's bellies in awhile. I swear, I am such a slacker.
12w2d belly pics


Feeling Rusty
Posted Monday, September 08, 2008 7:06 AM

I'm feeling rusty at this whole blog thing. Don't ever let me take a break that long again! (with exception to giving birth and trying to raise 2 little babies)
I am dedicating this blog to catching up. The house has been flying for the last month and now, not at all. I know they say that all the little stuff seems to take forever, but I have been looking for new things to happen. I get super excited about all of it. I get excited when I see water lines and wires. I just want something new done, they have been ready to do duct work for the longest time. Put it in already!!! Also, they did my brick wrong. Matt and I choose the option to have brick run up almost the entire front of the house. They ran it sil high and put the darn sil on it. I was like, "Uh, What, No, No, No!!!!!!!!!!!" It is frustrating because I think it looks cheap like that and when Matt and I go to visit, I tell all the neighbors that it is a screw-up and that it will look so much better than that. I think they are relieved.
And the house next door is being built and they have done the funniest things with the same model house that Matt and I are building and it looks odd. Matt and I occasionally walk through theirs and talk about how happy we are that we did everything in our house. Different strokes for different folks.

Maternity Clothes and Baby Stuff
Posted Monday, September 08, 2008 9:50 AM

I have bought the cutest Maternity Tops. I went to JC Penneys on Saturday to look in their section. Maternity consisted of 2 racks. I think I bought one of everything they had available, but then I decided to go to Kohls. I'm so happy I did.
Kohls had so much on clearance. I loved a ton of their tops. I decided that because you never know what something really costs there, I would bring some outrageously priced items up to the register to see if they were for sale. I got the cutest little plaid top I am wearing next weekend to go apple-picking for mine and Matt's 1 year Anniversary. It was marked at 59.99 and I got it for 13 bucks. Then I bought 2 dresses. Each was marked at 79.99 and I got them for 20 each. Those were my best deals, but one thing I thought was awesome was I got part of my Halloween costume.
I am going as Juno. I got the ugly striped shirt and a really grungy awful zipper-jacket. All I need is a tweed skirt to wear over my jeans and a slurpy and I am set. Also, Matt is going to dress up as my track star.
Also, I cannot stand not knowing what I am having. While I was looking for maternity clothes, I had to look at the baby stuff. I just want to know, pink or blue? They had the cutest little Baby's First Christmas outfits. There were also tons of Christmas dresses out. I swear, my mother had to pry the dresses out of my hands. I want at least one baby girl to dress up. But also, there was a little boy outfit for Christmas that was so cute. It was a little elf costume. I was about to melt from how much cuteness was surrounding me.
Matt told me he really hopes they are a boy and a girl. He said he wants the best of both worlds. I think I am okay with whatever, just as long as I can find out soon and start buying some freakin adorable baby stuff!

PICA
Posted Monday, September 08, 2008 8:45 P
As for a quick update on something a little strange. I had a big baked potato with chili and cheese today for dinner. It was good and I was able to stomach it, no sickness yet (crossed fingers). However, I have been having a craving/non-craving. It is almost like I want chocolate, but at the same time, anything creamy tasting sounds horrible.
Anyway, you've heard of PICA? Those are the extremly weird and NOT GOOD cravings that women who are in a family way sometimes get. My mother had them with me and my sister. She would crave dish soap and formula. These are abnormal and usually mean you are lacking in a certain vitamin.
Today after my shower, I was blow-drying my hair and thought, Matt has his old cocoa butter in here from when he was gaining weight and got a couple stretchmarks on his love handles (he'd hate me for sharing that). I decided to use his since it was in the room with me. His cocoa butter smells so much better than my Palmers that I use. I was slathering up and I thought, "This stuff smells like chocolate, I wonder if it tastes like chocolate." Common sense-wise, a high school and college diploma tell me that it will taste like lotion and not to even think about tasting it, but I let my imagination run wild.
I expected to be overcome with a wave of euphoria as the yummy cocoa sensation danced across my tastebuds, but alas, it tasted like lotion and the tip of my tongue feels slimy and slippery. This is really Blah, but at least I smell awesome. I am afraid to put on my coconut scented deoderant in fear that I might have to lick that too. Just kidding! Yuck!!!!

Sick As A Dog!
Posted Wednesday, September 10, 2008 10:27 AM

So I am taking a sick day because I can't even keep down my anti-nausea meds. Great! :( Yesterday, I took a half sickday in the PM. I took a nap and woke up with a rash all over my neck and upper chest. I am miserable. I just itch and itch. I crashed my Dr office.
I had called them and they said a nurse would get back to me. I decided to get in the car and drive 45 minutes to the office. When I got there, I went to the window and said, a nurse is supposed to call me, but it is a lot easier to show a rash than describe it on the phone.
They said it was nothing uncommon, but gave me a cream. I'm glad I wasn't dying. Not sure I could have waited 45 minutes for a call-back.
Anyway, I am itchy and miserable and vomitting. Matt just looks at me with this confused wonder. He doesn't know what to do to make me feel better. He brought me home hot chocolate and a hershey bar since he knew I was craving chocolate. He also picked up my meds. He is sweet, even though I couldn't eat any of it.
I was laying in bed last night with my stomach hurting. He just scratched my head and read to me out of the baby development book. I usually read it to him but we have gotten behind. He caught us up. Now that my tummy is even bigger, he has been talking to it more. He likes to kiss all over my belly. It is really cute, but sometimes I just get so hot and uncomfortable I feel bad that I just want him to back off. I never tell him to though. He loves, loving on the babies in my belly and will never discourage it.

Going Through The Motions
Posted Thursday, September 11, 2008 9:24 AM

September 11th is one of those days where everything just feels a bit numb. I came to work this morning. I didn't feel like coming in because of the morning sickness, but I feel that it would be a bit disrespectful to act like a baby today.
Sure, I am queezy, and if I throw up, then so be it. It is hard to feel sorry for yourself when you walk past the memorial in my building where people are standing around crying.
I don't live in New York. I didn't know anyone who was killed. I just feel for those who lost so much. Things have been so somber today. This has been worse than last year. Last year, I was so caught up in planning for a wedding that was 4 days away, I barely noticed. I wasn't at work. I was curling ribbon on my programs and I was dealing with last minute preparations.
This year I came in and the man who sits in the cubby behind me was crying on the phone. He evidentally was someone who helped at ground zero. He recapped the event and was talking about how the rubble was almost 20 stories high and on fire.
I hate seeing people cry. Especially now that I am pregnant, I can't hold it together anymore. Plus, the man who helped is about 6 and 1/2 feet tall. He has a giant belly, a big bushy beard and he is always smiling and asking, "How ya doin!?!" He is a giant Teddy Bear of a man and it breaks your heart to walk by and see him hiding his face.
So today is just a little unreal. It always is. I commented in Dangeruss and Mitten's Blog that the pain I felt on that day and the year after has dulled over time, but as it dulls, I haven't replaced it with anything else. I feel like a walking zombie who shows no emotion. I don't want to talk about the attacks. I don't want to think about the attacks. At least, not until I can have the privacy of my own room and the comfort of my husband.

Ghosthunters
Posted Thursday, September 11, 2008 1:13 PM

My carpoolers and I all watch Ghosthunters on the Sci-fi Channel. Make fun of me if you want to, but I didn't believe in ghosts before, now I wish I still didn't. That show creeps the heck out of me, even when the ghosts are friendly.
Anyway, my carpooler mentions this morning that his son has been scaring the crap out of him. His son is 4 years old. He is an adorable little boy. My carpooler has always talked about how imaginative he is and that he has always just carried on long conversations with imaginary friends.
He said he was out at a practice with his older son yesterday and his wife called him freaking out. They don't let their son watch Ghosthunters, but they had a total Ghosthunter moment. His wife said, He was in a bath and he was talking to someone named Josh. His Mom said, Who is Josh? He told her, he is one of the people waiting in line. She said, waiting in line for what? He said, Waiting in line to get to heaven.
She said it just gave her chills. It gave me chills. My carpooler said that his son's bedroom lights have been flickering alot lately and his ocelating fan will turn on by itself.
Isn't that freaky stuff? I know my Grandma told me that when my Mom was little, she was playing in the living room with the door open and she told my Grandma, "Tell that man to stop staring at me." My Grandma was like, "What?" And my Mom pointed at the door and said, "That man." My Grandma said she ran to the door and slammed it shut. She said there was no man anywhere to be seen.
I am hoping that when I have kids, that they don't do something like that to scare the crap out of me. I don't know if I believe in ghosts. There is a part of me that doesn't want to. I just want loved ones to move on to Heaven, not sit around and wait.

My First Anniversary
Posted Monday, September 15, 2008 7:54 AM

Today is mine and Matt's first year anniversary. Today I am also officially 13w3d, which is 1/3rd of a normal pregnancy. So I am officially 2nd trimester and officially 1 year married. It feels nice.
I am really going to miss Matt today. We thought we'd get to spend all last weekend doing fun stuff to celebrate, but all our plans pretty much fell through. On Friday night, we were supposed to go to dinner, but when Matt got home, it was pretty late. I rented us a movie, but we ended up not watching. He also is way into the gift I gave him. I bought him Metallica tickets for November 17th (2 days before my birthday). The package I bought had really great seats, a download of the concert, and I got their newly released CD before it dropped. I gave Matt the CD and it has made him want to start playing again.
While Matt played guitar on Friday night, I watched a horror movie with my Mom. Well, we kinda watched the first 5 minutes and fell asleep, then we woke up about 5 minutes from the end. It was just soooo bad. The Last Winter is a horror movie about how we should not be drilling for oil in Alaskan Wildlife Reserves. Although surprisingly relevant to the times, it was a total snoozefest. Now, I don't know how many of you watch crappy B-movies, but I get a kick out of them every now and then. I love the movie Tremors 2. Well, the monsters in The Last Winter had the heads of the monsters in Tremors 2, but they had big dinosaur bodies and they were kinda see-through. Basically, the just of the movie was, if we contribute to Global Warming and drill in Alaska, ugly dinosaurs will eat us all. It was the best nap I've had in quite some time, but I still have to say, DON'T watch it, DON'T rent it, and if someone buys it for you as a gift, THROW IT AT THEM, DON'T say thank you.
Anyway, I went to bed while Matt played guitar. Then on Saturday we were supposed to clean the house, pick out our lighting, and put in our final order on appliances. We only cleaned the house. But I will say, I didn't mind. We were lazy butts, we just slept in and chit-chatted in bed. I scratched Matt's back for awhile, and when I was doing it, I realized that my finger was kinda reddish. My wedding ring just barely came off. I feel so sad now. For my first anniversary today, I can't even wear my ring. Everytime I look at my hand and see it not there, my heart skips a beat and then I remember, it is home in the jewelry box.
Matt has been trying to think of the perfect gift to give me, but can't figure one out. I gave him so many suggestions. I really wish he would listen to me. I gave him 4 choices. I either want to go buy a comforter set for the second bedroom in the new house because I hate the one that we put on it now. It is my old one from when I was in community college. I told him I would take a cheap costume replacement ring since mine doesn't fit anymore. I told him I would really like a rug to go under the kitchen table for the new house. And last, the other thing I suggested was he go with me and pick out a 2nd bathroom set. I kept the second set of toothbrush holders and soap dispensers we got at the wedding shower, but I need another shower curtain, set of hooks, and set of decorative towels. He thinks he would be an awful husband if he were to get me any of that. I rather like domestic gifts. For the last couple years, my mother knows that to make me happy, just take me to Garden Ridge and let me pick out some cool stuff.
So on Saturday, we went out to dinner, but I forgot my zofran. I couldn't eat anything, and I even had to make Matt pull over to let me throw up a couple times. I felt horrible, but he brought me home and we watched an awesome movie in bed. Street Kings wasn't what I expected, but it was great. I recommend it.
Sunday, we were going to figure out what to buy me, but we ended up watching the episode of Bill Marr that I had recorded, and then watching True Blood which I also had Tivo'd. True Blood is so cool.
Anyway, long blog, no purpose, just going to get back to work now. I will update you all tomorrow on whether the top layer of my wedding cake tasted like crap, and I will let you know the health of the babies because I go for an ultrasound with my Mom tomorrow. I wish Matt could go, but he is trying to leave his work on good terms, so he is definitely not going to be at the appointment. It is a total shame. He has been all about my tummy lately. I know he would love to see the babies kick around and do some cartwheels. And it sucks that Matt has school tonight, but at around 10pm tonight, I get to be with my hubby to celebrate the one year anniversary of one of the best days of my life.

13w4d Ultrasound!
Posted Tuesday, September 16, 2008 12:31 PM

I went to my ultrasound and both babies are 3 ounces. Baby A is in the 50th percentile with growth and has a heartbeat of 160. Then with Baby B, the growth is in 38th percentile with a heartbeat of 161. They were gorgeous and moving around. Baby A was so funny. HE moved around and mooned me and my mom. Baby B wouldn't open it's legs. They say they are pretty sure Baby A is a boy, but they can still be wrong. It is very early, but I am excited about it anyway.
Baby A's Hands up by (his) face.


Baby A's Head


Baby A Stetched Way Out!


Baby B's Head


Baby B Laying Back Chillin!


Baby B with it's Right Arm up by it's head.


Both Babies laying back, just growing and waiting!



My Anniversary
Posted Tuesday, September 16, 2008 12:51 PM

When I got home from work, I was shocked to see Matt at home. He called in for school and stayed home with me.
We went out to eat and then Matt gave me a replacement wedding ring. It is very pretty. I will have to post a picture later.
Then we came home, we ate a bite of our yucky cake, icing was awful!
Then we decided to watch DeathProof. I am a huge Tarantino fan. Anyway, that is all I've got for now. I send Matt's Mom pictures of the little ones!

My Mental Breakdown
Posted Monday, September 22, 2008 9:36 AM

So yesterday was a good day in the beginning. Matt and I went to a baby shower for a friend of ours. It was pretty nice. Co-ed, not my cup of tea. Anyway, we started talking baby names and then we started bickering. We agreed to not talk about names for awhile and we went to buy paint for our house which we paint this coming weekend! That led to bickering as well.
I think the hormones got the best of me to where I just needed to cry. I didn't feel like I had a great reason to actually cry, but I have been having so much back pain and morning sickness (still) that I just feel so miserable. I just broke down on the drive home. When I got home, I pulled it together.
When I got inside, Matt and I were sweet with each other. It was nice to have someone so caring and he also compromised with some of the decor ideas. I told him I just didn't want to think about names or anything while I felt so poorly. We decided to take it easy and watch more True Blood.
After our program ended, we went to bed and I just let it all out on Matt. I told him about everything that has been upsetting me. Basically, I told him that I don't feel attractive, I don't feel like I have control over my body. There is just so much going on with aches and pains. I hate that I can't go on a long car trip without throwing up. I can't eat my favorite foods and I can't enjoy a date with him. I just feel so sore all over and I told Matt that I don't feel like I can take this. I just don't feel like myself. I told him it feels like this pregnancy has drained me of everything that was fun and interesting. I can't be myself because I can't function like a normal human being. With how darn sick I am, I can't even function like a normal pregnant lady.
I just wish that I could feel good again. Matt was so good to me last night. I know he was tired, but he still stayed up and rubbed my back and just told me that everything would be okay and that once it is over, I will be a great Mom, but I will also feel like the woman I once was. He always tells me that I am attractive and that he thinks I am beautiful. I just feel so bad that I don't feel like the lady he married.

Hot Flash
Posted Monday, September 22, 2008 3:23 PM

Holy crap it is hot!
I am having hot flashes and I am soooo hoping this is a symptom that doesn't last the whole time. I am literally sitting indian-style over the cold air vent in my living room working from my laptop. Dangit, this is soo bad. I am covered in sweat and I feel so gross. I cannot wait until work is done so I can take a cold shower.
Isn't it fall? Let it cool off already!

October 17th
Posted Tuesday, September 23, 2008 12:17 PM

I finally have my closing date on the house. It felt like it was never going to happen. They are painting today, siding tomorrow, kitchen floor on Thursday, cabinets on Friday.
Then on Saturday I get to hit this huge twins sale before Matt and I start painting the walls. I wanted to add color right away, but I wanted them to prime and paint first. We have decided to do Brown Mustard yellow in the kitchen, dining room, living room, hall and foyer. Then in our bedroom, Matt gets to decide. It will probably end up being a gold color. Our Master bath is going to be a tan. The hall bath is going to be olive green. Then the babies' room will get finished once we find out the sex. Matt has been working on sketches for the mural on the walls. He has always wanted to do some of the walls in the house and I am finally all for it in the babies' room. It should be really cool.
I am so thrilled that Matt cancelled our Sunday plans this weekend. We had said we would drive half-way to see his brother on Sunday at a renaissance fair in Kansas City. Matt told me he will cancel because he isn't going to drive 8 hours round trip with a pregnant wife to walk around all day. Matt and I have become more and more alike since we've been married. A few years ago, I think Matt would have loved something like this. I think we have made each other cynical.
Well, that is all I've got.

Insurance, Insurance, Girl Scout Cookies!
Posted Tuesday, September 30, 2008 8:27 AM

First of all, let me tell you where the money goes. I am a very safe and careful driver. When I was rearended, this was not the first accident I had been in, but never has an accident been my fault. I wasn't looking to file a law suit or get any money past what was to pay for my car repairs. I happened to get so much more. During the accident. I had my head thrown back so hard into my headrest that I had whiplash. I mentioned it in the report, because if I hadn't and I had neck problems later, then I would definitely be kicking myself. But I was really scared at the time of the accident because all I could think about was my 6 week old baby growing in my body. To which I found out was twins at the ultrasound. My health insurance would cover those expenses so I didn't feel right if the car insurance, mine or the other guys covered it.
Well, I turned in the bill to mine, and the other guy's insurance because they needed the document whether my health insurance paid it or not. So I sent it along with a note that said that my insurance has paid this.
Well, imagine my surprise when I recieved 2, 381 dollar checks from both mine and the other guy's car insurance. I called my insurance and his. I was like, is this right for me to keep this, should I send it back? I got the same story from both, you can get reimbursed up to 3 times for the same bill in the state of Missouri. I was shocked. They told me that the money is mine and not to send it to my health insurance because technically, I pay for that health insurance, so I have already come out of pocket.
So I have some extra spending money on top of the inconvienence money I was given, as well as the almost 6,000 dollar bill that was paid to fix my car. I am pretty happy.
Although there was a reason I was not happy this morning: I opened up a letter from my health insurance company denying some of my medical visits. I was freaking out. It said I wasn't in the plan at the time of the visits. I worked in a suburb outside St. Louis and when I moved back to my downtown office, I had to pay a 1% city tax. When HR went to put in for my city tax, they decided to un-enroll me from my medical benefits and put me in the preferred plan. This was all without my knowledge or permission.
For 3 months, I did not receive any notification and went on saying GHP is my insurance. Well, I had that ultrasound, lab work, Dr appointments all while giving false insurance information! Ahhhhhhh! I was freaking out and HR said they would correct it and put me in the plan retroactively. Well, it turned out, some bills had already been rejected by that time. So I get a letter stating that I was responsible. This morning, I call HR and ask them if it really went through retroactively. They said yes. I call GHP and ask What the deal is, they also show me as in the plan since 2006. I tell them about the bills and they say they will resubmit them. Now I have to call my Dr. office and tell them they better not try to bill me for anything.
Also, since closing is October 17th, I have to get my loan together and the only things I am missing right now is figuring out who I want my homeowners insurance through and getting a copy of my husband's driver's license and last paycheck. He always forgets and it is irking me. I know it is a huge crunch time for him right now, but I can't wait til he gets a new job.
Anyway, I have to get the loan together, but I realized yesterday that I have to get my car relicensed by the end of September or I have to pay the late fee and I could get a ticket. I had my Mom take my car for inspection and emissions testing today so I can take that and my personal Property tax for the last 2 years to the DMV tonight so I can have the thing legal for tomorrow! I am also trying to get this done without Matt knowing because I nagged at him about being a procrastinator on the loan papers 2 days ago and I don't want to give him any ammunition against me:)
Our painting went great on Saturday. It was hot, we were all covered in paint and we all looked terrible. Wouldn't you know that would be the time when a group of 8 of our neighbors having a BBQ would all invite themselves into our home to snoop and meet us. They all had their kids in my house playing amongst our wet paint. Also, while we are trying to get them out so we can finish, I'll be darned if our neighbor's daughter didn't hit me up to buy Girl Scout Cookies. I bought 2 boxes. I was hot, dripping with sweat, covered in paint and I was buying Girl Scout Cookies.
That reminds me, why did they change the name of Samoas? Now they are Caramel Delights? I don't like it as much. What next, change the name of Thin Mints?

Morning (Sickness) Routine
Posted Tuesday, September 30, 2008 2:59 PM
Morning sickness hasn't gone away, it just got predictable. I have it down to a science now. When I wake up in the morning, I simply get up and run to the toilet as fast as I can. I throw up all of the nothing in my stomach, brush my teeth, take my zofran and go to work. Through the car ride to work I tough it out and breathe deeply into the AC or take in fresh air through the cracked window.
Once I get to work, I duck into the bathroom right off the garage and I throw up again. Like before, there isn't anything in my stomach except for a partially digested zofran. At this point, I go up to my desk and start work until I am hungry. So about 10, I am ready to eat and I go to hardees to get a breakfast sandwich. That greasy, bready sandwich is the only thing that gets me through.
I am usually okay until after lunch at 1. At that point, I either need to do my deep breathing or go throw up. I can deep breath through it about 90% of the time. By the drive home from work, I feel fine. I get home around 5/5:30 and I take my second zofran and take a nap until dinner. At dinner around 6, I am fine. I eat and I am good until about 8. Then I need to deep breathe until I go to sleep for the night, or turn in directly after dinner.
I will admit, even though the situation is not ideal, it is livable. These babies better be darn cute for what they have been doing to me. There is no doubt in my mind that they will be adorable. I already can tell that baby B has my nose. In the ultrasound, you can tell from the profile. And I also look forward to the wedding I am in March 28th, 2009. That is the night I am going to have my next real drink. I told the bride, I will behave until after I give the MOH toast, then if I get too hammered, she can make me go sit in the parking lot. It is hilarious that Matt and I already have Grandma and Grandpa (my parents) already scheduled to babysit :) I had to plan ahead for first night away from babies. I know I will feel different by then and my heart will just ache to not be near them.

My Normal Blog + Politics at the End
Posted Thursday, October 02, 2008 7:46 AM

Ok, so I was planning on moving into the house either the end of Sept or beginning of October. They were very close to that target. I wish I had planned for the weather though. It has always seemed like I could get away with a light jacket until Halloween, sometimes all the way to mid-November.
So this morning I go out in my nice light soccer jacket and it was freakin freezing! It was 38 degrees. It has warmed up a bit here now, but I was so cold. I packed all my heavier jackets too :( I am totally bummed out. Sometimes I think I am getting sick, but my nose is just constantly running so it irritates my throat. A runny nose in pregnancy is normal though, so I don't think I can count myself as full-blown miserable.
Anyway, I have a couple of updates. I felt a baby move! It was so exciting. I am terribly afraid of fish, so I won't call it a fish flop. It really felt like one little kernel of pop-corn popped in my belly just below my belly-button towards the left side. I was so excited. I wish I knew if that was baby A or B. I told Matt, I realize, I have no idea where either baby actually is in my tummy. It was so much fun knowing that my little one just kicked me. I had the giggles for about 20 minutes after it happened. I was absolutely giddy!
Another thing, I had been so busy lately and with feeling ill during parts of the day, it just seems so hard to get things done, but I have it almost done. I just have to have Matt sign a few spots on our loan papers. That includes the Patriot Act paper stating that we are not terrorists (I got a good laugh out of seeing that. So if you are a terrorist, do you not sign that paper?). I got my car registration renewed. I just have to get the homeowners insurance company to call me back. I hear good things about this company, but they never returned my call when I asked about car insurance about 6 months ago, and they haven't called me back yet on the homeowners, but they took more information from me on the phone this last time. I will give them until noon today before I go with another company.
I had Matt lay in bed with me and he rubbed my tummy a bit last night while I told him about what the pop felt like. He is so sweet about the babies. He really wants to feel them move, but admits that it will also totally freak him out.
I talk about politics for the rest of the blog and don't want to fight so if you want to quit reading here, this is your warning. If you are a Democrat, you will probably enjoy it though. If you read on, I truly hope this doesn't spark a lot of hatred. I love politics and believe no one should have to hide their opinions to keep things civil. Unfortunately, in day-to-day life, that isn't the case. On my blog, I talk about what I want. When it comes to Republicans, I don't think they are stupid. I don't think they are bad. I just think I have some major differences of opinion as to the best way the country should be run. I feel bad to have to preface this with such an explanation, but I rant a bit, and want everyone to know that I respect everyone who stays informed, I may not agree with the opinions of everyone, but I certainly agree that you are entitled to them. I don't mean to offend. And the Canadians here probably don't care about it!
Tonight is the VP debate. Hearing Sarah Palin talk just tends to put me in a rage. In all honesty, I might ditch America if McCain/Palin win. As Bill Mar said, every Democrat needs an escape plan. I don't mean to spark anything by that statement, but I don't like what she says, I don't like her attitude, and I don't like that she talks like Frances McDormond in the movie Fargo. I'm not saying that she doesn't have a right to her opinions or her beliefs, or the right to say it. I am just mentioning that everything she blabbers inspires a feeling in me that calls out, "A bit of anarchy ain't so bad."
I guess I never realized that it was the Alaskans keeping Russia in line all this time (SARCASM). Those Alaskans really dropped the ball during the Cold War. In Palin's first interview, people claimed that they didn't prep her on what the Bush Doctrine was and it wasn't fair. Out of one year of being a Poli-Sci major before switching to Communications and Advertising, I knew what it was without a refresher. But was Katie Couric wrong as well to blind-side her by asking what political magazines the possible, and hopefully not, VP, reads? Is it a mean question to ask a candidate if they have ever reak a freakin book!?! And I think it is perfectly okay to ask a question about the bailout, but she didn't have a clue about it. Heck, it is pretty relevant to know a teensy bit about it. Am I wrong? How the heck does the bailout have anything to do with the jibberish she rattled off. I wish she had said one thing that made sense. I watched the Couric interview and I almost crapped my pants, I was so terrified.
All I want for my birthday this year is for Barack Obama to be president. As a mother-to-be, I think it is important for my future children, God forbid they ever need a use for it, to have access to treatments only available through stem-cell research and I will try to donate my babies' cord blood in hopes that it might help save lives. It is important for me to know that if either of my babies grow up to be gay, that they will be able to get married and experience a wedding like their father and I enjoyed. I do not want to deny my children rights to be healthy and happy no matter who they are.
This election, I am more emotionally attached to the issues than ever before. I have to think about the country that my babies are growing up in. And one other thing, in the first presidential debate this year, McCain started off almost all his answers by saying, "What Senator Obama doesn't understand..." I just want to say that Barack Obama went to Harvard, McCain would have an awful hard time finding something that Barack Obama doesn't understand. It is a horrible thing to peg a brilliant person as an elitist because they worked hard for everything they have, earned his or her way into one of the top schools in our nation and persevered against great adversity to an amazingly successful outcome beyond most people's wildest dreams. So if you are an elitist because you work hard and possess a knowledge more vast than McCain/Palin, then I would say that 100% of loyal Democrats and all the swing-voters who have done thier research in order to find out what is better for the future of this country, are the elitists that need to squash the Republican party in this election.

Exciting Update
Posted Friday, October 03, 2008 9:47 AM

Well, I guess it is just exciting for me. I haven't thrown up in 2 days.

To Be Mature or Not To Be Mature?
Posted Friday, October 03, 2008 2:45 PM
Ok, so I was checking my email and I had a Live Nation Concert Update. I usually delete, but I thought, it could be interesting to see what all is coming to the Lou.
I bought Matt really great tickets to see Metallica for 2 days before my birthday. I bought them for him on our anniversary. He was super-excited, but with the house and baby expenses I planned on us just having a nice night in for my birthday. We usually don't do much to celebrate mine anyway.
But, the day of my birthday, there is a Sammy Hagar and the Wabos show in town. I love Sammy Hagar. If we have a boy and a girl, I want them to be named Samuel and Sophia. Sam after Matt's cousin who passed away, and I would call him Sammy because I love the Red Rocker. The tickets are 100 dollars each. I want them so bad, but I don't like buying things for myself, and I think it would be especially pathetic to buy myself a birthday gift. Normally when I did get stuff for my birthday, people would give me money and I'd use it to buy people Christmas gifts.
I feel bad for wanting this so badly. I feel that if I went to it, it would just be taking clothes off my children's backs. I hate being a grown-up and making responsible choices.

Feels So Good!
Posted Monday, October 06, 2008 7:08 AM

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend. Matt and I usually get home right about the same time as each other, but on Friday when I got dropped at home, I had forgotten my keys, I called Matt, and he was at work late. It sucked so much, but his co-worker fell way behind and the whole staff was trying to finish all the work orders. I can't wait until Matt has a new job. Anyway, I go ahead and open up the garage, grab a popcicle out of the deep freeze, climb over the fence into the back yard and took a nap on the deck. I even brought the dog up on the deck with me and she was a sweetie. I kicked off my shoes and she fell asleep laying on my feet. I called Matt to see where he was and I could still hear his office freaking out in the background and he told me he probably wouldn't get home until 7.
I figured since it would be dark by then, I called my aunt to bring me over to my Grandma's house. When she picked me up, we went and got ice cream and I ate my first chocolate malt that I could keep down since being pregnant. It was yummy.
Then I got to my Grandma's house, we watched TV and talked for awhile until we heard a man yell from the porch. I got up to run to the porch to see the funniest thing. My Aunt and Uncle live with my Grandma and they just got a new kitten. This is the friendliest cat, but he does something funny. He really loves to sit on people's shoulders and nuzzle people's faces. When Matt walked up on the porch, the kitten, 'Smokey' was sitting up on the ledge by the roof. Smokey jumped on Matts back and dug in his claws to hold on. Matt freaked out until he realized that it was their cat, but Smokey spooked Matt and Matt's reaction spooked Smokey, so the cat was just climbing all over my husband while Matt was trying to just get a hold of him and pry him off. Poor kitty, poor hubby!
So we went out to eat after Matt picked me up and then we went home. I was so tired. I decided to sack out early. Then Matt and I slept in Saturday morning and just stayed in bed talking for awhile. I got the best back rub I've had in a looooong time. When I rolled out of bed, I called American Furniture and got our deliveries set up for the day I wanted. They were such a pain in the butt, but glad it is taken care of.
We went to the house that morning and we were so shocked, when the construction workers painted our trim, they were so careful to not get our nicely painted walls too splotchy. We only have a few touch-ups so we are going to wait until next weekend.
Then, Matt and I went to Lowes. We got a pretty doorknocker and peep-hole set. Then we looked at wrought-iron mailboxes. And while we were there, Matt mentioned that once we are in the new house, he really wants to buy a bigger Christmas tree. I am so excited. Maybe I will consider that my Birthday gift this year instead of going out to eat. Matt and I also got some really pretty glass ball ornaments.
While we were leaving, we choose to go to Pasta House for lunch. It was positively yummy. I haven't had a good eggplant parm in awhile. After we left, I decided to go with Matt to get his hair cut. Matt hates getting his hair cut though. He doesn't like spending money on it when he says I could just cut it with clippers. While he was getting his hair cut, I walked over to Sally's Beauty Supply and bought a guide on cutting men's hair and bought a really cool clipper set. I have been starting to think I have 2 little boys in my tummy. If I have a family full of boys, I decided I better save on haircuts. I know it is silly, but Matt and I started talking about how much fun it will be to have the boys or girls get their first haircuts. (There were 2 little boys getting their hair cut for the first time at the barber shop we went to.)
Anyway, after that, Matt and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and Linen and Things and bought a new bed set for the third bedroom. Afterwards, we decided to run to American furniture and we got an entertainment stand for the flat screen, we brought the purchase straight home with us. No shipping!
After we got home, Matt played his video games for about 30 minutes and I reserved our moving truck at a really good rate. Yay! Then my parents left to take my sister to a hay ride and corn maze with the rest of her gymnast friends. So all that evening, we had the house by ourselves. We watched 2 great movies, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and 88 Minutes.
It was nice to have some time by ourselves. It has been really nice of my parents to let us stay and save money for all the little home expenses while we build. I miss our apartment at times, but building the house has been cool. Now that it is almost finished, I see this all as being so worth it. However, over our lunch at Pasta House, I asked Matt, "10 years down the road, do you see us building the house of our dreams, or buying a house that is close to what we want?" Matt told me he'd rather get a great house and gut it to make it perfect. I think I might agree. However, this whole customize your home experience has been very cool.
Oh, and Sunday was a day we spent in bed. A perfect day, absolutely perfect, and True Blood was really good. And on a side note, Desperate Houswives is kinda sucking this year. I don't think I like the 5 years skip-ahead. I find myself feeling so sorry for Gabby and her hair bugs me so much. Lynette's kids bug me. I really liked Mike and they just pushed him to the side, and Bree is the most dull character on the show. And Edy is just annoying and the actor who plays her husband bugs me.

Peeing in the Morning
Posted Monday, October 06, 2008 8:54 AM
The ride to work was typical until we finally reached downtown. Driving in front of the courthouse, the whole carpool looks over at a man who is peeing on the side of the courthouse. We noticed him because there was a security guard running full-out towards him yelling, "Hey, Hey, You pull your pants up right now!" It was very funny, not your usual St. Louis morning.

True Test of Friendship
Posted Wednesday, October 08, 2008 7:08 AM
Ah, it is time to see who our true friends really are. That is right, we are moving and we need some help. Now, I can't tell you how many people I have helped move in the past, some with some notice, others without any notice at all. I never expected compensation past pizza and beer. Isn't that the standard rate for a friend's help?
Anyway, I have my best girlfriend recruited. I have my best friend from high school and her husband recruited, and there are two other couples on Matt's side that I think he needs to get.
The person Matt has to get to help, better darn well help us. It is a requirement. And I mean a requirement. I didn't want Matt to help him move because I was having a really hard time in the pregnancy, but this friend begged and pleaded and promised he would help us when our time came up. On October 18th, I told Matt, if he doesn't show up to help, I am going to hunt him down and force him to help us. It is mandatory.
Anyway, other than that, Matt and I have our list of complaints we already have with the house.
-They haven't trimmed this weird piece of (drywall) mounted to the floor that overhangs the hearth area. They better not try to carpet over that.
-They have to patch every spot where they have screwed up our drywall. They better not think that just because we painted, that they are done. They have seriously banged up a ton of corners. We are willing to touch up the paint afterwards.
-They didn't install the humidifier on the furnace that we paid for.
-They didn't run the water line to the fridge like we paid for.
-There is a vent duct leading to nowhere in the basement. If they try to scoop it down and back up and over, it will lose so much efficiency. If they even try that crap, I am going to rip them new one because I begged them to move that furnace over a few feet and they wouldn't because of "efficiency". I will be so freaking ticked.
-Also, if you paid for a wood laminate in your foyer and that was the exact words, "wood laminate in the foyer" wouldn't you expect that it would cover the foyer? They have started at the door and stopped the wood midway into our hall closet. Basically, it is like saying, "if you have shoes on, don't think you can walk to the shoe closet, we are carpeting that." Just wait until I throw my unholy fit about that one. This is my house. I want it freaking perfect, and the reason why, because I am paying an arm and a leg for this house, during the worst economic crisis since I have been born. And I am paying for a perfect house.
Also, something I choose not to make a fuss over that get to me. They screwed our toilet paper holders into the side of our bathroom cabinets. Did they think that when I come home, I would really like to sit in a bathroom that reminds me of a Motel 6? They put holes in my cabinets, so now I have to live with their painfully tacky bad taste. HOLES! Who the heck gets off putting holes in someone elses cabinets? I can't fathom a person so dense.

So Little Time, So Many Little Miracles!
Posted Friday, October 10, 2008 7:56 AM

It feels like life is so surreal. There is so much going on lately. My morning sickness, I sadly say, is not over, but it is so close to gone. I didn't throw up for over a week, and then yesterday morning I threw up, but felt great afterwards for the rest of the day. This morning, I threw up, but I feel fine now, so hopefully this means that it has only bounced back a teeny tiny bit. I can deal with this, piece of cake!
Yesterday, I went to lunch with my friend Travis. Today is his last day at the company. I told him that since I owed him a lunch, I'd take him anywhere. Just like a man, so indecisive. I decided to go for spicy Thai food. That really got the babies going. I might eat Thai food every day now!
Anyway, I had a Dr appointment last night and it was great, no ultrasound, but these precious babies make me laugh. The second the Dr put the doppler machine against my tummy, Baby A just started kicking at it over and over. Then Baby B was just relaxing for about 20 seconds, then the Dr said, "Come on baby, kick your Mama", and like a good little baby, he or she started kicking away too. It was adorable.
I cannot believe I am moving into my house a week from today! I am so excited. The builder listened to every request and is working on fixing everything. Matt and I went to the house last night. We have carpet now. It really makes all the difference. Except for our door lever handles not being attached yet, it looks like a complete house. There was something so cool about walking into the house, kicking off my shoes and walking bare-foot on my own carpet. It isn't rented carpet, isn't someone else's carpet, it is mine and Matt's.
I was looking around at everything and thinking the other day, and I thought, maybe I had made a mistake about the colors we painted everything, but with carpet and trim, and the electricity being turned on with all our light fixtures, everything just looked perfect. Matt and I sat in the living room floor and just looked around and took it all in. It is so nice to think of myself as a homeowner.
Matt and I are in such a good place right now. For once since we've been able to vote, our favorite candidate looks like he has a shot which makes me comfortable in knowing that finances will stay okay. I paid $3.15 a gallon for gas this morning, and even though it isn't great and we are being gouged still, I filled up for less than $50 which hasn't happened in awhile. We are buying our home and we have a good interest rate. There are no worries about not affording anything we need. The babies are being pretty good to me and as my belly is getting bigger, it is starting to become even more fun to sing to and talk to the babies. The babies give me good kicks when I sing them some Stone Temple Pilots' "Interstate Love Song"
Matt is being a big goof. He has been listening to a podcast religiously, I think it is called "Jumping Monkeys" it is all about babies and having kids. Cute and interesting stuff, but I prefer to read.
I don't know what else to say, life is good!

A Little Bit Depressed
Posted Sunday, October 12, 2008 10:15 PM

I have no real reason to feel like the world is ending, but I've got some sadness happening. Maybe I just need some sleep.
I went shopping today for the house and I believe Matt and I are ready to move into that big house. We did touchups on Saturday and that went okay, but by the end of the day, I was sore and miserable. Every time I'd sit or stand, you should hear the moaning groaning I was doing. I just wonder where my energy has gone.
On Friday when I went with Matt to his friend's for a going away party for another one of his friends, I fell asleep on the couch at about 11, and woke up at around 2. People laughed at the fact that I am so tired and just overall different. At that same party, a dancer said that if she found out she was pregnant with twins, she'd think she'd have to kill herself. It is kinda hard to laugh that off. But almost everyone is excited for us, they just have no desire to be in our shoes.
So Matt and I spent today shopping and it was nice. I enjoy his company, sometimes. Sometimes I look at him and think, "You SOB, you did this to me and I dont like you for it." Other times I know that is irrational thinking. I had a dream last night that he pushed me into a volcano and I woke up so mad at him.
When I go out to eat, I always think about the drink I'd have if I wasn't pregnant. I love these babies, but I just want to feel like I am in charge of this body again. I told Matt on Saturday, "I look forward to being in my own house, not pregnant." After I have these beautiful bundles of joy in my life.
Matt told me that he wants to make sure that once these babies are out of me, he really wants to give me the time I used to take to go running with my best friend. I miss that so much and Matt says he is afraid I am just going to give up everything and everyone in my life because of how tired I feel. I understand his worries, because I rarely have the desire to see people or be seen. Anyway, I think that is all for me tonight.

What A Difference
Posted Monday, October 13, 2008 7:16 AM

I blogged last night and I was just during the whole darn thing. It really did feel like nothing was going my way, but this morning I feel completely different. In all honesty, by 11:30 last night things had changed.
Right when I finished that blog, I crawled in bed with Matt and I woke him up. He hadn't been asleep but a few minutes, but he was still groggy. So basically, I unloaded tons of hormonal issues onto my poor sleepy husband. I just told him that even though we spend time together, everything is always a talk about the house or baby names, and when it comes to this stuff, of course we always find middle ground, but it takes awhile and it takes some bickering. I told him that I am afraid I will be a bad Mom because I am too selfish at times, like wanting a drink like I mentioned in my blog last night or wanting to just have the energy I had before I found out I was pregnant.
I am scared to have 2 babies because I read all these books, like Mayo Clinic and WTE and they give you so many pointers about how to raise just one baby. They talk about the stress it can cause. They talk about the time it will take and I worry. I worry so much about not being able to feed both of these babies the way I want to. I'm afraid that when they are crying, that I won't be able to comfort them both. I worry about simple logistics of when I want so badly to cuddle them both, "How will I keep them both in my arms next to me without accidentally knocking their poor heads together?" I just want to be a good Mom and never in a million years did I expect to have 2 at the same time.
I hear women in the 1st trimester talk about how much they want twins and how much they think they are having twins because they seem more bloated that normal. I never once thought that. I just thought, "What a surprise." Then with 2, I just thought, "How ever will I make this work." Matt asked me, "Do you love these babies?" Which brought me from a sobbing mess to a virtually inconsolable stuffed up sobbing mess. Matt wrapped his arms around me, and looking back on it, I think he was probably anxiously awaiting that answer. After a few minutes of persistent tears, I told him, "Of course I do." How could I not love them. I feel them move inside of me. I take my vitamins no matter how horrible they make my stomach feel, I would go through the most horrible labor imaginable if it would mean that they are born healthy and chubby and wiggly and strong. I just sometimes feel so down.
I feel almost guilty at times that I have spent so much time thinking about the house that I haven't been able to fawn over these little miracles as much as I'd really like to. With being so sick for so long, coupled with dealing with builders and getting so many of the little things involved with the house finished, it just seemed like life was going to get the best of me. Now that we are almost in the house and planning can move into actual living, living can finally establish a pattern that I can really work with.
Matt just listened to everything I had to say which seemed like forever, but was really just about 20 minutes of crying it out. After I finally calmed down and was able to blow my nose, Matt rubbed my neck, which later turned into him with his arms around me rubbing my belly. I can't explain how or why things happen the way they do, but having his hands on my belly just makes me feel safe and warm, like nothing can hurt our family. Even my doubts about how I will be able to show 2 babies at once that they are the most important things in this world, seem to fade away.
So after a little bit of a belly rub, I turned around to face him and I kissed him good.
Thinking of the way I kissed him reminded me of this priest I had as my teacher at SLU. I know that sounds like a funny comparison, but he was a writer for "All My Children" and he would always write into his scripts the intensity of the kissing that should occur between characters and the funniest thing he ever said was, "I didn't say to kiss her, I said to SUCK HER FACE!"
My husband might not be the most romantic guy in this whole world, but he knows exactly how to give me everything I need, and last night he took care of me in a way that I was really needing. He is everything to me.

Blogging Too Much
Posted Monday, October 13, 2008 9:23 AM

Ok, so now I feel like I am blogging too much, but last night I felt so sad, this morning, I wanted everyone to know that I feel better. Now I want everyone to know the silly stuff I am thinking of.

Ok, so I am going to break this up into Yay! and Boo!
I took belly pics this weekend: Yay!

I forgot to upload them: Boo!

Painting touchups on the house are finished: Yay!

I am so sore, I move at the speed of an 80 year old woman: Boo!

We finished shopping for almost everything we need in the house: Yay!

We forgot to buy the mailbox: Boo!

My Parents bought us a housewarming gift, garage door opener: Yay!

My Parents also bought me my birthday gift and gave it to me early, Maternity Coat: Yay!

Matt told me he is getting me a birthday gift this year, iPhone: Yay!

It is Mid-October and I know all the Birthday 'surprises' in store for me when my B-day isn't until November 19th: Boo!

Mizzou lost the game on Saturday: Mother-******, BOOOOOOOOOOO!

Rams won on Sunday: What, seriously!?! Okay, we'll take it. Yay!

Rams won and I'm out of the football pool: Boo!

Matt and I are homeowners as of Friday: Yay!

Matt and I are "Broke" as of Friday: Boo!

Less than 3 weeks until I find out the sex of my little M&M's: Yay!!!

More arguing over what mural to paint on the babies' walls: Boo! (Hey, stroke of genius, why not M&Ms?)

As of last Dr. appointment, down 3lbs since pre-pregnancy weight: Both Yay! and Boo! I'm glad I'm gaining weight, but I'm still not where I want to be yet.

Matt and I get to decorate for Halloween at home: Yay!

We get to hand out candy this year: Yay! Yay! Yay!

My favorite Radio station just switched their music playlists. They are playing non-stop Christmas music. I swear to this, I am not kidding. Jackfrost can't nip at my nose until after we've heard the Monster Mash, Thank you very much: Boo!

Nuttier than a Fruitcake (Pic)
Posted Wednesday, October 15, 2008 9:03 AM

That's me!
Yesterday I yelled at Matt for buying another video game. He was all like, "It's a classic title." I was like, don't matter! It was 15 bucks. I told him that I don't go spend 15 here and 15 there. He told me, you spent 25 yesterday on a Ba-rack the vote t-shirt. So yeah, I forgot about that. I told him that 20% goes to the campaign, and therefore it was an investment in our babies future. It is hard to be taken seriously when you have that kind of logic.
Yesterday, I woke Matt up because I couldn't sleep. I am so excited about the house and doing the walkthrough today! He started to talk with me about what he was excited for. And boom, I fell asleep while he was talking.
This morning, I woke up, threw up, ate a snickers ice cream bar, a bacon sandwich and a plain cake donut. It is all about knowing what your tummy can handle.
Oh, and my belly button hasn't popped out yet, but it is really cool, I can put my hands on either side of my belly button and push my belly button out. Matt yells at me every time I do it.
Oh, and I will post the side by side pics later, but for now, you can look at this one.

Surprise! Twins :)

Alot Has Happened Since I last Posted
Posted Monday, July 28, 2008 8:55 AM

I won't be online too much today, my morning sickness is absolutely horrible today.
On Friday night, I came home from work and I was so tired. I went straight to bed and slept from 5 pm Friday until 8am Saturday. Saturday, Matt and I got up and went for a nice walk and I took a shower. Then we left to get our apartment ready to turn over to the office. Matt and I stopped at wal-mart and picked up paint samples. We got to the apartment, I matched up the color and went back to wal-mart by myself while Matt cleaned the bathroom.
I was stopped in traffic when a van smashed into the back of my car going about 30 miles an hour and pushed me into the SUV in front of my car. I was so shaky afterwards and my heart was racing. Matt ran a mile to the car accident to be with me. They had to tow my car. I was checked out at the scene and they said my blood pressure was a bit high and my pulse was crazy, but it was probably just the shock from it all. So I called my Dr. exchange to see if they wanted me to go to the emergency room. The nurse on call said as long as I don't start spotting and bleeding, I am fine and to take it easy.
Matt went back to work on the apartment and I went home with my Mom. I took it easy, but later that night, I started bleeding a little. I called Matt into the bathroom and I just cried. However, the bleeding stopped, and it was not heavy. After that it was brown spotting. Now the spotting is almost over. I have to call my Dr today to set up an ultrasound for this week.
I was so scared. I hate the man who hit me. He couldn't have been paying attention? I know it was an accident, but if it has hurt my baby in any way, he can go to Hell. I was going to go get ginger chews at the health food store. My morning sickness has been killing me. Now I don't have a car and have been throwing up all night, not to mention that my head hurts ever since the accident and I have awful whiplash from where I hit my head on my headrest.
I was told over the phone that my bleeding could have been that placenta was jolted a bit. I am just so angry. I love my car. I love my baby. I loved feeling like this pregnancy was safe. Now William of Festus may have stole it away from me. Way to go William, lets hope you didn't murder my hopes and dreams of having a healthy baby.
I hope I can go to the dr today.

Just had to put in a quick update
Posted Monday, July 28, 2008 11:43 AM

I called the Dr. I get an ultrasoud today at 2:30 and the results of my bloodwork last week were excellent. All those hormone levels were high and progesterone levels were high as well. In the words of the nurse, "There is no doubt that you are pregnant and progressing. We should definitely be able to see something on this ultrasound today."
Please God, let it be a healthy little baby forming. I have my fingers crossed for a little heartbeat. Matt is going to meet me at the appointment.

TWINS!!!!
Posted Monday, July 28, 2008 4:02 PM

I am so freakin serious!!!!!!!! Pictures to be posted later. Baby A heartbeat is 122, Baby B heartbeat is 116!!!!!!!!!

PICTURES OF MY BABIES!!!!!!!
Posted Monday, July 28, 2008 6:46 PM

Both of our babies!


Baby A

Baby B


Our Little Babies!


Twice the Everything
Posted Tuesday, July 29, 2008 8:18 AM

So I was reading about twins, and from what I hear, twice the sharp tinges in the belly from a rapidly expanding uterus, twice the morning sickness, and twice the babies!!!!!
I was sick as a dog yesterday. I threw up over and over, even when there was nothing left, I had these deep coughs and dry heaving. It was miserable. My chest hurts so much from it.
My whiplash makes it impossible for my neck to get comfy. My twins make it impossible for my back to be comfy. Geesh, I cannot win. Insurance companies are hounding me about the accident. I have given 4 recorded statements already. Fix my car, pay for it, I was rear-ended after being stopped in traffic, it is fairly obvious that I should not come out of pocket.
I am twice as tired today. Yesterday was so crazy. I am just so sleepy. When I was laying on the table yesterday, the lady who was doing the ultrasound asked, "Were you taking clomid?" I said no. She said, "Were you trying?" I said "Nope, this is our surprise baby." She said "Babies, Surprise Babies!" Then she turned the screen and showed Matt and I the prettiest little flickering hearts I've ever seen.
The heartbeats are healthy for 6 weeks. It was a gorgeous sound. 122 and 116. They are going to have low blood pressure like their Mommy and Daddy. It was so cute. Matt and I were holding onto each others hands so tight. It was amazing. I have never felt so close to Matt. I couldn't imagine my life without him.
Our little M&M's will need names. We were thinking Sophie and Hayden when we were thinking one baby. Now we are thinking Mia and Sophia and calling them Mia and Sophie. Then for boys, Holden and Hayden. So that is what we have so far: names subject to change. And because I will be delivering closer to 37 weeks instead of 40, I should be okay for my friend's wedding afterall.

Updates to all the questions I've been asked! Updated!!!!!!!!
Posted Tuesday, July 29, 2008 9:05 AM

Wow were you like completely overwhelmed?
I was in shock. I giggled and said, "Nooooooo, Really? Noooooooo, Oh my Gosh, Nooooooooo?"
Do you plan to find out the sexes?
Oh yes, definitely will find out.
I know you just want healthy...but what are you hoping for sex wise?
I so want a girl and a boy, second preference would be 2 girls.
What will you name them if it's a boy and a girl???
Right now, we are thinking Hayden and Sophie.
What does Matt think about it?
Matt is shocked, but so happy. Last night while we were laying in bed, he kissed me and said I love you, I started to say it back and he moved down and kissed my tummy twice and said "And I love you and you too."
Then when I left this morning, he said "Bye sweetheart", and then he put his hand on my tummy and said "I'll see you all later."
Do Twins run in your family?
My Grandpa on my Mom's side was a twin, so yes they do, I just wasn't thinking about it beforehand.

Pregnant Lady No No
Posted Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:14 PM

I swear some of my friends don't know me at all.
You have no idea how many people want to take me out to celebrate. I am thinking, take me out to celebrate when I don't have to carry them in my body or breastfeed.
Anyway, I have used this line on a couple friends who want to celebrate and some laugh, and some look at me like I have two heads.
To demonstrate the line, I will pull an excerpt from a conversation I had with my friend earlier today.
Friend: AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! TWINSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! This is so exciting!!!!!
Mandy: Yeah, I'm so excited.
Friend: I want to go out and celebrate after work one day.
Mandy: I am totally up for it, with how killer this morning sickness is, I could really go for a margarita.
Friend: Um, No. :(
Seriously, laugh people, laugh!

Bye, Bye Apartment
Posted Thursday, July 31, 2008 8:17 AM

Matt and I got rid of the apartment yesterday. Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!! I am so happy to have gotten rid of it. We went through and took pictures. Put in our change of address and turned in our keys. I told Matt the only thing that made me sad was that we were leaving after we made our babies there. Matt said he isn't really sad to leave it. It was our first place together, but he said, "With the babies coming, the house is going to be soo nice." And I agree. I couldn't even imagine having twins in that apartment.
Matt and I decided to stop at Steak n Shake for dinner last night. I had a different motive than wanting a good burger. That motive is, when I waitressed there as a teenager, we had to clean that bathroom top to bottom. I really just wanted a nice clean bathroom to throw up in. I needed it.
When I finished throwing up and brushing my teeth, I came out to the table. Matt asked me, "Were you crying in there? I think I heard you crying." I said no, but I was lying. It seems like everytime I throw up, I also cry right afterwards, and I mean immediately. So I throw up and cry into the toilet. I cannot wait until the morning sickness passes. I can't keep anything down. I have tried, but I just can't. Since I have been pregnant, I have lost a little over 5 lbs. I just feel like I need to get good nutrients to my baby, and my body won't let me.
I have thrown up every day now for over a week straight. But each of the past 3 days have been worse than the the 4 days before it combined. I need something to help me.

Feeling So Guilty Lately/Laughing and Medicating Through Morning Sickness
Posted Friday, August 01, 2008 8:17 AM

I read something in What To Expect last night that made me not feel so alone. I have been having a difficult time adjusting to the idea of twins. Matt and I only wanted 2 biological children. This means we either modify our plan, or this is the last time I get pregnant. That makes me a little bit sad. Also, with the idea of pregnancy, I was just so in love with the idea of my one little M&M that I can dote on and cuddle and it could be just me and him or me and her. Now I almost feel bad that I won't be able to give either one of them my full attention. I hate that I will be torn between them.
I just imagined giving birth and them putting my baby in my arms. I never imagined giving birth and still being hooked up to fetal monitors and still needing to push. It just scares me so much. I read that it is rare, but not uncommon for a woman to deliver (pushing) and then need a c-section for baby #2. I don't want this to be a possibility. I only get 6 weeks with my babies and I don't want to have to heal from both major abdominal surgery and a natural delivery. I will want to be able to get up and play with them. I am just so afraid.
I need to find out my Dr's policy on bedrest. I may have to take a leave of absense from work, which will be nice, but I will be home alone in a new house for the majority of every weekday. I just feel like this pregnancy is going to be so much different than what most people get and want.
You all have to understand that I feel so terribly guilty for feeling this way because both these babies have already made me fall in love with them so much more than I could ever have imagined. The second I saw their little heartbeats flicker, I was just in such awe of what is happening inside my body. I will love both these little M&Ms no matter what. I just worry that while they are here, I have to learn to be a mother to not one, but two precious little miracles. I just don't know if I can be good enough for them.
I feel like I am awful because I went on meds yesterday in order to keep food down. It doesn't necessarily make my tummy feel better, but it makes me digest faster so I don't have much inside to throw up. I didn't throw up yesterday evening, last night or this morning, so I really think it is helping me. I just feel so badly because even though my Dr assured me that the babies will be fine and this drug has not caused a birth defect in the decade it has been around, I just feel like I am being a bad Mom. I feel like I should be able to grit my teeth and bare it.
Also, My Dad and I were in the car yesterday downtown and his old baseball buddy pulled up next to us at a stoplight. This guy was always hilarious. My Dad said "Hey Steve, did you hear I am going to be a Grandpa? To Twins!" then he pointed at me. Everyone always assumes that twins will be identical even though fraternal twins are more common. Steve yelled over to me, "You should name them Juan and Hamal. Because if you've seen Juan, you've seen Hamal." I laughed so hard, I swear I felt better. I had never heard that one before. I am going to have to use that again. That is the best reaction to twins I've gotten thus far.

I Must Be Made Of Money
Posted Monday, August 04, 2008 1:28 PM

When it rains, it poors. So I was supposed to be sunning at the lake today, drinking a margarita, swimming in the nice cool water and occasionally, rock diving.
Well, I am preggers now, so no such luck!
Instead, I took a personal day today to lounge around the house and watch movies and lay out on the deck a smidgen. This is so much fun. I was going to use today to go shopping, but over the weekend, Matt's car gave out. So now we are building a house, paying on my car which won't be finished in the shop until August 12th. We are having twin babies which we need to start college funds for and tack on the payment for another car. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not made of money. I don't really know why all of a sudden, life has decided to test us, but fine. That is just fine. If it wants to throw me another curve ball today, I will be sunbathing on the deck with my water spritzer bottle.
Screw life!!!! I hate this year.

Cool Things/Finalized the Girls Names
Posted Tuesday, August 05, 2008 1:56 PM

What a day. I am so tired. My miracle pills weren't quite working this morning. I had to vomit like the dickens. Anyway, that isn't why I am writing.
I am writing because of 2 reasons. The boy I used to date in high school that my husband was best friends with for awhile, the guy who got seriously upset at Matt and I going out because we didn't ask for permission, is having a baby. (This is not my psycho ex, this guy was just genuinely hurt by us and we always felt bad.)
Matt helped him move on Friday. Matt called him to tell him the news and his baby is due a month before ours. Matt called him while he was in the middle of moving. He had no help. Matt put his shoes on and went over and helped, no questions asked.

I felt so sorry for our old friend. His girlfriend was in the hospital for 2 days at only 16 weeks because they almost lost the baby. They were supposed to be out of their rented house on Thursday, but they were still in the hospital. So on Friday, they were moving out while the next guy was moving in. When Matt got there, the new tenant was pissed at our old friend for not being out sooner.
This is why it is never good to wait until last minute, but it all worked out. The really cool thing is our friend was moving back home with his parents to save money to buy a house within a few months. Just like us. Our friend mentioned how much he missed us. Our friend's Mom went up to Matt and gave him a huge hug and said how much she loved Matt! We got invited to one of their big Italian dinners. Also, the girls names are decided, which makes me almost hope they are both girls so we can just lock in on names. Amelia Paula (Mia) and Sophia Jillian (Sophie). We had to switch the girls name to Amelia so Matt would be happy. He didn't like that Mia was a full name, but now he is good and says he doesn't want to change them again.
Dingo Bait!
Posted Tuesday, August 05, 2008 4:34 PM

Please tell me that someone else gets the t-shirt I bought. I tried to describe it to friends, but they just don't get it. I saw it and laughed my butt off.



Feeling a Little Bit Guilty
Posted Wednesday, August 06, 2008 1:28 PM

I am lucky that once I have my babies, my Mom is willing to watch the babies during the day. I feel a little bit bad about it. I know she wanted to be a hands on Grandma, but I'm not sure this is quite what she had in mind.
Matt and I live close enough to home that I will get up and start getting ready, get the kids a little bit ready while Matt gets ready. Matt will finish getting the kids set to go while I leave with my carpool. Then Matt will take the kids to the Hardees parking lot where my Mom will meet Matt to pick up the babies.
This is going to be one crazy schedule. My Mom will have the babies while I'm at work. I ride in the carpool back to my house, get my car and drive to my Mom and Dad's house where I pick up my little pretty babies, then I can take them home to meet Matt. That doesn't sound too insane, does it? I know I also can con my supervisor into giving me some temporary work-from-home time while I am breast-feeding.
I feel a bit guilty that I will spend so much time away from my babies, but with a house, 2 car payments, increased car insurance from Matt going from liability only to full coverage, and him going back to school with a tougher schedule, alongside the price of raising 2 little growing babies, I can't afford to stay home at all.
Also, I feel bad because my friend Elisa is getting married and I feel like I can't do the things that I need to do for her. At the appropriate time to give her a shower, I will probably be on bedrest or giving birth.
That is the main thing I wanted to do for her and it makes me so sad.
Babies, I love you, but you guys aren't making it easy on Mommy. But a huge thank you for letting Mommy's tummy calm down. I had thrown up 6 times today and by the last time, I was throwing up almost nothing except for the blood from where my throat is just raw.

How Can I, When I know it is Impossible?
Posted Thursday, August 07, 2008 9:52 AM

Eat 2,700 calories a day, the book of multiples pregnancy is full off crap! I can't even keep down 500. I promise I will start reading more blogs when I am done tossing all my cookies and then some.
I can't eat and I feel so weak. I sleep all the time because my body is basically eating itself. I lost 2 additional lbs yesterday which puts my combined weight loss since pregnancy at 11lbs. I just wish they would hospitalize me. I can't live like this.
I try to eat. I know I have to, but the only thing I can keep down is apple juice. So I have been drinking only apple juice to get me through the day. I drink it hot too. I want it cold, but there is a problem. Before my parents went on vacation, they bought some roast beef for me to make Matt sandwiches. It smells so strongly that when I open the fridge, I throw up.
I can only drink hot AJ. I am so miserable. After work yesterday, I just sat on the couch and I cried until I had to throw up again. I hate this so much.
I love knowing these babies are thriving, but they can't thrive for too long if I can't eat anything. Yesterday, I threw up right after Matt fixed me plain toast. I was just so violently ill. I was sitting in the bathroom floor and Matt came in and put a cold washcloth on the back of my neck. It felt nice. Then he took me to bed and scratched my head until I fell asleep. He said, "What happened to my lovely wife that could eat like a horse." He was joking, but it upset me. I just started saying that this is it. I never want to be pregnant again. The second I give birth, I just want them to take out everything. I really do feel this way now. Matt said I will change my mind in a few short weeks. I am serving my purpose in life and I don't deserve any further punishment.
And when I say I want to die from this morning sickness, I don't want to hear one more stupid lady tell me that she had a perfect pregnancy with no morning sickness. I swear, I just want to claw these women's eyes out of their heads.
I can't even make it through typing this blog without throwing up the apple juice I just bragged about me keeping down. I hate this feeling. I just hate all of it.

The Farmer And The Chicken
Posted Thursday, August 07, 2008 12:40 PM

My husband is a goofball, sometimes to the point were I just want to wring his neck. Like the other day when out of the blue, he says, "Two babies! Call me the farmer , because baby, I know how to plant seed." What am I supposed to say to that, call me a chicken, because I sure can lay them eggs?
I just looked at him like I hated him. Farmer Matt may never get lucky again.

Gut Feeling
Posted Sunday, August 10, 2008 4:04 PM

Okay, I just have this gut feeling that I am having 2 girls. I wanted girls to begin with, but I resolved myself to knowing I will end up with 2 boys. Now, I am just not sure. I really think there are 2 little bundles of fantastic female joy inside me. I have been having dreams that I give birth to one little red-head beauty, then one blonde. I know it seems strange, but it just feels like this.

The Girl Prediction
Posted Monday, August 11, 2008 11:49 AM

It was very scary when my Dr. was bringing up the word "Hyperemesis". Although, last week, I was just praying for the cure. Now that I have this constant sickness with only occasional vomiting thanks to Zofran, I am feeling lucky that I never was admitted to the hospital.
My Dr. is very happy it is under control because she wanted the hospital to be a last resort. I was reading about the disease and even though it only happens in less than 3% of pregnant women, the rate is much higher in multiple pregnancy.
Matt is terrified of it. Since a side-effect is depression, Matt practically has me on suicide watch. I tell him that I am fine and just because I am feeling bad and get really sad about the pregnancy, doesn't mean I would do anything to hurt myself or these little ones. Still, Matt is scared. I don't blame the guy. He is sweet as can be most of the time, but whenever he does something I don't like, I bite his head off. It is like, I know I shouldn't be so mad at him, but I can't stop myself. I am lucky that he is so understanding, but I tell myself to prepare for the time when he finally just tells me off for being this way (Ha, as if).
I was reading something about hyperemesis this morning though that intrigued me. I was reading about myths for determining sex. I was shocked when I heard a supposed non-myth, that hyperemesis typically happens during pregnancies with girls. I just felt like these are little gals, or maybe just girly boys, who knows (just kidding :).
I got kinda excited. I just have this hunch still. I will be absolutely astounded if I have 2 little girls, one with red hair, one with blonde, like in my dream. I would have to start playing the lottery. I always joked that my backup plan involves lots of lottery tickets, maybe it really should.

Aversions
Posted Thursday, August 14, 2008 12:54 PM

Chicken is quite possibly my most favorite food in the whole world. Now, the idea of eating it makes my skin crawl. The second I smell chicken, I have to throw up. It makes me sad.
Although, I practically have an aversion to everything now. I just have to eat my fig neutons, drink my apple juice and smile because absolutely nothing tastes good anymore.
I am constantly spitting. Hypersalivation sucks. Just a side-effect of hyperemesis. Yay! Not. I take zofran and reglan together now because I spent half of last night leaned over the toilet. I am so sick and tired of this. I get on a medicine that works great for a week, then my fairytale is over. So now, the plan is to put me on 2 medications that have failed me and hope that together, they can keep me out of the hospital.
Matt was such a sweetheart last night. He has been upset. I went to bed last night fairly early from what I have been doing. Matt came in the bedroom and gave me a really great backrub. I felt so bad last night from being so sick. I really do feel depressed at times. I just feel so sad, and I don't want him to make me feel better. Thank God he never listens to me when I say it though. I think he wanted to cry last night when he said that he is so sorry for what I am going through.
He told me that he just feels like crap that he can be so excited about this and that he took part in making these babies, and yet, he has made me so sick. He has read a lot on hyperemesis and he is so scared something really bad will happen to me. I am hard-headed and still feel somewhat invincible to serious injury. You would think that a girl who has been in the ER as much as I have would feel a bit more cautious. But no, I doubt that any extremely bad things will happen.
I am also determined to carry these babies 38 weeks, until March 14th. Matt wants these little babies born on his birthday so badly and I want that so much for him. Last night after my backrub, Matt laid his head on my tummy and just gave it kisses, and was whispering to the babies. I fell asleep to him talking to our little ones, and just thinking about it makes me feel a bit like the Grinch when his "heart grew 3 sizes that day." I am so happy to have a family with Matt. I really am the luckiest woman to have ever lived.
And speaking of Dr Seuss, Lookie what I bought!

Belly Pics!!!!!
Posted Sunday, August 17, 2008 8:57 PM

Side by side!
Matt and I both at 8w4d


Pregnant!

This is the Kickoff of my Blog! As You can see, I don't wait long to get to the good stuff.
I'm Pregnant
Posted Tuesday, July 15, 2008 5:29 PM

Matt doesn't know yet. I am so scared out of my mind right now.


First Thing We Did
Posted Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:58 PM

Matt called right when he was done with his exit assessment from STLC College. He told me how it went and he said he couldn't wait to get home.
I said hurry home, I have good news, and I said it completely calm. He said, "Are you pregnant?"
I said "Yes"
He was like, "Seriously?",
I was like, "Yes"
He said, "Swear?"
I said, "I swear"
He said "Swear to God?"
I said "I swear to God!"
He said, "I'm Gonna Be A Dad!"
Then I just cried. I am so happy right now. We went out and bought The pregnancy journal and Fatherhood by Bill Cosby. And We bought my sister a "World's Coolest Aunt" picture frame and we bought my Mom a birthday card that says "Happy Birthday to a Really Cool Grandma!" Then it has a big blank space on the front, Matt's going to use his artistic skills to draw a giant "SURPRISE" in that space. Her birthday is the 24th. It is going to be holy heck to wait that long.
I just want to tell everyone right now. The people who know in the correct order were: Julia and the rest of the Girls, My friend from work Cindy, Matt, and I have called my friend Elisa and am waiting for her to call me back. This will be hard to handle with the wedding. I hope that she is happy for me. I really love her. I truly do. I am protective of her and I feel like she is a sister to me. I still want to plan everything fun for her, and maybe I won't stay out late for the bachelorette party, but I can certainly be there for the dinner before it. Her friendship means so much to me and I am far more worried about her reaction than my parents'.
Matt and I are so happy, we have already started calling each other "Mommy and Daddy" I love this man so much. He asked me if I wanted to watch the movie "Once" with him tonight since he borrowed it from his friend, I said "No, I rented Drillbit Taylor and I want to watch it, and I am carrying your child, so what I say goes." He smiled and caved for tonight, I better not wear that excuse out too fast!!!!!

Not Only is He Happy!!!!!!!
Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2008 8:13 AM

I made a list of the people I want to tell. This is the list of people that I could share anything with. Although, nothing bad is going to happen to my little m&m that I would even need this list of people, so there. He or she is going to hang on and enjoy the ride.
Ok, so I have told Matt, my friend Cindy from work, my friend Elisa, then today, I will tell Karen, and I will tell my parents tonight. I am so excited. I want to be like Matthew McConaughey and be really stoked about this pregnancy and we can just talk about how truly awesome and bitchin' life is.
Anyway, I am so in love with the idea of being pregnant. It is not the most convenient time, but this is just perfect. My baby is a pleasant surprise.

Last night, Matt and I were in the middle of a movie and Elisa called. I was so nervous to tell her. She told the bridesmaids that she wouldn't want pregnant girls in her wedding. By the time of her wedding, I will be ready to pop. She was like, "Hey, heard your message, is everything okay?" I said, "Don't hate me, don't be upset with me." She said, "Can you not make it to the wedding?" I said,"I'm pregnant." She said something like, "Oh my Gosh, really, I am so excited for you, Congratulations!" Then she told me not to tell the other bridesmaids until I'm at 3 months or more because "Just because you are pregnant doesn't mean I am giving permission for the rest of the girls to get pregnant." I said, "Well, if they find out, just say that you like me better." She said, "Well, you are my Matron of Honor, so that kinda says it already." Then she told me, "I was at Hallmark a couple months ago and they put a bunch of stuff on clearance, and I figured you would have a baby sometime soon, so I bought this little Easter outfit. Don't worry, it is just little booties and a hat to make the baby look like a baby chick, so it would be cute on a boy or girl." I was like, "Aw, Aunt Elisa is already buying presents." Then I talked Wedding stuff with her.
After I got off the phone, Matt came in and hugged me. I was so relieved that I just cried my eyes out (Hormones!).
Last night, Matt made me go to bed early. He told me that he wants a strong healthy baby. Yesterday in the car, he said, "Driving with you in the car has never made me nervous, but I am terrified now." Then super early this morning, I woke up and shifted around. I accidentally woke him, and he hugged my back and put his hands on my tummy. He said in a groggy voice, and tickled my belly, "This will be more fun later." We fell back asleep, then the alarm went off early. He got me up, and was like, "I am making you a healthy breakfast." He set me out a bowl of cereal and he cut up bananas into it (like I love). Then he told me that I need to get used to some kind of dairy product to get our baby some calcium. I will need to talk to my doctor. I am lactose intolerant to a degree. I can eat a bit of ice cream, and a little bit of cheese, but not much. I am so jealous of people who can just drink a glass of 2% milk.
And I almost forgot to mention the very best part. I was straightening my hair this morning and Matt and I really hadn't said much this morning, but he came in and said, "Breakfast is ready Mommy." I just love it. Life is Just So Good. I love my little m&m.

Hold On To Me Tight M&M
Posted Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:08 AM

Because everyone knows about you now. I told my parents last night. They laughed, they cried, they flipped me off. Seriously, they did. I was trying to think of a cool way to tell them, so I did the card, but I wrote on the front of the envelope, Happy Early Birthday Mom! She couldn't get the card out of the envelope, so Matt said, "You want some help?" Then she flipped us both off. So as she was "pointing" at me, I pointed to the card, she read it, and my Dad read it over her shoulder. He started smiling and jumped up and hugged me. My Mom hugged me too. Then they hugged Matt and said congratulations.
We sat down for dinner and my sister wanted to sit next to me. I said it was fine, and my Mom said, "Obviously Matt has been sitting a little to close to her."
Anyway, my sister asked me, did the Dr. tell you that you were pregnant? I said "No, there are tests that you do at home." She, being the "Kids Say The Darndest Things" 11 year old, she is, said, "A test? Well I guess you passed it then!" I was like, "Yeah, I guess I did."
My parents have told everyone and I mean everyone. 5 people knew by this time yesterday. With my parents on the scoop, easily, 10 times that number know. I am a bit worried. I told them, it is really early, I just want to make sure everything is good. I have to go to the Dr. still.
We told the couple who are helping us move on Saturday, I figure they will need to know so they don't think I am just being lazy by not carrying the heavy stuff. We went to their house last night. They invited us over to play RockBand and when we told them, Matt's good friend Chris was so happy. He practically bounced. He smiled at us the whole night. They have a little girl who will be 3 next January. He is very excited for us. His wife went into work mode, she grabbed a step ladder and started pulling down books. We have a pregnancy and new baby library now. Literally, we stepped away with 10 new books.
I am quickly falling head over heals in love with the idea of a baby inside me. I have already been talking to my little M&M. I just want this baby to grow strong and healthy. I don't care about anything else, I just want this baby to be alright. I am so scared that he or she can still be taken away from me. All signs are good though. I have not had any spotting at all, but I have had pregnancy symptoms which means that I know my hormones are changing. I am just praying for morning sickness and every other annoyance of pregnancy just to remind me that my baby is inside me, growing.
I hope so much that my little m&m is healthy. I want to lay down when I get home tonight and take a healthy nap. I know I have to do some cleaning, but I am not going to overdo it when it comes to Matt's brother visiting.
I need to look into my maternity care options. I need to look into whether I want to keep my Dr.which I hope I can. I need a doctor who delivers at St. Johns. In St. Louis, you have many hospitals, but St. Johns is the best.
I am so scared right now. I want to hear a heartbeat so badly. I think it will make me either cry or giggle, maybe both. I giggled the whole way down the aisle at my wedding. And I giggled during the ceremony. My preacher said that I was the only person he ever saw react that way. I was just so happy on the day I married Matt. I cried when Matt proposed and I can prove it, there was a photographer taking pictures of the glass who saw us and took a bunch of pictures, he has a gallery online: http://www.pbase.com/ninecount/engagement If you choose to look, I think you can see how happy I am.
I just don't know what this will do to me. I am just so happy that this is happening. I never want this happiness to go away. Please stay my little m&m. If you are a girl, your Daddy wants to name you Sophie Jillian. Mommy wants to name you Ava, but she will go with Sophie if Daddy wants it bad enough.

I Had a Bad Evening
Posted Friday, July 18, 2008 10:26 AM

Hey M&M, sorry Mommy freaked out some last night. I tried to pack a little bit last night, and I wasn't packing any of the boxes heavy, but I started to scare myself. I have been told not to lift anything heavy, and I totally agree, but I am worried, what if I lifted something too heavy. I freaked myself out and jumped in bed for an early night at 8:30. I was surprised at how well I went right to sleep. For some reason, I can only sleep on my side or my stomach. And it totally freaks me out to sleep on my tummy. When I sleep on my back, my back hurts so bad. Any other way, I am fine.
However, nightmares and sickness set in last night. I tossed and turned all night. Matt was out with his brother til 1:30 am, so I didn't have his comfort until then. But at about 11, I woke up from a nightmare that just terrified me. I dreamt that I wasn't pregnant. I mention the baby to Matt and he said, "Mandy, you were never pregnant." I woke up and I was just so scared. I ran to the bathroom and took a pregnancy test again. I didn't have any spotting, and I got some very bright pink lines. I was never so happy. I swear I am going to drive myself crazy.
My tummy was very upset last night and I had heartburn something fierce. I just couldn't get back to sleep very well. I finally just dozed off and Matt gets home and crawls in bed with me. I was kinda frustrated. I have wanted to have the opportunity to crawl in bed with him and talk before we go to sleep, but we have been so busy and he has been staying up late to finish his workouts and read baby books.
As adorable as I think my husband is, I think I really need this sweet time before bed. I asked him this morning if we were going to have alone time together today. He said, "We can, Why?" I said, I need to talk about some baby and us stuff.
Through the sickness and overall yucky feelings, I do feel closer to Matt than I have ever felt before. For the first time in my life, I feel like I absolutely need him.
I love the idea that our little M&M is growing like the day by day growth chart. I did my math, and I realized that my due date is March 20th. I have my first appointment on July 30th at 8:15 am. I am just so nervous. I found out that this Dr. doesn't deliver where I want to go, so I am going to try to get accepted at my friend Karen's OBGYN. I talked with my supervisor today and we are going to meet later and discuss the time off policy and everything.
Oh my gosh, what a day. I would say thank goodness it is Friday, I can relax and sleep the weekend away, but there is just way to much to do. I am so going to take a lunch nap today.

Only the Best For My M&M
Posted Friday, July 18, 2008 3:17 PM

I already cancelled my first Dr. appointment and switched Doctors. I want a Dr who will deliver in the hospital I want, so I now have Dr Renee Stein (my friend Karen's Dr). I link to her webpage. If you look, all I have to say is, "How freakin cute is my Dr!?!" Sorry Dr Clancy, but I am going with Renee. She is closer to my parent's place, where we will be living for awhile. It is closer to the home we are building and I get the hospital I really want.
My supervisor is going to go over all the maternity leave stuff with me which shouldn't be a problem because a girl on my team had a baby 2 weeks ago so he knows exactly what the policies are. Yay!!!
And I feel like I am a total scatter-brain. I was telling the Dr my birthday, and I gave the wrong date. I was telling her my social and I accidentally gave her the last 4 digits of my husband's cell phone number. I am now thinking crap, I was supposed to be calling bill companies and telling them about my address change. I never want to move again. Ever!!!! Definitely not after I find out I am pregnant!
My mother told me today, "You will do anything to get out of moving." When we moved into the apartment, I fell down the stairs and twisted my ankle. I couldn't help then, now I can't help because of M&M. I want to help move. I don't trust other people to have their paws in my things. It doesn't matter if they are friends or family. I don't like feeling so helpless. I can't lift anything heavy.
I just want my little M&M to be old enough to where I can hear his or her heartbeat. Julia's blog has made me nuts today. I want to hear little M&Ms heartbeat more than anything right now. I am just not patient enough for pregnancy.
I don't want to go to the bachi ball party tonight. It doesn't sound like fun. There will be drinking and smoking. I hate smoke. And I can't drink, so I know I am going to come across as a stick in the mud. I hate that Matt's friends have silly parties. I don't want to go to a bachi ball party, a "The Whitest Kids You Know" party, or a LAN party. I am done with SILLY parties! Dangit, I just don't see why Matt 's friends can't play cards or drinking games or play anything but bachi ball.

Busy, Busy, Busy
Posted Sunday, July 20, 2008 2:20 PM

Ok, so yesterday was our moving day. We got mostly everything packed. Matt and I woke up at 7 and he started loading my car with fragile boxes while I went to get breakfast. For some reason, walking to the back of the super grocery store completely exhausted me. I went to the back to get donuts. When I got there, it was disgusting, there were flies in the donut case. I decided to walk over and get cream cheese which was on the other side of the store. Then I walked to an opposite corner for bagels. By the time I made it to the checkout counter, I felt like I needed a nap.
But you see, the night before, I went to Matt's friend's party. It was okay, except that I ate a burger and grilled veggies with some wheat chips and mango salsa and spent half the evening throwing it up. I tried to hold back, but it just wasn't happening. Sorry M&M, Mommy will not eat Mango salsa until you are born, and after tasting it coming up, maybe I will just never eat it again. Matt left the party early and went to get some saltines. I got back to the party and sat in the floor. This little girl was there, she was almost 2, and her name is Lily. I thought she was adorable.
At Matt's friend's place, they have this orange deco spinning chair, and Lily and I played on it for a couple hours and we shared my saltines. She was a doll, and I am so happy I got to hang out with her, but I got very tired while trying to keep up.
Anyway, back to the grocery store, I bought breakfast for all our movers and Matt calls me as I am getting in the car and said, don't forget juice and chocolate milk. I said nope, they can drink water and I came home.
Matt went to get the truck. We ordered a 17 ft truck and only got a 14 ft truck. We fit mostly everything in it.
Luckily, a friend of ours drove his pickup and got the last couple of pieces. Matt's friend Chris was so great. I was bummed that his wife and their daughter weren't able to come over. But anyway, we had emptied all the drawers to my dresser except for one, which we kinda forgot about. That was, the BC drawer. Chris opened it, and said, well if you have this drawer, I have no idea how you got pregnant. Matt blushed and I said, "Well Chris, we obviously didn't open it as much as we should have." (Sorry M&M, Mommy and Daddy are very happy that we made you.)
There are only a couple things left in the apartment now. We left all our stuff to clean up, one rental movie from the place nearby, and also, a bunch of extra boxes that we have decided to keep because we don't know how fast we will accumulate baby stuff while we live at my Mom and Dad's place.
Last night, Matt and I were home alone in the house. We ended up just cuddling. Matt and I slept in and wondered when his brother would talk to us because he didn't show up last night. He eventually called us and he wants us to meet him at the Art Museum. I don't want to go do this. If he would have said, lets go to the zoo, I would have been okay with it, still a lot of walking, but I could get some enjoyment out of it. Really, the art museum out here is something you only need to see once every 10 years or so. I saw it last winter. BIL can go. Matt and I are sore and tired from moving yesterday.
Towards the end of yesterday, Matt was still working at getting boxes stacked downstairs and I wanted to help. He was like, "No, you have worked hard enough today." I was like, I have barely worked, and he said stuff that was so cute. He was like, "Come on, you are constantly working. You have been doing nothing but working. You are making a baby, I can't imagine how hard that is. You just sit right there and keep up the good work." I just wanted to say, "Stop it and let me help a little", but Matt is very stubborn and I guess, so am I.
Oh well, that is about everything. Other than the fact that I have been doing something that I guess is silly. I know I am just a bit over 4 weeks, but I have been talking to my M&M. I am so excited. I have a book that chronicles the daily changes in baby. I read it outloud to M&M. I am finding it so fascinating. Also, I read Matt the short synopsis right before we go to sleep. He thinks it is cool, what all is happening inside me. He told me I am amazing. I asked him why, and he said, "Because you are, and you are extra amazing because you have my baby in your tummy."
Also, my sister and Mom and Dad were out of town when we moved in. They will be back tonight. I talked to my sister on the phone and with only competing 2 events in her competition this weekend, she took 2 first place finishes. I was saying congrats over the phone and she said, "Are you coming over tonight?" I said "Kiddo, I live here now." She said, "Oh yeah! Hey, how big are you now?" I said "Still the same size kiddo." I heard my Mom laughing in the background.
It was a busy weekend. I am happy that right now, I am just relaxing and looking back on it all. I am wearing my bathing suit, admiring the last of my flatter tummy and thinking about my Walmart shopping list. I am going to buy a raft and spend all my evenings this week (including tonight, lounging in my Mom and Dad's pool. Next weekend, Matt and I leave for Omaha. This has been a crazy whirlwind of a week. I hope that the weekend after next is just nice and calm. M&M and I need a break.

Birthday Buddies
Posted Monday, July 21, 2008 7:53 AM

With my due date on March 20th, Matt is really wanting me to have the baby 6 days early. He wants me to deliver on his birthday. His Grandpa was born March 14th, he was born March 14th, and Matt wants his first baby to be born on March 14th. I told him I would try my best. If that is the case, it would be great. I could have our baby, make Matt extremely happy and have 2 weeks recovery and weight loss until I had to stand up in Elisa's wedding. It is wishful thinking I know, but it could happen :)
Also, according to the little ticker I made on Lilypie.com, I am 5 weeks and 3 days pregnant. Jeesh, already over a month, it just seems crazy. Already less than 8 months to go.

Open Mouth, Insert Foot- Ode to Matt's Friends
Posted Monday, July 21, 2008 10:23 AM

Ok, so Friday, I went to Matt's friend's Party. I like this girl, she is a really sweet. In fact, most of Matt's friends are really great. Always willing to lend a hand, always polite and funny.
However, there are a few I dislike. There is one who likes to color on herself. She puts her hair into as many ponytails as she can. I think she always smells bad. She looks alot like a ferret and I think she has a bad attitude. I remember being in a group of Matt's friends and they were trying to sugarcoat it. they were saying things like, "Yeah, she is just different." "She has her own way of doing things." "She is very independent." "I have trouble telling if she likes me, but that is just her personality." "It took a while for me to warm up to her." I said, "Wow, you all have a lot of ways to tiptoe around the fact that she's a b!tch."
Then there is another one of his friends that drives me crazy. The last party he had, he ended up telling all of us to F*** off then flipping us off while he left early. However, he has his moments where he can hang very well, with exception to one 20 minute long conversation about petrified wood. He had a vasectomy when he was 19 years old because he believes that it is cruel to bring children into a world that is full of violence and hate. He is a big pessimist. Anyway, this cute little baby was at the party on Friday and she was by far the best entertainment of the night. After she went to bed, Matt and I were sitting on the porch talking with her parents about what a doll she was and this friend says, "Don't even think of having kids, they will ruin your life." We didn't want to flat out say, we are pregnant, but at the same time, I didn't like sitting there and listening to him tell me that I was carrying a parasite that would help kill our planet either.

Eating for 2
Posted Monday, July 21, 2008 12:50 PM

Ok, so I feel really bad about this and hope this isn't a consistent pattern, but I feel like I could eat a horse today. I had a bowl of cereal this morning at 5. I had 4 fat free fig newton cookies at about 8. At 10:30, I ate my lunch, which was a bagel sandwich. So hear it is, Noon, and I just asked a friend to go to lunch with me. I need the food. Dangit I am going to have a lot of weight to lose. I really hope my baby can breast feed, because once this is over, I am going to need some serious help shedding the lbs.

Want to read blogs.
Posted Monday, July 21, 2008 4:09 PM

I have tried to read people's blogs, but I am so tired. I am almost afraid I am going to pass out and hit my head on my keyboard. My belly is full and M&M is using up that energy. I have determined that our little M&M thinks I am a stay-at-home mommy who has time for naps. No, no baby. Mommy has to work until we win the lottery, then I would love to stay at home with you and sleep all day.
Mommy and Daddy are full time students, we are full time employees, we are building a house and we are making a fuss about you, M&M. Do whatever you can to be comfortable, but if Mommy could have her 9 hours at work, she promises to nap on the car-ride home.
I need to start exercising more. Maybe getting into a very light fitness routine will help me. Usually I walk, but today it is 98 degrees outside and I don't want to walk in that heat. I want to do pregnancy yoga. I just wish I had my Dr.'s appointment soon so I can know that there is no risk to my little baby leaving me.
All I can say is, M&M, I hope you give Mommy a little break when she gets home. I hope daddy is in a good mood and I hope so much that you let me sleep well tonight without being rigged up in pillows. And tomorrow, I hope that you let me stay awake enough to let me catch up on reading the blogs. I have posted a lot today, but it is all a ploy to keep me awake.

Morning Sickness
Posted Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:21 AM

I was beginning to think that all the other pregnant women in the world were putting on a bit. I was queazy, but nothing too bad, until this morning. An hour drive to work and I threw up in my mouth 3 times. It made me want to lose it that much more. Mark this day, this is the first time I have seriously disliked pregnancy.
Holden or Sophie is trying to kill Mommy. Yesterday I could eat a horse, this morning, I could throw up a horse. As I write this, the urge to run to the restroom yet again is hitting me.
Ok, back from the restroom 15 minutes after previous paragraph. All I can say is my baby is being mean. I get to the restroom and lean over the toilet, and then, all of a sudden, I don't feel like I have to throw up. But I threw up in my mouth again on the way to the restroom, so I feel awful. I decide, to get up form over the toilet and brush my teeth. I brush and then standing at the sink, I feel it, I am so going to throw up for real. I get to the toilet and I just can't do it. I am just spitting because I think the air just tastes so bad today. I don't know if any pregnant women have felt that way, but the stupid air is what is wrong with me.
Anyway, I went to bed last night fairly comfortably. I thought I might lay on my back to sleep last night since I have been practicing sleeping on my side and I feel miserable. It hurt my lower back so much and I had a little trouble breathing like that. That really scared me, but when I sat up, I was fine. I just nestled back on my side with a pillow between my legs and slept like "a baby". Then I woke up this morning and it is thunder storming like crazy. It was the perfect morning to sleep in. I love sleeping in rain and thunder. It kept the room so cool.
Also, one thing that has been bugging me is that I have to blow my nose every 2 minutes. Also, I got my first nosebleed in years.
Come on M&M, Mommy loves you, love me back. No matter what you do to me, I will always love you with all my heart, but you really don't have to test it.

Yayyy!!!!!!!
Posted Tuesday, July 22, 2008 10:58 AM

I caught up on blogs and my stomach has settled down. I got great advise from the first tri board to not take my pre-natal vitamins during the morning. Hopefully that will make me feel better.
Matt has a soccer game tonight. Last one, thank the Lord. He might end up skipping it though. We have to work on the apartment tonight, get it nice and clean. Afterwards, Matt wants to go out to eat. I have to return our rental movie as well. I am just ready to be done with our apartment.
We will be using the weekend to clean the rest of the apartment, spackle nail holes in the walls, touch up the paint and hopefully, turn in our keys. We better get our deposit back or I am going to be so ticked.

Definitely No Pre-Natals in the Morning
Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 8:41 AM

So I will take the vitamins at night now because I feel great this morning. I swear, I had to grasp my chest to make sure they still hurt so I knew I was still pregnant. Although, I know I am pregnant because I am so bloated, my nice gray dress pants feel like they are cutting me in half.
I just feel like someone could pop me right now. I am going to start back to better habits today. I am going to walk to the Arch today. That is a good mile of walking and I really think I need it. I will bring my yummy bottle of water today as well. The air tastes good today too. Not gross like yesterday.
I will avoid munchie day today at work, unless they have a veggie tray, then I might stop for some food. Veggies and only veggies. I have a turkey sandwich today for lunch. I hate that I had to use white bread. Now that I live with my parents, my mother said she will do the grocery shopping for us both, but she doesn't buy the things I like. I like 100% Whole Wheat. I think it tastes better.
I felt a teensy bit queezy in the car this morning, but after 2 saltines that I sucked the heck out of, I feel perfect. I am loving my little M&M soo much!!!
They poured the footings of my house on Monday and they pour the basement walls today!!!!!! I went over to the site yesterday after work and I stood in the soon to be basement under the second bedroom and told M&M that this was were his or her playroom would be and told him or her that I will be putting him or her to bed in a crib right upstairs. We totally had a moment :) !!!!!!
I got home from work and we decided to not do anything with the apartment and to put it off until today. I was taking a nap when Matt got home. He woke me up and handed me a letter, my Dr. registration papers came in, so I was excited. Then he laid in bed next to me and told me that he told his parents today. He was telling me about their reaction and how excited they are*!

I'm a Pregnant A-hole!
Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008 7:52 AM

I am an a-hole. The reason I say it, I was really tired and sore after doing major apartment cleaning yesterday. Matt and I decided to go to Applebees for dinner. There are about 10 spots close to the entrance, and tons of spots around back which are a good walking distance away. They are all full.
Matt and I get close to the door and there is a small car that has parked over the line and taken up 2 spots. I was so mad. Matt drove to the back of the parking lot and I started getting out a piece of paper. I had to write them a note. The note said, and by the way, completely false:
"Sorry I scratched your car. I tried to park in the spot next to you, but it was just too tight. I am not leaving my insurance information though, I think you had it coming. Your small car is taking up 2 spots. You should really be more courteous next time. I hope this makes you think about your actions from now on. Maybe the scratch will buff out.
Yours Truly,
The Pregnant Lady That Had To Walk From The Back Of The Parking Lot"
I really hope they took the time to look long and hard at their car that evening in the dark. They probably won't realize there isn't a scratch until today.

Yesterday at the end of work
Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:30 AM

You could say I had a rough time.
The only other times I cried at work were times when my Grandpa was very ill and when he passed away. I was so scared back then and I am very scared and confused right now. I cried hard at work when I got off the phone with my Dr's office.
My friend loved her Dr. That is why I choose her. She delivers at St. Johns and my friend received excellent care. She told me that she went in to her 8 week appointment and didn't bring her husband, but then she got an ultrasound and was upset that she didn't know she was getting one and never asked her husband to come with her. I didn't want the same to happen to Matt and I.
I called the Dr's office and I asked if I would get an ultrsound? The lady said "No", she said," you will come in and get bloodwork, urine sample, and your belly will be measured. Then at your next appointment at 20 weeks, you will get your first and only ultrasound and get to hear the baby's heartbeat."
I just hung up. I couldn't think. I was so heartbroken. I can't believe this. I don't pay out of my earning to my insurance company to get the same care a crackhead gets at a freeclinic. I want an ultrsound at 9 weeks and 3 days when I come in. My friend works with me, she has the same insurance I do. I need to see my baby. I am entitled to it. I pay for this. My insurance is not the one saying no. Plus, not hearing the heartbeat until 20 weeks? and I am crying again. I can't go that long without hearing or seeing this little one. I need this.
No appointments for anything else until 20 weeks, this woman has to be joking right? No good Dr's office would do that? I need to know things are okay. And they won't be able to adjust my due date until then. I know I am not going to be that far along. So what happens if the schedule me at 20 weeks and it turns out I am only 17 or 18 and they can't determine the sex, am I SOL? Why are they doing this to me? I just feel so heartbroken. I need to know little M&M is okay.
My friend said that this woman isn't right and to call back. I felt so awful talking to my friend, she is about to pop and dealing with me crying my eyes out. I am going to call back today and I hope I don't have to talk to "Mary Jo". I need to talk to someone who is competent, not one of these night-school graduates that they advertise on corny late night infomercials.
I feel so sick right now. I had got over it when I got to the apartment to clean because I just burried myself in work until Matt got there, then I fell apart again and he held me and let me cry it out to him in the living room floor of our vacant apartment. I just need to know more, what if there is something that is wrong, that they would need to look into, they wouldn't know a thing. I am just so upset right now. I can't see straight. Anyway, I have meetings today, so I have to go reapply the makeup I just cried off.

Feedback Good!
Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008 1:25 PM

The Nurse called, I have an appointment tomorrow to get my bloodwork done. Then at my appointment on the 18th, they will schedule it to be a ultrasound and they said they will try to listen for the heartbeat. I am so excited now!!!!!!! This is much better.
I will schedule my appointments for 12, 16, 20, 26, 30, 33, and 36 weeks. This makes me feel so much better. The nurse said, "Ah, I will make sure to get our receptionist up to speed on our appointment schedule from now on."
Also, Matt and I have been doing belly pics. I can post them for sure, you can see my husbands sympathy weight photos too :) We figured we could put them side-by-side.

Belly Pics from M&Ms
Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008 10:43 PM

I had the request, so I'm showing them. To be honest, there is nothing yet. Someday soon, I will get a bump. I can't wait!!!!!!
Matt & Mandy 4w3d


Matt & Mandy 5w5d