Weekly Update: 30 Weeks Brings Craziness

Before I even start this post, forgive me if things are out of place or look funny. Blogger keeps changing their format and I can't quite keep up.

We are rounding out week 30 today and I must say things had been pretty uneventful until this past week. Let's start off on a good note, shall we?

This past Sunday, my wonderful work family threw me (or should I say James and Mattie Rose) our first shower. It was beautiful, more than anything I could have expected, and just made me and our little mcnuggets feel so overwhelmingly special. 

Here are a few pictures from the day. I was so mad at myself when we left because I did not take ANY pictures. These are all from my mother-in-law and a few someone snapped off my camera. I wish I had taken more pictures of everyone who was there and all the special details throughout the house.

{the table - the MOST delicious food i have ever eaten at a shower}

{mattie rose's sweet diaper cake}

{and one for james}

{the cute invitations}

{delicious cake - i hated to even cut into it}

{the goods}

{my awesome work family - candice, phyllis, me, and val}

{a few of the guests}

{my friend megan made this handsome little onesie for james}

{and a matching dress for mattie rose}

{mom had to get a little spoiled too with a brag book}

{my 2nd momma sami bought me a huge travel tote bag that i had been eyeing at vera bradley for several months - we are going to need big bags with two babies - love it}

{pack-n-play from my sweet grandmother}

{just some of the swag we got}

I had the nursery all clean prior to the shower, and when we got home it was destroyed with loads of incredible gifts!!!! I am totally not complaining. Everyone was way too generous to us and our little ones! 

Sunday must have been way too much excitement for me, because at work on Monday morning, I began to experience a good amount of pressure and some cramping. I took the afternoon off and decided to go home and rest. On the way home, I had a little feeling inside me saying "you may just want to stop by the doctor's office." Good thing I did because I was having contractions. Even though I was not dilated or anything like that, the doctor finally called it quits on work. 

He sent me to the hospital to try and see if getting some fluids would stop the contractions. They helped, but were not enough. After two injections of Terbutaline they finally stopped and I was sent home with instructions to "take it easy." I think I needed a little more specifics...

While "taking it easy" on Tuesday and Wednesday, I organized all the presents from the shower and tried to get a few things in order around the house. Apparently this was too much, because Wednesday afternoon I started to have quite a bit of back pain. I didn't think much about it at first, but as the pain got worse throughout the night and brought me to tears, I decided to call the doctor to make sure that this wasn't something uncommon or wasn't something I needed to go to see someone about. He told me to head to the hospital.... Wonderful. 

So about 2:00 Thursday morning I woke Kyle up and we headed in. Sure enough it was contractions again. This time they skipped the fluids and went ahead and gave me two shots of Terbutaline and then an oral dose of Procardia. They decided to do an ultrasound to make sure both James and Mattie Rose were doing okay since I told them that they had not been moving as much as they normally do. They did a little test on each them, just looking to make sure their bodies were doing specific things. James scored an 8 out of 8, and Mattie Rose scored a 6 out of 8. Both passing scores, but for this over-achieving momma, I was a little upset why she didn't have a perfect score. They were having trouble seeing her diaphragm move. And of course, this freaked me out. They told me it was not a red flag and not to be worried, but really.... So after leaving the hospital around 9:30 in the morning, with no sleep the night before, I headed home and crashed the rest of the day. 

We followed-up at the doctor's office this morning to have another ultrasound performed. Mattie Rose and I had a little chat prior to, where I was teaching her what it means to be obedient: do what you're told, when you're told, with a good attitude (never too early to start, right?). She apparently is a quick learner, because she quickly scored an 8 out of 8 today!!! I was proud! 

So everyone is perfect as of right now! I am now on bed rest with bathroom and shower privileges only until told otherwise. And if you know me, sitting around is not something I do very well so I will definitely covet any prayers in this area! 

We go back to the doctor for our 32 week check up next Thursday, so I will post some new stats on the babies then. 

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!!

Weekly Update

I feel like we are rounding third and headed for home. This weekend we will hit 30 weeks! Which means anywhere from 8 to 10 weeks until we get to meet James and Mattie Rose. I have began to enter panic mode, trying to make sure everything is as ready as possible. We are still waiting on our bedding to be finished, but the curtains are hung and look fantastic!

The nursery is a work in a progress. I didn't want to decorate the walls yet until everything else was in place, so it is still rather bare, but good things are coming!

There is another window just to the left of this picture. I am still on the hunt for a short, but long dresser to go in between the windows for some more storage. Two babies take up A LOT of room! And I am thinking of switching the white rug out for a dark gray one to ground the room. Their bedding is just a bold and full of pattern as the curtains.

Another shot of the room. To the right of this picture is another long wall where I have a long dresser that will also be used as their changing table. THAT CHAIR! Can we say comfortable?! That big armoire used to be our coat closet (old houses equal no closet space) and has now become their closet. I just hung another rack inside and they each have a "closet" for their nice clothes. :)

As more comes together, I'll post some more pictures....

This weekend starts a 3-week run of baby showers and I cannot wait! I am just beside myself knowing how many people Kyle and I have in our lives who love us and love our babies and get excited about the excitement in our lives! If I think about it too long, I start crying. Which I'm sure will happen at least once during each shower.

This week has been physically challenging for me. Sleeping like a rock has now been replaced with constant position changes, trips to the bathroom, and horrendous heartburn. Standing at work all day is impossible, and I am finding myself scooting around on stools quite a bit. And I have never had such awful heel pain. Sorry, I just needed to get that off my chest. HOWEVER... They are constantly moving, which in my mind means everything is going great with them! And if I have to be uncomfortable for the next few weeks for them to grow and get big, then so be it. I am just constantly praying against pre-term labor! Feel free to join me!

Here is a quick pic of our 29-week belly. Proof of exhaustion after a long day at work. My poor husband....

Several weeks ago, Kyle and I had some maternity shots taken by the beautiful, talented, and ridiculously cool Lisa Mac (McAdoo). I am so awkward in front of a camera where I have to "pose." But she was great at making it such a relaxed atmosphere and making me feel great about my body that is no longer my own. I cannot wait for James and Mattie Rose to meet her and let her take their pictures as they grow up! We will definitely be using her as long as we live in Memphis, and if for some reason we move, we will just have to drive back to see her! She is just that great!

Here are just a few of the sneak peeks she let us see...

Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week!!!! More than half-way there. Finish strong!

Doctor's Update

This morning, I had a doctor's appointment to check on James and Mattie Rose and for the dreaded gestational diabetes test.

I must say, it was not bad at all. The only rough part was the whole not-eating-before-and-then-an-hour afterward. Fasting for this girl is never a good idea. Add pregnancy to it, and it's probably a good thing I went to this appointment alone. Hunger equals irritability.

The drink wasn't disgusting, really. It tasted like an orange soda gone flat. I was rather proud of my chugging skills this morning. Got it down in two minutes! It must be the over-achiever in me.

My children were misbehaving this morning. We had a talk before headed to the doctor about how well I expected them to do, to give us beautiful pictures of their faces, and to not be sticking their bottoms in each other's faces like they had last month. They totally didn't listen.... :)

Mattie Rose, who is baby A (meaning she is closer to my cervix and will be delivered first), has now turned breech. Which explains the painful shots to my internal organs I have been feeling lately. And James is still transverse across the top of my belly. Both of them were lying on their tummies today and refused to look at us, even when stimulated by this buzzing contraption the ultrasound tech place on my tummy.

Oh well.... Good news is they are growing just as they should be and everything looks great! Mattie Rose is weighing in at a whopping 2 pounds and 8 ounces. And James is just behind her at 2 pounds and 6 ounces.

The doctor sees no reason at this point why I wouldn't be able to make it full term. PTL! I want those babies cooking in their as long as they need to! He did however advise me that working once may hit may not be the best idea. His big concern is the possibility of pre-term labor and anything we can do to avoid that would be smart. This was tough for me to take in, not because I don't agree, but because I love my job and I love my work family and I love my patients. And while I know that greater things are to come, I feel as if I am going to have to grieve a loss in some sort of way.

Anywho, enough of that, because today for whatever reason has been an emotional day for me and I don't need to start the waterworks again.

I know posts are more interesting with pictures. So sorry the lack thereof. Blame it on the babies :)

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week! Finish strong!

Declan's Mustache Bash

This weekend was busy and wonderful...

First things first. We hit 27 weeks this weekend. If we are going off full-term being 38 weeks for these twinks, then that means we only have 11 weeks left! Which completely blows my mind. I feel so unprepared...

Here's your 27 week belly pic. I wish we would have been better staying on top of these, but sometimes we get so busy and it really does just slip my mind.

{according to babycenter, the babies are about the size of a head of cauliflower each...and growing...}

We get to see those sweet thangs (yes, I said thangs) again on Wednesday. I also have my glucose test which I am dreading... I don't handle drinking things quickly, especially on a somewhat empty stomach. I will definitely update after the appointment, hopefully with some good pictures of Mattie Rose and James!

Okay, on to the real reason for this post!

My most precious, absolutely adorable, sweet as pie godson, Declan, had his first birthday party on Saturday. Alicia did a great job planning for this Mustache Bash! Enjoy the pictures...

{adorable invitations - look at that little man}

{dessert table}

{food setup}

{alicia's friend allie made this awesome burlap cupcake}

{there was a burlap backdrop with a colorful banner of different fabrics to take pictures in front of - and a cute chalkboard to write messages on}

{plenty of mustaches and bow-ties to choose from}

{practicing walking - how cute is that little outfit}

{getting in on the action}

{yummy Muddy's smash cake}

{sweet sweet family}

{it took him a little while, but once he got that hand in there, he was all about it}

{sharing with his daddy}

{uncle kyle took the mustache bash seriously. who needs a fake one when you can have the real deal}

{aunt court and uncle kyle}

{helping that sweet boy walk}

{he loves his aunt court. and i love him so much more}

{presents!!!!}

{best friends}

Declan, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Watching you grow over the past year and see you discover your environment! It is an honor and a privilege to be your godmother and I love praying for you daily as I now get to pray for my little ones too! You make everyone's life so enjoyable!

Love you to the moon and back, Aunt Court

Battle of the Bumps: Who Wore It Best?

Let me start this post by saying how enjoyable pregnancy is. I really do mean this. It is rather difficult to put into words what it feels like to carry about two growing humans inside of you. To feel them turn over. To feel them kick. To feel them playing with one another. There is nothing quite like it. To know that I (with God's sovereignty) am responsible for keeping my body a temple to help them grow and develop appropriately. What a huge responsibility and blessing for a woman.

Now....on the other hand :) With all that being said, pregnancy is also a very emotionally and physically exhausting season for a women. And if anyone every tells you differently, they are either lying to you or to themselves. Your body is not your own. You have absolutely no control over the changes it goes through. You WILL gain weight. Your belly button WILL change. Your hips WILL ache. Your hormones WILL make you (or your spouse) crazy. You WILL cry. You WILL feel ugly at times.

So today, I have decided to make light of all the "negatives" of pregnancy. Which really when it comes down to it have absolutely no worth compared to the miracle and artistry of what the Lord is doing inside your and your little one(s) bodies.

I have been very lucky to have several friends that have recently given birth and who have been so kind and generous to pass some maternity clothes my way...I'm not sure what is more expensive at this point, preparing for the baby or trying to remain as stylish as possible when you are gaining more and more weight as the days pass.

I am not one for reading beauty magazines or celeb dirt. Quite frankly, I just don't have the time. But in keeping with US Weekly's battle of repeat outfits on celebrities, WHO WORE IT BEST? :)

{here we have kayla, at 25 weeks pregnant, donning a grey and red jersey knit, empire-waist dress with a cowel neck-beautiful}

{and here we have me, 27 weeks pregnant, playing copy-cat :) }

I vote 100% Kayla wore it best, with her glowing skin, beautiful blond locks, and skinny-minnie arms!

Kayla, I LOVE you to pieces and am so thankful for and blessed by our friendship! Thank you for not making me feel psychotic during this crazy time!

Antiques and Automobiles

This past weekend we welcomed Week 26. Technically only 12 more weeks to go. It's crazy to think about. I totally am not prepared. Not that if you ever can be. I am still feeling pretty good. Mostly just exhausted at the end of the work day. Being on my feet all day wipes me out, but I am grateful that I am still able to work and that the babies are still handling it well also.


One more week until I get to see them again! CANNOT wait!


Back to the weekend...The McShans came to visit! Finally! They have passed through town several times since we got married, but have not spent a weekend visiting. We had a great time, doing a whole lot of nothing really. Friday night, we went to dinner at J. Alexander's and had lunch at Central BBQ on Saturday. After lunch we browsed a few antique stores in Midtown and came across several things I would have loved to have spent way too much money on...

{beautiful daybed..if you can look past all the pillows}

{loved this buffet}

{awesome console table, which was really a good price, though i have absolutely no room at my house for it}

{awesome bench - quite honestly, if you could find a piece of furniture like this, all it looks like it took was a strong sanding, a coat of paint, a scraper, and some finish}

{loved this dresser - i think because it reminds me of declan's dresser that alicia and redid before he was born}

{not quite sure what this was used for back in the day, but it reminded me of a card catalog..oh the storage possibilities!}

{this used to be a spice and pasta cabinet - very cool and very expensive}

{loved these dining room chairs - the bright paisley print really stood out against the dark wood}

After some antiquing, Kyle and I did the unthinkable...we test-drove MINIVANS! Yes, you read correctly. I always said I would NEVER own a minivan. However, I have watched friends struggle with lifting their little ones into the car. And then I think about loading up two kiddos. And doing so quickly and safely.

And it just kinda makes sense to us.... So the search begins for a good deal. As well as my brainstorming for a cooler word to replace minivan. :)

{loved the odyssey}

After church and lunch on Sunday, Ramona, my mother-in-law, wanted to snap a few pictures so we obliged. I was exhausted, uncomfortable, and not feeling very photogenic.

{big ole 26 week belly}

{and we of course can't have a blog post without that sweet pup of ours. he has no idea what is about to hit him with these babies coming}

Hope everyone has had a great start to their week!