Andrew and I are excited to announce that we will be having a boy and a girl this fall!!!!!! Baby A, our wild child, is a precious boy. We knew this two weeks ago, but confirmed again today. Baby B, our shy one (which the doctor noted could be sneakiness in disguise), is a sweet girl.
We would have been excited about any combination, but are thrilled to get one of each. Andrew has someone to take to the Masters one day, and I have a a little shopping partner. Of course, we could still be wrong at this point, so we will check again at the anatomy scan in two weeks, but we feel fairly confident that a boy/girl set is on the way. Bring on the blue and pink!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
national infertility awareness week
Today is the beginning of National Infertility Awareness Week. If you know someone who is dealing with infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss, I encourage you to send them a quick note this week to let them know you are thinking of them. Try not to offer advice--I can assure you they are getting enough of that already. But simple support can mean the world.
So often, infertility patients feel forgotten. People don't know what to say, so they say nothing, leaving the person feeling that their hardship is unimportant or is being ignored. So this week, if someone has shared their struggle with you, consider taking the time to offer a little extra support. I promise it will be deeply appreciated.
So often, infertility patients feel forgotten. People don't know what to say, so they say nothing, leaving the person feeling that their hardship is unimportant or is being ignored. So this week, if someone has shared their struggle with you, consider taking the time to offer a little extra support. I promise it will be deeply appreciated.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
hope
Tomorrow is Holy Thursday, the beginning of a set of days celebrating Jesus' institution of the Eucharist, His death, and His glorious resurrection. Easter is a celebration of grace, a reminder of God's unfathomable love for each of us. To me, though, Easter is also about hope.
On Easter Sunday, God turned the most hideous, unjust death ever suffered into the most beautiful promise of life. Easter, then, reminds us to cling to hope. Hope that God can pull beauty out of the most dire situation. Hope that when we are afraid of what life will throw at us next, God is walking beside us. Hope that when we do not understand our circumstances, God has a plan for our lives, even though it is often not the plan we envisioned.
April has been a strange month for me. This is the month when our first baby would have been born. Part of me longs to know that child, to hold it and love on it. Yet if we were anxiously awaiting the birth of that precious one, our twins would have never been conceived. Out of the loss of our first three children, God brought Andrew and I to a place where these twins could find life. When we began our journey towards parenthood last spring, I could have never imagined where that journey would take us. Now, though, I look back at our whirlwind ride through recurrent pregnancy loss and infertility treatments, and I know that we are exactly where we were meant to be. These twins were meant to be our children all along. Biological children are unfortunately not part of everyone's path, but thankfully they are a part of ours.
I have great hope for these twins. Hope that they will arrive this fall, safely and healthily. Hope that they will grow up loving Jesus and loving each other. Hope that each Easter, they will be reminded of God's great promises of love, grace, and enduring hope.
On Easter Sunday, God turned the most hideous, unjust death ever suffered into the most beautiful promise of life. Easter, then, reminds us to cling to hope. Hope that God can pull beauty out of the most dire situation. Hope that when we are afraid of what life will throw at us next, God is walking beside us. Hope that when we do not understand our circumstances, God has a plan for our lives, even though it is often not the plan we envisioned.
April has been a strange month for me. This is the month when our first baby would have been born. Part of me longs to know that child, to hold it and love on it. Yet if we were anxiously awaiting the birth of that precious one, our twins would have never been conceived. Out of the loss of our first three children, God brought Andrew and I to a place where these twins could find life. When we began our journey towards parenthood last spring, I could have never imagined where that journey would take us. Now, though, I look back at our whirlwind ride through recurrent pregnancy loss and infertility treatments, and I know that we are exactly where we were meant to be. These twins were meant to be our children all along. Biological children are unfortunately not part of everyone's path, but thankfully they are a part of ours.
I have great hope for these twins. Hope that they will arrive this fall, safely and healthily. Hope that they will grow up loving Jesus and loving each other. Hope that each Easter, they will be reminded of God's great promises of love, grace, and enduring hope.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
top ten "twos"
Over the last few days, I've been thinking about my favorite things that come as a set, so I thought I would share my top ten with you all. All of these may not exactly "go together" for everyone, but for me they are hard to separate.
10. Mittens- I just love a great pair of mittens...they are functional yet whimsical at the same time. My latest pair were handwoven in Ireland and were a birthday gift from my Sister--thanks, Christina!
9. Football & Tailgating- If this were Andrew's list, this "set" would be much higher on the chart. Even I must admit, though, that tailgating outside Neyland Stadium on a perfect fall day is pretty special.
8. Beach & Frozen Drinks- Though this year they will be non-alcoholic, no trip to the beach is complete without margaritas, daiquiris, etc.
7. Earrings- The perfect pair can really make an outfit.
6. Orange & White- Go Vols!
5. Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar- Deliciousness! Sometimes I am certain I was supposed to be Italian.
4. Wine & Cheese- See #5 (although if cheese isn't available, I will happily drink the wine all by its lonesome).
3. Shoes- My favorite, favorite article of clothing ever. Although I have too many pairs to count, I have two pairs that I truly treasure (my Manolos and my Louboutins). I hope to add to this collection as the years pass, and I hope that if we have a daughter she appreciates fine footwear.
2. Cooper & Stella- Cooper was an only child for the first five years of his life, and we were always afraid he would be sad if we added another furry friend to the family. Now he and Stella are very best friends, and I am so thankful they will have each other when the babies arrive.
1. Our precious twins, of course!!!
10. Mittens- I just love a great pair of mittens...they are functional yet whimsical at the same time. My latest pair were handwoven in Ireland and were a birthday gift from my Sister--thanks, Christina!
9. Football & Tailgating- If this were Andrew's list, this "set" would be much higher on the chart. Even I must admit, though, that tailgating outside Neyland Stadium on a perfect fall day is pretty special.
8. Beach & Frozen Drinks- Though this year they will be non-alcoholic, no trip to the beach is complete without margaritas, daiquiris, etc.
7. Earrings- The perfect pair can really make an outfit.
6. Orange & White- Go Vols!
5. Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar- Deliciousness! Sometimes I am certain I was supposed to be Italian.
4. Wine & Cheese- See #5 (although if cheese isn't available, I will happily drink the wine all by its lonesome).
3. Shoes- My favorite, favorite article of clothing ever. Although I have too many pairs to count, I have two pairs that I truly treasure (my Manolos and my Louboutins). I hope to add to this collection as the years pass, and I hope that if we have a daughter she appreciates fine footwear.
2. Cooper & Stella- Cooper was an only child for the first five years of his life, and we were always afraid he would be sad if we added another furry friend to the family. Now he and Stella are very best friends, and I am so thankful they will have each other when the babies arrive.
1. Our precious twins, of course!!!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
counting down
Other than meeting our adorable twins, there are two milestones that I am super excited about getting to in this pregnancy: finding out the sexes and feeling the babies move. We clearly cannot schedule me feeling them move for the first time, but the big gender reveal is coming up soon. Provided the babies cooperate, we will find out what combination to expect on Monday, April 25th...less than two weeks away! I am so excited to know whether to start shopping for lots of pink, lots of blue, or a combination of the two! We will tell our families sometime that day, probably that evening when Andrew and I can be together and no one is away at school/work/etc. As soon as they know, I promise to post the big news here. Only 12 more days!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sister Stella
This morning our OB called our little ones a perfect twin pregnancy--definitely music to my ears! Here are a few sweet pictures from our appointment:
Baby A...always the little mover
Baby A's sweet little feet
Baby B, our shy one, finally gave us a good picture today. Here B is, all stretched out!
Every day we try to explain to our first two children, Cooper and Stella, that they are getting two new siblings soon. Cooper loves babies and children, so we aren't worried about him at all. Stella, on the other hand, has never really been around babies. We keep telling her that little people are on the way, and that she cannot chew on them or their toys, but we're not sure she gets it quite yet. After our appointment today, I was sorting through our ultrasound pictures and putting them in our ultrasound album for safekeeping, and Stella was VERY interested. She kept sniffing and moving the pictures all over the couch with her nose. I got up to get a drink, and when I came back from the kitchen she was standing over the album studying her new brothers/sisters. Maybe she is ready after all!
Baby A...always the little mover
Baby A's sweet little feet
Baby B, our shy one, finally gave us a good picture today. Here B is, all stretched out!Every day we try to explain to our first two children, Cooper and Stella, that they are getting two new siblings soon. Cooper loves babies and children, so we aren't worried about him at all. Stella, on the other hand, has never really been around babies. We keep telling her that little people are on the way, and that she cannot chew on them or their toys, but we're not sure she gets it quite yet. After our appointment today, I was sorting through our ultrasound pictures and putting them in our ultrasound album for safekeeping, and Stella was VERY interested. She kept sniffing and moving the pictures all over the couch with her nose. I got up to get a drink, and when I came back from the kitchen she was standing over the album studying her new brothers/sisters. Maybe she is ready after all!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
belly watch
Twin bump at 14 weeks...it's getting much bigger! I'm pretty sure this is a "big day," but Andrew says I look this way basically all the time. The babies are definitely growing! Monday, April 4, 2011
first trimester = complete
As of today, we are officially through the first trimester! Interestingly, there are a few ways to define the first trimester...through the end of the twelfth week, through 13 weeks 3 days, through 13 weeks 6 days. Any way you look at it, we hit 14 weeks tomorrow and have completed what is usually viewed as the most risky period of development.
In continued good news, I am off all meds other than baby aspirin in the morning and a vitamin in the evening! My body seems to be producing the proper hormones, so no more additional supplements. Woohoo!
Our next ultrasound is next Monday, and there is a small chance we'll be able to find out the sex of the babies. In anticipation of this huge news, I've posted a poll on the upper right side of the blog. Feel free to take a guess as to what these little ones will be. I've been saying two boys from the beginning, though I have absolutely no reason to think this, and Andrew is guessing a boy and a girl. Today, we were both leaning a little towards two girls, so we basically have no idea how it's going to turn out. There are benefits to every combination, and we will be thrilled with any result. We just cannot wait to find out more about these little ones that will be joining us in approximately 5 months!
In continued good news, I am off all meds other than baby aspirin in the morning and a vitamin in the evening! My body seems to be producing the proper hormones, so no more additional supplements. Woohoo!
Our next ultrasound is next Monday, and there is a small chance we'll be able to find out the sex of the babies. In anticipation of this huge news, I've posted a poll on the upper right side of the blog. Feel free to take a guess as to what these little ones will be. I've been saying two boys from the beginning, though I have absolutely no reason to think this, and Andrew is guessing a boy and a girl. Today, we were both leaning a little towards two girls, so we basically have no idea how it's going to turn out. There are benefits to every combination, and we will be thrilled with any result. We just cannot wait to find out more about these little ones that will be joining us in approximately 5 months!
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