I Make Humans - My oven, Their bun

So, since we had the twins, my personal life... it's been a whirlwind. Still. If you thought things would settle down after the twins were born, um... nope. LOL!!! While we were still pregnant, we started building a house. My amazing realtors and I looked for weeks for one that was built that was in our price range and such but everything we found, by the time I asked to look at it (a day or two on the market), there would be a contract on it. :( so... we elected to build. We were able to pick a lot, pick a plan, do a design build and modify to our specs for what we needed. I have to say, during this process, it's actually been pretty amazing. We were able to pick everything the way we wanted! brick, paint, granite, cabinets, floors, fixtures, etc... EVERYTHING. Boyfriend and his mom and dad were definitely included in part of this process too. The lot we picked were right by his parents and brother's houses so we wanted them to be around for the process as they would be o...

Hello again, friends. Today's installment will be talking about what all I've done since having the twins. I've had lots of positive feedback from my last blog and I want to thank all of you for your continued support, love and feedback.  In my last post, I talked about the emotional ups and downs I experienced but there has been so much more to tell you! Right after we had the twins, I think I mentioned before that I had to receive 2 units of blood, I was extremely weak and exhausted. I had never had a C-Section before. I knew that I was prone to be anemic when I wasn't pregnant, but I did not know I was borderline anemic while being pregnant. I mean, I craved red meat and dark greens, so I should have known... but I thought that was just the babies fighting for craving rights to my body! Haha! After being moved to my recovery room, I was still hooked up to all the things from the C-section - IV, catheter, oxygen, heart monitor. I wasn't allowed to walk yet and t...

It's been a while since I've posted... and I'm sorry for that. I am so grateful for the boyfriend and all of my friends/family who have reached out and checked up on me to see how I'm doing.  First question I know you're all wondering... How are the babies!? They are doing amazingly! Their parents are ROCKSTARS!!!! The babies are the sweetest and best nuggets ever!!! I'm so blessed that the parents allow me to keep up with them and see their adorable faces. This was an important aspect for me when deciding to pair up with the parents and they are very sweet to check on me even when they're raising two newborns! Next most common question I get is how are my emotions. This, in my opinion, is the hardest part of the experience/process. I expected to have the emotional roller coaster but there were so many things I didn't expect. I have never been one to hide away from pointing out the elephant in the room... so let's just get into this, shall we...

What a whirlwind... this experience has been unreal in the best way. This post has taken me 1.5 weeks to write. Partially because there's so much to tell but partially because of the healing process both physically and emotionally. But here goes...! I went on medical leave from work 2 weeks ago (Feb 19th). When I made the decision, some thought it was a bit early bc I was only 33 weeks. But something told me it was time for me to step back at work. I was miserable, physically, in a lot of pain in my ribs, hands/wrists, swelling terribly. And I was not providing the value to my teams that they deserved. Of course, the last day of work, I was in the hospital that night with contractions! The contractions were stopped and I was sent home at 2am after getting fluids. It was unexpected, but it confirmed I made the right decision to take off work when I did.  So on my first days off, I was experiencing the ‘nesting’ phase. Huge urge to clean/organize. Did lots of errands in tho...

Well, friends... we're 30 weeks! This is a huge achievement because at this point, the babies are very likely to survive with minimal complications if they were to unexpectedly be born early. They now just get to focus on packing on the lbs so they will be able to control their body temperature and continue with lung development and maturing their digestive tracks. My Dr. does want me to go to 38 weeks (pending the twins weight) - they are around 3.5 lbs each, which is bigger than normal,  and gaining 1/2 a pound each week!  I did get the results from my gestational diabetes test and it was negative. So that makes me feel good to know that their weight isn't because of a problem I have, that they really are developing well. I keep telling my IPs that I make big (and really pretty) babies. :) And coincidentally, I lost 2 lbs in as many weeks which i don't think has ever happened to me before. But let me tell you... it's not for a lack of eating! I definitely don't...

Hi Friends! I know it has been WAY TOO LONG since I've updated you. I did exactly what I needed to do over the Holidays and that was rest and spend time with those I love. This was the first year I did not see my family in Texas. I do miss them so much, but it just wasn't safe for me to travel down there and due to the hurricane recovery, my family wasn't able to come up this way as they're still trying to finish getting their houses back together and find their new normal. But you can bet your rears I rested, napped, played with the kids, spent time with My Favorite and even was able to have a Christmas dinner and spend quality time with my IPs!  Well, when I went back to work last week, I started having contractions and started swelling pretty bad. There are days when I am on my feet a lot and super active and then days where I'm sitting a lot and neither of these things are good for controlling swelling and keeping contractions at bay. We had my 28 week a...

Hi all, I think I've reached that "really pregnant" part of the pregnancy already, that most singleton pregnancies don't get until around month 8, the semi-miserable phase when you're uncomfortable all the time and swell easily. And frankly, you just get really irritable and probably irritate everyone else too.  I've been fighting a head cold this week and have not felt good which I know doesn't help. To my amazing boyfriend, really supportive friends and family, and colleagues: I'm really sorry .  I feel bad for people who have to be around me on a regular basis now. I was really hoping that I wouldn't get stuck in this phase for quite some time, but with 2 babies in there, as the rest of all the pregnancy things, it just speeds up the process. I do feel the babies move around all the time now, they even kick my hands if I rest them on my belly. That part is quite adorable. I do feel as though I have an amazing support system around me for...

Lots to cover in this update... thanksgiving, St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, growing belly...  I know the first thing all of you were wondering, though... if the babies were well fed and liked their Thanksgiving feast. Well, I have to say - I took 2 tries at i­t­, but I was able to put away a full portion of Thanksgiving food. And a piece of pie! This of course was to my breathing and comfort detriment. But SO worth it!! Favorite food by far was the sweet potato casserole! And the babies were moving around a good bit which leads me to believe they were super happy. 😁 I do feel them move all the time. Every once in a while I feel them move at the same time and can tell the difference in which is which. It’s kinda surreal to feel 2 babies moving around. But it’s amazing to know they’re doing good and thriving. Already they are so strong! I was able to record w a video them moving around for the IPs. You can see their kicks every once in a while. The IPs haven’t been able ...

Oh friends... oh boy, do we have a story for you today!!! This past Monday, we had our 20 week appointment. At this visit, we had a very thorough ultrasound visit. They call this the "anatomy" ultrasound where they check all the limb measurements and the status of brain, bladder, stomach, etc. for each of the babies. We also saw the Dr. just to see how things were going. All the other normal things you do at a 20 week appointment.  The IPs were SO EXCITED to get to see the babies!!! And MAN, the twins put on a show for their parents!!! They were moving and showing out. As we got started with the checks, twin A (the lower one is always twin A as they'll come out first - things I never thought I would know) was getting measured. We saw a big ole head, good sized belly and he had very prominent boy parts which my IPs were very proud of. All boy parents are, right? I had never seen a boy part on ultrasound as I have 3 girls. And I mentioned that I only know what to look for...

Every time I write one of these blog entries, I feel like I’m starting to pen a letter to my oldest and dearest of friends. We pick up right where we left off... I­t­s been a couple weeks since I’ve posted an update and a lot has happened since our last conversation.  First, I did have a situation of spotting a few weeks ago, around week 15. I went to the dr the next morning but he pretty much told me I just needed to slow my roll and settle myself. All was well with the babies. Ultrasound confirmed two super strong babies who were settled in their bunk beds. This was just before I was 16 weeks and we were surprised to get to see them so soon bc we didn’t have an ultrasound scheduled. But the boys are doing so good!!! They’re growing so fast!!!  My Dr did tell me I needed to slow my roll. In his words, 2 is significantly more than 1. I know this seems like simple math, but when I was pregnant with my girls, I didn't have to curtail my activities until the end of my pre...

This weekend, I was snuggling with a sweet fat cat known as Bash and he laid up on my belly. When he did, I could feel the slightest flutters from the babies!!! It was super exciting. I text the IPs and let them know our oranges were moving about their cabins nicely! They of course got excited, too. Probably within the month, the IPs will be able to feel them themselves!!! I can’t wait to see their faces...❤️ We are now 15 weeks!! 25 to go. It sounds like such a long time when I say it like that. But the truth is this time will pass so quickly and these boys will be here before we know it! They are now the size of naval oranges, about 4.5 inches long and supposedly actually look like baby humans, as opposed to fish or frogs or aliens. Ha! I’ve felt so blessed lately that I’ve had so much support... from so many friends and readers who are following this story. I’ve also had lots of amazing things happening around me over the last couple months but my most favorite is how happy I’ve b...

Hello friends! We’re 1/3 if the way there! The IPs are getting excited and finally comfortable enough to start telling their friends about becoming parents! I’m so happy for them. They made the MOST PRECIOUS baby announcement!! Made me cry in the Drs office. :) The IPs even bought baby beds and have started working on their baby room. I love seeing them so happy and excited!!! 13 weeks down... 27 more to go! Man, that sounds like a lot!!!  My belly is starting to fill out a bit now and I officially can’t wear any of my regular clothes. I have one pair of fat jeans I can wear still and that helps. So glad to be done w meds and shots! Slowly but surely my back end is getting back to normal and without knots and bruises! Haha! The peeing every 5 minutes has started. It’s so frustrating at times. But all in all it just means the boys are growing well and that always makes me happy! Still craving lots of fruits... but don’t have much of an appetite these days. What’s really weird ...

So Monday was an exciting day for my IPs!!!! We had our first visit to the Drs since I stopped meds and they were able to see their little nuggets again!!!! The parents are now so excited and I'm so thrilled they are ready to start telling the world about their baby boys!  This week is week 12 - we have two little plums in there - twin A and twin B(pictured above). On the ultrasound you could see them both moving and waving their little arms and kicking. It was precious! And so made my heart happy to see the IPs so happy!!! Due date is April 2nd and the babies are measuring perfectly. If there's one thing I do well, its grow beautiful healthy babies!!! I also asked about flu shots and massages. And I'm good to go on both!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!! So what's happening in the pregnancy world you ask? Nausea is in full swing Can't sleep on my belly Can't really sleep period. I keep waking up in the middle of the night randomly and am just. Awake. (Hence I'...