It's Saturday morning and though life is will continue to be hectic on a daily basis, I am quite content and relaxed with Cooper by my side watching Saturday morning baby cartoons. He has copied my sighs a few times and it's just precious. I won't be going anywhere today, I don't think, and that makes me one happy person.
Due to some scheduling conflicts, we had Thanksgiving on Friday rather than Thursday. The feast was grand, as it always is with us. Turkey, smoked salmon, lots of side dishes and lots of desserts. We all ended up with enough leftovers to last us a few days. OK by me, as cooking isn't my forte these days. And, as if Thanksgiving that day wasn't enough for me, I decided to be a part of the ridiculous crew of folks that got up early and waited in line for the stores to open. My first stop: Walmart. Ugh! I got there at 4:15 AM and the line had already formed across the front of the store, and was turned and headed back along the grass toward the parking lot. (If you aren't familiar with our walmart, use your imagination) I figured there would be several people there, and really, my spot in line wasn't that bad. I did notice that there was no gate or rope lining people up to where they needed to be and stay. I had seen this on news reports for Black Friday in the past, but I figured, hey, it's Hood River.....People are nice here! I'm so friggin naive.
I waited patiently, IN MY SPOT, for 45 minutes for the doors to open. The manager announced it's opening and everyone cheered - Yay, here we come crazy bargains. Just after he led the first person in, however, it turned out that several people were in their cars just waiting for the doors to open. They jumped out and ran for the door. Well, you know, all these people waiting for god knows how long couldn't bear the sight of the line cutters getting in first so all of a sudden the walmart parking lot became this stampede of hundreds of anxious people wanting to get in the doors. I was nearly trampled a few times, and was rammed by a cart or two that was in front of a frantic runner. For a moment I thought walmart was hosting a marathon or something with all these people, young and old, bolting for the doors. I was one pissed little mama. I can't run! So I hobbled, waddled and tried my best to keep out of the way of the maniacal crowd. Once at the door it took me a few minutes to get in - OK. Then, I wanted to head back to electronics. It looked like a lions pit. People ripping, tearing and shoving their way toward the gifts on their lists. At first entry to the store one lady kept huffing and puffing that the line wasn't moving, and started to ram her cart into my side. Once, a mistake. Twice, maybe even that was a mistake, but on the third time I confronted her and told her that I COULDN'T MOVE and trying to push me along with the cart wasn't doing a thing. She mentioned that I had "all this room" in front of me. I turned around so that she could see the enormous belly that sticks out far enough to be an extra person and she responded snobbily, "Oh, well I didn't KNOW you were pregnant." Like it matters??!! I felt the blood pressure rising fast.
Forty five minutes after I got through the door I FINALLY got to electronics and grabbed the first item on my list. There were only 2 left when I got there. Then one electronic item I wanted was being held at the jewelry counter and I had to buy it there. So I waited in line for 40 minutes to buy the 2 things I had in hand, then I was off again to finish my shopping. Minute by minute the crowds were dispersing. Families had come in to take advantage of the $8 winter coats, $4 pajama sets and $1 towels. Parents were clawing for the $88 Power Wheels and the $750 plasma 50" TV's were heading out the door at warp speed. Walmart suddenly looked like a store that had been ransacked after an Armageddon warning. But, by even 6:30 AM, the crowds were thinning, people were in line to check out, and I was no longer getting rammed by overanxious tweakers wanting to buy a damn barbie.
I had picked up everything on my list, surprisingly. I checked out for the last time at a little after 7AM. I still couldn't believe that I was able to fulfill my list, and that was an amazing feat. I conquered Black Friday! Yeah, I almost unleashed a side of me I haven't seen in a few years, but I didn't. And that was good for all involved, myself included. I talked to Corey just after leaving the store and swore I'd never do it again. HOWEVER, with prices that good and 4 children and a husband to shop for next year, I just may have to. But, I'll try to be at the front of the line so that I don't get trampled.
Katie has been in Bend for the last 3 days visiting her dad and his family and will be coming home today. We have today and tomorrow to relax, then Corey heads off for a business meeting for a couple of days. I don't think we have anything going next weekend, but then every weekend, and some weeknights, are busy through Christmas. The babies will be getting lots of food this season, and judging by how they wiggled and kicked last night, they'll enjoy every drop they get.
The holidays are here ( I always judged that by Santa's appearance on the Macy's Parade) and I am overjoyed for the craziness to begin. The holly, the lights, the decor, the tree, the presents under the tree....It's all just wonderful.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Home Sweet Home
Aaaaaaaahhhh. Though the mini vacation I returned from tonight was absolutely wonderful, it is great to be home; Home, where I can put my feet up, curl up in a blanket and fall asleep on the couch. Both Corey and I were a little nervous about leaving Cooper overnight with his grandparents. (Katie is older and spending nights away from her is nothing new) No, it wasn't because of lack of trust, but, because Cooper has never been away from us all night long. This was his first time and it was a double nighter. We fretted for nothing. Both grandma and grandpa say he was just a dream. No crying, no fussing, and didn't really seem to miss us much until about an hour or two before we got there. We couldn't have asked for better, as far as Cooper being without us goes.
Lincoln City was just gorgeous from the time we got there until we left. Sunday was sunny skies with not a cloud in it. Wierd for the Oregon Coast, but fantastic for us! We casinoed ourselves crazy and had so much fun. I won pretty big at the "Let it ride" table, and being my first time, it was really exciting. I also spun the big prize on the wheel of fortune game, and Coopers birthday was a lucky number for us on "Deal or No Deal." What great memories. I did find, however, that people don't like it when crazy, pregnant women, such as myself, get excited and let out a loud "Whooo hoooo" when a trip to a bonus game is won. It seemed that much of the time we had a tendency to choose games to play, and win, where others had just left on a losing streak. But, hey, what can I say...you win some, you lose some!
We got lots of Christmas shopping done, ate lots of seafood, and it was just awesome to get away with my wonderful husband and spend some time enjoying each others company. We can enjoy it at home, but when we're away, with no cooking to do, no cleaning to do, and no kids to tend to, it's amazing how rested you can become and how rejuvenating that time can be. I love my children to pieces, but this weekend was just what we needed before the babies arrive.
Today was our Anatomical Sonogram for the twins at the Perinatal Center in Portland. We had to go to this special center because the Sonographers and Doctors there are specifically trained to look for and measure all body parts on the babies. The docs in HR felt it was better to have the measurements done at this center, rather than here at home. And, after being in the office at this center for an hour and a half, and I thought she was going pretty fast with the measurements, I can see why it was recommended that we go to this center. The same measurements would have probably taken close to 3 hours in HR for both babies. The Sonographer got great pictures of the little munchkins and doubly confirmed that we are, indeed, having twin girls. They kicked today, wiggled and danced, and we even got a picture of baby A waving at us. It was the perfect "Hi mom and dad" kind of wave. Both babies are healthy, strong and growing right on schedule. All of the heart chambers weren't seen today because these stubborn little girls were covering their chests with their arms crossed each time the Sonographer went to look for them. But, the hearbeats were strong, hearts were in the right places, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. So, in a couple of weeks, when they're a little bigger, we'll get the heart chamber pics. Since that's all that was left to be seen I hope that we can just have that done here in HR instead of going back to Portland for it. But, I suppose we'll do whatever the docs want us to.
So, now that we're home, we're going to get ready to begin the holiday cheer. I'll bring out the decorations this week, and maybe in the next couple of weeks we'll go out and cut a tree. I might even get the energy to test a few holiday treat recipes for some gifts around Christmas. Decorating the house will be fun this year, and I love that our Katie will be home for Christmas this year, too.
Life will be hectic for the next few weeks, but it's my favorite time of year, so I don't care. I know to make sure that I rest enough and not to over exert myself. But, if I get enough done now, when I can, Christmas will be a breeze. Tomorrow Cooper and I will sing "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" and probably watch a little bit of Thomas the tank engine. And, maybe wrap a few presents. Oh the joys of Christmas just tickle my tummy........Actually, that's probably Baby A kicking me to say "Mom, lets go to bed". So, happy holiday beginnings to all, and to all a good night!
Lincoln City was just gorgeous from the time we got there until we left. Sunday was sunny skies with not a cloud in it. Wierd for the Oregon Coast, but fantastic for us! We casinoed ourselves crazy and had so much fun. I won pretty big at the "Let it ride" table, and being my first time, it was really exciting. I also spun the big prize on the wheel of fortune game, and Coopers birthday was a lucky number for us on "Deal or No Deal." What great memories. I did find, however, that people don't like it when crazy, pregnant women, such as myself, get excited and let out a loud "Whooo hoooo" when a trip to a bonus game is won. It seemed that much of the time we had a tendency to choose games to play, and win, where others had just left on a losing streak. But, hey, what can I say...you win some, you lose some!
We got lots of Christmas shopping done, ate lots of seafood, and it was just awesome to get away with my wonderful husband and spend some time enjoying each others company. We can enjoy it at home, but when we're away, with no cooking to do, no cleaning to do, and no kids to tend to, it's amazing how rested you can become and how rejuvenating that time can be. I love my children to pieces, but this weekend was just what we needed before the babies arrive.
Today was our Anatomical Sonogram for the twins at the Perinatal Center in Portland. We had to go to this special center because the Sonographers and Doctors there are specifically trained to look for and measure all body parts on the babies. The docs in HR felt it was better to have the measurements done at this center, rather than here at home. And, after being in the office at this center for an hour and a half, and I thought she was going pretty fast with the measurements, I can see why it was recommended that we go to this center. The same measurements would have probably taken close to 3 hours in HR for both babies. The Sonographer got great pictures of the little munchkins and doubly confirmed that we are, indeed, having twin girls. They kicked today, wiggled and danced, and we even got a picture of baby A waving at us. It was the perfect "Hi mom and dad" kind of wave. Both babies are healthy, strong and growing right on schedule. All of the heart chambers weren't seen today because these stubborn little girls were covering their chests with their arms crossed each time the Sonographer went to look for them. But, the hearbeats were strong, hearts were in the right places, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. So, in a couple of weeks, when they're a little bigger, we'll get the heart chamber pics. Since that's all that was left to be seen I hope that we can just have that done here in HR instead of going back to Portland for it. But, I suppose we'll do whatever the docs want us to.
So, now that we're home, we're going to get ready to begin the holiday cheer. I'll bring out the decorations this week, and maybe in the next couple of weeks we'll go out and cut a tree. I might even get the energy to test a few holiday treat recipes for some gifts around Christmas. Decorating the house will be fun this year, and I love that our Katie will be home for Christmas this year, too.
Life will be hectic for the next few weeks, but it's my favorite time of year, so I don't care. I know to make sure that I rest enough and not to over exert myself. But, if I get enough done now, when I can, Christmas will be a breeze. Tomorrow Cooper and I will sing "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" and probably watch a little bit of Thomas the tank engine. And, maybe wrap a few presents. Oh the joys of Christmas just tickle my tummy........Actually, that's probably Baby A kicking me to say "Mom, lets go to bed". So, happy holiday beginnings to all, and to all a good night!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Of Children and Men
It's been nearly 2 weeks since my last post. Ha! I keep telling myself, almost daily, that I need to get blogged for the week, but somehow time slips away and I just don't get it done. Those of you who know me well enough know that I WILL get it done, in time. Thanks for the patience.
So, there's not much to report since my last revelation that twin girls will be joining us in the spring. As I mentioned in my last blog, however, baby B was much easier to see than baby A, as far as genitalia go. So, this Monday, at my super scan at a Perinatal center in Portland, we will have them double check those puffs and make sure that those weren't peter puffs instead of princess puffs. This fetal scan that I have to have done in Portland is one that the OB docs in HR referred me to, since I've got twins on board. Luckily, we were able to schedule it on the day we head home from the coast. YES.....Corey and I are going away for our first weekend away ALONE in nearly 3 years. Since we both acknowledge that it will be yet another few years before we can venture out alone again, my wonderful mother in law has generously offered to watch the kids while we have this last relaxing getaway. As if she hasn't already offered more than enough with lots of her vacation time next summer after the babies arrive, she's given us this. It really is great.
My 19 week appointment was yesterday. It was fast, to the point, and I think I was in and out of the appointment in less than 30 minutes....Record time so far with the prenatal appointments. Katie went with me this time. This was the first time that she has ever gone to one of my prenatal appointments, and she was quite surprised at how many questions were asked: Are the babies kicking? Any nausea? Vomiting? And lots of other "how's it coming along" type questions. The heartburn this pregnancy has been ferocious, and even my 2 a day dose of Zantac hasn't been working. That has not been fun. So, the doc has suggested that I give Protonix a try for a month - Once a day, at night before bedtime. I took the first dose last night and I haven't had one little sign of heartburn ALL DAY LONG!! It's a feeling that I haven't experienced in so long and I almost feel like NOW something's wrong. Haha. I've eaten like a horse over the past few weeks and expected the scales to be tipped at the appointment. But, to my great surprise, I'd only put on a pound in a month. The docs aren't worried, as the babies heartbeats are strong, and they're kicking like soccer stars.
As I sit here looking down at my enormously round belly, and admiring my newest investment, (belly ups pregnancy suspenders) I am surrounded by shrills and screeches from my children as their daddy takes aim at them with Katies spray water bottle full of ice water. What a fun game to teach the children in the house, in the winter, with water. Oh how I love this man whose inner child outshines the outer child on so many occasions. Our children are so blessed with a man like this as their father. I look forward to the years of adventures that he'll lead them on, and hope that when they grow to have children of their own that they indulge in a little inner child themselves. It's great to hear them laughing and even more endearing to see them at play. I love this life.
So, there's not much to report since my last revelation that twin girls will be joining us in the spring. As I mentioned in my last blog, however, baby B was much easier to see than baby A, as far as genitalia go. So, this Monday, at my super scan at a Perinatal center in Portland, we will have them double check those puffs and make sure that those weren't peter puffs instead of princess puffs. This fetal scan that I have to have done in Portland is one that the OB docs in HR referred me to, since I've got twins on board. Luckily, we were able to schedule it on the day we head home from the coast. YES.....Corey and I are going away for our first weekend away ALONE in nearly 3 years. Since we both acknowledge that it will be yet another few years before we can venture out alone again, my wonderful mother in law has generously offered to watch the kids while we have this last relaxing getaway. As if she hasn't already offered more than enough with lots of her vacation time next summer after the babies arrive, she's given us this. It really is great.
My 19 week appointment was yesterday. It was fast, to the point, and I think I was in and out of the appointment in less than 30 minutes....Record time so far with the prenatal appointments. Katie went with me this time. This was the first time that she has ever gone to one of my prenatal appointments, and she was quite surprised at how many questions were asked: Are the babies kicking? Any nausea? Vomiting? And lots of other "how's it coming along" type questions. The heartburn this pregnancy has been ferocious, and even my 2 a day dose of Zantac hasn't been working. That has not been fun. So, the doc has suggested that I give Protonix a try for a month - Once a day, at night before bedtime. I took the first dose last night and I haven't had one little sign of heartburn ALL DAY LONG!! It's a feeling that I haven't experienced in so long and I almost feel like NOW something's wrong. Haha. I've eaten like a horse over the past few weeks and expected the scales to be tipped at the appointment. But, to my great surprise, I'd only put on a pound in a month. The docs aren't worried, as the babies heartbeats are strong, and they're kicking like soccer stars.
As I sit here looking down at my enormously round belly, and admiring my newest investment, (belly ups pregnancy suspenders) I am surrounded by shrills and screeches from my children as their daddy takes aim at them with Katies spray water bottle full of ice water. What a fun game to teach the children in the house, in the winter, with water. Oh how I love this man whose inner child outshines the outer child on so many occasions. Our children are so blessed with a man like this as their father. I look forward to the years of adventures that he'll lead them on, and hope that when they grow to have children of their own that they indulge in a little inner child themselves. It's great to hear them laughing and even more endearing to see them at play. I love this life.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Crazy candy and puffs
Well, with both Corey and I busy with things, and me having to rest during the daytime more often, it hasn't left us with much time to plan for a garage sale. So, it's not happening....At least not this fall. We'll be tossing some things, moving some things around, and storing some other things in our shop until we're able to sell them, or find new homes for them. Life was too hectic to plan something like a garage sale....We probably should have figured as much. But everyone here at home has their own tasks and jobs, and everything's getting done nicely in preparation for twin residency.
Halloween was fantastic. Cooper and his duck costume we're a solid hit and Katie was just beautiful in her little red riding hood costume.. There wasn't another duck out there, at least that we saw, and I don't recall seeing another little red riding hood either. Katie has decided that this would be her last year trick or treating, as she is becoming less and less interested in the door to door solicitation for candy. That came somewhat of a shock to us, but for some reason, many of her friends have decided the same thing, and I think she's following in their footsteps. Though sad, we still have a toddler and two babies who will be trick or treating for the next decade at least, so it's not like we will miss out on Halloween.
Corey's Lazy Turd competition was a great success. Thirty two men took part in this annual event, and it sounds as though it was a lot of fun for all. With all the preparation Corey did for this event, and all the excitement that everyone had in looking forward to it, it was bound to be a memorable day for all. Though Corey didn't win first place, he did bring home an awesome golf bag prize that was donated by a staff member at Dakine. He's pretty happy about that. I'm just happy that it was so successful and that everyone had a good time. On to next year's event planning.....
So...I'm sure everyone's just dying here as I type about the family with little mention of the twins so far. Many of our friends knew we were going to Portland this past Friday to an ultrasound center for a 3D/4D look at the babies and to determine their sexes. After 20 minutes into the scan, baby B, the baby towards the top was found to be a little girl! The sonographer is only allowed to say she's 85% sure, just in case, but she reassured us that there was no doubt in her mind it was a girl. We agree. We saw the "princess puffs" pretty clearly. I love how their genitalia was described by the sonographer in such a fun way. Baby A, the baby towards the bottom was really being uncooperative, and kept it up for nearly 45 minutes. However, after I flipped over a few times, ate some Pez (for a sugar rush), and finally got the baby to uncross it's legs, the sonographer finally saw it;
It was another little pair of "princess puffs." That's right folks, we're going to be the proud parents of twin girls!! I'm pretty sure that "Holy shit!" was my first response, followed by lots of excitement with talk of 2 prom dresses, 2 first dates, 2 first cars and, God help us, 2 more weddings. This combination, however, will be much easier than the boy/girl combination that I had that mothers intuition about. The girls can share clothes, toys, hair supplies, and I can't wait to get to dress them up. It's been over a decade since I've been able to dress up a little girl, and I know it will be so much fun. I imagine that Corey will have these little girls wrapped right around his fingers, snuggling, swooning and taking in how beautiful they'll be.
We're just about halfway there and we're getting more and more excited each day. Now we can plan decor, buy some girl gear, and begin the oh so crazy task of choosing their names. Ideas for the names are welcome, but we won't share their names until the arrival - We did this with Cooper as well. I have two more appointments this month, and we'll keep everyone updated to how those go as well. It looks like we'll have cheese names for these fetus' much like we did with Cooper: Cooper was Cheddar. These babies have already been named swiss and havarti, and they were named this before we found out their sexes - Kinda feminine if you ask me...KIM!!!
Halloween was fantastic. Cooper and his duck costume we're a solid hit and Katie was just beautiful in her little red riding hood costume.. There wasn't another duck out there, at least that we saw, and I don't recall seeing another little red riding hood either. Katie has decided that this would be her last year trick or treating, as she is becoming less and less interested in the door to door solicitation for candy. That came somewhat of a shock to us, but for some reason, many of her friends have decided the same thing, and I think she's following in their footsteps. Though sad, we still have a toddler and two babies who will be trick or treating for the next decade at least, so it's not like we will miss out on Halloween.
Corey's Lazy Turd competition was a great success. Thirty two men took part in this annual event, and it sounds as though it was a lot of fun for all. With all the preparation Corey did for this event, and all the excitement that everyone had in looking forward to it, it was bound to be a memorable day for all. Though Corey didn't win first place, he did bring home an awesome golf bag prize that was donated by a staff member at Dakine. He's pretty happy about that. I'm just happy that it was so successful and that everyone had a good time. On to next year's event planning.....
So...I'm sure everyone's just dying here as I type about the family with little mention of the twins so far. Many of our friends knew we were going to Portland this past Friday to an ultrasound center for a 3D/4D look at the babies and to determine their sexes. After 20 minutes into the scan, baby B, the baby towards the top was found to be a little girl! The sonographer is only allowed to say she's 85% sure, just in case, but she reassured us that there was no doubt in her mind it was a girl. We agree. We saw the "princess puffs" pretty clearly. I love how their genitalia was described by the sonographer in such a fun way. Baby A, the baby towards the bottom was really being uncooperative, and kept it up for nearly 45 minutes. However, after I flipped over a few times, ate some Pez (for a sugar rush), and finally got the baby to uncross it's legs, the sonographer finally saw it;
It was another little pair of "princess puffs." That's right folks, we're going to be the proud parents of twin girls!! I'm pretty sure that "Holy shit!" was my first response, followed by lots of excitement with talk of 2 prom dresses, 2 first dates, 2 first cars and, God help us, 2 more weddings. This combination, however, will be much easier than the boy/girl combination that I had that mothers intuition about. The girls can share clothes, toys, hair supplies, and I can't wait to get to dress them up. It's been over a decade since I've been able to dress up a little girl, and I know it will be so much fun. I imagine that Corey will have these little girls wrapped right around his fingers, snuggling, swooning and taking in how beautiful they'll be.
We're just about halfway there and we're getting more and more excited each day. Now we can plan decor, buy some girl gear, and begin the oh so crazy task of choosing their names. Ideas for the names are welcome, but we won't share their names until the arrival - We did this with Cooper as well. I have two more appointments this month, and we'll keep everyone updated to how those go as well. It looks like we'll have cheese names for these fetus' much like we did with Cooper: Cooper was Cheddar. These babies have already been named swiss and havarti, and they were named this before we found out their sexes - Kinda feminine if you ask me...KIM!!!
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