Bear With Me

Well, I'm sure you've heard...a lot has happened since I last posted. From bed rest to birth to daily life with 3 under the age of three, I promise to gradually fill in all the blanks. I think I have finally reclaimed my blogging mojo. So bear with me and check back often, as I get caught up on the highlights of the last half year.

Letters to the Twins, Part Six

Twinkie and Twinkette,

Well here we are, at the end of your gestation, and I'm only 36 weeks and 1 day. After 6 weeks of strict and diligent bed rest, you are still determined to come early. (You must only have a dash of Penick in you.) I have dilated to 5 centimeters and I'm 70% effaced. Since at least one of you is still breech, we're going in for a scheduled cesarean today, in a race against my progressing labor. Though I am completely terrified, I am so ready for you. I have had plenty of time to prepare for this day, but feel so utterly unprepared. I have had a ton of visitors in my hospital room, all wanting to stroke the big twin belly one last time and share in the excitement of your impending arrival. Everyone is giddy and happy-go-lucky. Everyone, that is, except for your daddy and me. He's just plain nervous. My nervousness has reached a whole new, uncharted tier. It's been a kind of out of body experience for me. I don't believe there is a word for what I am feeling. It's a mix of so many things and heavy on the emotion. I am feeling a bit rushed today, but glad you're going to have such an awesome birthday. (08-09-10) I am excited for Willa to have siblings, but uneasy and a little sad that she doesn't quite understand the change that is about to take place. I am so happy for the relief my pelvis is about to experience, but a little guilty that I'm thinking of me. I am eager to finally see your faces and hold you in my arms, but more than a little horrified for the nurse to come wheel me off to surgery. We've had a rough road, you and you, and I, but the end is kind of bittersweet. Watching the clock, waiting for five, the hours are both creeping and flying by. I'm finding that going into labor is nice...pain is good...it occupies the mind. A scheduled c-section is just eerie. It's showtime. See you in a bit!

Love and kisses,

Mama

Letters to the Twins, Part Five

My dear double dose of Heep,

So you've gone and turned on me...breech, that is. That's okay, Lovies, make yourselves comfortable for the time being. You still have at least 8 weeks until I let you out. Just remember that it will be greatly appreciated if you turned back around and joined in my efforts for a natural, non-surgical delivery. It's no rush, and just a suggestion. You are each over 3 pounds and 17 inches in length. Whoa, that's a lot of baby! And your movements have grown even stronger and more pronounced, enough that it sometimes takes my breath away. I'm getting nudged by pointy little limbs all over the place and occasionally wonder if you're in there using my organs as a punching bag or a string instrument. Since I can't check in on you anytime I want, I'll admit, it is nice to know you're okay...and entertaining yourselves. Your growth is great, and you seem to be healthy and strong, just as a German pair should be. You still have some important work to do, like completion of your lung development and packing on a few more pounds. But the doc says everything looks great in there, despite my ongoing and bizarre pregnancy ailments. What's a little sciatica, double carpal tunnel, and heartburn in the whole scheme of making two babies? I am certainly woman enough to handle 5 or 6 bathroom trips a night, some swelling, and 30 extra pounds which seem to all be resting squarely on my pelvis. Maternal fat storage is such a cute name for cellulite, I think. And if it weren't for the carpal tunnel, I could fix my face right up to conceal the splotchy brown pregnancy mask that has washed over it. The freight train snore I've developed is only temporary and I secretly think your daddy finds it endearing. I only wonder why it is that I can't consume enough ice, and find new car scent to be so intoxicating. Your daddy and I have finished Willa's room and have been working away on your's. Your shiny new chest of drawers is stocked, and your cribs are set up. Only a few more finishing touches and all that will be missing is you. We are so eager to welcome you home, but know that you are not quite ready for the outside yet. It won't be long. XOXO

A Party for Willa's 2.5

June 27th marked Willa's Half-Birthday. So, as promised, Sean and I hosted a big bash in her honor. Lots of family and friends came and dined picnic-style, on hotdogs, macaroni salad, baked beans, watermelon, and fresh squeezed lemonade. The non-pregnant adults enjoyed Peach Bellini's, Green Lizards, and of course, Bud Light. Dessert was brownies and cupcakes with sprinkles. The gargantuan inflatable fortress was a huge success and Willa ran wild and shoe-less all day. She played harder than I have ever seen and must have had the best time of her entire 2.5 years! This one will definitely be hard to top next year.

The Twins at 29 Weeks

In case you were wondering how things are looking inside that big belly of mine...here are the latest ultrasound images from last week's appointment. The two on the left side show both babies and their positions, in relation to each other. To my dismay, they have flipped to a double breech position, and have their heads together as if to be concocting even more mischief. The top right image is a straight on shot of baby boy's face, and the bottom right is that of baby girl's. Everything is measuring right on track...she's 3.3 lbs, and he's right behind at 3.2. So all is well, and appears to be healthy with no signs of any problems or premature labor. And there's not much else we can tell, except that they are awesome!

Sarah's Wedding

My cousin, Sarah, got married last weekend. It was the most beautiful wedding, which wasn't any surprise at all. The bride was perfect, gracious and gorgeous, and truly in love with her handsome groom. Willa was the flower girl, which caused quite a bit of anxiety for me, unable to predict how she would do. But I was so flattered and proud, and it was all worth it when she braved the aisle with her cousin Blake, the ring bearer. From the back of the church, I had to fight back tears while I watched my little girl carefully make her way to the front. The realization, while a sweet one, still hit me hard: Someday Willa will be making that walk again, only as the bride in her own wedding. And that time will no doubt come all too soon. The reception was held at my uncle Jimmy's ranch, Yensid, and signified the end of a long project for my brother, Chris, who designed and built it all, from pond-side gazebo to modest (hardly) guesthouse, to guesthouse addition, and finally a recreation house. All the family was together, which hasn't happened in a while. We all mingled and took in the amazing surroundings and pleasant evening. I kept looking down to find Willa, in her magnificent silk dupoini, splayed out in the grass. I love that she's just that kind of girl. And the party went on late into the night. Willa rocked the dance floor with her signature dance moves and brought more tears to my eyes as she asked Sean, "Daddy, will you dance with me?" (So sorry, I must have lost my camera by this point in the evening.) I managed to dance half of a George Straight song with my own handsome groom before I lost my breath, but mostly sat watching it all, very pregnantly from the cushy sofa. We tried our best to keep Willa up for the firework display, which was spectacular! But the poor thing crashed on her daddy's shoulder just before it started. It was such a special and fun night. And I'm so glad Sarah and Mo let us be a part of it.