The Nursery is Coming Along

Here are some pictures of the nursery as it comes together. The first one above is a coloring table that TK made for the boys. We had an old computer desk so he just hacked off the legs so that a couple of little chairs would fit just right underneath. I think we'll be spending a lot of time at this table.
Fun noise makers! Thank you to the Gharibs!

Trucks galore. Every little boys dream. Of course these will have to wait for finer motor skills, but they are great to have.


Books, books, books!! These are my favorite part of the nursery so far. We have been so blessed by so many wonderful gifts. Thank you again to the Gharibs!

Comfy and Cozy in the swing from the Kapurs. They were also kind enough to hand down a wonderful high chair. We are truly lucky to have such wonderful friends.

Carrie works on a baby blanket while Goober Bear tries out the swing. The bouncer looks lonely without a stuffed buddy to try it out.

The stroller that will make many a trip for two. I think I'm going to have to practice steering this monster so I don't run into people.

Cribs (and dresser) from Grandma and Grandpa Stokes are protected by an army of stuffed animals and trucks. They will watch over the boys once they are here as well. That will be in just two and a half months! The day is getting closer and closer and I can tell as the little guys get more and more active and my tummy gets larger and larger and larger and larger....oh, sorry. Got carried away there for a second. The stretch marks have arrived and the growing continues! There will be more belly pictures to come, I'm sure. Until then....

24 Weeks

Well, I had another ultrasound today. Baby 'A' (the one on the left side of my expanding gut) measured at 24w6d and Baby 'B' (therefore on the right) measured at 25w2d. So one is currently a little longer/taller than the other. It will be interesting to see if one of them looks like me and the other looks like TK. I think that would just be hysterical. Baby 'B' is also now head down while Baby 'A' is still breech (head up). They got the hiccups yesterday and that was quite an experience. The doctors have said that I will now begin to grow more rapidly which is a good thing, though I am already running out of things to wear! There's not much that goes over this mound without looking extremely dumpy. My legs and backside are still pre-pregnancy sized so wearing really big maternity pants is quite a sacrifice of dignity. My rear has never looked so dumpy. But comfort is of utmost importance these days. It definitely comes before all other fashion priorities. :-p
That's all for now, I'm so sleepy I could fall asleep here at the keyboard.

Pictures

There have been several requests for some belly pics so I have rounded up a few. These first couple are from 19 weeks (I'm now at 24 weeks) and I was trying to see my toes without leaning over. It was harder than I tought it would be. The rest of the photos are from the 22 week mark. I have yet to take any pictures of me at 24. I'm rarely in the mood for a photo shoot. I barely have the energy to get ready in the mornings. :-p
So here they are: The growing belly.

There's two little people growing in there. And boy are they taking up a lot of space! It doesn't look like much, but I have gained 25 pounds since conceiving! And there is still another 13 weeks to go!

This one ended up a little blurry, but it does illustrate how much mid-section there truly is.

Mommy next to one of the cribs. I was sick with a chest cold and getting tired of pictures at this point. The smile is just a little strained. I do think I will end up taking the last month of this VERY easy. I get winded just standing up now and it's only going to get harder from here. It will all be very much worth it in the end when I get to hold these two little angels in my arms and look at their sweet faces for the first time. They'll be here sooner than we think. The last six months went pretty fast and although I hear that the end is probably the most uncomfortable of all, it will be over before I know it.

OH "BOY!"

This morning TK and I had our 20 week ultrasound appointment. The babies were measured, we saw them wiggling and kicking, and the baby on the left had it's mouth open for most of the procedure. I hope that's not an indication of appetite. :o) "Baby A" was very cooperative and showed us all the parts we needed (arms, legs, "guts," spine, brain, heart etc.) and even gave us a nice profile picture to print. "Baby B" on the other hand was not going to turn with any coaxing from the technician. At one point the tech even said the baby was "being a punk," which made TK and I giggle. There's a Stokes for you! :o) So, I'm sure most of our acquaintances have heard by now, but in case anyone has been left out: we're having two boys! That's right, two little trouble makers are headed our way. This evening while I was checking my email, "baby B," the one on the right, decided to play a game with me. I had my hand resting on my belly and he kicked pretty enthusiastically. I gently poked him back a couple of times to see if he would do it again and he did! We carried on like this for about 15 minutes with me tickling his foot and him kicking in return. It was great! They are finally kicking hard enough that I think TK will be able to feel it from outside my body. It somehow makes things more real for "daddy" being able to feel his kiddos moving in response to his touch or voice. The ultrasound was a bit much for him, as he had no idea what he was looking at, but every now and then there would be a glimpse of the whole baby (either one) and he would smile. He told me it was good for him to see them moving around in there because to this point they weren't really "alive" to him. He knew they were there, but didn't have the same connection that I did as "the incubator." I'm glad that we could share that experience together. Now if only we could come to an agreement on names! To be continued...

Tick tock, tick tock...

Only 17.5 days left until I find out the babies' gender! I'm getting so impatient. It's like Christmas morning all over again. I can't believe that 2009 is in three days. When I first conceived, and was given a due date in 2009, it felt like an eternity away. Now it is in only four and a half months! My life will permanently change in just 22 weeks! Wow.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Since tomorrow will be filled with family, presents, driving and eating, I figured I would take a moment to wish a very Merry Christmas to those who read this blog (so basically, my mom and my friend Jen)! I hope the holidays are filled with warmth (literally and figuratively), yummy food and good company. "Have yourself a Merry little Christmas..." and remember to enjoy the small and simple blessings that come your way. Hugs and kisses to all!

The Bottomless Pit!

So, I'm up and eating AGAIN while the rest of the house sleeps and the snow falls in large amounts outside. I ate right before bed, two hours after that, two hours after that and now breakfast...well, the first one. I'll be hungry again in an hour now that I'm awake. For someone with TMJ (that makes repetitive jaw movements like chewing tiresome and painful), all of this eating really starts to become a pain, but I have to remind myself that if I am hungry, so are my babies. And I'm supposed to consume an additional 300 calories a day for EACH of them! I'm beginning to think blending my meals and chugging them through a straw may not be such a bad idea. :-p I never realized how much time it takes to eat until I started needing to do it so much at work. It seriously cuts into productivity. I should have known that with a father like TK, they would have healthy appetites. :o) Well, off to the shower with me. Love to all and Happy Holidays!!!