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!!!

So Sleepy...

I could very well nod off to sleep right here at my desk today. Making babies is harder work than I ever could have imagined. I am CONSTANTLY drowsy. I have learned not to make plans for my afternoons and evenings. They will almost certainly not be completed. I find myself staring off into space all of the time and I think I even spend some time asleep with my eyes open! I feel a lot like my friend's tuckered out little boy most of the day. Just about 185 more days to go...man that sounds like a long time to be tired. :-p

"Picture yourself..."

"...in a boat on a river..." That's right. I have "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" stuck in my head. I have no idea why or how it got stuck but I've sung it enough times that it's time to move on. Perhaps some Christmas song since the Holidays are so swiftly approaching. I am stunned that there are only three weeks until Thanksgiving! We will all be gathering at my grandmother's house (my twins great-grandmother's house!) for some of her time-tested, wonderful, unbelievably delicious home cooking. I have been big-time bitten by the holiday bug. I think tonight I will begin the decorating. Then maybe some baking...who knows. I'm usually so tired when I get home that none of those things will happen, but the first trimester is almost over so I "should" be getting some energy back. We'll see. Things at work are ridiculously slow today which is why I have time to drone one about nothing at this time in the afternoon. TK and I are supposed to take our holiday greeting card pic this weekend, but the weather outside is yucky so we'll have to figure out some darling festive vignette indoors. Good ol' self timer magic will come in very handy, I'm sure. :-p Much love and holiday wishes!

Home Improvement

So, in an effort to obtain the certificate of occupancy required by the city that was not obtained by the people who sold us our home (long, aggrevating story) we spent the last weekend adding rails to the exterior stairs of our house. It was a learning experience to say the least, not to mention an expensive one. First we got the supplies (above) and then began the adventure. This is how the front of the house looks. It was interesting to situate the the rail because the stairs have settled diagonally away from the front door. I still have to take a picture of the side of the house. That was an even bigger challenge thanks to the driveway. More pics to come.