Showering the Babies :: San Antonio

This weekend, we headed to San Antonio for our first baby shower! We know it's early, but with the unknowns of twins {pre-term labor, bed rest, travel restrictions}, we didn't want to miss out celebrating with our sweet friends and family in San Antonio. So they were gracious to accommodate this first-time, Type-A mama's request for an early date :)

This shower was a combined celebration with family, friends, and our BSF family. It was so special to be in one room with so many prayer warriors who have known our journey and faithfully prayed for our little ones. We felt so blessed and so loved, and I tried to soak up every moment. There was something so special about this day even happening, and I didn't want to take a moment for granted.

The shower was hosted at a beautiful home in the Dominion, and there was no detail overlooked. Guests got to choose from either a bow or bow tie name tag {it was hosted by BSF ladies, after all!}, and were asked to record prayers and verses for our babies in a sweet book. The food was super yummy, and there was plenty of blue and pink! :)

I had 6 sweet hostesses, and I am so thankful for these ladies! Three work with my dad, and are ladies that I have known for many years. One is the wife of a guy who works with my dad {and the owner of the lovely home}, and two are my mom's oldest and dearest friends. So much love and generosity pours out from these ladies!

I loved having so many people I love {and who love us} in one room. So many prayers, so much encouragement and support, and such a sweet blessing to celebrate with them all!

My mom's 2 bestest friends...and the other 2 M&M's from my wedding day! ;)

My aunt and cousin's girlfriend

One of my oldest and dearest friends, and her sweet mom {who used to drive carpool!}

With my beautiful mama :)

People were SO generous to shower our babies with love and gifts. Each guest was asked to bring a book instead of a card, and now our babies have a HUGE library started! And I love that each book is filled with sweet words and prayers over them. So special!

Only about half the gifts we received

And my sweet hubby showed up at the end to help us load the gifts. I loved being able to introduce him to some of the people who made this day so fun and special. Our babies are already so loved!

26 Weeks

How far along? 26 weeks

Days since transfer: 164 days

Total weight gain: +21.0

Maternity clothes? Yep! But can we talk about maternity clothes for a second? They are SO dang expensive, especially for something you wear for about 2 seconds. {Not really, but you definitely don't wear them for long before you grow out of them}. I had several sweet friends let me borrow some of their maternity clothes {HUGE blessing}, but as my belly grows, I have had to purchase a few more items. I shop the clearance sections as much as possible. I realize that horizontal stripes and flowing shirts may not be the most stylish or flattering, but you know what? They're cheaper and more comfortable. So flowing stripes it is for this preggo! ;)

Sleep: I didn't get my mid-afternoon cat naps this week {the horror!} because I was working in the office. But man, did I crash when I got home at night. Slept like a rock.

Best moment of the week: Receiving the invitations for 2 more baby showers! This is starting to feel so real, and we are so thankful for all the friends, family, and co-workers that want to celebrate with us and our little ones. 

Cravings: ICE WATER. I think because it was so hot and I was on the go so much, my body was really needing all the water it could get.

Symptoms: This week brought some new ones: swollen feet and dry skin. I think the swollen feet were because I was actually on my feet all day and because of the heat. When I got in my car at the end of the work day, I could literally watch my little toes swell to look like vienna sausages. Not at all attractive. But thankfully, they seemed to calm down by the next morning, so I'm hoping this isn't the norm yet. The dry skin has me a little concerned, mostly because of how much water I craved this week. I don't want to get dehydrated, so I am trying to be diligent about my water intake.

Stretch Marks: Lots of people have asked me about this. Thankfully, I don't have any yet. My mom didn't have any, so genetics is playing in my favor. But I'm having twins, so my expectations are realistic: there's no way I'm escaping them. It's really not a matter of if, but when. For now, it's not yet. But I do have the lovely linea nigra, so there's that...

Looking forward to: My first baby shower this weekend! I know it sounds super early {and it probably is}, but... TWINS. There are so many possible factors: pre-term labor, bed rest, travel restrictions. I am hoping for none of these to be an issue, but also didn't want to miss out on the fun of baby showers in case any of them do become an issue. And thus, the early baby shower :)

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Size of baby? About the size of an eggplant or butternut squash, a bowling pin {what?!?!}, or a slow loris {an adorable, big-eyed animal}  :)

Development: Babies are piggybacking off my immune system to develop their own, and they are putting on a ton of fat. They have also started opening their eyes and are becoming more responsive to light. Their lungs are perfecting their processes and, with assistance, they could breathe if they were born. But we're wanting them to stay put for quite a bit longer ;)

Heartbeat: Supposedly, if the room was really quiet and you put your ear to my belly, you could hear their heartbeats {which is CRAZY to me}. We haven't tried it yet, but how fun would that be?

Movement: Babies have been super active the last few weeks, but I feel like this week was PARTY time in my belly. There were several days where they moved NONSTOP and seemed to be either playing for fighting with each other. It's entertaining to watch my belly dance, for sure :)

Gender: We're having a BOY and a GIRL :)

Countdown to Babies :: 100 Days!

I officially have 100 days left until my due date. And because we're having twins, I am almost guaranteed not to even make it to my due date. Which means our precious babes will be here even sooner. How did that happen so fast??

I have been truly thankful for this pregnancy, for so many reasons and in so many ways. While we still have 2 sweet little ones frozen and waiting for us, we know there are no guarantees that we will get to meet them this side of heaven, and so I am constantly reminded of the blessing of this pregnancy. I pray not, but it could very well be the only one I experience. So I don't want to take any of it for granted, and I want to soak up every moment.

While it hasn't been a perfect or completely uneventful pregnancy, it has actually been a good one. My morning {really, all-day} sickness was manageable, and my Crohn's symptoms have improved in pregnancy {bonus!} We started off with some scary complications, but the Lord was gracious to resolve those issues, and we have received nothing but great reports at every doctor's appointment so far. I am definitely starting to feel the reality of carrying 2 babies in my belly...growing fast and moving slower. And I probably won't escape all the "fun" pregnancy symptoms that are still to come. But when I feel our sweet babes dancing {sometimes fighting??} in my belly, I can't help but feel like all the "hard" things are going to be more than worth it. There truly is nothing like it, and I am just so thankful the Lord has allowed me to experience it.

So forgive my overly sappy post and the continued mention of all things babies and pregnancy. I certainly understand if you need to skip over it. It won't hurt my feelings, and we can still be friends :) But I want to remember this sweet and precious time that is a gift from the Lord. And so I wanted to record the moments He has quietly whispered, "Erin, do you see this? Don't forget this moment and all that I have done for you, all because I love you and these precious babies."

Strolling down the street with dear friends, enjoying popsicles and good conversation, remembering that I longed for the day when I could have a belly filled with life. And now waddling alongside my sweet pregnant friend, so thankful for the life the Lord has granted to both of us.

Peeing for the 10th time before lunch because baby boy is sitting on your bladder again, remembering that I could very well be in the bathroom sick with Crohn's instead. And yet the Lord has been gracious to grant a reprieve from Crohn's during this pregnancy. Such a huge blessing!

Sitting at my old desk at work, remembering the countless times that I held back tears because the pain of infertility or adoption setbacks were just too much, but I had to keep it together in the office. And now sitting in that same seat, feeling our little ones have a party in my belly.

Walking down the baby aisles, overwhelmed by all the choices, but even more overwhelmed by the fact that I have babies for which to plan and purchase. Where these aisles brought so much pain before and I often just avoided them altogether, they now fill my eyes with tears in a different way. I now relish every moment that I get to dream and imagine what our little ones will look like, what their little personalities will be, and how they will fill our family. 

Having people say sweet things like, "You look so tiny!" when they obviously think I am farther along than I am. And then when I tell them I am not due until November, seeing their expression change as they realize I still have 3 whole months of belly growth to go... Or something like, "I feel like you have grown since I saw you 2 days ago." Because I most likely have. And I just can't help but giggle inside. One, because let's be honest, it's funny, and I'm going to be HUGE. But I also think to myself how blessed I am to have this growing belly and all the life it represents.

Googling {I love that we use that as a verb} weird pregnancy symptoms and all things baby, remembering that it wasn't too long ago when I was googling trying to conceive advice, infertility and adoption options. I would never allow myself to go there before, because it was just too painful. But the Lord has allowed us to be in a place where we can now research these fun things with joy-filled anticipation.

Counting down the days to our due date, remembering that it was a year ago when we were preparing for our second transfer, but not yet knowing that we would face unimaginable loss and heartbreak. It was such a dark season {after what seemed to be an already difficult road}, and yet the Lord was faithful. The Lord is faithful. He walked with us in the valley, and He is walking with us now on the mountaintop.

So what will our next {less than} 100 days look like?

• Finishing up the nursery.
• Celebrating with friends, family, and co-workers at 3 generous baby showers.
• Birthing classes, hospital tours, and car seat inspections.
• Learning how to maneuver around and do simple things with an ever-growing belly. 
• Soaking up as many date nights as we can.
• Sleeping as much as possible. And then trying to sleep some more.
• Enjoying the sweetness of feeling life inside my belly.

Thank you, Jesus for Your incredible blessings. For making me stop and enjoy and remember these sweet moments. Thank You for gifting us these precious moments.

High Five for Friday!

Hellooooo Friday! Today’s theme? Blessings…there are SO many of them! 

{one} I worked in the office this week for one of the executive assistant’s that was out on vacation. It was great to be back in the office and, while many things have changed, it was kind of like riding a bike as I got back into the groove of working with the executives. It’s crazy to think that I left working full time a year ago…the time has gone by so fast! And I was reminded of the incredible blessing that the bank has continued to be to us, as I transitioned into working part time from home. Who gets to do that?? So, so thankful.

{two} I got my second shower invitation in the mail this week! It’s hard to believe that this is actually happening, and I get more and more excited the closer we get! We are surrounded by so much love and support, and it is such an amazing blessing to celebrate with our sweet friends and family. So many people have prayed with and for us, so it is so humbling to be at a point now where we are celebrating with everyone over the blessing of our little ones. I want to soak up every moment!

{three} Yesterday, my parents celebrated their 37^th wedding anniversary. How fun that those crazy love birds have been married for 37 years?? I do not take for granted that my parents have such an enduring and loving relationship. They are such a great example of commitment and love, and I am always in awe of the forgiveness they show each other, the friendship they cultivate, and the fun they still have together. Happy Anniversary you crazy love birds!

{four} On Tuesday, we hung out with Jon and Sami. We ate dinner together, and then headed to Steel City Pops for dessert. As we walked around and talked with our sweet friends, I couldn’t help but think of the blessing these two have been in our lives. Mike has been friends with them since high school. Sami was the first one to reach out to me when I walked into the 20s group almost 8 years. They both stood beside us on our wedding day. We have served together, laughed and cried together, prayed together, and I couldn’t help but smile to think that Sami and I are currently pregnant together {she with #4, and me with #1 and #2}. While our varying ministries and jobs have led us to different places over the years, it is such a blessing to have deep friendships like these. I will forever be grateful for them.

{five} Wednesday was National Bump Day on social media, so I snapped a photo for fun. I feel like babies were definitely filling out the bump. And you can't see it, but they were having a PARTY in there! Seriously, they would. not. stop. moving. all. afternoon. And it was so fun. So thankful.

#25w2d

Happy Friday! Hello weekend :)

25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks

Days since transfer: 157 days

Total weight gain: +19.2 {I lost a little this week...not sure how that happened}

Maternity clothes? Yep! Although this week is going to be my biggest challenge yet: work clothes! Since I mostly work from home now, and it's summer, my maternity wardrobe reflects those facts...so not exactly office professional. But I am working in the office this week, so we'll see how this goes {and what will fit!} 

Sleep: I have felt more tired this week. Definitely sleeping more and finding that I actually need more sleep. I take my B-12 shot today, so I will be interested to see how that plays a role in my energy levels over the next week or so.

Best moment {s} of the week: Hearing that my antibody screen came back negative {I am RH negative, which could potentially be a problem with babies}. It was a relief to know that my body hasn't developed antibodies against our babies! And when, on seeing my growing bump for the first time in awhile, Mike's sweet co-worker said I looked like I had {only} swallowed a grape. Bless her. Because we all know it's not true {or I should get an award for swallowing the largest grape on record}, but I SO appreciate her saying it anyway :)

Cravings: Cold things? Ice water, popsicles...anything to cool off in the summer heat!

Symptoms: Breathing. Ya'll. Such a simple thing that has become increasingly more difficult. I find myself out of breath after doing practically nothing. And I have also been experiencing some indigestion...that's a completely new thing for me. I had several nights where I had to figure out a way to sleep sitting up just so I could relieve the discomfort and breathe. So the next couple of months should be interesting. Oh, and I have struggled a bit this week with my intestines slowing down. Not a super fun symptom, but really thankful my Crohn's symptoms have been virtually non-existent during pregnancy so far.

Looking forward to: Meeting our babies! I know we still have some time {and I certainly don't want to meet them too early}, but the closer we get, the more excited I get about meeting them. What will they look like? What will their little personalities be like?

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Size of baby? About the size of a rutabaga {does anyone actually eat this?} or napa cabbage, a baseball glove, or a prairie dog :)

Development: Babies' lungs and air sacs are continuing to develop, and their nostrils are starting to open. Their hair is thickening and they may even have a hair color by now. They can now tell which way is up and down, so they are using their new-found balance to {hopefully} rotate toward the correct birthing position {head down}. 

Heartbeat: Both were strong at my OB appointment at 24 weeks + 2 days.

Movement: Constant! And absolutely wonderful. Supposedly they are going to start being "rocked" to sleep by my movement, which means they will be more active when I am resting. I feel like I have already had some of that, but we shall see how their routines play out...

Gender: We're having a BOY and a GIRL :)