Pregnancy - Week 28

How far along: 28 weeks and two days, THIRD TRIMESTER!!!! Home stretch!

Weight: About 140 pounds (and measuring 40" around my belly)

Maternity clothes: 98% yes. I definitely need my maternity clothes, but I have a few pieces that I have been able to make work. One piece in particular, now that it’s spring, was something I borrowed from Leroy’s closet: one of his undershirt tanks (aka wifebeater) Fits nicely over my belly and when I put a cardigan over it, you can’t even tell!! Haa Haa.

Stretch marks: None so far. And the picture below proves it!

Sleep: Well, there is no rhyme or reason to my sleep patterns. There have been some amazing nights where I’ll only wake up once! And there are nights like a few nights ago (which happen about as rare as the type previously mentioned) where I got about 2-3 hours of sleep!!

Movement: I thought that Baby B (on the right) was WAY more active than Baby A (on the left, possible future Leroy IV). I just rarely feel A. But then I went to the Perinatologist and the ultrasound technician was having a hard time snapping pictures and getting the heartbeat of A because he was moving around so much. He is lower and more towards my back, so that’s why I don’t feel him as much. Last night though, I swear they were having a party in my belly. I could feel BOTH of them. Maybe they were practicing break dancing. Or maybe they were trying to be like Savion Glover and trying to teach themselves how to tap!

Belly Button In/Out: In, but about to pop out any day it seems

Cravings: Coca Cola. And not diet or Zero…the full version! There is no other. Of course, I’ve refrained from this craving and have only caved ONCE this entire pregnancy.

Aversions: Nothing recently. I still at times have a hard time trying to figure out what I want to eat.

Gender: Two Boys: Leroy Lamar IV and Loxley Bliss Lamar.

Symptoms: Carpel Tunnel, insomnia, and every rare occasion, a little bit of nausea.

What I miss: Sleep - but I guess I need to get used to that. Sugar –trying to stay away from stuff like Coke and gummy bears

What I look forward to: Our baby showers!!! Sure, getting gifts is fun and exciting, but I’m also excited to see our friends and family that we haven’t seen in a while!!!

Moods: Mixed. There are times when I just want to be lazy because I know I can be, and there are times when I just need to be lazy. There are times I want to do stuff (like move furniture), but I physically can’t. There are times when I want to be very active, but just don’t have the energy.

Milestones: Viability soars. So at 24 weeks, babies are able to survive outside of the womb, albeit with high risks. At 28 weeks, viability soars, and then again at 32 weeks.

Medical Concerns: GESTATIONAL DIABETES!!!! I just found out yesterday that I have been diagnosed with it. I failed my 1 hour (scored 151, failed by 21) and had to go back for a three hour test. I failed that too. (Fasting: 64 – passed; 1st hour: 207 failed by 27; 2nd hour: 191 failed by 36; 3rd hour: 150 failed by 10.) But both doctors say the weights of the boys and me are fine. Everything still looks good otherwise. I have to watch my diet for the next two months. Hopefully it will go away once the boys are born and hopefully the boys don’t get diabetes themselves. I meet with a nurse on Saturday for some one-on-one education and direction for food and monitoring.

Weekly Wisdom: Sometimes things don’t always go as planned. Life will often jab you unexpectedly. Do what is best for you and your family, and roll with the punches.

Worst moment this week: Finding out I failed my glucose tests (which tests for gestational diabetes).

Best moment this week: Getting my maternity belt. Sounds really lame and simple, but it has helped me so much. I don’t feel as weighed down and I feel like I don’t get as tired walking around. I still waddle, but I don’t think I can help that.

Pregnancy - Week 21

How far along: 21 weeks and 1 day

Weight: I was 133 pounds on 3/1. I weighed myself at work, but I’m not sure how accurate the scale is. I was 136 pounds on the work scale.

Maternity clothes: YES! Thank goodness it is starting to warm up because I have more non-maternity clothes I might be able to wear.

Stretch marks: None so far. I’ve been using Mama Mio Tummy Butter, but I’ve run out!!! That stuff is $35 per tub! Thank you sssssooooooo much Ate Jeannine for hooking me up the first time. But now is the time that I will need it, so I’m going to have to bite the bullet :)

Sleep: This 4 AM insomnia has GOT to stop!!! It’s really weird, I wake up anywhere between 3:30-4:15. And I’m WIDE awake. I’ve been changing the brightness setting on my iPhone to the lowest point before I go to sleep. So when I do wake up, if I feel the urge to write something down or look something up, I’m not blinded by the light and I’m usually able to fall back asleep pretty quickly.

Movement: YUP!!! These active little babies are moving all the time. Actually, when I went to the Perinatologist yesterday, I saw live each baby kick the other one in the head. Baby B is head down by the exit (sorry bubs, not even close to being time for you to leave!), and his feet are up above my bellybutton. He hangs out on my right side (more to the front). Baby A’s head is by Baby B’s feet, and Baby A hangs out on my left side. It was funny, but not so funny to see Baby A’s little feet swinging and the Baby B’s head bobbling from the kicks. It’s started already. Suggestions on how to break up boy fights are welcomed.

Belly Button In/Out: In

Cravings: Nothing recently. Just trying to eat as much veggies as my stomach can handle. Still more on the fruit train. But I don’t want to get gestational diabetes, so I’m trying to watch my sugar intake. It’s very hard for me because I love me some sweets!!!

Aversions: Nothing recently. I still at times have a hard time trying to figure out what I want to eat.

Gender: Two very ACTIVE boys!!!!!

Symptoms: For the majority of my pregnancy, I’ve had pregnancy rhinitis. I caught a stupid cold during week 20 so I’ve had trouble breathing.

What I miss: My family in Australia. I wish that they could be with me as I go through this amazing journey.

What I look forward to: Getting this registry over and done with. I’m having to really research!!!! I guess maybe because I’m having twins, and I guess there is just some stuff my friends can’t recommend (like a double stroller).

Moods: Tired – from not getting much sleep due to this cold. Excited – about the warmer weather around the corner, I love being outdoors when it’s warm!!!

Milestones: Recognizing which are baby movements and what is gas.

Medical Concerns: Doctor says everything looks good. Things should be better at night, for both Leroy and me, when this congestion clears up a little. Poor Leroy, I’ve been snoring so much because I can’t breathe right, that I keep him up or he has to trot off to another bedroom!

Weekly Wisdom: Don’t always look to the future, enjoy the NOW!

Worst moment this week: Almost throwing up when I was trying to do a sinus rinse. One of my nostrils was blocked so bad that the sinus rinse stuff leaked down my throat. YUCK!

Best moment this week: Laughing with Leroy. He keeps me laughing so much with his silly little Facebook posts and his imitations of the kids. I really love his sense of humor. I hope that our boys are witty with a great sense of humor like their Dad.

Pregnancy - Week 17

How far along: 17 week

Weight: Unsure, will get an updated weight on 3/1

Maternity clothes: YES! Need to buy more :(

Stretch marks: None so far. I’ve been using Mama Mio Tummy Butter

Sleep: Still having weird dreams.

Movement: None yet, but doctors and ultrasound technicians keep telling me that these babies are active!

Belly Button In/Out: In
Cravings: Nothing recently.
Aversions: Nothing recently

Gender: TWO BOYS!!!!!

Symptoms: Each day it gets SLIGHTLY more difficult to move around when I’m full of food.

What I miss: Coffee, well, not really, but was out with some coworkers today and they stopped at a Starbucks. I stayed in the car so I wouldn’t be tempted to get some. I mean, what’s the point in getting decaf.

What I look forward to: Feeling the babies move

Moods: frustration – the doctor has told me for the next two weeks, I really need to take it easy. So I haven’t been able to do much.

Milestones: Learning the gender

Medical Concerns: Had a bit of a scare over the weekend, but a trip to the doctor showed that I’m okay. Going back in two weeks for a follow up check up.

Weekly Wisdom: When the doctor tells you to take it easy and veg out, DO IT!

Worst moment this week: Not knowing if the babies were okay.

Best moment this week: Learning that we are expecting TWO BOYS! Have I mentioned that before?

Pregnancy - Week 15 Highlights

I've seen this little survey on other blogs, and I thought it would be okay to borrow that idea!

So here it is, my Week 15.5 highlights!

How far along: 15 weeks and 3 days. (40 weeks is July 26th, 2011, but will likely deliver around week 34-37)

Weight: 131 lbs - gained about 16 pounds since finding out I'm pregnant!!

Maternity clothes: YES! Thanks to my Be Band, I've been trying to use as many of my regular pants as possible. Amy gave me a few maternity clothes that were super helpful. Going to Target to buy at least 2 more pants this weekend!!

Stretch marks: None so far. I've been using Vitamin E oil at night as well as Cocoa Butter lotion (day and night). Must keep the three B's supple (belly, back and butt)

Sleep: WEIRD dreams. I'm still getting up to visit my porcelain friend, but only every 3-4 hours. I can no longer sleep on my back.
Movement: None yet :( but based on ultrasounds, these babies are active!!

Belly Button In/Out: In
Cravings: Oranges - which is about how big they are.
Aversions: Nothing anymore. I remember during my first few weeks, I could smell cleaning chemicals a mile away (especially the one's the cleaning crew at work used to clean the toilets)
Gender: Unknown. Leroy and I fell asleep the other night rambling off random boy names. We didn't settle on any. Leroy and "Winston" for now :) LOL

Symptoms: Back pains, but not because of the pregnancy, it's because I can't get comfortable at night. Off to get a body pillow or a pregnancy pillow this weekend!!
What I miss: Getting 6 hours of sleep without waking up. And mojitos.

What I look forward to: Feeling the babies move

Moods: Sleepiness, if that's a mood

Milestones: Amy will head up my Friends baby shower and Mom, Rachel and Rebecca will head up the Family and Family Friends baby shower (I know, nothing to do with babies, but still exciting. No "milestones" so to speak at 15 weeks).

Medical Concerns: None really, but I did ask my doctor about getting a prenatal massage.

Weekly Wisdom: It's not the end of the world if you have three baskets of unfolded laundry sitting off to the side (even if they've been sitting there for 2 weeks).

Worst moment this week: Getting 5 hours of sleep because of going to bed late, insomnia, and trouble getting comfortable.

Best moment this week: Seeing the twins and their little hearts beating on ultrasound.

The Highlight of 2010

2010 was a pretty rough year for Leroy and me. It started off with laparoscopy surgery which resulted in removal of stage 2 endometriosis. We trudged along with out infertility journey which, by the end of 2010, was about 4 years. Mid-year we labored hard as we pieced back together our townhouse which we use as a rental property. It was basically trashed by the previous tenant. After depleting our savings and stabbing us with more debt, we finally finished and placed a new tenant (who, so far, are wonderful people). That was the light at the end of the tunnel. We closed out the year with some incredible news: we were finally pregnant!!! Through the ups and downs, the tears and pain, God answered our prayer. We were given a due date of July 26th, 2011. 6 weeks into our pregnancy, we discovered that not only had God answered our prayers, but doubled our blessing: we are pregnant with twins!!!

At the moment, I am currently 15 weeks (and 2 days). I thought that maybe I would backtrack and post about the past 7 weeks or so, but I figured I would write just a brief blurb about it. From this point on, I'll try my best to journal my pregnancy going forth.

It seems I had a pretty good first trimester. Not once did I have morning sickness and throw up!!! I was nauseous only when I was hungry. Of course, that turned into every 2 hours (or less). When nothing else sounded good to eat, Greek food almost always sounded good (lamb gyros to be exact). Oranges and cherry tomatoes were my favorite snack foods. I experience your typical tiredness and sleepiness. One of the most frustrating things was getting up every hour at night to go pee. Fortunately, that calmed down once I entered my second trimester, WHEW!

Leroy was and continues to be an amazing man. I'm so grateful for how well he takes care of me. He has gone out to get me my gyros and cherry tomatoes. He cleaned more and took care of the laundry (well, he washed them, dried them and sat them in baskets). He made sure I was comfortable. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Again, I'm so extremely thankful for these two tiny blessings that God has allowed us to experience. I'm so excited for what will come.

Back???

Let's not worry about the last time I posted something, shall we?

It's a new year, with new experiences and new adventures.

There will be A LOT of FIRSTS that happen in 2011. I hope that my blog will be a place where I can compile these firsts. Facebook is great, but really, I would say that this is the ideal forum where I can memorialize my new journey.

...three times is a charm...

$300 Birthday Bash Giveaway

One of my good friends, Suzie, is hosting a GiveAway. She is a very talented photographer.

She lives in the metro Atlanta area and is partnering with 3 area businesses to provide a $300 giveaway!

It's easy to enter & you can make the chance of winning more likely by registering on each business website. (You can only enter once per household on each website.)

The contest will close on October 15th and the winner will be randomly selected on October 26th!

Click on the button to the right or go to www.splitsecondatl.com to see instructions on how to register on her site!

Below is the contest details:

************************************************************************************
The English Pea, KD Cakes, Split Second Photography, and The Fancy Bee are proud to announce our Birthday Bash Giveaway.

Our giveaway is easy, fun and all about celebration. One lucky child will receive a birthday party worth remembering. The winnings include:

* A Party Package from The English Pea – includes 16 birthday invitations with matching envelopes, 20 party favor stickers, one set of personalized notecards with matching envelopes, and one set personalized calling cards – retail value $75.00
(all items must be chosen from available graphics).
* A Custom Cake designed and constructed by KD Cakes – retail value $100
* A photography session with Split Second Photography commemorating your little one’s special day - retail value$100
* A $25.00 gift certificate from the Fancy Bee – your place for personalized gifts
* Total Value: $300.00
(each business will award a gift certificate to the winner with specifics outlined in the gift. Some restrictions do apply. Please see each website for more information).

This fabulous prize can be won by visiting each business’ website or by stopping in at The Fancy Bee. You may enter once at each place thereby increasing your chances of winning (only one household per entry). All entrants must list a name, address, contact email or phone number and the item he/she would choose from each business if they are to win the grand prize. The contest will close October 15th. The winner will be randomly selected by www.random.org and announced on October 26th at 5:00 p.m. at The Fancy Bee’s One Year Anniversary Open House. The Party Bash Giveaway Package will be awarded to the recipient through gift certificates from each business. The winner is responsible for the planning and location of the party as well as any other items – such as food, party favors, etc. – that are not included in the items listed above.

Websites and address locations to enter:
www.theenglishpea.com
www.kdcake.com
www.splitsecondatl.com

Rain Rain Go Away

Thanks to the excessive amounts of rain over the past couple of days, my lovely garden with which I have been so diligent is about to die. The floods of 2009 here in Atlanta are the worst since 1918 (or something like that). To give you an idea of just how high the waters rose, here is a real shot of Six Flags Over Georgia.


I didn't even get to shoot a picture of when it was healthy. I guess that's what you get when you procrastinate. My two zucchini plants are not going to make it, my Roma tomato plant is imitating the leaning tower of Pisa, and the new role model for my bell pepper plant is it's neighbor (the Roma tomato plant). I did however, manage to pick and cook my first bell pepper. I experimented by making this Southwest Chicken Bake. Yes I made it up. It consisted of chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, rice, cheese, a few different spices, and of course, my bell pepper. I'm quite proud of myself. Hopefully the Roma tomato plant will make it. I need to get out there and prop them up some.

Family Vacation

My older sister, Sherisse, and her family came to the U.S. to attend the wedding of our cousin, Jeannine. Sherisse, her husband Glen, and my nieces, Shanell (7 years old) and Aliyah (5 years old) arrived in Atlanta on August 25th and left on September 8th. They tell me they had a really great time. Leroy and I gave the girls point-and-shoot cameras as a present (come on, the Aunty has to spoil their nieces right?!?!) Here are some fun shots of their time here in America.

This is Sherisse during the wedding rehearsal in New York. Isn't she beautiful.


This is Alana, another on of my gorgeous cousins. She lives in Jersey. This was taken outside of the church after the wedding in New York:



This is Sherisse and Glen. No, it's not a prom picture, it's them during the wedding reception. The reception was so much fun. I really had a great time. In fact, I didn't want it to end, but they had to kick us out :)


The Sunday after the wedding, Jeannine and Kevin organized a farewell brunch on the Hudson for family and friends. It was a great time to catch up with some of my Uncles and Aunts (Tito and Tita). Top left to right: Tita Ethel, Tita Lani and Tito Ed. Bottom left to right: My Mama and Tita Helen. I love my family. They are so much fun.


When we got back from New York, I sent Sherisse and the crew around Atlanta to different spots. Here is Shanell at the Fernbank Museum:


Not sure exactly where this is, but this is Aliyah. You can tell both of these girls are sassy and spunky! I love 'em. I had so much fun with them!


Here is Shanell at the Georgia Aquarium.

Here is Aliyah doing the hula-hoop at Lake Lanier water park.


Here is Aliyah and her mobile playground...um, I mean her Uncle Leroy. They had so much fun with their Uncle Leroy and tumbling around with him. This was taken at Jillian's on Friday September 4th. We celebrated Glen's birthday there.


On Labor Day, we went to Mom and Dad's (Leroy's parents house) for a BBQ and then went on to Stone Mountain to watch the laser show. Top from left to right: Dad, Kasey (Rebecca's boyfriend), Glen. Bottom from left to right: Rebecca (sister), Leroy, Me, Braylon (nephew), Sherisse, Shanell, Mama, Rachel (sister). It was a nice relaxing time after a long weekend. I think Mom and Aliyah were taking pictures :)


Here's Shanell at Stone Mountain. She is such a sweet girl. I really miss them.


There were so many things we didn't get a chance to do, but it was a good time anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing them in 2011. That's probably the next time I'll see them. 2010 we are planning to take a trip to Alaska and maybe back to Disneyworld. And if I can convince Leroy and save up enough, maybe we can take a week long vacation in Europe somewhere. We'll see.

Then in 2011, my Papa is turning 60, so we're throwing him a big birthday bash. The whole family, and even Mom and Dad are supposed to be coming too. We'll keep you posted with that.

Jeannine's Wedding

My cousin, Jeannine married her sweetheart, Kevin Feyen on August 29th in New York City.

I didn't get a chance to take my own pictures as I was lending a little bit of a hand during the ceremony and afterward. Jeannine is the oldest of my cousins on my Dad's side of the family. If I had to give an example of a stunning and elegant bride, I would definitely pick her as my example. She planned a beautiful and amazing wedding. I wish I had more pictures, but here are a few that were captured by Leroy. If I can find more from other photographers, I'll be sure to share.


At the end of the ceremony, they released two doves. These are some of my favorite shots.

Congratulations Ate Jeannine and Kevin!