Holy Moly - Roly Polys!!!!

The most recent growth scan was today and the babies are good size. I feel like a tank too! I got a little overwhelmed at the doctor's today when I heard the weights of the babies. The ultrasound tech tried to reassure me that the measurements could be plus or minus a pound but I don't think any reassuring would have helped me. I have been quite emotional today :) The little guy is 7lbs 7oz and the little girl is 5lbs 13oz. I am happy to have such healthy babies but wow!!!! I also have realized in the last few days and sleepless nights that I am feeling ready to have these babies. I have focused so hard on not having the little ones too early, but now it is all ok and I will be ok with any delivery date:) I did ask the doctor when they induce and it isn't until 38 weeks(I am going to start my 36th week on Sunday). She could read the disappointment in the shoulder slup and said, "Not to give you false hope but from where you are at I don't think you will make it to 36 weeks, however please don't get mad at me next Wed when you are walking our halls for your weekly doctor appointment." I made no promises, but smiled at her:)

http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-twins-images-36-weeks

An interesting drawing to show fraternal twins at 36 weeks.......

A Beautiful Day at the Car Wash

A few weekends ago we had beautiful weather and Dalby and dad took full advantage of the outdoors. Saturday they washed one car and Sunday they washed the other. Both look great now and I don't know who had more fun washing the cars - Dalby, daddy or myself(as a spectator of both events). Daddy started by giving Dalby the tire brush and the task of scrubbing tires while he scrubbed(with a soft sponge) the exterior of the car. First things first, the car must be wet to wash....so Daddy kindly instructed Dalby on the art of spraying each tire. The best part was that he would try and direct Dalby with the hose and instead of turning her head to hear his direction she would turn her whole body, which pointed the hose right at him, causing him to jump a few feet to avoid the spray:) (I have been fairly warned that this action is not unlike what it will be like to potty train our little boy, except with different equipment). Next, scrubbing the tires and only the tires. Ryan said every time he turned around he was having to make sure the brush was staying on the tires and not inching its way up to the car exterior. Then after her intense tire scrubbing there was the much needed break, involving the nearby mud puddle that had formed. Big splashes, etc. And for as "afraid" as she is of the snow and at one time the grass I was quite impressed with her mud puddle work. So then to dry the car. I had brought out several rags, one appropriately sized for a 2.5 year old. Ryan handed Dalby the hand towel rag, she dropped it on the gritty driveway, tried to pick it up but stepped on it a few times grinding the gravel further into the towel and then proceeded to try and walk to the car still stepping on and dragging the towel. Ryan caught her before she got to the car and traded her another towel. Then for cleaning the windows. We have the gas station like paper towels and window cleaner. Ryan began tearing off paper towel and wiping down windows. Dalby would tear off the smallest piece of paper towel and then reach high on her tip toes to reach the window to do as Daddy did......she could reach the Honda windows better. Then came play time and they had a blast running around the yard, kicking the ball, going in and out of the playhouse, etc. But as all good things do, outside time came to an end, mainly because our little car washer was soaked and cold. So my task was to strip her down and change her.....she talked and talked and talked about all the things she and her Daddy had accomplished outside.....That active outside time was the perfect cure for the little girl who has been so patient with her mommy's lack of physical activity.

A few outside shots from an earlier weekend.

Post-second day of car washing(incriminating picture according to YaYa as she questioned whether we should be reported for breaking child labor laws since we had exhausted her from two days of intense car washing:) ) Notice the rain boots...mom and dad wised up after the muddy, muddy tennis shoes from the first day.

Bumpa goes to school

Recently Bumpa and Mary came to our house for a visit. We had a great time hanging out with them and of course we put them to work on house projects. Unfortunately Ryan had to travel some of the week Bumpa and Mary were visiting. And even more sad was Ryan had to miss Daddy Doughnut Day at Dalby's preschool. Luckily Bumpa was able to attend in his place and said he had a great time eating a donut and playing in the play kitchen with Dalby. We had to take the traditional(at least in our family) first day of the school year backed up against the front door mug shot and then a more relaxed pose.

Stubborn

This word could be used to describe Ryan, myself or our daughter. Proof: One night for dinner Dalby was served chicken, fruit and cooked carrots. She cleaned up her plate quite nicely, minus the cooked carrots. So the rule was in order to get down she needed to eat one sliced cooked carrot . A request Ryan and I did not see as unreasonable. However, Dalby did not agree with this and thought she should just get down and play with her toys. Ryan and I stuck to our guns and we kept her company for awhile at the table encouraging her to eat one carrot, talking to her about the day's activities, having our own discussions, offering her a glass of water to wash down the partial bite she had in her mouth.......you get the point. Well with little progress, Daddy went in to catch a little TV and I too joined him sitting where I had a view of the TV and Dalby. We frequently went in and checked on her. She had put the carrot in her mouth but had stashed it in her cheek and would not swallow the orange treat. She had two more glasses of milk to help wash it down and she still refused to swallow the carrot. So we just let her sit at the table. It was getting late and we just wanted her to swallow the carrot so she could hang out with us but with no luck. Dalby was so tired and we could tell she was waivering but not budging and slowly starting to fade into dreamland. Well at one of our frequent checks we watched her fall asleep, carrot still in her mouth, head on the table and looking so sweet. Ryan and I laughed, had to take a picture and then went to brush her teeth. Within the first swipe of the toothbrush the carrot was swallowed and I leaned over to Ryan and whispered, "We won" :)

Recently we were given a shower, the shower was a wonderfully fun night of friends and family. I told Ryan it was even better then just a regular party for me because I feel like lately(the last 9-10 months) I have been so unsocial and haven't seen people in so long that it was great to catch up with everyone. I have also realized how much Dalby's schedule has changed from what we used to do. We used to get out at least once a day, at least to the Y or for a walk or some sort of other daily activity now my energy level has decreased so much I feel bad because I am having trouble keeping up with her. I guess it is a good introduction for the life changing event that is about to happen.

Proudly wearing a "Big Sister" sticker that was given to her in a card from the shower. She wore the sticker all day and enjoyed all the gifts people gave us.

Step Stool

I know we posted about how much Dalby loves her step stool. Now that she really knows how to use it, the step stool has become her new favorite thing. She can reach just about anything she sets her mind too with the step stool. If she can't reach it she likes to push the step stool up to the shelf/countertop/dresser and stand on her very tip toes which scares enough anyway that she might as well have been reaching whatever item she was looking for......She carries it around the house turning lights on and off for us and placing it right in walkways so now you need to watch out for stray toys and the step stool:)

+ or - ....still WOW!!!

These babies are growing! I mean I could have told you that but with no official proof to back it up besides the ENORMOUS belly! I did tell Ryan I would guess that I had at least ten pounds of baby in me right now.......he seemed a little surprised but his response was correct when he said, "Well you would know best."....smart man! Minus the cold I picked up somewhere, the heartburn, the awkward sleeping positions, lack of sleep and feeling like a ran a marathon when I just walk from the front door to the car I feel pretty good. In all seriousness we have been very lucky and continue to be lucky with my doctor's reports. We had another growth scan today and the babies are looking good, my blood pressure is good and other measurements seem very appropriate so a positive appointment today. Now for the crazy news....want to guess the weights...(+/-) 4lbs 10 oz for the little girl and 5lbs 15 oz for the little boy.....WOW...that is what the doctor said! She is happy with the growth, although the little girl has slowed down a bit so we are going to watch her some. My doctor today wanted to make sure we had all the basics covered so that we were ready. My response is most are covered, most should take care of themselves and we still have a few kitchen renovation decisions to finalize.......that is another post but in short we have no kitchen right now...we have stripped it to its bones....and why wouldn't you start that type of project at 30 weeks pregnant with twins? So all and all things are progressing nicely. I just really wish we could find a night nurse to help us for a bit. Apparently people book night nurses as soon as they find out they are pregnant rather then 6 months out like when we started to look. Ryan and I just didn't believe for awhile we were going to have twins so a night nurse was not on our radar. Now we are pretty convinced but still can't believe we will be blessed with two more little ones in our home!!! So amazing!