The Wonder Twins will officially be 15 weeks old tomorrow. Yay! Being that they're almost four months along, you'd assume that my baby bump would be bumpin', so to speak. It is, and it's awesome. However, what I did not anticipate was the immediate lack of mobility that comes with it. I think my range of motion is getting shorter by the hour.
For example, I gave myself a desperately needed pedicure tonight in order to make sure my toes were sandal-worthy for the start of the new work week. (They are, BTW. Shade? Ruby red!) But, I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to continue pampering my peds. In order to steadily paint each nail, I have to lean over, hold my breath and move the brush as fast as possible.
It's not like my belly is a fat roll that can just morph into flexible little hills upon bending. Oh no. It's like putting a beach ball between me and the object I'm trying to reach. Ugh.
In my head, I imagine the twins saying, "Get up! Get up! You're squishing us!" Sometimes, after leaning over for more than a few seconds, I get a yucky feeling in my tummy. I think that's the babies getting back at me for my unfavorable movements. :)
Speaking of motion, I might as well be moving in slow motion, if I bend down to pick something up. It definitely takes more effort than it used to. Sometimes, I am forced to add a small grunt to help me rise back up again. Does that mean I can qualify temporarily for AARP? Or, at the very least the senior citizens' discount at McDonalds?
Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. I love the roundness of my stomach and adore knowing the twins are safe inside. I just figured my lack of Gumby skills would come in the final weeks of the pregnancy, not the first weeks of the second trimester. I guess that means I should continue to anticipate surprises from the biggest surprises of all - the Wonder Twins!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Special Delivery!
I came home from work yesterday to find a very special package waiting for me in the kitchen. It was from my college roommate, Frannie, and I knew it was going to be awesome.
The package wasn't large, and it didn't make funny noises when I shook it, so I automatically assumed it wasn't some type of non-alcoholic booze. (Frannie and I have a history of defying postal service rules and mailing alcohol to each other. For her 21st birthday, which was over Thanksgiving break during college, I mailed her 21 shots. In film tubes. From my parents' not-very-extensive liquor cabinet. For my 30th b-day, she sent me a huge bottle of Mudslide from TGI Fridays, a sorority favorite. It's still in the 'fridge.)
After yanking off the bow and ripping open the blue tissue paper, I found inside the most creative gifts EVER! Frannie had gone to Cafe Press and had two onesies made for the babies that read "Wonder Twins Powers Activate!" LOVE THEM!
Geof took a picture of me holding one of them up, and I'll get him to post it right here. That way, you can oogle over its cuteness.
The onesies are sized for six months, so it will be a little while before the twins will officially sport them. But, until they can, these matching outfits will be the first baby clothes we hang in the nursery closet. Awww! This is a touching moment for me, as I am greatly looking forward to adorning the Levine dynamic duo in darling outfits. (You should've seen the baby fedora I spied at the Gap last weekend. SO CUTE!)
I know. I know. They're just going to get dirty and messy, but still! How can you say "no" to baby shoes with glitter?
Thanks, Frannie, for your thoughtfulness! And, thanks to all of you for sending sweet cards and checking in on the babies! We are the luckiest parents-to-be in the world to have such a great support system. XOXO!
The package wasn't large, and it didn't make funny noises when I shook it, so I automatically assumed it wasn't some type of non-alcoholic booze. (Frannie and I have a history of defying postal service rules and mailing alcohol to each other. For her 21st birthday, which was over Thanksgiving break during college, I mailed her 21 shots. In film tubes. From my parents' not-very-extensive liquor cabinet. For my 30th b-day, she sent me a huge bottle of Mudslide from TGI Fridays, a sorority favorite. It's still in the 'fridge.)
After yanking off the bow and ripping open the blue tissue paper, I found inside the most creative gifts EVER! Frannie had gone to Cafe Press and had two onesies made for the babies that read "Wonder Twins Powers Activate!" LOVE THEM!
Geof took a picture of me holding one of them up, and I'll get him to post it right here. That way, you can oogle over its cuteness.
The onesies are sized for six months, so it will be a little while before the twins will officially sport them. But, until they can, these matching outfits will be the first baby clothes we hang in the nursery closet. Awww! This is a touching moment for me, as I am greatly looking forward to adorning the Levine dynamic duo in darling outfits. (You should've seen the baby fedora I spied at the Gap last weekend. SO CUTE!)I know. I know. They're just going to get dirty and messy, but still! How can you say "no" to baby shoes with glitter?
Thanks, Frannie, for your thoughtfulness! And, thanks to all of you for sending sweet cards and checking in on the babies! We are the luckiest parents-to-be in the world to have such a great support system. XOXO!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Doctor, Doctor! Give Me the News!
Geof and I went to the OBGYN office this afternoon, so the Wonder Twins could get their "We're done with the first trimester! Yay!" check up. It went very well.
The practice has a policy, which requires moms-to-be to meet each doctor on staff just in case their doc is not available when the babies decide to make their grand entrances. Today, we met with Dr. Buckley, and he was great! Super personality and very ready to answer my barrage of baby questions.
Before he headed into "answer mode" for me, he measured the diameter of my bump and then let us listen to the babies' heart beats! It wasn't a "lub dub" kind of sound. It was more like "wah, wah, wah, wah" in rapid succession. Think "wah wah" pedal for guitar.
The twin on my left's heart was beating at 150 beats per minute.
The twin on my right's heart was going just 10 beats slower.
Dr. Buckley says those are great ranges, and the kiddos are doing very well! We are so proud of them!
The practice has a policy, which requires moms-to-be to meet each doctor on staff just in case their doc is not available when the babies decide to make their grand entrances. Today, we met with Dr. Buckley, and he was great! Super personality and very ready to answer my barrage of baby questions.
Before he headed into "answer mode" for me, he measured the diameter of my bump and then let us listen to the babies' heart beats! It wasn't a "lub dub" kind of sound. It was more like "wah, wah, wah, wah" in rapid succession. Think "wah wah" pedal for guitar.
The twin on my left's heart was beating at 150 beats per minute.
The twin on my right's heart was going just 10 beats slower. Dr. Buckley says those are great ranges, and the kiddos are doing very well! We are so proud of them!The doc also told us that we won't know if the twins are fraternal or identical until after they are born. Apparently, there is no screening test for types of twins. You just look at them and tell after they are delivered. I'm going to leave that task to someone in the hospital with a medical degree who has not just given birth to two little people. :)
BTW, I now weigh 147.2 pounds. That's the most I've ever weighed in my life. Dr. Buckley said that was appropriate, and I can expect to gain a total of 40 pounds before the babies come. Wow! I am definitely going to be sporting the winter version of a muumuu when the third trimester comes around!
Our other exciting news is we now know when we'll learn the sexes of the Wonder Twins! June 18! Look for a post here that afternoon for the breaking news alert!
BTW, I now weigh 147.2 pounds. That's the most I've ever weighed in my life. Dr. Buckley said that was appropriate, and I can expect to gain a total of 40 pounds before the babies come. Wow! I am definitely going to be sporting the winter version of a muumuu when the third trimester comes around!
Our other exciting news is we now know when we'll learn the sexes of the Wonder Twins! June 18! Look for a post here that afternoon for the breaking news alert!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Pregnancy Brain
As a mommy-to-be, all the books you read about pregnancy mention a tendency to forget things that you, pre-belly, would have otherwise remembered. They aren't lying!
Tonight was the perfect example. I was trying to log onto Blogger to add something witty (I can't think of what it was now, of course) to the Wonder Twins' blog, when I encountered an error message. "Incorrect login or password." Hmmm. I knew the email address was the correct login, so I deduced it must be the password. I tried the 10 regular rotating passwords I typically use and every variation of "wonder twins" imaginable. No dice. After several annoying back-and-forths with Google via email, I finally got to the screen where I reset the password.
All that just because I couldn't remember the password. I have a distinct feeling that it's going to come to me at 3 a.m. around bathroom break number three.
In other news... Geof and I are taking the twins to the doctor tomorrow for their post first trimester check up. We're not sure if we'll get to do another ultrasound. We're hoping so! I really want Geof to see them move (dance), since he missed it last time. I'll be sure to give you the skinny on the big bump tomorrow evening.
Tonight was the perfect example. I was trying to log onto Blogger to add something witty (I can't think of what it was now, of course) to the Wonder Twins' blog, when I encountered an error message. "Incorrect login or password." Hmmm. I knew the email address was the correct login, so I deduced it must be the password. I tried the 10 regular rotating passwords I typically use and every variation of "wonder twins" imaginable. No dice. After several annoying back-and-forths with Google via email, I finally got to the screen where I reset the password.All that just because I couldn't remember the password. I have a distinct feeling that it's going to come to me at 3 a.m. around bathroom break number three.
In other news... Geof and I are taking the twins to the doctor tomorrow for their post first trimester check up. We're not sure if we'll get to do another ultrasound. We're hoping so! I really want Geof to see them move (dance), since he missed it last time. I'll be sure to give you the skinny on the big bump tomorrow evening.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Belly Up to the Trail
Although Geof had to work on this Memorial Day, the news world did not beckon him to a hostage stand off until 2:30 p.m., which meant we (and the Wonder Twins) got to spend the morning together! What a treat for a Monday!
We drove to Riverwood, a community about 10 minutes from our house with really nice walking trails. Due to the twins being a "high-risk pregnancy," the doctor has banned me from participating in any high-impact exercise. Forget running. Walking, swimming and non-aggressive weight training are basically all I'm able to do. Hence, our trip to the walking trail.
This was exciting for me, because it was the first time since my baby belly had truly popped that I put on my running garb. Sports bra? Still fit despite impressive new pregnancy-related cleavage. :) Running skirt? Um... kinda of fit when I pulled it down a little in the front. Shirt? Not happening. Too humid. That meant baring the bump and hoping people realized it was full of babies and not the entree I devoured (hey, babies eat a lot!) the night before.
Geof determined I looked "cute," although he has to say things like that to guard himself from unexpected hormonal mood swings. However, considering no small children ran away from me screaming "Mommy! Monster!" I'm assuming I didn't look too terrifying.
The babies seemed to like the hour-long hike past a small lake and some really beautiful homes. No weird, crampy feelings at all. Just calm in my middle.
We can't wait to take them there in the double baby jogger with all-terrain tires that Geof is super psyched about getting! Even though the four of us will probably take up the entire width of the trail, we think the hard core runners will cut us some slack, because seriously, twins are so cute.
We drove to Riverwood, a community about 10 minutes from our house with really nice walking trails. Due to the twins being a "high-risk pregnancy," the doctor has banned me from participating in any high-impact exercise. Forget running. Walking, swimming and non-aggressive weight training are basically all I'm able to do. Hence, our trip to the walking trail.
This was exciting for me, because it was the first time since my baby belly had truly popped that I put on my running garb. Sports bra? Still fit despite impressive new pregnancy-related cleavage. :) Running skirt? Um... kinda of fit when I pulled it down a little in the front. Shirt? Not happening. Too humid. That meant baring the bump and hoping people realized it was full of babies and not the entree I devoured (hey, babies eat a lot!) the night before.
Geof determined I looked "cute," although he has to say things like that to guard himself from unexpected hormonal mood swings. However, considering no small children ran away from me screaming "Mommy! Monster!" I'm assuming I didn't look too terrifying.
The babies seemed to like the hour-long hike past a small lake and some really beautiful homes. No weird, crampy feelings at all. Just calm in my middle.
We can't wait to take them there in the double baby jogger with all-terrain tires that Geof is super psyched about getting! Even though the four of us will probably take up the entire width of the trail, we think the hard core runners will cut us some slack, because seriously, twins are so cute.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Wonder twin power, activate!
Welcome to our blog! Geof and I are so excited that you are joining us on our journey into parenthood!
Before we bring you up to speed on the latest baby news, we thought it would be helpful to provide a little history of our pregnancy. Although we do not have Irish roots, luck was with us on March 17. Yes, we first learned we were expecting on St. Patrick's Day! However, it was not until a few weeks later that we find out the "bun in the oven" was actually TWO! Allow me to reinact the scene during the ultrasound:
Doctor: "Here is Baby #1." (pause) "Here is Baby #2."
Geof: "What?!" and nearly falls off the chair
Dara to nervous-looking doctor: "He's just in shock. Give him a minute. He really is excited."
You can see why the nickname "Wonder Twins" stuck! We were awestruck that we were blessed with two incredible babies. Geof and I had always dreamed of having two kids, mainly because he's a second-generation only child and I'm a third-generation only child, and we wanted to break the cycle. Boy, will we ever!
Speaking of gender, we do not yet know if the twins are boys, girls or one of each. We will learn that big news in another four to six weeks. We also do not know if the Wonder Twins are identical or fraternal. We should find that out in the near future, as well.
People always ask if we have a preference for the sexes. Nope. We just want happy and healthy babies. However, I do have a feeling they won't both be girls. If they are, Geof is threatening to lock them in their rooms until they're 21.
Another question I often get asked is how I'm feeling. So far, so good! I am now out of the first trimester and luckily have not once gotten sick! I did have some days early on when my tummy would get a little upset, but eating (weird, I know) always made me feel a lot better. I don't really crave anything unusual. (BTW, I hate pickles.) I do drink a TON of skim milk, though, which the babies seem to love! This morning, I got a cramp-like feeling that lasted until they got their glass full. I now buy almost two gallons a week to fulfill their calling for calcium. Moooo!
We are pleased to announce the twins will be 14 weeks old tomorrow. According to "Your Pregnancy: Week by Week," they should each measure about four inches long and be roughly the size of a fist. Their ears and eyes should be shifting into the correct places, and they are activately "flexing" their newly forming muscles. Geof likes to imitate what we imagine this looks like in the womb by posing like a body builder in positions that show off his bulging biceps. :)
We also think twins spend a lot of their time in utero playing patty cake and dancing (It's true! I've seen it on the ultrasound!). We're looking forward to the day when we can plug the iPod into the surround sound speakers, strap each one of the Wonder Twins into a baby Bjorn and dance around the den together. In case you didn't know, Geof took ballroom dancing lessons in college, so hopefully, the babies will inherit his twinkle toes.
Before we bring you up to speed on the latest baby news, we thought it would be helpful to provide a little history of our pregnancy. Although we do not have Irish roots, luck was with us on March 17. Yes, we first learned we were expecting on St. Patrick's Day! However, it was not until a few weeks later that we find out the "bun in the oven" was actually TWO! Allow me to reinact the scene during the ultrasound:
Doctor: "Here is Baby #1." (pause) "Here is Baby #2."
Geof: "What?!" and nearly falls off the chair
Dara to nervous-looking doctor: "He's just in shock. Give him a minute. He really is excited."
You can see why the nickname "Wonder Twins" stuck! We were awestruck that we were blessed with two incredible babies. Geof and I had always dreamed of having two kids, mainly because he's a second-generation only child and I'm a third-generation only child, and we wanted to break the cycle. Boy, will we ever!Speaking of gender, we do not yet know if the twins are boys, girls or one of each. We will learn that big news in another four to six weeks. We also do not know if the Wonder Twins are identical or fraternal. We should find that out in the near future, as well.
People always ask if we have a preference for the sexes. Nope. We just want happy and healthy babies. However, I do have a feeling they won't both be girls. If they are, Geof is threatening to lock them in their rooms until they're 21.
Another question I often get asked is how I'm feeling. So far, so good! I am now out of the first trimester and luckily have not once gotten sick! I did have some days early on when my tummy would get a little upset, but eating (weird, I know) always made me feel a lot better. I don't really crave anything unusual. (BTW, I hate pickles.) I do drink a TON of skim milk, though, which the babies seem to love! This morning, I got a cramp-like feeling that lasted until they got their glass full. I now buy almost two gallons a week to fulfill their calling for calcium. Moooo!
We are pleased to announce the twins will be 14 weeks old tomorrow. According to "Your Pregnancy: Week by Week," they should each measure about four inches long and be roughly the size of a fist. Their ears and eyes should be shifting into the correct places, and they are activately "flexing" their newly forming muscles. Geof likes to imitate what we imagine this looks like in the womb by posing like a body builder in positions that show off his bulging biceps. :)
We also think twins spend a lot of their time in utero playing patty cake and dancing (It's true! I've seen it on the ultrasound!). We're looking forward to the day when we can plug the iPod into the surround sound speakers, strap each one of the Wonder Twins into a baby Bjorn and dance around the den together. In case you didn't know, Geof took ballroom dancing lessons in college, so hopefully, the babies will inherit his twinkle toes.
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