Week 30/Christmas/Furniture!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

John, Dean, Gizmo and I had a great Christmas.  We spent Christmas Eve dinner with the Oaks family.  Christmas morning we had brunch with the Martin family.  Then, something John and I had never done before…we stayed home the rest of Christmas day.  I take that back, we stayed home last Christmas.  That was because I was sick, so it doesn't count.  It was nice being at home, putting gifts away and relaxing.  But, as John and I have a tendency of doing, we felt like we should take advantage of the time together, so we went and saw a movie.  As well as half of Johnson City, lol!  It’s an understatement to say how much I enjoyed the time with John, and I’m glad we were able to be together.

Something else I hadn't done in a while…go after-Christmas shopping with my mom!  We had a great time Wednesday running errands and catching post-Christmas deals.  Then Thursday I met my greatest accomplishment of the week: I cleaned out the extra room for Dean!  Well, I boxed things up.  Nick came over today and helped John take the boxes and the extra bed down to the garage.  Oh, and the most wonderful thing happened this afternoon- we got furniture for Dean!  Thanks again to Nick and his truck, we were able to go pick up Dean's furniture today.  It's still sitting in the box ready for assembly another day.  I'm just so excited and happy to have the furniture.  I'm feeling more and more accomplished.  And it's about time...only 10 weeks to go!

To the update!

Size: Cabbage!  Dean is about 15.7 (how precise) inches long and weights almost 3 pounds.

Physical Features:  Dean's eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen.  Even after he's born, Dean will keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day.

What I’m Thankful For:  Time off from work!  The nice perk about higher ed is that we have paid time off at Christmas and New Year's.  Without that time this year, I'm not sure when I would have gotten everything done.  So I'm very grateful to have had time (and to take my time) to get the room ready and the condo cleaned up this past week.

How I'm Feeling:  Great!  As I've said before, as long as I do my stretches my back pain is minimal.  

Appointments and Upcoming Events:  Next appointment is this Wednesday, since I'm now at every 2 weeks.  This weekend some friends of mine and I are traveling down to Georgia to visit a friend going to school there.  Road trip with the girls!  It'll probably be my last for a while, so we'll be making the most of it :)

Bump pic!

Look at Dean growing!  This was also after a tasty Mexican dinner with Nick, April, and Eli :)

I do want to acknowledge that today is my other son's (the furry, four-legged one) birthday!  Gizmo is 3 years old, and we've had him since he was around 8 weeks old.  Here's a picture from the day we picked him up:

Happy 3rd Birthday, Gizmo!

Have a wonderful week!

Week 29/ Birthday!/ Christmas weekend!

Hello all!

We survived the "Mayan apocalypse"!  Only 11 more weeks to go!  Officially on Christmas break from work!  Birthdays!  It's been a fantastic week, lol!

What a Birthmas weekend!  First, I was blessed throughout the week with little Birth-week surprises from John.  Flowers, cookie cake, cards...he knows how to make his wife feel special :D  I am that person who loves birthdays.  Just loves them!  Doesn't even have to be mine.  I love planning John's birthdays, and I'm sooooo excited to have Dean's birthdays to plan for as well!  So all day Friday at work I was so happy.  Happy because the next day was my birthday, and happy because our office knows how to celebrate Christmas.  We had a wonderful potluck lunch, followed by gift-exchange and trivia games!  Best way to spend the last day before Christmas break!

Anyway, back to my birthday :)  Because we planned to travel to South Carolina to see John's family for Christmas, John promised me I could do whatever I wanted for my birthday.  I opted for lunch at Gourmet and Co. in Johnson City.  Which was awesome.  And for everyone who wished me a happy birthday, a million times, thank you!!!  I hope I was able to respond to each message (it's difficult to tell with this facebook timeline stuff).  I am so blessed to have the most awesomest of friends, and I'm grateful for each and every one of you!

After lunch we headed to SC to spend time with John's family for Christmas.  I so enjoyed getting to go visit with John's family.  Many of them we only get to see this time of year (even though we say we're gonna meet up throughout the year ;)  ), so it was awesome seeing everyone and catching up on everything.  It was a quick-trip, since we had plans to spend time with my dad today for his birthday.  I'm very thankful we were able to go, and I'm glad that we did.

Today was Dad's birthday (yes, party for days people!).  We all met up for lunch then went to mom and dad's for dessert and birthday gifts.  I'm so blessed with all the family John and I have!

Dean has gotten so much stronger!  We've gone from poking each other to him just jumping about.  Every morning after I wake up we have ourselves a little "dance party," at least that's what it feels like, lol!  This morning in the middle of his party he got the hiccups (so cute!) and had to take a break.  But right after his hiccups were gone, he went right back to dancing!  So excited to meet him in just a few short weeks!

On to the updates!

Size: Butternut squash!  Dean weighs about 2.5 pounds and is just around 15 inches long from head to heel.

Physical Features: Dean's muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing to make room for his developing brain.  So, he may have a big head, like his daddy ;)

How I'm Feeling: Great!  I've been doing more stretches with the exercise ball John got for me, and it's really helped with my back pain!  Haven't gotten to use it the last couple of days, and I can tell a difference.  I think as long as I do my stretches my back pain will ease up.  Yay!  Other than that, and the occasional heartburn, feeling fantastic as usual!

What I'm Thankful For: Spending time with all our (mine and John's) families.  Just having the best time ever.  Keep thinking that next year, everyone will get to see Dean!

Appointments and Upcoming Events: Had my doctor's visit this past week.  Everything is still progressing wonderfully!  We talked about Dean's movements and if I need to be doing kick counts (as I've been reading about this week), and the doctor feels he and I are both healthy enough I don't need to worry about doing them.  Which is great, my memory and brain functions aren't exactly up to par right now :)  Always thankful to get a great report from the doctor.  Now that I'm in the 3rd trimester, I go every other week now (until about a month until the due date, then it's every week).  

Looking forward to Christmas this week!  John and I are staying home this year, which makes me happy.  With it being our last Christmas just the two of us, it'll be nice to spend it together.

The Bump Pic!

I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas!  Enjoy and treasure the time you have with friends/family!

Nicole

Week 28/ Homestretch/ Birthmas week!

Greetings all!

Yes, we've made it to this point: We're "officially" in the third trimester!  I suppose this is what we call "The Homestretch," which is a little terrifying.  Just in the fact that very little has been done in preparation of Dean's arrival.  I should add, to my liking.  You all know I'm a planner (almost to a fault, right?), so to be this far in the game without a plan is a little, well, unsettling.  However, I do have time off coming up (the joys of working in higher ed around Christmas!) and will be completing a lot of tasks during that time.  This includes clearing out the extra room so make way for all of Dean's things, and looking for furniture.  Ok, now I'm all excited again :D

Dean has been so good :)  I know I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I love his little movements!  I look forward to them.  And I feel so blessed every morning because first thing I notice is him moving around.  Then we talk while I'm getting ready, and John kisses him goodbye before he leaves for work.  Gizmo will eventually warm up to the idea of having a sibling, lol!  I love my little family!

For those keeping score, we still do not have a middle name.  We've tossed some around, but have yet to settle on anything.  Stay tuned for the latest Baby Name Drama (lol!)

To the Update!

Size:  Chinese cabbage! Dean weighs right around 2.25 pounds and measures about 14.8 inches (from top of his head to his heels)

Physical Features:  Dean can now blink his eyes, which now have eyelashes!  Now that his eyesight is developing along, he may be able to see the light that filters in through the womb.  He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain, and adding more body fat.

How I'm Feeling:  Had my massage yesterday, so all that build-up stress is gone (thanks Ellen!).  I made Christmas cookies the other day and spent way too much time on my feet.  By the time I was done I was leaning over the sink washing the last of the dishes, because my back was hurting :( But I had fun, and I got to stretch afterward, so all was good :D

What I'm Thankful For: Surprises for Dean!  This week some of my Bunco girls got together and gave Dean diapers and wipes!  I was surprised, and am very grateful.  Thanks Stephanie, Jen, Lacee, Rebecca, and Camisha!

Appointments and Upcoming Events:  Tuesday is my next doctor's appointment.  And it's Birthmas week!  Perhaps some of you are not familiar with Birthmas.  Allow me to educate you: 

For us, Birthmas is encompassed by my birthday (and Nick's, because, you know, we're twins, and that's how it works), my dad's birthday, followed the next day by Christmas Eve and then Christmas day.  It's the time of year in which we have celebrations for 4 days in a row.  It's fantastic.  Some of you might be thinking, oh, that must have stunk for you as a kid, having your birthday so close to Christmas and all (and having to share it).  But it's always been great.  Don't get me wrong, I used to imagine having my birthday in summer, but my parents always (ALWAYS) made it a point to keep Birthday separate from Christmas.  Even if that meant Nick and I wanting different parties.  Then they gave us different parties.  As an adult, I have a deeper appreciation for what our parents did for us.  Thanks mom and dad!

The Bump Pic!

Good to see him growing!  Although some of that may be due to the wonderful See's Candies my grandma sent (which arrived yesterday).  I love that stuff!

Have a wonderful week!

Week 27/ Cabin Weekend!/ 3rd Trimester

Hello!

Well...here I go falling asleep on the couch again, lol!  Missed posting yesterday due to a massive cleaning I felt needed to happen (then was too tired).  Decided it could wait until today, since Mondays are the official "changing of the week" days anyway.  So I woke up just a few minutes ago, decided I'll go to bed early again tonight, and remembered I hadn't posted yet.  Oops :)

This past weekend was a fun and very much needed cabin weekend away to Gatlinburg!  I love cabin weekends away with friends; they're just awesome.  Especially in Gatlinburg, when you never know what you're going to see, lol!  And after the week of work I had (and everyone else had), it was a much welcomed break away from, well, everything.  Had a great time shopping and just hanging out with everyone.  Thank you guys for a great weekend!

After we got home yesterday (which included a trip to the grocery store), I felt we needed to not only get the laundry done, but also clean.  Not the best idea I've ever had.  Was already tired from the trip, but then spending the next 4 hours cleaning and doing laundry just drained me.  I'm noticing that my energy pretty much diminishes after dinnertime.  And that tasks are starting to get difficult :(  Oh, the next few weeks are going to be interesting, lol!

Next week is it...the start of the 3rd trimester!  Exciting and scary all wrapped into one.  I pray that my good feelings from my 2nd trimester overlap into the 3rd trimester.  Minus the back pain, this 2nd trimester has been wonderful.  

So, I've started playing a game with Dean :)  His movements/kicks/punches have gotten stronger.  So when I feel him, I gently poke where he just hit, and see how long it takes him to move/kick/punch.  It's so much fun.  I like to think he enjoys playing along.  That, or he already thinks mommy is ridiculous :D

On to the update!

Size: Cauliflower! Dean is almost 2 pounds and is about 14.5 inches long (legs extended).

Physical Features:  Dean's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes.  With more brain tissue developing, his brain is very active now.  Lungs are still immature, but are getting stronger.

What I'm Thankful For:  Extra help!  Today Joy Beeler came over and helped me with our Christmas cards. In return I fed her real food :)  Thank you again for your help Joy; it would have taken me forever!  

Overall Feeling:  Fantastic overall!  Still having the back pain.  One of our friends we spent the weekend with is a physical therapist, and she showed me a couple stretches I can do to alleviate the pain.  They sure help!  Usually the pain comes at the end of the day.  I'm taking that as a sign I need to take it a little easier throughout the day.  Work's gonna love that :P

Appointments and Coming Events:  Massage on Saturday!  Both Dean and I are very excited, lol!  I'm also having lunch later this week with a couple former professors of mine.  So glad we stay in touch!  Dean's next doctor appointment is a week from tomorrow.  Next week is a big deal... it's Birthweek! :D  Love birthdays!

The Pic!

My gracious, look how big he's gotten!  And he's only going to get bigger.  Must. Remain. Calm, lol!

Another early bedtime, yay!

Have a fantastic week!

Week 26/ Oh, the hormones!

Hi there!

So glad to know you all look forward to reading my blog!  I was so tired over the weekend, which is why I didn't post yesterday.  All started Friday night, when I didn't get to bed until late (late being 11pm).  I still haven't caught up from it, lol!  And now I'm past my regular bedtime, so this update will be a quick one. :)

So, one thing I've noticed with the tiredness is that my hormones are more active than usual.  Now, normally, I release my emotions by crying.  Doesn't have to be from anything sad.  Some people release by laughing, others by smiling or raging.  I release by crying.  So, with the tired paired with the increase in hormones, it hasn't take much for me to "release."  So if I cry around you, just get me through it and everything will be ok.   I promise :)

Update time!

Size:  English hothouse cucumber! (what?!? lol!) Baby Dean is measuring around 14 inches and about 1 2/3 pounds.

Physical Features:  Daddy will be happy to know this...Dean's "boy parts" are developing.  :)  He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid (these are essential for the development of the lungs).  Also, the network of nerves in Baby Dean's ears are better developed now and more sensitive than before.  This means, he's able to hear us!  Yay!

What I'm Thankful For:  Extra time with my momma. :)  We earned some Kohl's Cash from shopping Black Friday and had to spend it, so we got away for a couple hours this past weekend.  Always enjoy time with my mom, love her!

Overall Feeling:  Still feeling physically good.  Have had some heartburn last couple of days.  My wonderful husband made a run to get me some Tums to help.  He's so good :)  Besides that and the hormones, still feeling excellent!

Appointments and Coming Events:  Next appointment is Dec. 18.  Don't think anything exciting will be happening then.  I am looking forward to a cabin getaway this weekend with friends!  Been excited about this since the summer, lol!

The bump pic!

There's my growing boy!

We also had our family Christmas pictures taken last week (courtesy of Nick and April!). Here's a sample of what they took:

 Love this one!

 Baby Dean!

Gizmo's face in this cracks me up!

Thank you Nick and April for coming over to take our Christmas pictures!

Have a great week everyone!