22 weeks & 7 days... but who's counting!!!

22.5 weeks side view!

WHOA 22. 5 weeks, front view!!!

21 weeks!

20 weeks, front view!

20 weeks, 3 days, side view!

I cannot believe how fast time is moving! I know this sounds crazy particularly after the year we've had... but ever since the entering the second trimester, this pregnancy seems to be flying by! I have been awful at updating and hope to be better once school is out for the summer (ONLY 10 MORE DAYS!!!) Today has been a great day. It is one of the first, in a while that I've actually had the energy to do anything (but sleep). My weeks are busy between working and tutoring. When I come home at night, I do my best to either make or help with dinner- but then I'm out for the count. This past week though, I've actually done some schoolwork! I think now that I can see light at the end of the tunnel, I am much more motivated to get everything done! Since it's been so long since I've been on last, I am going to do my best to summarize the past few weeks below!

Between 19 and 20 weeks, after we found out we were having a boy and a girl, Kim and the girls came down for the weekend to help me register and to visit. Registering was one of the most overwhelming experiences of my life. 1) I had no idea what I needed, and 2) Once I kind of figured it out (with the help of many people!) I realized I had to register for SO MANY THINGS! Kim and the girls met me at BabiesRus in Towson. When my mom and I went to the one in Catonsville a few months ago- we weren't too impressed! I was much happier with the Towson store. Kim and I met with a receptionist that got us all set up, I handed the scanner to Brooke and Bria, handed my "Baby Bargains" Book to Kim, and off we went. I think I completely let go of all control for the first time during this experience. Kim kept asking me what I thought, what I wanted, etc... and my standard response, was, "I don't know." I had her look in the book for the items with the best ratings and that is pretty much how we picked everything out! We were in the store for over 3 hours. My nieces were troopers! We grabbed a bite to eat afterwards, headed home, and then off to West Virginia for a party that evening. The next day, Sunday, May 19, with Kim's help, I ordered the nursery bedding online from Pottery Barn Kids. I had it shipped to DE to avoid paying tax (I am so cheap!). I was able to order everything except the bumper for Brayden's bed. I've since found out that is no longer going to be available, so I am on a bumper hunt! The bedding is gorgeous. I was able to get the same pattern in two different color schemes. Brayden's is blue/green/yellow/white, while Brylie's is Pink/Yellow, white/ and orange. Of course, it is polka dotted and I absolutely love it! We had a great weekend together and it made me realize just how much I miss having my family close!

On Monday, May 18, I headed down to Edgewater, MD for Outdoor Education. My team preferred that I drive myself instead of riding the busses with the kids (I had no problem with this). They wanted me to have transportation... just in case! I spent Monday, Tuesday, and half of Wednesday with the 6th grade team, students, and parents. The weather was beautiful and the trip was a success. I couldn't run my traditional activity since my movement is limited these days- so instead, I was just a body up at the ropes course. I really had no responsibility since the camp staff ran the course. I brought a chair, my sudoku book, and just chilled. I felt like a lump- but it was my team's orders! I'm not complaining!!! For the first time, in 4 trips, I wasn't exhausted when I returned! One of the highlights of the trip for me was feeling my first kicks! It happened on Tuesday evening and took me by surprise!

James and I headed down to the beach on Friday, May 22 for Memorial Day weekend. We left home around 11 p.m. to avoid traffic- and we did! We had a great time full of laughs, food, and shopping! I really started to feel movement over the weekend. Kim, at first, thought I might just be feeling it inside and had a hard time believing anyone else would be able to feel it... however, she was luckily the first person, besides me, to feel the babies move! We were in the parking lot of the Rusty Rudder (we dropped James off and people watched while we waited) on Sunday, May 24 when it happened. It was really cool to experience that with her! James felt the babies move on Monday- although he wasn't completely convinced until it happened a second time. On Monday morning we made it to the beach. I was all ready to go in my bikini- but was overridden by my family! My mom gave me a tankini top to put over my bikini top. It provided a bit more coverage but my big ol' belly was quite visible. I loved it!!! We didn't leave for home until 8 or so p.m. on Monday night. I took the first shift and decided to take 404... which was a BIG MISTAKE! There was so much traffic- it was miserable. My goal was to drive the whole way home- but after over 2.5 hours I had to let James take over right before the bridge. Once we hit 50- it was smooth sailing!

On Tuesday, May 26, I had the morning off from work due to a doctor's appoinment at my regular OB. I arrived at 9 for my gestational diabetes test... drank some sugary stuff (which was actually pretty good) and then waited for the doctor who wasn't yet in the office. I never have been seen by Dr. Gaskins as she is new to the practice. I heard the staff talking about how she was never on time. I am not one to criticize people on tardiness as I've had much difficulty with this myself- however, when the doctor didn't arrive until 10:15 a.m. and didn't even apologize for the delay, I immediately formed a judgment. She checked for the heartbeats via ultrasound quickly and said everything looked good. She measured me and said I was 25 cm. She followed up by saying, "This doesn't mean anything since I am having twins" (I guess, you typically measure the # of centimeters for the # of weeks you are with a singleton). She was pretty nonchalant about everything. She answered a few of my questions and then told me she needed to mention one thing... my weight gain!!! I wanted to mention her weight gain to her but decided against it... I am sorry, but I feel that it is a doctor's duty to be in good physical shape. There is nothing worse than an overweight person telling you that you've gained too much weight! I might be a little sensitive but she really rubbed me the wrong way. I was frustrated by her comment because my weight gain has been consistently the same between all of my visits. During the last two visits, I asked Dr. Yates about the amount of weight I was gaining and she reassured me that it was normal and not to worry about it... so, I didn't bother asking Dr. Gaskins this time since my % of gain was in between what it has been the past two visits. Long story short- I am being more mindful of what I eat and will see what happens the next appointment (June 16). I did look online and the information I found stated that the average weight gain for twins should be around 1.5 lbs/week. I am a little over that so even though I don't want to see her again, Dr. Gaskins may have been right.

... Fast forward until Thursday, May 28... I called for my GTT results and learned that I do not have gestational diabetes!!! However, the nurse informed me that my iron was low and that I would need to start taking an iron supplement... News Flash- I've been taking one since week 11! When I reminded her of this, she did some checking and told me to start taking two. I am not sure what my levels are supposed to be- but at week 11 they were at 35 and this last time- at 36. I am hoping the two pills/day help! Knock on wood- no side effects from the double dose yet. Iron pills supposedly make you constipated. I pray that this doesn't happen!!!

22 weeks: On Monday, June 1, I went back to the high risk doctor for some more pictures. I love going there because the sonograms last for over an hour. It is amazing to watch my babies for that long! Brayden and Brylie's genders were confirmed again and the sonographer, as well as the doctor (Dr. Pelham this time) said everything looked wonderful. I am going to continue to go back there every four weeks to watch the babies' growth. As of Monday, Brayden measured at 1 lb, 4 oz, and Brylie at 1 lb. 2 oz. I can't wait to find out how much they've grown at the next appointment, which is Monday, June 29!!! On a not so positive note, my NEW car broke down on Monday evening around 5:30. I was on my way to meet Sally for dinner at Mangia's (thank goodness- because she was able to rescue me until James could arrive!), when my car wouldn't move after being stopped at a red-light by the snowball stand! It had been acting funny and James and I intended on dropping it off at the shop sometime that week... it just beat us to it! (Long story short- it is still at the shop awaiting its' new transmission. I have a rental car (courtesy of Ford, via Enterprise) and should get it back at the end of this week!) While it was a huge inconvenience, I didn't let the situation bring me down- after all, I had just seen my babies for over an hour and was on cloud 9! I was still able to have a great dinner with Sally, Bryan and James. Sally was the third person to feel the babies move and she was amazed too! I love everyone's excitement! It makes me realize even more, how lucky am!

This weekend we went to Kendall and Caden's 1st birthday party (Kevin & Cindy's identical twin girls). It was the first time we met them and they are adorable! Seeing how active they are and how much work Cindy has to do (Kevin too) made me excited- and nervous! I know it will all work out though! After the party, I headed to Ellicott City for Melissa's baby shower. Baby Molly will be here in just over two months! The shower was really nice and we had a great time!

As the school year winds down I feel myself feeling happy and relieved that this year is almost over. The past quarter, definitely has been the best for me, professionally, but still, I am ready for a break! Pregnancy wise, I feel great. My only complaint is my swollen feet that ache... but if that is all that is wrong, I'll take it! I feel the babies all the time and love it! I also talk to them and have read to them! I am not ready for them to come yet- but look forward to the day to finally see them, hold them, and kiss them! James has enjoyed feeling the movements as well. I get a "kick" out of his expressions when they kick hard. He is so dramatic when he exclaims, "Are you serious Kristin????" I love his emotional reactions! I also can't wait to see him with the babies! He is going to be amazing!!!

I've been blessed to be full of energy today--- unfortunately I've been sucked in by this computer and must force myself to get back to work! I know this was a long, overdue post- but if you've made it this far, I'm impressed!

That is definitely all for now!
Until next time...