Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Today we headed to the doctor for our 17 week check-up which included an ultrasound for measurement of organs and a gender check. Both babies looked perfect! We couldn't be any luckier or happier to see two happy, healthy babies hitting each other in the hands. It was so neat. Their head and brains looked perfect, hearts both had four chambers, the space between their back and neck was great, and all their other little parts looked good too. Both babies weigh 6 oz. One is measuring one day bigger than the other.  

We also got confirmation that both babies, yes both, are sweet little baby girls. My first guess was two girls in June when we went for our first appointment and then I changed it so many times.  I finally decided that it was one of each because they were so different every time we were able to see them. Well, I admit, I was wrong. They are 100% girl, both of them! What a surprise this pregnancy has been. First twins and then girls! I really don't think I can take any more surprises with these two!

The babies had heartbeats of 138 and 152 and both of them have long legs and they were stretching out. We couldn't believe how long their legs are right now. We head back at the end of September for another appointment and then soon enough we will be on a 2 week rotation rather than 4. I am so glad my friend Meredith is having a baby girl in 4 weeks, so we can learn a little more about a baby girl with a big brother. Addison and the girls are going to have so much fun and be so spoiled and protected from the crew of five boys who are older than them. What a fun picture that is going to be!!

We are feeling very blessed right now with their health and look forward to how our family is going to change when we bring home two sweet little girls into our world.

 

Baby Day 2011

Today I headed to Springfield for some peace and quiet after being a "single mom" for two days in a row while Aaron enjoyed some guy time at Rend Lake. Jayden went with my mom and enjoyed some lunch and then a nice long nap with Poppa D.

After dropping him off, I headed to Baby Day at the Crown Plaza for two reasons:

1. They were having a seminar on ear infections, which proved to be very informational.

2. They were giving away free 3d/4d sonograms, which was so very neat!!

Before going on, if you have never seen a 3d/4d sono, they are quite odd and a bit scary. The baby looks funny because of all of the fluid and everything else going on around them. These two were not quite big enough to get a really good picture, but you can get a good idea. Hands, legs, feet, fingers were all accounted for and both of them had a good heartbeat. Just what you want to hear every time!

Both babies were cooperating today so I finally have a normal picture of Baby B! Baby B was happy, but not too hyper and waved hello as we looked on.

 This is the 3d/4d of Baby B, who really doesn't have a big bulge on the head, it is just "stuff".

 Below is Baby A, who generally is the wild one.

 Baby A was happy to be on the screen once again, like always, and waved hello too.

I really enjoyed my few hours away and it was totally worth the $2.00 entry fee to learn more about all three of my babies!! We are off to the doctor on Tuesday for an "official" gender check. I have a pretty good idea after today, but I just need one more set of eyes to tell me for sure before we announce it to the world. We are so blessed that they are happy and healthy. Just knowing who they are going to be will make it even better!

Our Poppa is 80...I mean 29

Our Poppa is 80 today!! Although he claims to always be "29" we have kept track over the years and decided that on this birthday we would celebrate and have a special party for him. So Amy organized everything, assigned jobs to people, and I helped out by creating the invite for the party. Part of it is below. I didn't think my cousin would appreciate me blogging her address and phone number to the world, so I cut the bottom off.

 It was really the perfect day for a party. All of the family was in town and special visitors came from Chicago and Alabama! Nanny and Poppa watched the kids swim in the pool and visited with everyone.

 Reagan got to enjoy lunch with cousin Kati who used to take care of her when she was little.

 Jayden was able to play with some sidewalk chalk, ride a trike, and swim in the pool.

 Livia went on a ride with Uncle Mike. She really likes to ride the bike!

 Of course, Aaron had to go on a joy ride too!

 Poppa was able to enjoy some time with his younger sisters, Joan and Faye. Joan came down from Chicago and Faye drove all the way up from Alabama!

 We sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed some cake and ice cream while enjoying the weather outside.

Time was also spent looking at old pictures from back in the day and enjoying stories from the past.

Happy 80th Birthday, Poppa! You've got a crew of people who love you. We hope you enjoyed your party! I bet you can't believe all the people who came to a party that was "just for you"!

16 Weeks and Moving!

We are officially at the 16 week mark, which means 20 more to go (or 22 at the most)! The babies are growing and moving around every day. I felt little flutters a few weeks back, but now I can really feel them move. They are the most active a few hours after dinner, just when I am getting ready to sit down in the chair for the night or right after I eat my Flinstone vitamin.

BabyCenter.com sent me an e-mail today that reminded me that they are 4.5 inches long and weigh about 3.5 oz. Within the next few weeks they will double in size and so will I! Aaron took a close up tonight, so I look pretty big in this photo. I still can wear my clothes, but the days are numbered. I've enjoyed a few days in maternity pants, but they still are a bit too big.

In 8 more days we will find out what these two little peanuts are if they decide to cooperate!

Look for a post next week of them and their little arms and legs!

In other news, we have been packing up and started to move items to storage. Aaron purchased a John Deere this weekend so he can mow the 5 out of 7.5 acres when we move. Last night he said, "I think you will enjoy the tractor too". Umm, I am guessing NO. Fresh cut grass and I do not get along one bit.

I am pretty sure that it is my turn to make a "big" purchase. New tennis shoes to support my increasing weight and sore back really sound like a good deal right about now. There is something about a new pair of Nike Shocks that really help your back and your feet feel better. My last pair were purchased in 2009 when I was pregnant with Jayden.  

The First Day of School-4th Grade

Today marked the first day of school for me and the start of my seventh year of teaching. The day passed quickly and I found 22 little sets of eyes peering at me in their favorite new outfit. It was also so nice to see a familiar face or two during the day. My friend Sarah stopped by before school started and we watched the little kindergarten kids get off the bus and come into the school. Their parents were following them with cameras. It was pretty cute. I saw a lot of Jayden in one of them and then it made me think that next year he will have his first day of preschool!! Oh my. My old teacher friend, turned administrator, made a stop to my room as well. It was nice to hear a familiar voice, which I am sure I will hear a lot of this year! I sure did miss my best buddies at GIS today, but they are only a phone call away!

I am looking forward to the new adventure in fourth grade. I am feeling very lucky to be with such a great team of teachers who work well together. I think this year is going to be perfect!

So our picture from this year didn't turn out that well because I don't know how to set the timer. We will try again tomorrow. But, at least you know what I wore. Same dress two years in a row. Funny how that happens.

Illinois State Fair 2011

We had quite the little family adventure this afternoon to wrap up our summer vacation before I head back to work tomorrow. We enjoyed a nap and then headed to the State Fair for some corn dogs, lemon shake-ups, and rides!

 Jayden rode the carousal twice, went down the big slide, and even rode on the big elephants!

 We stopped by the Butter Cow to check it out too.

 You can't forget about the animals that he got to see and pet too. Pigs, cows, yak, donkey, chicks, ducks, goats, llama, sheep, and a lion head rabbit.

It was a big day at the fair for the little guy, but it was a lot of fun! I am sure he is going to be way more adventurous next year! 

Scovill Zoo

For our end of the summer adventure (aka Mom has to go back to work) we headed to Scovill Zoo in Decatur last Thursday. Every Thursday during the summer, the admission is free, so our adventure didn't cost us very much at all! It was a beautiful day to be at the miniature zoo.

 We saw a zebra, alligator, parrot, two deer, three camels, a couple of wolves, and some other little animals.   

 We also took a trip in the petting zoo, which was quite interesting. Jayden saw some cows, chickens, pigs, and a lot of goats.

 We took a train ride tour around the zoo too. He was a little scared at first, but then figured out that it was fun!

 After a snack and a drink, we headed to the playground. He took off running in the direction of these slides. He climbed up and went down the middle one. I was a nervous wreck, but he did it.

We had a fun day at the miniature zoo. It was the perfect size and location for a quick adventure and a mini lesson on animals. Hopefully today we will head to the State Fair for one last adventure before I head back to the classroom tomorrow.

Week 14

The last two weeks have been the fastest weeks of summer by a long shot. We have been so busy working on our house, the flip house, and my new classroom that there really hasn't been any time for rest, relaxation, or even fun. Amidst all the chaos and work, I have been am completely exhausted and I'm pretty sure the babies chose this week to really grow. Babycenter.com tells me that the babies are 3.5" this week, about the size of a lemon. So make that two lemons for me.

We will do an informal quick check of them this Friday (I hope) to make sure they are still dancing around and having a good time. In the mean time, I may only have a few weeks left in my normal clothes. But, I am pretty sure my work clothes will get me into mid-September. Maybe?? I am just glad swimsuit season is over!

So, here is a picture for all those people who keep telling me I am tiny. I may be tiny to you, but to me, I have grown and I am only going to get bigger!!

Captain Underpants

Although he may be really mad at me in a few years, I couldn't help but post a picture of him wearing underwear for the first time ever. His friends Kenlee and Bryce got him these cool boy drawers for his birthday.

 He ran downstairs and right to the fridge like a typical male after getting dressed. He wasn't quite sure about them and made a typical male gesture.

Then he noticed that his Momma was snapping pictures of him and he took off.

We won't force Mr. to be potty trained quite yet, but it is in the near future!  

One More Year in the Books

Today was perfect. I heard from so many friends and family members via phone, text, and of course, Facebook. It was nice to be wished "Happy Birthday" so many times! Jayden and I enjoyed a day at home trying to get well from our recent spouts of illness. Aaron brought home my favorite (the twins favorite) food, pizza from Florinda's! After that it was back to work trying to prep our house for the potential buyer. We plan on celebrating my birthday again next weekend. I also decided that I wanted Aaron to learn how to blog because my hands might be too full to blog come 2012.

I am looking forward to what this year brings. I can already predict that it is going to be a busy one filled with change but I know it will be perfect. Thanks again for all the wonderful birthday messages. I am one lucky girl!

Jayden Second 2nd Birthday

While we were down south this weekend, we had another birthday party for Jayden! We had to adjust the plans because Jayden's Nana had to stay in the hospital for a few extra days than expected. It was just as perfect as it would have been anywhere else!

 Nana, PawPaw, Great Grandma and Grandpa Acree, Great Grandma and Grandpa Willis, Uncle Tim, Aaron and I were all there to celebrate with the birthday boy!

 He had a super cute Mickey Mouse cake that we shared with everyone including the hospital staff.

 But when we all started singing Happy Birthday, he got a little shy.

Thanks to those who helped Jayden celebrate his second 2nd Birthday. He is such a lucky boy to have so many people who love him!

Get well soon, Nana! We hope you are home soon. I am sure your ready to be out of that place! 

Melanie & Mike's Wedding

One of my besties got married this weekend and everything was perfect. I am really not sure how one can pull off a wedding in Southern Indiana when they live in Southern Nevada, but she did it and it looked awesome!

I also got to give my first ever Matron of Honor speech which was short and sweet, and got a few laughs from everyone.

 The cake was soo good! She used the same lady that I did for my wedding!

 Jayden had a blast with the band, Bueller, out of Nashville. He was front row for about 3 hours straight. They are the BEST band I have heard in a long time. The lead singer was super nice and I talked to her quite a few times on break. I ended up finding out that she is an 11th generation twin!

We also had a lot of fun at the photo booth!

Congrats to Mike and Melanie!! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness, love, and laughter!