It's been a long time...

I know it's been a long time since I posted.  Like, since I announced that I was having twins.  Things have been a tad busy since then, and everything else has kinda fallen off my radar.  So I will update as best as I can, without being long winded...

Well, I am officially 26 weeks.  :)  Also the size of a barn with my own gravatational pull!  The twins are doing wonderfully, and we now know that we are having a boy and a girl.  :D We are super thrilled that we are having one of each, and can't wait to meet them!  I especially can't wait for them to get here, as this pregnancy has been very difficult for me.   Ever since my 12 week appointment, I have been seeing both my regular OB and high risk OB every two weeks, a cardiologist every four weeks (but now I don't have to see the cardiologist anymore), and my regular GP doctor whenever I have an illness unrelated to the pregnancy. They are making sure that the surgeries haven't affected how well my cervix is holding up, that my heart is holding up for the three of us, checking me to with tests for preterm labor, and also watching the growth of the twins.  While sometimes it feels like I am always in a doctor's office, it's actually nice to be so closely monitored and lucky that I get to see my babies on the ultrasound so often.  :) 

Hubby's trip to China went great, and he had a wonderful time.  I, however, had a rough go of things, as morning sickness did not take a break while he was gone.  Trying to care for a super active toddler and being sick--it was a horrible combination.  Not to mention it was during the holiday season, when I was also trying to get up the decorations and plan for Christmas happening at my house.  Thankfully he got to come home a few days early, and I have never been happier to see someone in my life!  It made for a great Christmas.

 

 

The new year came and went, with me being super tired, and the doctors saying that Z needed to start going to school more often since I couldn't lift or chase after him like I used to.  I have been closely monitored by four doctors with this pregnancy; there is concern since I have had two surgeries for cervical cancer in the last two years.  I have been "resting" for a huge chunk of the pregnancy, and I have been quite surprised just how exhausting that can be!  Still, I haven't been officially put on bedrest, so I am happy with the current arrangement.  :)  I was not too happy with having to put munchkin in school five days a week (but only for half-days, I couldn't quite let go of the afternoons with him--I miss him too much!!).  He, however, is doing just fine with it, as he gets to go and play with his friends and run around and be crazy.  :) 

 

In February, munchkin turned the big 2! I had wanted to throw him a big party like I did last year, but I was way too tired and couldn't do something that I knew would stress me beyond all means.  This was also the case for hubby's 40th birthday, which fell at the end of February (but I'll get to that).  So for little one's big birthday bash, the grandparents, us, and Z all loaded up into our new minivan (now a necessity, seeing as we will have three kiddos in carseats under the age of 3) and drove north to a zoo that had been recommended by friends.  We had a great time--I rode in a wheelchair and Z in his stroller, and the family just wandered around looking at the different animals.  :)  Z loved it, as he loves naming the different animals and the sounds they make.  After the zoo we went to Outback Steakhouse (they have a great GF menu), and the birthday boy got his own brownie sundae.  :)

 

 

 

Hubby's birthday was even more low-key, as just the two of us went to a little bed and breakfast we went to for my birthday last year.  We had planned to go to Fredericksburg and wander around the shops, but my wandering days were over by then.  To top it off, both of us had sinus infections and colds, so our "big night away" consisted of us lying in bed with a box of Kleenex between us, watching movies and playing video games.  Yep, we were living it up!! It was nice to have a night away, but we were almost too miserable to enjoy it.

 

At my 21 week mark, I decided I wanted to have some maternity pictures taken, just in case I was unable to later in the pregnancy. Two sisters in my local mommy group had just decided to start a photography business, and I decided to give them a try.  I had wanted to do the pictures at the 20 week mark, but we had scheduling issues...you know how things go.  But I was pleased with how the pictures turned out, even though Z was doing his best not to cooperate!

 



 

Life otherwise has been relatively...normal-ish.  I continue to try to cook and do as much as I can, but it's getting harder and harder.  I was in the hospital for false labor two weeks ago, a scare that I don't want to repeat.  For that I was given muscle relaxers, and those tend to make me even more tired than I already am! And while I am extremely grateful to be able to have these two sweet (extremely strong) babies, I am more than ready to be done. Only 8-12 weeks left to go, and I am counting down!  I am hoping that I will be more vigilant about writing here, but I can't make any guarantees.  Just not as long between posts, I promise!  For now...I'm off to take a nap before munchkin comes home.  :)  Until the next time...

 

 



First Ultrasound...OH WOW

So my big news got bigger last week...along with my waistline! Plus hubby got to stay until this Friday, so we've been able to celebrate the news with a short family trip out of town to visit the zoo.  Here's a glimpse of what is to come...

Crossing the Sea

Hubby has been offered a wonderful opportunity, and I am so excited for him--while a bit nervous for me and little guy.  His company asked him if he would like to interview for a temporary position overseas in China for 4-6 weeks.  After some discussion, we decided that he should apply for the position, and that Z and I would stay behind.  The thought of trying to travel on a plane with a wound-up 21 month old was enough to make me shudder, but two other things also stood out as reasons against--first, not knowing the language to try to explain that I can't have gluten and what foods might contain it (or reading something to check ingredients).  Second, my pregnancy.  When he applied, we were still waiting to see if I was pregnant or not, but on the chance that I was (and I was pretty sure of it then), my reasoning stood.  I'm terrified at the thought of being away from my doctor, not having one over there that I trust, and morning sickness in an unfamiliar place...just not happening.  So we discussed and he applied, and sure enough, they accepted him--only a few days after we found out we were expecting. :)

Since his acceptance, it seems like many things are caught up in a whirlwind.  Now he had to rush to get his passport expidited, and also go to the Chinese consulate for a work visa.  Why?  From the time that they said yes, he had about a week to prepare for this trip (he leaves this Friday in the afternoon, and will be returning December 15).  I had no idea how complicated things are!  He has had to travel to Houston twice already, and will be going again on Thursday.  The first time was to get his passport (he had to prove he needed it quickly to not have to wait 90 days), the second time to apply for his visa (we went with him that time--spent the night so he could get to the consulate as early as possible), and returns Thursday to pick up his visa.  Friday afternoon he is heading out...and between now and then, there is packing, getting organized, a trip to the regular doctor for any prescriptions...and he will be missing the first ultrasound Thursday morning while picking up his visa.  :(  I'm sad about that since the OB scheduled it before he left so he would get to hear the heartbeat, but the stars are just not lining up for that to happen.  At least he will get to see the ultrasound pictures before he leaves!

I'm really not too worried about myself with D leaving for a month.  However, Z is used to having both me and his dad around pretty much 24/7, seeing as D works from home 95% of the time.  The first time D went to Houston, Z yelled up the stairs almost all day trying to get his dad to "come down."  We have set up Skype accounts for both of us, D put on international calling, and we are going to set up a schedule so Z can talk to him in the evenings.  Hopefully this will make things a little easier. :)

All in all, I am excited for hubby's great opportunity, and I know everything will trun out great!  It'll be tough, but I am fortunate to have a lot of family close by (my parents and in-laws are in a three mile radius from my house!).  And when he gets home, he starts his holiday vacation--so we will make up for lost time!  :)

Egg-citing News From the Coop!

Back at the end of April, I decided that I wanted chicks for my Mother's Day present--a step towards making my own food (or growing it, or caring for it, etc).  Since they were only "day old chicks" I knew that I was going to have a decent waiting period before I would be getting any of my own eggs.  According to all the books, forums, boards, Facebook pages, and talking to others, I found out that the average wait was about 5 months before the hens would be old enough to lay.  I've been egg-stra patient, counting down the days to when the girls would be ready.  Time passed, and when they were supposed to start laying eggs came and went.  I was beginning to worry that they would never start, that maybe I had done something wrong or fed the wrong food...surely it was my fault that nature wasn't taking it's proper course. 

Yesterday I was chatting with my dad over text about my hubby getting sent to China next week (more on that later), when he mentioned the hens and asked if they were laying yet.  I told him no, they hadn't started, and I was getting a little frustrated with it all.  But on a whim I went out to the coop and decided to check the nesting boxes.  Lo and behold....

And about an hour later, I got one more, too!!  Five awesome eggs, I was so egg-cited!!  Not all of my girls are old enough, only four of the eight.  So soon there will be more, but for now, I am happy!!

Now I need to start searching my favorite website, Pinterest, for some egg-cellent recipes!  :)  Feel free to share your favorites!

New Beginnings

(I wrote this in the wee hours of November 2, 2012....but had to wait a little bit to post it...)

It's a new day...well, it's 1am, so technically it's a new day.  And I can't sleep.  Two reasons, both equally weighing on me.

The first reason is of all the things that going gluten free did not get rid of, it was my RLS--restless leg syndrome.  This began fairly early pregnancy with Z back in 2010, and has never gone away.  It is very annoying.  Normally I would take my RLS meds and be done with it, chalking it up to forgetting to take it.  But I can't do that.  Why?  For reason number two why I am awake.

Reason number two that I am unable to sleep is that I am excited...SO VERY excited!!  Yesterday (the 1st) was my mom's 60th birthday.  Since we had already had the party, there was no celebration for her, but unintentionally there ended up being a quiet celebration.  It was supposed to be a secret, but when there is big news to be shared and celebrated, it is SO HARD to keep it in.  Especially between mothers and daughters.  And I want to yell it from the rooftops, and dance with joy!! 

Why??  Because.....

 

Coming soon....Summer 2013!!  :-D

Mud Factor 2012

A few months ago, Groupon offered a great deal of a bit over half off to participate in a 5K mud obstacle race called "Mud Factor."  It looked AWESOME, and like it would be tons of fun, so I convinced not only my hubby to sign up, but my dad signed up with us, too.  :)  I was so excited!

A lot happens in a few months time, however.  Unfortunately for this race, my cancer surgery disqualified me from participating this year.  Dad and hubby were not too excited about it starting a week before, as a cold front was going to push through our area the day before and drop the temps from the 80s down to the 50s.  Not a fun thing when it is cold and you have to slog through mud.  We all decided that we were still going to go, and Dad and hubby were going to brave the elements.  Then fate butted in again and hubby had to stay home to take care of our little boy, who unfortunately is in the throes of a nasty stomach bug (that, of course, began at 1:15am).  It was down to me and my dad, and he was having second thoughts. 

We arrived just as the temperature reached a brisk 50 degrees--Dad refused to race if it was below that (and I don't blame him--the wind was frigid!!).  We paid for our parking--something that I think was unnecessary--and then made the LONG hike to the check-in tent.  Despite me not racing, I still had to sign my waiver to get my bandana and t-shirt (but I did manage to get hubby's shirt without the waiver).  Then came a long wait.  So we milled about, and Dad decided he wanted to run in the heat before the one we registered for.  Unfortunately, that was brought to a halt when we figured out that each heat had a designated color on the bib.  Ours was pink, meaning the 11am heat.  Still, a great color--especially for this month!!  :)

As soon as they were letting people in for the 11am heat, Dad ran to the front.  He looked so excited--it was hard not to be excited with him!

Dad and I before the race

Dad waving before they began

Contdown complete, off they go!

I love my dad--he can be goofy!!  Coming around the first corner!

End of the race--going down the slide!

It was a long slide...

Soaking wet out of the pond, Dad still smiling!

Yay!!  He did it!!  25 minutes, 30 seconds!

 

 

It turned out to be a lot of fun--for both of us--despite the chilly air.  I hope that I can run in the next one!!  I don't want to miss out!! 

 

Congrats, Dad!!  You are amazing!!

Better Than....Bread!!

It's not often that you run into a gluten free bread that TASTES like bread, not like crumbled mess of rice or flour of choice.  It's not an easy process to mimic the elasticity of gluten in a "normal" loaf of bread made with the "traditional" wheat.  It is something that I didn't realize that I would miss when I had to go gluten free; I assumed that there were products out there that would suit my needs and help me life the life I was used to living.  It never occurred to me just HOW different my food was going to be.

I managed to create my own loaf in my breadmaker at home, but it's not perfect.  Close, and it's less expensive that those in the stores...but still not quite perfect.  Then, back in early September, we attended the Gluten Free Allergen Free Expo in Dallas, TX.  I still smile thinking about that time spent in that huge ballroom, wandering booth to booth with no worries that I was going to get sick from eating something that was offered to me.  One booth in particular has stuck in my memory, as I was given a sample of the MOST AMAZING bread I have eaten.  Even hubby said that the bread was wonderful, and he's not GF. 

The booth was for a small company called Local Oven.  What is more astounding than the absolutely heavenly flavor of their breads is that they have so many different varieties of bread products--such as baguettes, dinner rolls, hot dog buns, hamburger buns, biscotti, pita pockets and bread brumbs.  Plus they are hinting at a new tortilla that they are going to be introducing that is pliable and can hold up to a wrap!! What I was so excited to see this morning was the "leak" on their Facebook page that they will be entering the grocery scene soon in the freezer section! :-) I can't wait to see what they will be putting in the stores...yum!

So if you are missing bread, I do suggest that you give them a try.  I'm not promoting them because I am paid or asked to...I am doing it because I truly believe in their product and I want everyone to try them!!  You won't regret it--and you will be supporting a small busines, too!!  Sign up for their newsletter, "like" them on Facebook, and enjoy an absolutely heavenly taste of bread.  :)

Happy eating!