Tidbits

My husband surprised me with both a baby shower and my little sister this week. My sister rocks. Like reaaaally rocks. She gave me about 20 R's for my nursery wall and then helped me decorate them all afternoon on Tuesday. 

I love each and every one of them.

Today is my birthday. I'm 31. So far my 30's have been exponentially better than my 20's. After a fantastic week off, today I worked a nine hour day and came home to take out, a DVR full of good TV, my hottie husband and this gorgeous ring. Happy Birthday to ME!

As though my husband hadn't already sealed the deal on husband of the year with the baby shower, the sister, and the birthday present. I also came home to find out he finished staining and applying the poly to the babies' dresser AND moved it upstairs into their room. 

The dresser started out as an old, unfinished pine dresser that I've had for ten years. No before picture; trust me, this is a marked improvement. And I'm loving the nursery as its coming together. Now if I could just get better at taking pictures so that I can more accurately (and beautifully) show off his handy work. But a girl can only be good at so many things, right? (I kid.)

Oh, and I completely realize that green bin does not match the other greens in the room. What can I say? I tried. I'm going to recover it with spare fabric leftover from when I was picking material for the twins' crib skirts. Speaking of crib skirts, I found a company (Javis Davis) online and the owner is too sweet for words and they had our fabric in stock and custom crib bedding was ridiculously reasonable. So I ordered their crib skirts today and we should have them in a few weeks. Cannot wait for that. 

A Belly Comparison

I had the most amazing weekend filled with the most amazing surprises, which I'm going to post about sometime soon because I want to remember it for the rest of my life! Hopefully by then my dear friend Rebecca who graciously remembered a camera and captured my surprise of a lifetime will have opened her new storefront (so exciting!) and will have time to breathe and email me the pictures.

Part of my surprise entailed my sister arriving in New York from Florida. We've been having too much fun and laughing too much and running around making my house and life ready for these babies. She insisted on snapping a picture of my pot belly yesterday so that we could send it to our dad (I think I finally have his belly beat!)

At this point (without even planning it this way) I've managed to take a belly picture every three weeks (I'm only off by one week from 7 to 11, but there wasn't much to see then, so I think it's okay!). It's amazing to see the changes and growth over the last 16 weeks. Actually, for me it was quite jarring. I've been checking out a bunch of belly shots on other twin mommy blogs and the weeks ahead of me look like the scariest. My belly seems right in line for a major (uncomfortable) growth spurt. I'm excited and terrified.

Today is my due date from our first pregnancy (a miscarriage from IVF #1) and to sit here with this belly and be able to make it through today without an overwhelming amount of sadness is unreal. I still can't believe this is my life. This journey has been intense, but I feel so fortunate and blessed. Anyway, here's my belly journey from the end of IVF #2 to 23 weeks knocked up.

{ 4 weeks }

{ 7 weeks }

{ 11 weeks }

{ 14 weeks }

{17 weeks }

{ 20 weeks }

{ 23 weeks }

My lack of a bare belly photo at 20 weeks made me realize I really need to start baring the buddha a bit more while taking these pictures. It's fun to have the bare belly ones for us at home and then to share the ones where I'm a little more covered with friends and family over email. Originally I didn't think it made a difference, but literally being able to see my abs disappear is quite shocking and I wish I could remember what my bare bump looked like at week 20. (I can't even remember what my belly looked like when this all started, so seeing my "bloated" 7 week belly - where I had already gained 7 pounds - made me laugh my ass off. I'd kill to look that "bloated" again!)

My goal is 36 weeks, so I have 90 days to go. After that, flip and flop can come out (hopefully avoiding the NICU) and celebrate Christmas with everyone.

Why does it sound so much more appealing when you say 13 weeks instead of 90 days???

Non-Maternity, Maternity Clothes

Because these babies are set to arrive just after the holidays, I've been making a concerted effort to by non-maternity, maternity clothes that I can wear this winter postpartum until I get some semblance of my body back. There are two purchases I made recently which have been really cute and I thought would be worth sharing for you other ladies due this fall/winter. They key is not throwing anything in the dryer so you don't lose any inches in the length. Happy shopping!

J.Crew Vintage Bateau Top

I usually wear a small in J.Crew and got this in a medium. It should last me through 26-28 weeks and then I'll retire it until after the babies come.

Ann Taylor Loft V-Neck Sweater with Button Detail

I actually got this in a striped version and a solid version because I loved it so much. I usually wear an XS or S in ATL and purchased this in a medium. I think I may get up to 30 weeks in this sweater because it has a snug band around the waist and then the sweater is loose in the middle giving me a lot of growing room.

Here are some ATL coupon codes (from SeeChloeShop) if anyone's interested!

• THE DEAL: All full-priced tops and sweaters are Buy One, Get One 50% off (mix & match) | code: MIX50
• THE DEAL: Take 20% off your full-priced order of $75+ or 30% off your full-priced order of $150+ | code: LDMSEP10C

Surviving September

1. After wearing maternity jeans, I'm not sure why I ever wore non-maternity jeans. My favorite jeans so far are GapMaternity Demi Panel Long and Lean.

I really think all women should be given at least one pair of feel great pants with an elastic waistband. I have a pair in flare leg and boot cut and both are equally awesome. I wear the ankle length and at 5'3" they are perfect for flats or a short wedge which is all I'm wearing these days anyway. I feel cute in them every time I put them on (no easy feat these days). 

The demi panel is getting a bit annoying now that my belly is getting bigger (it folds a bit when I sit), but I'm happy to have them for those post-partum days where my old jeans don't fit and it's still a snowglobe in Upstate NY. I think having to wear a full panel jean after giving birth would be the death of my ego.

2. Apples

I am eating at least three a day right now. Thank goodness there are farm stands everywhere lately, I'm pretty much able to pull over on a whim and load up my purse on my way to, well...anywhere. The husband and I are hitting up the orchard this weekend for a pick your own spree and I.cannot.wait. All of my favorites are in season now (Macoun, Fuji, Gala and Cortland). Pottery Barn had sliced apples in a pitcher of water in their fall catalog and I'm so trying that as well.

3. I come from a long line of oily people, so I've never experienced dry itchy skin...until now. I'm loving Bliss Lemon & Sage Body Scrub.

It's not super scratchy and irritating on your skin and when you wash it off your skin feels like silk. Plus the smell doesn't make me gag (which happens with a lot of the really scented scrubs and lotions, even before babies). I use it at least once a week, and if the husband is home I can sometimes get in a scrub down twice a week (need help reaching those 'can't see at all places' these days). 

I've had the 12 oz scrub for 6 months and I haven't even used half of it yet, so while it's a bit pricey at $36, it seems to go the distance.

4. Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

I'm not usually a make-up wearer. Either I don't have the time or I don't have the patience to be bothered. But lately, I don't leave the house without applying my face. Maybe it's because my face is the only thing I can control the look of these days? I have no idea. Anyway, I've always had a few tried and true products in my teeny, tiny make-up bag and now I remember why I've used the same products for years. 

Bobbi Brown is pretty much all I carry and my daily go-to's are Lip Gloss in Pink Beige, Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Espresso Ink, Blush in Tawny and Extreme Party Mascara in Jet Black (I like this even better than DiorShow!). 

At night I add to it an eye palette from the 2008 Holiday Collection (yup, still have makeup from 2008, don't judge) and I'm all set. Colors in that palette include: Navajo, Cement, Heather Mauve Shimmer Wash and Mahogany.

Shopping and Travel Discount Sites

22 Weeks - Perfection

Yesterday we had our first OB appointment in four weeks. The babies were exactly 22 weeks along. We made it through the four week wait with no issues (although mommy had a few freak-out, "should I call, should I wait" moments). Both babies are doing amazing and we couldn't have asked for a better OB visit. Both babies are vertex which explains where all the kicks and punches are coming from lately. Let's hope they stay that way for the remainder of their stay in utero! There wasn't a single picture the ultrasound tech took that didn't have both babies in the frame. What can I say? They like to snuggle. 

They were so active that we didn't get a single good image of either of them. But I was proud of my wiggle worms and excited to show their daddy how much they move. He thinks I'm nuts every time I tell him to watch my belly to see it move!

Baby A (boy) was found to have an isolated choroid plexus cysts in his brain at our 18 week u/s. They are indicators for chromosomal disorders, primarily Trisomy 18. We declined further testing via amniocentesis and decided to just wait it out. We were told it could take months for the cysts to resolve themselves or, there was a 1 in 300 chance that our son would have Trisomy 18. We were overjoyed to find that his cysts had completely resolved themselves. 

Baby boy weighs 1.1 POUNDS (yes, pounds!) and his heart rate was 155.

Baby girl still loves to hide her face with her hands. She curls up in mommy's side now rather than my spine, which totally explains the strange mass that is the right side of my belly. She's as active as her brother now which is incredible. 

Baby girl weighs 1 POUND and her heart rate was 149.

Yes, I'm one proud mama. One proud healthy mama! 

My stats were as follows: belly is measuring 28 weeks along (my doctor said if I'm starting to feel big it's because I am. Well duh!), weight gain 23.5 pounds, heart rate 110/72. I also had my first cervical length check yesterday and my cervix is still 3cm long, thick and closed. I am so proud of my cervix today!!!

I was cleared to continue exercising (even spinning!) and activity as normal. My OB indicated that things really start to get "rough" between weeks 24 and 28 for multiples mamas, so we'll see how well I keep this up, but for now I'm elated. She was super excited to hear that I put in my notice at work and would be home starting at 25 weeks. (I'm super excited too.) 

I asked my OB what my goal is with these babies. Like am I aiming for 40 weeks and trying to get as close to that as possible? Or am I aiming for 38 weeks? She told me my next goal is 32 weeks. By 32 weeks the babies are fully formed and have everything they need to live a happy healthy life. Anything after 32 weeks she called "gravy". So now we're just working to get to November 29. I've never been more excited for Thanksgiving!

Our next appointment is at 26 weeks, we'll have another ultrasound and another cervical length check and then I believe we graduate to every other week appointments. I can't believe I'll get to meet these babies in the next 10-16 weeks. Unreal.

Maternity Pics - Yay or Nay?

Back when I was getting married boudoir pictures were all the rage. A group of acquaintances (one of which is now my bestie) and I road tripped to Virginia - lying to our fiances the entire time - for a marathon photo session. The end result was a photo book that was given to my husband the night before my wedding.

At the time I took these pictures, they were more of a gift to him (look how sexy and seductive married life can be...). Now, three years and two kids later, the photos are more of a gift to myself. I'm not lying when I tell you, you never appreciate the body you had more than while you're pregnant and uncertain as to whether you'll ever look like that again. 

Clearly these were never pictures I intended upon putting up in my house. 

But it's nice to have them tucked away.

Which brings me back to maternity pictures. In all honesty, I think these are pretty silly. They're not anything I would frame or put up in my house. But given our history, this may be my only pregnancy and maybe it would be nice to look back at this curvy, baby body some day and reflect on what it felt like to be this way. 

Our wedding photographer has been itchy to get my buddha belly in front of her camera, and given how rapidly I'm growing these days, I feel like I should make a decision soon (or I may not be able to fit in a single frame). 

So what do you think? Maternity pictures - silly trend or personal keepsake?

On Display

My obsession with round mirrors in living rooms is no secret. But I put together our mantle over a year ago and never really loved it. Actually, truth be told, I never really decorated the mantle. I just hung a mirror and called it a day.

{ our living room as it looks today }

Now that the man cave has become the guest bedroom (I'll post pics once that's completed), I was thinking about relocating the mirror up there and taking it out of the room altogether, but with the gallery wall (another obsession, here and here) in the living room more framed pictures might be overkill. 

Then I saw this fall mantle from It's the Little Things and it made me fall in love with round mirrors in living rooms again. 

Perhaps the key is to *ahem* actually accessorize rather than replace. I have a few pictures that layer the mantel a bit more and I'm thinking that might be a nice compromise. Here are some others I've been storing away.

This living room has a photo gallery and a round, layered mirror. 

Always nice to see something can work before you try it out.

Opinions welcome!

Strollers Selected

One of the things I realized in looking for a stroller is that this purchase, almost more than any other baby purchase, is a deeply personal choice. It's all dependent upon your lifestyle and where you live. I tried to select strollers that were recommended by other multiples moms on message boards and blogs, but in the end it came down to the husband and I in Buy Buy Baby pushing strollers around and seeing what worked for us. Here's what we've picked and why.

0 - 6 Month Stroller 

Baby Trend Double Snap n' Go ($99)

I picked this stroller up used on Craigslist for $50. The benefit of this stroller frame is that it's compatible with infant carseats from multiple manufacturers making it easy to get around quickly with infant twins. Simply pop your infant seats out of the car and lock them on to the frame and go. Easy peasy. The frame is super sturdy and collapses down easily. It's really too simple for words. 

This stroller is only functional as long as your children are in infant car seats. From what I read most kids outgrow their infant seats by 6 months, which is why we elected to buy the DSNG used. The chance of me schlepping infant twins out in the dead of winter is pretty slim, so spending the full $100 on this stroller just didn't make sense. MoM's groups are another great resource for used DSNG's. 

(*If you'll be needing one around June, let me know I'm sure we'll be selling ours then!)

Lightweight/Umbrella Stroller

2011 Maclaren Twin Techno ($329.99)

* not yet available online

We picked the Triumph as our get around town, use in the airport, take when visiting friends and family, fold as flat as a pancake stroller. It's easy to set up, break down and maneuver. A lot of reviews suggested that there was little difference between the Twin Techno and the more common Twin Triumph. I beg to differ. Aside from the obvious difference in price (about $65) there were a few key upgrades on the Techno that caused us to cough up the extra cash. 

The Techno's hood is longer protecting baby's face more, the seats have more cushioning and back support for the kiddos and they can be reclined into five different positions (versus only two positions in the Techno), and the leg rest has metal extenders so that when baby is sleeping/reclining their feet can also recline. Add to that bigger tires, greater storage capacity and better maneuverability and we were sold. We preordered the 2011 with a 20% off coupon at BBB, making the Techno the same price as the Triumph. 

*Notice the stress on the 2011 model. This is because Maclaren umbrella strollers were recalled for hinge issues (the previous hinges were severing children's fingers. Yes, you read that right, severed fingers). In 2010 Maclaren "fixed" this malfunction by issuing a velcro hinge cover that was placed over the stroller. In 2011, the stroller's hinges were redesigned to be completely plastic and round. The outcome is stroller safe for tiny digits. 

Drop the baby weight, get back to normal, run your ass off stroller

(also good for walking, going to the beach and living in general)

Baby Jogger Summit XC ($649.99)

If this stroller were a man I'd make sweet, sweet love to it. Seriously. I had previously selected the BOB Revolution Duallie, but after trying both out in BBB there was no contest between the two. The BOB is slightly narrorwer than the Summit XC (by 2") and had built-in snack holders for kids and that's pretty much where the comparison ends. The Summit XC had better suspension (read: smoother ride for kids, easier for mom to push), a cushier seat, a hand operated break and it was quicker and easier to fold down. Oh and the stroller was a dream to push and maneuver. LOVE. 

I can't wait to hit the pavement this spring to start training for the Covered Bridges Half Marathon. I even convinced the hubby to run with me. Super excited because once we tackle that run the twins will be big enough to run with us and we can continue training for the Adirondack Half in the fall as a family.

I can't stress enough how important it was to try out these strollers in person. We had gone to Babies R' Us a bunch of times, but their selection of floor models stinks, so we took advantage of a road trip to see the outlaws, stopping in Rochester to go to Buy Buy Baby. If you have one of these amazing stores near you head over there before registering. Their selection was incredible and their sales people actually *knew* about the products they were assisting you with. We never got that kind of attention or help from a BRU associate EVER. 

This Outfit

makes me miss having a waistline.

I saw it paired with this tee instead (much cuter) and fell in (instant) love.

This will be the first outfit I wear this winter when I get to eat sushi again. 

And I will smile brightly.

Feeling Unsubstantive

It's quite funny to be given an award for having substance at a time when you feel unsubstantive. This blog has suffered greatly since the end of my second IVF. First it was because I was feeling so emo after years of cycling. I was in some sort of weird funk waiting for the other shoe to drop, wondering when this miracle would end. And so I kept quiet.

Then I was clearly knocked up. And so many of my followers are others struggling with infertility that it just felt wrong to come on here and write about my life. I felt guilty. Unbelievably guilty and sad/happy. Sappy?

And now, well, now I'm just boring. The only thing I think about is nursery decor and babies and getting ready for babies. There are other things too, but they're kind of reeeeeally personal, so I keep those to myself. And I used to share those details, but lately I've felt kind of private.

I still devour decor, but I'm not lit up by it right now. And I still exercise and run races and cook crazy recipes, but something has changed. So I'm trying to figure myself out and in the process I've gone mute. Go figure. I'll get back here again. I mean this blog's been around for SEVEN years. Longer than I've had followers, longer than I even had grey hairs. I'll be back. I'm just transitioning and figuring myself out.

Anyway, thank you very much dear Kate for thinking of me and making me miss blogging...a little. And for giving me this award. You've become a dear friend over the years and I just want you to know how much I truly appreciate you.

As for my blogging philosophy? Um, I think I just made it clear that I have none. I write about my life, whatever is happening in it. And if anyone wants to read about it they're welcome to. In my blog, like in my real life, I'm pretty much an open book.

Now as much as I'd like to pay this award forward, I have to admit, the only blogs I've been reading are those from my IF friends and those from my IRL friends and that's about it. Most of those blogs are linked in my sidebar and they all have substance, so if you are looking for something new to read check out my link love. And thanks again Kate!

20 Weeks

{ here I am, half-baked! can't believe it's been 20 weeks! }