Scenes from our Weekend

We had a fun abet tiring weekend. We attend the wedding of one of Jay's childhood best friends in Southport over the weekend. Originally we were going to leave the kids in Charlotte but we decided it would be better for us to bring them with us.

We got in town around 3 and dropped Jay off with the groomsmen to start partying. The babies and I headed to Jay's aunt's house in town to get everything set up. An hour later I was off to meet Daddy for the rehearsal dinner while Gran and Miss Betty watched the babies.

on the way we had to stop at McDonald's for lunch (not a lot of choices in the middle of nowhere on the way to the coast). Normally if we do fast food we do Chick-fil-a. They always have clean high chairs, they provide wet wipes and plastic bibs and have a great kids meal of grilled chicken and fruit (and of course they get some french fries). This McDonald's was sooo gross. I am really going to have to start planning our trips around Chick-fil-a locations.

Jay drove the speed limit (okay maybe 5 over) the ENTIRE trip. I am a speed demon and his driving drives me crazy. He is so careful to avoid getting tickets. We drove into the neighborhood/plantation that the wedding was being held and the rent-a-cop pulled Jay over for driving 38 in a 30. We just had to laugh. The ticket wasn't a "real" ticket and we're not even sure who is in charge of enforcing them!

Rehearsal dinner

cute simple center pieces.

We closed down the resort bar Friday night (lucky for this early bird it closed at 10:30) and headed home to get a few hours of sleep before the little ones woke us up this next morning. We had some fun playtime on Saturday am and with so many people staying at the house I was able to take a LONG shower, blowout my hair, curl it, and apply make up it. Its the little things!

view of the babies waking up from our bed. They were soooo happy when they woke up! 

this one has been my sidekick this past week. As in, if I walk in the room she feels the need to be attached to me. If I don't pick her up she throws a tantrum and rolls all over the floor. She has not been feeling well and I'm hoping thats what this is about. It is a little exhausting carrying a baby around while I try to get things done.

I took Jay to meet the groomsmen for lunch on Saturday and tagged along during nap time. They ate on the water at the marina in St. James and the weather was beautiful. 

I'm doing a little wedding research... and I really like vases wrapped in twine.

pretty dessert/cake table

these printed dessert bags were too cute! love the mason jars.

wedding selfie

while we were at the wedding, my husband's cousin's best friend offered to watch the babies. She took them to her parents house (which has a ton of toys for her nieces and nephews) to play and eat dinner.

I think this cheeseball had fun!

The groomsmen. I thought they looked a little like a barbershop quartet!

got home early Sunday afternoon and dropped the babies at my mom's house so we could get some major cleaning done around the house. Unfortunately, we got a late start and after totally reorganizing the nursery, I didn't have much left in me to continue with the rest of the house. That will be my goal this week during nap time :)

Baby #3 Week 11

I completely forgot to post Week 10 and I'm a little late with week 11 but that is sort of how this pregnancy is going. It's a little uneventful minus the throwing up and hound dog nose. On September 17th I had my first appointment at the OB. He did a quick ultrasound for me and I was so excited to see #3 moving all over the place. We discussed delivery options and it sounds like we're going to go with a c-section again unless I want to try a VBAC. Only problem with a VBAC is that they won't induce labor at all. Problem with the c-section is that they do it at 39 weeks and I'd like to actually go into labor on my own. I'm a little worried about another c-section because as of right now, we would like more kids and I don't know how many c-sections you can have before your body can't handle it anymore. Lots of questions to talk to the doctor about. We are going to monitor my preeclampsia carefully. I have a 30% increased chance of developing it because I had it with the twins. Hopefully, because this pregnancy will be less stressful on my body, I'll be able to carry the twins to term!

9.5 weeks baby #3

(thats not my info on the ultrasound, guess they didn't clear the machine before me but that definitely is my baby :) )

almost 11 weeks

school bathroom photo

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Friday, September 27, 2013

How Far Along: 11 weeks

Size of babies: Babies are the size of limes (or golf balls on the new "daddy size tracker".

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Up 3.5

Maternity Clothes: Yes. I am just slightly to "puffy" for my regular pants so I've been wearing maternity jeans. Still in regular tops though.

Gender: Definitely a boy

Movement:  Can't feel anything yet but #3 was moving like crazy on the ultrasound

Sleep: I am soooo tired but just don't have the time to sleep. I wish this was pregnancy #1 where I had no responsibilities and could sleep til noon!

What I miss: pumpkin beer, eating normally

Cravings: cereal, anything crunchy. My stomach just won't calm down. My sense of smell is crazy and the smell of food makes me sick. It's hard to eat right now. I can do toast, cereal, sometimes cooked sushi, and definitely ice cream.

Symptoms: tired, dizzy (might be time for those compression stockings), nauseated.

Best Moment this week: Seeing #3 and starting to plan our announcement for everyone next week!

Your fetus is about 1.6 inches long, and she's got about a 1:1 head to body ratio. She now weighs in at about .25 ounces.

And new for the Dads this week on the bump:

Week 11: Golf Ball

Average size: 1.6 inches, 0.25 ouncesNext time you tee off, know your baby’s about as big as the ball. He’s already moving around in your partner’s belly, too. 

mommy melt down

I don't know what it is about 15 months. Some days my babies are absolute joys. Others I can't wait for bed time. This past week has been rough. Holden had a fever on Monday and I had to take both kids to the doctor by myself. Once we got there I realized that the stroller was in Jay's car. I had a blast corralling two kids in the sick waiting room while wearing a shirt dress and boots that I had worn to school that day. I felt terrible when we got home and was running a fever. My mom and sis thankfully came over to help bath the kids and get them ready for bed.

Tuesday Jay stayed home with the Holden and took EC to preschool and handled pick up. Tuesday was a little crazy. It was my mom's last day of chemo (which we surprised her at her appointment with flowers), I picked my aunt up from the airport, and we went out to eat at a Japanese restaurant. Emma Cate was on her WORST behavior at the restaurant. I don't know what has gotten into her recently but meal times out are a bear. I took her into a different area where she proceeded to get sick after crying and coughing. I had cheer that night so Jay was in charge of putting the kids to sleep. Let me say that he does such a great job helping and I couldn't do it without him.

Wednesday I took the morning off to take the kids to school. We had a rough start. Both kids have just been feeling kind of blah and no one has been happy or cheerful. I spoke with their teacher at school and she let me know we needed to work on Holden's table manners. He screams and screeches when he wants something and doesn't use his words. He also throws food and his entire lunch box when he is done. Enter mom anxiety. It made me upset to hear this but it was all things that I already knew. I just chalked it up to having a 15 month old and that this was normal behavior.

Wednesday afternoon was crazy. I picked the kids up from my moms at 4:30, ran home to grab new outfits to wear to church for dinner (they play in the water table at school and always come home in some crazy mix of the outfit I sent them in plus an item in their extra clothes bag... navy and white striped rugby polo mixed with light blue and white striped cotton play shorts anyone?). I met Jay at church but we were running late so he wasn't able to eat with us. He got the kids set up with sandwiches in their high chairs and took off for class. My mom was meeting us there and was on her way. The kids were awful. They flung their pbj everywhere. Like would pick up a piece of sandwich and chuck it. I tried giving them all sorts of different types of food and they both threw everything. We seriously looked like a hot mess. I took Emma Cate out to run off some energy and when we came back in to get my mom and Holden she SCREAMED because she did not want to be held and thrashed around in my arms before getting sick all over the carpeted floor. I was dripping sweat and dying of embarrassment. I was totally that lady that you think, damn she needs to get her shit together. Our minister stood guard around the puke while we hurried out of there. *Note- everyone at church was super nice and kept asking if they could help.

I proceeded to burst into tears upon leaving the church. Watching my kids horrible table manners combined with what their preschool teacher said just put me over the edge. There are some nights where a good cry is imperative. This week has just been rough. I have not felt good, the kids haven't felt good. We've soldiered on to continue with our normal week when really we should have probably gotten into our jammies early and ordered pizza every night. I pride myself in having my ish together. I am organized, I plan ahead, I schedule everything. I pack a mean diaper bag and always have the necessities. My kids are normally well behaved and I am in control. Sure sometimes they run off at the playground and you'll see me scaling a climbing wall, but most of the time I have it together. Wednesday threw me. I hate giving off the impression that I am disorganized and disheveled. Everyone always comments how hard it must be to have twins and I always reply that its really pretty easy. And I'm being honest. I love it. Normally it is easy. I don't want anyone's pity. I think that's what stung the worst about Wednesday night.

This morning was a real gem.. Holden woke up at 6am and Jay and I took turns watching him while we got ready. We were both running late. Emma Cate wasn't even awake at 7:10 (normally she is finishing breakfast by this point). My mom and I hurried to get everyone ready. I gave both kids their morning meds (antibiotics from Monday) and Emma Cate threw up again! After a quick bath and change of clothes we were all headed off (late) to school.

I WISH we could stay in town this weekend and just catch up. Anyone else feel like you're running full speed ahead and just need a weekend at home to slow down and catch up? Our house is dusty (anyone know of a good housekeeper? I think we've finally decided to hire one!), my kids summer clothes are still hanging in their closest, and we just need a general get organized session. But we're headed out of town to a wedding and I'm hoping and praying for healthy kids and a better week ahead.

*I don't want this to seem like I'm whining but I want to be real that some weeks are amazing and others are just not. Here's to moving past the crappy weeks and celebrating the fabulous ones!

Whatta better day!

Each night I have a few minutes of quiet time to reflect and pray. Last night, as I was thinking about the day I counted my blessings. After a terrible Tuesday, I had a fantastic Wednesday. I thought about all of the little things and was thankful to God for always giving me just what I need. My mom had a doctor's appointment yesterday so I had to be home early which gave me 1.5 hours of nap time to clean, do laundry, and switch my closet over from summer to fall. I met a friend at the park and had fun catching up while I watched my babies climb and run. I got a call from a friend that I haven't spoken to in a while inviting me to a girls night tonight. I received sweet comments and texts on my last blog post from others who have been in the same boat. It's encouraging to know you are not alone. I went to bed feeling happy and content and ready for another great day. Today I am thankful for family, friends, and a God that knows exactly what I need, even when I don't always know how to ask for it.

Today I am excited to watch wolfpack football with some of my sorority sisters, play with my babies, and teach my students. We all have sour days that make the sweet ones that much sweeter :)

twin play date with Seantel and her sweet babies

they aren't dressed before I leave in the morning (they eat breakfast in their diapers) but I always lay out their clothes the night before. Can't wait to post a pic of them in their wolfpack clothes!

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Whatta day

I know that I have expressed my feelings about work on here before and they are pretty much the same. One day I am loving being a working mom. I know my children are cared for by the best people ever and having a blast at preschool in the mornings but yesterday left me in tears at the end of the day and cursing my job. I had an appointment after school that lasted until 4:10. I had to meet Jay at the license plate office and after standing in the wrong line for 30 minutes, standing in the right line for 45 minutes we learned that all of our paperwork for the new car was at a different location. I pretty much lost it on my way out of the door. It was 5:45, I hadn't seen my children. I had not started dinner (meaning they would eat crap for supper instead of the healthy meal that I planned). I had to leave at 6:45 to coach cheerleading (which isn't that bad because that's the babies' bed time). That left me with approx. 45 minutes of time with my children in a 24 hour day. 45 minutes is not going to cut it. I know this isn't the norm. Usually I am hope by the time my kids wake up from naps and I get lots of time to play with them before we start cooking dinner. But even one day like this makes me question spending time away from the babies.

I'm going to stick it out this year. I've made a commitment to be here and to teach these kids, who I truly care so much about, but I'm going to have to think long and hard about where I want to be next year. Any other parents ever felt this way about leaving a career to stay at home? I'm not sure I'm cut out to be at home with my babies all day long. I'm looking into creative options to keep my busy but still allow me time at home with my babies (and lets be honest, make a little money while I'm at it). I'm looking forward to being home early today and hanging out with my sweet babies. Hoping that some quality time today will erase all of the negativity from yesterday :)

just because they were so sweet and quiet and still

Weekend Roundup

So sad that weekends come and go so fast around here. I miss being at home like I was all fall last year. The weather is becoming so nice to play outside and the babies love being at the park. We made the most out of our weekend and were sad to see it go on Monday morning.

A few random thoughts... Holden and Emma Cate seem so big to me all of a sudden. They listen and know what I'm talking about when I ask them to bring something or find an object. They especially love finding shoes! Emma Cate is walking more than crawling now. They are both obsessed with dogs. I'm starting to put away baby toys and just this weekend I packed up all of the bottles and made some space in the cabinets. I still can't believe my babies are in preschool. Granted, we started them early, it still seems like such a big kid thing. I LOVE reading notes from their teachers and sorting through their lunch boxes and diaper stash to get little clues into their lives away from mama. One our of preschools happily uses cloth diapers and I love it. The other preschool has deemed them unsanitary and the babies have to use disposables. I seriously hate this. Diapers are so expensive and such a waste! I've been buying the Honest brand diapers and although the prints are adorable, I much prefer cute cloth tushies!

I have been playing tennis every Thursday and I seriously love it. My racquet was purchased for $20 at Dick's several years ago and I've finally decided to make the investment and get a good racquet. Maybe it'll be my birthday present to myself.

We got our Sophie dog back from the breeder a week ago and I'm so glad that fiasco is over. She is now happily spayed and has calmed down a little. She is headed in to the groomer today and I can't wait to get back a clean, lovely smelling dog. She had to wear a cone around her head for the week and kept knocking the babies down. I'm sure they'll be happy that she gets it off.

I have been in a major clothing shopping mood lately. I am trying my hardest not to shop too much because we've got some big financial goals we'd like to accomplish within the next 3 years. It is sooo hard though!

I came home on Friday to two very sleepy kids. After a brief clothing try on for our family pictures Saturday, both kids tuckered out in the family room. 

We had a family photo shoot on Saturday morning at the Dairy Barn. It was such a cute location and I can't wait to go back and explore with the kid. The weather was perfect for a "fall" photo shoot. The weather was crisp and cool. The kids were pretty happy and the shoot went well. I can't wait to get the pictures back!

This child STRUGGLES to get in her carseat. Once you get the first buckle clicked she settles down but until then it is a fight. I seriously sweat getting her in the seat. 

she recently started doing this with her shirt. This was right before nap time and the babies thought it was hilarious to "hide" from us!

People always ask me how I do it with twins and I tell them that I have lots of help. Jay is an amazing dad and great partner in bringing up these two. On both Saturday and Sunday I spent nap time (and little past) out shopping, running errands, and enjoying a child free lunch with my sister. I love to be around the kids as much as possible on the weekends because of work during the week but there is nothing wrong with taking time to myself during nap time. Jay uses nap time to work on his hobbies too like washing cars and mowing the grass :) He also enjoys cleaning the house and thats a HUGE help to me! He's the cleaner and I'm the putter away-er :) 

Saturday evening Bo and I took the babies to the park for some more playtime. We later met my parents and Jay at their house for some chinese. The babies stayed up til 9 running around before we called it a night. Luckily they slept until 8 the next morning. 

We spent Sunday morning at Ihop with my parents. I am getting a little tired of IHOP but my mom loves their pancakes so it's always her pick. The weather was a little cooler and I'm not sure what to dress the kids in. I came up with this combo for Holden and he walked around like he was big stuff.

We made a family target trip and I made Jay push around this huge cart. Have I told yáll (I don't know why my keyboard is only typing with international symbols instead of apostrophes and such) what a great sport Jay is? We have so much fun together. 

I did some crafting when we got home and can't wait to hang my new NC State wreath!

This little trouble make go into my plant stand and came out covered in black. She thought she was too cute. 

We ended Sunday by bringing a spare TV outside and watching some football and eating dips around the fire. I am so glad we made this addition to the back porch. Jay and I actually stayed outside until late watching Real Housewives of New Jersey during the rain delay. We've decided to make the TV a permanent fixture outside and he's coming up with some solution to weather proof it and hang it somewhere.

my mom set up the fire for us (Jay was studying upstairs for the first part of the night) and things got a little crazy. It was the biggest fire we'd had.

Hope you all had an amazing weekend. Only 5 more days until the next!