Week thirteen.

Shrimps:

• Skip this bullet if you have the mind of a middle schooler. Although I guess posting this means we kind of do? Anyway, we were loaned a great book by friends (thanks Berghoeffs!) that has glossy photography and detailed descriptions of babies growing during pregnancy. By happenstance we learned that all babies start out with an organ called an "indifferent penis" which eventually forms into girl parts or boy parts. WHAAAAAT. I will be forever squeamish about this evolution process going on inside my belly.
• Are just getting around to forming bones. 
• Have fingerprints!
• Are beginning to be a little more proportional to their giant heads.

Laura:

• Dare I hope that food is becoming tasty again? Found myself daydreaming about homemade marinara and meatballs the other day. And will soon have to get a restraining order from my pumpkin ice cream and ginger cat cookies.
• Had my first truly memorable pregnant adventure- attempting the "Billy Goat A" trail (read: rock climbing) at the C & O Canal with Uncle Gary and Aunt Lynn. This would have been perfectly fine had the weather held as I have no shame scootching down rocks on my behind, BUT it just so happened to be the day that a tropical depression hit our area (read: monsoon). Never been so wet in my life, but all's well that ends well!
• Is always ITCHY and has unbelievably strong nails. Not that these two things go together.
• Is starting to have fun with theoretically rearranging furniture in the house.

Andrew:

• Went with Laura to measure every possible dimension in the house and created a layout from it. I love this man.
• Has pretty much become the dishwasher since bits of food and soapy water skeeve me out. I love this man. Especially since the new house has no dishwasher.
• Has been married to Laura for three years as of Wednesday! Went to the Arlington Drafthouse and Cinema last night to celebrate.

A debate for you:

I had decided a few years back that cloth diapers seemed like the environmental way to go. Now that the reality of diapers is upon us, we'll be dealing with two messy bottoms at once, and daycare is most certainly going to happen for some time during the week, it seems less certain. Read this article with some of this facts and figures. I feel like it'd still be worth it when they're home... a few less disposables in the landfill. Comment with your thoughts, just know that in the end we most likely will do what we want to regardless of what you say:-).

House Update Update

You all are effective pray-ers and good thought senders... we are signing on the house this month!!! Get a full photo tour here. 

This does of course mean that a moving party will be scheduled soon, probably the weekend of November 9th. Break out your large vehicles and old clothes, people! We will feed and house you, and I will allow moving volunteers to touch my belly (if you want) without slapping your hand away!

Week twelve.

Shrimps:

• Are more lemon-sized than lime. Or, last week was true key west limes and this week is the type of lime found in groceries that is actually a hybridization of a lemon but looks and tastes kind of like a true lime but is bigger.
• Basically are perfect little human beings at this point- they have all their organs and appendages in order and hopefully on the right side of their skin (apparently some organs develop outside first SUPER WEIRD).
• Can officially be bugged by me if I squish my stomach. Guess that means I should start the awkward process of unbuttoning/safety pinning my pants together. I wonder what else will bug them... 

Laura:

• Lost her cookies. Maybe it's masochistic, but there was a feeling of gratification after three months of nausea to finally hurl. Also a good indication to never get up at 6:15am again.
• Has a giant uterus at this point that is squeezing out of the pelvic area. Bonus: less trips to the bathroom. Disadvantage: places shrimps closer to other organs so less stomach space, breathing space, and once they start dancing more- kicked organs. Hooray!
• Apparently is supposed to be in maternity clothes at this point? I have occasionally done the pants thing... but am making do with my own clothes pretty well so far. You know that giant belly bloat you have after eating way too much at a buffet, or even more so after having eaten far too much of a gas-inducing food (brussel sprouts, Andrew?)? That is what I feel like I have so far. Although I definitely cannot suck in my stomach to save my life.
• Went to my first baby store- a Carter's that opened near by. I successfully left with nothing!

Andrew:

• Has been sick lately, poor thing. But has been nicely keeping it to himself.
• "Paternity leave" was actually a phrase uttered by his boss after hearing the news... not that he'd get much if any, but I'm hoping there will be a little leeway?
• Is okay with my idea for a color scheme of "carrot" aka orange and green. I think it's because dinosaurs are also often green and orange. We still may or may not have a nursery, but it'd be nice for things to kind of coordinate. 
• Feels it would be best if we had a boy and a girl, or two boys. If we had two girls, he would be outnumbered 6:1 (if fixed cats count).

Other news:

• We are now first in line for the house!!!!!! Assuming our credit and other various stuff checks out, we will have a house HOORAY.
• FYI I do have a secret pinterest board of baby things, if you'd like to join in just let me know! This is the kind of stuff that gets posted:

House Update

Original, 1700's section to far right.

So Andrew and I visited the park house (see first mention in Week Eleven post) today:

• 4 miles from Brookside, 5 from nearest train station (for Andrew)
• Original part of the house built in the 1700's 
• Located at the entrance of Paint Branch Park
• Nice big yard
• 2 bedroom, 1 bath, with loft and basement

LOOK AT THIS KITCHEN. Not that we can use the fireplace...

The positives:

• Just the right "upward expansion size" for us... allows room for kids and Andrew's work easily but not too much to furnish.
• SO MUCH FREAKING character
• An old home without as much of the old home stress: since we would be renters Parks takes care of all the big projects before we get there.
• The price is right- would be about the same as rent as our current apartment.

Beautiful entry hall with original floor and room for bookshelves.

The negatives/unknowns:

• We are second in line- if the first person qualifies and decides to take the house, they get it.
• If we get it, money will be really tight for a bit- they want folks to move in next month, if there's no flexibility there we will be carrying two leases and a mortgage simultaneously.
• We will be in charge of maintenance, such as mowing the gigantic lawn and taking care of the old house problems we noticed during the visit- bugs, humidity, etc.
• Not sure at this time what the utility bills would be like.

One half of the lawn... ignore my expression as I was feeling sick.

I think I'm leaning more toward the house than Andrew, but we've agreed if the first person passes we'd take it. I just don't know the likelihood of that happening. We did talk to the maintenance guy working there today and he said another house would be coming up for rent soon that was nicer but probably more expensive. Would appreciate prayers and positive thoughts directed our way!

Loft that could serve as Andrew's office.

I swear Andrew will try this at least once...

Week eleven.

SOOOOO CLOSE to the end of the first trimester. FREAKING OUT about twins.

Newsflash: Laura and Andrew have decided to go public this coming Monday, September 30th. That means you can go public too! We would like to reserve the right to be the first to tell certain family members and friends, and will let you know accordingly. 

Shrimps:

• Both have heartbeats that are ridiculously fast, like mice or very small birds.
• Apparently enjoying dancing for ultrasounds.
• If it was one shrimp, they'd be the size of a lime or small lemon now. Not sure how this works when there are two. I'm hoping they won't both be 10 pounds like I was at the end...
• Are officially fetuses (feti?), and practically human-baby-looking at this point.

Laura:

• Is flabbergasted. During the ultrasound the doctor kept commenting, "you are SO calm." She did not observe the symptoms of shock I'm guessing.
• Got bunches of free prenatal samples, pregnancy magazines, a folder of homework, coupons, pacifier and one diaper from her appointment. Bling bling!
• Is learning about the differences in twin pregnancy. For instance, you're supposed to gain 45 pounds instead of the 25 for one baby. To do that they recommend 600 extra calories a day and/or gaining 1-2 pounds a week. EEEEEEKK. I guess if anyone has to deal with such things, it is helpful to be 6' with a frame to match...
• Is looking to join a local multiples support group ASAP.

Andrew:

• Just giggled when he heard about twins. Then he started looking up information (like how much weight I should gain above) and giggling some more. We joked about having twins and how crazy it would be, it's still apparently funny when it's true.
• Seems more affected by this news than the actual pregnancy, as far as Laura can tell...
• Has already used twin news to his advantage at work. When he told one of his [sometimes cantankerous] clients today, he was invited to lunch next time he came by.  Handy.

In other news:

• Double the babies has made us start thinking about housing a bit.
• Just today, Laura received a flyer at work for a Parks house that just became available for rent (see it from above here). 
• It's still small, but with a basement, loft, and awesome backyard/front yard in addition to 2 bedrooms 1 bath it would be SUPER NICE.
• The rent would be very similar to what we're paying for the apartment.
• Still pretty convenient to the gardens and a metro for Andrew.
• Laura's been pestering them all day and we are working on submitting an application tonight. 
• The house isn't ready to be shown (some interior work is being done by maintenance) but Laura and Andrew stopped by today and were really intrigued by the outside at least. Should be contacted by the end of this week to schedule a time to see the interior...
• Having this come up the day after twin news is overwhelming to say the least, but prayers and good thoughts our way are much appreciated. Who knows if it will work out, but it seems like it would be REALLY NICE if it did!

Appointment Update.

Well then. Had my first appointment and I am indeed pregnant. Here's an upside-down picture of Shrimp:

 And here's an upside-down picture of Shrimp's twin.

WHAAAAAATTTT. NO history of twins on either side of the family; apparently there's a 1 in 80 chance of twins without genetic predisposition. I heard both their heartbeats and saw one of them dance a jig. Everything else seems to be hunky dory, twins are naturally a bit more risky than one baby, but other than that things are fine according to the doctor. April 24th still, although typically twins are delivered pre-term.

So if you're already buying us baby stuff, go back and get two of each. We'll be in shock for a few days.