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.

Week ten.

Double digits, baby!

Shrimp:

• Will officially be a fetus by the end of the week.
• Is about the size of a AA battery- take that, baby sizes compared to fruit in all the books.
• If shrimp can just get through the end of this week without developing congenital conditions, we will be mostly in the clear. C'mon little buddy.
• Has a heartbeat that can now be heard by Doppler... something we may be hearing on Tuesday (first prenatal appt). 

Laura:

• Is attempting a neti pot revival. As weird as it is, seems much better than sneezing fits and antihistamines. Purchased a fancy schmancy ceramic pot to inspire more frequent usage.
• Is super grossed out by chemicals. Trying essential oils, castile soap, and other non-offensive cleaning products around the house.
• Is hoarding food at work like a squirrel. Instead of lunch, she eats about a dozen snacks.
• Misses pooping. Can't decide if she's showing or if it's a gas baby.
• Has even more pregnancy and baby books, both borrowed and gifted.
• Is trying to feel amenable to people patting her belly once the pregnancy is more public. Right now it feels like her reaction will either be a) an icy glare, b) a quick backup to get away from prying hands, or c) swatting away the offending appendage. Please take a number and wait for the baby to come out of my body. 

Andrew:

• Has a few sections to read in the new books...
• Is becoming adjusted to the idea of potentially losing his second bedroom office.
• Made a beautiful dinner of tilapia, sauteed kale and onions, and squash this week. Laura will be looking for more soon.

My very favorite neti pot video.

Is there a light at the end of this terrible foodless tunnel?

Personal best- two home cooked dinners in a row! Andrew made lemon pepper tilapia, acorn squash and sauteed kale last night (bonus, we watched Scott Pilgrim vs. the world). I made white bean chicken soup with rosemary tonight. Let me tentatively welcome back healthy, normal, homemade food into our lives...

Excellent suggestion.

Week nine.

Shrimp:

• Is about the size of a grape- all baby sizes seem to be fruit WHY- or perhaps an olive, the kind marinated in herbs and stuffed with a garlic clove.
• Is not actually marinating in herbs and stuffed with a garlic clove.
• Has fingers and toes and a mouth. Let thumb sucking commence.
• A gender decision has been made that we won't get to know about for another few weeks.
• Has received the first gift (see below). 

Laura:

• Is super tired of being tired. 
• Wears sleeveless tops and burrows under fleece blankets in the same day.
• Found gummi prenatals PRAISE THE LORD. They are delicious and do not act as a throat stopper.
• Still wants a personal chef to provide tapas every hour or two.

Andrew:

• Says he has nothing to report. I will have to work on this.
• Helped Laura recognize, after a weekend away, that the apartment did not actually smell like old cheese on their return.

Education.

I now possess borrowed copies of a number of books about pregnancy, babies, and so forth. After skimming through a few of them, I must say that it appears pregnancy and birth will be just as uncomfortable, stressful, and painful as I had expected. I figure if I set the bar low then the little perks throughout the pregnancy and resulting human being will seem all the better, hooray!

Also irritated that the books that tell me that I will be nauseated and full of food aversions for three months are the SAME books that chide me for eating empty calories and tell me I must make every bite count. Stupid book, or, perhaps, stupid body. Why, when nutrition matters so much, would your body have evolved to reject anything with nutritional content?

I am looking for a chef, position available immediately. Interested parties may apply via email or phone. Must be able to sneak healthy ingredients into food I want to eat, and also cook for Andrew's diet.

Eight weeks.

Things to know:

• Shrimp is approximately the size of a gummi bear. But not squishy- this thing is all joints at the moment, fingers, elbows, knees and so forth. 
• Almost not a tadpole anymore- the tail will be nearly gone by this week. 
• I've tried watching those time lapse videos of baby development. A bit creepy. Maybe I'll try again in a few weeks.  Note to self: do not watch Alien movies anytime soon.
• Andrew and I have been a disaster this week- he's got Crohn's stuff going on, and I've been so tired and icky feeling. Yesterday I took a half day and we both kind of gave up for the day. 
• Have since decided that the allotted 12 oz. coffee is incredibly important- I took my dose this morning with cream and sugar and felt super. Fat and sugar are so kind to me these days, cutting acidity and letting me consume calories in a more dense manner. 
• Starting to plan next year's programs. Sneakily making sure there is a relative void of activity in May. Excited to start interviews for my assistant position next week- my unwitting substitute during fmla... hehehehe.

Week seven.

Halfway through week seven, hooray! Things worth noting:

• The shrimp will be a whooping half inch by the end of this week.
• Cerebral hemispheres of the braaaaaains are now developed (that's for you, Yoders and Bakers).
• The appendix is also there now- how useful.
• Instead of feeling hungry and full, I feel nauseated and un-nauseated.
• Bad smells this weekend- ripe chicken necks (we went crabbing), mayonnaise, the parking lot at the ice cream place, sunscreen, grilled chicken, barbecue sauce. Reoccurring, queasy smelly memories of a caramelized onion dip Dongah and I made.